Tonight, at UMD, the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, directed by Shane Courtland, sponsored another in its series of events that bring the university and the community into dialogue about key issues of the day.
(more…)

I always wait until too late. Not this year!

What CSAs (Community Shared Agriculture) projects would you recommend? I’m an old, fat man who isn’t willing to work on the farm to cut his costs, and who is deathly afraid of programs that mandate that I go to a specific place within a 45 minute window once a month or lose my food.

What would you recommend?

As part of the January in Duluth project, I’ve been working a bit with talented Duluth photographer with Kip Praslowicz, particularly with his awesome Dramatizations of Everyday Life series. Essentially, I’ve been piggybacking photos he’s done, doing an audio/narrative version of his portraits. I just finished one on Anna Affias (which I really enjoyed putting together) and did one last week on Rich Narum (not from the same series, but from the same photographer). These were the exact kinds of stories I hoped I’d be able to do in Duluth, which brings me to a question:

Anybody out there have a specific story they’d like to share? Particularly if it in some way ties into your experiences living here? (If you’ve ever had This American Life aspirations, this might be a good time to give it a shot) I’d love to do the recording and producing, and perhaps Kip might be interested in also doing a portrait. Also, if it’s not a specific story, we could just sit down and chat about your experiences here.

(Also, the clock’s ticking on January, so if this idea at all interests you, get in touch soon!)

Looks like we’ll have an “earth directed” coronal mass ejection this weekend. I guess there goes what’s left of our ice candles from Christmas.

Dear Governor Dayton:

I say a) let the Vikings drop dead; or b) build the stadium in Duluth on the US Steel site and make it a stop on the Northern Lights bullet train.

Oh, wait–this was due yesterday, wasn’t it? Whoops. Still, you have to admit either of my ideas are way better than anyone else’s.

Yours truly,
The Big E

Wednesday, Jan. 4
Lutsen Mountain’s Snowball Festival kicks off today and lasts through Saturday. This year’s festival features Dead Man Winter, Roster McCabe, Wookiefoot and more.

Friday, Jan. 6
Zstudio’s Grand Opening will host free classes throughout the day with a master class in the evening. The Fractals play at Player’s Sports Bar.

Saturday, Jan. 7
Zinema 2 kicks off its Family Saturday Movie Matinee series with The Muppet Movie. Minnesota’s premiere Beatles tribute band, The Revolution 5, plays at the Teatro tonight and Sunday.

Sunday, Jan 8.
Yoga North will have free classes and more at their annual winter open house.

Keep checking the calendar for more awesome area events.

A number of local artists were featured in interviews over the course of 2011 at Ennyman’s Territory. Links to each can be found here and here.

Celebrate the arts in 2012. Get to know your local artists. And remember that you don’t always have to understand a work of art to be moved by it.

There was an old man from Duluth
Who wept when he thought of the truth,
Remembering the chances with lots of refinances
and once while at Fon-Du-Luth.

(apologies, as I’m not really a good poet…)

Here is the original:
There once was an old maid from Duluth
Who wept when she thought of her youth
of all the missed chances at her school dances
and once in a telephone booth.

Winter thunder needs no rain.
A harbor view shows its maker plain.

This looks like fun. Some friends of mine are going. Deadline is on the horizon! –db (more…)

This morning at a meeting among Perfect Duluth Day’s owners, it was decided to change PDD’s commenting policy. Effective immediately, only PDD members may comment on posts. New commenters must join PDD and log in to make comments. This is not in response to any particular situation, but rather a change we have been contemplating for quite some time. We believe it will improve the website in the long run.

It sounds harsher and more dramatic than it actually is. For those who are currently without a PDD membership, registering is a simple, easy process. All current members will simply be prompted to log in before commenting.

Feel free to ask questions, whine like a baby, or celebrate the new policy in the comments below. After registering and/or logging in of course.

So, about 15 seconds after I bought my daughter a new Wii game for Christmas, the console died. I’ve been looking all over Google for anyone in town who can fix it, so that I don’t have to send it to Nintendo’s repair center in CA.

I found one place in MSP that I can ship it to, but I’d much rather go local. Best Buy, etc, can’t do it. Anybody know someone who can?

