News and Current Affairs
Own worst enemy
The Duluth City Council recently approved spending $75,000 on a PR campaign to show people that the city is open for business post flood. I think it’s a dubious expense, though there are still people asking us how we are holding up and how we are getting around the city. But in reading a rather disjointed and breathless story in the Star Tribune today, I get the feeling that getting FEMA money will keep our city leaders from talking about rebuilding for a while:
From the Strib:
Said Duluth Fire Chief John Strongitharm, “When they see the scope of the storm, it would be difficult to think they would not be providing individual assistance. It’s had a major impact not only on the public infrastructure, but on people’s lives and homes.”
In Duluth, 10 inches of rain created the worst flash flooding in more than a century and hundreds of people were forced from homes by rising water. Roads buckled and washed out, sewers overflowed. Damage to public infrastructure has been estimated at $55 million.
“Any place there was a creek or culvert was destroyed,” Strongitharm said.
Wish List for New Downtown Bike Station?
The Duluth Transit Authority is on a fast track for construction of its new Multimodal Transportation Center in downtown Duluth.
When it opens, the center will be a hub for multiple modes of transportation, including the main transit station for DTA buses and other inter-city bus lines, public and private parking, a reconstructed walkway between the downtown to the DECC and the first of its kind in Duluth, a bike station.
What this bike station looks like is where your help is needed.
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Sexhawk – “Duluth is Still Afloat (In Our Hearts)”
When life gives you lemons, Sexhawk gives you lemonade. And a stirring anthem about last week’s flood: “Duluth is Still Afloat (In Our Hearts)”
Duluth Trail Update
Info from Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division:
– The COGGS mountain-biking trails are not open due to wet conditions. It is possible the trails will be open next week.
– Kingsbury Trail is closed.
– Western Waterfront Trail is passable. Hikers are asked to use caution.
– The Lakewalk is repaired and open to the public.
– Chester Trail is closed
– Lester Ski Trail is currently being surveyed for damage. Use with caution.
– Hartley Trail is open.
– Lincoln Trail is closed.
– Superior Hiking Trail can only be summed up section-by-section …
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Chris Monroe Interview
Cartoonist Chris Monroe discusses the flooding in Duluth, her 848 comics and the upcoming show at the Duluth Art Institute in this MinnPost article:
PAVSA launches 856 campaign
Hello PDD Community! PAVSA would like to announce the start of its month long fund-raising drive, the 856 Campaign. (more…)
Flood 2012: Share your story
Do you have a story to share about last week’s flood? Its impact? The recovery efforts you’ve engaged in? Share it.
Ecolibrium3 just launched an interactive mapping tool for community members to share stories, videos and photos. Check it out, and share your experience at flood2012.com.
River Place Campground Thefts
Residents at River Place Campground on the St. Louis River were evacuated during last week’s record flood. Shortly after, their homes were burglarized. Today they met with Duluth Police to assess their losses. Some belongings floated away in the flood, others were stolen … but residents at River Place said they feel lucky because other people in the northland had it worse.
Watch the video as police investigate and residents assess damages
Duluth Flood – Postcard from the Future
My friend Peter Sinclair, who actually is the grandson of an Iron Ranger, has posted a special message about the Duluth Flood on his Climate Crocks web space. Very enlightening insight indeed, and the other Crocks will give you plenty of ammunition the next time your idiot brother in law shoots his mouth off. Be well.
Looting at the River Place Campground
Just when we thought everyone in the Northland was awesome and we were all in this flood recovery, there comes word that there were numerous break-ins and robberies at the flooded River Place Campground next to Boy Scout Landing in Gary. I know that at least five campers were forcibly broken into and significant amounts of property were stolen (including cash and firearms). This occurred on the night of June 23 and/or the morning of June 24 and possible on a few nights previous to that. I have asked the DNT to do a story on it so that some awareness is out there. If anyone hears any information that may be somehow helpful in catching the baddies, please notify the Duluth Police Department.
