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August 31, 2007

Wanted: Fun Summer cover bands

I'm looking for fun cover bands that play summer/beach music (Jimmy Buffet, Beach boys, Calypso, & Soca style music) for my wedding next year at Barker's Island. I was told this site is a starting place for that, since I am living in Vegas and am limited to local word of mouth. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, KIM

August 30, 2007

We Can Do Better

According to Facebook, the top books in the Duluth, MN network are:

1. The Bible
2. Harry Potter
3. Angels and Demons
4. Lord of the Rings
5. Harry Potter Series

Good job people; way to make us like every other schmucktown in the country.

mayor's reception

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come out tonight for the Pride kickoff. 5 pm @ the Depot. free food while it lasts.

And The Winner Is...

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Thank you all for the entries and the votes. It was a very close race but #3 submitted by Katie Tobin was the winner by three votes. They will be available for purchase at my shop next Tuesday, September 4th. I will also bring them to the Wilco show.

They will be printed on Red American Apparel T's and will cost $15.

August 29, 2007

Best Towns 2007

As mentioned here in this previous post, Duluth was listed as one of the best towns for 2007.

Now, I'm just posting so you all can have the link and read at your leisure. Clicky on here for the article.

Total Vom

Videoblogger John Holden's site is currently down for upgrades, but still, the error page with animations by Luke Holden is mesmerizingly fun!

...ATHSH! Issue 10 Release Show

Some great bands from Minneapolis are coming up to play this show... Themes and Nomia are not to be missed! Only $3!

August 28, 2007

Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation arts survey

I found this today and thought this might be an appropriate venue to re-post it on.

I've never heard of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, but Business North has a press release about the organization's "Art Works" survey. It's a survey to ask Twin Ports residents, artists, and business owners what the current status is of the art industry in the area, and how it can be improved by tying art into local businesses. Since many of us here fall into at least *one* of the categories--and this may be a great tool to raise awareness of the art scene in the area, I thought I'd post it. The survey is here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1ffzzE0N6_2faOQvghkfDpRA_3d_3d

Did I spell "tying" right? I doesn't look right. I need coffee.

August 27, 2007

looking for....

Next month I am going on vacation to a place extremely conducive to having a wide angle lens, lot of sea scape type stuff. Alas I do not have anything smaller than 28mm, so I a seeking around for one to borrow. I have some good glass to loan in return as collateral, specifically this. I also have plenty of people who can vouch for my "non-scumbag-iness".
email is edgeways (at) gmail (dot) com

I dare you to watch this

Found on fanboy.com and I guess I just had to share it, didn't I? We need a Creepy Bollywood Things category.

August 26, 2007

The Keep Aways on 89.3 The Current



Due to the State Fair the Local Show is being moved to 10 pm tonight! You can listen to us making complete fools of ourselves, and you'll get to hear 3 new songs that we recorded live off of our upcoming album, "Keep Your Head Up".

Click Here to Listen Live!

From the Photo Archive | Fall 1996

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Barrett saw a notice on the bulletin board at work. It was an invitation to a scavenger hunt run by some coworker he had never met. The instructions were to gather in her garage in Superior, where the lists of the items in the hunt would be passed out.

We decided we should recruit a third person to be on our team. After considering a few of our close friends for inclusion, we thought we should instead try to find someone who would bring the maximum amount of weirdness to our team.

We had a longtime friend named Bob who had started hanging out with a guy he worked with at Target whose name was also Bob. We had only recently met the other Bob, but we liked him a lot. We called him BobBob, to prevent confusing him with Bob.

“Bob has to work today,” I told Barrett, “but I could call him and get BobBob’s number.” Barrett was so thrilled with this idea that he told me he would probably lose interest in the whole idea of taking part in the scavenger hunt if we couldn’t get BobBob on our team.

My call to BobBob went something like this: “Hey, BobBob, it’s Paul. You know, Bob’s friend. I need you to meet me at Champ’s bar in Superior. We are going to have a shot of Jagermeister together, and after that I will reveal the next part of the plan.”

“I can be there in six minutes,” BobBob replied.

BobBob was thrilled to be included in the scavenger hunt, and even convinced us to cheat. Since he worked at Target, he immediately knew that several things on the list were in the store. All we needed to do was make Target our last stop and buy those things, then he would return them at a later date.

We were certain that we had won the scavenger hunt, but when the points were totaled up, it was clear that we had given the most hilarious performance and come in last place.

Seven or eight years later, Barrett and I entered another scavenger hunt. This time we chose our friend Maria and her mom to be on our team. We were sure the whole time that we were going to end up in last place.

When the points were added up, we nearly doubled the total of the second place team. I think we won a hundred dollars. In retrospect, coming in first place and coming in last place were equally fun. I’m glad we never placed in the middle.

August 25, 2007

NCGMTCP

The deadline has passed, the entries are in and now it is your chance to vote. There are six entries in the NELS CLINE GAVE ME THE CHICKEN POX T-shirt design contest. Voting will take place by email [starfire at gmail dot com]. Send me the number of your favorite design and whether or not you might actually like to buy one. There is no obligation to purchase one but I just want to get an idea of how many to print. They will be printed in Mens and Womens sizes most likely on American Apparel T's. More details will emerge when a winner is selected. I will accept votes until Wednesday August 29th at 5PM CST.