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council approved on October 20, 2011, grant applications totaling $22,220 to be awarded in Arts and Cultural Heritage Community Arts Learning Grants. (more…)

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council approved at its November 17, 2011, meeting grant applications totaling $20,650 to be awarded in Rural and Community Arts Grants. (more…)

A few weeks ago, I posted that I wished that businesses in need of help to make it through a rough patch would tell us, so we could eat there more often or buy more goods. Today, I got this message. -db

Dragon Port Games & Comics LLC
We would like to thank the wonderful gaming & comic community for another year serving all of you in Downtown Duluth. However as 2011 has been a tough year sales wise and the store is in a bit of a bind. Now as when we got started, Dragon Port needs to make an appeal to the community to give us a hand. (more…)

I’m thankful the server that hosts the PDD Calendar is back up and running, after a day of problems. (Ironically, in setting up the links below I noticed that last year my personal Internet service was down just before Thanksgiving, and I was thankful for it being restored. Ah, the joy of technical issues around the holidays!)

Anyway, what are you all thankful for this year, fellow Duluthians?

(Here’s what PDDers were thankful for in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.)

I remember when I was first looking at Duluth as a place to move for college. Being tired of my job and wanting something new I decided to go back to school, and remembering how much I loved Duluth; I started checking out colleges. Having found a program and school, my next task was to find a place to live. I was not prepared for the daunting task that would ensue.
(more…)

Is Duluth ready for a time bank? Other cities around the world have them setup. They are a way to exchange hours of work (not goods).

Informational meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 to 9:30 a.m, Ordean (United Way) building, Superior St. & Fifth Ave. W, first floor conference room.

For more info on time banking go to timebanks.org or e-mail dianeemerson @ yahoo.com.

Russian Blue, neuter male, smokey grey & slinky, big ears, multiple toes, loud meower. Last seen near home 27th Avenue West near the park Sunday 11/6. Please email jahnhibbs @ gmail.com with any information.

The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department has lost full-time and seasonal employees due to budget cuts over the last few years. Because of the cuts, the maintenance of the parks and trails in the city has relied heavily on the work of volunteers.

“It’s a nice partnership. I can’t say enough how wonderful our volunteers are,” said Kathy Bergen, Parks and Recreation manager.

Even with the help of volunteers, some facilities in the parks have fallen in to disrepair and the programs offered through the parks system have all but disappeared. The Parks and Libraries Referendum on the Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 ballot looks to help repair the parks facilities and revive some of the programs that have been lost due to budget cuts.

To read the rest of the article go to http://www.d.umn.edu/writ/jour/lakevoice/?p=7518 and be more informed when you hit the polls tomorrow.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community. If you have a story idea or would like to submit photos you can email us at lakevoicenews@gmail.com.

LakeVoice is your guide to Duluth’s Halloween festivities. This week we will be covering the Glensheen Jack O’ Lantern Spooktacular, the William A. Irvin Haunted Ship and the Survive Duluth zombie run. Stay tuned for more information about these events and the people that make them possible.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community. If you have a story idea or would like to submit photos you can email us at lakevoicenews@gmail.com.

Did you know that the Duluth farmers market accepts EBT cards now? They started the new program this past growing season and will continue with the program next year. To find out more about this new opportunity read Claire’s story on LakeVoice.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community. If you have a story idea or would like to submit photos you can email us at lakevoicenews@gmail.com.

YMCA Youth in Government is a youth-led, experiential learning opportunity that involves 1,800 middle school and high school students each year.  The Duluth Area Family YMCA Delegation is still accepting participants. 
(more…)

Volunteers are needed during and after school to tutor and mentor students at Woodland Middle School. Over 30 volunteer time slots are open and need to be filled. Please contact griffithsja @ gmail.com to volunteer.

After bouncing this idear round for a couple of years  it is finally coming to fruition…. Dink Tank @ the Movies. You know like MSTK3000 but instead of movies you ain’t heard of they are gonna bust on more familiar fodder. First up The Matrix. Dink Tank will guide yer hand through the world that has blinded you from the truth. Friday 9/30 and Saturday 10/1 9:15  Zinema 2 222 E Superior St 722-7300. Tickets available at zinema2.com

From Robert DeArmond
Executive Director
October 28, 2011 Deadline

In this new fiscal year, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council announces that the Two-year Administrative Support Grant Program application deadline will be Friday, Oct. 28. The ARAC Board will review these grants on Thursday, Jan. 19, and funds will be available by Feb. 1.
(more…)

Our dog escaped this morning in the area of 43rd and Superior St.  He has a red collar with no tags (yeah, yeah, I know) and his name is Buddy.  He’s very friendly and very sweet.  Short and fat like a basset.

If you see him, please call us at 5two5-three9three0.  Thanks.

An American White Pelican has been cruising off of Park Point the last day or two, between the Lift Bridge and the S-Curve. This bird is HUGE. And so beautiful. Read here about my close encounter with this fine creature this morning.