Chester Park and Creek
Shots from Duluth Outdoors
We are trying to put something together to have fun/fundraise/organize for flood damage. The problem is so huge that it’s hard to know how to attack but we are thinking Chester Creek and Park since we are named after that. The damage there is significant and federal money will need to be applied for. This event would be more for seed money to apply for grants and do some immediate chainsawing and so forth. (more…)
Chester Park Dam
The dam at Chester Bowl washed away with the storm, taking canoeing programs with it. Director of the Chester Park Improvement Club, Thom Storm, said without the dam skiing programs could also see challenges.
Drying out
Compared to many people, our house wasn’t hit too bad by the flood. But our living room was flooded, the floor messed up, and more than 100 children’s books, some of which I’m quite sentimental about, were soaked. Today, I’m hopeful that they’ll dry out enough to keep. As we looked through them, I saw this one in the mix. Hopefully, it will dry out, too.
Rhubarb re-do
The rhubarb for CHUM’s Rhubarb Festival was destroyed in the flood, so they’re looking for donations of more immediately. If you have some to donate, drop it off at First Lutheran Church, 11th Ave. E. & London Road today.
The 8th annual Rhubarb Festival is June 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Show me the way
Has anyone from Duluth driven to Minneapolis in the past 12 hours? They are saying I-35 is out from Hwy 210 (Carlton) to Mahtowa. But what’s a good alternate route? If the interstate is a mess, I can’t imagine what county roads and highways are viable options. I need to be in St Paul by 2 p.m. — help. I was thinking 210 west to 73 south… but 73 west of Moose Lake is closed. Gahhh. What about Highway 61 south? I’m not trusting the DOT 511 Page because it’s not totally in line with what recent news is telling me.
Flooding in Duluth and North Shore
Rain, rain, go away. With 6-8 inches of precipitation in the past 18 hours, flooding in Duluth and the surrounding area has caused serious problems for everyone. With more rain on the way things are probably going to get worse before they get better. I have been personally fighting a flooding basement, but feel fortunate that is all I have had to deal with. I am wondering if now is the time to start building an ark?
Post your Duluth Flood 2012 pictures and videos in the comments. (more…)
Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013 Kickstarter Campaign
Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013 is a year-long project that meshes local artisans with beer and the brewing process to create fun and unique collaborations. Featuring a different artist and brew each month, we bring you a drinking experience worth sharing and talking about. “Share the Love, Share the Beer”
Pledge your funds to ensure this project happens in Duluth!
Learn more about the company at blacklistbrewing.com.
Jim Carlson is running for President?
Is this part of the Zombie Apocalypse?
News From MPLS
Just Take Action (Brewhouse, Tycoons, et al.) to open a Brewhouse-esque restaurant in the old Trocaderos in MPLS.
Anoka County said FU to the Northern Lights Express. Paid executives of the Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance are just stunned.
Broken car windows — 3:30 a.m. 6/12 — Lakeside
I heard that several cars had windows smashed early this morning, on/near Colorado Avenue in Lakeside.
Grand Cliffs Salon
The “Grand Cliffs Salon” lettering was hung last night. I didn’t have time to stop and ask questions, but apparently the Clifford Johnson legacy will continue in some form.
Duluth’s Mayor Ness: Cooler by the lake
“Duluth’s youthful chief executive is bringing fresh energy and, yes, a sense of hipness to the port city.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Duluth’s Mayor Ness: Cooler by the lake“
Dogs looking for homes
My photo partner and I are filming a documentary on animal cruelty in Alabama. We have two weeks of filming left before we head back to Duluth, at which point we hope to bring dogs and puppies back with us to be adopted in the Northland. If you are looking to adopt, please let us know. There are countless animals looking for good homes. We will be documenting their journey from Alabama to Duluth to represent a happy ending to their less fortunate life in the south.
Contact David Cowardin at 218.290.7209.