Glen’s Neighbor – “Time To Go”
Here’s the video for the latest single from Duluth-based bluegrass band Glen’s Neighbor off the album Your Unknown. Directed and edited by Shane Rock Nelson with cinematography by Dan Huiting.
Duluth vas dere best
Here is yet another “Dutch Kid” pennant postcard, similar to “I hafe a feller in Duluth,” “Mit best wishes from Duluth,” “Vilkome to our city of Duluth” and “Iff you vill come to Duluth ve vill lock up all de cops.”
Because nothing illustrates Duluth exceptionalism better than a postcard gimmick where the same cards are distributed in various places with different city names printed on the pennant, right? (more…)
Trail City: The Bikers, Builders and Believers of Duluth, MN
Filmed and edited by Kyle Ilenda and Spencer Johnson for Freehub Magazine.
DuluthiLeaks: Historic Bridge Report for DM&IR Ore Dock No. 5
How historically significant is West Duluth’s old ore dock and its viaduct and bridges? The Minnesota Department of Transportation retained the consultant team of LHB, Mead & Hunt and 106 Group to produce a multi-purpose study in 2014 that was part of a more comprehensive process involving numerous agencies looking at 140 historic bridges. Part of the goal of the “Local Historic Bridge Report” for the “DM&IR Ore Dock No. 5 Approach” was to gather historical information should the property owner — Canadian National Railway — wish to request a nomination be prepared for the National Register of Historic Places.
For the third edition of DuluthiLeaks — Perfect Duluth Day’s feature in which public documents are released as if they contain secret information leaked from an anonymous whistle blower — we peak into a study of four steel-beam bridges that are part of the mile-long approach to DM&IR Ore Dock No. 5. (more…)
Poll: What is the best restaurant in the South Shore-area?
With your help, we’ve compiled a list of nominees for the perfect South Shore-area restaurant poll. Now it’s time to vote.
What type of restaurant is capable of earning the perfect restaurant title? Whether a pizza shop, tavern or a fine dining establishment, each nominee begins on equal footing. It’s a matter of personal taste and will be determined by good old-fashioned democracy.
Out of 24 nominees, 20 were eliminated in early voting and the four top restaurants remained: Delta Diner, Maggie’s Restaurant, the Rivers Eatery and Wild Rice Restaurant.
This poll is now closed. The results will be posted soon.
Video Archive: Denfeld Class of 1992
Break out the Aqua Net and backward baseball caps, we’ve dug 25 years deep into the video vault to bring you a little “DHS VHS.” Yes, it’s the full and glorious one-hour and 13 minutes of the clumsily titled Duluth Denfeld Senior High School Class of ’92 Senior Class Video, compiled by Cyborg Productions of Prior Lake, Minn. (more…)
CN Duluth Intermodal Terminal: Opening new markets
Last week an official ribbon cutting was held at the CN Duluth Intermodal Terminal. Politicians and transportation business leaders gathered to tout the partnership between Canadian National Railway Company and Duluth Cargo Connect, which created the first rail-served intermodal container ramp in the Twin Ports, positioning the region for direct transportation of containerized imports and exports to East, West and Gulf Coast ports via Duluth.
Duluth Cargo Connect is a working partnership of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Lake Superior Warehousing. The rail-served facility is located at Clure Public Marine Terminal on Rice’s Point.
Why is a full-service, multimodal hub for domestic and international trade so important? Lake Superior Magazine explains in an article published Sept. 20: Going Intermodal.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s 1947 visit to Duluth
Two years after U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt traveled to Duluth. While here she was made an Honorary Ambassador Extraordinary of the Dushy of Duluth — the ambassadors program of the Duluth Chamber of Commerce. The photo above shows her receiving the citation from Arthur C. Young, “Prince of the East.” (more…)
Bob Dylan on cover of final Village Voice print edition
The 62-year-old New York-based news and culture paper Village Voice published its final printed edition on Sept. 20. It features Duluth-born Bob Dylan on the cover — a photo taken on Jan. 22, 1965 in Christopher Park near the old Voice offices.
