June 2015 - Perfect Duluth Day

A tale of three organic farms defying the odds, and one on the way

Jun 30, 2015 No Comments

I am enjoying a short stint as an author-in-residence at the Food Farm. What fascinates me most about my stay here is that there are several young couples in their 30s choosing organic farming as a legitimate career and lifestyle, though they endure long odds and poverty wages. Learn more about a cross-section of this remarkable community that provides the Duluth area with great food here. Today I was amazed during a short visit at Northern Harvest Farm, and also at Stone’s Throw Farm just across the street. The perseverance of these people is unbelievable. There are lessons here for all of us in choosing our lifestyle rather than letting one choose us.

Outdoors Agriculture / Farming, Northern Harvest Farm, Stone's Throw Farm

New coffee shop in Fitger’s complex

Jun 29, 2015 1 Comment

Cookie Temptations & Coffee House has done a soft open in the Fitger’s Complex. The sign indicates it will open on July 1, but customers were being served on Monday. The small coffee shop has no seating and is, more or less, situated in the hallway of the ground floor of the Fitger’s Brewery Complex.

Mountain Biking in Duluth When it’s Wet

Jun 29, 2015 14 Comments

Cyclists of the Gitchee Gumee Shores do a great job of keeping trail status up to date after a rainfall. I always abide by their recommendation to stay off trails when wet. Are there any trails that are rideable when wet or damp? Maybe some snowmobile trails or something similar?

Outdoors, Recommendations Queries

Lost cat in Miller Hill area

Jun 29, 2015 3 Comments

Cat lost early on the morning of June 28 in Duluth at Miller Creek Townhomes on Miller Creek Drive. Name: Snickers, female, spayed, 6 years old, large, fully clawed, no microchip or collar. Short hair, tortoiseshell. Escaped through caretaker’s screen door during pet sitting, so Snickers is unfamiliar with area. Mostly indoor cat, friendly.

Random Cats, Lost and Found

This Week: it’s PDD’s birthday and America’s, too

Jun 29, 2015 No Comments

Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:

Like birthday parties? Come to ours. Perfect Duluth Day turns 12, today. Free donuts, y’all!

Other stuff going on that may or may not include totally awesome free donuts: there’s a new Nerd Nite going down at Teatro Zuccone, the Tom Cruise classic Top Gun gets riffed in the Zinema by Renegade at the Movies, Southwire’s playing Glensheen, Tim and Eric company player David Liebe Hart brings his spacey puppetry and music to the Red Herring, there are Magic: the Gathering tourneys all over town, Hairball coughs up another performance, a 20-person Japanese delegation arrives to celebrate 25 years of sister-cityhood and the 4th of July is already here, which means Bayfront’s annual Fourth Fest is, too.

Events

Happy dozenth birthday to us

Jun 29, 2015 1 Comment

Perfect Duluth Day is twelve years old today – Monday, June 29, 2015. The official celebration is at the Red Herring Lounge tonight at 8 p.m. Because it’s our dozenth birthday, there will be complimentary doughnuts from A Dozen Excuses Donuts. Serving as video DJ will be Lake Superior Aquaman. And there will be prizes and merriment as usual.

PDDXII Facebook invite (consider yourself invited)

Thanks to all of you for helping to keep Perfect Duluth Day perfect!

News and Current Affairs, Photos PDD Shop Talk

Vietnamese Lotus Inn is back … as VN Coffeehouse

Jun 28, 2015 1 Comment

On Feb. 2, 2013, the Vietnamese Lotus Inn planned to close its doors for good. A little over two years later, owners Steve and Cuc Allen have reopened with a new name, VN Coffeehouse.

Kids Playing on Logs at the Beach

Jun 27, 2015 No Comments

Outdoors, Videos Lake Superior

Vote Chocolate Ants

Jun 27, 2015 4 Comments

Perhaps someone can explain.

Photos Queries, West Duluth

Lollygagger Pale Ale: Bent Paddle and Loll Designs collaborate on new beer to support local bikers

Jun 26, 2015 3 Comments

Loll Designs and Bent Paddle Brewing Company are teaming up to release Lollygagger Pale Ale in the coming weeks. It states on the can that 5 percent of sales will be donated to Cyclists of the Gitchee Gumee Shores, a group with the mission to improve cycling opportunities in the Twin Ports. The contribution will be split between Loll and Bent Paddle. The new can design was a collaboration between Bent Paddle owners and Loll graphic designers. Cheers to drinking beer for a great cause. The beer should hit liquor stores by mid July.

News and Current Affairs Beer and Breweries, Bent Paddle Brewing, Loll Designs

Selective Focus: Open Theme

Jun 26, 2015 1 Comment

Eric Dubnicka, “Slop Bucket”

Glad that I called a random theme because it let me catch up with recent doings I’ve missed. Emily finished a marathon, Ed had a great opening (and buffet), Zach made it to Grand Marais, Aaron’s son finished 1st grade, and Richard snuck in a ‘lifty.’ Follow the links for more happenings, like the progress of Annie’s root cellar, or Brian’s contributuions to “Made Here” in the cities (which could flourish in the Twin Ports too).

Art, Photos Selective Focus

Iron Pour Scratch Tiles at Park Point Art Fair

Jun 25, 2015 No Comments

On Saturday Common Language will be firing up the artisanal foundry at the 45th annual Park Point Art Fair. Watch the little furnace spit out 100 pounds of iron every 12 minutes or so, and make an iron tile to take home. Instruction and tools will be provided. 10 a.m. until they last. $20.

Events

Mystery Photos #22 – #32: UMD

Jun 25, 2015 No Comments

The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Alumni Association sent out an email featuring eleven old photos. The organization is collecting UMD memories for the upcoming Bridge magazine and is requesting help identifying memories and people from these heritage photographs.

History, Photos Mystery Photos, UMD