Possible wine bar!?!?!?
I thought I read in the Tribune that there may be a wine bar moving in downtown? Does anyone know about this? That would be awesome if it did. The wine crowd in Duluth seems to be regulated to the Gitch wine club and a few fellow wine drinkers. If anyone knows anything about this, I would be interested.
Northland’s “News” Center?
I’d be interested in hearing PDDs thoughts on this discussion about KBJR from one of my twitter pals, media insider gossip muckraker Red and Nater:
Last week, they had to pull a story about murderer Donald Blom after a Facebook protest. Then they claimed the promo they had aired about the story was wrong.
Tonight (Tuesday), they had to do a live four-minute interview with a Cirrus executive off the top of their 10:00 news to make up for a story they ran at 5 in which they claimed the company was “in crisis.” Their 5:00 report was based on the fact that Cirrus hasn’t paid rent for using a city-owned facility, but that had been widely reported by other media a month or more ago.
This is on top of the the constant day-behind news and bad video. When will Granite (or NBC or CBS) realize what’s going on in Duluth?
view in context at Red and Nater blog
Win Haley Bonar tickets
The show is on Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., at Sacred Heart.
To win two tickets, answer this question: Who shot the photo above?
KHQG’s “Album Side Thursday”
On his Fly High Duluth! blog, Duluth Budgeteer reporter Matt Perrine announced that KHQG-FM 102.5 will be playing uninterrupted vinyl album sides from 9:30am-midnight on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The station is taking requests for album sides to play that day. Perrine himself requested side one of Van Halen’s self-titled 1978 debut album.
While classic rock may or may not be a favorite genre of the PDD crowd, and corporate radio doesn’t get any love here at all, I feel like asking: What’s your favorite album side? Feel free to choose from any musical genre, not just classic rock. If you had 25 minutes or so of public airwaves to fill, which slice of vinyl deliciousness would you send out into the stratosphere?
Duluth TV ads from 1970
Eight classic TV spots from 1970, in all their sexiness. (more…)
Twelve Moons on Gichigami – Canal Park Film
Not sure if this has ever been posted here before, but figured I’d share it just in case.
Skiing at Chester Bowl
The ski lottery was held a few weeks ago at Chester Bowl, but there are still some ski rental packages available. The Chester Bowl Improvement Club provides inexpensive season ski packages, including skis, poles, boots, helmets, and season ski passes, for those that want to take part in skiing, lessons or other activities at Chester Bowl. You also get a day pass to Spirit Mt. and Mont du Lac. Many parents call the Chester Bowl Ski Program the best deal in town, but for those unable to afford the already low prices, scholarships are available.
Check out the Chester Bowl website for more info.
Genghis Khan Returns To Duluth

Genghis Khan, native son of the steep lands we call Duluth, will return this weekend. Under the quarter moon, Genghis Khan and his fellow warriors of Chicago will ride to Duluth and celebrate with the tribe in which he was born. The journey will be long, and full of danger but luckily Genghis Khan’s war horse is equipped with a Compact Disc Player. Therefore, Genghis Khan seeks the opinion of the people of his homeland in one question:
What are some good songs that sing of the hills of Duluth and it’s people?
With your answers, Genghis Khan will conduct several raids on neighboring tribes for the chants and harmonious chords you suggest to compile in a “mixed CD”. This artifact will serve to set the mood and empower the warriors of Chicago for their experience of the Northland, an experience for which they can never truly be prepared.
May your cities be reduced to ashes,
Genghis Khan
Short Notice – Movies at Beaner’s

Beaner's film night - NOV 10 at 6:30pm
Sorry for the short notice, but Erin Hudson‘s work will be screening at Beaner’s on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Erin is a documentary filmmaker who is concerned, committed, and passionate about storytelling. Her films give voice to the people we sometimes miss in the frenzied blur of 21st century society – the life of a female trucker, the vision of a rural photographer, or the quiet dignity of getting old.
