The Great Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1983
Just wondering if anyone else remembers the big snowstorm of ’83? It actually hit the night before Thanksgiving. I was working at what was called the Duluth Arena then and we got snowed in. I got to pull my car inside and sleep in the auditorium mezzanine. It was pretty sweet. We took an Arena ice truck and tried to get to Superior for some beer, but had to turn back. We did manage to walk down in the middle of the blizzard and eat at Godfather’s on London Road, right before they closed up shop. I remember we even managed to throw a snowball or two at Jack McKenna’s weather window on Michigan Street.
Good times.
The coolest thing about this monster blizzard was the thunder and lighting. That was the first time I had ever seen that, and I don’t think it’s happened since.
Whole Foods Co-op Classes–Great Gift Ideas!
Do you have a family member, partner, or friend who might enjoy taking a class through the co-op? We have some great classes coming up, and they make a fantastic gift idea at $20 for co-op members, and $25 for non-members. Coming up:
Uber-knowledgeable Celia Linneman returns to teach, “Herbal Crafts for Kids” on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 12:30 – 2 p.m. The class is for kids ages 7-12 and will have them creating some holiday gifts on their own, from salt and sugar scrubs to lip balms.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, is “Cooking in a Winter Wonderland” featuring WFC’s own Shannon Szymkowiak with super dishes and deep thoughts about eating locally for the wintertime.
Then on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6-8 p.m raw food guru Emily White returns to teach a “Raw Christmas Goodies” class about indulging in holiday goodies without all the guilt.
Here’s to your health and well-being this holiday season! For more information, go to www.wholefoods.coop. Thank you.
Yelp!
I was looking through the Duluth reviews on yelp.com and things are looking sparse and outdated. There are precious few reviews from Duluthians, it’s mostly just weekend tourists. I know you all have strong opinions on the M&H, your dentist, the parking situation in Canal… so go post some reviews, add businesses you don’t see, and let’s make Duluth sound good! Or bad, whichever you prefer.
Ye Olde Traditional Thankfulness Post
Allow me to once again lead the PDD Thanksgiving prayer. I’ll go ahead and take friends, family and food for granted as usual.
This year I’m most thankful for dentists, particularly the one who is finally going to fix my cavity next week.
I’m also thankful for Minnesota Care and Delta Dental, which aren’t necessarily the best friends of dentists, but are a big help to me.
I’m also thankful for people who won’t turn the comments to this post into a bitter debate about health care, even though I kind of provoked them.
There. Now what are you thankful for?
(Here’s what we were thankful for in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.)
Off the Wall Artist Market
Come to seventh annual holiday celebration of art, food and music at the Historic Trade and Commerce Marketplace at Hammond and Broadway in Superior. Off the Wall, Artist Market is in the Red Mug and North End Arts Gallery. Saturday dec. 5 is a building-wide open house, gallery reception in the evening, and live music after in the Red Mug. Off the Wall runs through December. The Red Mug, Duluth Pottery, Art in the Alley and North End Arts Gallery are open daily for the season. (more…)
Missing Person
Dear Chad,
Please come back to the Artist’s Way group. We miss you!
Everybody else, keep an eye out for the next Artist’s Way session, starting in December!
“Have Yourself an H1N1 Christmas, or, Snufflin’ in a Swine Flu Wonderland”
Rubber Chicken Theater presents its second annual Holiday Comedy Revue, entitled “Have Yourself an H1N1 Christmas, or, Snufflin’ in a Swine Flu Wonderland.” (more…)
Looking for a few decent hockey players …
… aged 35 and up to play in a league on Sunday nights. There are 6 teams, it’s supposed to be a 40 and over league but they’re pretty loose on the rules. I’m on the “6th team” — they put together an emergency team so everyone could play every week, but we need a few warm bodies. I would say the level is intermediate to advanced…. So yeah, call Mars Lakeview at 722-4455 if you need any info. Times are between 6 and 8pm, which is pretty nice.
Interview with World-Class A-hole
Check out the latest interview with White Man’s World writer/director Jason Page.
PDD Gift Guide 2009
The time to spend money we don’t really have is upon us. So why not give that money from the future to our friends and neighbors? With that sentiment in mind, the folks at Perfect Duluth Day have compiled a selection of locally produced goods and services to add to your shopping list.
The fabulous showcase below is by no means comprehensive, of course. We at PDD would like you to contribute to it through the comments. If you know of a local something special for that special someone, let it be known. (more…)
Perfect Duluth Plaid Friday?
So I guess there’s a Plaid Friday thing in San Francisco to encourage shopping locally rather than in the big box stores on the evil Black Friday. I’m not much of a Christmas shopper myself, and don’t even plan to leave the house Friday, but I suppose most people are. (more…)
Ideas for reusing a vacuum cleaner
We’ve got this old Hoover vacuum cleaner taking up space in the basement. It kind of still works, but mostly it just makes a bunch of noise and reorganizes the dirt on the floor. It was replaced with a new Hoover about two years ago.
