What happened to DJ Mouse?

The past few Sundays we’ve noticed that our favorite Caribbean Roots/DJ Mouse programming on KUMD seems to be lacking DJ Mouse. Does anyone know what happened?

Flavor of Nerd Nite, November 2011

Below, just a few photos from Nerd Nite at Teatro Zuccone in Downtown Duluth, November 2011.
Nerds, can you chime in with your best memories? (more…)

Excuse Me, Princess releasing an album

Excuse Me, Princess is releasing a record on Minneapolis label So-TM, and now the whole thing is streaming on Bandcamp with two free songs.

There’s a release show at Beaner’s on Nov. 26 (more info here.)

Seen this before?

I was at Mt. Royal Foods this morning surveying the doughnut rack with my daughter and I did a double take when I saw a long-john with a slab of fried bacon laid down the middle, on top of the delicious maple frosting. I did not have my camera to take a picture. Is this a “standard build” in the doughnut industry, or is it a custom creation from the bake staff? My wife gave me strict orders to not buy sweets this morning, otherwise I’d probably be posting this on Yelp.

Video Archive: 14-year-old Paula Shires of Bovey tears it up on Chemielewski Fun Time

It’s ladies’ night and the feeling is right.

Out-of-town anarchist identified!

Out-of-town element and notorious volunteer, Diane Emerson, reacts to Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay’s reference to her at yesterday’s press conference about Occupy Duluth. She was so stunned she almost spilled her herbal tea on her Nonviolent Communication handbook! (more…)

Prøve Gallery

The informal gallery opening Thursday night at Prøve Gallery, in the Sons of Norway building across Lake Avenue from the Technology Village, was the most exciting night I’ve experienced in Art in Duluth in some time. (more…)

Barack Obama vs. Dennis Kucinich and Michael Moore on Libya

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vetZKGrDYeI

This dramatizes the pie fight on the left that erupted over Libya.

If you view it on its YouTube page here, the brief title sequence plays too but you get the idea.

She Gets Things Done

On Tuesday, November 15, after a long day of working on my unfinished, but indisputably kick-ass, novel, I cracked an adult beverage and logged onto the Internet to make my usual rounds.

On Perfect Duluth Day, I found a post by City Councilor-elect Jennifer Julsrud, titled “Duluth’s Plumbing Needs Big Fix,” regarding Duluth’s aging water infrastructure. Accompanied by a short YouTube video (serious people talking seriously about water, serious music playing in the background), the post listed a series of upcoming community meetings that were to be held on the subject.

Naturally, this irritated me greatly. As far as I was concerned, this was just the latest example of Duluth’s tendency to be serious one minute about issues that actually need attention, and the next minute to stampede giddily off in pursuit of unneeded, but very expensive, luxuries that we want RIGHT NOW-as if the money we spend on the luxuries has no relation at all to the money we need for necessities.

(more…)

Hacienda del Sol closed?

Seeing the House of Donuts post makes me wonder … what’s going on with the Hacienda del Sol?

House of Donuts

duluth-house-of-donuts

I recently recovered this photo from my attic. It’s dated July 18, 1992. That’s me on the left in my Minnesota Twins championship T-shirt, proudly raising a bag full of what have got to be bear claws. PDD co-founder Barrett Chase is on the right. In the middle, grabbing his junk, is Bob Schulte.

For most of its existence, and at the time of the photo above, House of Donuts was located just east of where the Whole Foods Co-op is now, at 624 E. Fourth St. Ronald and Michele Carter were the owners.
(more…)

Chris Monroe in Minneapolis Star Tribune

Artist with a tool belt
Cartoonist and author Chris Monroe found inspiration for her picture books while toiling in a hardware store. Now she’s working with Kevin Kling on a tale about sibling rivalry and love.

Mac repair in Duluth

I know there was a conversation about this in August of 2010, but I have been unable to contact anyone from those posts. One doesn’t return my e-mail and for some reason the Mac Doctor doesn’t answer the phone or return messages. Does anyone have any advice on where I can find an honest Mac repair person that doesn’t charge Best Buy prices?

