Duluth Rock and Roll Facts and Rumors
I’ve been living in Duluth for a little more than a year and beyond the obvious musical history (Bob Dylan roots, Low and other indie bands, Duluth Armory, etc.) I was wondering if there has been other substantial or fun trivia with musical acts in the Twin Ports. I know Quiet Riot had its first tour start here, and that Crash Test Dummies played Sacred Heart Music Center, stuff like that.
A music geek’s wet dream?
The British Arts Council is going to be making John Peel’s entire music collection available on the interwebs in May on a website called The Space.
To anyone who went through the trouble of seeking out his Sessions albums (I had a few…Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxie, the Cure, and Einstuerzende Neubauten to name a few), Peel was a legend and his passing in 2004 was a big blow to music lovers…
I might just have to buy a bigger hard drive.
Meet Rick Nolan
Rick Nolan is running against Chip Cravaack in the 8th Congressional District.
Free Local Music
My 5 songs in 5 days project is complete.
Enjoy (or perhaps tolerate) as you would like.
A Nerd Nite Boss’ Guide to Duluth
Beloved Duluth nerd Crystal Pelkey has an article in the debut issue of Nerd Nite magazine profiling the nerdiness of Duluth. The nationwide magazine is published out of Brooklyn, NY. (more…)
Happy First Birthday, Pineapple Arts
My wife and I love your demos, your helpful staff, and the fun vibe you bring to First Street.
Nerdigras
It was a duel for the ages, but eventually, my light sabre sliced off Steve Farnham’s metaphorical hand in the Spelling Bee at Nerd Nite Duluth, at the Zuccone.
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Lot of hoo-haw fer nuthin
No change in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, except that it now includes more of Betrami County.
Twin Ports Illuminated Signs
I’m sad to see that the Big L sign has gone dark. It’s definitely my favorite illuminated sign in the area. Here’s a gallery of a few more of my favorites. I’m sure there are others that I’ve missed, so if you have some photos you’d like to share, please do so in the comments. (more…)
Duluth needs a monster of its own
Earlier today I was reading about the Red Dwarf of Detroit, a harbinger of doom that’s been haunting the Detroit area for hundreds of years. It’s described as “a small child-like creature with red or black fur boots” that has “blazing red eyes and rotten teeth.”
Other communities have monsters that are unique to their location. Point Pleasant, WV has the Mothman. Southern New Jersey has the Jersey Devil. Botetourt County, VA and Mattoon, IL have the Mad Gasser, who was more of a serial killer really but I’m still including it here.
Mayor Ness wants to get the population back up to 90,000. Maybe some good old-fashioned mass hysteria is what we need to put this town back on the map.
If Duluth had a monster of its own, what would it be like? When would would it appear? Where would it appear? What would it be called?
Giant Panda reopens downtown
Want a filling meal on your lunch break, but don’t want to break the bank? This lady will serve you right up. Qihui Li and Yi Zhong moved out of their West Duluth space and re-opened downtown just one week ago in the old Saigon Cafe location. They own and operate this restaurant, which almost has a fast-food feel. The food was served quickly, relatively cheap, and surprisingly good. (more…)
Lights out at the ‘Big L’
I just noticed the Spirit Bottle Shoppe at 5801 Grand Ave. in West Duluth is closed and the building is for sale. I will miss the big red light and friendly service.
(Tiny photo circa 2004 by Barrett Chase.)
Congdon Park Elementary Rinks
I’m a journalism student at UMD and I am writing about the history of the Congdon Park Elementary rinks. Today I talked to Bob Mars about the rinks and he mentioned a man that helped a lot there when he was a kid in the 1930s. He said the man’s name was Mr. Swan, but unfortunately could not remember his first name! Does anyone know anything about him? And, hopefully, do you know his first name? Furthermore, does anyone have any old pictures of the rinks with the old warming house?
Fresh Filmmakers + Script-to-Screen Combo Grant
IFP Minnesota has teamed up with MCTC and the Screenwriters’ Workshop to offer an updated Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant.
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Marooned in Pack Ice Off Deception Island
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v78f79YdXh0
Loll Designs is hiring
Loll Designs is hiring for a full-time customer service/administrative assistant position. Please visit MNworks.org for more info. All resumes should be e-mailed to sales @ lolldesigns.com by Friday, Feb. 24. Please do not stop in or call.
Raven & Associates, Inc. looking for another warm body
Here we go again, all you PDD people! Raven & Associates, Inc., a promotional products company right here in Duluth, is looking for another talented, skilled, and charming individual to act as a office assistant to our customer service team. We are a growing company, a great place to work, and very odd.
Here’s the basic info on the job: Full-time office assistant job. Hourly wage beginning at +$10 per hour, flexible scheduling, retirement benefits and partial health insurance. Previous experience working in an office environment (you know, with computers), background in art, and interest in outdoors preferred.
For more info, call Dave at 740-2769 or drop me an email at raven @ duluthmn.com.
This week: Atmosphere, A Prairie Home Companion, Nerdigras, and more
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with fellow nerds at Nerdigras.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Atmosphere returns to Duluth for his second annual Welcome to Minnesota Tour.
Friday, Feb. 24
North End Arts Gallery presents an exhibition of work by emerging artists called Culture Zoo. Communist Daughter plays Luce with The Keep Aways.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Trampled by Turtles and the Grand Rapids High School Jazz Ensemble join Garrison Keillor in a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. Wear your best ’80s ski apparel for Spirit Mountain’s Bad Fashion Ski Party 5: Ultimate ’80s Flashback.
As always, keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your night out needs.
Target / Market Pantry Milk
My 1-year-old son has thrown up three times in his life (not spit up, but completely emptying the contents of his stomach). I am wondering if it is related to market pantry milk. We normally buy Kemps or Arrowhead from Super One, but this week my wife bought it from Target because she was already there.
I read some things on Google related to “Market Pantry Taste” and may just be paranoid, so I figured I would ask. Does anyone else think the market pantry brand of milk has an abnormal aftertaste?
Looking for a good HVAC contractor
Bonus time is almost here and this new Duluth resident would like to add air conditioning to the upper floor of the house I bought last August. (With our current weather, it seems like summer is just around the corner.) Home uses hot water to heat, so no ducts! Can anyone recommend someone?
State of the School Speech at Harbor City International School
Given by John Haire, Ph.D. on Feb. 14, 2012
Harbor City International School is 10 years old, young enough to enjoy the wonderment of imagination, and old enough to develop true measures of independence. Our clarity of purpose, our labors toward effectiveness, and our willingness to reflect on our methods give us our identity. As with all great journeys, we have faced, and continue to face, many challenges. Yet, our confidence that we are a valuable resource to the families of Duluth remains undaunted.
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Solo Yak Trax Seeking Same
Size small Yak Trax seeks similar for companionship. Likes long, icy walks in the woods. Opened minded about outings with trax of various colors. Kindly respond below, all inquires answered.
The Owls Club of Duluth, Minn.
Video from Adam Carr’s “January in Duluth” blog.
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