Pardon me, Railway Pizzeria & Bar, but I must say that’s a pretty kinky offer

Top of the delivery menu:

“Here you go, Mr. Deliveryman. See you back at my room with a vodka tonic in 20 minutes or less.”

Nerd Nite #5

nerd nite 5

Minnesotans are ill-tempered tweeters

The above video shows the mood of the United States over a two-day period as interpreted by various words used on Twitter. Green indicates a good mood, red indicates a foul mood, and pale yellow indicates the middle area. The size of the states scale up and down according to how many tweets were posted at that particular time.

As you can see, Minnesota rarely makes it out of the red. There are a few times when it sneaks into the yellow, but for the most part, we are a grumpy people, at least according to our Twitter activity and this study.

Speaking of which, here’s the official website. You’ll notice that the poster version of the data shows Minnesota tinged with a bit of green in the very early morning, indicating that on certain days, at around 6am, we apparently can drum up a tiny amount of positive spirit on the internet.

Coal or Taconite?

A question has been nagging me of late: Which is worth more? Duluth’s taconite pile or Superior’s coal pile?

Finding these images is the extent of my personal research. I’m curious to hear your responses.

Inexpensive, Private Apartment in East Duluth Needed ASAP

Any suggestions or leads would be immensely appreciated. ‘Tis for a friend who needs a place by Sept. 1. One BR or Studio, Section 8 and cat friendly. She is looking for a place to rejuvenate…something mellow with nature around it and not a huge complex of apartments or rowdy students. East end preferred. Thanks, PDD!

So, whatever happened to testing Lake Superior beaches for E. coli?

According to MPR, tightened budgets led the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to decide beach testing should be done by an outside contractor, because the issue was more of a public health concern than an environmental one. But the contractors haven’t started the work yet, meaning Lake Superior beaches like Park Point aren’t being tested.

Here’s the full story …
Beachgoers beware: Not all beaches are tested for bacteria

Unique outdoor wedding ceremony venues?

I know earlier someone was asking about small wedding reception venues but I have my reception pretty much nailed down for my wedding on June 25, 2011.

My fiancee’ and I want to do an outdoor ceremony. We don’t want to do it at the Rose Garden because its so common and the car/foot traffic doesn’t appeal to us. We’d prefer someplace with a view of the lake but a general view is great! I’d really appreciate the suggestions of the fine PPD people!

Table tennis this weekend!

The Lake Superior International Open presented by Black Woods has arrived! We are hosting a table tennis tournament at the DECC on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The (local) or recreational tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday and registration is open until one hour prior to each event, so there’s still time! Who’s the best in the Northland!?
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Excuse Me, Princess CD Release

Hey guys n’ gals! We just released an album, and through Monday, it’s a freebie if you download from here:

excusemeprincess.bandcamp.com

Otherwise it’s on iTunes and will be at Electric Fetus by the end of the month and all that good stuff.

Give it a listen!

Graffiti Timeline

SmokeDope

I recently came across this photograph of myself observing graffiti at an I-35 underpass in West Duluth, probably from 1997 or 1998. So I went back and rephotographed the spot to show how the graffiti has changed. (more…)

Vision Pro-Envision

Triplets of Belleville at Duluth Zinema 2 for COGGS Fundraiser

It’s another bike movie night at the Zinema to help fundraise for COGGS! This time, we’ll be watching the outstanding Triplets of Belleville and Vive le Tour, both chosen to celebrate the great Tour de France that concludes this Sunday. The movies will take place a 7 pm on Wednesday, July 28.
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Thanks Chickenbone. You rocked our block.

“Chickenbone George” Alan Sparhawk of the Black-eyed Snakes performing last night in front of Fitger’s Brewhouse.

Vision Pro-Envision

Koo Koo in Duluth!

Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Friday July 23, 2010 | The Encounter | 6 p.m. | $5
Fun for all ages!

Koo Koo Kanga Roo is a family fun dance extravaganza for kids and adults. The show is packed with zany sing-alongs and choreographed group dancing to keep the crowd on its feet and engaged in the fun!

kookookangaroo.com

What’s the date?

Masonic Fraternity

Does anyone know what 5894 A.L. stands for?

Vision Pro-Envision

School Supplies

I’m wondering if anyone knows of any Twin Ports organizations or businesses that collect school supplies for low-income students or local classrooms. Cleaning out the office yielded a plethora of unopened packages of lined paper, pencils, etc. They won’t be used here, so I figure I’d drop them off if they’re being collected somewhere. Thanks for your help!

Fridays in the Park performance series begins in Owens Park July 23

Arts on Superior and the City of Two Harbors are proud to present Fridays in the Park, a series of performances at the historic bandshell in Two Harbors’ Thomas Owens Park from July 23 to Sept. 24. Funded in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, this series will feature Lake Superior performing artists, including James Moors, Bingham and Thorne, and Michael Monroe.

Series opener James Moors, playing on July 23 at 7pm, is often compared to songwriters Peter Himmleman, Lyle Lovett and Darden Smith. Find out more at jamesmoors.com.

