July 2015 Posts

Internet Service Providers in Duluth

It seems like it’s been a while, so I’m going to hit it again. The Boy has moved to Duluth for college, and we’re looking to set him up with internet.

What is good and cheap in these days of streaming?

Selective Focus: Silence

Bente Soderlind

Bente Soderlind, untitled

As a Catholic in exile, I am grateful to have found  a far less-dogmatic refuge in Quaker meetings, where silence is a central tenet. These suited the syncretic nature of my beliefs, and afforded somewhere to weekly “center;” to hear that inner voice, or to just mutely chant the Meow Mix jingle (“I want tuna, I want chicken, Meow Mix flavors keep me lickin…”). But as is evident this week, there are many ways to calm the din, and places to find quiet.

Gauging interest in a community clay studio in the Duluth area

Duluth needs a community ceramics studio, and we need your input to start making this happen. You can help by filling out this seven-question survey. It will take less than three minutes and will provide invaluable information to get our pelotes rolling. We know nobody gets that reference but it stays. You can totally look it up.

We encourage you to complete the survey regardless of your interest in ceramics. Thanks much!

Agassiz Oscillation Ensemble – Workplace Democracy

Agassiz Oscillation Ensemble - Workplace Democracy

Workplace Democracy, the debut album by Duluth’s own Agassiz Oscillation Ensemble, is now available for pre-order from Chicago label 1980 Records.

Future of the old Northwestern Bell building

Does anyone know who owns or what the plans are for the old Northwestern Bell building at 1804 E. First St.? I saw some scrappers loading out the junk that’s ended up in there over the years. They were the only ones on property but seemed pretty leisurely, like they belonged. Just curious if something is finally happening with it. I’ve dreamt of owning that building for years.

I believe it’s zoned residential and is going to stay that way, so hopefully the owner develops it into some beautiful high-ceilinged studios and doesn’t tear it down.

What is the best place for outdoor concerts in the Duluth area?

It’s been a while since we’ve done a poll on PDD, and this post leads us into the next one. Before we publish a ballot on Saturday, we have to ask the question and make sure we aren’t missing any good nominees.

What is the best place for outdoor concerts in the Duluth area?

Barker’s Island Pavilion
Bayfront Festival Park
Big Top Chautauqua
Billings Park
Chester Bowl
Glensheen Mansion Pier
Lake Place Park
Leif Erikson Park
Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center

Anything else that should be on the ballot?

Exploring Ruins of Column at Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum

Ruins of the column that collapsed this winter at “Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum” off the Duluth Lakewalk. Water is really murky as its proximity to the shipping lanes stirs up a lot of silt this time of year. I intend to keep trying to get clearer shots but this is all I could manage during this initial foray. Water depth: 9 feet. Basically what you’re seeing here is a base of concrete sprouting metal bars and telephone-pole-like wooden posts that in some cases are splintered or splayed. The tops of some posts were sheared off and smoothed by ice sheet movement and lie just below the surface. The concrete top of the column lies on its side at the bottom, along with eroded steel jacketing that sheathed the base.

I was very cautious during these dives as the danger of getting snagged or nicked in the gloom was fearful to contemplate. I heard nearby swimmers claim a member of their party had scraped himself on the posts while swimming. Not to be a bringdown but this area has to be considered a hazard to swimmers and boaters alike. It is also the most interesting thing to look at in Lake Superior right now.

This Week: festivals aplenty and more

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

It’s a big week for art in the Northland, with the Plein Air Art Festival getting underway. Also taking place: an ARAC grant-writing workshop, a night of board games for grownups at Studio 15, the 48th annual Tour of Homes, the activity-packed Hermantown Summerfest and the Fractals play Fairlawn Mansion.

There’s a community bike ride on Wednesday, Guys & Dolls opens at the Duluth Playhouse, the Northern Hammer Fest swings into action in Lake Nebagamon (a heavy-metal town if there ever was one), there’s party-polka in Superior, Titanic: the Musical is, uh, going down at Fitger’s, the Bayfront Reggae Festival is happening on Saturday and Shannan Paul is bringing the funny to Dubh Linn.

Sarah Morris – “You Still Have Me”

Minneapolis’ Sarah Morris shares the bill with Duluth’s Rachael Kilgour at the Red Star Lounge on Friday, July 17, 10 p.m.

Antique-buyer Recommendation

I recently came into possession of some old items from my childhood, including about six or seven porcelain dolls that are in good condition. They’re somewhat sentimental, and I can’t force myself to simply drop them off at a Goodwill or Savers. Does anyone know of an antique shop or other business in the Duluth/Superior area that might be interested in purchasing them?

Selective Focus: Music

Aaron Reichow

Aaron Reichow, untitled

Many very good submissions this week, and I’m especially happy with all the unusual vantages points:  Brian’s empathetic portrait, or that lovely flower in Gaelynn’s hair.  I was also moved by the shots of crowds, after all music is as much about how it is received as it is about how it is made.

What’s being built beside Mike’s Western Cafe?

I’m hoping that the construction site near 28th Avenue West and Superior Street, right beside Mike’s Western Cafe, isn’t for another gas station but I’m ready to be let down. Does anyone know for sure?

Don’t worry, the sandstone will be back

Ye Olde Central High School

Lest anyone driving by the Central Administration Building, aka Old Central High School, fear the cool sandstone wall is being replaced with ugly concrete blocks, let it be noted that the 120-year-old brownstone blocks are being restored and will return.

sandstone

Found Lake Paraphernalia

I was freediving Duluth’s amazing rock beach one afternoon, and started finding pot-smoking paraphernalia in a few feet of water just off shore. I realized I was reassembling some poor stoner’s fully stocked stash tray which he/she must have set too close to the waves. Within a relatively small radius I found pieces of two glass pipes (one largely intact), pokie tool, rolling tray, grinder, cigarette roller, and a broken glass jar. Archeological evidence of a beach culture of leisure.

Three Tunes for Five String Banjo by Kyle Ollah

Kyle Ollah plays at 10 p.m. every Wednesday night at Fitger’s Brewhouse.

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