Chip Stewart was a friend of mine
and I can barely remember all the things we did together over the past 27 years… and I know people who’ve been bumping around with him longer than that…
He’s been a friend who, after many attempts, saved my life. I wish I could have returned the favor. Once we tried to save each others lives by taking a trip to Isle Royale. I left my cigarettes behind and he left behind his overeating. We hiked and breathed the fresh air to rid ourselves of life-threatening toxins. We were in our 30’s. As soon as we got back on the mainland we ate a big pizza. We drove 30 mph and felt like we were flying. A few days later I smoked another Marlboro.
Tonight, and Next Thursday-Saturday!
The Last Five Years, at the Duluth Play Ground. Next to Pizza Luce in the Tech Village. Performances are at 7:30, $15.00 a ticket.
A couple of reviews:
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=305810235077&ref=mf
AND
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/148623/
Ski Swap?
Could someone give me the 411 on upcoming ski swaps? I’m looking for X-country and downhill.
Steel drum needed!
With the cold weather starting to arrive I’ve been roused to start looking at ways to keep warm.
I found a very cool stove kit that uses a 55 gallon steel drum. The kit adds a door, legs and vent to the drum to make an inexpensive wood stove for my garage.
Trouble is, I have no idea where I can get a 55 gallon steel drum around these parts, can you help?
Free or cheap is best otherwise I could end up with a stove costing more than a cheapo cast iron one from Menards!
Happy Leif Erikson Day
I just thought it would be good to pay some respect to Mr. Leif Erikson on his day. Or is it Ericson?
I will stick with his nickname “Leif the Lucky” that’s catchier anyway. Either way he was a great explorer and discovered this great continent 500 years before Mr. Columbus and was way cooler. Get out and celebrate and have a beer for your favorite Norse explorer.
And screw you Google, why no respect for Leif the Lucky? O’well we will give him the Google love he deserves here.
Send your love to Leif and comment how much he means to you on this Leif Erikson Day 2009.
Fire on the Water – Firey photos of the flaming frenzy
The Spin Collective Fire Dancers performed at Lake Place Park as the grand finale to last night’s Fire on the Water dance show at Teatro Zuccone.
There are two more performances, Oct. 9 and 10. See original post.
Chip Stewart
Chip Stewart has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Thousands of people knew Chip and his wife Marcie as proprietors of the amazing Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe in the DeWitt-Seitz Building in Canal Park.
I don’t have any more details right now, but hopefully those will materialize as is possible. But what I can tell you is that Chip was a very great man who I first met in 1997 when I was working on a story as a freelance reporter. Amazing Grace was hosting a counter-rally when anti-gay freakshow activist Fr*d Ph*lps was coming to Duluth. And that was the beginning of many, many conversations. In 2004 he gave me the biggest business break that I never deserved when (despite owning a successful food service operation of his own) he allowed my little food stand to come in and sling some wienies during events at the Historic NorShor Theater, which he was hoping to revive at the time. Chip was a friend to many, many people. The bread, coffee and all the food at Amazing Grace is fantastic, he provided a great venue for live folk music in Duluth, and he also provided a great place for people to sit in a non-rushed atmosphere. One of his least heralded but possibly most important gifts to all of us was providing a safe and fun place for young people (and sober people) to gather, play cards, surf the net and socialize, there was nothing quite like it in Duluth before it opened, and it remains a one-of-a-kind institution with Chip’s fingerprints all over it. He gave big breaks to many more musicians, artists, waitresses, bakers, baristas and entrepreneurs than just me, dozens, maybe hundreds of people’s lives and careers were enhanced by contact with this man. I feel safe in saying that his impact on our community will reverberate not just for days and weeks, but for generations.
My heartfelt prayers go out to his wife Marcie and all of his family, and to the rest of us, his chosen family. May you rest in peace, my brother.
If someone has a good photo or two of Chip, please post it here or provide a link to where we can all see them.
Wind Turbine Manufacturing
Finally with the announcement of two wind turbine manufacturing plants, one in Duluth and one in Two harbors, I can get off that rant. How long did that take, ten years? I hope they work. Now if we could have a pilot program to test stormwater retention through the use of boulevard raingardens, (which have had suceess rates of up to 90% retention in places like Seattle and Burnsville) I could get off that one. But I’ve only been talking about that one for 15 or 20 years. I have another one in my head that would have major economic impact on Northern MN but it is so simple that it would be too complicated for the no republicans and the help everybody else out except the working people democrats, so I’ll leave that alone.
Grab a beer, it’s on you.
Ten years ago this weekend, music history was made.
