Month: December 2018
Postcards from Duluth’s Radisson Hotel
When the Radisson Hotel was built at 505 W. Superior St. in 1970, it was Duluth’s first new hotel in 43 years. It would be difficult to count the number that were built in the next 43 years, but not impossible. Go ahead and try. (more…)
Owls Club Big Band – “Carol of the Bells”
Certainly you’ve heard this tune based on a Ukranian folk song. This year we’re introducing a new Duluthian folk tale to go along with it. The music was performed at the Owls Club by the Owls Club Big Band; recorded and mixed by Darin Bergsven.
Reminder: Band registration for Homegrown is now open; the 21st annual festival will happen April 28 to May 5. Homegrown music mixes are available all year long through Bandcamp at duluthhomegrown.bandcamp.com.
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Cake Bandit: Duluth’s Vegan Bakery
Melissa Story – Photo by Lissa Maki
Some Twin Ports residents might be surprised to discover Duluth is home to a vegan microbakery. Cake Bandit has been serving up tasty alternatives to traditional baked goods since 2016. (more…)
When did they put the lid on Enger Tower?
A 1954 film recently posted on Perfect Duluth Day led Lars Waldner to wonder about the roof that’s been on top of Enger Tower for decades, but isn’t there in the movie.
“I didn’t realize Enger Tower used to have an open top on it,” he wrote on Facebook. “Anyone know when that changed?” (more…)
Duluth Trunk Factory
I recently came across this footlocker-style trunk and inside it had a sticker from the Duluth Trunk Factory. I’m wondering if anyone knows the history of this particular company. (more…)
“Anyone’s life is smooth from far away. Anyone’s life close up is cracked.”
Julie Gard’s new poetry is awesome.
“This piece consists of 51 texts I sent to myself first thing in the morning during the 2016 presidential election season. Hopefully some of them will speak to you,” says Gard, describing her work in Superstition Review.
Ripped at the Blue Crab Bar in 2008
[Editor’s note: For this week’s essay we’ve once again pulled out a relic from the archive of Slim Goodbuzz, who served as Duluth’s “booze connoisseur” from 1999 to 2009. Before OMC Smokehouse took over the building at 1909 W. Superior St., it was home to the Blue Crab Bar, which closed due to foreclosure in 2009. But in 2008 the ol’ Sultan of Sot visited the Blue Crab and published this report for Duluth’s weekly Transistor.]
There are two ways to get on my list of favorite bars: 1) Cater to a bunch of weirdo regulars who are constantly shitfaced and causing a scene, or 2) Sell 34-ounce beers for $3.50 or less. You’d think the latter would automatically produce the former, but for some reason the freak vibe has failed to catch on at the Blue Crab Bar, in spite of the cheap swill. Still, it’s one of my favorite places, and there are rare moments of crazy if you are patient enough to wait for them.
Tonight, as usual, about eight people are spread out in the room. They are mostly keeping to themselves, either staring at the TV or engaging in soft chatter. The bartender disappears on a smoke break for about 10 minutes of every hour. (more…)