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Stuffed at the Toga
OK, seeing you guys know everything … what’s the story behind the stuffed “animals” (ground hogs? gophers?) at the Club Saratoga. I’ve “only” lived in Duluth 25 winters and every time I’m in there (did I just out myself as a Toga regular?!) I wonder about their origin. Anyone have the knowledge?
The Fortunately, Unfortunately, Fortunately of Google Fiber
Fortunately, Duluth-Superior put together a great bid for Google Fiber in the Spring as Google Twin Ports. We generated tons of buzz nationwide, and even worldwide and mobilized thousands of community members in support of the project. I was a tiny (miniscule, really) cog in the wheel that was the ad-hoc Google Twin Ports steering committee in the first part of this year. And just like everyone else, I have been anxiously waiting for the end of the year for the community (ies) that will get Google Fiber to be announced.
Unfortunately, as noted in another PDD post, Google has said they can’t decide yet and they’ve kicked the announcement date down into 2011.
Fortunately, that aforementioned PDD post from Brian B was on the coveted first page of “links” on the most recent official Google Fiber blog post!
This could mean anything or not much so try not to call me too naive here. But one thing is certain: They haven’t forgotten us. I say that means we are still in the hunt folks, and I think we’re a front runner when I consider all the factors I can think of, climate, community support, integration, availability of “dark” fiber, competing delivery systems (WiMax, 3G, Cable, DSL, even Superior Broadband’s nifty radio thing) attractiveness of the community and the list goes one. And I’ll just add in one more huge asset we have: Perfect Duluth Day. And that there screenshot proves they know that, too.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2010
That, my fellow Duluthians, is one big ol’ Christmas tree.
Lady of the Lake Warhammer Tournament
I don’t play, but I know an opportunity for cool pictures when I see it. The Lady of the Lake Warhammer Tournament was held at Dragon Port Games and Comics Saturday. (more…)
PDD Troll Zone
Welcome to Perfect Duluth Day’s complaint department, hyperbole center and personal grudge factory. This is a post created for all the Internet trolls who are eager to bog down threads on this website with combative diatribes. It’s also a place for people who can’t stop themselves from responding to those trolls and suddenly become, quite frankly, more annoying than the trolls.
Has one of your comments been removed lately? Did you bitch about it in the comments? Was that comment removed too? Well now you can bitch about it again, here! And it probably won’t be deleted this time!
Although PDD has detailed policies about what types of posts and comments are permitted, the moderators have created this page — where almost anything goes — for two reasons:
1) Let’s face it, a lot of people thrive on bickering and need a place to blow off steam.
2) Most people can’t stand bickering and would like fewer distractions from the other threads on PDD.
So here it is, an open forum for exaggerations and personal attacks. Have fun. (Or should we say, “Go shove it up your Minnesota-nice-hole, you jerkwad”?)
Permanent McLight Pollution?
Have you recently looked out into the evening sky to be welcomed by what would seem to be a search beacon?
I don’t know that I have ever witnessed it while I have lived in Duluth, however, years ago, it was common practice to hire a “searchlight advertising” team help promote your special event.
This new searchlight seems to be something altogether different.
Of course, some might applaud the re-opening of the London Road McDonald’s, and it might even be searchlight worthy, but it seems that the searchlight that is emitting from McDonald’s is permanently fixed on top of the building. WTF?
(Admin note: According to McDonald’s Duluth-area supervisor, the light is not permanent. It will be in use for about 30 days.)
Are we to expect that this light will constantly beam into the sky, luring unsuspecting folk to this establishment? Forever polluting our night space?
When I look out toward the big dark lake, that’s all I care to see … black … nothing else … thank you very much.
I suggest that we begin here, with a letter-writing campaign urging that they turn that damn light off.
The Wails of November
Last night at the Brewhouse I mentioned to Cody, the guy next to me at the bar, that I liked the comic on the cover of this week’s Transistor, even though I have to admit that I don’t understand it.
He told me he understands it perfectly, then started talking about fractals and how the comic is referring to a famous Japanese picture and so on. Maybe it was the Starfire Ale, or maybe I’m just stupid, but no matter how hard Cody tried, he couldn’t get me to understand this comic.
Obviously there’s a play on the phrase “Gales of November” going on. There seems to be some roller derby girls surfing. That’s about all I can make of it.
Can anyone explain this comic in a way that I’ll understand?
Say it ain’t so, Denny
WDIO news anchor Dennis Anderson plans to retire in the next six months, after 50 years in broadcasting.
Duluth Public Schools Website — A joke!
Anyone else find the Duluth Public Schools website absolutely abominable?
I had reason to call three elementary schools, one of which I needed the address for. Sure I could use my handy-dandy phone book — oh, wait, this is 2010 I don’t have a phone book! Not to mention I’m sitting at my desk, with my high-speed world wide web right here.
(more…)
Angry Haiku
Ya welcome.
Was SMDC name change Essential?
I just saw a piece on NBC about how Gap changed its logo and then changed back to the original after a whole lot of internet chatter by graphic designers criticizing the new logo. (Both logos below.)
Corporate identity is a huge issue for many businesses, and this one seems to have backfired on Gap. It is very, very expensive for a large organization to change its name: all printed materials, signage, marketing material, vehicle graphics, etc., with the old name and logo have to be changed.
So that got me to thinking about SMDC’s recent name change to Essentia Health. Personally, I don’t like the change: the name sounds like something thought up by a research group and could be used to market some kind of dietary supplement for seniors. And it kind of irks me that SMDC would spend the money to make this seemingly unnecessary move when so many people are fighting the high cost of health care.
