Month: March 2011
Saturday at R.T. Quinlan’s
Three Bands / $4 / 10PM / RTQ’s
Fontanelles
Three Song Sunday
Pictures of Then (MPLS)
Hope to see you! Pictures of Then is fresh of (on?) tour and back from Austin. Real nice guys, real great music – if you’re fans of Dr. Dog, ELO or Modest Mouse I’m sure you’ll enjoy their pop psych rawk!
An Evening of Art: Furniture Music
I posted about a week ago about the exhibition titled Furniture Music which will be held at the Old European Bakery in Duluth, and I just wanted to write an update.
The event will be held on Friday, March 25, from 7 to 10pm, during which there will be free food, beer and best of all … art!
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Completely hypothetical question about drinking on the beach
July 4th weekend, two couples are sitting at the beach around mid afternoon watching their kids play in the sand. They are at the “s” curve beach at Park Point, approx 100 yards to the right of the sidewalk. They are talking quietly, drinking a few beers from cans. Each open beer is wrapped in a can “coolie” or whatever you call them. Each beer can is immediately put back in the small cooler when emptied.
What are the chances that a community officer (or whoever patrols the beaches) will come up and hassle them?
4th Street Arts
Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth is beginning an arts-based revitalization along East 4th Street. The first step in this exciting process is by adding new artist-designed banners along the corridor and replacing the existing banners. NHS will be paying a commission to the selected artist(s) as well as the fabrication of the winning design. Visit the news tab on nhsduluth.org or click here. Any additional questions, contact Dan Ollhoff with NHS at (218) 727-8604 ext. 207 or email him at dollhoff @ nhsduluth.org.
What’s Obamacare? It sounds icky.
Another from our Rep.’s crack staff:
Cravaack Statement on Anniversary of Obamacare
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Congressman Chip Cravaack (MN-8) released the following statement on the one year anniversary of Obamacare being signed into law:
“Today marks the one year anniversary of Obamacare being signed into law. Obamacare puts government between doctors and patients; is harmful to our job creating entrepreneurs and small business owners; and has been ruled unconstitutional in federal court. Despite broad opposition from the American people, the Obama Administration and their allies on Capitol Hill used every procedural trick in the book to ram through their nearly 3,000 page partisan health care takeover.
“Since then, report after report has shown Obamacare will cost significantly more than we were told, kill jobs, raise taxes, expand government control, and increase the cost of health care for northeast Minnesotans. In response, my colleagues and I in the House passed a simple, two-page bill to repeal this legislation and begin the process of replacing it with true reforms that will expand coverage while at the same time cutting costs to consumers. I will continue to fight against the folly of Obamacare and for common sense solutions to issues within our health care system.”
First meeting of Duluth Photoshop Experts
No, you do not have to be an expert! Come on down to the DPI, bring your laptop with Photoshop (if you have one) and join in the discussion! Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30pm. 405 E Superior St. For more info, go to duluthphotographyinstitute.com or call 218.393.2468
Faculty Artist Recital: “Music Around the World” Betsy Husby, cello & Alexander Chernyshev, piano
Weber Music Hall – University of Minnesota Duluth March 27, 3 p.m.
Works by Barber, Hindemith, Dvorak, Piazzolla, Neyoshi and Menotti.
Adult $10 – Senior $8 – Student FREE
Question? Call 218-726-8877
Travis Melin Exhibit Closing Reception

Friday, 5-8pm at the DPI — 405 E. Superior St. Free!
Baby, it’s cold outside …

But it will be hot in here!
If you have ever attended one of Harvey Plasch’s BarBQueer events you can imagine how much fun this will be! Dinner and an aerialist performance followed by DJ extraordinare David Vipond (you may remember him as judge’s choice from this year’s Minnesota Ballet Celebrity Dance Challenge) and dancing! (more…)
Ice volcanoes, if you dare!
The ice volcanoes of Park Point are spouting off big-time right now. Grab your ski goggles, your rain pants and your windbreaker and head on down.
Guest Artist Concert: Libby Larsen
Thursday, March 24, 7:30 pm
Weber Music Hall
Recently awarded the Peabody Institute’s George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music in America, Larsen is one of America’s most performed living composers. This chamber music concert features fresh and lively favorites and a premiere of her newly commissioned work for piano four-hands.
Please join us for a Meet the Composer reception following the concert. While in residency at UMD, Ms. Larsen will present the following FREE events: a noon lecture and masterclass from 2-4:30 on March 24; and on March 25 a Forum from 10-noon and a youth workshop from 1-3:30.
Adult $10 – Senior $8 – Student FREE
Questions? call 726-8877
Wildwoods Rehabilitation
Drum roll!!! Trumpets!!! Wildwoods Rehabilitation is now an official nonprofit organization!!! (Applause!)
About Wildwoods
Wildwoods, a Minnesota nonprofit, is a group of wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers in Duluth. We work to help injured and orphaned animals return to their natural lives. Though we are currently based out of the homes of our individual wildlife rehabilitators, we plan to open a free-standing center in the Duluth area in the next 6-12 months.
We invite you to browse the pictures and stories of the wild animals on YouTube on pffarr’s channel. We are very fortunate to live in such a wild, wonderful corner of the world. Enjoy!
Email
* duluthrehabber @ yahoo.com
Facebook
* https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001386579814
Soils and Spring planting prep!
If you’ve ever wondered “what do I need to do before I plant wildflowers to make sure they will thrive? do I leave the sod/existing vegetation in place or remove it? what if I have sandy soils? what if I have clay?” then this program is for you. It’s free and opne to the public.
What: “Soils for Wild Flower Gardens: Laying a Solid Foundation”
When: Wednesday, March 23, beginning at 7 PM.
Wild Ones members and other interested persons are invited to come at 6:15 for a short, informal meeting regarding upcoming projects and events our Wild Ones chapter is undertaking to share examples and info re: native plants
Where: Hartley Nature Center, Duluth MN
Who: John Pastor, UMD Professor, Dept. of Biology, co-owner and maintainer of a yard that is nearly 100% native and/or edible, and long-time member of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
Peter Wolf Crier @ UMD 3.23

