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.
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This week: Apps and Ales, gardening and car delights, and more
Monday, March 26
Thirsty Pagan hosts its second Appetizers and Ales event with featured beer to complement Wide World of Wings wings.
Thursday, March 29
Enjoy an evening of wine and music at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College’s Taste of the Vineyards. More Fun Than Bowling, put on by a UMD student run theater group, opens at the Teatro and runs through the weekend.
Friday, March 30
The Tisdales release their third album Supercaldera at R.T.’s. Today through Sunday, gearheads and car lovers can get their fill at Motorhead Madness at the DECC.
Saturday, March 31
Featuring 3 DJs from California, the California Love Tour hits Clyde Iron. Kickoff the gardening season at third annual Spring Fling at Peace United Church.
There’s plenty more events where those came from on the PDD Calendar.
First Tick of the Year — 2012 Edition
I haven’t seen any ticks yet, but this popped up on my Facebook wall:
Duluth-Area BBS
Recently, I stumbled on this website, which lists BBS numbers that existed in the 218 area code in the 80s and 90s. The BBS or bulletin board system was a precursor to web forums. People usually used BBSs that were physically in the same area as they were, since their computer would actually have to call the BBS and would incur long-distance charges just like any other landline phone call.
I never used a BBS, but I remember other kids talking about them furtively in my computer programming class in 8th grade. Sadly, my trusty VIC-20 lacked a modem.
Did anyone here use these or other local BBSs, or better yet did anyone actually run one? If so, please nerd out in the comments.
Scarlet Rivera returns to the northland
Scarlet Rivera will be performing at the Weber Music Hall – UMD in May, along with Gene LaFond and the Wild Unknown. Concert presented by Armory Arts and Music Center. Here’s my take on what promises to be an exciting concert.
Political leanings
I don’t recall ever seeing a car covered in bumper stickers that wasn’t expressing a liberal-leaning point of view.
And I don’t recall ever seeing a sheet-of-plywood sign painted in block letters posted outside someone’s home that wasn’t expressing a conservative-leaning point of view.
Feel free to share your own examples and offer theories on why this is or is not true.
Building Your Homegrown Stamina
A couple weeks before actual Homegrown, way down yonder in a town called Winona, there’s a music festival happening called Midwest Music Fest. Charlie Parr, Greg Brown and a slew of others are playing. They appear to be liberally using the term ‘homegrown,’ so maybe the powers that be should consider bartering for their superior web skills, as they have a pretty boss website, though the art could use a little help. The weekend pass is essentially free if you buy the Brown ticket. Solid acts from all over abound. Parr, due to overwhelming popularity last year, is playing multiple sets this year.
Instagram spotlight on Tim Landis is spotlight on Twin Ports
Not sure why I missed this but my Twitter friend Tim Landis and his amazing Instagram pictures were featured a month or so ago on the Huffington Post (more…)
Lake Superior Libraries Symposium announces a call for posters
The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is announcing a “Call for Posters” as part of its June 1 Conference in Superior. Librarians, educators and organizations from Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are encouraged to submit a poster proposal to promote their programs, resources, and research. To sign up, visit click here.
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Carless in Duluth
httpv://youtu.be/wf-TViTHRCk
A short documentary about people living in Duluth without cars, either by choice or by circumstance.
Retribution Gospel Choir on the Current
Listen at thecurrent.org. Songs performed: “Feel it, Superior,” “Maharisha,” “The Stone” and “Take Your Time.”
Retribution Gospel Choir has a new 7-inch EP coming out March 27. The Revolution EP can be downloaded at subpop.com.
Far Par driving range and mini golf open
The Far Par golf course now has the driving range and mini golf open. No doubt the best mini golf in the Twin Ports. Noon to 7 p.m. Just west of Woodland Ave on the corner of Calvary Road and Arnold Road.
Toward a Humane Libertarianism
Looking for good handyperson
Have you ever had a section of ceiling fall into your guest bedroom due to water leaking around the bathroom toilet flange and into the subflooring? The Ramos family has! Last night! As the picture shows, I have already fixed the problem. Nevertheless, certain members of the household are insisting on something more.
As such, we are looking for a good, bonded, insured carpenter or handyperson to make the necessary repairs. Price is important, but honesty and dependability are more so. Does anybody have any suggestions?
This week: Jeremy Messersmith, an airplane show, the 4onthefloor, and more
Wednesday, March 21
Celebrate the Equinox at Chester Creek Cafe with a set vegetarian meal and music by Nikki and the Ruemates. Support a good cause and listen to some talented women at the same time at the Twin Ports Female Acoustic Show.
Friday, March 23
Minneapolis musician Jeremy Messersmith plays at Tycoon’s. Dink Tank at the Movies takes on The Happening Friday and Saturday. Rabble rousers, the 4onthefloor and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples take the stage at R.T.’s.
Saturday, March 24
Folk singer Dar Williams plays at Sacred Heart. The Duluth Radio Controlled Club will host a Radio Controlled Airplane Show and answer questions in the Miller Hill Mall. Eight writers create eight one-act plays overnight and premiere them at The One Day Chicken Hat Plays at Harbor City International School.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your Duluth event needs.
Millinery Classes? Learn to make hats?
I’m gauging interest in the notion (ha!*) of teaching some small classes in millinery — that is, traditional hat-making. Not so traditional that you knit and then felt, but rather the kind that leads to possibly a fedora, but with many other shapes and options.
If I find that there is interest, I will go forth and find an appropriately sized space. You can see my work at moesewco.com, which I just mentioned in another post on a mostly unrelated subject, so please bear with me.
* A notion is a sewing item that is not fabric or thread — like buttons or scissors.
Question for Local History Buffs
On behalf of four 8th grade boys that I am assisting with National History Day projects I am seeking assistance from anyone who could point them in the right direction. Two boys are making a short ten-minute documentary about the Civilian Conservation Corps in this area and the other two boys are making an exhibit about the Duluth Canal. They are looking for additional pictures for their projects and anyone who may be available for an interview or to answer questions. Please reply here if you can offer any help and I will pass your e-mail information along to the students. If you have any tips for them I could pass on it would also be appreciated as well. They are very motivated and competing to represent our area at the national competition in Washington DC this June.
fountainheadmn @ yahoo.com
Connolly’s Tom & Jerry Batter returns!
Coming soon to a store near you fall 2012! New manufacturer: Connolly’s, LLC.
Fierce loyalty, initial aloofness.
This article reminded me of several posts on PDD over the years about newcomers having a difficult time establishing social circles in Duluth…
Minnesota Nice, explained
A lot of it hit close to home for me (even though I grew up & live across the border in Wisconsin, so I guess I’m not technically “Minnesota nice”), like the following:
In a nutshell, the state’s settlers from northern or central Europe — primarily Germany and Scandinavia — had a profound impact on how the social culture here developed, McKnight contends.
“The traditional culture of Norway/Sweden was for centuries based on the concept of One People, One Language, One Religion,” McKnight writes. “Swedes’ lifelong friends were chosen from among people they went to school with and their kinship group. An individual made friends slowly, but they were friends for life — in the true sense of the term ‘for life.'”
Anyone who has lived in Scandinavia, as McKnight did for years, knows that “it’s somewhat hard to get an ‘in’ there,” he said. But once the friendship is established, “all barriers to communication break down and there results a torrent of friendship, expressions of sincerity, and even personal confidences.”
The article’s part of an MPR series which you can read over here.
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Eat Downtown!
Kate and I have been Eating Downtown lately, part of the annual promotion of downtown restaurants. (more…)
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.
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