Selective Focus: Fall Colors 2023
Chlorophyll, schmlorophyll; turn up the carotenoids and anthocyanin. The annual biochemical process is underway. Progression of fall and peak leaf colors can be tracked with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Fall Color Finder.
Featured here is Perfect Duluth Day’s annual collection of select images from Instagram showcasing nature’s palette. (more…)
Duluth Mail Bag: Tourism Taxes, Bike Lanes and Bonding
As a two-time Duluth city councilor, now in my final year of service, one of my goals is to make city government more accessible, or at least help citizens become more informed. I figure there are many Duluthians who would like some simple answers to some simple questions. I learned in school that if there is something you don’t understand it’s likely there are many others who feel the same way. Hence the idea of the Duluth Mailbag column.
I won’t divulge who is asking the questions, but I’ll answer them in this format about once a month. Feel free to put a question in the comments for next month’s “Duluth Mailbag” or tweet me via @Hobbs_Duluth or email me at hobbsforduluth @ gmail.com.
Also, if you want to have a longer conversation, you can sign up for a 45-minute cup of coffee through my 100 Cups of Coffee project.
Apologies for the delay in this column, I’ve been chasing Springsteen across the country and watching the Twins clinch the AL Central. OK, here we go! (more…)
Climate>Duluth: Lisa Fitzpatrick of Duluth Climate Mobilization
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews local climate activist Lisa Fitzpatrick of Duluth Climate Mobilization.
Recorded at Duluth Public Access Community Television’s studio in City Hall.
Duluth Arrow Chevrolet
The Arrow Chevrolet West was on the corner of Grand Avenue and 59th Avenue West — the modern-day location of City Center West. (Photo via University of Minnesota Duluth Archives and Special Collections)
I am looking for folks with information about either Duluth location of Arrow Chevrolet — West Duluth or Downtown.
Chevy dealers across the country were sponsors of the Soap Box Derby and I am hoping to get a few folks to respond with their memories of the Arrow Chevrolet clinics and parts distribution. Did you race the Soap Box Derby? What memories of the Chevy dealers do you have?
40 Below: The Toughest Race in the World
Duluthian Marius Anderson’s film 40 Below will be the featured film on Friday, Oct. 6 at the 2023 Duluth Superior Film Fest. The film follows entrants in the Arrowhead 135 race in International Falls during the depths of Minnesota winter. It’s one of many Minnesota-made films screened at the fest; the full schedule is on the Duluth Superior Film Fest website.
Below are more Minnesota-made movie trailers. (more…)
Video Tour of Mariner Business Center in 2021
Brandon Novy produces videos of “dead, dying, or interesting malls (and anything related) in and around Minnesota” for the YouTube channel Yodeling Loon Retail. In 2021 he visited Mariner Business Center in Superior — formerly Mariner Mall — for his first video of a mall outside Minnesota.
PDD Quiz: September 2023
See how many September 2023 headlines you remember with this edition of the PDD quiz.
The next quiz, previewing Halloween shenanigans, will be published on Oct. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Oct. 11. (more…)
John F. Kennedy’s 1963 Duluth Speech
Sixty years ago today — Sept. 24, 1963 — President John F. Kennedy spoke in Duluth during the Northern Great Lakes Region Land and People Conference. The event was held in the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Physical Education Building. (more…)
League of Women Voters of Duluth Candidate Forums
The League of Women Voters of Duluth recently hosted forums in the Duluth Public Access Community Television studios featuring candidates on the General Election ballot.
The forum embedded above features mayoral candidates Emily Larson and Roger Reinert, recorded Sept. 20. (more…)
Postcard from the Rocky Shores of Lake Superior
This undated postcard, circa 1970, was published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The caption on the back read: “Rocky Shores Along the Circle Route of Lake Superior.”
Northern Lights over Grand Marais
Via WDIO-TV, time-lapse footage of the Sept. 18 northern lights by David Johnson, captured in Grand Marais.
North Shore and Grand Marais Aerial Video
Lake Superior shoreline and waterfall scenes from TruNorth Productions.
