Norman Pettingill: Outsider artist from Superior
Has anyone heard of this guy? Norman Pettingill was born in Iron River in 1896. He moved to Superior in 1937. He was known for his “backwoods humor” postcards. A hardcover (plywood, actually) book on his work came out in 2010, with an introduction by R. Crumb, who published Norman’s work in the 1980s. He died in 1991. (more…)
Tiny Bird Living in a Big Box
This bird is living in the Home Dept Store in Duluth. Or it was a few days ago anyway.
At first I just caught it out of the corner of my eye, thinking it was a figment of my imagination, then I discovered it was real. Then, and this is the best part, a lovely clerk in a bright orange smock caught me and my daughter looking for the bird and she started to tell us its remarkable story.
(more…)
Rod Raymond – Part II
Duluth News Tribune: “UMD investigates two new complaints against Raymond”
Duluth News Tribune: “Ex-UMD official: He advised firing Raymond, was demoted”
Old PDD Post: “Regarding Rod Raymond“
Low’s 2005 performance of “California” on Last Call with Carson Daly
This video was posted on PDD back in 2005 as a QuickTime Movie, but now it has been converted for YouTube, so here it is again. And here’s a link to Chris Godsey’s coverage of it all on mnartists.org.
This week: Shakespeare, Sedaris, and his purple highness
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
Get your genealogy on tonight at the Twin Ports Genealogical Society meeting.
Tuesday is election day. Find your polling place and don’t forget you can register at the polls. Share your election day experience here and watch PDD for local election results.
Much Ado About Nothing opens at the Manion Theater at UWS on Thursday and runs two weekends.
David Sedaris rocks the DECC on Friday. If you saw him last time he was here, you will know that a book reading can rock a house.
The much anticipated showing of Purple Rain hits Zinema 2 on Saturday with Jody Kujawa hosting Princely karaoke.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!
Eagles and Lead
Let’s start with the basics. A healthy, wild bald eagle will not pose for a picture like this. So the very existence of this picture means that this guy is in trouble. We think it is lead poisoning.
This is our second eagle this weekend. It looks like another case of lead poisoning. They’re coming in thick and fast. Please, all you hunters … use non-lead ammo. You don’t want to leave a dead eagle behind you in the field.
Lead poisoning is almost certain, permanent damage. Learn more.
Glengarry Glen Ross
Last night, Kate and I went with our friend and colleague Elizabeth to see Glengarry Glen Ross.
There was a time in my life when I liked Mamet plays — it overlapped sharply with the time in my life that I liked Quentin Tarantino films. And while Reservoir Dogs will always have a place in my heart, that place has changed. I now think of it as one of many average “double-cross” movies, rather than a pressure-cooker of male aggression. But when I was a kid, oh man, it was all about the tough guys. (more…)
Beer Store Recommendation
Does the PDD community have a recommendation as to which liquor store has the best craft beer selection? I went to Cash Wise and while it does have a lot of beer and a big “single” selection for $8.99 a six pack, the variety isn’t that great. Warehouse had some different brews but the prices were outrageous. $3.99 for a Big Eddy Baltic Porter? I live close to Woodland Liquor but the people there actually get annoyed and snippy if you ask them a question about anything above Budweiser or Miller. Who has had the best luck and where?
Minnesota Deer Hunting Opener 2012
The 2012 Minnesota deer hunting season opened this morning. I report live while in my stand north of Duluth in Kelsey. Any luck?
What a gorgeous morning. I climbed into my homemade stand in the pitch dark at around 7 a.m., sunrise was 7:57, hunters can legally shoot 30 minutes before sunrise. (more…)
LakeVoice election edition focused on young voters
This week, the editors and student journalists of LakeVoice News have produced more than 30 stories looking at next week’s election. This work includes news articles, interactive maps, videos, audio podcasts and interactive timelines.
You can read these stories by going to the Election 2012 category on the Lakevoicenews.org website.
The articles focus on the issues that are relevant and important to everyone but specifically to voters age 18 to 30. (more…)
Venders wanted
Bigfoot Productions is looking for vendors to participate in its upcoming “Winter Shakedown” on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. This will be an all day music festival with some of the best local and regional acts. We are looking for folks who make original arts and crafts with their hands and are looking for exposure and to sell their crafts.