Thanks for all the entries and good voting!


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P is for Perfect Duluth Day.

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Beware: Shameless self-promotion ahead...
I've wanted to illustrate a book for kids for a long time. As they say, be careful what you wish for. After months of late nights, working weekends, ignoring my kids and avoiding my friends, I've finished 2 ABC books for a publisher in the cities. The first one, My Favorite Sounds from A to Z is available now, and the second, My Favorite Places from A to Z will be out later this fall. They'll be at Northern Lights Books in Canal Park, and can probably be ordered from other fine book retailers.

Also, look for a show of this and other art at Pizza Luce in December.

August 24, 2007

Just one week left ...

I can pretty much guarantee that there will be a lot of haters saying they don’t care/are glad that the Red Lion is closing, but those people are boring suckers. (On a side-note, I’d like to mention that I remember all of you who acted ecstatic when the Rick Boo-era NorShor closed, and I still hold a grudge.) Far, far too many of my hours, dollars and lung & liver cells were sacrificed in the Roar by the Shore, and I’ll miss stopping in when I’m in Duluth. (And yeah, I’m aware that Crew Jones and Ol’ Yeller are playing there this weekend, and I’m missing it.)

Maybe not my top-ten, but ten good memories related to the Lion Rouge.

+ Night before Thanksgiving, 1998: Brad Nelson and I read in the News-Tribune about this band the Black Labels that played on Wednesday nights, but we were mostly afraid to go into the Lion. After a few at the NorShor, we screwed up our courage and went in, only to find out that the Labels weren’t playing – there was a DJ instead. We ordered $1.25 Old Milwaukee drafts anyway. Some guy got up from the bar and started to dance by himself to “Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down” by Brand Nubian. At this point, we’ve been in the place like 30 seconds and are starting to decide that the place isn’t as bad as it had been made out … but then some guy stands up and cold-cocks the dancer. Both patrons were 86ed; ten minutes later, the dancer walks in the front door with the cops hot on his heels. They caught up, threw him on the floor and cuffed him at our feet. We were impressed.

+ Homegrown, 2000: As captured on film by Chris Bacigalupo, the Black-eyed Snakes play the Lion [see video on the album It’s The Black-eyed Snakes.] This was the first time I’d ever been in a crowd of people dancing and realized that the floor was bouncing up and down. A little bit scary, but wicked fun.

+ Summer, 2000: Tom the Bartender sings “Bus Stop” by the Hollies on a wireless mic during Saturday night karaoke. Oddly, he is more efficient at processing drink orders while doing this then when he is otherwise unoccupied. Plus, he actually sang the song pretty well. [I’ll let Paul Lundgren correct me on this, but at some point I believe former AWA pro wrestling star/jobber “Wild” Bill Irwin ran the karaoke machine at the Lion.]

+ September 27, 2000: As the Black Labels play “Teen Beat”, I watch Wilson Kipketer – the fastest half-miler in history – lead the Olympic 800m final until the homestretch and get out-kicked by a German who had been sitting on his shoulder the whole race. I have no idea why this was broadcast at midnight, nor why it was on the TV at the Lion, nor why this scene stands out so vividly in my mind.

+ Some winter night, 2001: I walked in and there some guy falls off his bar stool. He got back up, found a chair on the side of the bar and passed out until the Black Labels began playing. At that point, the guy stood up, and it was obvious that he’d peed his pants. Nevertheless, he was there until bar close, dancing up a storm. I still can’t fathom how he wasn’t kicked out.

+ Red Lion Winter Riot – night one, late December, 2001: Ben Marsden organized this two-night show; my brother drew the poster, which featured a snowman throwing a garbage can at a gingerbread man. I seem to remember Bone Appetit playing that first night, but even more interesting was getting an invitation to an after-hours rent party. The invitation, printed on a torn-off piece of manila folder, reads: After Party at 1424 E 1st St. Food Drink Music 1st Drink free. $2 admission. Dana Cunningham and I were killing our last beers when we got this, and of course we went. The only thing to drink was cognac, and some ladies were frying up chicken wings in the kitchen. It was a real, real weird scene – standing in a basement while little kids in their PJs wandered around. We bought two plates and bounced.

+ Red Lion Winter Riot – night two, late December, 2001: This was an infamous night which I may never live down. Somehow, I got the idea in my head that it would be a really good, fun time to punch everyone in the face since the show was called a riot. I hit Tim Anderson on the jaw and almost knocked him out, which was not the intent; that guy has a serious glass-jam. At some point, I tapped a girl I vaguely knew on the chin; a few hours later, she came back and told me that her friend didn’t believe I had hit her. Not recognizing the set-up, I repeated the offense and got totally bawled out in the middle of the bar. The only thing that saved me was Jonathon Livingston walking up and decking me in the middle of her harangue, which [sort of] vindicated me by showing that, indeed, these were jabs thrown in friendship.

+ Grandma’s Marathon, June 2003: My dad ran the half-marathon, I ran the full. After I finished, my brother, Chip Rogers, Brenda Brock and, of course, my pops and I went in and had several hundred cans of Black Labels. Todd Fromberg was our bartender, and he was in rare form – I can honestly say that I’ve never been as entertained at a bar by someone selling me beer as I was that morning. And I walked out of the place feeling a lot better than I did walking in.

