Month: August 2010
Am I alone?
I’ve heard a lot of folk rag on the sitcom Roseanne. I like the show. I say “Lie” to the haters.
“Habitat Here!” Festival is for the Birds …
… as well as birders and non-birders alike who enjoy Laura Erickson’s “Speaking For the Birds” program on KUMD (Laura will be speaking at the festival!). The event is an essential for gardeners or non-gardeners interested in native landscaping; and/or all your friends and neighbors!
*Wild Ones Arrowhead Chapter and Hartley Nature Center invite you to the second annual:
Habitat Here! Festival and Native Plant Sale
Sunday, Aug. 22, 10-3
Hartley Nature Center, 3001 Woodland Ave. Duluth, MN 55803
A free, open-house style festival to celebrate habitat and learn to create a haven for nature in your own yard; featuring:
- Garden Tours
- Speakers
- Native Plant Sale
- Expert Advice
- Kid’s Activities
I hate those family rental bikes
I was longboarding to work today on the Lakewalk, riding on the paved section like I should, and I ended up behind a family riding those huge rental bikes. I yelled, “On your left!” and then continued to repeat it. They apparently never heard it, or didn’t care. I had to squeeze past them, and they ended up running into the fence because they freaked out. Their little girl started crying and said she couldn’t breathe and had a panic attack. I stopped and checked if they were all right, and they were.
I don’t believe those things should be used on the boardwalk. Actually, I don’t think they should exist in Canal Park at all. They are big, people don’t know how to correctly use them, and they just get in the way of bike/board/walking commuters.
Sorry if someone reading this owns the stand that rents these, or if you love them so much that you are offended by this, but I still hate them.
Neighborgoods
[This video was removed from YouTube.]
Just stumbled across this. Thought some folks here might be interested in this too.
CASDA Walk/Run 2010
Saturday, Sept. 25 | Superior, Wis.
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Duluth Area Artists! Win $1000!
Somebody has to win this prize money – why not you?
Enter the Arrowhead Regional Biennial by this Friday:
2010 Arrowhead Regional Biennial Exhibition entry form
Call or email the Duluth Art Institute with questions: 733-7562 or adugan at duluthartinstitute dot org
Hey, wait, I wasn’t paying attention and now I’m upset and want everyone to go over the whole thing again from the beginning
So, remember a few weeks ago when I tried to spit out as much information as I could about the planned development in Riverside because apparently local news organizations didn’t think it was particularly controversial and had no interest in reporting on it until after the Duluth City Council voted? (more…)
Fishing for Fossils – Sneak Peek Exhibit!
Did you know prehistoric sharks once swam Northland waters and crocodiles roamed our region? These are just two surprising facts revealed in “Fishing for Fossils,” a special month-long exhibit opening Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Great Lakes Aquarium. It will run through Labor Day Weekend.
The exhibit features numerous fossils of ancient fish and creatures that once inhabited what is now the Great Lakes Basin. Some fossil artifacts are part of the Aquarium’s in-house collection, and others are on loan from outside sources, including Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet, Minn.
Hill Annex Mine State Park is rich with fossils, dating back to before the glaciers. The iron ore deposit that spans the Iron Range is the shoreline of a vast, ancient inland sea. It is riddled with fossil deposits from prehistoric times, including teeth from sharks and crocodiles, plus evidence of ancient invertebrates. Fossil finds in other areas covered by this ancient sea include the remains of plesiosaurs and other giant aquatic reptiles from the age of dinosaurs.
411 WI Point
So, I’m throwing a little shindig on Wisconsin Point Friday, Aug. 27. I have been hearing conflicting reports as to the current state of affairs regarding the 5-0 after dark on WI Point. Does anyone know what the setup is these days? I’ve heard they kick people out (a far cry from “you’re all of age, there’s no glass, you brought your own garbage bags – have a good night, folks!”); that they close the gates; and they have been known to tow cars. Anyone?
Whirligigs Preschool Program
Enroll your child in the exciting Whirligigs Preschool Program at Great Lakes Aquarium! Sponsored in part by the MinnAqua DNR Program, this is a 1.5 hour drop-off program for children ages 3-5. Topics and dates this fall are as follows:
Oct. 12/13: The True Colors of Trees
Oct. 19/20: Going Batty
Oct. 26/27: Jack-O-Lanterns Galore
Nov. 2/3: Weather Detectives
Nov. 9/10: Squirrelly Squirrels
Nov. 16/17: Tremendous Turkeys
Classes are filling up quickly! Contact Lindsay for registration information: lbrandt @ glaquarium.org or 218-740-2031.
Looking for experienced makeup and hair artists in Duluth
Photographer looking for talented people to do hair and makeup for fashion photo shoots. Some paid gigs, some just for experience and portfolio padding. Please contact dpi@duluthphotographyinstitute .com and I thank you very much!
Art in Bayfront Park, Aug. 21-22
In between Tribute Fest and the Orpheum Centennial at the NorShor Theatre is another big event this weekend, the Bayfront Park Art Fair.
Over 80 artists will display their gallery-quality art in Bayfront Park on Saturday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 22. Admission is free. Food vendors range from mini donuts, cotton candy and cheese curds to hot dogs, burgers and chicken fried rice.
It’s gonna be a perfect Duluth weekend. Click the links above for the details.
