I am particularly excited about the Farmer's Market this year since I will be living only 2 blocks away. The Farmer's Market opens this Saturday—although the good stuff doesn't really start appearing until June, when the yummy foods start growing and being harvested.

The farmers market, on the corner of Third Street and 14th Avenue East, opens at 7 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. I believe it's open until Noon. Here is a handy dandy map (or for most people it's just easier to say it's one block downhill from Burrito Union). Also the DNT posted a nice "In Season" guide here

Posted by Mel at 08:38 AM | Permalink | 2 comments, last by Mel
Filed under Current Events | Duluth News | Recommendations

UPDATED: Now showing the pulla I made yesterday

I'm looking for some pulla (Finnish cardamom breakfast bread) or kanelbulle (Swedish version, with cinnamon). Is there anywhere in Duluth that makes either of these? European Bakery sells "specialty breads", but I don't know what that means. Johnson's Bakery & Coffee Shop doesn't have a Web site.

It's good to know that there are many places that have the stuff -- but where is the best?

Recommendations for the Twin Cities will be appreciated as well.

Posted by cork1 at 12:23 PM | Permalink | 13 comments, last by hbh
Filed under Recommendations

I know there are a lot of winter freaks out there who love the snow. By contrast, I am enjoying watching the snow melt.
Gooseberry Falls is roaring loud right now and worth the trip. I took this picture of a guy fishing.

Posted by Beverly at 12:18 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Photos | Recommendations

I'm learning how to drive a manual transmission, and just the thought of driving up and down the great hills of Duluth with a stick shift nearly throws me into panic attacks. Anyone have any advice for me, from hills to avoid, tips for a n00b, or good practice places (that have long open areas and no one to hit)?

The picture is from an old soviet road safety manual. "Onacho" is Russian for "Danger!" - pronounced "oh-pas-no"

Posted by Bad Cat! at 03:57 PM | Permalink | 24 comments, last by Lee
Filed under Advice | Creepy Duluth Stuff | Recommendations

Pre-Cooked Double Cream Stout Roast with cool beer foam action!

Post-Cooked Double Cream Stout Roast

If I had to figure what I'm the most geeky at, it'd have to be cooking (and the subsequent eating!) I love to cook. I pore over ritzy food magazines and drool at the knives that cut cans in mid-air. My pasta pot is like my third arm. I belong to the Cooking Club of America. I love making comfort food or food that has unpronounceable ingredients that I can only order online from a great store like Kalustyans... I buy antique cooking implements (and use them a lot!) I have a whisk collection.

Yup, I'm a food geek.

Anyway, I was pondering if a food geek could really be a geek in the traditional sense of the word. So I wikipedia'd geek.

According to said Wikipedia, "Formerly, the term referred to a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken, bat, snake or bugs." Hmm... biting the head off live animals. Food. Biting. Animals. Food.

So it seems to me that a food geek must be the original geek, at least if you believe Wikipedia's account of the word. And I do... oh yes, I do.

Continue reading "I geek, therefore, I am." »

Posted by tamara at 07:01 PM | Permalink | 7 comments, last by tamara
Filed under Geeky | Recommendations | Serious Substantive Matters | Weird Stuff

This afternoon, Friday, April 4th, 2008 penny-pinchers take note. The Erberts & Gerberts restaurant at 232 W 1st St is offering ninety-two cent sandwiches starting at 3:30 pm.

* What: Cheap subs.
* Where: Erberts & Gerberts downtown.
* When: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Fri., Apr. 4th.

Posted by samh at 06:51 AM | Permalink | 8 comments, last by Girl From the North Country
Filed under Recommendations

Come hear Duluthian Hans Johnson, founder of the Maasai Cultural Foundation (and drummer of Dance Band) speak about his recent work helping the Maasai build a school where over 100 adults are learning to read and write. Music will be a part of the lecture, but it will be that of the Maasai people - not Dance Band.

