It’s not Mars; it’s my streets.
On Facebook, I saw a picture that could have been from Mars, or from Hibbing (where the earth has been gutted by mines in a monstrously, sublimely beautiful way).
But it wasn’t. It was a Duluth street.
(On Facebook the photo is cropped without the yellow line. This makes it look even more out-of scale Martian.)
In the next election, I understand, there is something to be done about it.
C.J. Ham’s “Fullback Life”
A tweet this morning by Duluth’s C.J. Ham shows the bent upper rim of his face-mask after the Minnesota Vikings hard-hitting victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Fullback life indeed.
Duluth Ferry by Francis Chapin
Lithograph published by the Walker Galleries of New York, circa 1938.
Autumn at Split Rock Lighthouse
Dawn LaPointe and Gary Fiedler of Radiant Spirit Gallery recently captured these scenes of Split Rock Lighthouse.
Mystery Photo #55: Duluth Miniature Farm
Thanks to the labeling we know this miniature farm was located at a Conrad Service Station in Duluth. But where specifically in Duluth? And when?
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
I will do almost anything to avoid ironing. It’s the truth — I will. I don’t know what it is about ironing that is so abhorrent to me, but I will consider almost any other method of getting wrinkles out of my clothes.
Maybe it’s the ironing board. It’s all big and squeaky, and inexplicably hard to operate. Mine has not one, but two security features — you have to compress this metal … thing … while applying downward pressure on the legs to get it to close. Then, it catches on the second security contraption, which requires that you, maintaining aforementioned downward pressure, and compressing the first metal thing, also compress a second metal thing. It’s next to impossible. It’s actually easier to remove a Volvo 850 engine or a human heart. I know irons are hot and dangerous. But a double lock? There are nuclear silos with less integrity.
As an added feature, or possibly as evidence of the degradation of the ironing board over time, this security feature also activates while you are opening the ironing board, locking the board halfway open, approximately three feet off the ground. Three feet off the ground is too far below my natural waist for me to comfortably iron there, and slightly too high for me to iron at from a kneeling position (ask me how I know) so I must begin a reverse version of the closing the board/security catch deactivation process: I clench both metal doobobbies like I am falling off a cliff, and vigorously shake the whole thing up and down until the legs finally release, like a huge metal crane, and snap into ironing board, full-height position. (more…)
Earth Rider beer on tap at Cedar Lounge
For the first time in 50 years, suds are flowing at a production brewery in Superior. The inaugural beer by Earth Rider Brewing — a pale ale — went on tap Oct. 20 at its nearby taproom, the Cedar Lounge. Take-home 32 oz. crowlers are also for sale. (more…)
Where in Duluth? (Stone Edition)
Who knows where this carving exists in Duluth? Bonus points: what is it depicting and why?
Selective Focus: Eric Dubnicka
Eric Dubnicka is an artist working in multiple materials with fascinating abstractions and textures. It’s always fun and surprising to see what pops up on his Instagram feed.
E.D.: Currently my artworks are focused on the energy that exists and interacts between two people, which has been a fun challenge to conceptualize and the result is a series of paintings of ephemeral core bodies with a carved sculptural element demonstrating the connection between them. I’m fascinated by the process of abstraction and my works have run the gamut of sardonic caricatures to field color paintings, but the underlying concept is the energy that drives us as individuals or in relationships. The forms I’m working with currently lean heavily on the biomorphic lines, have a human anatomical subtext and are relatable to microscopic snapshots that can be found in nature or among the stars. I enjoy allowing for broad interpretations of my work and allow the materials to speak and interact, creating surfaces that are tactile, textured and carry an aesthetic strength that allow accessibility. (more…)
Bent Paddle 14° ESB grabs gold at Great American Beer Festival
Bent Paddle Brewing won Duluth’s first Great American Beer Festival gold medal two weeks ago. It was the third time 14° ESB won a medal in the Extra Special Bitter category. It took the silver medal in 2015 and the bronze in 2014. (more…)
Local writer wins national audience
Jayson Iwen, associate professor of writing at UW–Superior, has landed a piece in Tikkun magazine. His story “Night Running,” was also a Glimmer Train “very short fiction” honorable mention. (more…)
Arnold and Denny: Together at Last
A showdown for the ages.
Welcome back to Duluth, Denny Hecker
Former Twin Cities automobile mogul Denny Hecker, now seven years into a 10-year sentence for fraud, has been relocated to Duluth’s low-security Federal Prison Camp. Toward the front end of his sentence he spent nearly a year in Duluth, a period spanning March 2011 to February 2012.
Hecker once owned a network of car dealerships in the Twin Cities. He pleaded guilty in 2010 to hiding assets in bankruptcy and defrauding lenders.
The Great Target Parking Lot Flood of 2007
Five years before Duluth’s most famous flood came Duluth’s least famous flood. Ten years ago today — Oct. 18, 2007 — heavy rainfall caused Miller Creek to swell and parking lot runoff to form a pool on the outer edge of Duluth’s Miller Hill Target store property. One driver managed to land in a sink hole; two Perfect Duluth Day contributors snapped photos. (Top photo by yours truly Paul Lundgren; bottom photos by Barrett Chase.)
