An Unfortunate Burrito Union Rant

I’m a huge proponent of locally owned businesses. I feel that they generally do what they do better than their franchised competition. Because of this, I’m totally cool with paying a higher price.

I’ve been to Burrito Union probably close to a dozen times, so in no way am I staking any sort of claim, but I can count on more than one hand how many times I’ve placed an order, only to have it incorrectly made. Never anything to the point where I won’t eat it, but when I pay something like $2.25 extra for something like adobo sauce and I don’t get it, I have to ask why? Why would you forget to add a topping that costs between 20-25% of the cost of a customers burrito? Especially when its a delivery order. 

Again, this wouldn’t be such so bad if it were a one-time occurrence, but when the majority of experiences is like this, it really puts me off. I’m a real big fan of Tim and Rod’s other ventures and look forward to Tycoons, but I really hope service comes before ambiance.

RestaurantsBitchingBurritos

Fiber in Duluth – What’s the haps?

Since this summer, I’ve seen several large, blaze orange coils of fiber optic cable being installed throughout the city. As of today I spotted some by Holy Rosary and up near Home Depot on Central Entrance.

Does anyone know if our Google overlords are trying to pull a fast one on us? Were area ISPs startled into actually building out their networks up here? Please tell me I’ll be browsing the Internet at satisfyingly fast speeds in the near future.

News and Current AffairsGeekyGoogle FiberMedia
Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival
Glensheen

Halloween festivities in LakeVoice

LakeVoice is your guide to Duluth’s Halloween festivities. This week we will be covering the Glensheen Jack O’ Lantern Spooktacular, the William A. Irvin Haunted Ship and the Survive Duluth zombie run. Stay tuned for more information about these events and the people that make them possible.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community. If you have a story idea or would like to submit photos you can email us at [email protected].

Random

Red Maple Segregation

Looking north on 61st Ave. W.

Photos
Dubh Linn Irish Pub: Pro Comedy Tour
Glensheen

Duluth’s old Mathisen Tire Co.

Here’s another photo from the Cliff’s Barber Shop Collection. It’s from the spring or early summer of 1962, and the location is 400 E. Superior St. in Duluth. (PDD all-star points go to the person who can explain what this parade is all about. It might be the Fourth of July, but that’s totally a guess on my part.) (more…)

HistoryPhotosCliff's Barber Shop Collection

This week: Halloween parties, Chinese dancers, Murs, and more

There are a lot of great Halloween events going on all week. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, the Glensheen Jack O’ Lantern Spooktacular starts on Thursday and continues until Sunday. On Friday, the Superior Public Library hosts Wizard of Oz Trick or Treating and there’s also a Family Halloween Carnival at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior. The Hartley Nature Center will put on Howl-o-ween on Saturday and The Great Lakes Aquarium will host Scarium at the Aquarium on Sunday.

For the older trick or treaters, the fun kicks off on Thursday with UMD’s Zombie Fest which will feature professors talking about all things zombie. On Friday, Black Bear Casino Resort hosts The Booo-bie Bash featuring a Van Halen cover band. There’s a lot of options on Saturday night with Nightclub of the Living Dead at Grandma’s Sports Garden, a Halloween Dance Party at the Teatro, and a Haunted Hangar on the Hill party up at the airport.
(more…)

Events
Dubh Linn Irish Pub: Pro Comedy Tour
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua

What do you think?

In Duluth, synthetic pot users get high and don’t hide it

News and Current Affairs

Found: Orange cat on Park Point

Found: Young, male orange cat, 12th Street and Lake Avenue, Park Point. 218-260-9922

Lost and Found
Pier B Resort: Courtside Concerts
Fond-du-Luth Casino: Wednesday Top it Off

Found: Large brown and black dog

Found: A large brown and black dog, wandering Duluth’s Central Hillside.

Call 727-6298 to describe and identify.

Lost and Found

Absolutely Perfect Duluth Day.

How did you spend yours? What was the best part of your day?

Outdoors
Downtown Duluth: Movies in the Park
Fond-du-Luth Casino: Wednesday Top it Off

Cool Vintage Stage

Hi everyone! I am looking for a old-school vintage stage in the Duluth area. The NorShor Theatre is out and so is the Armory because they are both undergoing construction. Are there any other stages in the Duluth, Superior or North Shore area that someone may know about that have an old-school vibe?

Random

Legacy Arts Funding to Vikings Stadium?

I have three thoughts as I read the below.

1. Aargh to the idea that arts funds would go to this cause.
2. Aargh to the robohelp aspect of the way they want you to contact your legislator, even if you don’t know who they are.
3. Aargh, just in general.

How about you? –db (more…)

ArtPolitics
Glensheen
Weis Eye Center

Choreographer Morgan Thorson and Low – “Heaven”

There’s a bunch of background in a previous post, “Low reaches for ‘Heaven’ with dance.”

ArtMusicVideosLow

From the venerable Onion newspaper

There’s also “Bears Somehow Proud Of Selves For Beating Vikings.”