+ Homegrown Organizing Meeting, 2006: OK, I wasn’t there, so this is second-hand and paraphrased – and this didn’t even happen at the bar! – but the story goes that everyone’s discussing the available venues and someone pipes up, “What about the Red Lion?” This question is answered thusly: “Well, we don’t think we’re going to put shows on there this year. The place is a bit … unsavory.” The only person in the meeting who finds this remotely funny is Richie Gunns of Bone Appetite, but it remains one of the greatest one-liners I’ve ever heard.

+ July, 2007: The last few times I was in the place, and the most recent – but trying to buy Mark Lindquist a B-52 and ending up with shots of rail whiskey (which absolutely ended my night), watching Charlie Parr play to a crowd of shirtless hippie dancers, heckling Donny Ness by singing “Throw Some D’s” at him, having a guy inexplicably threaten to “cut [my] heart out”, seeing Al Sparhawk make weird electric sounds for a Dutch camera crew and drinking PBR tall boys on the Fourth with the afternoon crowd will still be hard to forget.

OK, so what have you got?

August 23, 2007

+ Low

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show saturday night

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Slo-Loris & Winchell's Machine
Carmondy's
10 pm

Nonchalant Jaunt V: An Early Warning

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This year's Nonchalant Jaunt will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15. We'll be walking from Canal Park to the end of Minnesota Point and back. More details later. Read on for background info.

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The 2003 Nonchalant Jaunt was an eight-person walk across the entire width of Duluth via Highway 23 -- from the former Wabagon Supper Club to the Lakeview Castle. Seven of the eight jaunters made it to the end; one had to go to work.

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The 2004 Nonchalant Jaunt was a seven-person walk along Skyline Parkway -- from Mission Creek to the end of Occidental Boulevard. Three made it all the way; four jaunters got too comfortable at the former Buena Vista Restaurant and never finished.

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The 2005 Nonchalant Jaunt was the first jaunt that was truly nonchalant. It started at the top of Enger Tower and ... well ... maybe this video from Starfire TV explains it best.

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The 2006 Nonchalant Jaunt started at the Clyde Avenue Boat Launch, went west into Morgan Park and the old U.S. Steel site, and ended at Hugo's Pizza.

If you're wondering what the point is, you're not invited. If you totally get it, I hope to see you at the 2007 Nonchalant Jaunt.

August 22, 2007

who knew?

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check it out. there are two of us.

Speaking of Music…

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Five, count them, five (5) days left worth of music at the Red Lion Lounge.

• TONIGHT – last karaoke with Chad and Fred ever

• FRIDAY 8/24 – Crew Jones + Equal Xchange*

• SATURDAY 8/25 – the Acceleratii + Ol' Yeller

• WEDNESDAY 8/29 – last Black Labels Wednesday ever

• FRIDAY 8/31 – Last show at the Red Lion ever with the Black Labels


I'll be selling Red Lion t-shirts until I run out. I only have 1 small, 2 mediums and 3 XLs left. $10.


* Equal Xchange is Ray the Wolf's full new band--they're hot

August 21, 2007

Urban Crafts Shop Opening Downtown

Hello, Folks! This fall we can all delight in the joy of shopping at Duluth's first shop devoted to Urban Crafts and DIY! Tinderbox is opening in October and will carry all handmade goodness created by Duluthians!
In the meantime, there is still space for more crafters. So, I'm putting the call out. If you or someone you know is making cool wares and needs a place to sell them, Tinderbox could be it. All urban crafts made in Duluth will be considered, but there is a specific desire for: Accessories (wallets, keychains, hair things, etc), cool stuff for guys, housewares, things made with found/recycled materials. If you're interested, don't waste anytime e-mailing [email protected]!

...

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I wasn't entirely sure what heading was appropriate for this topic, but I thought the content was interesting enough to post up for you guys to check out...

Pulled this up on a link from cursor.org originally posted up on yourleaders.org.

The disclaimer at the bottom states that "NOTE: It is a violation of Federal law to duplicate or reproduce this manual without permission. It is not to be photocopied or released to anyone outside of the Executive Office of the President, White House Military Office or United States Secret Service. It has been developed for your guidance and is intended for your personal use. For more information, please contact the Office of Presidential Advance at (202) 456-5309."

It's been redacted to a large degree, but you can download the entire manual in a variety of file types. The posted section deals with attendance, tickets and the handling of "demonstrators."


enjoy.

"There are several ways the advance person can prepare a site to minimize demonstrators. First, as always, work with the Secret Service and have them ask the local police department to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferable not on view of the event site or motorcade route.

The formation of “rally squads” is a common way to prepare for demonstrators by countering their message. This tactic involves utilizing small groups of volunteers to spread favorable messages using large hand held signs, placards, or perhaps a long sheet banner, and placing them in strategic areas around the site.

These squads should be instructed always to look for demonstrators. The rally squad's task is to use their signs and banners as shields between the demonstrators and the main press platform. If the demonstrators are yelling, rally squads can begin and lead supportive chants to drown out the protestors (USA!,USA!,USA!). As a last resort, security should remove the demonstrators form the event site. The rally squads can include, but are not limited to, college/young republican organizations, local athletic teams, and fraternities/sororities.

