What’s the story on this place?
Ads for this place have been on Craigslist for a good deal of time:
Not that I have any interest in renting it, but it’s so … different … that I can’t help but wonder. An inspection via Google maps leads to some interesting scenery, and driving by it makes one even more curious.
Anyone know anything about it?
Kicksled Rental
Now that it’s a winter wonderland outside, my family and I can’t wait to play in the snow! When we’re down in the Cities having fun, we like to rent kicksleds, but here in Duluth I can’t find any place that seems to offer them. I know where to find skis and snowshoes, sleds and ice skates, but I have yet to locate any kicksled rental. Please tell me I’ve missed something. It’s hard to imagine a place much better suited to the fun that kicksledding has to offer, but it appears the Duluth area might be missing out. Thanks for any insight!
This week: Cloud Cult, roller derby and Zuzu’s petals!
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
Tuesday you can meet the architect of the new Vikings Stadium, Bryan Trubey, at the Holiday Inn.
On the theater front:
- Singin’ in the Rain opens at the Playhouse on Thursday and runs three weekends
- It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play opens at UMD on Thursday and runs two weekends
- Fezziwig’s Feast by Wise Fool Shakespeare opens at the Holiday Inn Ballroom on Friday and runs four weekends
- Diggity Dog Days plays the Play Ground this Friday through Sunday only
Murder of Crows opens for Cloud Cult this Friday at Clyde Iron.
The Harbor City Roller Dames take on the Minnesota Roller Girls Rockits at the DECC this Saturday.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!
Kids’ book set in alternative-universe Duluth
I’m a writer who grew up in Duluth and use the city as part of the setting for a middle-grade ghost adventure called Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb. Johnny is a 12-year-old news photographer who lives in an alternative universe in 1935, in which Duluth is called Zenith. Ghosts are real in this world and a few of them have something very nasty in mind for the city. The book is available as a print-on-demand paperback and e-book through Barnes and Noble and other online retailers. Right now, I’m also giving paperback copies away through Goodreads, for any readers who may belong. The book’s website is johnnygraphicadventures.com.
Styrofoam recycling in Duluth
I have a basement full of pieces of hard Styrofoam blocks in all shapes and sizes that I need to get rid of. I hate the stuff, but cannot bring myself to send it to the landfill, due to environmental concerns. I have six years’ worth of it and it is time to do something so I can reclaim the large area of my basement that is currently overrun by it. Does anyone know of anywhere local that I can bring this stuff where they can recycle or reuse it? I know shipping places take packing peanuts, but several have told me they do not take the larger pieces or blocks that come in the packaging of appliances. I thought I had heard something a few years ago about Lake Superior College having a recycling program for Styrofoam, but I have been unable to find any confirmation of this.
On a related note, I also have several very large pieces of cardboard (about 5’x3′) up for grabs. If anyone wants it let me know and you can pick it up in the Piedmont area.
Duluth RecyclaBell
For the sake of Duluth music history, and inspired by a reunion show, we take a look back at the RecyclaBell and the mid-1990s Duluth music scene. (more…)
Lost Dog in Congdon Neighborhood
Our family is missing our male Cairn Terrier named Rusty. He snuck out of the house around noon on Thanksgiving day. He is very sweet and gentle, but may be difficult to catch. He is dark gray wearing a blue Hawaiian collar. He has a name tag with phone number, but that number is disconnected. He is also wearing a yellow microchip tag. He is sadly missed. If found, please call or text Darlene at 218-391-2640 or Chuck at 218-341-1415. Reward for his return!
Electrician needed
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, large amounts of food, and obviously nasty electrical gremlins to pop up and bite us in the ass at inopportune times. We are currently experiencing a power outage to one part of our house. Whilst trying to locate the problem, we discovered that we still have old knob and tube wiring mixed in with newer wiring, even though everything is tied to a modern breaker. We have been searching high and low for a loose wire somewhere, but now fear that the old knob and tube wiring has finally just fried itself leaving us in the dark. Can anyone in the PDD community recommend a good local electrician with a vast knowledge of the old-school knob- and tube-style wiring?
Thankful in Duluth — 2012 Edition
Not that we aren’t generally grateful at Perfect Duluth Day, but, well … there is a category of posts called “Bitching” and not one called “Jubilant Praise” (although maybe “Recommendations” covers that). Anyway, at least once a year we do throw things open for folks to comment about what they are thankful for in this world (or Duluth specifically).
To start things off, on behalf of the PDD staff, I’d like to thank the nearly 2,000 people who have blogging accounts on PDD and keep the online Duluthist banter going day after day — not to mention the thousands more who lurk on the site, read it regularly, but keep their thoughts to themselves.
We should all be thankful for zero losses of human life during the Historic Summer Solstice Flood Disaster of 2012, although quite a few homes and possessions were wrecked and a few critters met their unpleasant demise. And we should all be thankful the Leap Day 2012 Snowmageddon happened or it pretty much would have been a snowless winter.
But it’s good to be thankful for the little things, too, so I’m going to focus on Goo Goo Cluster pie.
(Here’s what folks on PDD were thankful for in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.)