I haven’t looked into whether the garbage man will take it or if it needs to be brought to a materials recovery center or what. In the meantime, here’s what I’m wondering:
If I were a creative or moderately handy person, what kind of reuses for this vacuum could there be? Could Tim Kaiser make a musical instrument out of it? Would the brush roll make a good dog brush? Can I donate the hose to Last Place on Earth as drug paraphernilia or maybe a sex toy?
This vacuum was built to clean up the world, so help me resist the urge to just toss it into a landfull. Or at least help me come up with a bunch of entertaining and impractical ideas for reuse before I just go ahead and throw it out anyway.
Whatever you do, don’t try to explain to me how it can be fixed. The ship already sailed on that when it was replaced. If you want it fixed, I’ll glady give it to you and you can fix it all you want.
Zooming in on Duluth with Google Maps Street View Expansion
As Perfect Duluth Day and others noted earlier this year, Google Maps Street View arrived in Duluth with a brief run-through. [See the original PDD piece.]
Now however, Google has taken Street View to a major portion of Duluth and surrounding areas, and I write about it with a number of example photos including the Kozy Bar at my personal Web site:
https://www.truthisapathlessland.com/
Best Regards,
Lane R. Ellis
David Guttenfelder: AP photographer with Wisconsin ties
AP Chief Asian Photographer David Guttenfelder has been covering Afghanistan since 2001. His photos are impressive to say the least.
He vacations every summer with his wife and two daughters at Three Lakes, near Eagle River, Wis. His wife is from Neenah.
Listen to Mike Simonson’s interview with Guttenfelder on KUWS.fm.
View Guttenfelder’s photos on Denverpost.com.
Quick Question
How much do you love the guy at Taco Bell with the fake British accent / Thurston Howell III voice?
The Rez, The Feelin’ Band and Pistol Whippin’ Party Pengins Fri. Nov 20 8PM
The Rez, The Feelin’ Band and Pistol Whippin’ Party Pengins will be playing at the Orpheum Duluth (downstairs NorShor) on Friday Nov. 20 at 8PM – $7 – Get there early and catch all the music!
Light and Love and Healing to you all,
-Patrick Arden McNally
Turbo Rathvon at Beaner’s Central
Duluth’s own Turbo Rathvon will be performing at Beaner’s Central with James O’Neal and Skinny Longfeet. The show is Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Cover $5.
Christmas City of the North Parade 2009
Christmas City of the North Parade
Time to get your Parade on! Christmas City of the North Parade 2009 is Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:20. (more…)
Storytelling events tonight
Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m.
9th Annual Tellabration Family Storytelling event at Grant School, located at 1027 N 8th Ave. E., Duluth, MN. Tellers will include: Rachel Nelson, Harold Kallio, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Elizabeth Nordell and Carol Lee and Sparky. Refreshments! Free! Non-perishable food item appreciated. ?s: 733-7016
Thursday, Nov. 19, 8:15 p.m.
“Wit, Wisdom and Whatever..” a Tellabration Adult Storytelling event at Dubh Linn’s Pub, The Murphy Room, 109 W Superior St., Duluth, MN. Tellers will include: Rachel Nelson, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Elizabeth Nordell and Carol Lee, Tom Martinson and Harold Kallio.$5. ?s: 724-3484
SNL Skit: Duluth Live! from 2006
I had been trying to find this clip for ages, turns out it was right under my nose at funnyordie.com. I’m not sure if this has posted before, but I’d thought I’d share it anyways. Enjoy.
UPDATE: Sadly, there is no longer an embeddable version of the video online, but it is available on nbc.com.
More harsh online criticism of the Duluth News Tribune
Just when PDD had gone a full month without a post specifically targeting the local daily newspaper, Business North coughs this up for us to share:
Get it Local Gift Fair – Dec. 5
Saturday, Dec. 5 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N. 11th Ave E.
This is the 3rd year for the fair that has over 25 local artists and a mix of nonprofits providing key services and support in the area.
What you will find there: artwork, pottery, jewelry, felted and sewn items, and so many unique items.
New this year-Make & Take station
Get Great Stuff local gift fair – Dec. 8
Shop the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Duluth Congregational Church, 3833 E. Superior St. Open shopping time: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Do some holiday shopping after work. Many local-made and creative gift items will be available for purchase. Over 20 artists will be participating. Pottery, books, sewn items, jewelry, cards, healing pads, diamond willow items, T-shirts, chocolates, and more.
For more information, contact 525-5098 or [email protected]. These fairs are brought to you by www.wendyupnorth.com.