For larger rallies, the squads should be broken up into groups of approximately 15-25 people. A squad should be placed immediately in front of the stage, immediately in forgot of the main camera platform, close to the cut platform, immediately behind the stage area (if people are being used as the backdrop), and at least one squad should be 'roaming' throughout the perimeter of the event to look for potential problems."

las nite I had a Filet-o-fish and boy, was it ever MCNASTY. Today I had a Bk big FIsh an it was way better. I just figured out a cool thing on the guitar

Duluth Art Institute Nexus Fall Preview

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DAI Artist Nexus
Every First Wednesday of the Month
Lincoln Center
2229 W. 2nd St.
(Nov. 7 & 9 meet at Depot on fourth floor)
6:30 pm – 8 pm
FREE

Wednesday, Sept. 5: Artist Statement and Proposal Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 3: Nexus Exhibition Proposals Reviewed
Wednesday, Nov. 7: Nexus Exhibition Installation
Friday, Nov. 9: Nexus Exhibition Opening in the Depot Hallway Gallery, 5-7 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 5: How to Get the Attention of Art Critics and Media with Ann Klefstad

Be a part of the DAI Nexus Artist exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute!
Here is a chance to be taken through the exhibition process with the assistance of the DAI staff. The first meeting will be an artist statement and proposal workshop. Artists are encouraged to bring statements and proposals to work on. In October, bring your finished proposal and work samples, and by the end a concept and theme will be decided by the group. November’s meeting will focus on the installation process and the following week, the DAI Nexus exhibition will open at the Depot.

Once a month, the Duluth Art institute opens its doors to artists of all ages, skill levels and mediums. It is the hope that the Artist Nexus becomes a matching point for artists, fostering the arts community. Artists are encouraged to bring current work, conceptual ideas or food to share.

Stay tuned to find out what topics will be covered in upcoming meetings. To receive notices – join the Duluth Art Institute mailing list at: www.duluthartinstitute.org.

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New Belgium in Duluth!

For ever and ever I’ve only had the opportunity to drink beers made by Colorado-based New Belgium Brewery when I was out West. Now, things have changed.

For the past few months, New Belgium has been doing limited distribution of New Belgium beers in the Twin Cities. Now, however, it appears they will expand distribution into the Twin Ports as well (within six weeks, I’m told).

As of right now, if you are like me and can’t wait to savor a Fat Tire, 1554, or Mothership Wit, you can head over to Warehouse Liquors on Central Entrance in Duluth and stock up now.

I’m feeling fat and sassy!

Giddyap, Mule!

Lubricating our County Commish

CandDennisFink.jpgYou know, when I'm vouchering for a business trip I always have to ask myself - Are in-room pornos and lubrication reimbursible? Apparently Duluth's County Commisioner, Dennis Fink, thinks so.

From the Timberjay:

The Fink investigation, released to the Timberjay on Wednesday, details a number of incidents in which Fink’s secretary indicates she was subjected to sexual comments or ogled by Fink or others in his presence.

While the secretary had sought intervention from another commissioner several years ago, she indicated in her statements that the behavior continued.

The incident which finally precipitated the complaint occurred in March, 2007, after Fink had returned from a county-sponsored trip to Washington D.C. According to the report, Fink handed his secretary some receipts for reimbursement, including a grocery receipt that included a sexual lubricant and another hotel receipt that indicated Fink had ordered a sexually explicit movie.

The secretary said it was unusual for the commissioner to provide such receipts, since they weren’t reimburseable. Commissioners typically are reimbursed for daily expenses through a per diem, which does not require receipts.

According to the investigation, Fink inquired the next day as to whether his secretary had all the receipts she needed. She said she ignored his comment, but believed that the commissioner was trying to get a reaction from her due to the nature of the receipts.

Fink, in his statement, said the receipts had been given to his secretary in error, and were not intended to harass her.

He further denied making any of the sexual references reported by his secretary or having ogled her.

August 20, 2007

GeekAir


Forgive my hair, I slept on a couch.

Free tickets for the kids


Hello Duluthers. I work at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. This week we open Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It's a musical based on the book. As a CTC employee, I get 4 tickets to use opening night. Well I'm only using two of them. If anyone would like to use two tickets, please let me know. I prefer to give them to someone with a kid.

The show is this Friday at 7:30pm and lasts about an hour and a half. nspinler at childrenstheatre dot org.

Stoners Volunteers Needed

The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission’s Disc Golf Planning Committee seeks volunteers to continue helping to install the area’s first public 18-hole disc golf course.

A work day is scheduled for Saturday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to clear throwing lanes and install throwing pads, for holes 3, 13, 14. Please meet on the disc golf course site, accessed from the Trinity Road lower gated area, which is ¼ mile south of the Lake Superior College’s Trinity Road main campus entrance.

The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission’s Disc Golf Planning Committee seeks volunteers to continue helping to install the area’s first public 18-hole disc golf course.

A work day is scheduled for Saturday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to clear throwing lanes and install throwing pads, for holes 3, 13, 14. Please meet on the disc golf course site, accessed from the Trinity Road lower gated area, which is ¼ mile south of the Lake Superior College’s Trinity Road main campus entrance.

The course is entered through the metal gate, down the gravel path leading to the planned holes located along Miller Creek.

