May 2009 Posts

Malt Shoppe gets big Shout Out

Portland Malt Shoppe – Duluth, Minn.

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“I appreciate places that know they’re the best but are still nice. You find that kind of friendly cockiness at this art deco shack set on Lake Superior. I’ve never had a better malt in my life (716 E. Superior St., portlandmaltshoppe.com , open summers, malts from $6).” – Danny Meyer

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From MSNBC (via the twitterverse)

Very Illustrated People Tattoo Studio

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V.I.P. “Very Illustrated People” Tattoo Studio is business in Duluth, Minnesota. Owner Brian “B.C.” Carlson, a Duluth native, has been tattooing since the age of 13. Starting out as a hobby tattooing friends, it has blossomed into a great new business. After obtaining and successfully completing a professional tattoo apprenticeship with Dave Zappia, Brian has decided to continue professional tattooing in the Northland. Whether it’s tribal, old school, new skool, oriental, realism, black and grey, or custom, the clients ideas get manifested on the skin. Getting a tattoo at V.I.P. is easy and safe. The personable attitude of the crew, commitment of professionalism, and up-to-date safety precautions makes V.I.P. a great place to get inked.

Call for details. 218-728-8995. 5 North 19th Ave E, right around the corner from Amazing Alonzo Paperback Exchange. http://www.viptattoostudio.com/

Click more to see a cool starwars tattoo!

Liquor Store Math

The Next Level column in this week’s Transistor answers an important question for Duluthians:

Is it worth driving to Superior to save money on off-sale alcohol?

Duluth Does Cash and Young

This Thursday, 7 pm at Sacred Heart Music Center.

Tickets only $10 online at www.sacredheartmusic.org, at the Electric Fetus or at the door. Proceeds to benefit the Sacred Heart Youth Program Fund to foster music and art education for local children.

Over 40 local acts performing Johnny Cash and Neil Young songs.

Some of the artists scheduled to appear include Jamie Ness, Max Dakota, The Fish Heads, Rivulets, Rachael Kilgour, Sara Thomsen, Jerree Small, Chad Lyons,Yeltzi, Lookdown Moon, Bill Flannagan, Dave Mehling, Leanne Perius, Centerville All Stars, Clyde Iron, Paul Newberg, Hattie Peterson, Old Knifey and many many more.

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Farmers Market at UMD this Wednesday!

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UMD Farmers Market 

EVERY WEDNESDAY

2:00-4:30 

UMD Kirby Plaza Bus Hub

LOCAL Produce, Music and Artisans!

Contact:

Leah Nelson

[email protected]

218.940.2138

Campus Map: http://www.d.umn.edu/parking/lots.html

 

Ride the Bus or Park Free!

 

What you might find at the Market:

· Fruits and Berries

· Vegetables

· Flowers

· Maple syrup

· Baked goods

· Transplants

· Herbs and Spices

· Much more!

· ALL LOCAL!

Minnesota Refrigerator

The realization that I'd stacked all the drinks next to the mini-fridge struck me funny, somehow.  Never mind me.

The realization that I'd stacked all the drinks next to the mini-fridge instead of in it struck me funny, somehow. Errr, never mind me.

Where else in the entire nation can you get cheaper refrigeration?
To tell you the truth I like it in Duluth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Day Your Childhood Died

This is a public continuation of a conversation I had with my girlfriend this morning.

Sjixxxy C. 1989

We were wondering how many other people can remember the moment when they realized that toys no longer were fun? Not your adult toys like jet skis, cameras, or hand guns, but the stuff you had while your age was in the single digits. Blocks, GI-Joes, a hoop with a stick, etc..

My moment came when I was about ten. My older brother’s friend came over and gave me this little toy metal truck he had to play with. I instinctively took it to the living room floor and started pushing it in circles. It took several laps until the newly forming adult parts of my brain woke up and sparked off some internal dialog.

