March 2010 Posts

Lost Dog?

Anyone out there missing a dog tonight? There’s a sweet pit bull or boxer (it’s dark) brindle colored, limping around by my garage, but every time I approach her she runs off. The pup is limping pretty hard and is likely scared. I’m on Chester Parkway down from Skyline on the west side of the creek. 310-6541.

Brrrr-B-Queer – “Cruise Into Spring”

Duluth Superior Pride

Duluth Superior GLBTQAI Pride is having its First Annual Brrr-B-Queer this Saturday evening (March 27, 2010) at the Board of Trade Building. We will be partying in the spirit of the the infamous summer Bar-B-Queer and raising money for the Duluth Superior Pride Festival. Break out your cruise-wear, wear white before Memorial Day, feel the linen on your thighs …

Doors open at 7pm. There will be food, open bar and entertainment sure to please even the fussiest of allies. We will be dancing and shmoozing all night long!

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at A Touch of Plasch, the Main Club or the Flame Nightclub. We anticipate a sell-out – so giddy-up!

Nerd Nite 1.2 – The Ultimate Doctor Who Showdown – Round 2

I’m on a mission to competitively assess the best Doctor ever, March Madness style!

While I tabulate the results from Round 1, here is Round 2. Send your votes to [email protected] and feel free to make your case in the comments below.

Round 2
Bracket # 3Patrick Troughton vs. Jon Pertwee
Bracket # 6William Hartnell vs. Peter Davison

More about Google, SXSW and Homegrown

Here is a photo from Google’s SXSW Bash and here is a note from Austin Techie Friend:

If you agree that Austin would be a great city for Google to build a high-speed data network go to http://www.biggigaustin.org/ for an opportunity for you to tell them. Click on the “nominate Austin” link in the lower left corner.

Click here to see what ideas have been posted.

Donna

Google SXSW

We have things to learn from Austin — even if they “suck.” Homegrown is a great thing. Let’s put our brains to work here instead of our emotions.

Local Food–What is it? What’s it Worth?

The Anthropology Senior Seminar course I am teaching at UMD is focusing on local food and sustainability. A few weeks ago we had a class meal prepared by students with local ingredients. We had a lively debate about what qualifies as local and why it is important to eat locally.

Definitions of local vary–Whole Foods Co-op uses 300-miles as a benchmark. Some of the Twin Cities coops allow anything that comes from a five state area (Minnesota and the states that touch it) to count as local. Other local grocery stores are using the term, too, though I’m not sure what criteria they are using. Other definitions are more restrictive.

What about a PDD definition? What counts as local food?

Local food usually means small to mid-scale production, requiring more human labor, but less fossil fuel–that means more jobs, but also potentially higher costs. How willing are you to spend a little extra money for locally produced foods? How much extra?

I’m going to have more questions about these topics as I’m currently involved in several research projects along these lines, but that’s enough for now.

iPhone owners rejoice!

This may be old news but I noticed yesterday as I was rolling down Tower Ave in Superior that my iPhone was showing a 3G connection, I thought it was for fake but it was for real!

Google Fest

Help support the effort to bring fiber to the Twin Ports. 2 – 4 at the DECC. Mention that you are going to Google Fest and get free parking. Music, face painting and a chance to see the making of the Hollywood production. I’m not really sure what all is going on, but it sounds interesting.

Homegrown Hate

This is where I will take my frustration out against the Duluth Homegrown Festival Committee. It seems that my musical endeavors are not ready to be displayed amongst the Duluth scene.

Now I’m not trying to sound pompous, but there are plenty of musical acts in Duluth, that probably shouldn’t have been accepted. Mark Gartman for one is a talented musician, but I’m sure that at least one of his 9 bands could have been taken off the roster. Not saying that I would have been a good replacement, but COME ON!

Isn’t this festival about showcasing new music in the Duluth scene? I have never played a show in Duluth (and maybe that was what hurt me) but now would have been the time.

This city has great potential for new artists, but none of the venues want to lay their money on the table for a chance. I’m sorry I didn’t enlist a washboard player into my music. Really, I am, because if I had, you might have been able to see me play at Luce or the Red Star.

Shoot, I would have been somewhat pleased if they had stuck me in Soup Town. But nope, I’m not even worth that to them.

Anyways, I’m done (for now) with committee hate. Maybe next year I’ll have more rage when they once again reject me from their Homegrown Happen’n List.

-D A N E C D O T E

Nerd Nite 1.2 – The Ultimate Doctor Who Showdown – Round 1

Ten go in! One comes out!

For Nerd Nite 1.2 I am going to settle once and for all who the best Doctor is, at least until Matt Smith becomes the Doctor starting April 4. In the spirit of March Madness I have constructed a bracket and have seeded the Doctors based on how many stories aired in their reign.

Did you see TBT on the PlayList on PBS?

Karen Sunderman has a new show on PBS named The PlayList that debuted last night featuring Trampled by Turtles.  Here is a link to an interview and more information.

They have many more shows coming up with bands like Cars & Trucks and other local artists appearing on the premiere episode on April 1 @ 9PM.  That is also when it begins its regular run, but last night was a preview of what is ahead. It is really great that we now have a television program covering the arts of the Northland. If you have a story idea, want to learn more or are an artist contact them through their site at www.theplaylistonline.org.

Mr. Nice in: Death From Above

Featuring the Keep Aways.

This is the maiden voyage of the Gonzo Science youtube channel, the Gonzonomicron.

Bryon Fucking Maiden

Metal lives on Friday, March 19 at Pizza Luce in Duluth for the Ides of March.  Duluth’s own Bryon Maiden hit’s the stage midnight or so.

Come see: Cory “Hotrod” Ahlm as Paul Di’anno/Bruce Dickinson
Brett “Moleman” Molitor as Dave Murray
Allen “Alien” Cragin as Adrian Smith
Bryon “Gaynor” Maiden as Steve Harris
Mat “Internet Predator” Milinkovich as Nicko Mcbrain.

Be there NERDS!

Alex Chilton 1950-2010

Alex Chilton of Big Star and the Box Tops died last night of heart complications at the age of 59. Here’s a eulogy from Rep. Steve Cohen (D) Tennessee, which he gave today before congress.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton
When he comes ’round
They sing, “I’m in love. What’s that song?
I’m in love with that song.”
— The Replacements

WANTED: Talented Twin Ports Performers

Pineapple Art and Supply Center

A group of local artists opened Pineapple Art and Supply Center last month. They bought the inventory from Bohemia Arts, which is out of business.

The new store is at 124 W. First St. in Downtown Duluth. The grand opening is Saturday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!