Minneapolis power duo Peter Wolf Crier is set to take the stage at the UMD Kirby Rafters Wednesday night. Local pontoon rockers Dirty Horse will open the show. Music starts at 9 p.m. $5 for non-students.
Pawlenty’s latest commercial not quite as funny as previous ones; still good for laughs
[This post originally contained a video embed that has since been removed from YouTube.]
This time it isn’t a book trailer; he’s announcing that he’s exploring a bid for the presidency.
“The Great Hurt” at FdLTCC this Friday
A Readers Theatre presenting historical accounts of American Indian boarding schools.
Scripted and directed by Carl Gawboy. Sponsored by the College of St. Scholastica, Department of Social Work and FdLTCC Anishinaabe Student Congress.
Friday, March 25, 7pm
Auditorium at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
Readers Theatre has become an important medium for delivering historical facts associated with colonization. Through dramatic readings of actual narrative from historical materials the people and social systems that formed, carried out, fought against, and fell victim to forces of structural oppression are brought to life. In “The Great Hurt” the focus is on the boarding school period affecting American Indians. Discussion following the performance will focus what is helpful and/or needed on the journey of healing.
Event is free and open to the public. For information contact 218-723-5981
Cravaack announces new staffer to lead district offices
From the Rep’s D.C. office:
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Congressman Chip Cravaack (MN-8) announced the hiring of Sheldon Anderson as his new District Director. The District Director position manages all staff and activities in the Congressman’s district offices.
“Sheldon Anderson is a great addition to my staff and I am pleased he’ll be assisting me as I strive to provide excellent constituent services to the people of the Eighth District,” said Cravaack. “Sheldon knows northeastern Minnesota well. His father worked as a pipe-fitter in mines on the Iron Range, and he has served as Mayor of Wyoming and as a private sector appointee to Governor Pawlenty’s ‘Corrections Strategic Management Operations Advisory Task Force.’ Sheldon has also been a small business owner for the past 20 years so he understands how important they are to the economic health of Minnesota.”
Currently, Mr. Anderson is President of Capital Investigations, a company that provides security and investigative services. He will be based out of Congressman Cravaack’s North Branch office, serving as the Congressman’s chief representative in the Eighth District.
Explore the Choral Music of J. S. Bach
A bass in the Pacific Lutheran University Choral Union will speak on “The Choral Music of J. S. Bach: Repeat, Recycle, Revive!” on Monday, March 28. Pre-registration is required.
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Duluth Pothole Patrol
Driving around this weekend I noticed more potholes than usual. What are the worst streets in town so I can avoid them to save on my shocks?
Thoughts on Duluth’s job market?
I’m seriously considering relocating myself and my family to Duluth. It’s easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. After a great deal of thought and reseach I really do believe we’d be happy there. I read through a blog on PDD about why people like living in Duluth and I think I smiled like an idiot the whole time!
My last major concern at this point is the job market. I’m alarmed that I can’t find jobs listed in your newpaper. Only links to jobsHQ or other job seach engines. We are coming from an area that doesn’t have a great job market so my standards are probally pretty low but we can’t live somewhere where there’s nothing!
I am a licensed practical nurse and it has never dawned on me that I’d have trouble anywhere. There always seems to be jobs for me. My husband, however, has no degree and has always worked in industrial/warehouse/forktruck kind of places (think John Deere). He recenty lost his job and there is really no reason to stay where we are.
Any thoughts on the current job market? Thanks for your time.
Ladies’ Night at the Duluth Puttin’ Hut
Duluth gets a shout out of sorts in this PlayStation ad featuring Joe Mauer. I thought Kevin Butler said “Duluth Mutton Hut” at first, which sounded appealing, but I’m pretty sure it’s puttin’.
I don’t think there is a puttin’ hut either, sadly.
Tower/Soudan mine appears to be on fire
The retired mine and active tourist site & research lab at the Tower/Soudan mine appears to be on fire, about a half mile beneath the surface.
Minnesota Brown collects the story.
The DNR has a release here:
“Fire underway in mine shaft at Soudan Underground Mine State Park (Released March 18, 2011)
“Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center (MIFC) are responding to a fire that has been detected inside the mine shaft at Soudan Underground Mine State Park near Tower, Minn. There have been no injuries or loss of life due to the fire. It does not pose a risk to nearby communities or the environment.
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Kozy Fire: part deux…
REBUILDING IS FUTILE!!!