"Exchanging Spears for Books: The Maasai School Project"
Presented by Hans Johnson,
Founder of the Maasai Cultural Foundation
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 7 p.m.
University of Minnesota Duluth
Fourth Floor Library Rotund
Free and open to the public - Reception following lecture

Continue reading ""Exchanging Spears for Books: The Maasai School Project"" »

Posted by Purple at 02:26 PM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by huitz
Filed under Duluth History | Promotion | Recommendations

So it is pretty much agreed upon that the Anchor is awesome and can rarely be contended with. Well, I have to hand it to the Brewhouse as a worthy adversary. Some friends and I were in for lunch the other day and I had a jalepeno burger I am still tasting. This thing was insanely spicy. It took two mugs of their tap root beer and a coke to subside the burning. Way to go Brewhouse!! It took me 30 minutes to finish it and it was amazing.

Posted by nbayuk at 08:19 AM | Permalink | 14 comments, last by zra.
Filed under Duluth Scene | Recommendations | Restaurant Reviews

It's started. Go out and take a look.

Posted by ironic1 at 07:57 PM | Permalink | 10 comments, last by hbh
Filed under Recommendations

There are a lot of events happening tonight, but if you have an interest in journalism, British politics or Gordon Brown, I highly recommend tonight's presentation by Gerard Baker, United States Editor and Assistant Editor at The Times (London). And I'm not just saying this because it's my job to promote Alworth Institute for International Studies events.

I'm really excited about this guy (Gerard Baker). He held an informal discussion with journalism, writing studies and communications students and faculty last evening, and I found him utterly engaging. Baker will speak this evening on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the Library Fourth Floor Rotunda at 7 p.m. Given Brown's recent decision to nationalize troubled U.K. mortgage lender Northern Rock, Baker, who previously wrote for the Financial Times and worked at the Bank of England , will be able to offer insight into the consequences Brown's decision will have on the current economic crisis in both the U.K. and the U.S.

Here's the lecture info:
“What Can We Expect Next of Britains Gordon Brown?"
Presented by Gerard Baker, United States Editor/Assistant Editor, The Times (London)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008  7 p.m.
UMD Fourth Floor Library Rotunda
Free & Open to the Public/ Reception Following Lecture

Continue reading "The Times (London) journalist speaks tonight at UMD" »

Posted by Purple at 08:16 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Current Events | Politics | Recommendations

Anyone here have experience setting up and using tuners and/or antennas for HDTV reception? We non-cable folks are expected to make some sort of switch here in the coming year and I'm wondering how our hilly city fares for signal reception and such. Any advice and commentary will be greatly appreciated.

Please and thanks.

Posted by Mickey at 03:03 PM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by spudz160
Filed under I Need Your Service | Recommendations

Andrew Krueger of the DNT has started a new blog called News Tribune Attic, featuring photos of and stories about the Twin Ports from the past. There's stuff from way back of course, but I enjoy the more "recent" news items, such as the thwarted A&W drive-in on Woodland in 1998 or the Grand Avenue Holiday station in 1981.

It'll be nice to see how this progresses.

Posted by Barrett at 01:43 AM | Permalink | 17 comments, last by Cynic
Filed under Duluth History | Recommendations | Web Fun

Posted by Barrett at 02:00 AM | Permalink | 12 comments, last by tamara
Filed under Duluth Scene | Promotion | Recommendations

Posted by c-freak at 01:03 PM | Permalink | 1 comment by Sandraker
Filed under Recommendations

After spending a couple holiday seasons abroad, I returned poo-pooing the extravagant, gaudy Christmas displays in America. Now that I have a child, though, I am absolutely giddy about the kitsch and events surrounding this season. I love Christmas in the Northland.

This year the little pirate and I went to "Scrooge" at the Playhouse (btw, really good production), "The Nutcracker" performed by the Minnesota Ballet and Monroe's Christmas show.
But tonight is the event I've been looking forward to for a year:

At:

Ive never seen Elfis, but I absolutely LOVE Bentleyville! Even if Elfis is bad, it's gonna be a good time.

WHAT:Elfis
WHERE: Bentleyville
WHEN:6-8 p.m.

Drop me a line if you want to meet up.

Posted by Purple at 11:59 AM | Permalink | 4 comments, last by Girl From the North Country
Filed under Art | Geeky | Music | Recommendations

Sunday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m.: Persuasion
Sunday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.: Northanger Abbey
Sunday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m.: Mansfield Park
Others air in February.