Fight poverty by volunteering with Community Action Duluth

Tax Site logo

Would you like to help put $2,000 into the pockets of a low income family? Community Action Duluth is seeking passionate, dedicated volunteers for its 2012 Free Tax Site. (more…)

Community Meetings: Duluth’s Plumbing Needs Big Fix

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cul30R0z-A&feature=player_embedded

Water is a basic need. Access to clean water and a well functioning system are responsible for good public health, public safety, basic sanitation, and economic prosperity. The strength of our economy is directly connected to the strength of our infrastructure.

Learn about the current state of our drinking water infrastructure; our water treatment plant, pumping stations, and over 400 miles of water mains. These are our common assets and we need to ensure they work for us.
(more…)

Making an apartment a home

I remember when I was first looking at Duluth as a place to move for college. Being tired of my job and wanting something new I decided to go back to school, and remembering how much I loved Duluth; I started checking out colleges. Having found a program and school, my next task was to find a place to live. I was not prepared for the daunting task that would ensue.
(more…)

NASA Time Lapse

Seeing what makes the northern lights happen from space is pretty amazing. Time lapse photos shot from about 350 km above earth. (more…)

Adam Wheeler Comedy

I just shot this video for my friend, local comedian Adam Wheeler.

R.I.P. Clearwire in Twin Ports

I got this email last week. (more…)

Where in Duluth?

Raven & Associates is looking for a minion … er, an employee!

This worked so well last time, we thought we would try it again! Raven & Associates, Inc. is a promotional products company in Duluth that sells mainly to camps, nonprofits and outdoor groups nationally. We are looking for an additional customer service rep to join our team. We are a growing company, a great place to work, and very odd.

Here’s the basic info on the job: Full-time customer-service representative position. Hourly wage beginning at +$10 per hour, flexible scheduling, retirement benefits and partial health insurance. Previous experience, background in art, and interest in outdoors preferred.

For more info, call Dave at 740-2769 or send me a message via our Facebook page.

This week: Art Unveiled, Bentleyville, Motion City Soundtrack, and lots more

Here comes Christmas! On Friday the Christmas City of the North Parade starts its route in Canal Park. If you can’t make it, you can still catch the action by watching it on KBJR-TV channel 6 and online at northlandsnewscenter.com. The seasonal frivolity doesn’t end there for the weekend. Bentleyville’s opening night is on Saturday. This year there are more lights than ever before and, as always, free cookies and hot chocolate. Other events going on this week:

Wednesday, Nov. 16
Art Unveiled features more than 40 paintings at the Duluth Depot. Want to learn about The Golden Girls and other awesomely nerdy things? Check out Nerd Nite at the Teatro.

Thursday, Nov. 17
Diet Folk performs at Fitger’s Brewhouse.

Friday, Nov. 18
The local DJ collective Crunchy Bunch spins at the Rex Bar. Bare Bones, a student choreographed dance performance, starts tonight and also plays tomorrow.

Saturday, Nov. 19
Minnesota group Motion City Soundtrack plays at the Reif Center. The Harbor City Roller Dames are back in town going against the Babes of Thunder from Thunder Bay, Canada.

Keep on checking the PDD Calendar for more events and enjoy your week!

Small Visitors

Some pals are visiting from Seattle next week. Their kids are 3 and 6, I think. We don’t have kids, so we’re not sure what amuses them. What are some cool Duluth things we could do that would be interesting to both kids and grownups? I’m thinking Hartley Nature Center, throwing rocks into the lake, maybe the harbor tour. What else might delight them?

Hey Frank Miller: Batman is the 99 percent

Warning: political, intemperate. (more…)

Time Bank for Duluth (and Superior)

Is Duluth ready for a time bank? Other cities around the world have them setup. They are a way to exchange hours of work (not goods).

Informational meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 to 9:30 a.m, Ordean (United Way) building, Superior St. & Fifth Ave. W, first floor conference room.

For more info on time banking go to timebanks.org or e-mail dianeemerson @ yahoo.com.