Twain’s coldest winter revisited
Dave Wilton at wordorigins.org delves into a famous-though-probably-inaccurate Mark Twain quote in his latest article. “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” has of course also been spun as “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in Duluth.” Wilton covers it all in detail, as did Tony Dierckins some years ago on zenithcity.com. Lake Superior Magazine also covered the subject in 2003. (more…)
Sherlockiana at the Book Sale: Barry Day and Val Andrews
There was an entire bookcase of books about Sherlock Holmes at Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Superior Public Library. I took home two full shelves. (more…)
Duluth and the Harbor from Highway 11 in 1923
Photo by William L. Barker, Jr. for the U.S. Forest Service.
This photograph from the National Archive is dated Oct. 1, 1923 — 100 years ago today. The caption reads: “Duluth and the harbor on Lake Superior from Highway #11.”
Ripped at Jimmy’s Saloon in 2003
[Editor’s note: For this week’s essay we’ve once again pulled out a relic from the archive of Slim Goodbuzz, who served as Duluth’s “booze connoisseur” from 1999 to 2009. Twenty years ago the Sultan of Sot paid a visit to Jimmy’s Saloon, which still operates at 1812 Iowa Ave. in Superior’s Billings Park Business District. Although patios at drinking establishments have become commonplace in recent years, they were somewhat rare when this article was published in the Oct. 1, 2003 issue of the Ripsaw newspaper.]
I’m a sucker for good conversation. So, by all means, tell me how bad your husband is in bed. The more details the better. Tell me about the spit bubbles that foam up on the edges of his mouth as he nears climax. No, seriously. I like that stuff.
Sports and rock ’n’ roll are good too. Just please do me the favor of saving the politics for your Chamber of Commerce meetings and lame-ass Wicca bonfires.
Tonight at Jimmy’s Saloon in Superior’s Billings Park business district, the conversation is just right, so far. Sure, I could probably hear the same talk of music, sports and fucking at any other bar in town, but it’s better at Jimmy’s because the drinks are cheap and there’s a nice courtyard. (more…)
Climate>Duluth: David Blockstein
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews David Blockstein, professor in the graduate programs in sustainability at Bard College.
Minnesota in the ’70s: Sigurd Olson, Reserve Mining Case, etc.
This 2013 Twin Cities Public Television documentary provides a few snippets related to the state’s northeast corner, including Duluth. The show was produced with the Minnesota Historical Society Press and inspired by the book Minnesota in the ’70s by Dave Kenney and Thomas Saylor. (more…)
Selective Focus: Fall Colors 2023
Chlorophyll, schmlorophyll; turn up the carotenoids and anthocyanin. The annual biochemical process is underway. Progression of fall and peak leaf colors can be tracked with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Fall Color Finder.
Featured here is Perfect Duluth Day’s annual collection of select images from Instagram showcasing nature’s palette. (more…)
Duluth Mail Bag: Tourism Taxes, Bike Lanes and Bonding
As a two-time Duluth city councilor, now in my final year of service, one of my goals is to make city government more accessible, or at least help citizens become more informed. I figure there are many Duluthians who would like some simple answers to some simple questions. I learned in school that if there is something you don’t understand it’s likely there are many others who feel the same way. Hence the idea of the Duluth Mailbag column.
I won’t divulge who is asking the questions, but I’ll answer them in this format about once a month. Feel free to put a question in the comments for next month’s “Duluth Mailbag” or tweet me via @Hobbs_Duluth or email me at hobbsforduluth @ gmail.com.
Also, if you want to have a longer conversation, you can sign up for a 45-minute cup of coffee through my 100 Cups of Coffee project.
Apologies for the delay in this column, I’ve been chasing Springsteen across the country and watching the Twins clinch the AL Central. OK, here we go! (more…)
Climate>Duluth: Lisa Fitzpatrick of Duluth Climate Mobilization
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews local climate activist Lisa Fitzpatrick of Duluth Climate Mobilization.
Recorded at Duluth Public Access Community Television’s studio in City Hall.
Duluth Arrow Chevrolet
The Arrow Chevrolet West was on the corner of Grand Avenue and 59th Avenue West — the modern-day location of City Center West. (Photo via University of Minnesota Duluth Archives and Special Collections)
I am looking for folks with information about either Duluth location of Arrow Chevrolet — West Duluth or Downtown.
Chevy dealers across the country were sponsors of the Soap Box Derby and I am hoping to get a few folks to respond with their memories of the Arrow Chevrolet clinics and parts distribution. Did you race the Soap Box Derby? What memories of the Chevy dealers do you have?
