News and Current Affairs Posts

More on Smelt

Smelting season is here once again. I am writing a piece on this tradition for UMD’s Lake Voice and am wondering if anyone has photos of themselves smelting they would like to submit for use in my story. Thanks!

Unwelcome in Duluth (part II)

After following the interesting post “Unwelcome in Duluth” and reading a few of the articles mentioned in the numerous posts, I have come to the conclusion that people want different things from this city. Thus, I would like you to ask a few questions to yourself, the people of Duluth to see what kind of consensus can be achieved.

1: What do you want out of a Duluth life?

2: Are you getting it?

3: If not, can this be achievable in Duluth (right now, not in ten years from now or 100 years ago)?

4: What are you willing to sacrifice to get it?

Why is Duluth so anti progressive?

I look in the paper and see nothing about sustainability. No solar, no wind, no geo. But great music. That’s the way it is, Dem. or Rep. Why is Duluth so anti progressive?

Unwelcome Duluth?

MPR has this story about the difficulty of settling into Duluth both professionally and otherwise for a new college grad.

I know in order to finally make this place home myself I had to leave after my tenure at UMD and gain experience and then be willing to make a little less salary but then be able to live here and enjoy it’s uniqueness permanently. I know of others who have done the same and feel the same a I do.

What’s your experience?

Duluth not welcoming, young transplants looking for work say

Kozy Fire III: The Building That Refused to Burn (Down).

What’s up with people trying to burn down the Kozy? Anyway, I wasn’t all that surprised to come upon the eerily familiar site of firetrucks flanking the decrepit shell of our beloved Kozy last night. In retrospect: WTF??? Does anyone else think that restoring the property (NOT to its 2010 condition, silly!!), and making it a hub for the new/improved, swinging (yet still fringe) First St. business district is a good idea? Bring on the snide remarks (Constructive comments are also welcome.).

Blue Laws are Stupid, Post #5

I apologize for not being as vigilant with this as John Ramos has been with his countdown, but here’s the latest sad news on one of the most idiotic laws ever:

MPR: “Sunday liquor sales dies again at Capitol

Downtown Duluth Safety

A dead body was found in Lake Place Park on Monday. I wonder if the police could set up a mini police station in the park. What do you think?

LakeVoiceNews: Local Themed Publication

What makes Duluth unique? What makes it special? We tried to answer this question through our stories. LakeVoice’s publication this week is about everything local. Here’s what we’ve been working on this week:

  • Celiac is an autoimmune disorder believed to affect up to 1% of the US population. Sadly, there is no cure. The only known effective treatment is a gluten-free diet. Alicia Lebens put together a collection of gluten-free options for Duluthians on Pinterest.
  • 2104 E. Superior St. has become the coolest house to see local musicians and artists. Recently, they’ve hosted journalist Adam Carr (creator of January in Duluth), music acts Dirty Horse and Big Wave Dave, and photographer Kip Praslowicz. Rebecca Mortensen interviewed the owners for this week’s LakeCast.

Independent Minnesota 8th Congressional District candidate seeks nomination

I realized back when I was a young man the United States of America was not the pillar of democracy that the propagandists claim it to be. Expressing what I knew as a 19 year old, I could name quite a list of ruthless dictators that clandestine parts of the U.S. government had at least some responsibility of bringing into power if they did not outright install them. They included the Shah of Iran, Baby Doc, Marcos, Batista, Samoza, Suharto and Saddam Hussein to name a few.

A plea

Donald Pridemore, Wisconsin Legislator, Says Single Parenting Leads To Abuse

I am starting to lie when people ask me where I grew up because of shit like this. If you aren’t aware, Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grotham, along with Wisconsin State Representative Donald Pridemore,  both Republicans, sponsored a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature that would mandate the state Child Abuse Prevention Board conduct public awareness campaigns emphasizing that single parenthood is a leading cause of child abuse.

Local photojournalists film animal abuse in the South

Two local photojournalists are filming a documentary on animal cruelty in the South and the people working to change the culture there. David Cowardin and Joe Olivieri spent two weeks in the gritty areas of rural Alabama and are hoping to return for more footage and interviews. They launched a Kickstarter to raise funds for another tour South. You can donate here.

If their trip is funded, they would like to rescue a dog and find it a better home in Duluth. Anyone interested in adopting a pet can contact David at 320-290-0877 or cowar006 @ d.umn.edu. The adopter would only be responsible for the adoption fee.

2012 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament Schedule Brackets

The Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament is starting today. The Duluth area has three teams competing this year — Duluth East Greyhounds in class AA, Hermantown Hawks and Marshall Hilltoppers in class A. Below is the schedules for both brackets. Good luck boys!

Does anyone have any good Minnesota State High School Hockey Tourney stories? From what I “remember” it was pretty crazy when I went.

MN State Hockey Class AA Live Bracket Click Here
MN State Hockey Class A Live Bracket Click Here

Gotta getcha shovel if ya wanta go ta work

After finally getting a decent snowstorm, I wanted to have a little fun with the timelapse app. I put my iPhone 4 on my shovel handle with a gorilla pod. It flopped around too much, so I was only able to do a short time lapse.

Leap Day 2012 Snowmageddon Photos

At left is Rich Narum’s shot of Superior Street; at right the view from Anna Montgomery’s side door. Has anyone had the guts to wreck a camera and try shooting outside instead of through glass? Not me!

Anyway, add your best attempts in the comments.

Duluth: Say Ix-nay to the March 3 Rally

I’m reposting here an open letter written to the Duluth community by Joel Kilgour, a local peace activist, and Sara Thomsen, a local musician. Basically, Duluthians are urged to stay away from the March 3 rally planned by a white supremacist group right here in the Zenith City.

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