Duluth Pottery is back in Duluth; grand opening Oct. 21
Remodeling of the former P&J Paint building is complete and Karin Kraemer is ready to launch her new Duluth Pottery studio at 1924 W. Superior St.
The shop opens at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. A grand opening reception starts at 5 p.m. with Kraemer’s art on display along with works by Luke Krisak and other friends of Duluth Pottery. Live music by Cousin Dad begins at 8 p.m. (more…)
Elevator Row at Rice’s Point in Duluth
Photographer unknown; date unknown.
R.I.P. Sneakers Sports Bar & Grill
Sneakers Sports Bar & Grill announced on Facebook today it has closed after 32 years in business. The bar will become part of the new Lyric Kitchen and Bar, which is also replacing Porter’s restaurant as part of a series of renovation projects at Duluth’s Holiday Center.
A news release by Holiday Inn & Suites-Duluth and Lion Hotel Group notes the Lyric will open for business on Oct. 30 and will feature “a full bar and light-hearted dining experience that celebrates all things Duluth.” The menu will include burgers, pizzas and steaks. Breakfast will be served seven days a week.
Where very near Duluth?
For the 163rd installment of Perfect Duluth Day’s ultra-thrilling photo-trivia sensation “Where in Duluth?” we present this closeup shot of a rock with a distinguishing etching. It is located so close to the city border it’s hard to definitively say whether it’s technically in Duluth or not.
Describe where this rock is in the comments to become internet champion of the day.
Crystal Spring Gibbins and Holy Cow at Twin Cities Book Festival
On Saturday at the Twin Cities Book Festival, Gary Boelhower, Joan Henrik, Miriam Karmel and Crystal Gibbins celebrated the 40th anniversary of Duluth’s Holy Cow! Press.
The panel, moderated by Jim Perlman, was basically short readings followed by a book signing. It was great to see friends at this celebration of literary culture.
Rich Mattson and the Northstars – “Castles”
Rich Mattson and the Northstars have released a new album, Aeroplane Mode. The video for the single “Castles” is a bit of space rock put together by Reggie Pype.
PDD Quiz: Northland Beer and Breweries
In honor of Oktoberfest, this edition of the PDD Quiz features … beer. Each question is the name of a craft beer produced in the region. Can you match the beer with the name of the brewery or brewpub that markets it? Belly up to the quiz and test your skill. (more…)
Coffee, dessert and football in Duluth
Does anyone know of a quiet location to watch the Packers/Vikings game? Preferably one with good desserts and coffee?
Don’t Worry About It
I played football at UMD for two years.
No I didn’t.
I was on the UMD football team for two years. I had a locker and got equipment that wasn’t as nice as what important players got. I received most of the on-and-off-campus benefits that came with being in the football fold. I made it onto the lower tier of the second-string roster for a few practices by the end of my sophomore season in 1990. I was a legit but inconsequential member of the team. I never really played. I haven’t actually played football since November 1989, when my senior season as a Rochester John Marshall Rocket ended with a loss to the Winona Winhawks.
Some fellow seniors cried on the sideline of Winona’s stadium as our high-school football identities ticked away. I felt bad about not being able to muster that emotion. I couldn’t have said it this way then, but now I know I just didn’t much care. I mean . . . I suppose I would have preferred to win. It’s just that losing didn’t really bother me and I wasn’t bereft about that season ending.
No part of football for me had to do with feeling driven to win or averse to losing. Somewhere in my dudebro teenage brain I already knew that many aspects of football are stupid and creepy and “winning” and “losing” are illusory stories we tell ourselves to create meaning we can understand in an existence we can’t. (more…)
Lost and Found Duluth Relics from Morgan Park and WDSM
Above are the letters that adorned the exterior wall near the entrance to Morgan Park School. They are for sale at Bauer Brothers salvage in Minneapolis. Below is an old WDSM-TV camera discovered at Axman Surplus in St. Paul. (more…)
Selective Focus: Reggie Asplund
Reggie Asplund recently moved his business out of his basement and into a new studio. But it’s not like moving any business, he’s working with hundred-year-old printing presses. He’s one of a handful of people in town bringing the huge heavy manual presses back to life and making unique art with them.
R.A.: Middle school was most likely the first time I worked with printmaking, somehow a traced woodpecker comes to mind, but that was about it for a good six years. While I found art interesting and an occasional hobby, my interests and education lead me to end up as an undergraduate studying civil engineering. While a sophomore in undergrad I was approached by an old friend to apply as an intern to her aunt’s letterpress studio in Minneapolis. Desperate for a break from thermodynamics and load-bearing structures, I hastily applied and was offered a position. It didn’t take long to realize how much more I enjoyed the process of printmaking and as a blend of art, mechanical troubleshooting, and hands-on labor, it kept all sides of my brain content. After moving to Duluth to finish up my degree I acquired my first printing press and under the guidance of the stellar Kenspeckle Letterpress crew began the plunge into the addiction to ink, metal and paper. (more…)