Oasis del Norte restaurant opening soon
The brick-and-mortar Oasis del Norte restaurant in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District finally has an opening date. The Duluth News Tribune reports that Eduardo Sandoval Luna will open the taqueria-style Mexican eatery at 2401 W. Superior St. on Sept. 29, pending inspection from the Minnesota Health Department.
Sandoval Luna has operated the Oasis del Norte taco food trailer since 2015.
The Black Labels – “Please Give Me Something”
A track from the 2001 Shaky Ray Records compilation album Let’s Get Sloppy.
R.I.P. Black Labels’ drummer Ryan “Chunk” Lund — April 25, 1983 to Sept. 17, 2023.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Cast – “What a Pleasant Journey”
Thirty years ago today — Sept. 18, 1993 — the sci-fi comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000 mentioned Duluth in “The Train Song” a.k.a. “What a Pleasant Journey.” Specifically referenced in the lyrics is the 1992 benzine spill in Superior known as “Toxic Tuesday.” (more…)
Minnesota Humanities Center grants for community programs
he Minnesota Humanities Center, an independent nonprofit that is an affiliate with the National Endowment for the Humanities, has recently received funding from the Minnesota Legislature to provide grants to individuals, museums and organizations. I love it when state money flows from the Twin Cities to Duluth. Apply! (more…)
Zombie Media at the Superior Public Library Sale
During the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Superior Public Library, I saw many things I’ve never seen before. I saw someone come by and buy all of the VHS tapes. (Luckily, I saw them before he did — there was nothing I liked.) I understand that there is a collector market for VHS, as movies that were never issued to DVD and will likely not be streaming are only found on that medium. (more…)
Sydney Hansen – “You or the Whiskey”
The latest music video from Duluth native Sydney Hansen features Aurora Kalligher and Michael Joki and is directed by Bo Allen of Bo Allen Productions.
Rebuilt Civil War veteran’s house part of historic properties tour
Diane and Steve Dick stand outside their renovated home on 43rd Avenue East and London Road. The home was built in 1889 by Civil War veteran John Mallman and will be featured on the Duluth Preservation Alliance Historic Properties Tour this Sunday. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A long abandoned duplex in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood was a complete wreck that showed no sign of its historic past when Steve and Diane Dick purchased it. Their simple renovation plan was to make room for an aging parent and host regular gatherings with their children and grandchildren.
Eight years on, the project has accomplished all the necessary family duties and more. The house stands out among its stately London Road neighbors and keeps an important piece of history alive: its original owners were Civil War veteran and early mining-exploration Captain John Mallman and his wife Catherine. (more…)
Postcard from the Superior YMCA
This century-old postcard shows the old YMCA building at Ogden Avenue and 14th Street in Superior. Though the card is postmarked, the year is not legible. (more…)
Why Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station in Cloquet
American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright designed many famous buildings, museums and houses — including a gas station in Cloquet. Twin Cities Public Television Reporter Kaomi Lee explores the architectural destination in this video.
Duluth 2023 General Election Primer
Duluth’s municipal and school board general election is Nov. 7. Items on the ballot vary depending on which precinct voters live. Below is a rundown of all races in the city. (more…)
9/11, Never Forget Evil
When I was a little kid, I had a friend named Ron. Ron was different, unique and interesting. All people appeared this way to me at that time. Ron stole a pair of shorts from my mother’s clothesline. My mother’s friend caught Ron downtown and yelled at him, “nice shorts!,” and then drove off. I didn’t understand why Ron didn’t get to have a colorful pair of shorts. He was different, unique and interesting like me. Then they cut my hair. I cried, “I look like a bald-headed monkey.” My grandfather said, “his hair was so long because of the Indians up there.” They sent me to a Catholic school. I’m white. My language was stolen from me. My culture was stolen from me. My friends were stolen from me.
Mystery Photos: Duluth Counterfeiters of 1883
From left to right: Charles Chambers, James McGovern and Frank Watters
It was on this date 140 years ago — Sept. 10, 1883 — that the first arrests were made in connection to a counterfeiting operation at a Duluth grocery store. (more…)