Volunteers are asked to bring wheelbarrows, shovels, steel rakes and pitch forks to move gravel and wood chips to the throwing tee pads and disc golf basket locations. Also bring drinking water, as none is available on site.

The City of Duluth wishes to thank the volunteers assisting in installing the disc golf course. Much of the work is being done using donated funds. We will continue to meet at the disc golf course every Saturday until the installations are completed and the course is opened for public use.

The City will continue to accept donations and hole sponsorship for purchase of needed equipment and installation materials.

For more information please call Ryan Schaefer at 390-1014 or email info [at] lakesuperiordiscgolf.com

PDD Game Night

When: Monday, August 13, 2007 at 6pm-ish
Where: Robin Goodfellow's
What: Come play games with your fellow PDD game geeks! Last week featured an intense game of Lord of the Rings Monopoly - this week, who knows? Come find out! See you there!

August 18, 2007

I am DONE!

er, actually just wanted to publicly say that I finished writing my neverending thesis, 45 pages of culture and war and suchlike. Tomorrow I DRINK!

little engine that could

If anyone was going to take The little engine that could ride on the north shore scenic railroad tommorrow I have a extra ticket. Email me asap and save $15.

Anybody Want to Buy A Nightclub?

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Good idea ..Dick.

Jerree sighting

Just a little note to note that Jerree's photo is currently on UMD's splash(home) page.

DNT to [not] compete with PDD

A few days ago, the Duluth News-Tribune announced its plans to launch Duluth.com.


Executive Editor Rob Karwath described it as a “portal site” geared toward people who like Duluth, whether they live here or elsewhere. ... Karwath said the News Tribune plans to distinguish duluth.com from [PDD,
twinportsnightlife.com, and visitduluth.com] by providing “sense of place” material from the News Tribune, Living North magazine and the company’s community newspapers and by giving users a chance to create their own material.

I don't really think that quote has anything to do with PDD, since PDD definitely provides a "sense of place" and is made up exclusively of user-created material. However, the thing that separates PDD from duluth.com, twinportsnightlife.com, and visitduluth.com is that those sites are built first and foremost to sell ads. If there was no chance to sell ads on those sites, those sites simply would not exist.

Even though there is no shame in making a buck (it's something that most people believe in) I think it's interesting that they cannot come out and say that that is their intention. I'm not saying even that they should say it. I'm just saying that it's interesting that in this type of instance, this or any business simply cannot be honest about their intentions.

Instead, they have to pretend that they are doing this for the community. That, however, is obviously just an afterthought.

August 17, 2007

Monkeyburger?

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I don't think I'll be asking for this at the Brewhouse anytime soon.



"Azmi...has received complaints that it is cruel to export the monkeys, which are destined for restaurants and research laboratories."

Where does pale ale go?


Fourth Street Alliteration

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Next door to the former Hip Hop Candy Shop, it's DeeDee's Doodads!

Come on kids, that's easy

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Let me see you hook a brassiere up there.

Hot Fun In The Summertime

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So, my niece (11-going on 16) is coming to visit this weekend from the cities. She's been coming to Duluth and/or Washburn for the past 5 years for her annual escape from family and city living for a more relaxed and great outdoorish experience. My wife has a Canoe-Brule trip planned and I'm sure she can/has/will plan the rest of the weekend. For once, I'd like to contribute something to this little soiree and have some kind of influence in the proceedings. Unfortunately, I'm fresh out of ideas and am looking for a little help. Maybe something a little oddball but not too weird and distinctly Twin Ports/Western Lake Superior.

August 15, 2007

For fun ...

Help bring this bike home

cd05_1.JPGSo Big House and I are going to pick up this parts bike in Michigan. We have wheels with a trailer hitch and lights harness but no trailer. U-Haul 1 way from Davidson, MI to Duluth is $321.00 --- Obviously not in the cards. So we're asking our peeps for help. Of course If you're coming from Michigan with a truck and want to get your gas covered that would be best...hehe..not gonna happen I know...but if you have a good raod worthy trailer to which we could strp a bike, we'd be forever greatful for the contact...cbacigalupo _at_ gmail dot com.

August 14, 2007

Duluth Photographers Guild

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I just wanted to extend another invite to anyone who likes photography, from pro to casual point and shoot photographers. We have a nice group of 43 members and have room for more. So what does Duluth Photographers Guild do? We go on photo walks, share ideas on photography both pre and post production, have monthly theme contests, and meet up for a beverage from time to time. What a nice way to meet some new folks and advance your photography skills. So look us up on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/duluthphotographersguild/
It's free to sign up and it's a great photo sharing community and a great way for people to see your work visit http://www.flickr.com/ to get started. or please contact me with any questions. moeview (at) gmail.com

Duluth Needs More Real Life Super Heroes

Uh, I guess there's a whole scene of real life super heroes out there...I just picked up on this. There appear to be people living the dream all over the country (the world too). Both coasts and the midwest have thriving scenes. It makes for fascinating (inspiring?) reading, especially their "friend lists," and blog posts (like this one - ulp - and this one) on their myspace pages and so forth. Here's some of the more fun ones I've found:

The Green Scorpion.

Master Legend. (Master Legend audio file here.)

The Eye. (Some of the Eye's gadgets here.)

Mr. Silent.

Doctor DiscorD.

The Death's Head Moth.