Posted by Beverly at 10:48 AM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by Girl From the North Country
Filed under Recommendations

Posted by c-freak at 06:05 PM | Permalink | 11 comments, last by c-freak
Filed under Recommendations

watch all 3 episodes. it's worth it.

Posted by c-freak at 06:00 PM | Permalink | 2 comments, last by adam
Filed under Recommendations

Fog w/Alan Sparhawk
UMD Rafters
Tonight (Wednesday)
9pm

Free for UMD students
$5 for the general public

Posted by Barrett at 02:43 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Music | Promotion | Recommendations

Brother Ali
College of St. Scholastica's Mitchell Auditorium
Thursday, November 29

Speech and Q&A: Noon - 1:40pm
Concert: 8pm

Cost: $5

More information here.

Posted by Barrett at 02:29 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Music | Promotion | Recommendations

The tongue-in-cheek Predatory Lending Association offers handy tips for payday lenders to extract maximum profits, including a Working Poor Finder, Racial Profiling tool and calculator to figure out how much lenders will make off their usury.

"I was able to turn my heat on for 2 weeks with my payday loan.”

Jake G. Parsons
Duluth, Minnesota

Posted by maria at 02:58 PM | Permalink | 1 comment by samh
Filed under Recommendations

One day commitment!

Morning: Get script.
Afternoon: Practice, practice, practice.
Evening: Perform.
Night: Party, party, party.

What could be better?

Out of the Hat 10 could use a few more actors on Friday (Nov. 9) and the more the merrier on Saturday (Nov. 10). Again, it's only a one day commitment and it's a lot of fun. Contact Brian Matuszak for more information.

Oh, and when you perform on Saturday you have a roughly 1 out of 8 chance of performing a script written by our new mayor. You have the same odds of performing a script that I've written, but don't think about that right now.

Posted by ironic1 at 09:44 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Art | Duluth Scene | Funny Stuff | I Need Your Service | Promotion | Recommendations

Indian Point Campground in West Duluth has an outdoor pool table under a gazebo. There's never anybody around at this time of year, so you'll probably have the run of the place. Bring your own balls and cues, and watch out for deer.

Posted by Barrett at 09:26 PM | Permalink | 1 comment by ironic1
Filed under Recommendations | Weird Stuff

The Duluth Public Library now has downloadable audio books, free for anyone with a library card, a PC and a non-iPod mp3 player.

The skinny:
- They're free! You only need a library card (in good standing) to download them.
- The downloads are not compatible with Apple products (Mac computers or iPods), since they use a Microsoft DRM. (Bill Gates donated pretty much all the computers to the DPL, so ...)
- They're probably not Linux compatible either, but I don't know for sure.
- You check them out like any other library book. They "expire" after two weeks. If someone else has the book "checked out" you have to wait, just like real-world library materials.
- You can check out up to 10 audiobooks at a time.

Download the audiobooks here. And let me know how it works. I'd use this feature, but I'm a Mac guy.

Posted by Barrett at 12:26 PM | Permalink | 12 comments, last by RevAaron
Filed under Geeky | Recommendations

The Lake Avenue Cafe (in the Dewitt-Seitz Building in Canal Park) is having a great special tonight. Spaghetti & Meatballs for $14.95 soup or salad included.

Continue reading "Lake Avenue Cafe Monday Special" »

Posted by mevdev at 10:50 AM | Permalink | 9 comments, last by edgeways
Filed under Recommendations

The Alibi Cooperative is at it again. 40 or so new pieces by Ben Boylan, Calvin Kessel and Sammy Macon will be on display for your pleasure this Friday from 5-8pm at Starfire Screen Printing 1131 East 4th Street.

Meet the artist(s) and bask in the wonderfulness of East 4th Street.