It’s a sign
Click on image to learn proper punctuation
Here is a sign for all the sign readers here on PDD. A sign that actually explains how to properly use an apostrophe! Who knew?
Duluth Real Estate Agent Recommendations
Looking for recommendations for a buyer’s agent for the area.
Help Habitat for Humanity get a family home for Christmas
Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or any sizable chunk of time in there) to help remodel a home for the Christianson family. Construction experience is useful, but a willingness to help is the only requirement.
Families are chosen based on the level of need for decent housing, their ability to repay a zero-interest mortgage for the cost of construction (average $90k) and their willingness to help build their home, working alongside volunteers from across the Twin Ports community.
The Christiansons and their three boys and baby girl have been through a lot this year and our goal is to complete construction on the home in time for the them to move in to their newly remodeled home by Christmas. We’ll need lots of help from the community to accomplish this goal please e-mail Susan Marks at volunteer @ twinportshabitat.org, call 218-722-3875 or sign up to volunteer online.
Wild Grinch Chase
I’m looking to borrow a Grinch costume for my junior high choir concert in December. A fellow teacher told me that she saw two different marching bands with a costumed Grinch at the Christmas City of the North Parade on Friday. Of course, I wasn’t there, but does anyone remember which two marching bands might have had a green, Grouchy Santa monster marching with them? I hear one of the bands was in blue uniforms with an S on their chests.
If no one went to the parade, does anyone know of a wacky uncle or a costume shop that might have this particular costume? The concert is coming up fast!
Soldering and/or electronics wizard wanted
I’m looking for a person knowledgeable in the fine arts of soldering and/or electronics to either commission, or better yet, apprentice under. Teach a man to fish, y’know?
I am an artist and ummm … musician new to the area looking to expand my arsenal and meet up and work with like-minded folks. I have a few specific projects in mind but lack the cognitive capacity for such wonderful crap. Basic synth kits. Circuit modification and highly liquid midi kits are on my mind … Google em.
Prefer to trade work, food, art or any other supplies before cash. I can also do cash.
PDD Gift Guide 2012
For the past few years, the gang at Perfect Duluth Day has pointed out gift options produced by the locals — from durable goods made by the region’s top manufacturers to cute little bags of cookies from the corner bakery. We feature 15 lovely items and encourage the PDD community to add to the ideas in the comments. (more…)
Wanted: Harp Teacher
Does anyone know anyone who teaches harp lessons? My 9.9-year-old daughter is interested in taking lessons in the new year. Please email me: bobnzeke @ hotmail.com. Thanks!
This week: tinsel and turkey, wine and winter sports
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
Tonight you can get into the synthesized Christmas mood with Mannheim Steamroller at the DECC.
Pair some wines for Thanksgiving at Chester Creek Café on Tuesday.
On Thursday, there’s a big Thanksgiving Buffet organized by the College of St. Scholastica for those in need at the DECC. Most volunteer shifts are filled already, but you can sign up or contribute online.
The 21st Annual Duluth National Snocross runs Friday through Sunday at Spirit Mountain with all sorts of motorized snowy fun.
Jeff Dunham brings his army of puppets to Amsoil Arena on Sunday.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!
Duluth-area Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner: 2012 Edition
Based on grabbing information from previous posts on this subject rather than actually performing due diligence and calling the restaurants to confirm, here’s this year’s list:
Buffalo House (Midway Township)
Captain Barker’s Restaurant & Lounge (Superior)
Black Woods (Duluth, Proctor, Two Harbors)
Dreamland Supper Club (South Range)
Dry Dock Bar & Restaurant (Midway Township)
Foster’s Sports Bar & Grill (Hermantown)
JJ Astor (Duluth)
Ledge Rock Grille (Larsmont)
Midi Restaurant (Duluth)
Old Town Bar & Restaurant in Superior
Pickwick (Duluth)
The Shack Smokehouse & Grille (Superior)
Upper Deck Restaurant (Superior)
And, of course, there’s always a free Thanksgiving dinner at the DECC.
Anyone with further information, additions or corrections to this list may, as always, comment on this post or e-mail factcheck @ perfectduluthday.com.
Looking for Annabelle
I lived in the Duluth area until December 2004, and am back here temporarily. I’m looking for a former member of Low Income People Organizing for Power, Annabelle, who’s from South Dakota, she told me. It’s about a matter that we discussed previously about 10 years ago that hasn’t been solved yet. If anyone knows Annabelle, could you please mention this post to her?
Mary Bue – “Apple in the Ocean”
Mary Bue music video directed by Jim and Allen Richardson.
Merv Griffin “Christmas City” B-Side
Some people may not know that in addition to the Merv Griffin Duluth-themed classic “Christmas City,” which was written for the Christmas City of the North Parade, there is also a B-side to the 45 RPM single that was released back in 1962. It’s called “The Song of the Christmas City.”
Also a song written with Duluth in mind (and worked into the song lyrics), this one is more of a slow jam compared to Christmas City’s more upbeat jingle-bell jive. The song features addition vocals by one Maureen Reynolds who I couldn’t find any information on. Apparently she’s off the grid.
You can download good vinyl rips of both tunes to add to your own Christmas playlist right here. Enjoy!