This week: drunken civics, singing swedes and murderous danes
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
It’s a town hall meeting with booze! Mayor Don Ness is holding his first “town hall forum” at The Underground tonight with a cash bar because, in the words of our mayor, “serving alcohol will definitely increase the likelihood of complete disaster… It’ll be like nascar, everybody shows up hoping for a huge crash.” Sounds promising.
Tuey Wilson, comic juggler, performs at the Duluth Public Library on Tuesday on the outdoor stage, and, if it’s anything like his show at the Renaissance Festival, it is not to be missed. Especially if he pulls out his “flaming beanie of death.”â„¢
The Karl Oskar Choir (from our sister city, Växjö, Sweden) will be singing at Lake Place Park on Wednesday. Umlauts for everyone!
Hamlet and Thoroughly Modern Millie open at the Duluth Playhouse on Thursday and Friday. These two plays are being done in rep with the cast of one show operating as the crew for the other show. This is the product of the Playhouse Summer Teen Intensive Program. Last year they produced Metamorphoses which many people on this blog, you may remember, voted as the best play produced in Duluth all year.
The Bayfront Blues Festival runs this weekend, Friday through Sunday. You can see it at Bayfront Park or hear it from practically anywhere within 5 miles of downtown.
You may or may not be able to hear the Blues Fest at the first annual Lake Superior Art Festival at Brighton Beach on Saturday. Someone will just have to try it out.
Sunday is the last game of the regular season for the Duluth Huskies at Wade Stadium. They face off against the St. Cloud Rox.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know.
Tracing the Week Backward
So I’m in Starbucks on Woodland, and I want to talk about so much in the last week, but chronological order would be the least taxing on my brain, so that will be the choice. (more…)
MRC needs a program coordinator
The Armory Arts & Music Center is seeking to contract a coordinator for its Music Resource Center program. The coordinator will manage MRC-related efforts including fund raising, student recruitment, guest musicians, public relations and day-to-day operations. The position is currently budgeted at about 8 hours per week.
If you are interested contact Tom Hollenhorst at tom @ dulutharmory.org. Deadline for resumes is Friday Aug. 8. Please share with anyone who might be interested. This is a great gig for the right person!
Chris Belich – “Stars”
Duluth’s Chris Belich plays a mean steel pan.
Record Stores on Highway 53: Deaf Ear Records in La Crosse
Manager Tina Melvin describes how Deaf Ear Records became a landmark in La Crosse’s downtown, and how collecting records can fill a void in a person’s life.
Fun Fact: Deaf Ear’s best-selling used record is the same as Revival Records in Eau Claire’s best-selling used record — Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.
Part One: Vinyl Cave in Superior
Part Two: Revival Records in Eau Claire
Deaf Ear Records
112 Fourth St. S.
La Crosse WI 54601
608-782-7829
Record Stores on Highway 53: Revival Records in Eau Claire
Owner Billy Siegel opens up about how Revival Records started with liquidating his personal record collection. He mentions how selling the collection allowed the store to become an integral part of Eau Claire’s music scene.
Fun Fact: Revival Records’ best selling used record is Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.
Part One: Vinyl Cave in Superior
Part Three: Deaf Ear Records in La Crosse
Revival Records
128 S. Barstow St.
Eau Claire WI 54701
715-514-4202
Record Stores on Highway 53: Vinyl Cave in Superior
Owners Tom Unterberger and Tom Johnson explain how their love for music lead them to open Vinyl Cave. Located in Superior, 1.7 miles off Highway 53, the store is a required stop for record collectors in search of classic-rock favorites.
Fun Fact: Vinyl Cave’s best selling used record is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
Part Two: Revival Records in Eau Claire
Part Three: Deaf Ear Records in La Crosse
Vinyl Cave
1717 Belknap St.
Superior WI 54880
715-392-1477
Fourth Street Trees??
Driving past Fourth Street and 19th Avenue East today I noticed some signs saying that by 2016 all of the trees along Fourth Street would be gone. I have no idea if these signs are new, but can someone tell me what that is all about? True?
If someone wants to add a picture of the signs and tree huggers (clothes nailed to the tree to look like people hugging the trees), feel free, I didn’t have a camera along.
The Snooty Fox Tea Shop
Any information on the tea shop coming in across from Vintage Italian Pizza on East Eighth Street?
My unconventional crowd funding campaign: maternity leave!
Hello, Duluthians! I am running an unconventional sort of crowdfunding campaign and I need your help. I’m crowdfunding my maternity leave.
My due date is today, and when the baby comes, I will begin six weeks of unpaid maternity leave. I not only have to figure out how to pay the bills while I’m off, but also how to attend my best friend’s wedding in Colorado, which I am a bridesmaid in. Saving up for this hasn’t been an option, with our budget being inadequate as it is, so I am taking a leap and trying something creative.
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Nestling Robins
A few days ago, Wildwoods Rehabilitation Center got two nestling robins who were rescued from the jaws of a cat. This cat is normally an indoor cat, but his owners were packing up to move. In the flurry of packing activity, he escaped outside and in short order, had two baby birds in his jaws.