Posted by Starfire at 12:39 PM | Permalink | 1 comment by ca-chee
Filed under Art | Duluth Scene | Promotion | Recommendations

Pottery Sale!
(at Lennis')
Friday, Nov. 23rd
9:00 am-5:00 pm
830 Norh Lake Ave
(corner of N. Lake and Skyline)

Posted by Lenni at 02:35 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Art | Duluth Scene | For Sale | Recommendations

The doors of Duluth's first urban crafts shop are now open. Come down and check out clothes, jewelry, art, ties, stationery and all kinds of funky stuff. All handmade. All from Duluth. Exciting.
The grand opening is this Saturday and I'll being giving away handmade goodies throughout the day.
Tinderbox is downtown at 22 N. Second Ave. E. (2 doors up from Dick). Call 727.8042. Tell all your friends!
Support Local Crafters!

Posted by fire77 at 11:21 AM | Permalink | 3 comments, last by nikki
Filed under Recommendations

In the past we have talked about AllMP3 which more or less has been hobbled, not by governments directly but by the all mighty VISA credit card monopoly. Anyhow, There is now a new alternative, not as cheap, but entirely legit and DRM free (which was my major Itunes avoidance reason), songs are mostly encoded at 256 variable kbps, and where not it is at 256 constant kpbs, and run about .89 - .99 per song. I've long said that I'd be willing to shop online MP3s if there where in that price range and DRM free, so I guess I get to put my money where my mouth is. The provider? Amazon.com. My small prediction is that now that a major player is directly competing against them DRM free Itunes is going to have to follow suit PDQ. My major reason for use will be all those import albums that cost an arm and a leg to get physically are going to be so much cheaper and faster to obtain.

Posted by edgeways at 08:56 PM | Permalink | 7 comments, last by edgeways
Filed under Geeky | Music | Recommendations | Web Fun

a sunny day in glasgow.

(link's fixed...thanks ironic.)

Posted by in.dog.neato at 05:07 PM | Permalink | 1 comment by ironic1
Filed under Music | Recommendations

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.

Posted by Cookie B at 07:49 AM | Permalink | 5 comments, last by elpete
Filed under Duluth Scene | I Need Your Service | Recommendations

Here's a little guide to posting photos on this blog.

You can find the basics here in this tutorial.

But what if you have a picture that is over 500 pixels wide? One solution is to make a "Popup Image" instead of an Embedded Image. This will provide a text link to the image and it will open in a new window.

But suppose you want to do an embedded image, like I have here, that's too large...

This image is too large for the blog frame and so you can't see the right most part of it. When I look at the code it shows that the width is 800 pixels. The frame can only hold about 500 pixels so I can reduce the width to 500 to make it fit.

Oops! I forgot to adjust the height as well. You could do some basic ratios and figure out what 800:500::500:### is, but who wants to do math? The simplest thing to do is just to eliminate the height and it will constrain proportions so that it auto-adjusts. I'll do that here.

There we go. Another solution is just to put "100%" in for the width and it will auto-adjust to any frame it is in. I'll do that here.

Sometimes you want to have a smaller photo to accompany a story. You can adjust your photos to whatever width you want, making them smaller or, if needed, larger. Making photos larger is not recommended though as they will lose resolution.

I can align the photo right or left by just typing align="right" or align="left" into the img html. This isn't as hard as it sounds and it can make your post look very nice having text wrap around the photo. I did the photo to the right by using align="right". I also put in the img html hspace="10". This creates a horizontal buffer of 10 pixels on either side of the photo.

I aligned this photo to the left and didn't use the hspace on this photo and you can see what happens. The text can butt right up against the photo and sometimes it makes the text difficult to read. When you use align="left" or align="right" it is a good precaution to also use hspace="#".

Happy picture posting!

Posted by ironic1 at 10:14 PM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by CK
Filed under Recommendations | Web Fun

Since the local paper has abdicated its role of informing the public about the local arts scene, we apparently need to do it for them. I'll spare you a lot of details designed to maximize column inches and link to the essential details right off the mark: Side by Side by Sondheim

Continue reading "Side by Side by Sondheim" »

Posted by Barbara Z. Johnson at 11:32 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Current Events | Duluth Scene | Music | Promotion | Recommendations

I tried looking for a nifty graphic to go along with this post but...it's hot, so...meh.

