Month: December 2009
Winter Washing
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!
Coal Train (Soultrane?)
Parked (?) train blocks view of Lake Superior from https://duluthdailyphoto.vox.com/
I thought this was intended as a temporary winter seawall.
But Duluth Daily photo (above) and later the Duluth News Tribune had some good coverage of this that straightened me out, apparently these coal cars are just being stored on those tracks, even though they do sit in a storm prone spot. Now, DNT’s Brandon Stahl writes that the train will be moved to Leif Ericson Park. (more…)
Sledding Spots In Duluth
Can anyone recommend a good spot to take the kids?
Annual Grace Press Design Card Sale
Please stop by for Tea!
Grace Press Design Annual Card …and Gayle Friday’s Treasures….Sale
Friday Dec 11 and Sat Dec 12
9:00-6:00
4726 Pitt Street (Lakeside) Duluth
Children welcome! Bring A Friend!
Sara Curwin
A North Country Holiday
A few months ago in this post about Bob Dylan’s Christmas CD someone remembered an old radio show that I did called “A North Country Holiday.” It was never released as a CD but it was distributed to stations and a few other media outlets using CDs since neither of the stations I did it for (KAXE-Grand Rapids and KUMD-Duluth) had a satellite uplink. (more…)
The Boomchucks
- The Boomchucks @ The Brewhouse
Tonight and every Thursday at 10 pm, our 2 piece rock and roll band plays for free at the Fitgers Brewhouse. Check out some tunes from the upcoming full length album at www.myspace.com/theboomchucks
How It Works: The Past, Present, and Future of the Science Museum Of Minnesota
Thursday, December 10th 2009
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Great Lakes Aquarium
353 Harbor Dr.
Presented by:
Jackie Hoff
Director of Collection Services
Science Museum of Minnesota
Learn all about the rascinating history behind the Science Museum of Minnesota! Jackie Hoff will share an insiders view on what it takes to develop new exhibits, take care of a museum collection, and what exciting new things are in store for the future of SMM.
For more information please contact Sara Kubarek at [email protected] or 218-740-2013.
Party and Music
December 10th Events at Sara's Table
Suburbs Memories
If anyone has fun memories of going to a Suburbs show especially in Duluth please post them in the comments. I want to read them on my radio show today between sets of awesome Suburbs music.
R.I.P. Bruce Allen.
Duluth Does the Holidays
Friday Dec 11, 2009 7:00 pm
Sacred Heart Music Center
Concert to Benefit the Damiano Center
$10 suggested donation at the door/children under 16 free
A new wrinkle on the Duluth Does concert series. Come hear local artists do their take on traditional and modern holiday themed music in the confines of the beautiful Sacred Heart Music Center.
Styles run the gamut from choral groups to jazz to Finnish folk music to classical pipe organ pieces. Scheduled to appear include Bill Bastian, Sara Thomsen, The Duluth East Women’s Select Choir, Kanteleen Soittaja, Sam Black, Ellie Schoenfeld and more.
All proceeds to benefit the Damiano Center.
Your AM snowstorm road report
I just drove from the West End to the East Hillside. Here’s what I observed/experienced:
- Visibility is very poor. This has improved quite a bit since I first set out, since the sun has come up. Mainly your enemies today are wind and blowing snow.
- I-35 is quite clear, but slow going. I had to completely stop twice. I think the top speed was about 45, though it might have reached 50 for a moment.
- Mesaba is a traffic jam. No surprise.
- Second Street has a lot of snow on it. Also people are having difficulty finding their lane. There are three lanes on Second Street, and even in the best conditions it is wise to choose one. Thankfully, no one is doing that thing where you blow through the lights just as they change green. That would be stupid on a day like today.
- Fourth Street is worse than Second Street.
- The avenues are slippery and difficult to negotiate. As you’re spinning your wheels up them or sliding down them sideways, please take a moment to realize that this is why your house with an incredible view is affordable.
- No matter how bad it gets, there’s always someone who is in a big effing hurry and thinks that tailgating will help. You will encounter that person today. Please try not to be that person today.
