What’s the matter with Duluth girls?
This clip didn’t make it to my inbox until after Valentine’s Day, but hey, it’s 100 years old anyway, so what’s a few more days? It’s from the Feb. 4, 1912, Duluth News Tribune. A more readable version of the text appears below.
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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.
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Duluth’s Old Street Signs
Mundane fact of the day: Before Duluth’s street signs were white on green they were black on white. For a while after the switch the old signs were piled up at the spot where Upper and Lower Michigan Street meet. I spent a few minutes browsing them on Jan. 30, 1999, but didn’t take any home as a souvenir.
Culture Zoo: Emerging Artists Exhibit Opens Tonight in Superior
With so many other things happening again this weekend, I thought it would be worthwhile highlighting what is sure to be an interesting exhibit titled, “Culture Zoo: Looking In and Out of Our Cage.”
The focus of this exhibition is to showcase emerging artists, reflect culture, and display art’s ability to quote the past, comment on the present, and look to the future. Artists include Vince Cody – Sculpture/Painting, Chelsea Morgan of Magic Box Photography – Photography, Christopher Selleck – Photography, Adam McCauley – Painter, Michael Smith – Painter, Jeredt Runions – Painter. Colin Wiita – Mixed Media.
Native American sculpture and painting, portrait and urban landscape photography, abstract paintings and mixed medium on canvas. Their work will fill the North End Arts Gallery at 1323 Broadway Street from tonight through April 21 which coincides with the Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop.
More information and a brief interview with Jeredt Runions here.
Duluth Rock and Roll Facts and Rumors
I’ve been living in Duluth for a little more than a year and beyond the obvious musical history (Bob Dylan roots, Low and other indie bands, Duluth Armory, etc.) I was wondering if there has been other substantial or fun trivia with musical acts in the Twin Ports. I know Quiet Riot had its first tour start here, and that Crash Test Dummies played Sacred Heart Music Center, stuff like that.
A music geek’s wet dream?
The British Arts Council is going to be making John Peel’s entire music collection available on the interwebs in May on a website called The Space.
To anyone who went through the trouble of seeking out his Sessions albums (I had a few…Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxie, the Cure, and Einstuerzende Neubauten to name a few), Peel was a legend and his passing in 2004 was a big blow to music lovers…
I might just have to buy a bigger hard drive.
Meet Rick Nolan
Rick Nolan is running against Chip Cravaack in the 8th Congressional District.
Free Local Music
My 5 songs in 5 days project is complete.
Enjoy (or perhaps tolerate) as you would like.
A Nerd Nite Boss’ Guide to Duluth
Beloved Duluth nerd Crystal Pelkey has an article in the debut issue of Nerd Nite magazine profiling the nerdiness of Duluth. The nationwide magazine is published out of Brooklyn, NY. (more…)
R.I.P. Richard David Wozniak
Former owner of Young At Heart records.
Happy First Birthday, Pineapple Arts
My wife and I love your demos, your helpful staff, and the fun vibe you bring to First Street.
Nerdigras
It was a duel for the ages, but eventually, my light sabre sliced off Steve Farnham’s metaphorical hand in the Spelling Bee at Nerd Nite Duluth, at the Zuccone.
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Lot of hoo-haw fer nuthin
No change in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, except that it now includes more of Betrami County.
Twin Ports Illuminated Signs
I’m sad to see that the Big L sign has gone dark. It’s definitely my favorite illuminated sign in the area. Here’s a gallery of a few more of my favorites. I’m sure there are others that I’ve missed, so if you have some photos you’d like to share, please do so in the comments. (more…)
Duluth needs a monster of its own
Earlier today I was reading about the Red Dwarf of Detroit, a harbinger of doom that’s been haunting the Detroit area for hundreds of years. It’s described as “a small child-like creature with red or black fur boots” that has “blazing red eyes and rotten teeth.”
Other communities have monsters that are unique to their location. Point Pleasant, WV has the Mothman. Southern New Jersey has the Jersey Devil. Botetourt County, VA and Mattoon, IL have the Mad Gasser, who was more of a serial killer really but I’m still including it here.
Mayor Ness wants to get the population back up to 90,000. Maybe some good old-fashioned mass hysteria is what we need to put this town back on the map.
If Duluth had a monster of its own, what would it be like? When would would it appear? Where would it appear? What would it be called?
Giant Panda reopens downtown
Want a filling meal on your lunch break, but don’t want to break the bank? This lady will serve you right up. Qihui Li and Yi Zhong moved out of their West Duluth space and re-opened downtown just one week ago in the old Saigon Cafe location. They own and operate this restaurant, which almost has a fast-food feel. The food was served quickly, relatively cheap, and surprisingly good. (more…)
Lights out at the ‘Big L’
I just noticed the Spirit Bottle Shoppe at 5801 Grand Ave. in West Duluth is closed and the building is for sale. I will miss the big red light and friendly service.
(Tiny photo circa 2004 by Barrett Chase.)
Congdon Park Elementary Rinks
I’m a journalism student at UMD and I am writing about the history of the Congdon Park Elementary rinks. Today I talked to Bob Mars about the rinks and he mentioned a man that helped a lot there when he was a kid in the 1930s. He said the man’s name was Mr. Swan, but unfortunately could not remember his first name! Does anyone know anything about him? And, hopefully, do you know his first name? Furthermore, does anyone have any old pictures of the rinks with the old warming house?
Fresh Filmmakers + Script-to-Screen Combo Grant
IFP Minnesota has teamed up with MCTC and the Screenwriters’ Workshop to offer an updated Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant.
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Marooned in Pack Ice Off Deception Island
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v78f79YdXh0
Loll Designs is hiring
Loll Designs is hiring for a full-time customer service/administrative assistant position. Please visit MNworks.org for more info. All resumes should be e-mailed to sales @ lolldesigns.com by Friday, Feb. 24. Please do not stop in or call.
Raven & Associates, Inc. looking for another warm body
Here we go again, all you PDD people! Raven & Associates, Inc., a promotional products company right here in Duluth, is looking for another talented, skilled, and charming individual to act as a office assistant to our customer service team. We are a growing company, a great place to work, and very odd.
Here’s the basic info on the job: Full-time office assistant job. Hourly wage beginning at +$10 per hour, flexible scheduling, retirement benefits and partial health insurance. Previous experience working in an office environment (you know, with computers), background in art, and interest in outdoors preferred.
For more info, call Dave at 740-2769 or drop me an email at raven @ duluthmn.com.
This week: Atmosphere, A Prairie Home Companion, Nerdigras, and more
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with fellow nerds at Nerdigras.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Atmosphere returns to Duluth for his second annual Welcome to Minnesota Tour.
Friday, Feb. 24
North End Arts Gallery presents an exhibition of work by emerging artists called Culture Zoo. Communist Daughter plays Luce with The Keep Aways.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Trampled by Turtles and the Grand Rapids High School Jazz Ensemble join Garrison Keillor in a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. Wear your best ’80s ski apparel for Spirit Mountain’s Bad Fashion Ski Party 5: Ultimate ’80s Flashback.
As always, keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your night out needs.
Target / Market Pantry Milk
My 1-year-old son has thrown up three times in his life (not spit up, but completely emptying the contents of his stomach). I am wondering if it is related to market pantry milk. We normally buy Kemps or Arrowhead from Super One, but this week my wife bought it from Target because she was already there.
I read some things on Google related to “Market Pantry Taste” and may just be paranoid, so I figured I would ask. Does anyone else think the market pantry brand of milk has an abnormal aftertaste?