40 Below: The Toughest Race in the World
Duluthian Marius Anderson’s film 40 Below will be the featured film on Friday, Oct. 6 at the 2023 Duluth Superior Film Fest. The film follows entrants in the Arrowhead 135 race in International Falls during the depths of Minnesota winter. It’s one of many Minnesota-made films screened at the fest; the full schedule is on the Duluth Superior Film Fest website.
Below are more Minnesota-made movie trailers. (more…)
Video Tour of Mariner Business Center in 2021
Brandon Novy produces videos of “dead, dying, or interesting malls (and anything related) in and around Minnesota” for the YouTube channel Yodeling Loon Retail. In 2021 he visited Mariner Business Center in Superior — formerly Mariner Mall — for his first video of a mall outside Minnesota.
PDD Quiz: September 2023
See how many September 2023 headlines you remember with this edition of the PDD quiz.
The next quiz, previewing Halloween shenanigans, will be published on Oct. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Oct. 11. (more…)
John F. Kennedy’s 1963 Duluth Speech
Sixty years ago today — Sept. 24, 1963 — President John F. Kennedy spoke in Duluth during the Northern Great Lakes Region Land and People Conference. The event was held in the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Physical Education Building. (more…)
League of Women Voters of Duluth Candidate Forums
The League of Women Voters of Duluth recently hosted forums in the Duluth Public Access Community Television studios featuring candidates on the General Election ballot.
The forum embedded above features mayoral candidates Emily Larson and Roger Reinert, recorded Sept. 20. (more…)
Postcard from the Rocky Shores of Lake Superior
This undated postcard, circa 1970, was published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The caption on the back read: “Rocky Shores Along the Circle Route of Lake Superior.”
Northern Lights over Grand Marais
Via WDIO-TV, time-lapse footage of the Sept. 18 northern lights by David Johnson, captured in Grand Marais.
North Shore and Grand Marais Aerial Video
Lake Superior shoreline and waterfall scenes from TruNorth Productions.
Oasis del Norte restaurant opening soon
The brick-and-mortar Oasis del Norte restaurant in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District finally has an opening date. The Duluth News Tribune reports that Eduardo Sandoval Luna will open the taqueria-style Mexican eatery at 2401 W. Superior St. on Sept. 29, pending inspection from the Minnesota Health Department.
Sandoval Luna has operated the Oasis del Norte taco food trailer since 2015.
The Black Labels – “Please Give Me Something”
A track from the 2001 Shaky Ray Records compilation album Let’s Get Sloppy.
R.I.P. Black Labels’ drummer Ryan “Chunk” Lund — April 25, 1983 to Sept. 17, 2023.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Cast – “What a Pleasant Journey”
Thirty years ago today — Sept. 18, 1993 — the sci-fi comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000 mentioned Duluth in “The Train Song” a.k.a. “What a Pleasant Journey.” Specifically referenced in the lyrics is the 1992 benzine spill in Superior known as “Toxic Tuesday.” (more…)
Minnesota Humanities Center grants for community programs
he Minnesota Humanities Center, an independent nonprofit that is an affiliate with the National Endowment for the Humanities, has recently received funding from the Minnesota Legislature to provide grants to individuals, museums and organizations. I love it when state money flows from the Twin Cities to Duluth. Apply! (more…)
Zombie Media at the Superior Public Library Sale
During the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Superior Public Library, I saw many things I’ve never seen before. I saw someone come by and buy all of the VHS tapes. (Luckily, I saw them before he did — there was nothing I liked.) I understand that there is a collector market for VHS, as movies that were never issued to DVD and will likely not be streaming are only found on that medium. (more…)
Sydney Hansen – “You or the Whiskey”
The latest music video from Duluth native Sydney Hansen features Aurora Kalligher and Michael Joki and is directed by Bo Allen of Bo Allen Productions.
Rebuilt Civil War veteran’s house part of historic properties tour
Diane and Steve Dick stand outside their renovated home on 43rd Avenue East and London Road. The home was built in 1889 by Civil War veteran John Mallman and will be featured on the Duluth Preservation Alliance Historic Properties Tour this Sunday. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A long abandoned duplex in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood was a complete wreck that showed no sign of its historic past when Steve and Diane Dick purchased it. Their simple renovation plan was to make room for an aging parent and host regular gatherings with their children and grandchildren.
Eight years on, the project has accomplished all the necessary family duties and more. The house stands out among its stately London Road neighbors and keeps an important piece of history alive: its original owners were Civil War veteran and early mining-exploration Captain John Mallman and his wife Catherine. (more…)