This Saturday the Duluth Art Institute and the Southern St Louis County 4H program are teaming up to bring Jeff Johnson to town. Jeff is founder of Spunk Design Machine based in Minneapolis and New York and he is giving a free workshop on design for youth grades 5-12.

Saturday, June 4
1 – 3:30pm
Duluth Art Institute Depot
Call to register: 218-733-7562

Chester Bowl and Amity Creek got another helping hand from employees of Loll Designs, Epicurean Cutting Surfaces, and Intectural last Thursday.

The West Duluth companies completed an annual tree planting initiative on May 26, their fourth year breaking out the shovels and getting their hands dirty. Nearly 2,500 trees were planted in two locations; a tree sparse area in the upper part of Chester Creek Park in the city of Duluth was planted with a mix of evergreen and hardwood species, and for the second year in a row a fallow field was planted with white spruce in the Amity Creek area in East Duluth. 15 employees participated in this year’s event.
(more…)

I’m moving and need to set up Internet service this week. I don’t want a cable T.V. package, just solid, locally-provided Internet service. I am a telecommuter, so add extra emphasis on “solid.” I am looking for recommendations with the minor caveat that the ISP must also exceed the customer “service” provided by the large chains. Thanks!

Today is the last day to vote for the UMD community orchard in the Edy’s Fruit Bar’s contest described in this post. We are in the top 5 in the nation and on course to win a 50-tree planting paid for by Edy’s. The fruit from these trees will become a community asset and distributed free to appropriate venues. The orchard is part of the UMD Sustainable Agriculture Project, which serves as an education venue and civic resource.

Here’s the link to register and to vote for our project. I’ve been voting all month and haven’t gotten any spam from the company.

How often do you get a chance to vote for a good thing that you know is going to win? Today’s your last chance!

Okay, it’s another foggy day in Duluth. While you plumb the depths of your commitment to this fine town, while you wonder if the weather here is worth the sacrifice you’ve made in career advancement, take heart from the example of the lowly Mertensia paniculata, a flower for which every foggy day is a perfect day.

And if you’re the type that longs for western landscapes, for the slopes of the Cascades or the northern Rockies, this same flower gives you a psychic link to those lovely places. Like you, it lives here in Duluth, but it’s got serious western roots.

There’s lots more about the Tall Lungwort/Northern Bluebell, Mertensia paniculata, on my blog.

Sing! A Women’s Chorus with Sowah Mensah Wednesday, June 1, 7:00pm UMD Weber Music Hall $5.00

(more…)

Haiti Worthy Cause Concert – Music! Storytelling! Food! Free! Donations accepted!
June 5th @ 3:00 – Chester Park United Methodist Church – 819 N 18th Ave E – 724-4969

(more…)

Is there anybody (or do you know anybody) who lost car keys near Chester Bowl in the last day or two? If so, some kind soul has hung them by their lanyard at the Kent Rd. end of the retaining wall fence along the road through the bowl. Been there since yesterday (Friday). Cheers.

What were the names of the people that formed the first Bob tribute band in Duluth, and where did they play? I suppose year would be good too.

Hint: it’s somewhere near Canal Park

Wild times on the train to Two Harbors, with a 90 minute delay on the return that is sure to become legend in Dylan Fest annals. The Fontanelles rocked the back car and probably offered most of the residents of TH a dose of their medicine. Pictured here is Rich Mattson and then Dirty Horse on the way up.

I was at Cub Foods tonight, bagging up my groceries, when I spotted the ATM at the Wells Fargo branch and decide to withdraw some cash. As I waited for the transaction to go through, I glanced at a stray ATM receipt sitting atop the machine. And boy, was it more interesting than I expected:

(more…)

Lots of good shows going on tomorrow… we got one too. If you’re looking to check out some newer bands in the area come over to Thirsty Pagan Brewing in Superior for a free show.

More info on:
- A Winter Downpour
- Br’er Wolf
- Hybridge

Hope to see you there!

- A Winter Downpour

Come on down to Lake Avenue Cafe on Friday, May 27, and check out Poor Howard’s mind-bending rock and roll. The show is $3, open to ages 21+, and there are drink specials available for those who practice thrift.

Hey beer lovers,

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival is happening in Lutsen this summer on the weekend of July 9. If you’re interested in regional beers, meeting the brew masters, good food and live entertainment, hoppedupcaribou.com has more info. Tickets are 25 bucks.

For the past 10-ish years I’ve had nothing to do with landlines and been strictly with Verizon and its growing nationwide dominance. I’ve been hesitant to bow to the smartphone revolution, but I think it’s about time to make the switch. Mostly because upgrading to a non-smartphone leaves me with little options for stepping up to something better than I have now.

Anyway, I’m curious about all the little places opening that seem to pop up and cater to upgrading and whatnot. Verizon proper vs. Big Blue Worst Buy Satellite Mall location, the little shops in strip malls … what’s the difference, and who’s got the better deals? Does it matter? Is there anywhere I should avoid? Help me out people!

This morning around 7:00 am, as I was getting my regular morning fix of MPR News and Cathy Wurzer, I was surprised to hear that Perfect Duluth Day was one of the sponsors. When did we get all respectable? Anyway, thanks to whoever instigated that. I think MPR is a great media resource and I’m glad we’re a part of supporting it.

A. B. C. D.

 Loading ...

(About Gravatars)

In 2007 and 2008, after an extensive public process, the At Home in Duluth Collaborative created Neighborhood Plans for each of Duluth’s five core neighborhoods. This year we will be reviewing and updating these plans. Two meetings will be held in each neighborhood. Your voice counts!
(more…)

Duluth Superior Pride is doing something different this year — taking submissions and suggestions for the festival. Please submit interest with contact info, a description of what you do, and a sample. We are gonna do something interactive and fill four slots at Bayfront Park on Saturday, Sept 3. Send to twinportspride @ gmail.com.

Is it just me, or is there an insane amount of vandalism in Duluth this spring? It seems like everywhere I go there’s a bunch of random scribbles on everything. I’m even seeing it on the sides of people’s houses! I went for a walk down in the ol’ Canal Park this morning, the first time this year since the thaw, only to be pretty disappointed by what I found.
(more…)

All right, folks, ready for another round? Where is this? Bonus points if you know what it is!

Come to the Electric Fetus on Friday at 5 to see Minneapolis band the Big Strong Men play some unique rock & roll! It’s free and open to the public. Be sure to check out our Bob Dylan stuff (on sale for 20% off) while you’re at it.
(more…)

I saw a bear today on the lake side of London Road. It ran toward the lake and downtown direction. I am interested if anyone saw the bear between 51st Avenue East and downtown — it’s a youngish-looking bear.

The third Duluth Does Dylan album will be released on Friday, May 27. The release party is at Rex Bar.

All profit from Friday’s door at the Rex will be donated to the Norshor Theatre renovation, and CD profits will go to the Bob Dylan Way Cultural Pathway effort. Show tickets are available at the Electric Fetus and the Fitger’s Beer Store — $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
(more…)

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/23759207[/vimeo]

This video was shot by Mark “Sparky” Stensaas on May 3 for his blog, the Photonaturalist. Local porcupines have moved out of places like the West Duluth Porcupine Hotel and are giving up their diet of tree bark in favor of the more scrumptious catkins of Pussy Willows. Sparky’s specific post on this is called “Porcupine Spring Snack.”