Missing the hills and snow of the Zenith City
This will be the first Christmas I won’t be spending in Duluth since I moved there with my family in December 1991, and I’m missing it so. I’ll never forget how much snow there was that year! Growing up in Duluth shaped me in so many ways, from the way I treat my fellow man, to the water I drink (nothing compares to dear Superior), to the music I listen to and write.
This is an original Christmas song I wrote that makes me think of and miss our fair Zenith City. I figured if I couldn’t be there, I’d share it with the city that made me. I hope this finds you all with lots of snow and love. Listen, download, share, and please enjoy.
Is Kenny Wong’s in Superior closed?
I drove down Tower Avenue in Superior today and saw the sign for Kenny Wong’s Oriental Express was gone! Instead, it says there is some sort of hibachi place coming soon.
Did Kenny Wong’s go out of business, or is it changing to a new format? They had some great food there, and as a former employee, I’d like to know what’s going on!
Duluth’s Ellis Harbor
Here’s an interesting read from the Sept. 25, 1921 Duluth News Tribune.
Winter Video Project
Twin-Cities based Seven & Sixty Productions is working on a video featuring contributed footage that captures “what is truly unique about winter in Minnesota.” If you like shooting snowflakes and pond hockey and whatnot and want to contribute, read the guidelines.
The HDC Presents: Christmas at the Clubhouse
Merry Christmas From The Hog Damage Collective and The Clubhouse recording studio!
The Hog Damage Collective Presents: Christmas at The Clubhouse
Carlson School of Management Flash Mob
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8FvERQHtM&feature=player_embedded
The Duluth News Tribune reports that Duluth East graduate and former WDIO photojournalist Bryan Koop directed photography on this little project.
Hit YouTube video of Twin Cities flash mob was directed by Duluth East grad
Thank you, solstice revelers!
Thanks to all the pagan drummers and bonfire tenders, the sun came back up this morning. From Park Point, it was rising right over the mouth of the Amnicon River. Where was your solstice sunrise?
Here are a few musings on the topic.
Happy winter!
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Bob Dylan
Last night I stumbled on a fun article at BobDylan.com and wrote a bit a-bout-it at Ennyman’s Territory.
For what it’s worth, if you still don’t have Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart, 100% goes to charitable causes. Here’s my review of this CD from when it was introduced in 2010.
Meantime, may everyone in Duluth have a bit of Christmas in their hearts this year … and Let It Snow.
Merry Christmas, Lake Superior
MPR: $300M initiative to clean up Great Lakes
Congress has approved $300 million to continue a multiyear program aimed at fixing some of the Great Lakes’ most severe environmental problems. Some of the money is expected to benefit Lake Superior and Duluth.
Ian Thomas Alexy – “Blow You Away”
Check out my new video, and come see Hobo Nephews this Friday at the Rex with Two Many Banjos.
Occupy Duluth snafu
The recent post on this site promoting Occupy Duluth appears to not be from anyone representing the actual persons organizing on the ground/in-person as Occupy Duluth. (I say it in such a convoluted fashion because I don’t like giving the impression there is a membership, whoever wants to be part of Occupy Duluth is).
The link given for Facebook is to a group run by a random guy that doesn’t so much as come to our general assembly meetings (so far as I know, no-one I know has even met him in-person). (more…)
“This Christmas” by Rivulets
Check out the new Christmas song — performed/recorded/mastered in Duluth by Duluthians — available for free download at Bandcamp.
Chester Bowl open for skiing
Chester Bowl Park is open for its 2011 downhill skiing season. Daily lift tickets for all ages are $5.25. Details at chesterbowl.org.
New home for our sweet dog
We are looking to find a new home for our almost 6-year-old female dog, Billie. We got her at 8 weeks old from Animal Allies. We believe she is a black lab/border collie mix. She is a sweet girl, loves people (isn’t super keen on other dogs, however) and was a great trail-running and skijoring companion for me before I had my son and before I got a big-girl job. Since then, however, she does not get nearly the amount of attention or exercise she needs.
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Lost Cat in Lower Chester – Please Help!