The Voice announced in August it would cease publication of its print edition and convert to a fully digital format.
(more…)Positive Thinking Meets Bad Car-ma
I had one simple objective that fateful day in December 2016. I just wanted to walk my dog before the sun went down. It seemed like a realistic goal.
After a morning spent working, I had a quick lunch, resumed working and before I knew it the clock read 2:30 p.m. So much for my realistic plan.
I had a dental appointment at 3 p.m. and that was a 20-minute drive away, so it was already time to leave. Since the sun sets around 4:30 in Duluth during December, my opportunity to walk in the daylight had pretty much already passed. Still, I clung to hope.
I actually had two dental appointments back to back that day — a scheduled cleaning and a checkup on the progress of a recent implant, which replaced a molar that had collapsed a few months earlier due to the incredible bite-resistance of a simple graham cracker. Stories of dental calamity aside, by the time I got out of the reclining chair and removed my slobber bib the sun was disappearing. I no longer clung to hope, but I had intentions of making the most of the dusk. (more…)
Selective Focus: Karen Owsley Nease

Karen Owsley Nease paints large images of waves, capturing the characteristics of the water and its shapes with layers of transparent oils. She is hosting an opening of the work at the UWS Kruk Gallery on Oct. 5.
Tell us about the medium you work in, and how you came to work in your style.
K. O. N.: I am a visual artist whose primary medium is paint. My most recent works are oil paintings built up with numerous layers of thinly applied glazes. This particular method of painting dates from very early in the history of painting and I employ it because the rich luminosity I can achieve within the paintings from its use. My current series of paintings are intensely observed close- ups of breaking waves. This subject matter lends itself to explorations on many levels, both formally and intellectually. (more…)
Nominees for Perfect South Shore-area Restaurant Poll
The South Shore of Lake Superior is shockingly underrated. Its scenic beauty rivals that of the more popular North Shore. Visitors to the South Shore can expect a more laidback experience, sandy beaches and an array of unique eateries running the gamut from traditional Wisconsin tavern to farm-to-table bistro.
In the interest of giving kudos to the eateries of our underappreciated neighboring region, Perfect Duluth Day is running the Perfect South Shore-area Restaurant poll. (more…)
Go Skateboarding Day 2017
Damage Board Shop skate team member Stephen Pestalozzi recently uploaded this clip from June 21 — National Go Skateboarding Day.
Lake Superior Aquaman Interview on DNT’s Pressroom Podcast
In which I field a bunch of excellent questions.
Pressroom Podcast: Lake Superior Aquaman - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota
You may have seen his videos on Perfect Duluth Day or perhaps you've seen him in the act diving into the big lake with his scaly-orange T-shirt. Amateur freediver and video enthusiast Jim Richardson, aka Lake Superior Aquaman, shares his origin s...
duluthnewstribune.com
I have taken the liberty of transcribing this, below the fold.
Postcard from the Duluth Board of Trade Building
The postmark is smudged and appears to be from May 1913, but the message on the back of the card is dated May 12, 1912. It shows Duluth’s Board of Trade building, which still stands at 301-307 W. First St. It was built in 1894 to replace the original Board of Trade, which was destroyed by fire that year. Duluth architects Oliver G. Traphagen and Francis W. Fitzpatrick designed the new eight-story Romanesque structure. (more…)
Homeless in Duluth?
Have you walked past the Lakewalk entrance by the Electric Fetus on Lake Avenue and Superior Street lately?
Seems that it’s become the cool place to hang out — at least for Duluth’s homeless. In spite of the availability of nearby public restrooms, the smell of urine and feces is ubiquitous.
