1984-85 UMD Bulldog Basketball Card Set
The 2014-’15 UMD Bulldog basketball team plays its first home game tonight against UW-Superior. In recognition of that, we roll out this nostalgia from 30 years ago. (more…)
This Week: trains, brains, automobiles and more

Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:
On Monday, MnDOT is holding a public meeting on the Minnesota State Rail Plan. Get all the trains your brains can take.
Tuesday brings performances from the Brasil Guitar Duo, a little bit of magic at the West Duluth branch library, and the latest installment of Take it with You (which features the fresh-off-Prairie Home Companion Sarah Krueger, who also plays at the Red Herring, this week).
Charlie Parr’s a busy boy — in addition to appearing on the above Take it with You bill, he’s also doing this, this and this.
But perhaps the biggest event of the week is the revamped Christmas City of the North Parade, which will hit parts of Superior Street it hasn’t hit for the first time in over a decade. Add to this the Lake Superior Magazine 35th anniversary open house, the Northern Explorers gear swap and a long list of other events, and you’ve got plenty to tuck into.
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…)
Perfect New Restaurant: The Spirit Room
The Spirit Room, a 1,000-square-foot drinking establishment with a tapas menu featuring just a dozen items, came out on top in Perfect Duluth Day’s poll to name the area’s best new restaurant. Tavern on the Hill, a full-menu eatery with literally 10 times the square footage of the Spirit Room, placed a distant second.
Video: Charlie Parr Live at the Paramount Theatre in Austin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6kFgXnT4ew
KSMQ, the public television station for southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, captured Duluth musician Charlie Parr performing a concert in his hometown of Austin, Minn. last month. Next Thursday Parr performs in Duluth with Alan Sparhawk at Sacred Heart Music Center.
Art, Friends, Food, Drink
I spent tonight walking from art to art, from food to food, from friend to friend — the midpoint of an art week. (more…)
The Daily Show’s take on Pointergate
This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.
Give to the Max Day 2014
Today is Give to the Max Day. If you would like Duluthians to be aware of your Give to the Max campaign, maybe post something in the comments?
Duluth Homegrown: Classical Music Registration
Now opening submissions for the newest showcase of Duluth Homegrown: Classical Music! Open to all classical musicians, from Bach to Bartók, soloist to chamber group. Do you sing an aria from your favorite opera, or have this quartet piece you’ve been dying to perform? We want to hear from you! You have until Dec. 15 to submit your information. Performance time for this showcase is Saturday, May 2 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart. Any questions, please contact us at classical@duluthhomegrown.org. For submissions, go to duluthhomegrown.org/classical-registration.
Duluth Rocks: Famous boulders and outcroppings across the city
Perhaps Duluth’s most famous rock is Elephant Rock in Lincoln Park. It looks a bit like a giant, half-buried elephant, hence the name. (more…)
Poll: Best New Restaurant (Final Round)
Sixteen eateries went up against each other in the elimination round of Perfect Duluth Day’s poll to name the area’s best new restaurant. The top three have made it to the final round: Shorty’s Pizza and Smoked Meat, Spirit Room Tapas Bar & Restaurant and Tavern on the Hill. So once again we ask …
[poll id=”74″]
This poll is closed. The results were:
The Spirit Room – 52.6 percent
Tavern on the Hill – 26.9 percent
Shorty’s Pizza and Smoked Meat – 20.5 percent
Duluth snubbed again as next Star Wars readies to film in London
I love the image, but I feel like I’m missing something.
Onion A.V. Club: Duluth snubbed yet again as the next Star Wars readies to film in London
Pinewood CEO Ivan Dunleavy made the announcement at the annual Confederation of Business Industry conference, boasting, “The seventh Star Wars movie just finished shooting at Pinewood. And I’m delighted to be able to tell you that a new Star Wars movie is already booked in.” His words were considered a direct affront to the fine people of Duluth, who have patiently waited decades for England to quit hogging all the Star Wars.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Dunleavy was referring to the first Star Wars spinoff, to be directed by Gareth Edwards, and not the follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens, But Not In Duluth, Because Fuck That Place.
This Week: Sun Kil Moon, Santa on a Sleep Number, Skiing and more

Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:
There’s a big gig happening at an odd location, as Sun Kil Moon takes the stage at Karpeles Manuscript Museum with Low as openers on Thursday night. Across town, the Little River Band plays the Clyde. On Wednesday, The Arrowhead Story releases an album, Dan Israel plays Fitger’s Brewhouse on Friday and the DSSO teams up with Lyric Opera of the North to stage Carmen on Saturday.
‘Tis the season: skiers already know that Opening Day happens at Lutsen Mountains on Saturday and Santa tries out a Sleep Number bed up at the mall on Friday.
Pugilism boosters should hit the Friday Night Fights at Grandma’s, ice skaters should hit the Heritage Center and skateboarders might want to check out the “Plys With Purpose” exhibition.
Add in a PAVSA art auction, some stand-up comedy and Super Mario, and it’s a full week. Learn more by visiting the PDD Calendar.
Perfect Weekend Morning Exploring the Boulders
No great discoveries here, just a perfect weekend morning exploring a field of submerged boulders, summer 2014. Water clarity was great. Water temp wasn’t too bad, but the wetsuit definitely kept me in longer. Shallow freediving in 8-15 feet of water, maybe a little deeper towards the end.
ARAC Technology/Equipment Grant Recipients
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council granted technology/equipment funding to the following individual artists on Oct. 16. For past program recipients, please contact the office by e-mailing info @ aracouncil.org.
(more…)
Dad’s Acid – “We Fucking Love You”
New video by Duluth band Dad’s Acid, featuring TV Land footage of all the heroes and villains of Gotham.












