Recommendations
Mountain Biking in Duluth When it’s Wet
Cyclists of the Gitchee Gumee Shores do a great job of keeping trail status up to date after a rainfall. I always abide by their recommendation to stay off trails when wet. Are there any trails that are rideable when wet or damp? Maybe some snowmobile trails or something similar?
Catering Recommendation in the Twin Cities
Daily I am reminded of the charmed life I once lived in Duluth. The most recent pain comes in needing to identify a few restaurants or catering companies I could collaborate with on a fundraising event my employer is sponsoring in September.
Back in Duluth, this would have been a wonderful experience as I would simply visit with some friends or mutual acquaintances to find the right partner. Not so with this endeavor. So with that, I am reaching out to the “best of the best” here on PDD: if any of you have a CATERING recommendation for me [ST PAUL, MSP] and could provide a soft introduction, that would be very helpful. I’m not holding out for free food, I’m just interested in creating a partnership and want to engage an honest, service-minded owner. Feel free to email me directly: bbertsch at crchealth dot com.
DirecTV service/signal in Duluth?
I had DirecTV when I lived in Minneapolis and was very happy with it. When we moved up here we rented for starters and I just went with Charter because the rental was wired for cable.
I really don’t like very much about Charter, other than the Internet, which my company pays for anyway. I am considering going back to DirecTV when my promotional rate with Charter is up.
My question is, with the frequent fog, heavy snow, etc. is signal strength an issue? I’d love some feedback from people who have used or are using DirecTV in Duluth. Thanks!
Best Twin Ports Newstand?
Does anyone have a thought as to where I could find a wide variety of news-type magazines/newspapers for sale in town? Am I stuck having to hit Barnes & Noble on the dreaded Miller Hill or are there other options? Used magazines would be even better, as this is for a project I’m working on. The printed material will be effectively chopped apart as part of the process. Oh, Carlson’s … where are you when I need you???
Duluth Concrete Contractor Recommendations
I need someone to bust up and remove some sidewalk and then pour a new sidewalk/patio. This isn’t a massive project, but I don’t have the stomach for a DIY. Who can I call to trust to do good, fast work here in our fair city?
Recommendations on short-term accommodations in Duluth
Perhaps someone can provide a bit of advice on short-term accommodations in our fair city. I’m currently in the process of finishing my thesis and am being seriously handicapped by my roommate situation. There’s no hard feelings, but the scale of work I’ve left to accomplish is simply too grand and requires an environment where I can devote some serious attention to my work. Of course, being a student, money remains a sizable obstacle. I can afford $375 for a month, but finding such a short-term lease has proven impossible. As such, I was wondering if you fine folks would happen to have any creative thoughts on the matter. I am open to just about any solutions.
I appreciate the consideration and a very happy Homegrown to everybody!
Duluth Handyman Recommendations
I do most things myself, but we are working on some remodeling projects and exterior repair on a house we purchased this winter. There are a few things I would rather have someone else do with more expertise. Anyone have a suggestion?
Where should I get old photos copied?
I stumbled across a great old photo of my grandfather. My siblings want copies. Where should I have it copied? I’m looking for someplace I can trust with an old and irreplaceable photo. Thanks for any advice!
Perfect Duluth Day in Nashville
I really enjoy rhetoric guy’s posts with details about a typical day in Duluth from his perspective. After spending a day in Nashville leading up to an evening of Duluth musicians performing on an iconic American stage, I couldn’t help thinking about sharing this profound experience in a similar way.
Duluth Childcare Recommendations
I seem to be getting much closer to securing the ever-elusive employment (in my career field) in Duluth and I am just so excited. (Hopefully, I haven’t just jinxed myself!)
My next hurdle will be finding and securing childcare for my toddler. I’m hoping that someone here can recommend a few places or at least point me in the right direction (besides Google). I’m interested in, and open to, options such as structured/educational in-home care and the traditional childcare center. References required, obviously, as well as certification.
I appreciate the help!
French Tutor for Language-Deprived Youth
My 17-year-old daughter, Rachel, a junior at East who is fluent in French — she spent much of last summer in France and is currently enrolled in an upper-level French literature course at UMD through the PSEO program — would like to help Duluth’s language-deprived youth by tutoring preK through high school students (ages 4-18). No prior knowledge of the French language is required and her introductory rates are very reasonable. (For those who don’t know, French is not taught in Duluth’s public schools, which is quite inconvenient, but that is a discussion for another day.) Rachel is kind and patient and has references available from her own previous tutors, as she started studying French in middle school. If anyone would like more information, please call or text me. My cell number is 218-310-1867. Merci beaucoup!
Claire
Snooty Fox Tea and Honey Tasting
The Facebook invitation for the Snooty Fox Tea and Honey Tasting, event indicated 80 people would attend, and that did not feel wrong. Maybe not 80, but the place was packed.
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Duluth moving company recommendations … another try
About a year ago, an inquiry was posted to PDD for moving company recommendations. Bob at Wherley was the only person/company recommended.