This is a public health issue. Sanitary issues at homeless encampments have lead to 16 deaths in a hepatitis outbreak in San Diego. (more…)
Minnesota Clothing Sales Tax Exemption Appreciation
I was almost, almost charged sales tax at a second-hand shop near the Miller Hill Mall a few weeks ago, on the purchase of socks. I was disappointed … because this is the law:
Clothing is exempt from Minnesota sales and use tax. Clothing means all human wearing apparel suitable for general use. The exemption for clothing does not apply to fur clothing, clothing accessories or equipment, sports or recreational equipment, and protective equipment, which are taxable.
(From Minnesota Department of Revenue Clothing Sales Tax Fact Sheet) (more…)
Newspaper name change: UMD Statesman becomes the Bark
The Statesman is changing... Here's why — The Statesman
For 70 years, the Statesman has been the Statesman. In 1947, the campus newspaper officially changed its name from the Fortnightly Chronicle to the Duluth Statesman (which later evolved to the UMD Statesman).
theumdstatesman.com
Why The Bark? Here's what our new name means to us — The Bark
After 131 student, faculty and alumni submissions and hours of conversation with students and faculty in different departments on campus this summer, we have chosen the new name for our student news organization — The Bark. We wanted something fresh and modern that would keep up with the ever-evolv
thebarkumd.com
Charlie Parr interview for Issue magazine
In this interview for Issue magazine, Duluth musician Charlie Parr discusses his musical influences, his writing methods and his experience recording for the first time ever using a full band. Video by Jan-Willem Dikker.
Parr’s new album, Dog, is out now on Red House Records.
Duluth reference on “The Deuce”
According to Perfect Duluth Day’s highly reputable sources, the HBO series The Deuce recently made a reference to Duluth.
In episode #2 a prostitute named Lori, who is a new arrival in New York City via Minnesota, is about to be arrested when her pimp stabs the cop and explains the guy is not really a cop. He searches the guy and finds rope and other torture instruments, then says, “We ain’t in Duluth no more, Dorothy.”
Find a clip of the scene to win the internet for a day.
Climbing Ely’s Peak
A quick setup and single-run at Ely’s Peak on the western edge of Duluth.
Video: Duluth’s C.J. Ham scores first NFL regular season touchdown in Vikings loss to Steelers
Duluth native C.J. Ham took a handoff from backup quarterback Case Keenum and surged into the end zone for a 2-yard score against the Pittsburgh Steelers today. It was Ham’s first regular season touchdown in the National Football League, on his first carry. The Vikings lost the game 26-9. (more…)
Fish Cam: Meditation Mix
Nearly an hour of long underwater camera shots, with the natural water sounds which folks find so soothing about this footage. Fish occasionally swim through. Also a couple mergansers towards the end. Put this on, go make some tea, and chill.
Mystery Photo #53: Commonwealth Avenue?
This old photo of someone’s hot rod seems to be from the early 1970s and the scene is very likely Commonwealth Avenue in Gary-New Duluth. But if this is showing Commonwealth Avenue, where specifically? (more…)
My Fancy Foreign Car is a Symbol of My Idiocy
If you read my previous essay, you already know I bought a used-but-fancy foreign car and suddenly thought I was hot stuff. Now it’s time to acknowledge I’m an idiot. But before I relate my idiocy with relevance to the car, here’s a general description of the global conspiracy against me:
In my daily life I make approximately one really stupid mistake per waking hour. It is my sincere belief that half of those mistakes occur because my brain feeds me rational information for problem solving, which hinders my performance because there are maniacs out there designing products to work in ways that are contrary to human logic. The other half of those mistakes are cases in which someone tells me to do something and explains it in a nonsensical way or assumes I know something I don’t.
So, while I acknowledge I’m an idiot, I refuse to take responsibility for my idiocy. It’s society’s problem, not mine.
For example, when my wife asks me to zip up the back of her dress, and I zip it all the way up, and then she asks, “Did you get it all the way?” I say “Yes” and go about the rest of my day. Then, at the end of the day, when she takes off her dress and points out that I didn’t connect the hinge on the inside, well, I’m an idiot for not knowing there is a hidden hinge on someone else’s clothing.
But I digress. (more…)