Please help us find Marty! He went missing sometime overnight. He is not an outdoor cat and must have slipped out the door somehow. He has no collar on and answers to Martin or Marty. He is light orange colored with medium/long hair and a slightly flatish nose. We live across the street from the Lower Chester hockey rink. If you have seen him, please let me know! Thank you! 303-829-9892
Duluth Brands
I’m from Milwaukee, and when I travel, there are usually some brands/products from my region around to remind me of home. If there are motorcycles, there’s a good chance there’s Harley. If people are drinking shabby beer, there’s probably Miller. If there are toilets, there’s probably Kohler (from Sheboygan). And of course, there are a lot of smaller ones too.
What are some Duluth brands, large/small/in between, that I could expect to find around the country/world? I’m looking for anything from the obvious to the obscure.
Lake Skating?
Can anyone point me to good places to ice skate or cross-country ski on lakes around Duluth this week? Looking for lakes with a sheet of smooth-ish ice or with an inch or two of snow to ski on.
This week: Solstice Celebration, a Christmas Vigil and a Pagan Feast
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Psychedelic soul duo, Svoh, plays at Amazing Grace.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Chester Creek Cafe hosts a Pagan Feast with jazz cellist Kathy McTavish and Duluth Poet Laureate Sheila Packa and lots of good eats.
Thursday, Dec. 22
The Marshall Alworth Planetarium at UMD celebrates the Winter Solstice with shows every half hour and hot cocoa.
Friday Dec. 23
The Tisdales Holiday Bash at R.T.’s also features special guests Aaron Gall & The Likely Story, Lion or Gazelle, and Hannah Rey.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Churches United in Ministry or CHUM will be hosting a Christmas Vigil on the steps of Duluth City Hall to remember those in our community without homes and to hear the message of hope for a new year.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Merry Christmas everyone!
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your New Year’s events.
Where to Find Wild Rice in Duluth
My parents are up in town this weekend and wanted to know where to get good wild rice. They indicated they wanted cracked broken pieces and whole grain. I am by no means a wild rice expert. Can anyone help?
Moving Back to Duluth. Need Input.
I have finally convinced my wife to come back to Duluth after years of trying to persuade her. Her biggest concerns are education for our children, cultural diversity, organic selection for food and a good doctor of osteopathic medicine that has a family practice. I turn to PDD because my personal circle of influence in town stays with the norm of not researching these subjects and she needs a good place to start. We do not need to live in Duluth proper, but would like to be close enough that Grandma can reach us in a short amount of time to babysit.
Oh, and on a side note, I wanted to post this link that I just found while cleaning my bookmarks out. It is the best thing I have found on PDD to date!
The Bridge in Winter
Aerial Lift Bridge photos by Rick Mickelson.
Places to refill Co2 tanks in Duluth
I just moved to Duluth and I’m a homebrewer. I was wondering if there are any local places to refill carbon dioxide tanks for kegerators? I have my own tank.
Hearts of Gold
Today, at Super One Foods in Lakeside, there was an older guy wearing a Marines cap, so I asked him where he served. He said sixty years ago on this day in Korea, December of ’51, they had been in their bunker, which was warmed by an oil stove. Someone mistakenly threw gas on it, and everything went up in a blaze, his Christmas presents under his cot, his camera, some guys died. Another “even got a silver heart.” Probably for running back into the fire to save people.
So when I walk by these modest, quiet homes, and wonder who lives there, I’ll know many of them are old-time Duluthians who served their country in wars people easily forgot. And while I may be angered by the hypocrisy, failure of diplomacy, fear or greed that may cause them, I am equally amazed and humbled by the courage and selflessness of those who serve. Sometimes they just want their stories to be heard.
Homemade Duluth Music
A couple days back, when I asked for get-me-up-to-speed-on-Duluth book recommendations, I was regaled with the collected consciousness of PDDers — I’ve bought a couple to read pre-arrival and will buy more when I arrive (Book Store at Fitger’s, right?).
Next question — music by artists from Duluth. What should I listen to as I prepare? Any/all genres. Contemporary, classic, anything in between. Also, if there are lists/resources that collect this information already, please point me in those directions too. Thanks!
E-readers
I am contemplating joining the technologically advanced, putting down the dusty library book and purchasing an e-reader. Does anyone have any opinions about the pros and cons of the Kindle versus the Nook? I don’t necessarily need the tablet aspect of it, primarily I would use it for reading, probably listen to Pandora while reading, but that’s about it. I’m not big on games so I can live without that feature.
I heard a good question I have not been able to find the answer to yet. Is the Nook limited to only Barnes and Noble books or can you get books from Amazon too? Is one easier to use than the other? If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.