Of course, I may be overreacting. Anyone else have a problem with the SMDC name change?
CSS Student Journalism Site
The journalism department at the College of St. Scholastica has recently launched a new site to showcase articles from student coursework and to give students the opportunity to hone their skills in the area of writing for the web.
Many of the pieces include a variety of multimedia including photos, audio, and video. They’ve already turned out a great variety of articles focused on the issues, events, and history of St. Scholastica as well as the greater Duluth community.
Take a look and feel free to comment on any articles that you find interesting. You can find it at the St. Scholastica NewsLab.
If today is your birthday …
Increased personal magnetism and charisma are not with you this year. Relationships are not very stimulating and a focal point for you and your pets. Creative endeavors are likely to suck. New responsibilities and duties are part of your life this year, and at times you can feel a little burdened by them, get over it! However, you can benefit greatly from the increased doses of vitamins needed to keep you alive, as you are an old person now.
Today’s birthdays include:
Thomas Wolfe
Gore Vidal
Chubby Checker
Ashlee Simpson
and … Mr. DeafYet — AKA — Big ‘old’ House Bob.
Ghettos don’t just happen …
This is response to the post “Looking for Duluth apartment” in which “j-i-l-l-o” posted that someone was looking for a centralized location in Duluth and “Losjasmo” said that was a synonym for “ghetto-town.” “Wildgoose” took offense. So did I.
This summer I heard Majora Carter speak and something she said really struck me. “Ghettos don’t just happen … they are planned.” (more…)
Hawk Weekend in Duluth
Debbie Waters, education director at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, shows off a red-tailed hawk during Hawk Weekend activities today.
Upset Duluth: In case you missed it
It took a few days to pull together, and the link was kind of buried in the Upset Duluth thread, but in response to demand a gallery of portraits has been started over at the News Tribune Attic. It includes the 1995 photo above, by the News Tribune’s Bob King, of a Superior resident concerned about the condition of the sidewalk near his home. There are photos of people without concerns, too.
I’ll keep adding to it if there’s reader interest in seeing more.
New PDD Bumper Stickers
I love this time of year. The leaves may be falling, but the Perfect Duluth Day sticker harvest has just begun. Stop by the Perfect Duluth Day booth at Chester Bowl’s Fall Fest this Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9:30am – 4:30pm to pick up your own free Perfect Duluth Day bumper sticker.
This is a brand new batch of stickers with a slightly different design than the original. (If you have an old sticker, you will officially be stuck in the past after Saturday.)
The PDD booth will be on the right side as you enter the park from Skyline, about halfway down the row.
Weather should be good, but the rain date is Sunday, Sept. 19, same time.
If you can’t make it to Fall Fest but still want a sticker, send a S.A.S.E to PDD.
Perfect Duluth Day
P.O. Box 7305
Duluth MN 55807
Upset Duluth
Every month or so there is a story in the Duluth News Tribune about a community member or group of people upset about something. The story usually features a photo like the one above, shot by Bob King.
I don’t mean to make light of any of the issues these people are upset about, or be critical at all of the photography. Just the opposite. What I’m saying is, for some reason I love these photos. Seriously. (more…)
Democracy Now! Coming to KUMD
I just wanted to express support and love for Democracy Now! Coming soon to 103.3 KUMD!
HotMaids post removed
A note from your friendly neighborhood PDD moderators:
Many people read and commented on a post from August 29 about a cleaning business called HotMaids. We have decided to remove the post due to deceptive tactics engaged in by the author of the post, who is also the owner of the business.
Many of the comments responding to the post were made by the author, under multiple names, all raving about what a great idea the business is. Initially we removed those comments and left the post up, but ultimately we felt the entire thing should be removed.
The post also received many negative comments from people who did not appreciate the nature of the business. That had nothing to do with why the post was removed. We simply felt that the deceitful tactics of the author were reason enough to include the phrase “let the buyer beware” at the front end of the discussion.
With that in mind, we now resume the forum on this topic — unless everyone prefers to ignore it at this point.
Help Me Identify This Spider
This spider moved into the overhang outside my kitchen window. I first noticed it this morning, and it’s still there tonight. It’s really hard to get a decent picture, but I did the best I could. Anybody have any idea as to what kind of spider this is, or if they’re usually around here? It’s about as big as the end of my thumb (from the knuckle to the tip). It’s huge. HUUUUUUUUGE. Right now it’s fascinating to watch, but I think I’d have to move if it ever got in.
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Eaten Alive!
Holland and Holly (both good swimmers) are frolicking in Fish Lake just beyond the dam west of Highbanks. Me, I’m lounging on the beach as the designated adult. They had thrown a large log into the water and were trying to sit on it, splashing their feet and paddling further out into the lake.
Suddenly, screaming. “A snapping turtle! Trying to bite us! Lynn! Help!” I spring up and swim to them. Coming into view, a very large snapping turtle head poking up out of the water not far from them. The Goliath had noticed the commotion. I swear that turtle had a shell that was at least a yard in diameter, the largest I have ever seen and I grew up in the land of 10,000 lakes.
As I dog-paddled in place by their log, the turtle submerged. I comforted “he is just passing by, don’t worry.” Except he swam by underwater, inches from the girls, going in the wrong direction. And then, just a few minutes later, he swam by again from the other direction. His flippers and tail looked like a dinosaur to me as he stalked us, his jaws open.
I surmised at this point the girls were telling the truth, the turtle was after them. It had now been twenty minutes and that turtle kept coming back like clockwork. So I proclaimed “Girls, swim for it!” and we got the hell out of the water.