(Late-breaking regional one mentioned in the comments, the masked crusader of Rochester, Geist.)

Seemingly displaying best in Internet Explorer, here's one of the more comprehensive registries (although not complete as Doctor DiscorD claims on his blog to patrol with people not on this list) and here are the (rather strict) submission guidelines if anyone out there wants a crack at getting their superhero persona into the big leagues.

Here's an excerpt from an upcoming documentary - an interview with "Hardwire" that, I think, says it all:

Most of this cross-posted at Gonzo Science.

Don't Forget!

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Tomorrow is the deadline to file for your Property Tax Refund. The MN Department of Revenue website has all the forms you need. You might be surprised at how much you get back.

Good Luck!

an old hobby...

..of mine was making photoshops of cougar conelly
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I thought I'd share

***CONTEST***

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I am still seriously bummed out about the postponement of the Wilco show tonight and so is this person. So lets have some fun! There are three weeks until the rescheduled show so I am sponsoring a T-shirt contest. Submit your "Nels Cline Gave Me the Chicken Pox" designs and then we will have a PDD vote. The winning shirt will be printed by me and made available for the Sept 4 show. Imagine Nels looking out at a sea of matching NCGMTCP T's. Of course I will send the Wilco folks one as well.

So get your creativity on. I would prefer to keep it to one or two colors and Illustrator files work the best but crayon drawings will do in a pinch. The deadline for submissions is Friday August 24 at 5PM. Any questions give me a call or an email. My info can be found here.

August 13, 2007

I'm sorry...so very, very sorry.





FREE FOOD this Saturday

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This weekend the rescue organization that I volunteer for is holding a picnic in honor of all the hard work RAGOM does for Minnesota, the Northland and beyond.

Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota is a non-profit golden retriever rescue organization based out of the Twin Cities. There are a few but strong volunteers in the Northland and we are celebrating the growing number of people interested in volunteering, adopting, fostering or helping the many animals in need.

The picnic starts at 10 am with registration and food will be served at noon. There will be a raffle and Reiki for Ragom [with a $5 donation] to be done on the dogs or peeps. We need to know who to expect for this event so please RSVP to me directly so that I can get you and your family on the list for free food at the picnic. If you do not RSVP, you can still join us for a Golden Day in Duluth.

Hope to see you there.

View event flyer by clicking here

RSVP to [email protected]

BP = Bad People

(from the wilco site)

British Petroleum just made a $3.8 billion expansion of their oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. After pouring billions of dollars into expanding the aging plant, they claim they don't have room to expand the water treatment facility, so instead have asked the EPA to let them dump 1,500 more pounds of amonia and 5,000 more pounds of toxic sludge into Lake Michigan. Read the story from the Chicago Tribune here.

Below is a link to send a message to BP's CEO Tony Hayward and EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary Gade. To sign the petition, please click here.

Wilco Postpones Show.

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The Wilco show scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. Here is the news from WilcoWorld.

We're sorry to report that our good friend and Wilco guitarist extraordinaire Nels Cline has recently contracted a rather nasty case of the CHICKEN POX (not sure that should be in all caps... but judging from the gruesome details in email correspondence we've had with NC, we'll leave it so). He is slowly on the mend but is not quite there yet, necessitating postponment of the Duluth, Minnesota show scheduled for this Tuesday night. That date will be rescheduled for Tuesday, September 4 and all tickets for the original date will be honored. Refunds will also be available to those of you unable to attend the Sept. 4 show.

The show scheduled for this Wednesday in Winnipeg, Manitoba will either be postponed or cancelled but will NOT take place as scheduled. Details on refunds coming shortly.

We apologize for the inconvenience... but we're really glad Nels seems to be over the hump and hope to see you out there soon.

Regretfully,

the Wilco HQ staff


I'm glad they rescheduled but that is no solace for my house guests that came all the way from Chicago to see them.

I am so glad I'm not a red shirt!

PDD Game Night!

When: Monday, August 13, 2007 at 6pm-ish
Where: Robin Goodfellow's
What: Back after a summer hiatus, come meet your fellow geeky PDD members for board game fun!

August 12, 2007

Dear friends,

Yesterday, my Sprint cellphone fell out of my pocket, landed onto East Eighth Street, and broke into two pieces. Which wouldn't be a big deal!-- except that I visited the Sprint store today, and their cheapest phone costs $180.00. Which is so much more than I can afford.

So-- does anyone here have an old, extra Sprint cellphone lying in a drawer somewhere? It seems ilke everyone has cellphones lying in drawers... Even I do.. Except that they're AT&T phones, I think. Which won't work.

Anyway-- I'm offering twenty dollars and a lifetime of gratitude. Which is a LOT of gratitude.

Thank you...

August 11, 2007

People 4 Solon

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Right In, Write On!

ride to duluth from minnepolis

hi, I was wondering if any of you will be traveling back to Duluth from minneapolis tonight late, like at 10 or later as ill be at a play until then. My name is Greg and I used to dj at KUMD if that helps. thanks.

MN PEZ Con 12

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It Rocks!
Photos are not up on the website, which has already been updated with next year's convention info.

P.S. I got third place in the costume contest (Princess Leia PEZ dispenser) ans won $25.00 PEZ dollars. Used them to buy the Mr. Bean PEZ set.

