Video Archive: Duluth’s Lake Place Park — “the park in the sky” — under construction
From KBJR-TV, Oct. 25, 1990.
[Note: This video was removed by the YouTube user.]
You’ll notice the headlines from 20 years ago seem to mirror those of today. Before Barbara Reyelts’ piece on Lake Place Park, which starts 2 minutes into the video, you’ll see the president refusing to raise taxes, gas prices rising and ramp closures on local freeways.
Among the commercials at the end of the video is one for the late Senator Paul Wellstone, who back then was campaigning to replace Rudy Boschwitz.
Financial Concerns Info Session
Northern Communities Land Trust is hosting a financial resources workshop for folks who are concerned about their financial situation and/or having trouble keeping up with monthly bills. This workshop is free and open to the public.
Financial Concerns Info Session
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 6-7pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
1108 E. Eighth St.
(one block below 8th Street Video)
Pizza and childcare will be provided (RSVP required)
Presentations will be given by representatives from Lutheran Social Services and Comfort Sytems specifically regarding what resources are available and what steps to take if you have either already fallen behind or are concerned about falling behind on your monthly mortgage, credit, or utility bills.
For any questions or to RSVP please e-mail jackie @ landtrustduluth.org or call (218) 727-5372 ext 214.
Martin Sexton at Mitchell Auditorium
Venue change: Please note that this concert has been moved from Clyde Park to the Mitchell Auditorium at the College of St. Scholastica. There is no change in the date or showtime.
My Experience with 300-foot Rule & House for Rent
With all this discussion of rental ordinances, I thought I’d offer my experience with the 300-foot rule. We were denied a rental license when we first applied, due to the 300-foot rule, but were granted a license upon appeal due to economic hardship. The appeals board seemed thoughtful and open-minded, and had clear criteria outlined for when they should grant a variance. While the 300-foot rule has been a difficulty for some, I observed 6 appeals the day I testified, and 5/6 were granted for what seemed to me to be good financial hardship cause. The 6th was denied for what appeared to be valid cause, too. Perhaps the rule is imperfect, but even though it did cost me some money and time and effort, I do believe our local government is being receptive to community needs. I’m glad the council and the mayor’s office is considering new rules to supplant the rule.
So, now that I have had the city inspection of the house, I am ready to offer it for rent. So, the house I have for rent: nice 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath house for rent not far from UMD/Scholastica–close to Chester Creek Park, great neighbors, walking distance to cafe/bookstore, two buslines close by–really an ideal location for the best of Duluth urban life. Off-street parking. Great deck. Hot water radiant heat, newer fuel oil furnace, new hot water heater. Looking to rent to a family, if possible. $900 month plus you pay utilities. If interested e-mail me for more details: davidsyring@yahoo.com.
Next Sunday @ the Round Up
Mike Wilson is putting on a show this next Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Round-up Bar on Fourth Street.
Slow Motion Cowboys (San Francisco; ex-Trainwreck Riders)
The Undesirables
Wyatt Famous
Free, 9PM, 21+
Saturday’s show at Luce canceled
Hey music fans. The show with American Rebels, the Surfactants and Grey Matador at Luce has been called off due to the snowstorm. Sorry! Stay safe/warm.
Winter Adventures Holiday Camp
When: Dec. 27-30
Who: Youth in grades 3-8
Where: Great lakes Aquarium, Positive Energy Outdoor (Ed)Ventures Site (15 mi. north of Duluth)
Cost: $145 (this includes snacks, materials, and equipment for the entire camp)
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Roller Derby at the DECC
Watch your favorite Harbor City Roller Dames as they take on the Paper Valley Flyin’ Squirrels of Appleton, WI in the last home bout of 2010! Special halftime performance by Madill Dance Studio.
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Free Fun
A reminder that Jude Nutter (she’s from England) and Thomas R. Smith (he’s not from England) are reading their poems Saturday night, Nov. 13, at CSS in Somers Lounge at 7:30. Free coffee, free chocolate, great poems, good people. See the Spirit Lake Poetry Series Facebook page for additional details, and become a fan to receive updates!
New Downtown Duluth Art Gallery
I went to a new gallery opening last night. The Ochre Ghost is on Second Avenue East and is a cool space supported by two emerging artists. Go and make the scene!
Upset Duluth (Continued)
I was reading the DNT this morning and had to chuckle when I was reminded of Lundgren’s September post about upset Duluth resident photos showing up in the DNT on an approximately monthly basis. I am convinced of the conspiracy now. Who at the DNT is trying to spread negativity on the front pages?
Loup-Garou at the Red Mug
Still haven’t heard Loup-Garou? What better chance than this Saturday for FREE over in Superior?
Rental Reform – Read first, then substantiate your hatred
First of all, you can find the full summary and the proposed ordinance here.
The primary purpose of this ordinance is to acknowledge that it has become a business to convert single family homes into multi-tenant boarding homes in a way that maximizes income for the business owner. That business model also puts stress onto the neighborhood because these homes and these lots were (in many cases) not designed to hold 5 or 6 college students each with their own car. This business model is at the core of the student / resident conflicts.
