I have a small plate for my guitar that I want to have engraved with my initials. After a quick search I’ve found a few places that would be able to do this for me, but I was hoping some of the fine folks here have any experience or recommendations with any of these companies.

Ideally, it would be laser engraving about 1×2 inches.

I’m looking for somebody to get our iTunes library consolidated and organized – or maybe some advice on how to do it. Right now it’s spread out over three lap tops and an external hard drive. Perhaps iCloud is the solution? All I know is that right now it’s a GF and I feel a bit overwhelmed thinking about it. Thoughts or advice? (more…)

My wife and I have been throwing around the idea of a bathroom remodel. I’ve been on the hunt for a clawfoot tub that won’t break the bank and I think I’ve found one. Of course, I’ll need to inspect it personally with my “keen” sense of quality, but if all goes well, I may very well buy it. The photo and description indicate a need for refinishing. I’m wondering if anyone around Duluth has tackled this on their own and has some advice on a budget friendly solution or if anyone has had a local company refinish one for them (prices?). Any other advice or warnings would be great as well. Thanks!

Can anyone point me to good places to ice skate or cross-country ski on lakes around Duluth this week? Looking for lakes with a sheet of smooth-ish ice or with an inch or two of snow to ski on.

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OK gang, due to the volume of discussion and frustration regarding Connelly’s vs. Mrs Bowen’s vs. Flaherty’s, I’ve taken it upon myself to root out a decent recipe for homemade Tom & Jerry batter. Here’s the result of my research and experimentation (it should be noted that I pilfered 95 percent of this from an online recipe):

12 eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound butter, room temperature
3 pounds powdered sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:
Beat egg whites and salt in a large glass or metal mixing bowl until stiff peaks form (when you lift your beater straight up the egg whites should form a sharp peak that holds its shape).

Beat the egg yolks to soft peaks in a separate bowl. Beat the butter and powdered sugar in another large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the butter mixture; mix. Stir in the cloves, allspice, and the egg whites; beat until well blended. Batter can be frozen or kept in refrigerator for several weeks.

To make a Tom and Jerry, put one jigger of dark rum and one jigger of brandy in a coffee cup, add a heaping tablespoon of batter, fill the cup with boiling water and garnish with a little ground nutmeg (most aficionados consider it a sacrilege to stir the batter, but I have one friend who won’t have it any other way).

Heaven!! A true PDD (Perfect Duluth Dram). And it only took me a half hour or so to whip up (plus this recipe makes a lot — several weeks worth for our household and a rotating cast of holiday guests). Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. My wife, upon hearing the recipe, remarked, “That’s cake frosting! No wonder people love it!”

One final caveat: use pasteurized eggs, available at Cub Foods, but — curiously — not at Mount Royal, last time I looked.

Cheers, and happy holidays!

I am about 90% sure I am getting my first pair of snowshoes for Xmas this year. I have always wanted to get into this but need some advice on a few things. Besides the actual snowshoes, what kind of actual shoe is best to wear? Is snowshoeing something that needs to be practiced or is it pretty much walking in the snow? I live very close to Hartley Nature Center so that will be the main trail but where are some other good places to go in town? Any advice would be appreciated.

I was wondering about the tone of the Nerd Night events at Teatro Zuccone, as in, are they appropriate for children? I have an 11-year-old boy with Asperger syndrome who probably would like to see the robotics demonstration, but I don’t want to put him into any situations that he would not understand. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch people!

Read all about the joys of community composting and why you should pay the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District to take your waste and sell it back to you in the spring.

Nature of Modern Life blog: Black Friday — Dig It

Guess how I celebrated Black Friday? With a trip to the WLSSD Composting & Yard Waste Site, of course!

I’m seeking a little help from the PDD community. I work for 50 Below Sales & Marketing and, like everyone else there, I haven’t been paid in over a week. That’s roughly 300 people who have had to get through Thanksgiving without the money they earned. Some have gone even longer due to bounced checks.

I don’t really want to get into how this came to be, maybe someone else can step up with that info if anyone is curious. What I’m here for is some advice on what (if anything) I can do. I’m sure everyone will see their money at some point but that’s not enough. Who does people recommend I talk to to try and make sure we don’t get screwed again? Lawyers? I hear they cost money. Unions? Some kind of labor group?

Any thoughts are welcome.