About a month left of summer

swimming in the big lake - check
GGW - check
40 hours community service - 40% complete
email chess with Nathan - checkmate
Duluth Huskies game - incomplete (last regular season home game is Sunday eve. Aug. 12th!)
Blue Oyster Cult party - check
Son Volt at the Minnesota Zoo - check
Wilco - pending
camping somewhere - delay until fall
2nd and only bicycle pub crawl - tba

August 10, 2007

Nerdy Little Icons

On a whim, I added these nerdy little icons that indicate the number of posts each author has made. Hopefully, they're self-explanitory.

Thank You PDD!!!

I must say that it is great that when I come to PDD that I see a new picture every time on the top banner. Today it was the sprockets at the entrance to the old Steel Plant entrance. I can remember playing on them sprockets after church waiting for the social hour to be over with. It was usually me, the Backstrom clan, Bucsko, and Darrin Maas. Makes you wonder where everyone is from the good ole days. Even though I have long since moved away, the years growing up in each of our respective places in Duluth probably have mirrored memories with just different locations.

Thank you to those who post the great pics and allow these memories to flow.

even if it's fake...

.. i like it!

Anthony Wilson dies

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6941392.stm

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BFndQ379ICw

The death of a legend, the guy who founded Factory records. signed Joy Division/New Order and The Happy Mondays, started the legendary Hacienda club and was immortalised in the film 24 Hour Party People.

RIP

Rob Wagner's Campaign Poster (one of them)

Here is one of Rob Wagner's campaign posters: (hopefully I posted it correctly)

August 09, 2007

From the Photo Archive | July 1987

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By age 15, our hormones were in full gear. We knew of places downtown where you could see naked women — either on film or in the flesh. We wondered what it was like inside, but we didn’t really want to go in.

Going inside was for weird old men. We were young. We had our whole lives in front of us. We had reputations to uphold. Besides, they wouldn’t let us in anyway. Or would they? There’s only one way to find out.

Some things, however, are best kept a mystery. All we really wanted was a picture at the door, a gag photo to show our friends, who just might believe we saw the finest in adult entertainment. If they did, though, we’d tell them the truth right away.

Whatever was going on inside — women being exploited, men doing things in public they should only do in private — we didn’t want to be associated with it. But we certainly thought it must be funny.

“How’d you like to have to clean the floors in there?” was the obvious joke. “I think I saw your dad go in there last night with a can of Crisco under his arm. It was right after he left the Last Place on Earth.”

Twenty years later, the Strand is long gone. A luxury residential development is on the way. A new class of perverts will move in and watch their porno on high-definition TVs. Another old theater, two blocks east, already has strippers waiting for them.

Audition Notice

4 Track Films is looking for Native American actors to star in a comedy called White Man’s World. There are several substantial roles available for all ages and genders. Please email [email protected] to schedule an audition time. Auditions will be held from 12-4PM on Saturday, August 18th at Washington Studios (315 N. Lake Ave). Filming will begin in late September and run through the month of October.

SPREAD THE WORD! Thanks.

Carrie

Technical Difficulties: Please Stand By

My personal blog is temporarily down ...

[had to change this as I couldn't stand looking at my face every time I opened PDD]

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I'm not sure why you'd WANT to visit my website, (The Product at barrettchase.com ... cough, cough ...) but if you have recently, you know that it's not there right now.

It turns out that we here at BC Enterprises are experiencing a little technical difficulty involving credit cards, multiple domain accounts, and all kinds of things you needn't worry your pretty little head over.

In a nutshell, when I updated my credit card information for one of my lesser-used domains, I thought I was updating it for all my domains. But that is not so. And with outdated credit card info, the Man can't get paid, and when the Man doesn't get his cash, he shuts you down.

But not to worry. Everything should be sorted out in a day or so.

(Pure hubris, Barrett. Pure, unblemished hubris.)

August 08, 2007

More Will Follow

All Hail the Lord of Catan!

Time for some shameless self-promotion. After about four years, off and on, of competitive playing I managed to snag the top rank on the on-line version of Settlers of Catan. And, yes, I do have wood for sheep. Hooya!

No more Everquest for me....

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RIP Hotrod level 60 Shadownight (Deathnight MC)
RIP Chuckwagon level 60 Magician (Pyromancer MC}

Sick.

As if the I-35 bridge collapse wasn't a bad enough tragedy, Shirley Roper-Phelps and her father-in-law's hatemongering crew from Westboro Baptist Church are going to grace the funeral of one of the victims of the tragedy to spread more of their hate.

(watch out...PDF alert! the link is to the pdf of their protest flier.)

August 07, 2007

Low/Misfits mp3s?

I might have better luck posting this on the Low message board, but those guys are all so intense about Al, Mimi and Matt I'm a little scared:

Does anyone know a link where I can get mp3s of the 1998 show where they covered the Misfits? I've been listening to both bands a lot lately and it's killing me that I can't track that down ...

Looking for Kenneth Higney as well, just so I can understand what the hell Chris Whittier is talking about when he sings "No Heavy Trucking".

I'm at r m nordic at g mail dot com

August 06, 2007

Say, has anyone seen my assault rifle?