If you are interested in selling your crafty wonderful creations, don’t hesitate and contact us on Facebook or e-mail us at bigfootmusicalexperience @ hotmail.com.
Posted: No Wolf Hunting
Passing along this photo from Ivy Vainio; click the image to see it in context.
Fond du Lac Band passed an ordinance banning the wolf hunt a few days ago.
Dan Kraker provided some fairly decent balanced coverage that explains some of the legal and cultural implications of the wolf hunt in this MPR News story.
Job Opening For One Exceptional Individual.
Now hiring for an exciting new position in an organization on the move.
Prospective hires must be/have:
– Organized and reasonably responsible
– Accounting experience
– Knowledge of Quickbooks or comprable software
– Business savvy
– Imaginative/creative
– Self-motivated
Full job description available upon request. Position starts at 20 hours/week. Salary is negotiable (may include profit-sharing). Applicants may send resume & cover letter to: chaperonerecords@gmail.com
Bill Clinton in Duluth at UMD
Video by WDIO-TV.
The Big Year Christmas Eve in Duluth
So, I’m fairly sure that no one has mentioned on PDD before that the 2011 movie The Big Year, which screened locally at Zinema 2, has a brief reference to Duluth. (Laura Erickson did mention it on her birding blog, though.)
The shot above is followed by a restaurant scene that is supposed to be in Duluth but is obviously not. (more…)
Perfect Duluth Beard
Duluth breeds good beards. As Novembeard commences, here is some local inspiration for your month-long beard growing festival.
The rules of Novembeard are simple.
- Shave on November 1.
- Don’t shave November 2-30.
Add your own Duluth facial hair icons and chart your beard progress in the comments.
Louis Jenkins Interview
Connie Wanek recently interviewed Duluth poet Louis Jenkins and Tony Award-winner Mark Rylance for mnartists.org. They discuss their collaboration on the play Nice Fish, which premieres in April.
Nice Fish: An Interview in Three Acts
Calling for Vendors
The Washington Studio Artist Co-op is looking for vendors to participate in its upcoming Holiday Show in December. We are looking for folks who make original arts and crafts with their hands and are looking for exposure and to sell their crafts. Our show, “The Art Cracker,” will be on Dec. 8.
If you are interested in selling your crafty wonderful creations, don’t hesitate and contact our gallery director, Ryan Tischer — wsacgallery @ gmail.com.
If you would like more information on how to sign up and/ or are interested in signing up here’s the link. Come one, come all!
Sparky vs. Coyote
Wrenshall’s Mark “Sparky” Stensaas is in Yellowstone. Things got interesting while he was photographing this coyote. He tells the full story on his Photonaturalist blog.
Dukes of Hubbard reunion?
An online petition was opened over the weekend to convince the defunct Duluth band Dukes of Hubbard to reunite and potentially play the Homegrown Music Festival in May. Word has it that most of them are into it, but Ben Wizik needs some convincing.
Park Point apartment for rent
Beautiful upper-duplex two-bedroom apartment available immediately. Hardwood floors, laundry in apartment, stunning view of the lake, immediate beach access, only three blocks from the bridge. $850 + electric and gas. Call Rachel 218-343-5364.
This week: toilets, turtles and the dead
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
Jackson Brown plays the DECC tonight.
Nerd Nite at Teatro Zuccone on Tuesday features presentations on Scooby Doo, horror movies and Japanese toilets. You judge which is scariest.
Wednesday is Halloween proper. There’s an All Souls Night celebration Thursday at the Depot.
Trampled by Turtles plays a benefit for the Duluth Public Schools Music Program Thursday at Clyde Iron.
White Baby, a dark satirical play about an unwanted baby, opens at UMD this Thursday and runs for two weekends.
Depending on your disposition, you get an extra hour to party or sleep Sunday, our 25 hour day courtesy of the odd custom we call “Daylight Savings Time.” Set your clocks back an hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!`
Last Watercolor on Earth
Jack Bratrud has a collection of watercolor paintings on display in the Louvre Gallery. His depiction of the Last Place on Earth seems like it shouldn’t go unnoticed on PDD.