Duluth featured in Bicycling magazine
The hyperbolic headline “The Town Cycling Saved,” is a tad unfortunate, but the interview with Duluth Mayor Don Ness in this month’s issue of Bicycling magazine is now online. In the print edition, the headline is “Transformer Man,” which is maybe only a little better. Other than that, however, it’s a fun and quick read. The mayor clarified on his Facebook page today that the recent improvements to bike trails is just one part of Duluth’s turnaround, saying “it’s because of Duluth’s revitalization and the new energy around town that groups like COGGS have taken on ambitious goals and have inspired hundreds of volunteers to take ownership of these trails.”
Stalked by a Loon?
Nothing earth-shattering here, just a – nearly invisible! – close encounter with a curious aquatic bird this summer. Must be viewed in HD (ideally fullscreen) to discern anything, but it is there. I was unaware of this until reviewing the footage months later, but for a split second, behind me and to the left, some form of diving waterfowl peeks at me. This inconclusive footage is slowed down 16X to be able to get a glimpse of this ephemeral moment. It doesn’t even stick its head all the way out of the water but I believe a bill may be discerned, a white spot on the head, and possibly a crest off the back of the head although that may simply be a reflection in the water. Anyway, getting decent underwater footage of a curious loon or merganser is something of a holy grail of mine – these birds are often seen diving in the area and I know they sometimes approach human divers. So although thrilled to know I came close to one – within 10 feet by the looks of it – I am also frustrated to have missed the shot.
Sarah Krueger – “Nothing Hits Me”
Video directed, shot and edited by Trent Waterman. Song from the forthcoming Sarah Krueger album Lustrous.
Coach Cork: Lesson #1
Perfect Duluth Day has teamed up with U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Coach Jason Cork to present a three-part instructional series on the magic and thrill of cross-country skiing.
Please enjoy lesson #1, sponsored by Ski Hut.
Outdoor fitness groups in Duluth
A question from PDD’s e-mail inbox:
I just moved here from Southern California. Do we have non-motorized events in Duluth? I mean joggers, walkers, bikers, skaters will gather and ride together. Example is CicLAvia in Los Angeles, where they closed downtown the city for motor vehicles.
57th Avenue Roadway / Flood Reconstruction Video
The flood of 2012 left its mark on Keene Creek, Highland Avenue and 57th Avenue West in West Duluth. This relatively boring video was shot a few days before the roads were closed and one day after completion of the summer-long, 11-million-dollar reconstruction project. Let’s take a rip from Grand Avenue to Skyline for some before/after video.
This Week: Schurke, Cirque and turk(ey)
Though it was just Halloween, and it may seem like it’s already the Christmas season due to the fact that halls everywhere are decked, holiday music is already running 24/7 on Kool 101.7 and seasonal commercials have taken over televisions for nigh on two weeks, it’s actually Thanksgiving that’s on the way.
Here’s a bit of what you’ll find in the Gobble-week edition of the PDD Calendar:
Adventurer Paul Schurke is giving a talk at Mitchell Auditorium on Monday, The Road Kill Boys are at Clyde Iron on Tuesday, and Cirque du Soleil is at the DECC on Wednesday.
Carve up some pre-holiday laughs with the cut-ups at VIP Pizza’s comedy night, hit the Gobbler Glide skating event at the Heritage Center, and win some meat at the Rustic.
On Turkey Day itself, enjoy some free parking, run off some pre-meal calories, hit the DECC for the Thanksgiving Buffet 2014 and get some pie and Chuck at the Zinema.
And, after the veil of Black Friday lifts, there remains much to do in the Twin Ports over the weekend. Head to the PDD Calendar for all the stuff(ing) one could ever want.
Family Adventure on the North Shore
A Minneapolis family takes on the shores of Lake Superior in early in November during a weekend trip. Music: “Let’s Be Still” by the Head and the Heart.
Home?
I’m quite enjoying this blog! I’m not from Duluth, not even Minnesota, actually, rather I’m from Iowa but my family and I have visited Duluth through out the years for vacation. My father has recently moved further north to Silver Bay and in the next few months, I will have the chance to relocate my family. Every time I think of “home” and moving back home, I think of Duluth and it just makes my heart happy.
