David Beard
Lake Superior Writers 2020 writing contest winners announced
Poetry
Winner: Jess Koski, “Did Geronimo Send Postcards from FL?”
Runner-up: Tina Higgins Wussow, “This is How Scars are Formed”
Short Fiction
Winner: Jess Koski, “Onaabani-giizis—Hard Crust on the Snow Moon”
Runner-up: Vickie Youngquist-Smith, “Autumn Shadow of Death”
Short-short Fiction
Winner: Vickie Youngquist-Smith, “Domestic Duplicity”
Runner-up: Lynn Watson, “But Officer”
Creative nonfiction
Winner: Eric Chandler, “I Have No Idea”
Runner-up: Chris Marcotte, “Holding Hands with an Angel”
Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Lake Superior Writers had 117 entries this year. The organization plans to launch next year’s contest theme in January, with a submission deadline in April.
Inching out…
I stopped by Blue Rock Coffee & Wine, kind of. It recently opened by the Miller Hill Mall, and I am enchanted by the idea of a wine bar. We haven’t had one in Duluth since the Minnesota Wine Exchange closed, unless I suppose you count the Spirit Room over in Superior. A wine bar feels like a place to taste, not to drink, if that distinction makes sense, and I’d love to have one in Duluth.
So I cruised through the drive through, having salivated over the menu, but being full from a full lunch. I ordered a peach iced tea, which tasted like actual tea, instead of a tea mix. That bodes well, as do the photos of the food.
Am I forgetting other places built for tasting wine, instead of drinking? Vikre is built for tasting gin, not for drinking it, if that helps.
Low Instagram Concerts
Low has been doing Instagram concerts on Fridays during the coronavirus, with tips benefiting charity, too. Because the shows are on Instagram, they seem to vanish within a day. But apparently, they give permission to fans to post to other media platforms. This is the only one I can find. Are they available in other places or through other YouTube users? Help appreciated.
Signed, — A Fan Whose Greatest Disappointment Was That Moving To Duluth In 2005 Did Not Mean Seeing Low Every Weekend
Documents from the Northeastern Minnesota COVID-19 Community Archive Project at UMD are now live
History is being written today.
Documents from the Northeastern Minnesota COVID-19 Community Archive Project at the University of Minnesota Duluth are now live. More information about the project can be found at lib.d.umn.edu. If you would like to learn more, including information on how to submit, please check out the research guide.
This is a great resource, including art by UMD colleagues and friends.
A Trip to the Dentist
I went to the dentist today, the first day (I think) that Park Dental has been open at its Downtown Duluth location in the Medical Arts Building. There is a Park Dental location near my workplace, but I have an affection for running errands downtown, normally. (more…)
There is no checkered flag …
On Tuesday, my friend and colleague Devaleena Das and I appeared on the KUMD program Neighbors with Lisa Johnson. It was a great experience, with a great interviewer, talking about a very difficult subject. You can listen on kumd.org. (more…)
Tim Kaiser is performing live online on Sundays
… and the shows have been amazing.
Kaiser is a nationally recognized composer, musician and instrument builder. That he is digitally in my home every week is a blessing.
Jayson Iwen’s book tour has migrated to Facebook Live
Local poet Jayson Iwen is reading his award-winning poetry live online, in lieu of visiting bookshops around the country. (more…)
Carolyn Olson on Essential Workers
Carolyn Olson on Essential Workers
Duluth artist Carolyn Olson has completed two works in a series on “Essential Workers.” Visit her site at carolynolson.net. (more…)
Duluth’s story told by one of its greatest chroniclers
Tony Dierckins is among Duluth’s greatest resources. Few have given so much of their time and energy to telling the story of the city. As a small publisher, perhaps few have taken as many personal risks hoping the stories of Duluth will find their audiences. (more…)
Local Poet on Social Distancing: “Viral Two-Step”
Julie Gard’s prose poem on social distancing, “Viral Two-Step,” appears in issue 25 of the online poetry journal Unbroken. You should read it.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #46: Grand Finale
Here it is, the last one in the set of trivia cards from an old board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Please Stay Home
Creator unknown, found on social media
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #45
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #44
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #43
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Split Rock Review, Spring 2020
The new issue of Split Rock Review, formerly edited from Duluth, now finding its home in northwest Wisconsin, is now available.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #42
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Yellow Bikes Adjacent to Swimming Pools
Photos by Yellow Bike Coffee.
I went to the Hermantown YMCA, which is somehow, I don’t entirely understand how, co-branded with Essentia. It’s an amazing complex, not least of which because it contains, as well, a Yellow Bike Coffeeshop. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #41
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Electric Fetus, Juice Pharm and More
I visited the Juice Pharm in the last days of its Skywalk location yesterday. It is moving to 208 E. First St., the former Red Herring Lounge location. The beverages are always tasty, and feel more like a meal than a drink. I will miss the Skywalk location, though I admit I don’t get there as often as I would like. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #40
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #39
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Red Cape Tango at DSSO
Last night I sat alone in the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center’s Symphony Hall listening to the “Red Cape Tango” of Michael Dougherty.
There were hundreds of other people there, to be sure, some of them friends. But I feel almost certain that I was the only one who, listening to the piece, conjured mental images of the comic that inspired it. (more…)