Vision Pro-Envision

Figure Drawing for Teens

Teens will learn to draw the human form accurately with the help of skilled instructor and live, clothed model.

Where: Pineapple Art Center
When: August 2,3,4 Mon-Wed 12-1:30pm
Cost: $53 covers all
*Must pre-register by calling Pineapple Art Center at (218)722-2919

Kid’s Art in the Park

Kid’s get the chance to draw what they see on Lake Superior and then fit into a frame!

*Must pre-register by calling Pineapple Arts (218) 722-2919
*Includes walk to the park and a healthy snack
Where: Meet at Pineapple Art Center 124 W 1st St Duluth
When: 1:30-3pm July 25 -Sunday-
Cost: $10 includes all

Bullsh*t Alert!

“Duluth” Trading Company opens its first retail store. Where, you ask? Mount Horeb, Wis., naturally.

Wisconsin State Journal: Remodeling starts for Duluth Trading’s first retail store in Mount Horeb

Site for small reception in Duluth?

I’m in search of a unique venue for a smaller wedding reception of around 80 people in Duluth. Something other than a typical hotel banquet room or similar is preferred. Perhaps a restaurant? Your ideas and info are appreciated!

Merging in construction zones on I-35

I know previously someone started up a conversation about the proper use of the merge lanes on I-35, but I am unable to find that posting.

I now have been honked at, given the finger, had one woman actually move her car to block me and then just sit in the left lane blocking traffic, because I’ve properly used the left lane for merging and have zipped past all those who have chosen to sit and creep along in the right lane.  My husband has actually had cars swerve out at him as he’s passed, which is now making me nervous to even attempt to use the merge lane.

Have any of the local news stations talked about this? It’d be sweet if they’d all remind people that those of us who actually use the left lane and merge at the appropriate point are the one’s doing the correct thing.

St. Louis County Primary Election 2010 Sample Ballot

Some notes on the Aug. 10 Primary Election:

* This is an election in which you have to choose a party. You can’t, for example, vote for a Republican governor and a DFL congressman. On the partisan side of the ballot you have to vote for the same party in all races. That’s how it works, whether you like it or not.

* Your party choices are Republican, Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Independence. Yes, there are some candidates representing other parties — Constitution, Green, Ecology Democracy, Resource and Grassroots — but those candidates do not have any opposition within their parties and therefore move on to the General Election automatically.

* If you live in Duluth, you won’t see the County Commissioner races that are listed on the sample ballot — those are for districts outside of Duluth. Pretty much all of the Duluth-relevant nonpartisan county races have only two or one candidate, so you won’t get to vote on them until November. The exception is the Sixth District Court Judge 11 race, which has eight candidates.
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Duluth Waits for Shane, Sarah and Josh

Thursday, July 29 | 10pm | Pizza Lucé

Local musicians perform the music of Tom Waits to benefit the hikers detained in Iran.

The lineup will include Coyote, Bill and Kate Isles, Rachael Kilgour, Tony Bennett, the Tico Three, Dave Mehling, James Moors, Jim Hall, Charity Huot and the Mark Anderson Trio.

Cover charge: $10, which goes to Free the Hikers.

On July 31 it will be a full year that Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal have been detained in Iran with no charges brought against them. Shane and Josh have been sharing a cell in Evin’s Prison, but Sarah has been held in solitary confinement.

Bauer is a Minnesotan. His sister and brother-in-law live in Duluth, and he also has family in Shakopee and Pine City.

A protest walk and benefit will be held on July 31. More info on that in a future post.

Wildcats in Duluth’s Lester Park?

Last weekend, while enjoying a quiet rest on Lester River about one mile up from the main park, I heard what sounded like a cat hissing, but at 20 times the volume of what you’d hear from a house cat. There were five or six of these “roars” followed by a rustling in the under brush at which point I got the hell out of there. I have heard of bobcat sightings in the area but wonder if it might have been something larger, say a mountain lion? Has anyone else had a similar experience or even a sighting?

Vision Pro-Envision

Treasure Adventure Music Schedule

International Explorations is bringing its Treasure Adventure to Duluth July 24 through Aug. 8, coinciding with the Tall Ships Festival. Along with the display of $8 million in artifacts and general fun for the whole family, there will be music every night. Here’s the lineup:

7/24, 6pm – 4 on the Floor
7/25, 6pm – Mark Anderson Trio
7/26, 6pm – John Heino & Centerville
7/27, 6pm – Lake City Smokin’ Section
7/28, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
7/29, 7:30pm – Peter Provost, Thunder Brothers
7/30, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Brandon Scott Sellner
7/31, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Thunder Bros., the Acceleratii,
the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
8/1, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Mark Anderson Trio, Teague Alexy
8/2, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/3, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/4, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/5, 6pm – Cars & Trucks
8/6, 6pm – Cars & Trucks
8/7, 6pm – Brandon Scott Sellner
8/8, 6pm – The Acceleratii

Treasure Adventure takes place on Kelley Island — the former location of the LaFarge Cement terminal. It’s next to Bayfront Festival Park at Railroad Street and Eighth Avenue. Admission is $7; $3 for children under age 12.