Most animals we get who have been in the mouth of a cat die within 48 hours, despite supportive care and antibiotics. If they make it past the 48 hours, we are usually home free. These two made it.
Then, the next question — would their parents still be around the nest and take them back? They were the only two nestlings that had been in the nest, so the parents didn’t have anyone left to feed and might have abandoned the nest.
We put them back in the nest this morning, and then Ian watched for several hours. Finally the mom came, and then she brought them a fat, juicy worm! It was victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, and we are thrilled — we don’t get many of those.
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Duluth wheelchair rental
A relative is going to be flying in from out of town and has some mobility issues and would like to have a wheelchair to get around while he’s here. Does anyone know a place that rents wheelchairs for short periods of time (less than a week)?
R.I.P. West Duluth Fire and Police Station / Twin Ports Amusement Building
The building at 531 Central Avenue in West Duluth was torn down on July 28, 2014. In its early years it served as the West Duluth Fire and Police Station, West Duluth Village Hall, Duluth Fire Department Engine House #8 and Duluth Police Department Station #3, among other things. (more…)
Where in Duluth?
[This post contained a photo embedded from another web location. The photo is no longer available at its source.]
Where in Duluth is this newly established landmark? It washed up on shore about 5+ years ago and hasn’t moved since.
Is it Crazy Cessna Day?
Does anyone know what’s up with the two small yellow planes that have been flying over Duluth all morning? They are flying awful close to buildings, making a lot of noise, and don’t appear to be doing anything productive. Just wondering if you all know something I don’t.
This week: going viral, making a bed and crying doves
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
I’m back from my three week sojourn. Thanks to Hallie and Paul for holding down the fort while I was gone!
What’s it like to go viral? Hannah Hudson discusses the ups and downs at the Duluth Photography Institute tonight.
You know how your mom always told you to make your bed? Now you can make beds for other folks at the Steve O’Neil Apartments. There’s a bed build session in a shop in Hermantown on Tuesday.
Spirit Valley Days kicks off on Wednesday and runs through Sunday. The first day features Bill Bastian, a Miss West Duluth Pageant and a Classic Car Show.
Red Herring marks the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain with a viewing, “unpretentious film analysis” and a dance party afterwards on Thursday.
The Two Harbors Kayak Festival runs Friday through Sunday with events operating out of Burlington Bay in Two Harbors.
And, in case you aren’t getting outdoors enough, the 28th annual Brewhouse Triathlon is this Saturday.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know.
Duluth one of the happiest areas in U.S.
Looking at this map, from the article linked below, it appears that Duluth is, statistically, one of the happiest cities in the United States. I completely agree with that assessment. Charlottesville may be the official “happiest region,” but you could easily substitute “Duluth” for “Charlottesville” and have an accurate description of why our city is such a great place to live in.
Richmond is America’s most contented area – with New York its unhappiest
Lost keys with blue clasp
Lost Thursday afternoon in area of Superior Street and 15th Avenue East. Twenty dollar reward. Call Scot 218-269-8096.
This post is not about the sailboat that got stuck on the lift bridge
During my ongoing studies of the elusive exclusive Northland reclusive, I went to the beach yesterday, a veritable Norwegian Riviera with air and water temps nearly perfect, and was amazed to find the entire place nearly deserted as I lay there panting in my speedos, hoping to shock some poor unsuspecting teens. But only one mom passed by in almost two hours, disgusted that she and I, we, were now in proximity to each other.
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Aerial fly over of Thomson Dam near Jay Cooke State Park
Drone fly over of the Thomson Dam and Munger Trail foot bridge on the St. Louis River near the entrance of Jay Cooke State Park. This is also home to the UMD Outdoor Program Outpost on the St. Louis River/Thomson Reservoir.
Aerial Footage by www.liftoffaerials.com
See more Duluth Drone Videos – Click Here
Goodbye Big Chester
The city of Duluth has determined that the ski jumps at Chester Bowl will be coming down due to safety concerns. A public meeting will be held July 31.
Raven & Associates closing; farmers market opening in West Duluth
David Orman announced this morning that his promotional products business, Raven & Associates, will close at the end of July. Orman founded the company in 1997 and changed locations a handful of times before landing in the old West Theater building in 2012.
“We are in a low margin, high touch industry,” Orman wrote to customers today. “As busy as we were, it was really hard to make money.”
Meanwhile, the West Duluth Business Club announced there will be a new farmers market in West Duluth on the lot of the former Westminster Church. Beginning this week it will operate every Thursday into October, from 3 to 7 p.m., on the corner of 45th Avenue West and Grand Avenue.
“In the beginning it will host between 6 and 10 vendors,” West Duluth Business Club President Charlie Stauduhar wrote to club members. “Please, if you can, show up on Thursday and thank the vendors with your support.”
The Swamp Sisters of Saginaw
About a half-hour drive northwest of Duluth, in the unincorporated community of Saginaw, Swamp Sisters summer restaurant kicks out breakfast and lunch grub to fleets of mostly white-haired patrons who fill the gravel driveway with their cars and assisted-living-community shuttle vans. It’s open for about two months each year, on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the swampy old Armstrong farmstead. And all of that, of course, makes this place awesome.
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