Temporarily retired songwriter looking for broken or malfunctioning iPhones
Okay, maybe this is plain wrong, but … I need about 30 broken or malfunctioning iPhones to conduct an informal experiment in survival here on your planet. I’ll even pay for some if necessary, but if yours got ran over by a herd of drunken yaks, or did the backstroke in the tub, or just plain ain’t acting right anymore, and you’re thinking of disposing of it either properly or improperly, how about allowing me to intercept that shattered, twisted, all-too-quiet device for my experiment?
Please contact me at iduntaken @ yahoo.com if you’ve got one of these broken-down digital talking machines.
Leather-working materials in Duluth?
We have been trying to get a hold of some leather rivets and other tools for working leather to no avail. Obviously the internet will have plenty of what we are trying to find, but the internet is for wussies.
I’ve tried Michael’s, Hancock Fabrics, Menards, Kmart, Target and Harbor Freight ToolsThatSmellBad. While we were able to find a leather punch tool, nobody has any rivets for joining pieces of leather together.
There has to be someone around town that specializes in this kind of work, other than some place like Duluth Pack which doesn’t actually sell the stuff.
Extra points for a place with a variety of supplies.
Ten Minutes with Local Steampunk Artist Eric Horn
I just posted a fascinating look at the artist behind Chronicle: The Graphic Novel, which premiered at Friends of Industry last summer, at Ennyman’s Territory.
Homemade Tom & Jerry Batter
OK gang, due to the volume of discussion and frustration regarding Connelly’s vs. Mrs Bowen’s vs. Flaherty’s, I’ve taken it upon myself to root out a decent recipe for homemade Tom & Jerry batter. Here’s the result of my research and experimentation (it should be noted that I pilfered 95 percent of this from an online recipe):
12 eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound butter, room temperature
3 pounds powdered sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice (more…)
Duluth Chicken Photo Shoot
Rolf’s Chicken Photo Shoot — another reason why I love this town.
Wii Repair
So, about 15 seconds after I bought my daughter a new Wii game for Christmas, the console died. I’ve been looking all over Google for anyone in town who can fix it, so that I don’t have to send it to Nintendo’s repair center in CA.
I found one place in MSP that I can ship it to, but I’d much rather go local. Best Buy, etc, can’t do it. Anybody know someone who can?
Getting Ready for Duluth, in Three Books
So, I’m definitely going to be doing the parachute/suitcase project I mentioned on PDD last week (thanks for all the feedback by the way!). I have slightly more than a couple weeks before plunging into 31 days of Duluth, and I figure I’ll have time to read a few books before arriving. Any suggestions on books that might help me prepare? Non-fiction, fiction, collections of essays, or anything that will help me get my head wrapped around the city. (Also, ideally the book will be available on Amazon.)
Tree Free vs. Free Tree
The benefits of cutting your own — a seasonal question.
Although it’s not for everyone, one thing I love about the cut-your-own experience up north is that in theory it is available to anyone. We own our own land, which simplifies things. But the Superior National Forest offers tree cutting permits ($5 apiece) and anyone is free to go cut one for personal use.* Be sure to follow their guidelines, though.
An acceptable alternative?
I was at Cub Foods today and ran across some Flaherty’s Tom & Jerry batter in the freezer section. Is it an acceptable alternative to Connolly’s T&J batter?
Denfeld engraving still on MacArthur?
As most people know, the southern wing of the old MacArthur Elementary School was built in 1915 as Denfeld High School. (The modern Denfeld opened in 1926 and the old Denfeld became West Junior; MacArthur was built in 1957; West closed and became part of MacArthur in 1983; MacArthur was replaced with a new building this past fall). The photo above is of the 56th Avenue West entrance to the old MacArthur, which has always been considered the back door. (more…)
This week: Celtic Thunder, Nerd Nite, holiday shows and more
Tuesday Dec. 13
Celtic Thunder brings its Heritage Tour to the DECC.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Learn about the death of a sitcom and see the Duluth East Daredevils Robotics Team demonstrate the design, process and operation of its championship winning robot, Archie, plus many other nerdy happenings at Nerd Nite XIII.
Thursday, Dec. 15
SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin brings Holiday music to Sacred Heart.
Saturday, Dec. 17
There is a plethora of holiday events going on tonight starting with the Harbor City Roller Dames second annual Intra-League bout which divides the team into the Nut Crackers and the Slay Belles. Old Knifey and the Cutthroats Third Annual Holiday Variety Show will feature bands, dancing, comedy, Santa, and lots more. Bring your kids and their dolls to Glensheen for a special Holiday Tea. American Rebels, the Surfactants, and Atlas Mts. perform at Lake Ave Cafe in a Pre-Holiday Rock Extravaganza and Norm’s Bloody Christmas show will feature ColmeKill, Climactic, Jaundice and Impaler.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for events!
Snowshoeing: Where to Start?
I am about 90 percent sure I am getting my first pair of snowshoes for Xmas this year. I have always wanted to get into this but need some advice on a few things. Besides the actual snowshoes, what kind of actual shoe is best to wear? Is snowshoeing something that needs to be practiced or is it pretty much walking in the snow? I live very close to Hartley Nature Center so that will be the main trail but where are some other good places to go in town? Any advice would be appreciated.
Question about Nerd Night
I was wondering about the tone of the Nerd Night events at Teatro Zuccone, as in, are they appropriate for children? I have an 11-year-old boy with Asperger syndrome who probably would like to see the robotics demonstration, but I don’t want to put him into any situations that he would not understand. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch people!
The Prøve is proven

