January 2013 Posts

New to Duluth

My family (hubby, myself, and two 3-year-olds) are relocating to Duluth this summer from Madison, Wisconsin. We want to rent a 3- or 4-bedroom family home with a backyard for the little ones, a garage, and laundry. Any ideas/suggestions/tips for a newbie would be welcome. What are your favorite neighborhoods or areas in town? What is the best way to find a place?

Don Ness Gregnam Style

This was part of Rubber Chicken Theater‘s holiday sketch comedy revue A Flood of Christmas Cheer, which was performed in December. The sketch parodied the “Gangnam Style” Korean pop song and viral music video that has inspired uncountable memes. The premise of the Rubber Chicken bit was that cast member Greg J. Anderson’s new dance was sweeping the Twin Ports and this video was his proof. Even Duluth Mayor Don Ness was doing it!

This week: arty art art, little green army guys, cybermen and puttin’ on the ritz

  

Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.

There are several art exhibition openings this week:

and there are all the ice sculptures on exhibit (while weather permits) outside Little Angie’s in Canal Park.

Eight week skating classes for beginners start up at the Mars Lakeview Arena with Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday class options.

The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza runs Thursday through Saturday at the Teatro Zuccone. I’m not sure what that is, but it involves dance, little green army men, and Nerf guns, so why not?

Mark Russell brings his musical take on political humor to UMD on Friday.

Young Frankenstein gets the Rubber Chicken treatment in a live reading of the script at Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theater on Saturday.

And if you were at last night’s Doctor Who 101 premier you know to get to the Zinema 2 early for this Sunday’s screening of Tomb of the Cybermen featuring the Second Doctor, Patrick Troughton.

So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!

Houses on Wisconsin Point?

I had forgotten about the fenced-off houses at the end of Wisconsin Point for a few years, until seeing them again a couple days ago. I always figured they were somehow affiliated with the lighthouse … does anyone have any other information/stories about them?

80 Nerds in the Dark

I admit — I entered the Zinema’s “Doctor Who 101” with some trepidation. The organizer is the sharp, innovative Tony M., the real engine behind the Zinema for some time. (I know there was another architect, but frankly, some architects are engineers, while Tony is an artist, breathing life).

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. of Duluth

I noticed banners on the side of a building off of West Michigan Street proclaiming Bent Paddle Brewing Co. taproom and brewery to open soon. Does anybody know more about it?

World Book Night is April 23

The second annual U.S./World Book Night is taking place on, appropriately enough, William Shakespeare’s birthday. On World Book Night, volunteers across the country give out free copies of a book they’ve selected from a list to complete strangers. It’s all part of an effort to promote literacy and book lust.

I participated in WBN last year, and gave away free copies of A Reliable Wife (set in northern Wisconsin) by Robert Goolrick to strangers imbibing at Thirsty Pagan Brewing and at the Anchor Bar. It was a lot of fun, and I urge anyone who loves books and loves to talk about books to apply.

The books are supplied by the participating publishers and if you are selected as a book giver, the books will be shipped to a local pick-up point for you to pick up that day. Each giver gets 20 books. Last year’s local pick-up point was Fitger’s Bookstore.

The list of books for this year’s World Book Night is on worldbooknight.org, as is the application form. The deadline to apply to be a book giver is Jan. 23. UPDATE: The deadline to apply to be a book giver is January 25, 2013.

I’m giving away copies of Population:485 by Michael Perry this year, and intend to, once again, hit bars in Supetown to give away Perry’s memoir about living and working in a small Wisconsin town.

Takk for Maten closing

From the Takk for Maten Cafe Facebook page:

It is with great disappointment that I am closing Takk for Maten Cafe. It has been 4 1/2 years since I opened the cafe in the Sons of Norway building and 3 1/2 years since we opened in the Tech Village. The exact date has yet to be determined, but I should know within a day or two.

Many friends have walked through our doors and we leave with so many wonderful memories. We will truly miss all of you. Thank you for your kindness, support and patronage. If we don’t see you again before we close, we hope our paths will cross again soon. If you have any questions or comments, please send us a message.

Klem, Sandy, Bente and all the Trolls ♥

Retribution B Side

Here’s a track from, or a side of, the upcoming Retribution Gospel Choir record, titled 3. It’s a “two-song full-length” album scheduled for release by Chaperone Records on Jan. 22. The songs were tracked live in one take, with the band playing together in the same room, and featuring guest guitarist Nels Cline of Wilco.

Retribution Gospel Choir is playing the Red Star Lounge every Tuesday night this month and also will play Tycoons on Jan. 31.

“Emeriti” or “’emeritus,'” not “emeritus”

from today’s DNT:

“Other retired UMD faculty members have been identified as emeritus when writing opinion pieces in the pages of the News Tribune. . .”

“emeriti” = referring to the people in question

“’emeritus'” = implying a quote from the opinion pieces in question

“emeritus” = cognitive dissonance

Can’t see it any other way. Sticks in my craw.

Low Deconstructed

Duluth band Low is featured in the lead article at stereogum.com.

Deconstructing: Yo La Tengo, Low and the Creative Potential of Domestic Bliss

New Year’s Eve Concert

Did anyone catch the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra concert at Amsoil Arena on New Year’s Eve? What did you think?

The Lowertown Line – Trampled by Turtles, hosted by Dessa

Perfect Duluth Day was invited to shoot photos for the pilot of the MN Original program The Lowertown Line at Twins Cities Public Television. The Lowertown Line is a music special hosted by hip-hop artist Dessa and featuring bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles and their special guest, fellow Duluth native Alan Sparhawk of Low. The Lowertown Line’s five-song set and insightful conversation was recorded with a live studio audience.

Exclusive Buyer’s Agent?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a buyer’s agent in Duluth who works exclusively with buyers (i.e. does not represent sellers)?

Viking Dishwasher

Is there any value in a 2010 Viking Professional Series Dishwasher that has never really worked the way it is suppose to? Are there any vendors that take this stuff on trade? Should I part it out on eBay? I traded my neighbor for it [his wife didn’t like it – there is no drying element] and the drain pump went out this weekend. I don’t want to put any money into it [it’s the worst dishwasher we’ve every had]; but it feels like there needs to be some value in it. I guess the damn thing was over 1K when they bought it and I’ve got sausage in my freezer that’s older than this thing. Perhaps I should set it out on Island Lake and sell chances at guessing when it falls through in the spring? Winner gets 1/2 the pot? [actual fundraiser by the Lion’s Club in my hometown, except it was a car on the Mississippi]. Will entertain interesting offers.

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