Selective Focus: Graham Burnett
Graham Burnett operates Graflex Parts, a business that restores and repairs antique cameras. Film isn’t dead, and there are a number of people who still take on the challenges of photography without a phone or SD card. He works on medium and large format cameras that shoot one sheet of film at a time, and definitely don’t fall into the “point and shoot” category. It can take months to do the repairs, custom-build parts and fine-tune the mechanics.
GB: I do repair and modification work to antique cameras, with a specialty in a several types of high-end professional cameras dating from 1900-1950. I’m a sort of “custom design shop” but for 100-year-old cameras. The kind I work on are all considered “Large Format” and produce images that can be up to 8 inches by 10 inches wide. I found my way to this niche of photography and cameras through my own progression as a photographer. I had a few specific preferences for what kind of cameras I liked and what sort of image I was trying to create with it; inevitably it lead me to antique cameras. Every artist has tools and my clients are mainly working professionals with a distinct goal in mind, using their cameras for anything from fine art to wedding photography. I often do conversions of cameras allowing them to accept accessories or lenses meant for entirely different camera systems. (more…)
Duluth Shipping Canal in 1899
This photo from Detroit Publishing Company shows the view looking west from the end of the south pier of Duluth’s shipping canal before there was an Aerial Bridge. William Henry Jackson is credited as the photographer.
The Library of Congress dates the image as “between 1890 and 1910,” but research by Mark Ryan for the story “W. H. Jackson’s Photographs of Duluth” for Zenith City Press puts the time of Jackson’s visit to Duluth as the summer of 1899.
Postcard from Two Harbors, where the trout bite
Sure, it’s a cute little piece of art, but the verse on the backside of this undated postcard puts it over the top. (more…)
The Slice: Tom Napoli’s Tortoise and Hare Mural
Artist Tom Napoli recreates Duluth on the side of the Tortoise and Hare Footwear store in West Duluth.
In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.
Duluth 2019 General Election Primer
One week ago the field was thinned. Below is a look at the Duluth municipal and school board races to be decided during the General Election on Nov. 5.
Duluth Mayor
Emily Larson
David Nolle (more…)
Todd Slauson from Duluth, Minnesota
Fifteen years ago today — Aug. 20, 2004 — the movie Garden State premiered. Near the beginning of the film, Zach Braff’s character Andrew Largeman is threatened by his boss.
You have two tables. You are 30 minutes late. And if I ever say this again, your job will go to … Todd Slauson from Duluth, Minnesota.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #16
So here is another of the cards from the Duluth Trivia game. I’m hoping that Tony Dierckins might correct any egregious errors. Anyone interested in Duluth history needs to visit his site at Zenith City Press. (more…)
Matt the Electrician – “Sad Lisa Waltz”
Austin, Texas-based musician Matt the Electrician referenced Duluth in the song “Sad Lisa Waltz” from his 2004 album Long Way Home. (more…)
West Duluth bar scene adding Boreal House
Katie Fast, left, and Julie LaTourelle stand outside 330 N. 57th Ave. W. The two women purchased the former home of RJ’s Coffee Den and plan to open a new bar in West Duluth. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
Two women plan to open a new bar later this fall in a West Duluth neighborhood that boasts some of the oldest drinking establishments in the city.
Katie Fast and Julie LaTourelle, operating as K & J Industries LLC, recently purchased the former RJ’s Coffee Den at 330 N. 57th Ave. W. The century-old building is being remodeled and is expected to reopen as the Boreal House in late November. (more…)
A Tischer Creek Ophelia
Model: Cam Rose. Mask by Jill Holmen.
Indecent Exposure
Walking from the car to the beach, it suddenly occurred to me that in the hustle to leave the house I neglected to take off my underwear. It’s not even clear to me why I was wearing boxer shorts under swimming trunks to begin with, but it didn’t matter until I was on the verge of jumping into Lake Superior.
The whole idea of a swimsuit itself is pretty asinine, really. It’s a small layer of clothing people wear while submerged in water, so no one can look at their delicate body parts as they enter and exit the lake. Once out of the water, the swimsuit dries faster than a pair of jeans, but still … to prevent people from seeing my Lake Superior-shriveled wiener I’m supposed to walk around for a half hour in wet shorts. Wetter yet if I’m a dimwit wearing boxer shorts under his trunks.
Still, I understand why society frowns on exposed penises. They are unsightly. But I can go to the beach with a giant oozing scab on my face and not be arrested, so let’s say there’s room for argument here.
Clearly, it’s not because genitals are ugly that society frowns on their public display. It’s because clothing is a perceived barrier to sexual thoughts. (more…)
Selective Focus: Beer Porn
Instagram
56 likes, 0 comments - voyageur_brewing_company on July 8, 2019: "Our Sledhound Session IPA is making a splash. See where you can buy it on our website or stop in and fill a growler. #voyageurbrewingcompany #craftbeer #mncraftbeer #donorthmn #drinkcraftbeer #craftbrewersguild".
instagram.com
Instagram loves a nice sexy photo of a beer can on the beach, a bottle glistening in the sun on a handsome patio, a plastic growler propped just right on a canoe. Here are a few recent ones. (more…)
Last of the Gabriel’s [Pop] Vinyl: “My Little Old Shack in Minneapolis, MN” by Yogi Yorgesson
I saved the best, or at least the nearest to local, for last. (more…)
The Slice: Dragon Boat Practice
Blue Water Paddling hosts open dragon boating in Superior every Tuesday night. In this video, co-founder Megan Kress leads a group through some paddling exercises to prepare for the big race. The 2019 Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival is Aug. 24, with races starting at 8 a.m.
