A Tribute to the ol’ Cooper SK-100 Helmet
As the outdoor ice melts on another hockey season, I’d like to take a moment to honor my Cooper SK-100 helmet. We’ve been through a lot together.
DNT Resorts to Interviewing its Publisher to Produce Content?
So I know that the whole ripping on the Duluth News Tribune theme gets a bit tiresome. Yet this article compels some response from anyone who knows better than to accept as journalism a story about the New Tribune’s publisher speaking before the Duluth Chamber. Ironically, in this story, the reporter quotes the DNT’s publisher stating that “What we don’t have is less local news content.” Well, I suppose if this article and advertisements qualify, that may be the case. But the newspaper is not even close to being “better than it was a year ago.” Read the story and you might understand my utter confusion at how anyone could possibly consider this story to be newsworthy.
Excusez moi–c’est Walt?
When did Walt the Zamboni guy become the French curling coach?

Interview with Sparhawk
There’s a pretty good interview with Al about Retribution Gospel Choir and Low (among other things) here on AVClub.com today. I assume this means the interview will be in this week’s print issue of The Onion as well.
Brewing beer in Duluth and Superior
Topic #1: According to a story from the Associated Press, a Minnesota House panel will consider a bill today that would make it legal to brew beer in basements. The story specifically references home brewers. Personally, I have brewed beer in at least two different Minnesota basements, and I had no idea it was illegal to do so.
Reading what I think is the overview of the bill, however, it seems to have nothing to do with home brewing. It’s about producing “beer or other beverages for commercial sale.” Am I missing something?
Topic #2: The local micro brewing industry sure seems to be taking off. In addition to Lake Superior Brewing Co., Fitger’s Brewhouse and Thirsty Pagan Brewing, Carmody Irish Pub began brewing beer recently and a brewpub is in the works at Clyde Park. Further into the future, another brewpub could be popping up in Canal Park at the old Duluth Spring Co. location. I wonder how the total gallons produced in the area will compare to 50 years ago.
Tweedy with ‘teenaged boy who claims he’s the mayor’
Thanks PDD for the help with the proclamation. Wilco was very gracious about it and accepted it in good humor. I half expected that it would be handed off to a roadie for disposal. Not only did Jeff take it on stage, it then played a prominent role in the show. That was amazing. I’m also glad everyone got a good laugh at my expense – it’ll take me a while to live that one down. Fortunately, I have a pretty good start on grey hairs and a beer belly – and with the stress of the job, I’ll have that ‘teenaged boy’ label taken care of in no time.
Looking for cheap entertainment?
Tonight!
Tiny Moving Parts
The People Say Fox
Lions&Creators
Leif Hinkel
5 p.m. | $4 | all ages
The Encounter | 201 E. First St.
Come have some fun and enjoy the positive vibes and jones soda, etc., etc.
Could any of these gals still be around?
As you can see, this picture is dated 1919. The girls look to be of elementary school age, so maybe one of them is still around today.
The location of the picture is the old Denfeld High School on Central Avenue, which is now Laura MacArthur Elementary School. There must have been elementary classes in the old Denfeld, or these are just random kids from the neighborhood, because none of them look old enough to be in high school.
The old Denfeld/MacArthur building will be torn down after the new MacArthur is built, but hopefully the old house in the background will keep on keepin’ on.
Cracker changed its venue
Just a heads-up to anyone planning to attend the Cracker show that was scheduled at Grandma’s Sports Garden on Sunday night. The show has been moved to Beaner’s Central.
Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know. I just thought I’d pass along the information. And oh, yeah, the ticket price has been reduced too.
Cracker, with opener Brandy Shearer
Beaner’s Central
324 N. Central Avenue
Sunday, Feb. 21
7pm
$10
Wilco rocked Duluth again … I think.
One of the many Perfect Duluth Days was punctuated with I had hoped be the Perfect Duluth night … an evening with WILCO live on stage at the DECC. I had bought tickets months before and had been anticipating the night ever since. Unfortunately, instead of waking up this morning, thinking what a GREAT concert, I woke up thinking…WTF was wrong with the people in our row at the concert. The self-indulgent, self-centered, group that could not or would not just stand there, dance and enjoy the amazing music the band was putting out. (more…)
Draft Proclamation – Suggestions?
The following is my first draft of the Wilco proclamation. I found it harder to write than I thought it would be. So your thoughts and suggestions would be helpful…. Move quickly, I need to finish this up by 4 p.m. today.
Whereas, most Duluth bands have many of the following characteristics:
1) At least one band member looks like a musician-sized lumberjack (more…)
Where can I buy a blender part locally?
We need a new rubber seal for the blender – you know the “o” that goes between the jar and the blade.
The original one got caught in the blade and was destroyed. Shortly after that happened, Big E did a little surgery on something purchased at Marshall Hardware and managed to cobble together something that works semi-decent. The rubber has gotten hard and it no longer seals well, I’d like to get a bona fide blender part.
I can order online for 4 bucks for the part + at least that much in shipping. I’m in search of a local place to buy one of those o-ring rubber seals for a blender.
Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles on KUMD and @ Pizza Luce w/ TBT