Missing promo photos, Homegrown 2003
With the likes of Ricky Martin, Lou Bega and Sixpence None The Richer dominating the charts, backlash was inevitable. The world clamored for a band which did not suck; did not dance on stage [at least, with choreography]; and had the good sense to combine the best parts of Guns N’ Roses, the Misfits and Mötley Crüe into one girlfriend-thieving package.
This band, of course, was Bone Appetit.
Captured! By Robots, Fall Tour 2009
Captured By Robots homepage:
https://www.capturedbyrobots.com/index.htm
Playing Pizza Luce (11 E. Superior St.) Tuesday, Oct. 13th, 10PM, all ages, 8 bucks
Brought to you by Gonzo Science
https://gonzoscience.com/GonzoUSA/
and the Transistor
https://www.transistormag.com/
No UFO Convention this year, just malevolent robots.
Dull Knife
Looking for a local knife sharpening to put a good edge on my kitchen knives. Anyone have any suggestions?
Birth & baby fair – tonight!
This is a free event with more than 30 booths covering everything from family planning through pregnancy, birth and babies. Discussions on baby-wearing, diapering and informed birth choices, and drawings for awesome prizes.
Any good health food stores?
I am in town for the week and the little one is getting junkie in his chest and nose. We need to buy some echanasia and on the east coast I can only find it and all the vitamins we need at the local health food store. My wife saw Betty Lou’s through Google. Is there any others that you might suggest?
Remember this old PDD logo?
Was this Perfect Duluth Day’s first logo?
Circa 2003
Wilco back in Duluth!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Any chance the DECC can get a better beer situation figured out by then?
Rally and Ride for Climate Protection Oct 24
Join Mayor Don Ness, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and hundreds of others in Duluth on October 24 as we celebrate pedal power and take action against global warming.
Rally and Ride (or Walk) for Climate Protection
Saturday, October 24 / International Day of Climate Action
3:00pm: Gather on Harbor Dr behind the DECC for a mini-rally and big group bike ride through Canal Park – costumes and noisemakers encouraged. No bike? There will also be a pedestrian march, complete with brass band.
4:00pm: Climate teach-in (details TBA).
In December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to craft a new global treaty to cut greenhouse gas emissions. While many climate scientists are calling for immediate action to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million or less (we’re now at about 385ppm), the treaty currently on the table doesn’t pass that test.
Dia De Los Muertos Art
There is an immediate call for “Day of the Dead” themed art! Please drop off your artwork to Bohemia Arts by October 31st. To be accepted artwork must simply be relevant to the theme, any cultural/individual representation is welcome, all media will be considered, all ages/abilities encouraged, and you may enter as many artworks as you choose. Professional work may be listed for sale, please request upon submission.
For more info please call or stop by!
Bohemia Arts Fine Art Supplies & Studio
22 N 1st Ave W downtown Duluth ~ 722.2919
Duluth Does Woodstock New Showtime
Due to the extreme psychedelic aura surrounding this show the showtime has been changed to Thursday Oct 8 7:30 pm, doors at 7 pm.
Advance tickets available online or at the Electric Fetus through tomorrow at $10 or $12 at the door.
Sponsored by Pizza Luce, Carmody Irish Pub, Paper Hog and The Transistor.
Hear your local faves cover Santana, Janis, The Dead, The Band and many more.
Sorry, still no Sha Na Na.
Twin Vs Tigers Live Stream Online – Tie Breaker Game
Twin vs Tigers – One game tie breaker game on TBS.
So if you do not have TBS here you go:
UPDATE: New stream – https://isportslink.blogspot.com/2009/10/detroit-tigers-v-minnesota-twins.html
Twins vs Tigers
Halloween at Carmody
With Tangier 57 and Kathy McTavish
Same-sex marriage rally in Duluth Oct. 11
On Sunday, Oct. 11 hundreds of thousands of supporters of equal rights and same-sex marriage will be marching on Washington D.C.
For those in the Northland who can’t make it D.C. for this historic event, we’re going to be holding a solidarity protest here in Duluth. The protest will begin at noon, and will be held at the MN Power Plaza at the corner of Lake Ave. & Superior Street.
The plan is a simple one – we’ll be holding signs and handing out fliers to pedestrians. There will be a brief rally featuring several local activists as speakers. We also plan on having an open mic after wards for anyone else who wants to share some words.
We’ll have a few extra signs on hand, but if you can please bring your own – and be sure to bring a friend!
If you would like more info you can contact Adam Ritscher at wainosunrise@yahoo.com
“…And on the 7th Day, God Rocked” on Netflix
Beginning today, the 4-Track Films mockumentary “…And on the 7th Day, God Rocked” is available on Netflix, for any homebodies or expatriates who didn’t get a chance to see it at any of the local screenings or on a purchased DVD. The movie about a Christian battle of the bands was shot in Duluth and features a lot of local talent.
I’ve seen it. You should put it in your queue. It’s funny.