It was a full house, everyone alive as the Duluth art scene spreads its wings.
Last night’s opening/reception at the new Prøve Gallery in Downtown Duluth was as exciting as the first. For those interested in the arts, I have posted a few photos with commentary at Ennyman’s Territory.
Don’t forget the two shows tonight in Superior at Mr. Lucky’s and Goin’ Postal. The Superior Telegram featured these two events in a front page story this week by Maria Lockwood titled Mixing art and business.
Azteca’s Mexican Grill Reviews
Duluth’s newest Mexican restaurant is in the Village Square Mall on Mountain Shadow Drive. Has anyone checked it out yet?
Duluth Videographers
I am looking for a videographer that can help me with a project. I am looking for someone that is creative, unique, and likes people. It will be a compensated project, and needs to look good. Any suggestions or contacts?
A Few of This Weekend’s Art Happenings

Large composition by Jeredt Runions is one of many sights at the Goin' Postal show Saturday night from 6-9
Lots of arts related things to see and do this second weekend in December. Here are a few more ideas absent from yesterday’s Wave.
Duluth: a small city surrounded by forests, hills, streams and lakes … and bands
Members of the Duluth band Trampled by Turtles are spreading the word in San Francisco about the Zenith City:
“Per capita, there has to be more bands there than anywhere that I know of,” said Ryan Young, fiddler.
From the Bay Bridged, an indie-music website for the San Francisco Bay Area: Trampled by Turtles: an unconventional bluegrass band inspired by metal and Dylan
R.I.P. West Duluth ICO
The West Duluth ICO on Grand Avenue and 46th Avenue West has been torn down. A CVS pharmacy will be built in its place. I don’t have any ICO memories that are springing to mind, other than that one night in 2010 I decided to shoot a photo of it.
By the way, I think it might have technically been a Spur station, even though everyone called it ICO and there was an ICO sign on it. I’m not really sure how gas-station naming works.
Pearl Harbor Day Reflections
When the Twin Towers were struck and fell on my birthday ten years ago, 9/11 was immediately being compared to another Day of Infamy sixty years earlier. What’s striking about the two events is how differently the news reached us. In 2001 Americans across the land were glued to their TV sets seeing replays of the horror and hearing commentaries of related unfolding events as they happened, with varying degrees of accuracy but instantly. With Internet access we could also watch reactions from around the world. Information about the 1941 attack came home to us in a far different manner, as this book excerpt shows. (more…)
Destination Imagination Team Managers
We need team managers for Destination Imagination teams at Congdon Park Elementary. I have been trying to tap out other sources before posting here, but schedules are not lining up and I’m getting desperate! (more…)
PDD Ticket Giveaway Clearance
In preparation for the holidays, it’s time to clear the desks at PDD of any hot giveaway items. Mention in the comments how good you’ve been this past year, and which one of the shows below you deserve two free tickets to, and I’ll act like Santa and divvy up the goodies.
(UPDATE: This contest is over now, and Santa has given away all his goodies, but you can still brag about how good you’ve been in the comments if you want. Just be aware that bragging is not being good.)
The Running (Unopposed) Man
Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 30 and 31, 7 p.m., The Venue at Mohaupt Block
Dink Tank: Return of the Dinks
Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, 8 p.m., Teatro Zuccone
From Havana to Duluth
Dec. 12 and 13, 8 p.m., Teatro Zuccone
Old Knifey and the Cutthroats Holiday Variety Show
Dec. 17, 9 p.m., All American Club
Prøve Gallery Hosts Second Show

The Prøve Gallery promises to be an exciting addition to the Twin Ports arts scene.
Prøve Gallery has announced the opening of a new show, Second, on Friday, Dec. 9. Second will feature the work of Alexander Hanson, Nikki Burger, Michael Beachy, Brittany Sanford, and Zach Gorr. Prøve Collective members Anthony Zappa, Justin Iverson, Nickolas Monson and Steven J Read will also be presenting work. The DJ collective the Crunchy Bunch will be spinning records, food will be provided by Clyde Iron Works and micro-brewed beer will be provided by Carmody Irish Pub. (more…)
A Parachute Project in Duluth
I’m an independent radio/media producer currently living and working in Milwaukee. However, for a variety of reasons, I find myself strongly drawn to Duluth (I’ve visited a few times and a couple close friends currently live in Duluth). (more…)