Some pals are visiting from Seattle next week. Their kids are 3 and 6, I think. We don’t have kids, so we’re not sure what amuses them. What are some cool Duluth things we could do that would be interesting to both kids and grownups? I’m thinking Hartley Nature Center, throwing rocks into the lake, maybe the harbor tour. What else might delight them?

Fond du Lac Band’s 89.1 FM WGZS “The Moon” was one of several Native American Radio stations mentioned in a report on MPR News this morning. I have been aware that the station was coming to the airwaves for over a year now and I have been listening randomly since it signed on in September. They are literally building the station from the ground up, and a week or so ago I noticed that the budding station had powered up enough to reach much of Duluth. It’s occasionally scratchy but I can pick it up at home in the Hillside and around town in the vehicle.

To me, it’s awesome. It’s very raw, and real. There are no commercial interruptions which is enough to recommend it right there (not that there is anything against commercial radio). The programming consists mainly of 70s and 80s rock, although when it signed on in September, it seemed to be dominated by deep Motown and soul cuts from the 60s. And just yesterday I was listening and there was some old time country. Really, it’s random. There are always some traditional Native American tracks sprinkled in and I expect more and more homegrown music and public affairs programming as they get their footing. From what I’ve personally observed, spoken word programming consists mainly of an introduction to Ojibwe language (priceless) and I did hear one interview about a community event that was upcoming. My recommendation is to set 89.1 FM on your car or home presets and give it some time.

The FDL Tribal Newspaper did a story about it in the October 2011 edition, you can click here for a PDF

I’m curious if anyone has dates of estimated chair-lift openings at area [and by that I mean "day trip"] alpine hills? Lutsen was rumored to open on the 19th of November and Big Powderhorn is scheduled to open the 10th of December.

Any advice on where to look for early-season runs?

I love this site. I love how inquisitive everyone is. I love the willingness to share.

But I hate the “Advice” and “Recommendations” posts.
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Our last few attempts at using a dog/house sitter had some unintended consequences. Some of the more interesting: various porn-related scenarios [purchased and delivered]; a Mountain Dew “ash tray” was left in front of our basement toilet [we don't smoke]; one of our cars apparently was used and the backseat mistaken for a dumpster; and a “three bears ‘bed scenario’” which resulted in a lot of laundry. Without addressing the vetting process I used in staffing, or commenting on my solicitation process, I’d like some recommendations on area kennels for boarding two dogs: one an old lab and the other an old terrier.  We’re heading up to the Lutsen area for the holiday and would love to find help up that way; but assume most facilities are in this area.

I’m trying to get an answer to this question, and am finding conflicting answers. Can one establish a business presence on “The Facebook” without have it tied back to a specific user? For example, is the corporate Target Facebook page associated with a specific user?
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It looks like I need to replace the lateral sewer line connecting my house to the city system. I qualify for the “up to 3K” reimbursement; but the job is estimated at “around 6K.”

In lamenting to my friends on this issue, multiple responses have been “Schultsy can run a ‘mini’ [excavator]; why don’t you have him dig out the old line? Putting in a new one is pretty straight forward – like roofin’ – you’re just paying for labor.”

Does anybody have any experience with this? Is it simply digging out the old line, removing the old house trap and connecting into the waste out from the house and then hooking up to where it feeds into the city system? What part of this would need a “licensed plumber”? I don’t have “replace sewer line” on my bucket list, and I’d rather take that 3K [which I don't have] and recreate with it.

According to the Duluth News Tribune, and pretty much every other website I’ve seen, it’s gonna be a cold one this winter. My question is… How do I get out and enjoy it without spending any cash? I’ve thought about buying snowshoes or ice skates, but even a good pair of those would set me back. Does anybody know of any nooks or crannies in this area that would make for some enjoyable winter exploring?

Spirit Mountain Mini Golf | is hands down the worst miniature golf course I have ever played. It is not “unique” nor an “outdoor adventure” — it comes across as under-challenging, half-assed, simple and incomplete. The next time I want to play on an unfinished-looking, masonite smooth play surface(!), no challenge or engagement of a rat cubicle 9-hole course, you’ll be the first to know, Mr. Salmela. Seriously. I like your houses. Stick to that.
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Duluth has so many photographic opportunities it can be overwhelming. These 10 locations are a sure bet for beautiful images.

Read the full guide here for ideas and inspiration on photographic sites in the city of Duluth.

The Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota at dusk.

