David Beard Posts

The Chronicle Premiere

Image from: Pioneer Productions

I was at the same opening that Ennyman (from whose blog I took these images last night) attended, for Chronicle, a multi-media show based on a comic book being produced by Eric Horn, Ben Fisher-Merritt and others.

Squirrel begins life of hard labor … via Wildwoods Rehab

Squirrel

This is Delilah, our developmentally delayed grey squirrel. We normally don’t pet the animals in our care; we need to keep them as wild as possible. Delilah is a bit “special,” so we love her up.

University of Wisconsin-Superior and Labor

Academic staff at the University of Wisconsin-Superior voted today 89-5 to affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin. The election turnout was 54 percent.

More at defendwisconsin.org: In a First for Wisconsin: UW-Superior Academic Staff Vote “Union Yes”

Tall Ships Return to Duluth

DNT: Three tall ships to visit Duluth for festival this summer, July 15-18

Duluth is an amazing place to be in the summer.

For last year’s events, see PDD here and here.

Tall Ships
Image by Northern Images Photography – Dennis O’Hara

Wright Around Ya Leads Harbor City Rollerdames to Victory!

Harbor City Rollerdames

“Wright Around Ya,” the always smiling Jammer for the Harbor City Rollerdames,, led the team to a big victory tonight over Fargo. Part ballerina, part .44 caliber bullet as she rockets around the track in Pioneer Hall, “Wright Around Ya” worked her way through the crowds to score — a lot, as did Killer Cleta and Gypsy. All the team deserves a nod, but I’d love to see “Wright Around Ya” featured in an article in the DNT or on Fox 21.

[I missed Mic Wicked, who set the circle on fire the last time I watched the Dames. But the Norwegian Squirrel is doing alright.]

I have a question, though. The games seemed a much slower pace tonight — I realized that the pack was circling the track a lot slower, sometimes almost stopped. What is up with that kind of play? I’d love to hear from an expert. And I’d love an actual score — I forgot to write it down.

Free Comic Book Day 2011

About Free Comic Book Day:

Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May each year.

National Train Day

National Train Day is May 7, 2011.

The Event is sponsored nationally by Amtrak: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/
Locally, the North Shore Scenic Railroad and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum are partnering with Fitgers Brewhouse, The Midi Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Amtrak to celebrate!

All Aboard the train! There will be drawings, face paintings, NSSR merchandise, information on the brand new membership for kids: “The Casey Jones Club”, Amtrak information, fun, and of course the beautiful view of Lake Superior.

See you Saturday- “trackside” at Fitgers- 10:00am-2:00pm!
For more information on questions: call 722-1273 or email us at [email protected]
Natl Train Day Logo

Rollerdames Next Weekend

Harbor City Roller Dames

Harbor City Roller Dames

Sat. May 7
Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls
S. Pioneer Hall, DECC – Duluth

Tongues Tied: UMD Linguistics Retirement

Michael D. Linn, UMD Linguistics professor and friend, celebrated his retirement this week. Linn is most famous, perhaps, for work in the Linguistic Atlas of our region. Mike is the reason that we know that the unique mix of ethnic communities in the Range produced more than 30 identifiable dialects. Maybe equally importantly, he explained (to me, at least) the ways that labor in the mines was fragmented and weakened when work groups were mixed together of people who did not speak the same language. No common language, no ability to organize unions. [Today, it seems, we are separated by a common language that keeps us from organizing. That’s my opinion, not Mike’s.]

Mike taught intro linguistics, topics in linguistics, and applied linguistics for teachers. I’m sure many teachers in Duluth learned their trade from Mike. He also taught writing. If you have any memories of Mike you’d like to share, comment below.

More info about Mike, including some indication of how he will spend retirement, can be found here

Annual Asian Cultural Show: ImaginAsian

Annual Asian Cultural Show: ImaginAsian Hosted by UMD’s Asian Pacific American Student Association. Join us in a night of Asian arts, cultural performance, and delicious Asian cuisine. Admission: $10 (admission includes dinner and a show). For more information, please contact Hli Vang at 218-726-6335 or at [email protected]

UMD Kirby Ballroom
Saturday, April 30th
6:00 p.m.

Superior Public Library book sale

The Superior Public Library book sale runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

More info

Empty Bowl, good feeling inside

17th annual Empty Bowl
Tuesday, April 26 – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Depot, 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth

Empty Bowl benefits Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, providing food for more than 3 million meals annually to people in need throughout northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. $15 includes a handmade bowl and a simple, delicious soup meal.

Game Night at Collector’s Connection

Collector’s Connection used to be cramped, a place to stall while my wife wandered the mall. No longer! It’s become a destination. Last night, my wife and I played two games with a charming young couple of students and the Host, who did an excellent job of teaching us how to lose gracefully. The evening was free, though I bought a comic on the way out!

Slumber party report needed

Action at Yarn Harbor -- Not Slumber Party

Action at Yarn Harbor -- Not Slumber Party

Did anyone attend the “Slumber Party” at Yarn Harbor?

The next one will be May 13th. More info about Yarn Harbor is here.

Duluth Sub Sandwich Shops

Charley’s Subs is opened in the Mall. I always appreciate a new business, even if it’s a franchise. Where is the best sub sandwich in town?

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!