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.
Trespassing at UMD’s Old Main in 1992
One summer night in 1992, when I was 19 years old, I came home from doing something forgettable and found three of my friends waiting for me. They said I should grab a flashlight and come with them on an adventure. (more…)
Some great storytelling events coming up!
Local storyteller extraordinaire Elizabeth Nordell is organizing the following exciting events. Be sure to put them on your calendar!
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Workshop Opportunity with the Upright Citizens Brigade
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is the greatest producer of comedic talent in America today and the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company brings the very best of our theatres in NYC and LA directly to you.
The Upright Citizens Brigade Touring company will be in Duluth on Sunday November 14, 2010 at the Teatro Zuccone in Downtown Duluth. Show is at 7pm with a special opening performance by the Renegade improv team at 6:30pm. Tickets are $12/advance or $15/door.
The Upright Citizens Brigade will be hosting a workshop from 2-5PM on Sunday Nov. 14 and there are a limited number of spots open. The workshop is $30.00. Please contact Crystal at 218-336-1416 if you are interested in this workshop opportunity.
Cholera flaring up again
Word is in from our two favorite Duluth nurses in Haiti, cholera is spreading quickly after the rains. Please check out their blog at peacelovehaiti.blogspot.com to see pictures, hear stories, and help any way you can. Julie ended up in a ditch last night when her tower of cots collapsed. No pictures of that though!
Thanksgiving 2010
What is open in Duluth on Thanksgiving? We used to travel to the TC to go to Dunn Bros. for coffee (they were open until noon), reading the Black Friday ads, then down to a casino for a magnificent dinner buffet.
Where can I snag some coffee and dinner in Duluth on this most Thankful of Days?
Video Archive: Dennis Anderson knocks down a few Grain Belts and shows off the film equipment
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ZXpJEO18g&feature=related
This video appears to be from the early 1970s. Watch the high-pressure air send Denny’s hairpiece flying! (Plus bonus footage: A Jack McKenna forecast.)
North Shore Sessions Sarah Krueger and Russian Bride
Videos for Sarah Krueger and Russian Bride via northshoresessions.com :
Holidays Book Sale
The Friends of the Library are holding their “Littlest Sale of the Holidays” again this year: Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 7-8, 10 am-3 pm at the Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St. Shop for new and like-new books for adults and children.
What part of a district should an elected official live in?
I’ve seen several references to Cravaack living in an outer ring suburb, and the implication that this is inappropriate. It appears he lives in Chisago City, which, while perhaps being a Cities outer ring suburb, still falls into the 8th Congressional district. If, indeed, this is in the district, then what’s the point, really, of implying he is inappropriate to be the district’s rep?
I suppose it’s been conventional that the rep comes from Duluth or the Range but from the geographic perspective, any resident of a district should be eligible to be elected as long as they meet other legal requirements, no?
To imply that someone who lives on the outer edges of a legally defined district should not be its elected rep seems specious to me. That’d be like saying a person who comes from Maine or Washington State or some such location distant from the geographic or population centers of our country should not be able to be elected president.
This is why it is important to pay attention to who gets to draw the legislative districts–there is real power in being able to carve up districts to benefit your party, especially given the information that is available via databases about demographics, voting patterns, income, etc.
I’m not a partisan of Cravaack and did not vote for him, so I am neither defending nor attacking him–just wonder if the PDD community has any thoughts on the idea that a representative should come from a particular part of district to represent it.
Minnesota Deer Hunting Opener 2010
I come to you from my tree stand near Cotton. Curious how you Northland hunters do this opening weekend 2010.
I harvested a small buck and have seen a few doe. But otherwise pretty quiet, hence the reason I am posting while I try to pass the time. I know it’s ideal to have snow opening weekend but this weather makes it easy to sit up in this tree longer.
Be safe and good luck!
Permanent McLight Pollution?
Have you recently looked out into the evening sky to be welcomed by what would seem to be a search beacon?
I don’t know that I have ever witnessed it while I have lived in Duluth, however, years ago, it was common practice to hire a “searchlight advertising” team help promote your special event.
This new searchlight seems to be something altogether different.
Of course, some might applaud the re-opening of the London Road McDonald’s, and it might even be searchlight worthy, but it seems that the searchlight that is emitting from McDonald’s is permanently fixed on top of the building. WTF?
(Admin note: According to McDonald’s Duluth-area supervisor, the light is not permanent. It will be in use for about 30 days.)
Are we to expect that this light will constantly beam into the sky, luring unsuspecting folk to this establishment? Forever polluting our night space?
When I look out toward the big dark lake, that’s all I care to see … black … nothing else … thank you very much.
I suggest that we begin here, with a letter-writing campaign urging that they turn that damn light off.
Famous Mountaineer to Speak at UMD
At UMD Chemistry Building, Room 200, 7:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Climate Change: The Evidence and Our Options
Lonnie G. Thompson
The Ohio State University
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Secretary Oberstar?
From Star Tribune/Hot Dish Politics:
[T]he president called at breakfast Wednesday morning … Staffers who were gathered with Oberstar at the Duluth Holiday Inn heard Oberstar tell Obama, “Mr. President, I want you to know that while my service in Congress has ended, my commitment to public service has not, and I’m ready to assist your administration in any way.”
To which, the president reportedly replied, “Let’s let the dust settle and talk again.”
The Wails of November
Last night at the Brewhouse I mentioned to Cody, the guy next to me at the bar, that I liked the comic on the cover of this week’s Transistor, even though I have to admit that I don’t understand it.
He told me he understands it perfectly, then started talking about fractals and how the comic is referring to a famous Japanese picture and so on. Maybe it was the Starfire Ale, or maybe I’m just stupid, but no matter how hard Cody tried, he couldn’t get me to understand this comic.
Obviously there’s a play on the phrase “Gales of November” going on. There seems to be some roller derby girls surfing. That’s about all I can make of it.
Can anyone explain this comic in a way that I’ll understand?
Day of Truth and Reconciliation
The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial folks and the various offices and commissions on diversity at UMD co-sponsored a day on “truth and reconciliation” on Nov. 4. The Griggs Center (a large multimedia-capable meet space seating 200, I’d guess) was filled with students, faculty and staff. Julia and Dick of CJMM walked the audience through the history of the lynching, the history of the memorial, and through some basic reflections on racism as personally experienced and as structurally defined.
The day included showing videos and a reading by Michael Fedo, as well as a tour of the Memorial.
Events Calendar | University of Minnesota Duluth events.d.umn.eduI’m grateful that this resource was available to the UMD community. The day was a success.
Credit Union
This morning I miss my local credit union. Grocery store gone, hardware store gone, bank gone. It makes a difference to me.
Coffee with a Lakeview
I have been thinking lately about how much I miss Lakeview Coffee House in Fitgers. It was an awesome spot to spend an hour on a cold, blustery day watching the lake with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. It was pleasant and unrushed.
So, where is a good place to go now with a decent view of the lake where you can get a warm beverage and wile away a couple hours? I’ve tried Va Bene, but it’s a heckuvalot more expensive and they aren’t keen on you lingering. Dunn Bros. lost its lake view after the construction of Edgewater. Thoughts?
Zombies again
The Zombies were out in force last week. They will be out in force again this weekend, and every weekend until Zinema 2 gives notice!
Watch Walking Dead, again, at Zinema, free at 9pm Sunday. Support the local cinema and support Dragon Port comics and games, its partner.