Duluth Turban Lady, 1997
In 1994 I worked for six months at the Holiday Stationstore at 3401 Grand Ave., next to Wheeler Fields. The store closed around 2003 and the building is empty now. As you can imagine, there were a number of characters that frequented the store. One of them we called Turban Lady. (more…)
Sinkholes come to Duluth
Maybe a month ago a hole appeared out of nowhere on the avenue in front of our house. Not a pothole mind you, more like a door leading to a banquet hall. I myself have examined it, as well as just about every curious soul in the neighborhood. I’ve even seen people throw their trash in it. At this point it’s roughly a foot in diameter, but opens up into quite a cavernous void directly below the asphalt. My wife can insert her leg up to her hip and fully extend it. (more…)
Duluth 12th Best City in U.S. to Find Jobs?
Dailybeast.com has posted it’s top 20 Best U.S. Cities to find a job (not necessarily a career) and our beloved Duluth ranks 12th and Rochester, MN is #1. Hailing from Rochester I could understand it being nemero uno, but stating that Duluth is 12th in the country is a little baffling. Is it that good here?
#12. Duluth, MN
Job Growth: 11.26 percent
Jobs Gained: 14,208
Manufacturing and mills are a major part of Duluth’s economy, and the city is a huge transportation hub for manufacturing materials. But health care and education are major employers, too.
I wonder what statistics the DailyBeast accessed to get Duluth placed right behind Boulder, CO and right in front of Brownsville, TX?
Kid’s Tye Dying in the Park
Using the fresh, cold water of Lake Superior we will twist and tie with dye a garment of your own or one of ours provided. You get $2 off if you bring you own item to dye.
*must call and register (218) 722-2919
Where: Meet at Pineapple Art Center
124 W. First St., Duluth
When: Sunday Aug. 15, 1:30-3pm
Cost: $10 or $8 w/own garment
Includes: Healthy Snack and a six-block walk
The Life and Brawls of Thomas Madden — former chief of West Duluth Police, saloon keeper and old fashioned thug
This post is a follow up to the post requesting information about Duluth’s old bowery district. The focus here is on Tom Madden, who managed to find himself in the news a lot. Set the Wayback Machine for 1891 and we’ll go in chronological order from there.
Dec. 13, 1891 | Duluth News Tribune
WILL IT BE MURDER?
——————————
Patrick Mulligan May Die From Injuries Received From Chief Madden.
Patrick Mulligan, who runs the “Little Diamond saloon on Central avenue, and who had his jaw broken a few days ago at the brickyard bagnio by a blow from ex Chief of Police Madden, was taken yesterday to St. Mary’s hospital, where he is now hovering between life and death. His jaw was set by Dr. Magie a day or two ago, but serious inflammation has set in, and the doctor said yesterday it would probably be necessary to put a silver tube in his throat to enable him to breathe. His case is a very serious one and the chances are even between life and death. (more…)
Bradfest Lineup!
Announcing some exciting last-minute additions to the festival: Retribution Gospel Choir & Crew Jones! Here is the line-up:
Friday 8/13:
6-Spindrift, 6:45-Zenith City Tribal, 7:15-Rosebud Social, 8:20-Acrylic, 9-Anna Ferguson, 9:30-The Acceleratii, 10:30-Zenith City Tribal, 11-Retribution Gospel Choir
Saturday 8/14
1-Crew Jones, 2:30-The Sessionists, 4:20-Red Label, 5:50-High Volt Rustler, 7-Burnsville City Limits, 8-Meat Raffle Road, 9-Expressive Machines (music robots!!!), 9:30-Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, 10:30-Ziola, 11-Arcwelder.
Hope to see you there!
bradfest.org
Lightning?
3:31 am — Single flash of light and a long rolling thunder… or was it the ship coming to a stop? Keep your eye out for cover-ups.
Anyway, it just seemed strange without any other lightning that I can tell.
Nevermind, there’s the second one, and I saw it too. That’s some huge creepy lightning I tell ya. Hope Lakeside is still there in the morning. Or do I? Yeah I guess I know some people out there.
Good story.
-A
Warmer in the Lake?
After 42 summers of swimming in “the big lake they call Gitchee Gummi” I’ve got to say that this afternoon I experienced what has got to be the warmest temperatures I can remember. I don’t know if this has been covered in the local press, as I don’t read the DNT anymore. I’m wondering if anyone has any specific data and/or similar perceptions.
From Age to Age, a Minnesota professional Choir on MPR classical today!
Around 3:15 pm today, MPR Classical Radio will broadcast songs performed by From Age to Age Choir. Steve Staruch will play two selections that will be included on the upcoming CD: “Hic Est Martinus” by Eric William Barnum and “Bogoroditse Devo, Radiusya” by Sergey Khvoshchinsky.
From Age to Age, directed by Andrew Miller, is a 16-voice professional choral ensemble comprised of singers from across Minnesota and beyond. The ensemble performs a cappella choral music representing many eras and styles. It features tight harmonies, warm sound, and a careful blend of voices.
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Road trip suggestions
Everyone on PDD seems to give great suggestions/ideas, so what are the best “little” towns to visit in either Minnesota or Wisconsin? A few friends and I are planning a road trip, but are completely okay with not hitting up the Twin Cities and Madison/Milwaukee. Love big cities, but we’ve been to them so much that we’d prefer something different. Any cool roadside attractions?