Just looking for some recommendations on areas to live (I’m only familiar with touristy and hiking areas, parks, canoeing, fishing areas further north, etc.) Also in consideration of schools as this is where we’ll raise our daughter.
Or even just a friendly “hello” or premature “welcome” would be awesome. We’re relocating from a not so friendly, larger town in a southern state and I just miss the Midwestern friendliness!
Black River Revue – “Spare Change”
Duluth band Black River Revue performs for The White Wall Sessions in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Duluth shout out on Alaska Public Radio
I’ve been talking to a buddy up in Sitka, Alaska, about the Jazz scene in Duluth – as well as across the state. He does a weekly radio show on KCAW and yesterday featured artists that have played at a number of venues throughout Minnesota: The Club Saratoga, Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, The Riverview, Bayport BBQ and Nashville Hot Wing, and Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
I haven’t listened to the whole show yet, but Duluth gets a nice shout-out about 15 minutes into the program. I think it’s a pretty neat tribute and I wanted to share:
Selective Focus: Randomness
Kip Praslowicz, untitled
This is the debut of a new weekly feature on Perfect Duluth Day in which we showcase a collection of submitted pictures on a chosen theme. The first theme is “Randomness,” which is sort of the opposite of a theme, but provides some sense of the range of photos we’re looking for. The featured image is above; more images on this theme are below. (more…)
College football’s coaching nun in New York Times
The story of Sister Lisa Maurer, who serves as a football coach at the College of St. Scholastica, is featured today in the New York Times. Maurer is a Benedictine nun with St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, which shares a campus with the College of St. Scholastica. She joined the ranks of the coaching crew this fall, after spending years as one of the Saints’ biggest fans. Maurer will be on the sidelines Saturday as the Saints take on Saint John’s University in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs in Collegeville.
PDD Gift Guide 2014
Ho ho ho, it’s time once again for the Perfect Duluth Day Gift Guide. A holiday hootenanny of gift ideas with a local connection. With the new-ish PDD design, the appearance is a little different this year. Click the thumbnail photo for more details on products. The titles link to e-commerce sites or info about where to find the products. We’ve gathered 15 ideas to kick things off, and invite you to add your suggestions in the comments. (more…)
Punkin’ Chunkin’
One of our holiday traditions the past few years has been to watch Punkin’ Chunkin’ on the Discovery Channel. I just read that it was cancelled for this year, which is sad and means we’ll have to find some other boob tube diversion that night.
Got me thinking, though: does anyone do this in the area?
Jesse Ventura – “The Body Rules”
Jesse premieres his music video for “The Body Rules” in 1984. Obnoxious autoplay on the embedded video, so click the Read More button to see the video. (more…)
Music rehearsal space for rent in Duluth?
I play in a five-person garage-rock(ish) band, and unfortunately all of the garages that we know of are not good winter practice spaces. Does anyone know of places actively renting out rehearsal space? We’re courteous, young professionals with rental references, but not quite clean-cut enough to practice, in say, a church basement. This has been a pebble in my shoe for months, so thanks you for any advice!
Sunday DNT Article — Duluth Life 2.0
On the whole I think the Duluth News Tribune does a great job of covering Duluth. And maybe I am too sensitive but I struggle with the overall message of the article Minneapolis couple drops corporate jobs and makes living a priority with move to Duluth (at least how I perceive it). As my friend pointed out it seems like “the unspoken angle is that sacrifice has to be made to live in Duluth.”
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Tin Can Gin — “Coming Home”
Tin Can Gin has been playing around the Duluth area for 3 years. They’re heading back to Sacred Heart Music Center this weekend to record their second album, Coming Home. The band could use support in funding the album and has set up a Kickstarter page. There are some great incentives, so follow the link and see how you can help.
“Tin Can Gin is happy, heart warming, fun, and playful with a steady bass beat to anchor the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar in their fast paced melodies. Their unique North Shore flavor permeates every song, just like their lightheartedness.” — Destination Duluth
1984-85 UMD Bulldog Basketball Card Set
The 2014-’15 UMD Bulldog basketball team plays its first home game tonight against UW-Superior. In recognition of that, we roll out this nostalgia from 30 years ago. (more…)