A Winter Downpour and Three Song Sunday at Carmody
A Winter Downpour and Three Song Sunday are playing a free show this Friday at Carmody Irish Pub to aid in the celebrating of Ryan Dahlberg’s birthday. Ryan is the creator of the local music website the Duluth Scene. Music gets started at 9 p.m.
Vitta Pizza
A couple weeks ago, Vitta Pizza opened in Canal Park. It’s in the spot that Northern Lights Books used to be in, 307 Canal Park Drive. They cook the pizza in a wood-fired oven, and it’s pretty tasty.
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Low on World Cafe, 2011
Duluth band Low is the guest on World Cafe, which airs on 103.3 FM KUMD weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. The interview is part of the first hour of the program.
Head’s Up…
The Munger Trail is CLOSED between the Grand Ave./Co. Rd. 23 bridge and the 93rd. Ave. W. bridge. Figured I’d save somebody the leg work.
Happy eighth birthday to us
Perfect Duluth Day is eight years old today – Wednesday, June 29. We’ll be celebrating tonight at Burrito Union around 8:30ish. Stop on by. There will be a weird cake and an array of door prizes. (We’ll probably be out on the deck — space and weather permitting — so look there first. Find the people with cake on their lips.)
Also, yours truly (Paul Lundgren) will be a guest today on “The Local” with Christine Dean the Radio Queen, celebrating PDD’s birthday by playing songs with “Duluth” in the lyrics or title. That’s at 5 p.m. on 103.3 FM KUMD.
Thanks to Barrett and Starfire for starting this thing and to all you bloggers, cloggers and corn doggers who keep it going. We’re on a pace to hit 10,000 posts before the end of the year. That’s kind of something.
Chester Park Summer Concert Series 2011
Finally a Tuesday evening nice enough, and I can hear the band over in the bowl warming up from my deck.
City of Duluth Parks and Recreation, KQDS Radio and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club present the 29th annual Chester Creek Concert Series, Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Chester Bowl Park. Admission is free. (more…)
Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant 2011
IFP Media Arts is pleased to announce the call for entries for the Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant for emerging directors. The deadline for application is Sept. 12. Applicants must submit a 7-page screenplay, a reel, a budget, a production plan, a resume, and other supporting documentation. For application and instructions please visit: ifpmn.org.
Michele Bachmann for President
After making the official announcement today that she’s running for President of the United States, Michele Bachmann told Fox News: “Just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa — that’s the kind of spirit that I have, too.”
One little problem: The famous star of western films is from Winterset, Iowa — 150 miles from Waterloo. Serial killer John Wayne Gacy lived in Waterloo, though.
Renting in Duluth (near UMD)
Greetings, people of Duluth. I am not one of you. But I will be soon. My wife and I are moving to Duluth in August, and are in the middle of house/apartment/duplex/hobbit-hole hunting. Reviewing PDD for tips, I have learned that ShipRock should be avoided, and that people really like to argue about the Hillside neighborhood. Any more … constructive advice? Great rental experiences? Recommended companies to go through? Places other than Craigslist to look for listings? Questions to ask before signing the lease? Any and all advice is appreciated!
Ness Campaign Kickoff Events
Help kick off the campaign to re-elect Mayor Don Ness!
Wednesday, June 29
Noon Kickoff Speech and Reception
11:30am – 1 pm @ The Great Lakes Ballroom at the Holiday Inn
Mayor Ness will speak at 12:15pm
After Work Reception
4:30pm – 6pm @ The Zeitgeist Arts Café – 222 E. Superior St.
Meet and Greet with Mayor Ness and friends!
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Putting out my shingle?
My husband and I are returning to our Minnesota roots by moving to Duluth in the next week or so. I’ve been a piano teacher for 16 years now. I’ve got friends and contacts in Duluth that keep assuring me that if I “put out my shingle” I’ll have a full studio in a snap.
What I can’t figure out is how exactly I do that. In my old neighborhood in Chicago I made a pretty flier and put it on people’s doorstep the first year I taught — after that it’s been word of mouth.
Anybody have any ideas for me?
PDD Gravatar Poll Championship
[poll id=”8″]
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Don Ness — 49.2 percent
Bev — 19.7 percent
TimK — 16.6 percent
Hot Shot — 14.4
Bound: A Photography Exhibit

