News and Current Affairs
PDD Quiz: July 2022
Test your memory of this month’s headlines with the PDD current events quiz!
The next PDD quiz heads your way on Aug. 14; it will look at the Tall Ships festival. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Aug. 11. (more…)
Canal Park restaurant expands into Island Lake landmark
An investment group has purchased the former Boondocks saloon & grill and drive in on the south side of Island Lake. Investment group spokesperson Andrew Knutson, right, said the group plans to revitalize the roadside business district. Lake Ave Restaurant and Bar owner Derek Snyder, center, will take over food operations and Luke Anderson, left, has been named head chef at the new location. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A popular Canal Park eatery started serving smash burgers and ice cream at a historic drive-in this summer while work is underway to expand operations at the site and create a new destination restaurant just south of Island Lake. (more…)
Expanded features turn Mont du Lac into year-round attraction
The Trophy Lodge opened in 2017 at the top of the ski hill at Mont du Lac. It’s just one of many recent developments than have radically changed the recreation area. (Photo by Jayden Erie)
For nearly 75 years, Mont du Lac has been primarily known as a neighborhood ski hill. A recent series of added features to the privately owned recreation area, however, is changing that image.
This year, for the first time in Mont du Lac’s history, more revenue is expected to flow into the business during the summer than the winter. (more…)
The State of Duluth-area Cider
Hard cider has been steadily growing as an alcoholic beverage category in the United States over the past decade. The Duluth area is no different. The region is now home to seven craft cideries. (more…)
Duluth Kayak Rescue
Via WCCO-TV, reported July 15.
Lake Superior Brewing to open soon; no beer until Labor Day
A specific date hasn’t been set, but WDIO-TV reports that Lake Superior Brewing will open soon. It will initially be just a restaurant and bar, however. The brewery’s beer won’t be ready until September. “Hopefully by Labor Day,” co-owner Sarah Maxim told WDIO. (more…)
CSA Profile: Stone’s Throw Farm
Stone’s Throw Farm is among primary proponents of the region’s community-supported agriculture — a sustainable food method with the goal to improve economy, ecology and citizen health.
“The CSA model really keeps the money in the local community,” Stone’s Throw Farm Facilities Director Elden Lindamood said. (more…)
PDD Quiz: June 2022
Another month has come and gone; how much of it do you remember? Test your knowledge with this week’s current events quiz.
The next PDD Quiz will explore the history of Portorama; it will sail your way on July 17. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by July 12. (more…)
Corktown Deli and Brews moving to 27th Avenue West
Fox 21 reports that Corktown Deli and Brews will change its location in early 2023. The business opened in 2018 at 1906 W. Superior St. Co-owner Jeff Petcoff told Fox 21 more space is needed, so Corktown will move about three quarters of a mile southwest to 102 S. 27th Ave. W.
Parent company Arrowstar Hospitality Partners purchased the former Duluth Stove and Fireplace building in May. It is adjacent to the Duluth Grill, another restaurant under Arrowstar’s umbrella.
The Hotel Astoria Debate
WDSE-TV‘s Almanac North examines the conversation circling the former Hotel Astoria in Duluth’s Duluth’s Historic Arts and Theater district. Producer Megan McGarvey sat down with individuals on both sides of the debate.
Tacos aplenty as new Duluth-area restaurants open
Hungry Hippie Tacos opened at the end of May in the former Westside Pet Clinic location at 1810 W. Superior St. in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Photo by Jayden Erie
An array of new restaurants are taking root around Duluth, and tacos continue to be the trend. April and May saw two new taquerias open in Duluth, along with a full-service Mexican restaurant in Superior. At least three more enterprises offering Mexican cuisine are coming later this year.
From authentic Mexican dishes to experimental frybread creations, from taqueria to taco truck, here’s a summer guide of new spots to try. (more…)
Duluth 2022 Primary Election Primer
The filing period for Minnesota state and county offices closed on May 31. Below is a tally of candidates who filed for races pertinent to Duluth-area ballots. Names that appear in red are hyperlinked to the candidates’ websites. (more…)
PDD Quiz: May 2022
See how much of this month’s headlines you remember with this current events quiz for May 2022!