I’m bringing the question back as my sister is moving — it’s a local job — packing her two-bedroom house (with garage) and transporting less than 10 miles away. Does anyone have a solid, dependable recommendation?
Also, can anyone speak to how the price is set or if there is an extra cost if the stuff is packed and loaded but sits on the truck for the next day? I appreciate your thoughts.
Home?
I’m quite enjoying this blog! I’m not from Duluth, not even Minnesota, actually, rather I’m from Iowa but my family and I have visited Duluth through out the years for vacation. My father has recently moved further north to Silver Bay and in the next few months, I will have the chance to relocate my family. Every time I think of “home” and moving back home, I think of Duluth and it just makes my heart happy.
Just looking for some recommendations on areas to live (I’m only familiar with touristy and hiking areas, parks, canoeing, fishing areas further north, etc.) Also in consideration of schools as this is where we’ll raise our daughter.
Or even just a friendly “hello” or premature “welcome” would be awesome. We’re relocating from a not so friendly, larger town in a southern state and I just miss the Midwestern friendliness!
PDD Gift Guide 2014
Ho ho ho, it’s time once again for the Perfect Duluth Day Gift Guide. A holiday hootenanny of gift ideas with a local connection. With the new-ish PDD design, the appearance is a little different this year. Click the thumbnail photo for more details on products. The titles link to e-commerce sites or info about where to find the products. We’ve gathered 15 ideas to kick things off, and invite you to add your suggestions in the comments. (more…)
Music rehearsal space for rent in Duluth?
I play in a five-person garage-rock(ish) band, and unfortunately all of the garages that we know of are not good winter practice spaces. Does anyone know of places actively renting out rehearsal space? We’re courteous, young professionals with rental references, but not quite clean-cut enough to practice, in say, a church basement. This has been a pebble in my shoe for months, so thanks you for any advice!
Duluth Brewery Tours
I’ll be in town next weekend Friday and Saturday, and I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations of breweries or brewpubs to check out. We will be doing the Bent Paddle brewery tour … but any additional suggestions/recommendations is greatly appreciated.
Snow Removal Advice
A friend in Lakeside needs advice on snow removal. (more…)
Winter is coming … how about a Duluth Street Store?
We’ve got a lot of poor, if not homeless people in Duluth. And winter is mighty cold. I’d sure love for there to be a way to give directly to those who need, not funneled through a nonprofit. Maybe something following the Street Store model.
Retaining Wall and Excavation in Duluth
Does anyone have good recommendations?
Duluth Firewood Delivery
Does anyone have a firewood deliverer recommendation? Oak, birch or maple. We’ve had spotty luck the past few years.
Getting to Fall Fest
Saturday, September 20th is the date for the 30th annual Fall Fest in Chester Park. Rain Date is Sunday the 21st. With construction happening right outside the park entrance, getting to Fall Fest will be a little different this year.
Click the map to see it larger.
If you’re not walking to Chester Bowl that day, everyone is strongly encouraged to park and take the free shuttle buses from UMD’s Lot B, next to the Administration building, at College & University. (See map) Road and bridge repairs continue immediately west of the Chester Bowl Park entrance thereby limiting access to just the eastern entrance. Pedestrians can enter from the east side, but Skyline Parkway will also be closed to cars from the east starting at Kent Road on the day of the event. Parking is prohibited along Skyline Parkway after Kent Road.
PDD will be at Fall Fest again this year in our luxurious canopy, giving away stickers, selling t-shirts, and whatever other shenanigans we devise between now and next Saturday. Look for us next to the playground.
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Perfect Coffee Shop: Beaner’s Central
A rash of new coffee joints have opened up in Duluth in recent years, but an old favorite was the clear winner in Perfect Duluth Day’s poll to name the best coffee shop. Beaner’s Central Concert Coffeehouse has been as much known for its live music and friendly vibe over the past 15 years as it has for the Alakef-roasted java blends served there daily. Not to mention the baked goods, soups, sandwiches, pizzas, random experimental breakfasts, beers, wines, art exhibitions, basement recording studio and whatever else the affable and eccentric owner and founder Jason Wussow decides to offer next. It’s no wonder Beaner’s dominated with 50 percent of the vote in the three-way race for Duluth’s coffee-shop crown.
Jefferson People’s House, which opened just three months before our poll, gave a strong second place performance with 28 percent of the vote. The not-quite-two-year-old Duluth Coffee Co. cafe and roasterie also performed well, pulling in 22 percent of the vote.
Best Coffee Shop in the Duluth Area Poll (Final Ballot)
In our elimination round poll we pitted 11 coffee shops against each other. The top three now do battle in this contest to answer the question …
[poll id=”68″]
This poll is now closed. There results were:
Beaner’s Central Concert Coffeehouse – 50.4 percent
Jefferson People’s House – 27.8 percent
Duluth Coffee Co. – 21.8