The ski hill at Chester Bowl is scheduled to stay open through this weekend, but it looks like Mother Nature may not be patient and cooperative. Already this weekend, the creek started flooding the bottom of the hill. So if you’re interested in taking or watching a waterskiing run at the Bowl, today might be your day. The lift is open from 4:30 – 8:30 tonight (Monday 3/8). The next scheduled day the lift is open will be Thursday, but that’s a long way away. Lift tickets are $5 at the concession stand. While you’re there, pick up a nifty Chester Bowl Hoodie or long-sleeve T-shirt at the concession stand.
So with spring right around the corner (let’s pretend, shall we?) it’s time to start planning all of those lovely projects that are part of the joys of being a home owner. This year, our house is definitely going to need to be repainted, but because of the way we’re nestled into the hillside, this is not a project we want to attempt on our own. We’re dreading spending the money, but it must be done!
Please help ease our anxiety by sharing your recommendations for reputable house painters. Anyone know how much one might generally expect to pay for a typical two-story home on the hill to be scraped/washed and painted?
While we’re at it, we plan on pricing out maintenance-free siding. Recommendations for type of siding and contractors are also appreciated!
And just because we’re not feeling poor enough yet, also on our wish list are some new windows. What brands are the best? Who should we hire to install them? Just to cover all of our bases, if you know a good plumber, now is the time to sing their praises!
Is that a long enough list? Share your horror stories and happy endings here!
On Monday, Jan. 18 there is a free breakfast at 7 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2430 W. Third St., followed by a march, which starts at the Washington Center at Lake Avenue and Fourth Street at 11 a.m. The march goes through downtown and the skywalk to arrive at the rally at the DECC at 11:45 a.m. The featured speaker will be Rep. Jeff Hayden. (more…)
Thought I’d check here to see if anyone has any suggestions.
I’m looking to replace my ‘ol generic JCP winter coat with a “high quality” brand. Had been looking at Canada Goose but I’d like to stay away from down filled coats because of the cleaning issue. Anyone got anything they’ve found that really does the job with warmth along with a water repellant and/or water proof exterior? I realize warmth is relative but shoot some suggestions. Thanks.
Today’s report is from Lincoln Park. It was well packed down yesterday, and frozen rock-hard today. So, the speed on the way down is totally out of control, and the ride is full of solid bumps that threaten to permanently damage one’s sphincter ani externus muscle.
At the bottom of the hill is a giant slush pond. If you abort your mission and jump out of the sled, you increase the odds of experiencing the aforementioned injury. If you stay in your sled, get ready to be wet.
All in all, it’s still fun. And nine times out of ten, when kids crash into a tree and say, “I can’t feel my legs,” they’re just trying to get attention.
I need a new snow shovel. I am much too cheap to purchase a snow blower, but the broken plastic shovel I’ve used for the past couple years is finally toast. My wife came home with a fancy ergonomic one from Sears, but I’m not crazy about the plastic. Is there a place around town to get a nice steel shovel? What’s the best option? I read that a combination of a grain scoop (for deep, powdery snow) and a regular snow shovel is the way to go. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I just bought my first car in May. I am quite diligent about washing and waxing, and I like to do it by hand. I like to take care of the few things I have, especially expensive things, so they last a long time. Anyway, I’m in a bit of a conundrum now that winter has set in. I know people usually all rush to the car wash once it gets above freezing, but I also know that it may never get above 35 until mid-April now.
What do you experienced car owners do during the winter to keep your car clean and salt-sand-free? Are there any touchless car washes in town that blow-dry well enough to go to them when it’s 0 degrees out? I have a heated garage, but it’s not terribly warm, and has no drain. I’ve heard of the Optimum No Rinse product, do people recommend that?
As much advice, and local recommendations, as possible would be appreciated!
I just learned that this section of the Lakewalk is open. Does anyone know when it opened, or the story about volunteers working on it to meet a deadline? The Private Property signs are on 23rd Ave East. The other signs are at the beginning of this section of the Lakewalk,at the end of 23rd. How about a sign that says ” Public Welcome”?
Can anyone recommend a Mac compatible slide and 35mm negative scanner/converter? I’m not a professional, I just want to download all my old pre-digital camera photos. I’ve read customer reviews for products listed on Amazon, and now turn to a more trusted source of opinion …the readers of PDD. You don’t have to list any specs, but I would like to know what you like, and why. Thanks.
The time to spend money we don’t really have is upon us. So why not give that money from the future to our friends and neighbors?
With that sentiment in mind, the folks at Perfect Duluth Day have compiled a selection of locally produced goods and services to add to your shopping list. Click on the pics below for details about each item.