In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.
Video: Pictured Rocks Cliff Collapse
Minnesota-based nature photographers Jon Smithers and Craig Blacklock shot this video near Shipwreck Point on Lake Superior’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When a section of the sandstone cliff collapses, a group of kayakers is just far enough away to avoid injury.
PDD Video Lab: A Whole New Can of Worms
In a world where Duluth’s “Can of Worms” area is untangled and all the city’s hillside vegetation dies, comes a new video from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
When the PDD A/V squad saw MnDOT’s silent “Drive Through Animation,” the need to add music was overwhelming. The soundtrack above is a clip from Anthony Bennett’s song “Can of Worms” from the 2012 album Hello Cruel World. Tony is also PDD’s calendar editor, though he wasn’t in the lab when we picked his music. (more…)
All hail Duluth’s new flag
Duluth has a new flag. Blane Tetreault was selected as the overall winner of the city’s flag-design contest launched earlier this year.
“This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to a community that I love,” Tetreault said in a news release from the city. “My goal in participating in this project was to help establish a symbol that represents the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of Duluth.” (more…)
WDIO-TV Personalities Circa Early 1970s
Dennis Anderson, anchor
Bill Stefl, sports
Jack McKenna, weather
Jim Schwinn
Duluth 2019 Primary Election Results
With 34 of 34 precincts counted …
Duluth Mayor
(Top two candidates advance to General Election)
Emily Larson – 5,225 | 66.87%
David Nolle – 992 | 12.7%
John Socha – 450 | 5.76%
Daniel Weatherly – 285 | 3.65%
Donald Raihala – 220 | 2.82%
Caleb Anderson – 206 | 2.64%
Jesse Peterson – 193 | 2.47%
Corey Ford – 160 | 2.05%
Doris Queen Lavender – 83 | 1.06%
At-large Duluth City Councilors
(Two positions; top four candidates advance to General Election)
Arik Forsman – 3,570 | 26.87%
Noah Hobbs – 3,313 | 24.94%
Derek Medved – 3,003 | 22.6%
Mike Mayou – 2,338 | 17.6%
Stephen Abernethy – 498 | 3.75%
Nathaniel Rankin – 321 | 2.42%
Matthew William Stewart – 242 | 1.82%
Third District Duluth City Councilor
(Top two candidates advance to General Election)
Roz Randorf – 661 | 47.9%
Theresa O’Halloran-Johnson – 454 | 32.9%
Henry Banks – 185 | 13.41%
Ryan Glenn – 80 | 5.8%
More vinyl from Gabriel’s Used Bookstore
I’m still working my way through the vinyl I grabbed from the bag sale at Gabriel’s Used Bookstore. Most of it is listen once, then dispose or destroy, although I have a mild curiosity about who the owner of these singles was. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #15
Ah hah! Here is maybe a better way to share the cards from the Duluth Trivia game I bought at Savers. I destroyed all the bits that were not Duluth-centric, and I am destroying the cards as I use them here. I own waaaay too much stuff. (more…)
Hey look, a 45-inch Lake Superior trout
Nearly 4-foot lake trout might have been state record - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota
Monster trout caught and released near Duluth Friday was 45 1/2 inches long.
duluthnewstribune.com
Caught by Steven Gotchie and Jordan Korzenowski on Lake Superior, about five miles out from the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Big changes at Wildwoods rehab facility
Left: New Wildwoods Executive Director Jessica LaBumbard. Right: Outgoing Director Farzad Farr.
Wildwoods, the Duluth-area wildlife rehabber, recently posted its early-season stats: 1,260 animals have been helped by the organization this year, through Aug. 1. Migration season, a busy time for Wildwoods, is still to come.
Meanwhile, Executive Director Farzad Farr will be stepping down on Sept. 21 after 13 years with Wildwoods. He’s going back to California to be close to family. New director Jessica LaBumbard has already began. (more…)
Selective Focus: #tallships
Instagram
38 likes, 0 comments - timolarson on August 11, 2019: "Couldn't make it to the #festivalofsail this year, so here are 3 favorites from 2016.
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#tallships #tallshipsduluth2016 #dailyduluth #duluth #duluthmn #canalpark #lakesuperior #liftbridge #aerialliftbridge .
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#midmnphotography #lg #lgg4 #exploremn #myminnesota #capturemn #onlyinmn #stateology #wcco #thisismyminnesota #onlyinmn #hey_ihadtosnapthat #hey_ihadtosnapthat_timolarson #minnesotaexposure #captivatemn #elite_photography_page #minnesota_captures #minnesota_premier".
instagram.com
A few views as the Festival of Sail blew into town Sunday. The festival continues today and tomorrow, Aug. 12 and 13. (more…)