When I lived in Tacoma, during the dog days of summer, a bunch of us would pile into my Toyota and head over to the dollar theater and spend all. day. long. there. One summer, I think I must have sat through Jurassic Park and Aladdin a total of seventy three times. Each.

I've heard the India Palace has the best Air Conditioning in town...judging from the condensation that forms on my glasses after stepping outside from there, I'm inclined to agree.

To wit: Anyone else have any suggestions on where to go for quality air conditioning?

Posted by in.dog.neato at 09:26 PM | Permalink | 9 comments, last by Sliver
Filed under Duluth Scene | I Need Your Service | Recommendations

Item One:
For those of you not aware, Harry Potter 7 is due out very soon to the joy of many fans and the hesitancy of many booksellers. Sell at a loss to compete with the big people? Not carry the title and disappoint loyal customers? Even B&N and Borders are hesitant. Locally owned stores face even greater challenges in terms of clout with publishers, advertising, ability to discount, and places to store the tomes in question. Northern Lights Books is throwing a party as a way to establish community and reclaim the joy that should accompany as huge a publishing success as Harry Potter should be to those who love books.
In times that media seems so proud to tote the democracy in our purchasing power, it is disappointing that this has not caught more attention. I'm not calling for a Harry Potter Czar to control prices, but for people who think that they are making statements through their purchases to look above the bottom line in this circumstance in the same way they do with their organic tomatoes.

Continue reading "2 Bookish Items, Several Tidbits and News of which to be aware" »

Posted by jmcc at 03:00 PM | Permalink | 8 comments, last by Purple
Filed under Art | Current Events | Geeky | Recommendations

Those crazy kids out in Wrenshall are at it again. Mr Mike Scholtz and his filmmaking crew participated in their 2nd 48 hr Film Project last weekend. It'll be screened in Minneapolis at the super-cool Riverview Theater (3800 42nd Street S., in Minneapolis) Monday, June 18. This year, they're entered under the team name Free Range Film Fest. Films from other teams are being screened all week this week.

Each night, the audience votes for the best films, which then get shown again on another date. Then films get judged on stuff like Best Directing, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Acting, Best Use of Character, Best Use of Prop, Best Use of Line, Best Music, Best Sound Design, Best Effects.

The people's votes are necessary.

Continue reading "Vote for the Hometown Team" »

Posted by clumsy at 08:10 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Filed under Art | Duluth Scene | Movie Reviews | Promotion | Recommendations

It can be sad living in Superior sometimes. You get the feeling nearly all the cool stuff is over the bridge in Duluth. So I am ecstatic that our little Belknap Plaza Super One store now carries a small but impressive collection of organic and ethnic foods.

The organic offerings include dairy, bread and produce, as well as frozen and packaged staples. Nearby, the international foods take up nearly half a full aisle in the store. It's not an ethnic grocery in Minneapolis, but they've obviously made an effort. Some of their most impressive offerings are in the Indian section, where they have at least a dozen different chutneys and dipping sauces. You'll find them somewhere between the Kosher and Asian food sections. (The Asian food section includes some interesting looking beverages I plan to try).

Anyway, I selfishly want my little oasis of cool foods to survive over here in Superior. If you live over here, stop in and buy some great fresh food. If you drink over here, stop by to check out the Asian sodas and the Indian chutneys. They'll keep in the car while you're at the bar -- just make the trip before it gets too cold out.

Posted by MaryB at 09:55 PM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by zra...
Filed under Recommendations

Lets share salsa recipes!

Continue reading "Salsa!" »

Posted by d.mauling at 01:38 PM | Permalink | 3 comments, last by eclectic_poly_pair
Filed under Recommendations

here you go.

Posted by c-freak at 07:19 AM | Permalink | 6 comments, last by Gwanto
Filed under Recommendations

I am considering getting back into the Cell Phone carrying world and I would love to hear the PDD community rant and rave about their service. I hardly ever leave town so the unlimited Unicel service seems enticing but the roaming charges are super high. Let me know what you love and what you hate.

Thank you in advance and stay tuned for my big announcement.

Posted by Starfire at 03:34 PM | Permalink | 16 comments, last by John Rathe
Filed under Duluth Scene | Geeky | Recommendations