News and Current AffairsSports
Weis Eye Center
FDLTCC: Hot Summer Nights with Corey Medina

Get Ready to Ruuuumble

So, one of the possible redistricting plans has Michelle Bachmann and Chip Cravaack squaring off against one another in what would become the new District 6.

Bachmann vs. Cravaack?

News and Current AffairsPolitics

Too Graphic for a College Newspaper?

A student I work with was solicited to write a story for a local college newspaper.  The student has a reputation for his dark writing style, but has been recognized as an outstanding author and actor.  The paper did not print the following story, as they said it was too graphic.  Thoughts or comments?:

Lake Shore Driving:  Headless on the North Shore
by Frank Black

Jamie’s got his head in his hands, having just hacked it off with the cordless reciprocal saw Annie ordered for him off the internet the night she overdosed and stopped breathing-and blood came out her ears.  This made Jamie very sad, so he cut off his head-and now it’s in his hands-and he’s watching and pondering curiously at how his scabby, haggard heart continues to pump random arcing spurts of thick blood out the ragged, chunky stump of what’s left of his neck-and thinks he should’ve thought this through a bit more, which is an odd thought to think when your decapitated head is resting in your hands.
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Media
Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua

Woot: “Pet Food” by Emily from Duluth

Duluth artist Emily Kuznia has another one of her quirky/cool designs in the Woot Shirt Derby for Oct. 20. That means you can order one of these puppies anytime today and they are only 10 bucks. If enough people order … here’s where I get foggy … Emily will win some kind of awesome prize or accolades. So Nettleton-Central-Hillsiders-Duluthians and anyone else who may have some tie to Emily please take a look and get yourself a shirt. Oh and if you don’t have a tie why not just do it to give a cool young artist a leg up?

Pet Food Emily Kuznia Emily Kuznia is the award-winning author of Man's Best Friend or Man's Greatest Meal: cooking with your pets.

Christmas is just around the corner and these will make great stocking stuffers for just ten bucks (free shipping).

Survival of the Funnest is another one of Emily’s Woot Shirt designs that I blogged about last December.

UPDATE: 11/4/11

Here’s another one, she’s on a roll, I guess. “I’m here to the Rescue .. uh … Never Trust a Princess”

"I'm here to the rescue .. uh ... never trust a princess"  Woot Shirt

"I'm here to the rescue .. uh ... never trust a princess"

ArtLost and Found

Damn you La Niña! What do I do now?

According to the Duluth News Tribune, and pretty much every other website I’ve seen, it’s gonna be a cold one this winter. My question is… How do I get out and enjoy it without spending any cash? I’ve thought about buying snowshoes or ice skates, but even a good pair of those would set me back. Does anybody know of any nooks or crannies in this area that would make for some enjoyable winter exploring?

OutdoorsRecommendations
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua
Barrel Room Smokehouse

Occupy Duluth? Who?? Wha?!?

Here is a brief interview with a couple of local personalities, David Ross (head of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce) and Joel Kilgour (activist and member of Loaves & Fishes) re: Change and the Occupy movement. 

httpv://youtu.be/DyzGigMPsWI

If you’re interested in what’s going on, locally, check out the Occupy Duluth Facebook Group.

EventsNews and Current AffairsPolitics

I-35 Mega Project — Final Complaints

Since the I-35 reconstruction is wrapping up and the freeway will be getting back to normal soon, it’s probably a good time to get rid of any lingering road rage.

So … wow … did the past two years suck or what?

RandomBitchingInterstate 35
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua
Pier B Resort: Courtside Concerts

Rachael Kilgour – “Will You Marry Me?”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBBm32Ek-PQ&feature=player_embedded

Video by Trent Waterman for the North Shore Sessions.

MusicVideos

Recommendations for a Duluth bank

I’ve been banking with Wells Fargo since I was 8, but it’s time for a change. About a year ago, I tried switching to Northern Communities Credit Union, which was a complete disaster. I am looking for a local bank with good online banking and a high level of competence and professionalism. I don’t care about having a warm, fuzzy relationship with my bank. I just want them to do their job well and make it easy for me to manage my money online. Any suggestions?

Random
FDLTCC: Hot Summer Nights with Corey Medina
Downtown Duluth: Movies in the Park

LakeVoice is up and running!

Did you know that the Duluth farmers market accepts EBT cards now? They started the new program this past growing season and will continue with the program next year. To find out more about this new opportunity read Claire’s story on LakeVoice.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community. If you have a story idea or would like to submit photos you can email us at [email protected].

Random

Park Point Pirates

Hey Duluth history buffs! I heard a rumor that there were once pirates operating on Park Point, preying on ships in the harbor, and they were cleaned out in a big police raid. Does anybody know anything about this?

History
Weis Eye Center
Pizza Luce: The Bulgogi

Lions&Creators – “Hands” (Live at Beaners 10.1.11)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9d4Rt_gvgw

From our CD-release show on the first of October. Physical and digital copies are up for sale here. Duluth is the best!

MusicVideos