Rubber Chicken Theater Presents “Smudge” by Rachel Axler
Come see “Smudge” at the Duluth Playground at 7:30pm, January 27-29
Sunday is Teacher Appreciation Day at Great Lakes Aquarium
Jan. 23, 10-6
Did you know that teachers always visit for free? This weekend Great Lakes Aquarium is extending that benefit to the whole family.
Visit the welcome table to learn about new programs, bus funding and teacher workshops. Watch the divers feed the fish, meet a reptile up close and enter to win a free outreach for your classroom.
Bring your school ID, your guests and join in the fun!
11:00 Isle Royale Dive Show
12:30 Creature Feature (Animal Encounter)
2:00 River Otter Snacktime
4:00 Stingray Feeding
Visit glaquarium.org for more information.
Great weekend killer
I’ve been doing this in St. Cloud for a looong time and finally it will be simulcasted in Duluth. If you have a group of friends with an array of arcane interests and an arsenal of reference books and computers, you have to sign up and play from here. Oh, and you have to stay awake for 51 hours. Or just get a taste simply by listening in Feb. 11-13.
SkatRadioh at Ochre Ghost Gallery
Ochre Ghost Gallery · Saturday, January 22nd · 6-10PM
Local artist, David Moreira (SkatRadioh), is having a gallery showing of hand screen printed poster art.
It consists of the past two years of artwork promoting local and national bands + more. Graduating soon from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, this show marks an achievement as a student and a view of what’s to come in the future. Posters and artwork will be for sale at the opening. Plus music (unknown, but probably some kind of Mike Wilson something). David will also be demonstrating the screen print process during the opening.
If you haven’t been to Ochre Ghost, this should be a great show. It’s just up from Hippie Dick’s place. Ochre Ghost plans on hosting openings every two weeks. Every two weeks!
Ochre Ghost Gallery, 22 2nd Ave. E. (715-498-2599)
Kessler leaving Northland’s NewsCenter — third notable Duluth TV departure of 2011
The Duluth News Tribune is reporting that Northland’s NewsCenter meteorologist George Kessler is leaving Duluth for the state of Virginia.
This follows the previously announced career change of Eyewitness News‘ Sandy Drag and retirement of Dennis Anderson.
The icons fly from us.
Amazing Grace Valentine’s Day Special
Carrying on in the tradition of Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe founder Chip Stewart:
Get married for free on Valentine’s day, plus a free sandwich for the bride and groom.
(No charge for ministerial services, provided by Reverend Kim Luedtke. Be sure to bring your marriage license, so it’s legal.)
Review of Duluth Playhouse’s Production of Picnic
The Duluth Playhouse kicked off 2011 with William Inge’s Picnic, a drama that reflects on beauty and its uses, restrictive gender roles, and identity. Though Inge’s play grapples with such profound philosophical themes, it does so with plenty of sultriness and a surprising amount of fun. Through its strong performances and an absorbing plot, Picnic transports the audience to the lazy, fleeting days of summer. (more…)
Chili and Shadow Puppetry?! Wha? How?
That is not a typo. If you weren’t in the know about this cosmic to-do, don’t worry. It’s tonight at Harbor City School’s auditorium. The Chili Feed is a fundraiser for something-or-other, and the shadow puppetry is being performed by Harbor City kids guided by (local) master puppeteer Jim Ouray. 5:30- Feed ($5), 6:30- Sleep-themed puppet show (free!).
How to Use a Condom / Owner’s Instructions for Rainshow’r Model RS-502
As published in Duluth’s Ripsaw newspaper, Jan. 17, 2001.
1970s pop culture quiz on Piedmont ski trail
The cross-country trail at Piedmont is in great shape … but in what shape is your 1970s pop culture mastery? Know your Lip Smackers from your Mayberry RFD? Test yourself against the punny wisdom of Piedmont’s wooden signs at my North Shore blog.
TBT Playing Coachella
Looks like 2011 is going to be another great year for Duluth bluegrass-rockers Trampled by Turtles as they join the lineup for this year’s Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California.
Get well soon, Craig Minowa
From Cloud Cult’s website:
Cloud Cult has announced the cancellation of the band’s upcoming performances at First Avenue (January 21) and Lutsen (February 5). On Thursday, Cloud Cult’s Craig Minowa was hospitalized with heart issues.