The problem is not students, rentals, or renters. I personally believe that we should have more of each in Duluth. The problem is that when a person converts a 3-br single family home into a 5-br apartment building, they are maximizing income and externalizing the costs onto the rest of the neighborhood.
International Passive House Day – UMD Bagley Classroom Building Tour
Imagine only needing a hair dryer or a few candles to heat a building in Minnesota! This is the Passive House approach which uses simple, low-tech solutions like super-insulation, rigorous air sealing, and high-performance windows to reduce a building’s total source energy consumption by 90%. Over 20,000 Passive House buildings have been built worldwide and the Bagley Classroom at UMD follows this standard.
Several Passive House buildings in Minnesota will be open for the International Passive House Day tours. See the link below for a database of projects. The UMD Bagley Classroom at 703 Oakland Circle in Duluth will be open for free tours every hour between 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Rod Grams’ revenge
Chip Cravaack news release:
NORTH BRANCH – The week after edging out Minnesota’s longest-serving Congressperson in state history, Congressman-elect Chip Cravaack has named Senator Rod Grams as his interim chief of staff.
“Senator Grams brings a wealth of knowledge expertise on Washington D.C. and the 8th District to our team,” Cravaack said. “His previous experience serving the state of Minnesota will be invaluable as we prepare to hit the ground running on behalf of all the residents of our district.”
Senator Rod Grams was elected to Congress in 1992 and then to the Senate in 1994.
Cravaack also announced that campaign consultant Tony Post will oversee the transition. Campaign communications director Kyler Nerison will continue in that position during the transition.
Merv Griffin – “Christmas City”
Christmas city, wonderful city
All dressed up in snow and mistletoe
Christmas city, wonderful city
Come this Christmas to the Christmas city I’ll go (more…)
Tinsel Fairies, Circadian Nations, Electric Graveyard Afterlife, Indulge, and Poetry Motel (featuring Patrick McKinnon, Howlin’ Andy Hound, Matthew Livingston)
What: Tinsel Fairies, Circadian Nations, Electric Graveyard Afterlife, Indulge, and Poetry Motel.
When: Friday, Nov. 12 at 10pm
Where: Norm’s Beer and Brats: 1901 Broadway St., Superior, WI
$5 cover. Proceeds go to support the “Oil and Congress Don’t Mix Campaign” and the “Citizens for Corporate Accountability” 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Cloud Cult w/ special guests Fort Wilson Riot at St. Scholastica!
The Twin Cities based band Cloud Cult and special guests Fort Wilson Riot will be playing an all ages show November 20th at The College of Saint Scholastica. Doors open at 7:30pm and the music starts at 8:00pm.
These eco-friendly artists are sure to deliver a high energy show that won’t disappoint! Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at St. Scholastica, The Electric Fetus or online at https://www.css.edu/Administration/Student-Activities.html.
Solo Acoustic Bro-Down
Who: Ryan Van Slooten & Tony Bennett of Cars & Trucks
When: Saturday, Nov. 13
Where: Beaner’s Central
Time: 8:00 p.m.
$5 Cover
This show is really best described by Kenny Loggins.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KLRNkLdzgI[/youtube]
Scott Keenan Park?
So I was just reading this story from the News Tribune about changes in the Duluth Park system:
Duluth park plan says smaller is better
It mentions a number of potential changes to improve the park system. But one caught my eye. The article mentions the possible elimination of something called “Scott Keenan Park.”
So, I have a few questions. First, where is this park? Second, has anyone told Scott Keenan that his namesake park might be closing?
Duluth’s War on Renters
Reading the DNT yesterday I was dismayed to learn that the Duluth City Council is planning on another ordinance that will drive up rental costs, take units off the market, and generally make it harder to be a non-homeowner in Duluth.
There is no draft of the proposed ordinance available yet, so we are dependent on the DNT’s reporting of the plan, but it seems that the City Council wants to:
- Impose a conversion fee on any non-rental being turned into a rental property;
- Require an inspection of any property to be converted (the city admits it is years behind in inspections, so this would mean a longer delay on new rentals coming to market);
- Restrict occupancy to 1 person / bedroom (meaning a couple with 2 children would require a 4-br house);
- Fine landlords who do not provide off-street parking.
As a renter in Duluth I am pretty upset that my rent will go up due to these new rules (unless my landlord turns the front yard into a parking pad), and that somehow people think making it more expensive to live in town will reduce overcrowding in student housing. My wife and I live in a nice 2-br house, but it would be illegal to have her sister live in our spare bedroom when she is out of college for the summers. Does that make any sense to anyone?
The 300-foot rule already restricts the available rental housing stock in Duluth, driving up prices, do we really need to make it worse?
Alakef Coffee Roasters Open House 11/12
Alakef has been roasting specialty coffees in Duluth, near the shore of Lake Superior, for 20 years! Come and enjoy coffee, cake and snacks, roasting demonstrations (by Ezra Bennett) and live music provided by Musicality.
Friday, Nov. 12, 3-6pm
Rogue Valley with Loup-Garou
Due to circumstances out of Late Night Kirby’s control, Rogue Valley will NOT be performing tonight.
We are working to bring them back up next semester. Sorry for any inconvenience.