Recommendations
New York Times: Theater of the Variegated
“36 Hours in Duluth, Minn”
New York Times, Aug. 5, 2005
9) Theater of the Variegated
You never know what to expect at the Historic NorShor Theater (211 East Superior Street, 218-733-0072), an oasis of culture in a scruffy section of downtown. Opened as the Orpheum in 1910 and later remodeled in Art Deco style, the timeworn Norshor is part movie theater, part concert hall, part performance space, part art exhibit hall and part whatever whim strikes the management. One July weekend featured a showcase of local and Twin Cities bands; the next included all-day showings of “Dr. Strangelove.”
Local poet Connie Wanek in New York Times book review
The end of the review says, “Nobody will call Wanek overly difficult. The most attentive readers will call her wise.”
Here’s to local wisdom without pretensions saying poetry needs to be difficult to be meaningful. I look forward to reading the new collection — you should too!
Happy Record Store Day
Today is the third Saturday in April, which means that it’s officially Record Store Day. The way to celebrate Record Store Day is to go check out your local independent record stores, which in the Twin Ports means either the Electric Fetus or the Vinyl Cave.
From the official website:
A Record Store Day participating store is defined as a physical retailer whose product line consists of at least 50% music retail, whose company is not publicly traded and whose ownership is at least 70% located in the state of operation. (In other words, we’re dealing with real, live, physical, indie record stores-not online retailers or corporate behemoths).
Jitterbug for Jitterbug TONIGHT
Jitterbug for Jitterbug
TONIGHT!
April 9th, 2010
6 – 11 pm
Peace Church – 1111 N 11th Ave E – Duluth
People of all ages, shapes and sizes will have a chance to learn some basic, advanced and even “trick” swing dance steps taught by a team of professional dancers (rumor has it that the area’s premier mix tape master will also make a guest DJ appearance sometime during the night slinging his favorite swing tunes).
Happy Homegrown!
The Homegrown Field Guide is in town and will be distributed over the next few days to all of your favorite hotspots and local businesses. Cover art by the lovely Bridget Riversmith. They are currently in stock at the Fetus, Pizza Lucé, Teatro Zuccone and Carmody.
It’s going to be all my fault
I’m thinking of taking my grill out of the garage today. Expect a blizzard this weekend. Sorry.
I’m also taking the plastic off my windows. So there should be at least three feet of snow on the ground by Easter morning.
Where to hike in Duluth when it’s muddy
Where are your favorite places to walk during the sloppy season? (Other than the obvious: Lakewalk, Munger Trail, Skyline Parkway and Western Waterfront Trail.)
And the Wall Came Tumbling Down
The ~4 foot-high retaining wall that holds up (well, used to) our driveway just dumped over with an impressive thud. Can anyone recommend a (reliable but not bank-breaking) contractor for this kind of work? It has been leaning for a couple of years, so there will probably be some excavation of dirt that has to be done before a new wall is put up. Only the top of one section fell down, but the rest is really leaning.
Thanks!
‘Ello What’s This?
The cream is here, the cream is here! At the Coop next to the whipping creams. Man it would go good with a big bowl of Google Fiber.
Countdown to spring
The ski hill at Chester Bowl is scheduled to stay open through this weekend, but it looks like Mother Nature may not be patient and cooperative. Already this weekend, the creek started flooding the bottom of the hill. So if you’re interested in taking or watching a waterskiing run at the Bowl, today might be your day. The lift is open from 4:30 – 8:30 tonight (Monday 3/8). The next scheduled day the lift is open will be Thursday, but that’s a long way away. Lift tickets are $5 at the concession stand. While you’re there, pick up a nifty Chester Bowl Hoodie or long-sleeve T-shirt at the concession stand.
Anyone Can Participate
Sarah Heimer wanted me to pass along a reminder that the 4th Diorama-Rama is this Saturday at 7pm. Sacred Heart Music Center. All-ages. Info: caradiabolica [at] hotmail [dot] com.
Looking for cheap entertainment?
Tonight!
Tiny Moving Parts
The People Say Fox
Lions&Creators
Leif Hinkel
5 p.m. | $4 | all ages
The Encounter | 201 E. First St.
Come have some fun and enjoy the positive vibes and jones soda, etc., etc.
