David Beard
Pigeons, Poisons and Wildwoods
Wildwoods received what we believe to be a poisoned pigeon (this post is a downer; read at your own risk). From the staff at Wildwoods:
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Graduate Study in the Twin Ports
I am lucky enough to have been declared the director of graduate studies in the Master of Liberal Studies degree at UMD.
It made me think that a guide to local grad programs would be helpful. So I built one. Which programs listed below are you an alumnus from? And what advice might you have for new students?
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Networking, Wine and Cheese
Last night, Kate and I went, as representatives of Wildwoods to the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits Member Appreciation event. (more…)
State Fair: New excitement, musty history
It’s almost time for the Minnesota State Fair. Idaho Nachos, Deep Fried Olives … Synthetic Ice Rinks … all awesome! Duluthians look at me like I’m nuts when I say I secure a hotel room every year and spend 3-4 days at the fair every year. I used to spend 4-6 days, when I lived in St. Paul. I love the fried food, I love Lililan Colton’s crop art.
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Roller Derby Results
Last night, at Hodgins Berardo Arena in Coleraine, on the Iron Range, there was roller derby action.
Grand Rapids, which like Duluth now fields two derby teams (the Attackonites and the Iron Range Maidens), struggled valiantly against the dual powerhouses of Harbor City Roller Dames’ Shipwreckers and Nautikills. Last time, I got tagged by the Dames for talking too much trash (c’mon, I grew up watching wrassling, cut me some slack), and I didn’t even see this bout, so I’ll let someone else do color commentary in the comments. Little help, please?
A Day of Art and Craftiness
Saturday was a day of art and craftiness, and I mean that in more than one way.
Calling Bluebird Enthusiasts
If you are in good bluebird habitat, have had bluebirds on your property, and would be willing to help Wildwoods “soft release” four juvenile bluebirds, please email us (duluthrehabber @ yahoo.com) or Facebook message us. Soft release entails offering live mealworms a few times per day and calling the young birds back with a feeding call we will teach you. Please help us transition these birds back to nature. Thanks!
Art at the Zeitgeist
Like Ed Newman, I was at the opening at the Zeitgeist on Wednesday for AJ Atwater. Unlike Ed, I am not a talented writer. So, I link you here to Ed’s account. For myself, I found that the pieces were amazing: they played with my sense of depth. At moments, some of the color seemed to be a rip through the canvas; some of the fields of color seemed to recede into the wall. There is a technical awesomeness to this work.
Lost Cat
Via SirJeff for a friend: Full grown grey tabby cat lost in East Hillside near Sixth Street and 11th Avenue. Answers to Abigail, or friendly voices. Very friendly. Has claws, but are trimmed. No collar. We miss her very much and hope she comes home soon. Any info please call – 218-310-7050.
Split Rock Review
From Crystal S. Gibbins, recent transplant to Duluth:
Split Rock Review is an online magazine founded in the Northwoods of Minnesota in 2012, among log rollers, hikers, anglers, and dawn treaders. Its name is inspired from the historic landmark on Lake Superior’s North Shore. (more…)
Local(ish) author Roy C. Booth wins recognition
Novelist and playwright Roy. C. Booth is from Hibbing and still has family there, and he’s the special guest at the 21st annual Diversicon (held in St Paul, MN). Roy will share the stage with Jack McDevitt, Catherine Lundoff, and posthumous guests Cordwainer Smith and Peter Cushing.
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Changes to Arrowhead Regional Arts Grants
There are major changes coming in grant funding in the arts in our region. This notice will help explain some of them.
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StageNorth comes a wee bit South to Teatro Zuccone
Kate and I have often said that, if there were a suitable academic job there for both of us, we would move in a second to Washburn — halfway between Bayfield/Madeleine Island and Ashland, and so just close enough to wonderful things, but just far enough, away, too, to enjoy the quiet things: the best used bookstore north of Minneapolis and of Madison, one of the best bakeries (although there are so many great bakeries in northwestern Wisconsin, it is hard to choose), a cultural center with antique shops, local arts and crafts, and a gallery space that, among other things, hosted the awesome “No Reservations” exhibit last year. And a DQ. Every small town has a DQ.
Last night, I got a taste of the next best thing in Washburn: StageNorth Theater.
Is Duluth one of the “Cities where the most people have heart attacks”?
From USAToday:
Duluth, Minn.-Wisc.
> Pct. reporting heart attack: 6.2% (tied for 8th highest)
> Pct. obese: 26.9% (68th highest)
> Pct. who smoke: 19.6% (78th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,110
In many respects, people in Duluth were in better health than the country as a whole. For instance, the percentage of people with both high blood pressure and high cholesterol were below the national rate. However, nearly 27% of people surveyed were considered obese, higher than the 24.8% obesity rate across the country. Like most areas on this list, Duluth’s median household income was lower than the national median. In 2011, it was about $4,400 less than the U.S. median of $50,502. In addition, Duluth had a slightly higher poverty rate of 16.6% than the U.S. poverty rate of 15.9%.
Jazzy Tunes and Good Eats
One of the most awesome aspects of hanging out at the local comic shop are the quirky people who hang out there. I don’t mean the Sheldon Coopers — I mean the creators of Apocalypse City and Night of the Smurfing Dead. I mean the owner of Psher Meats, who also sidelines as a fiction writer. I mean Sir Jeff, the newest light in the kitchen at Zeitgeist, and Greg, who makes the DNT’s new creative services run like clockwork. Duluth is filled with more talented people than it has outlets for that talent.
So it didn’t surprise me that a talented light-jazz musician stopped by the shop and told us about his show tonight at Valentini’s.
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Otter Lost
Via Great Lakes Aquarium‘s Facebook page:
It has been a difficult week for us at the Aquarium. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved male river otter. Zhoosh passed away early Saturday morning. He was discovered by the aquarium’s otter keeper during the morning feeding. He was 13 years old. We know many people loved him and he will be greatly missed.
An Afternoon with the Minnesota Council for Non-Profits
I spent the better part of Monday with the Minnesota Council for Non-Profits. I attended largely because of the work I do with Wildwoods, but also because I serve on the Board of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and have volunteered with Clayton Jackson McGhie, Inc. (more…)
Aviation Action after Greek Tastiness
I wish very much that I could have talked my friends into attending the Lark of the Lake festival today ($30 admission for two after the money spent at the tasty Taste of Greece event at the Marshall School was too tough for their wallets). (more…)
Silver Screen and Starlit Skies
Photo from Twin Ports Night Life
Leashless Dogs; Wildlife finally Wild and Free; BridgeFest and Budgeteer: Wildlife Roundup
Wildwoods updates of all sorts below (one funny, some happy, some sad, one quite terrible–read with caution):
Wildwoods
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Local Music Research Discussed on KUMD
Seth Langreck, a student at UMD, was interviewed by KUMD for research started here on PDD.
Common Loon Release
This beautiful adult common loon was grounded in a yard down in the Cloquet area. After we checked the bird over and fed it some minnows (thanks to Chalstrom’s Bait Shop for their kind donations!), we released it into Lake Superior down beneath the Lakewalk. The loon was happy to be in the water again! Thanks to Trish for taking these pics, and and to Farzad, Kelly, and Trish for doing the release this evening!
Critter Updates
Daily critter report from Wildwoods… (more…)