For some reason this Minneapolis gypsy, folk super-group has yet to set foot in Duluth but the wait is finally over. A regular main-stay at Minneapolis venues such as the Cedar, the Dakota and First Avenue, tonight they open for Trampled By Turtles @ Pizza Luce. It will be hard to follow last night’s opening performance by Minneapolis roots-rockers A Night in the Box, though Michelle & co. will certainly cease your attention. Trampled By Turtles really loves their regional bands, supporting numerous, young, up and comers including A Night in the Box, Johnson Family Band, Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank and many more.
From the Get a Life Department, Winter Olympics update
It’s a drag that Duluthian John Shuster, chieftain of the United States curling squadron, has been having a tough Olympics. What’s really sad, however, is that this is totally ruining some fine American’s rich and fulfilling life.
Cross City Trail in Duluth — Connecting the Munger Trail and Lakewalk at last
The links below are to PDF files of maps showing proposed routes for the Cross City Trail, connecting the Willard Munger State Trail with the Duluth Lakewalk.
Page 1 – 75th Avenue West to 66th Avenue West area
Page 2 – 66th Avenue West to Central Avenue area
Page 3 – Central Avenue to Ramsey Street area
Page 4 – Ramsey Street to 40th Avenue West area
Page 5 – 40th Avenue West to 29th Avenue West area
Page 6 – 29th Avenue West to 18th Avenue West area
Page 7 – 18th Avenue West to Mesaba Avenue area
Page 8 – Mesaba Avenue to the Lakewalk area
Last Chance to see “The Sparrow”
The final three performances of The Sparrow are this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If you like cheerleaders, dodgeball, and/or pigs, you’ll love this show. If you don’t … you’ll like it anyway. We promise.
The show plays at 8 p.m. each night followed by a performance by Renegade Improv on Friday and Saturday at 10:30. Your ticket to The Sparrow will get you into both shows. Reserve your tickets at teatrozuccone.com or by calling (218) 336-1414.
Oeuvre Magazine calls it “a must see!,” and the Duluth News Tribune calls it “a dazzling theatrical experience unlike anything we have seen in town in recent years.” Come see for yourself!
Treasures of the Earth Green Art Fair – March 27
Early notice about a neat marketplace that will be setup with over 25 local artists selling their creations made out of natural materials or recycled materials. Also, Peace Puppets will share enviro tips and tunes.
The event will be held at the Unitarian Church, 835 W. College St. on the last Saturday of March, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The fair is coordinated by wendyupnorth.com. Check the website for other fairs including Dulcimer Day in Duluth folk music festival May 1 – the Spirit of Music, and Woman-Made: Marvelous Things made by Northland Women – July 24 at the College of St. Scholastica.
Woman-Made is now open to local female artists. Please inquire. The jewelry and pottery categories are filled.
Trampled By Turtles
Defaced poster at Chester Creek Café.

Act 4, Scene 2 (by Berv and Dr. Thunder)

(In a small warehouse with a storage loft above, events happening in a slow-motion dream-like state)
Matt: (voiceover, thinking aloud) “As I did every afternoon, I was checking-in the days’ shipment we received from the wholesaler. I heard a rustle directly above me. I looked up into the bright fluorescent rafter lights, and a squeaky female voice cried out: ‘Hi, Matt!’ It was too late. Already in mid-air was Bonnie, my 300-pound stalker. She was falling toward me: prone, arms and legs outstretched, naked, and peeing. Splash. Darkness.”
Great Food. Bad Punctuation.
For as swanky as Black Water is you’d think management would check the signage better.
For those of you who just don’t understand the Tea Party movement
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV6bNpNU4ls&feature=player_embedded
Storytelling/Poetry Open Mic Night

Monday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Teatro Zuccone
Cheryl Skafte IS Don Ness!
Cheryl Skafte as Don Ness.
John Munson as Rockin’ Johnny Rocker, Morning Drive Homicide Detective.
Christa Lawler as Christa Lawler. And music from Sara Thomsen.
That’s a lot of entertainment for just five dollars.
The Rubber Chicken Radio Hour, broadcast live on KUWS 91.3FM this Thursday at 8pm. (But all the fun is had in the live studio audience at The Shack in Superior…) Call (218) 213-2780 for tix.