I've been known to misplace my house keys and even my winter gloves, but they always seem to come back to me...unlike the U.S. Government who, in Iraq can't seem to locate about 190,000 AK47 Rifles and pistols that were supposed to be issued to the Iraqi police forces.

The article also gos on to say that over a quarter million (say it with me: "mmmmmmiiilllliiiooooooonnnn") pieces of body armor are also missing.

Any guesses as to where those rifles and kevlar vests are now?

August 05, 2007

RE: The New White PDD

I dig it, baby!

My latest geek addiction...

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Go and relive your childhood Apple computer games!

And on another related note: Is anyone interested in resurrecting the PDD Game Night, which has been on hiatus for the past month?

this may be a longshot

i want a duluth does dylan t-shirt. size large. really, really bad. they may be out of print or one of you pdders may be able to direct me to one. much appreciated.

Too Much Information

Yesterday morning I woke up hearing the old lady next door yell:

"I need a hedge clipper. For down there!"

I'm sure you do, lady. I'm sure you do.

Biffy in a Jiffy?

Scary Potty

Before I start calling for quote requests - does anyone know what the average price per day is to rent a port-a-potty? And/or, the best place to rent one in Duluth?

August 04, 2007

poppies...poppies will put them to sleep...

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looks like it's gonna be yet another banner year for dealers and junkies worldwide!

And a geek time was had by all

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Thanks to everyone that made Geeks Gone Wild such a blast!

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Thanks to everyone at Pizza Luce, with a special tip of the hat to Scott and Jake.

Thanks to Haus Meeting for being so awesome.

Thanks to the Gallows, who I'm sure were great. I actually can't remember anything that happened after about 11 p.m.

Thanks to Amy Abts for filling in at the last minute for Trailer Park Queen.

Thanks to Peter for carrying me out of the building. That's what I'm told happened, anyway.

Thanks to Lisa for driving me home.

Thanks to King Neal and Queen Katy and Barry Pirkola and Zoey Cohen and all the streakers and prom committee members and Starfire and my fellow choir members and everyone who came out and donated to the cause.

May you all live long and prosper.

Big changes to KUMD

So I woke up to a free copy of the DNT and procrastinating I read therein that KUMD is going through some big changes, not the least of which is firing John Ziegler and Paul Damberg because they need people with Masters degrees so they can teach classes. Nor are they willing to wait for the two to obtain said degree to save their jobs if they wanted to.
Now, I don't know Damberg at all so I can't comment regarding him. But regarding Ziegler; I would be at the head of the line offering criticisms on how he conduct interviews, listening to them is sometimes like being hit on the head with a ball peen hammer with the incessant name dropping and monopolization of the conversation, and frankly, as well, I am more than a little tired of the amount of 12 bar blues played. The majority of the time KUMD doesn't feel like a college radio station. So, perhaps after the big shift KUMD may be a better station, I don't know, but UMD's process of doing this does seem a little shitty.
Perhaps there is much more not being reported, but from the DNT article it comes across that UMD really doesn't give a rat's ass about the people involved, just the outcome, there's a winner of an organization.

August 03, 2007

I-35 Bridge Flickr Slideshow

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In the spirit of citizen journalism, click here for a Flickr slideshow of all photos tagged with "bridge collapse."

[Above photo by ebrandt78, under Creative Commons license.]

August 02, 2007

Little Harry, The Book & The Mandrakes

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Free wine!

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Women in Construction Company will host an open house at their Eco Home in Hawk Ridge this Friday, August 3rd from 6-9pm. The house is a solar demonstration project built as an example of how to construct low-energy, high-performance homes with attention to conservation and the health of people and environment.

Live music featuring Sloe Loris, a variety of works by local artists, and wine and cheese are to be had at the FREE event.

Directions: 2809 Snowy Owl Circle. Take Superior St. to 52nd Ave. East. Travel up 52nd past 2 stop signs
until you see a dead end. Take a right on Broadwing Drive. Another right on Snowy Owl Circle and follow to the Eco Home.

More information on Women in Construction and their work can be found here.

Zamboni Driver Wanted

81c439rc.jpgI was looking at the Charlie Bell vs. Don Ness article and glanced over to the side and saw this ad for a Zamboni Driver in Hermantown. Zamboni Driver!

Man, when I become a famous published author I'd love to have that on my dustjacket blurb! As it is the best dustjacket worthy job I've had was being a Septic Inspector for a county health department.

Ness -v- Bell

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The big boys are facing off in the DNT poll today. You can vote here (halfway down the page.)

August 01, 2007

Recent photos of the Blue Oyster Cult Party, Dr. Thunder's new mural at the Bloomington Arts Center, and Geek Injustice here.

Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis UPDATED

Sounds pretty bad.

UPDATE: And here is the predictable conspiracy theory following in its wake (no endorsement implied).

Transitioning

My lovelies and I are seeking some new scenery.

We are:
1. A law student
2. A restauranteur-to-be
3. A small, quiet and unusually-clean dog

We are seeking something fairly unique, roomy, and with character (no 9-foot ceilings, "kitchenettes", or carpet, please). We are handy, quiet, nice, clean, and highly, highly responsible citizens. But, we aren't yet rich. So cost is an issue. Hoping to move Oct 1st, Nov 1st, or Dec 1st.

Anyway, just thought I'd put it out there...can't hurt. If you know of anything, email my dog at [email protected]. Thanks!