This fabulous showcase is by no means comprehensive, of course. We at PDD would like you to contribute to it through the comments. If you know of a local something special for that special someone, let it be known.
The ski lottery was held a few weeks ago at Chester Bowl, but there are still some ski rental packages available. The Chester Bowl Improvement Club provides inexpensive season ski packages, including skis, poles, boots, helmets, and season ski passes, for those that want to take part in skiing, lessons or other activities at Chester Bowl. You also get a day pass to Spirit Mt. and Mont du Lac. Many parents call the Chester Bowl Ski Program the best deal in town, but for those unable to afford the already low prices, scholarships are available. Check out the Chester Bowl website for more info.
Genghis Khan, native son of the steep lands we call Duluth, will return this weekend. Under the quarter moon, Genghis Khan and his fellow warriors of Chicago will ride to Duluth and celebrate with the tribe in which he was born. The journey will be long, and full of danger but luckily Genghis Khan’s war horse is equipped with a Compact Disc Player. Therefore, Genghis Khan seeks the opinion of the people of his homeland in one question:
What are some good songs that sing of the hills of Duluth and it’s people?
With your answers, Genghis Khan will conduct several raids on neighboring tribes for the chants and harmonious chords you suggest to compile in a “mixed CD”. This artifact will serve to set the mood and empower the warriors of Chicago for their experience of the Northland, an experience for which they can never truly be prepared.
2nd Annual Chester Bowl Wine & Beer Tasting and Silent Auction
Saturday, October 17th, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Baja Billy’s Restaurant – Fitger’s – 600 E. Superior St.
$25 Per Person in Advance
$35 Per Person at the Door
This is the major fundraiser of the year for the ski program and other kids activities at Chester Bowl. See more info and buy tickets online at chesterbowl.org
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!
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.
Looking to buy a camcorder for taking music videos of myself singing/playing acoustic guitar for Youtube upload. In the $200-350 range. I haven’t had much luck finding something with better audio quality that works well in low light conditions. I was told that flash memory format is the best option but what about other formats that might have better audio quality and lowlight performance? The criteria I’m most interested in are 1. Ease of upload to Youtube/internet; 2. Better sound quality; 3. Image quality/good low light performance; 4. Ease of use; 5. Has image stabilization; 6. Prefer Mac/PC compatible; 7. Longer battery life.
Would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Thanks for you help. Please respond to me at jtmjourneys@yahoo.com
Having attended the United Way Chili Cook-off numerous times, I have two pieces of advice to those who either have never gone before or don’t easily learn from past mistakes:
1) Don’t wear a jacket or sweatshirt into the event. It’s pretty warm outside this year, so maybe you wouldn’t have done that anyway, but my point is that no matter what the weather is like outside, there are 40 different kinds of chili being cooked for a giant crowd of people inside. It gets hot.
2) It’s best to go to this event with someone you don’t mind sharing food with. Instead of the two of you getting two portions of everything, just get one portion and share. If you like that particular chili, get a second portion. If you don’t, move on. You don’t want to waste a lot of time and stomach on a chili you don’t like, because there are many that you will like if you can get to them before they run out.
2009 United Way Chili Cook-off
Sept. 17 | 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. | DECC
$6 for adults; $3 for kids
Also, I should note two art openings going on tonight (Sept. 17) for your post-chilifest enjoyment:
1) “Burning Bridges,” new paintings by Eric Dubnicka at Washington Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m.
2) Photography by Nate Lindstrom at the Spiritual Deli from 7 to 9 p.m.
Today is one of four days of reckoning for the self-employed among us. I thought it was funny that these were the only stamps I had left on the sheet to put on my federal and state estimated payments.
Randy is in Solvay House, 801 Baylis St., awaiting a liver transplant. I don’t believe he’s on the short list. You know what your duty is. He’s not the Rugged Fish he once was.
I was contacted by a very nice Brazilian girl named Mariana who wants to continue her high school education here in Duluth for 2009-2010 school year. She was an exchange student at Mesabi East last year, and did very well. Unfortunately, the visa she was on last year expired and cannot be renewed. She can come back on a different visa to attend a SEVIS-qualified high school (i.e. Marshall or any Duluth Public School), but she needs a host family. A stipend for the host family is part of the deal. If you can help, or know someone who can, please contact me by e-mail: nbs @ twinportslaw.com, or phone 625-8765. Thanks very much!
In May 2009, we lauched the Life in Duluth Social Networking Group. We’re a group of younger Duluthian who want to meet new people, try new things & have a full social calendar. Singles & couples both accepted.
We’re over 100 members today & have been meeting for events like happy hour, bowling, hiking, biking, movies in the park, volleyball, kickball, Huskies games, concerts, etc.