Please post your experiences and the road conditions for your part of the region in the comments. If you are somewhere that’s warm and doesn’t get snow, and feel the need to point that out in the comments, please realize that the rest of us are rolling our eyes and making the “jerk-off” gesture with our dominant hands
No-Bull Prize and anti-war march Thursday 12/10
A coalition of student activists from LSC, UMD and CSS have called for an anti-war protest in Duluth on Thursday, the day President Obama is scheduled to receive his Nobel Peace Prize. “You’ve got your prize, now earn it!” is the theme… they’ll be calling out the new Nobel Laureate on escalating the war in Afghanistan, as well as his recent decisions to launch more drone attacks inside Pakistan and station hundreds of US troops on the other side of the globe in Colombia.
No dreary speakers at this protest, just a little noise and fun street theater. Meet up at 4:30 PM at Lake and Superior in front of the Christmas… um, Holiday tree. Bring drums or buckets to bang on, and reflective clothes if you’ve got ’em for safety’s sake. And be ready to take it to the streets.
Biking the Bong Bridge
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehr9nNhv_yg
Ledges Section of Lakewalk
I just learned 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 Avenue East. The other signs are at the beginning of this section of the Lakewalk, at the end of 23rd. How about a sign that reads “Public Welcome”? (more…)
What’s wrong with this picture?
I took this picture at about noon yesterday … What’s wrong with this picture? I noticed about 5 things right away, maybe there are more.
Need Advice–Cleanest Fuel Oil Company
Anyone have experience with fuel oil companies in the Twin Ports? We’ve been using a company for the last several years, and when we had our chimney cleaned recently, the guy who did the cleaning pointed out there was a huge build-up of sulfuric acid in the pipe and even inside the furnace. He attributed this to the quality of the fuel oil we have been getting from the company we have been using (a company he says he has heard/noticed other such problems with).
So, my question–anyone have advice on a local company that delivers as clean a fuel oil product as possible?
Thanks
RIP Jack Rose
RIP Jack Rose
Jack Rose, guitarist extraordinaire, died yesterday of a heart attack. He was only 38. In September 2007, he played a rare show with Charlie Parr at Pizza Luce. Only a musician like Charlie could have gotten him to play a show like that. Besides his incredible talent, I will never forget how genuinely nice he was. His unexpected passing is our loss and the music community gains yet another deep hole. More info (as well as music/videos) is available at
Trailer for “The Main” – a documentary
Check out this short trailer for the upcoming documentary, The Main! It takes place in the Duluth/Superior area. The doc should be screened in Duluth in the spring.
Sticker? I hardly know her.
If you’d like a free Perfect Duluth Day sticker, there is a stack on the counter at the Electric Fetus store downtown. Grab one before they’re gone. Merry Christmas.
UPDATE: They’re gone. Read comments for details on alternate methods of getting a sticker.
Bridge Repair in Duluth: Must be some federal stimulous money involved
Since I wrote a post last summer about rickety old bridges, I thought it was only fair to note that some new boards showed up recently on this little creek overpass in West Duluth. I’m not sure if the city is responsible or some industrious snowmobiler took things upon himself. Either way, I appreciate it.
Trying to pay for my local paper
I called the Duluth News Tribune a couple of weeks ago to ask if I could give them some money. They said no.
Since then I’ve sent a couple of emails and made more phone calls. The poor folks in the circulation department think I’m a crank. I’m not. I just want to pay for the local news I consume.
I told them I don’t want a paper edition of the News Tribune any more. I told them I’m no longer willing to stuff pounds and pounds of newsprint and glossy ads into paper bags each week.
I don’t want you to bring the paper to my door, I told them, because I read the paper online now. I want to pay you for that, I said.
The Rez – Dec. 12 @ Twins Bar – Free
The Rez will be playing at the Twins Bar on Saturday, Dec. 12. If you haven’t heard us yet, surf on over to
https://www.archive.org/details/therez2009-11-21.flac16
And Click play to hear our latest show! We are funky, we are jammy, come check us out. You will Dance!
https://www.facebook.com/rezmusic
Light and Love and Healing to you all,
-Patrick Arden McNally
The Efficiency of the Rocket Launcher Team Was Very Impaired
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptc5RHbJRvs&feature=player_embedded