Gartman/Carroll Duo at Sir Ben’s Dec. 6

9pm – midnight. Free!

Duluth jeweler Sally Cavallaro at Sivertson Gallery in Canal Park

Join us for a jewelry trunk show with Duluthian Sally Cavallaro. She’ll have earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets galore! All made of recycled sterling silver with gems and wool. Saturday, December 11, 10am-4pm.

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Cloud Cult & Caroline Smith

Two new music videos shot in Duluth by North Shore Sessions:

Cloud Cult – Bobby’s Spacesuit (acoustic)

Caroline Smith Duo – Eagle’s Nest / Callio

Whirligigs Preschool Program at Great Lakes Aquarium — New Winter Session!

Back by popular demand, the Whirligigs Preschool Program will have a new winter session!  Enroll your child in the exciting Whirligigs Preschool Program at Great Lakes Aquarium. Sponsored in part by the MinnAqua DNR Program, this is a 1.5 hour drop-off program for children ages 3-5. 
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Season’s Greetings with The PlayList

On Thursday, Dec. 9, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with ballads, opera, and choral music along with Hibbing’s watercolor master on WDSE-TV’s The Playlist.

The ballads of Arna Rennan and Brian Dack explore a rich musical landscape; the cast of  Amahl and the Night Visitors previews this holiday classic; award-wining watercolorist Terry Maciej shares his techniques; and members of the Arrowhead Chorale prep for a spectacular holiday concert.
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Upcoming holiday event at Washington Studios Artists’ Co-op

This Saturday, Dec. 11, the Washington Studios Artists’ Co-op (315 N. Lake Ave.) will be having its 14th Annual All Co-op Members’ Show and winter event. From 11 am to 5 pm, come by for:

–An all co-op gallery exhibit with works by Ryan Tischer and other Washington artists
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Guitar Painter in Duluth?

Over the past two months I’ve been collecting parts for a Telecaster I’m building. I finally had acquired everything and made sure all the parts were compatible with each other. Now I’m ready to paint my body and realized it is a bit chilly to be painting (and I don’t have a heated garage or patio). So my question … does anyone know of someone who could paint my blank guitar body locally? I’m incredibly anxious to play this guitar and don’t want to wait until March when the weather would be much more cooperating.

Park Point cabin abducted!

I went for a run on the Park Point trail today. Just after the water station I noticed something different about the trail. It was wider and torn up a bit. (My dog, Essa, was also a witness.)
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Nettleton School Fundraiser — Dec. 5

Nettleton 5th-grade Deep Portage Fundraiser
Soup and Silent Auction
Sunday, Dec. 5, 5:30-7 p.m.
UCC Peace Church
1111 E. 11th Avenue

The Nettleton 5th grade is heading to Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center and you can help. Soup and a Silent Auction will be held at Peace Church on Sunday, Dec. 5, 5:30-7. Enjoy delicious soups and breads, listen to local musicians, marvel at the Nettleton World Beat Drummers, and bid on silent auction items. You time and donations make our trip possible! Questions contact shelly.pierson @ duluth.k12.mn.us.

Duluth Christmas Tree Sellers

I was wondering where in the heck a person buys a Christmas tree in Duluth these days? It’s not exactly something you can look up online as far as I know … PDD’s help is greatly appreciated!

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Oberstar/Cravaack, Chapter 17

I still have one nagging question that came up during the campaign: “Can you get good Malaysian food anywhere near Duluth?”

Anyone have an answer?

A snowy drive on Seven Bridges Road

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hIqBhId29Y

Shot by Greg Connor on Thanksgiving Day.

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Hmong New Year in Duluth

The Duluth/Twin Ports Hmong New Year is free and open to the public. It features celebrations with programs showcasing Hmong traditions. On Saturday, Dec. 4, at the First United Methodist Church (“The Coppertop Church”), 230 E. Skyline Parkway, Duluth, doors open at 9 a.m., a program starts at 11 a.m., and will be followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m.

You got your zombies in my movie theater

The season finale of The Walking Dead is Sunday. Standing room only has been a problem for some of the weeks. Get there early (it’s free!), buy a beer and bring a little extra scratch to Dragonport Games, where you can buy more than 1000 pages of Walking Dead comics, books and more.

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Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2010

That, my fellow Duluthians, is one big ol’ Christmas tree.

Canadian Tar Sands: MN’s Dirty Oil Secret

Do you know where your oil comes from?

MPIRG UMD, the American Indian Learning Resource Center, and the American Indian Science & Engineering Society welcome you to a film showing and presentation about Minnesota’s use of oil from the Alberta Tar Sands.  Please join us for a viewing of the groundbreaking documentary Downstream, along with welcoming Marty Cobenais of the Indigenous Environmental Network who will speak about the catastrophic environmental and human rights consequences of tar sands oil extraction.  This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7pm, UMD Kirby Student Center Rafters

Questions and RSVP: mpirg @ d.umn.edu

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Phyllis Root and Besty Bowen at Northern Lights Books and Gifts on Dec. 4

Children’s author Phyllis Root and illustrator and Grand Marais native Betsy Bowen will be signing copies of their new children’s book Big Belching Bog at Northern Lights Books & Gifts on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1-2 pm.

Big Belching Bog cover
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Opera in Duluth! Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dec. 17-19

News release:

Lyric Opera of the North cordially invites you to a new production of Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.

December 17 & 18 at 7:30 p.m., and December 19 at 2 pm
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, 4 W. Second St., Duluth.
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Merry and Bright: A Review of the Duluth Playhouse’s Production of White Christmas

In the interest of full disclosure, I admit that I suffer from almost pathological nostalgia, a condition that only becomes more acute during the holiday season. Out come boxes of familiar, musty Christmas ornaments that probably should be replaced and mountains of Scandinavian desserts from a tradition now many generations removed from my own.  And the annual viewing (okay, multiple viewings) of favorite holiday films: Holiday Inn, It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, and, of course, White Christmas.

Given the inviolability of established holiday traditions, it was with a bit of trepidation that I attended a preview show of White Christmas at the Duluth Playhouse. Happily, the production did not disappoint, sailing along with plenty of glitz and good cheer. The set, framed like a vintage Christmas card, the familiar Irving Berlin tunes, vibrant mid-century costumes all invoked an amber-tinted yesteryear.
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Funny Duluth Video

Dann gets a suit at Mainstream Fashions for Men.

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JJ Astor Liked by MNMO blogger & goodie Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl

Go Ryan!

Minnesota Monthly review of Duluth’s JJ Astor restaurant:
Room with a View

Lost Dog in West Duluth – Sugar

Contact Tom @ 218-349-0514 if you have any info on the whereabouts of Sugar.

Lost Dog - Dec 1st - Sugar

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Challenged Ballots in Minnesota

Here’s an afternoon killer: Take a look at the challenged ballots in the Minnesota governor’s race recount.

(The three above are from Aitkin County.)

Cities Never Sleep CD Release Party!

Thursday, Dec. 2, Cities Never Sleep releases its new full-length album at Grandma’s Sports Garden! Other bands are featured and house DJs the Crunchy Bunch. Come rock and roll!

Great new shopping experience!

Went to the rollout of the new Art in the Alley gallery in Superior last night. Wonderful shopping experience with the original art of beader Tami LaPole and over-the-top potter Dan Edmunds. It’s in the old city hall. Enter off Broadway Street. It is the most unique shop on both sides of the bridge and will make Superior a shopping destination with terrific gift items, original art from area artist. Can’t say enough good about it. Definitely worth the trip over, and a welcome new addition to the Twin Ports shopping scene.