Learn more about the judicial candidates
I was a little surprised by the lack of comments on the wealth of information I had provided about the judicial candidates in a previous post. I know a lot of people are complaining that there isn’t much information out there and they have no idea who to vote for. Does no one really care about this or was the lack of comments because I didn’t make names clearly visible and easy to click onto?
Did you know that this judge will actually sit at the bench in Two Harbors but that the people of Duluth could out vote what the people of the Two Harbors area want? Does that make any difference to you?
Minnesota Sixth District Court Judge 11 candidates:
Russ Conrow
Timothy Costley
Michael J. Cuzzo
Juhl S. Halvorson
Tim Little
John Steven Lind [Did not return questions]
James Ross
Lawrence W. Ulanowski [Did not return questions]
County Attorney Candidates:
Melanie Ford incumbent
Mark Rubin
Androy Hotel: Superior’s Hidden Gem
Whether or not you appreciate the Androy, I believe it is all about expectations. If you are expecting a Marriott, this is not your place. You have to appreciate how vintage the Androy is. You have to want to totally geek out about the original 1920’s bathrooms with octagon tile, the old letter box and mail chute, the big chunky keys for the original wood doors, the step back in time lobby, the original hotel telephone switchboard, and rooms with two queen sized beds for only $50.
The Androy has almost a cult following. People either love it or hate it. But if you love it, you will come back again and again. That’s the category I fall into. Can’t beat the location — can walk to any number of live music or night life venues. Papa Don’s restaurant downstairs is one of the best greasy spoon breakfasts in town and open 24 hours. Walk across the street and get a Vintage Italian Pizza to take back to your room. Just minutes from all of the attractions in Duluth without having to pay out the nose for Duluth hotel prices (and couldn’t find this kind of character at those places anyhow). So many reasons to love the Androy!
Spot for Stargazing?
If you don’t know, the year’s best meteor shower happens next week, in the wee hours of the morning of Aug. 11, 12 and 13. From what I read, the Perseids are one of the most active showers, with up to 50 meteors an hour – should be a nice show!
I’m hoping to get out and watch a bit; I’m wondering if anyone has any favorite or secret spots? Although there are nice bare spots above Skyline or along Park Point, I’m hoping to escape the glare of city lights. I was thinking Stoney Point might be nice, or perhaps Gooseberry? If someone has suggestions of closer spots, that’d be even better.
Spirit Mountain’s Alpine Roller Coaster is pretty neat, but the old Duluth Skyride looks a bit more intimidating
Originally called the Incline Plane Railway, this tram system started service in 1891, carrying passengers up Seventh Avenue West from Superior Street to Ninth Street. The photo above makes it look downright terrifying.
And, of course, there was one day in which it was indeed a terrifying ride, though no one was on it.
On May 28, 1901, a fire started in a coal bin in the engine room of the powerhouse. Wind carried the fire to the pavilion at the top of the incline. The heat of the fire melted the tram cables, and a burning trolley raced down to Superior Street, where it crashed into Superior Street Station. No one was injured.
Hot!
Oil and Congress Don’t Mix: Campaign Launch
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
SEPARATE OIL AND CONGRESS NOW
CITIZENS FOR CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
What: Campaign launch, presentation, discussion.
When: Wednesday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: “Friends Meeting House,” aka “Quaker Church” 1802 East 1st Street, Duluth, MN
Please RSVP by following the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=107013446019531&ref=ts
It’s time to party and the candidates’ answers
See the Hillsider electronic newsletter here for links to where the National Night Out parties are located and candidate questionnaires for the upcoming election.
Many people are especially interested in the judicial candidates. At our last board meeting we decided to ask the judicial candidates:
What could you do in your position to prevent the disproportionately high number of children of color that are in the juvenile justice system? Are there alternatives to juvenile detention by focusing on solutions rather than punishment?
Seeking Crystal from Cat Walk
Does anyone know what’s become of the stylist Crystal that used to cut hair at the Cat Walk in Woodland?
Charlie Parr live on the Mississippi
Charlie Parr performs “Mastodon” live on the Mississippi river for MPLS.TV’s weekly live performance series, “City of Music.”
Competition in the corn maze business
Engwall Florist, Greenhouse & Garden Center is growing a 52,000-square-foot corn maze that will open Sept. 10 at its Hermantown Road location.
Engwall’s Corn Maze at the Garden Center will be the closest corn maze to Duluth … at least that I’m aware of. Silver Brook Corn Maze is in Wrenshall and opens Sept. 17.
Engwall is partnering with the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, donating a dollar from each paid admission to the corn maze.