Baseball will be the theme of the next PDD quiz, which comes your way on June 12. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by June 8. (more…)
Live-in volunteers help provide care at Bob Tavani House
Kate Bradley stands on the porch of the Bob Tavani House for Medical Respite. Bradley and her partner, Kelly Wallin, are live-in volunteers who help provide shelter and care for those in need of housing after a hospital stay. (Photo by Jack Wiedner)
Kate Bradley clears off a wooden dining-room table, which doubles as her desk during the day. She switches out her laptop and office supplies for mismatched plates and silverware.
Bradley’s partner, Kelly Wallin, scrounges through the refrigerator, gathering ingredients for meatloaf. “No ketchup,” he reminds himself, as one of the residents is allergic to tomatoes. He will have to improvise. (more…)
Twin Ports breweries nab three medals at World Beer Cup
Representatives of Bent Paddle (left) and Earth Rider (right) accepted medals at the 2022 World Beer Cup.
Bent Paddle in Duluth and Earth Rider in Superior each won gold medals at the World Beer Cup on May 5. It’s the first time more than one medal was won by the region’s breweries at the competition. Bent Paddle also took home a bronze medal. (more…)
Great Lakes Now episode “Mushrooms and Mobsters”
Regional news from Great Lakes Now, an initiative of Detroit Public Television. At 21:00 there is a blurb about a proposal in Congress for a Federal Great Lakes Authority, envisioned as a “one-stop shop” for Great Lakes promotion, education, and environmental restoration.
PDD Quiz: April 2022
Review this month’s happenings and headlines in this current events quiz!
The next PDD quiz will be the third installment in the series on Duluth parks. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by May 11. (more…)
Thoughts about the new ad campaign
The new campaign to increase tourism for Duluth had, I guess, a “soft open” this week, covered in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and on Fox 21. (more…)
A look at the two-level infill house in West Duluth
Enter, a digital biweekly publication from the creators of Architecture MN magazine, takes a look at “a new prototype for building affordable houses on narrow lots in Duluth.”
Hotel Pikku, an early Lincoln Park revival project, is up for sale
The building at 1923 W. Superior St. was constructed in 1899 and houses the Hotel Pikku and Hemlock Leather works. (Photo: gregfollmer.com)
A small, stylish boutique hotel that opened in a renovated historic building and helped transform Lincoln Park into a hip, trendy neighborhood is now for sale.
The three-suite, second-floor Hotel Pikku, 1923 W. Superior St., opened after owners Chelsy Whittington and Andy Matson purchased the building in 2016 and spent more than a year remodeling it. Hemlock Leatherworks, a custom shoemaker, is located on the ground floor. (more…)
PDD Quiz: March 2022
See how many of this month’s headlines you remember with this week’s current events quiz!
The next PDD, coming your way on April 10, will look ahead to the Homegrown Music Festival. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by April 7. (more…)
Sacred Heart releases album recorded during lockdown
Sacred Heart Music Center is releasing an album recorded during empty-building, pandemic-lockdown concerts live streamed over its YouTube channel in 2020 and 2021.
A listening party for Live from the Heart: The Sacred Heart Music Center Quarantine Sessions will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Ursa Minor Brewing, 2415 W. Superior St. in Duluth. The free event will feature the first public airing of the album, CDs for sale, drink specials, pizza and more. (more…)
Trampled by Turtles announce grant and Bayfront concert
Bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles has announced its return to Bayfront Festival Park. The Duluth-formed group will perform July 9 with special guest Jenny Lewis.
The band also announced it is partnering with the Homegrown Music Festival on a grant to “battle against artistic mediocrity.” The $5,000 Palomino Grant is available to musicians in, or within 20 miles of, Duluth and Superior and can be used for things like recording, gear and touring. Applications are being taken through Google Forms, which must be submitted by the first day of Homegrown, May 1. The grant winner will play the opening slot of the Bayfront concert.
PDD Quiz: February 2022
Test your memory of February 2022 headlines with this week’s PDD quiz!
The next PDD quiz will mark Women’s History Month with a quiz about notable Duluth women; it will be published on March 13. Send question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by March 10. (more…)