It’s Time to Talk About It: Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week at UMD
Calendar of events:
Monday, February 22:
Classroom Seminar: The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Body Shape. Presented by Colleen Belk, Department of Biology. Chemistry 150, 3-3:50pm. Join us for this classroom lecture and discussion as part of the Biology of Women course. (more…)
Duluth Home Improvement
So with spring right around the corner (let’s pretend, shall we?) it’s time to start planning all of those lovely projects that are part of the joys of being a home owner. This year, our house is definitely going to need to be repainted, but because of the way we’re nestled into the hillside, this is not a project we want to attempt on our own. We’re dreading spending the money, but it must be done!
Please help ease our anxiety by sharing your recommendations for reputable house painters. Anyone know how much one might generally expect to pay for a typical two-story home on the hill to be scraped/washed and painted?
While we’re at it, we plan on pricing out maintenance-free siding. Recommendations for type of siding and contractors are also appreciated!
And just because we’re not feeling poor enough yet, also on our wish list are some new windows. What brands are the best? Who should we hire to install them? Just to cover all of our bases, if you know a good plumber, now is the time to sing their praises!
Is that a long enough list? Share your horror stories and happy endings here!
Duluth-area restaurants serving phở
Phở is a Vietnamese soup and there are trendy phở places all over in the Twin Cities. What about Duluth and Superior?
Taste of Saigon?
Thai Krathong?
Vietnamese Lotus Inn?
Bowling for Autism
Feb. 20, 2-4 p.m.
Incline Station
$8 per child, $10 per adult
Tickets include: 2 hours of bowling, shoes and automatic scoring. Food and beverages available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Autism Association of Northern MN.
Excited for Beargrease 2010?
Don’t forget to watch one of the Northland’s most amazing tributes to our cultural heritage (in my opinion, at least): The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon! (more…)
Ladies Night Event
There will be a Ladies Night of Indulgence at Lake Superior Chiropractic this Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free to all ladies 21 and older. This is a time for pampering and checking out some local women vendors. Please RSVP by calling 715-398-6679. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Who was looking for cold-weather gear?
Here’s a fun new clothing line:
The South Butt
Someone has a good sense of humor!
McKenzie’s good, alive yet?
I was wondering if anyone could comment on McKenzie’s north of Miller Hill Mall. Good, bad, even open yet? Obviously, I don’t hit the hill that much.
Fish fry in Duluth/Superior
Where does one go with his visiting Mum and Dad for the greatest fish fry in the Twin Ports?
Music
If you live in the Two Harbors area, come on down to Dunnigans and listen to Aurora Baer on Friday, Jan. 15. 9-12.
Farewell, Susan.
Susan Askelin, passed away Jan. 1, 2010 of esophageal cancer.
Susan was born Nov. 13, 1949 in Duluth, to Harold and Jessie Askelin.
She grew up in Bagley and Savage and graduated from Burnsville high school in 1967. She was married to Richard Schmoller, and later to Michael Paymar. She moved to Duluth where she attended the College of St. Scholastica and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Masters in business management. While in Duluth she played a critical role in the creation of several co-operatives including Whole Foods Warehouse, and Co-op and Builders & Laborers Commonwealth. She was the director of the weatherization program at Community Action Program, and later became the Director of the Program to Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault. She later moved to St. Paul and worked at Project Fast Forward in Dakota County. Later, she moved to Texas to bask in the sun and worked in several non-profit housing development organizations.
Susan will be remembered for her giving spirit, compassion, and integrity. She was smart, beautiful and strong willed. Her contributions to the world were profound. She loved traveling to Mexico and the Boundary Waters and especially loved the family cabin at Prairie Lake. In her last days her strength and compassion for others were inspirational, she passed away in Montana with sister Sharel beside her.
Susan was preceded in death by her sister, Lindy; brother, Shaun; paternal grandparents, Florence and Einar Askelin, and maternal grandparents, Winifred and Charles Jones.
She is survived by her son, Jason (Laura); grandson, Morgan and daughter, Nicole Harris (Dan); her parents, Jessie and Harold (Helen); aunts, Nancy Jones, Joyce Utter (Arnie); uncle, Ed Askelin(Joan); sisters, Michelle LeBeau (Kent) and Sharel Uphus (Mike); brother, Kurt Askelin (Ruenee); sister, Jodi Christianson (Don); sister-in-law, Beth Askelin; and many nieces and nephews.
SERVICE: is planned for late spring according to Susan’s wishes. A memorial fund is set up in Susan’s name at Wells Fargo Bank.