Yet another reason to drink beer
From a June 1915 Fitger’s newspaper ad.
Mac repair in Duluth?
If anyone knows of a good Mac repair person in town, I’d sure appreciate the contact info.
Downtown Sales
You may have noticed in the past month or so that the old sign has been removed from the Lange Motor Building, best known as the location of the former Carlson Book store, revealing an older sign for Downtown Sales.
What was Downtown Sales? It was an odds and ends store that preceded Bob Carlson’s bookstore venture. Does anyone remember anything about it? We’re talking late 1970s.
R. O. Carlson Used Book & Record closed in March 2003. Big Lake Book had a short run after that, followed by Boardwalk Book. Rod Raymond and Tim Nelson own the building now, which is being gutted of literally tons of old water-damaged books and magazines. No word on future plans.
This part of Superior Street used to be called “Automobile Row,” up until about the 1960s. The Carlson Book building was home to Interstate Auto Co., Kent Motors, Lange Motors and probably a bazillion other businesses.
So there’s a half-ass history outline. Fill in the blanks if you know anything.
Recommend concrete contractors in Duluth
We need to replace a poured concrete front porch stoop and would appreciate any recommendations for a contractor or company in the area with a solid track record and reasonable pricing for this type of thing. Any specifics of your experience with local people who do such work might be very helpful. Caveats and nightmare tales of such residential concrete work gone wrong might also be instructive. Thanks so much!
Wine Tyme Winery in Superior
This winery recently began operating out of an old convenience store near the Choo-Choo Bar in Superior. It’s called Wine Tyme Winery, and is owned by Tom and Linda Anesi. The address is 4932 E. Second St.
They make wine from kits (for example, the Winexpert brand) and also sell the kits so you can make wine at home. Stop in and try a sample.
Tom said he also plans to sell beer-making supplies there in the future.
Tall Ships
My otherwise perfect Saturday was marred by going down to the dock next to the tall ships. It was 8pm and I just wanted to stroll by and see them with my kids. They wanted $6 each for the privilege. Seems a little much to pay to walk by on the street after the day’s events. The city apparently sold its soul to the greedy company running this year’s festival. Bad show.
Awesome Duluth Postcard Site
I’m sure this has been posted before on here, but this is a site I found a few years back. It’s a mind blowing collection of old Duluth postcards:
Anyone have some crutches?
In the process of moving my daddy fell and banged up his knee. Then he worked all day the next day moving boxes. He is pretty crippled up right now and needs some crutches. We are planning to go to Walgreen’s this morning to purchase some. Wondering if anyone here has some crutches they might want to sell or give away.
This Weekend at Sara’s Table
Saturday night, 7-9pm
Terrol Cousineau, Jane Larson, Kyle Keegan in the dining room
Sunday morning
Mimosa brunch with Darin Bergsven in the wine bar
Lake Superior Brewing on Facebook
There for the liking at facebook.com/LakeSuperiorBrewing.
Free Range Film Festival presents: Large white animals!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwOcVO5qrYY
Gnar of the Gnorth: Duluth Outlaw 2010
Friday marks the kick-off of the third annual Duluth Outlaw, recently renamed “Gnar Of The Gnorth.” Each year, longboarders from all walks of life and areas of the Midwest travel to participate in this three-day downhill skateboarding event.
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Lotta sirens on London Road
All day, maybe once an hour, sirens racing down London Road behind our apartment. Tourists with heat stroke or something else I should know about?
Skutt Oval Electric Kiln
Skutt Oval Electric Kiln (Phase 3) — Priced to sell!!
Production size (very large) kiln, lightly used. Works great. I do not have any shelves but it does have bottom layer (shelves can be purchased at DH Ceramics last time I was in there I checked).
Nazi sighting
So I’m driving down Michigan Street at 8:45 tonight, and walking down the sidewalk toward the main entrance of the Depot is this guy dressed in full Third Reich regalia. I’m talking military-grade Lederhosen, swastika arm-band and even an olive flack helmet, walking like he’s got a stick up his ass. I did overcome the urge to yell obscenities or throw things out the window, but I couldn’t resist slowing way down and gawking. I mean, who does that?
I considered that maybe the Playhouse is doing some thing involving the holocaust, but in that case don’t they have dressing rooms? Who in their right mind would be caught dead in that get-up outside? Then my co-worker suggested that maybe he was going to attend one of the court-ordered group sessions for drunk drivers they have at the Depot and trying to make some political statement. But that just begs the question, what kind of person has that stuff laying around in his closet?
I’m compelled to wonder, is this something ugly that blew in on a tall ship, or just some local dumbass making an idiot out of himself?