Justin Sinks’ latest project was 2 years in the making. Bound is a study of shadow and contrast. He chose bondage because of the beauty and the juxtaposition of tough, fibrous ropes tight against smooth, fragile skin. He used black and white to enhance lines and patterns of rope created against the human body and to eliminate distractions present in color images. Please note this exhibit does contain material some might find objectionable and may not be suited for a younger audience.
The Duluth Photography Institute will be having a free public reception of these images at the DPI facility, 405 E. Superior St., Duluth on Friday, July 1 from 5-8 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
For more information on Sinks, go to his Facebook page. For more information about the DPI project and to become a member, please visit duluthphotographyinstitute.com or call Brian at 218-393-2468.
Where in Duluth?

I was out for a hike today and found this.
I did not go investigate to see if there really were girls … it kinda reminded me of that one “Kids in the Hall” headcrusher sketch.
Duluth Kayaking – Saturday Evening Paddle
After checking out the great Park Point Art Fair this evening, what a gorgeous night Perfect Duluth Paddle.
Scottish Fest – June 25
Saturday, June 25 · 9:30am – 1:30pm
Fitger’s Courtyard
600 E. Superior St., Duluth
Saturday is the annual Duluth Scottish Heritage Association Highland Dance Competition. Pre-Premier Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. Duluth Scottish Heritage Assn. Pipes & Drums Band will perform in Fitger’s at Noon. Premier Competition Begins at 1:30 PM with awards ceremony to follow. The public is invited to attend; all events are free to the public.
Beer Festival – Lutsen – July 9
As a reminder to all those beer lovers out there, Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival is happening in Lutsen on Saturday, July 9. Tickets are $25 and the breweries and brews listed below will be there. There will also be live music by Joe Paulik as well as Eric Frost & Friends.
Details at hoppedupcaribou.com. It’s going to be a good time!
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7th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival
Is this going to be fun?

7th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival
June 25, 9 AM to 4:30 PM
11th Ave East and London Road, Duluth
Admission is free!
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The best breakfast downtown …
… I might have had this morning. At least, best per-dollar, with the awesomest staff: the Coney Island.
On April 10, 1921 Gus Saites, a Greek immigrant, had a few hundred dollars and an idea. He would head to Duluth from St. Paul and open a restaurant on East Superior Street in the bustling town of Duluth Minnesota. Nearly 90 years later this idea continues uninterrupted in the same location and under the same tin ceiling as on that spring day in ’21.
A Summer Night of Sondheim
Join Renegade’s friends Adam Sippola & Carolyn LePine with Evan Kelly, Susanne Wilfahrt and Patrick Colvin on June 24 and/or June 25 for an evening of music from composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.
Tickets are $10, and all ages are welcome. Reserve your seat online at teatrozuccone.com, or get them the day of the event at Teatro Zuccone. The box office opens at 6pm. Doors open at 7:30pm, and the show starts at 8 pm.
Join Renegade Improv afterward both nights for 10:30 Main Event Shows. For more information and weekly schedules, check out 3dayweekendmn.com.
M’haha Window on “History Detectives”
Duluth’s “Minnehaha” Tiffany window (sometimes referred to as the “Hiawatha” window) designed by Duluth’s Ann Weston-and a watercolor associated with it-will be featured on next week’s “History Detectives” on PBS North. Look for Wade Lawrence, former director of Glensheen, for his expert analysis of the window.
Here are the air times/dates/PBS description:
Tuesday, June 28 – 7pm on PBS North
Tuesday, June 28 – midnight on PBS North
Saturday, July 2 – 6pm on PBS 2ndChance
Sunday, July 3 – 5pm on PBS North
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