Although the condition necessitates a temporary hiatus from performances, doctors are suggesting a noninvasive heart surgery would likely be performed in the next few weeks to bring permanent remedy to the problem. We apologize for any complications, and we look forward to returning with more energy than ever in the coming months.
Nerd Nite a success
Congratulations to Nerd Nite, the excellent night out at Teatro Zuccone.
Talks about rock tumbling, Star Wars prop replicas, and astronomy marked the evening as what it could be, at its best: a showcase for the passions of individuals. [If the talk on Fan Fiction fell short, it only fell short because the speaker was talking about someone else’s passions, not her own.] I had no idea the energy and the technique involved in rock tumbling. I had no idea the complexity of recreating (replicating) the props used in the first Star Wars movies. And, well, a bedroom designed so that the Big Dipper can be viewed in 3 dimensions from various other stars in the Galaxy, well, wow.
I enjoyed myself, I met a new person, and I felt the passions of others. What more could I ask for $5 admission and $3 for a bottle of Minnesota-brewed soda pop?
Thanks to the organizers, to the Zuccone for hosting, and to the presenters for a great night out.
Get in where you fit in.
I was out enjoying the local snowmobile trails yesterday and came across a man walking his two dogs; a man with his child and dog walking; a man, child and two dogs XC skiing (not the dogs); a woman walking; and a man riding his mountain bike.
These are all great outdoor recreational activities to enjoy and I am not mad that they are participating, I am mad that they were all on the state snowmobile trail. If I were to ride down a ski trail, or the Lakewalk, or a regular sidewalk for that matter, people would be calling the police and hopping up and down in anger. So why is it OK to break the rules the other way?
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Duluth Art Institute Gallery Party
Free Reception, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 6:30 to 8pm
Duluth Art Institute Galleries in the Depot
506 W. Michigan St.
Sean Elmquist, Symbiosis
UMD Emerging Photographers
Duluth Art Institute Annual Membership Show 2011
Music by Healthy Band Music Club
The Duluth Art Institute will celebrate three exhibits with one awesome band this Wednesday from 6:30 to 8pm. Free food, free drink, free entertainment plus a whole heaping helping of the visual arts.
R.I.P. James Bothwell, 1986 Principal, Morgan Park School
James W. Bothwell died on Jan. 13. He had a long career as a teacher and principal in St. Paul, but in 1986 he had a stint in Duluth as Morgan Park Junior High School’s interim principal, following the mid-school-year retirement of longtime principal Milan S. Karich and preceding the launch of Jon Vomachka’s reign.
I was in seventh grade and not much of an outlaw during Bothwell’s brief term, so I don’t have any good stories to relate, but I remember him seeming to be quite a nice guy. Does anyone have more specific memories to share?
Zumba at Grandma’s Sports Garden
Eman will be having a Zumba party at Grandma’s Sports Garden on Monday, Jan. 24, and every Wednesday in February. Come join the Zumba party with merengue, salsa, hip hop, belly dance. The event is only $10. Call Eman at 218-724-2691 for more details or visit emansbellydancing.com to sign-up.
Which camera is right for you?
Are you looking to purchase another digital camera, or just want to know more about what is out there? The Duluth Photography Institute has a free (for members) workshop on Thursday, Jan 20, providing insights on all the different choices out there! Don from First Photo will also be there with cameras for you to try out! E-mail the DPI to register. Members only — you can easily become a member for as little as $20/year by visiting duluthphotographyinstitute.com.
Duluth Small-business Tax Preparers
My spouse and I work regular salary jobs, but also have a small retail side business (bigger than a hobby, but not big enough to support a family and pay insurance, etc.) I don’t think my small-time preparer is going to register under the new guidelines and I have been a little skeptical about recent year’s filings.
I’ve worked with big accounting houses in the past, but they’re way too expensive and conservative. I don’t want someone to get too clever, but also a preparer that doesn’t think every gray area automatically defaults to the government.
If you own a small business and have a bit of advice or a recommendation, I would appreciate it. If you’re a tax preparer, I’d rather hear from your customers directly.