Adult Brain: “Why are you doing this kid? It’s not any fun.”
Child Brain: “But it is a toy truck. I’m suppose to be pushing it around and pretending that I am hauling away sacks of grain from the imaginary mill to be delivered to the grocer under the couch!”
Adult Brain: “Do you really think the imaginary people under the couch need you shipments of invisible wheat to stay alive any more?”
Child Brain: “Of course! They’ve always relied on my grain!”
Adult Brain: “Not for long sonny. You’re childhood is being pushed aside much like your pretend mill and grocer will be once that Wal-Mart under the ottoman finished construction.”
Child Brain: “Waaaa! I’m just a kid! Leave me alone! This is suppose to be fun.”
Adult Brain: “Not for long. Face the facts boy. You are not finding this fun any more.”
Child Brain: “You’re right. My childhood is dying. What should I do?”
Adult Brain: “Check in the bottom of daddy’s night stand for some matches.”
Child Brain: “Then what?”
Adult Brain: “Burn things!”

At that moment, I realized my innocent childhood was drawing to an end, and my simple toys would no longer be fun to play with.

Does anyone else remember this exact moment in their life? Please describe it in the comments.

Some dialog may be embellished for dramatic effect.

For your consideration…

barrel

Just want to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the “mystery barrels”.  The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa out of Bayfield, WI have secured over $1 million from the Department of Defense to remove about 70 of the barrels for testing.  PDF here of the 2008 MN DOH “Health Consultation” regarding the barrels.  Link here to Nukewatch’s compendium on barrel research including a full collection of local news releases on the subject.

Please share this info with friends and neighbors.

Stimulus Watch-Duluth projects total $413,263,980

I’m hoping the crater-sized pot hole that nearly swallowed my car on a recent trip to Kohls (Sundby Road) falls under MSA street reconditioning. I realize the Lift Bridge takes a lot of paint, but $5,000,000 worth? That’s crazy talk. http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_city/Duluth/MN

Musings on a basketball rolling downhill

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I was driving down Lake Avenue yesterday morning when I noticed a kid, maybe 7 or 8 years old, who – in my opinion – had just intentionally chucked an old basketball down the hill from about Fifth Street.

For a brief moment, the ball and I were traveling side-by-side (the ball, unfortunately, going against traffic in the uphill lane). When I stopped at the four-way stop at Fourth Street, the ball, of course, kept on going. I glanced in my rear-view mirror and saw the kid jumping up and down – again, I think in joy at watching the thing sail downhill, and not in protest of an unfortunate lesson in physics and topography.

Go Sit on a Wall photo contest winner

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Congratulations to Beverly Godfrey, who submitted this winning photo of her children in PDD’s “Go Sit on a Wall” contest. Thanks to all who participated.

Rubber Chicken Theater‘s production of “Humpty Dumpty” opens tonight.

Jack Chick Plays Vol. II

jack-chick Jack is back…

Jack Chick, that is. Colder by the Lake Comedy Theatre presents The Jack Chick Plays, Volume 2. It’s a hilarious, irreverent (yet thoughtful) look at the world of religious tracts, adapted for the stage.
Directed by Jean Sramek, and featuring the talents of Christa Schulz, Chris Nollet, Cheryl Skafte, Cathy Podeszwa, Gary Kruchowski, Tony Keane, and media artists Chris Julin and Rob Wittig, The Jack Chick Plays is something both saints and sinners will enjoy.

June 4-13

Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Communion Wine Post-Church Matinee:
Sunday, June 7th at 2pm

Tickets: $10 at the door starting at 6pm (11am on Sunday) or on-line at www.duluthplayground.org

Winners in Play Competition at the Play Ground

Lake Superior Writers Announce Winners in Play Competition

“The Voice of the Turtle” by Teresa Boyle Falsani

“The Voice of the Turtle” explores life’s losses, the unpredicted impact of important decisions, and the challenges of commitment over the long term.

“This Too Shall Pass” by Matt Wall

will also play

See these award winning plays on

Sunday, May 24

2pm at the Play Ground
Both plays will be performed in reader’s theater format
Free to the Public.

www.duluthplayground.org

Pomp and (Impressive) Circumstance

I spend a lot of time on what I affectionately call “the dark underbelly of Duluth.” That is, around people in really rough circumstances with tough, long odds against them. As soon as I post this, I am headed up to the Arrowhead Juvenile Center, to spend some time with young dads up there, for example. But one thing that circumstances can’t extinguish is hope. It will live on even against the greatest odds, I’ve seen it happen over and over again and I’m convinced that it’s true.

Life House for Youth "Opening Doors for Kids on the Streets."

David Sedaris coming to Duluth

Sedaris to stop in Duluth for reading, book-signing | Duluth News Tribune

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