I’m a new student at UMD and I have been in Duluth for almost a month now. I have been to Canal Park, downtown, Enger Tower, and other well-known places, but that’s kind of it. Other than what I’ve observed from points of interests and basic knowledge from Wikipedia, I really don’t know much about the city. So I was wondering if there was a person(s) out there that I could just chat with to learn about Duluth’s politics, culture, accomplishments, struggles, people, places, history, future, or whatever I should know. Ultimately I am just trying to get an insider’s perspective of Duluth beyond UMD. If you would want to chat sometime or could refer me to somebody just send me an email, so we can hopefully set something up.(romen021@d.umn.edu) Thanks!

Instead of exclusively perusing Craigslist, I thought I’d put a question to the friendly community of PDDers.

Can anyone please recommend a handyman and/or woman who could help me with my inability to properly execute seemingly simple home repair tasks?

Stop by the Perfect Duluth Day tent at Fallfest at Chester Bowl today and pick up a free sticker, 50 cent pop, candles, and other goodies. We’re the first booth on the right as you enter the park, conveniently located next to the biffies.
Saturday, 10-4

Does anyone have any recommendations for local brake mechanics, ones that are honest/non-skeevy, but also can solve a braking-system mystery that four other mechanics have been unable to fix?

First off, I hate my car and wish it were a phoenix that would burn, and from the ashes would produce a new car. I don’t believe this is a standard feature on a Kia, so I’ll have to keep this piece of crap limping for at least another year or two (you may recall my prior bitching regarding this car).

Second, I’m afraid that if this mystery doesn’t get solved, you’ll find me and my Kia at the bottom of the lake sometime this winter.

Anyone have any good suggestions? Thanks!!! I really appreciate your advice (randomly stabbing at the yellow pages isn’t getting me anywhere).

I’m in search of a remotely cheap air conditioning service and recharge on my 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. It stopped working about a month ago during that one really long, hotter-than-blazes-every-day week in which I had to drive 50+ miles every day … and I’m taking a few trips to the Twin Cities in the next few weeks, so it would be lovely to have working AC again.

I’ve called Midas in West Duluth and Arrowhead Amoco, and they are both charging upwards of $100. Does anyone know of anywhere with good service that would be any cheaper? Thanks in advance!

Is it usual, or even legal, for a landlord to demand that all the tenants leave the apartment building while it is being inspected for licensing?  We got the written notice for an inspection in a week and then the landlord tells us face to face “don’t be here while the inspectors are here.” Weird?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a Duluth contractor to add insulation inside walls? I had an energy audit and the auditor recommended adding insulation inside my exterior walls, since there’s no insulation in there right now.

This is the first large project I’ve undertaken in my house and I’m intimidated by the process of picking a contractor. Before anyone suggests it, I did go to an informational class through the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program and submitted my information, but my house is already too efficient for me to have access to those resources.

I’m hoping someone here may have done this recently and has a recommendation for me.

Hi, Wildwoods Rehabilitation is interested in a booth at the Harvest Festival. We have a few questions and wonder whether the PDD community might have some answers.

1. Would an agency who has already exhibited at Harvest Fest be willing to share rough numbers (how many t-shirts, brochures, etc. to bring, how many volunteers to staff the booth)?
2. We’re looking for good rates to produce t-shirts locally. Any recommendations?
3. We’re looking for good rates to produce buttons, magnets, and bumper stickers locally. Suggestions?

We’re also looking for other suggestions of ways to get our organization out into the community. Thanks as always, PDD& community, for giving us a forum to get the word out.

During attic clean out I came across the remnants of an old beer and soda can collection put together during the 1970s.  It is about 500 cans, mostly pull tab but also a few flat tops.  Cool old Schmidt scenery cans, and the like.  Anyone know any can collectors in the Duluth area that might be interested in looking through them for gems?

My wife and I are trying to paint the house this year and have discovered a substantial carpenter bee nesting area under the eve. We don’t want to have them exterminated because we love these nice bees. The hive is inside the sofet and are accessible to the right bee charmer.

Can anyone recommend a bee keeper who wants to relocate these pleasant bees?

Not that I distrust the kids totally, but there are some youth in Duluth going door to door. They are collecting ‘points’ toward a trip and award to sell subscriptions to magazines. But along the way, the young man who came to my door asked to come in for a writing surface. When the table in the entry wasn’t enough, he asked to come in further for a counter or dining table. Then he asked for some bottled water. All of this made me increasingly uncomfortable. After he left, I called the phone number on the receipt and Googled the name of the company. Upshot is, they are tagged by the Better Business Bureau for not refunding money and not delivering product. Buyer beware.