More retro Duluth TV
Someone just posted a bunch of old WDIO news, sports and weather promos on YouTube. Here is an assortment of 1970s-era holiday spots — lots of glimpses of old TV news sets and technology … and a brief appearance by Dennis Anderson. (more…)
Zeitgeist Arts grand opening Thursday
Thursday, Nov. 12
4 p.m. | Ribbon Cutting by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and a champagne toast. Reception follows with music by Tangier 57 until 7 p.m.
7 p.m. | Low
9 p.m. | Low, again
How Low can they go? There will be two performances by Low. Both are free, but limited space requires that patrons pick up a ticket at one of the Zeitgeist Arts venues prior to the celebration. (UPDATE: Tickets to both Low shows are sold out).
222 E. Superior St., Duluth
Home of Teatro Zuccone, Zinema 2 and Zeitgeist Arts Cafe
“Farewell Milwaukee” says “Hello Duluth”
While most bands are fleeing their homes for the coastal cities of New York and Los Angeles, Farewell Milwaukee is embracing the role that their Midwestern towns have played in shaping them artistically. Audiences are drawn to their Americana style, authentic lyrics, as well as the chemistry that’s displayed when 5 shaggy boys from the Midwest drop their jaws wide and harmonize as one!
Their debut album “Autumn Rest Easy” bleeds with Americana soul, folk rock, perfect pop harmonies, and a pedal steel that would make all 3 Hank Williams’ proud. It is a Midwest-fall road tripper’s dream, combining sparkling clean guitar tones and vocal harmonies on tracks perfect for passing hours eastbound on I-94.
Farewell MIlwaukee will be playing at Beaners Central in Duluth on Saturday, Nov. 14 with “Red Fox Grey Fox” and “The People Say Fox“
PAVSA’s 29th Annual Art Auction
PAVSA’s 29th Annual Art Auction will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Duluth. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the silent auction set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Following will be the live auction, featuring pieces donated by local artists. An additional highlight will be the dessert auction, with fine cheesecakes, chocolate delights, and other delectable desserts up for bid. Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. Tickets for the Art Auction are $50 each.
At the 2009 Art Auction, PAVSA will be honoring individuals through three awards. Receiving the 2009 Community Ally awards will be Coral McDonnell and Officer Robert Carter. Coral McDonnell has been actively involved as an advocate in the sexual assault and domestic violence movements since for more than three decades. She worked with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program for many years and has served on the PAVSA Board of Directors since 2006.
Also receiving the Community Ally Award is Investigator Robert (Bob) Carter, a long-time patrol officer and former member of the Duluth Police Sex Crimes, Abuse and Neglect Unit. Officer Carter, who passed away in August, was committed to ending sexual violence and was a leader in addressing the issue of trafficking of adolescent girls in our community. Bob was also an avid photographer and donated his work to the PAVSA Art Auction.
PAVSA’s Artist of the Year Award will honor artists Michael Tonder and Jody Freij-Tonder, co-owners of Blue Skies Glassworks. Michael and Jody have been longtime donors to the PAVSA Art Auction, and we are pleased to recognize them for their environmentally conscious sculptures, stained glass, and fused glass pieces.
To buy tickets or for more information about PAVSA’s 29th Annual Art Auction, please call PAVSA at (218) 726-1442.
Body Love, Size Acceptance & Health at Every Size
A Women’s Resource & Action Center Brown Bag Presented by Linda Gokee-Rindal
Wednesday, Nov. 18th 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Kirby Student Center 268
Sponsored by UMD Women’s Resource & Action Center, UMD Women’s Studies Department & UMD Health Services
Free and open to the public.
Contact info:
UMD Women’s Resource & Action Center
Kirby Student Center 266
[email protected]
218-726-6292
https://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/wrac/
Leftovers
I visited my parents yesterday and my mother told me she had a gift for me. She produced a bottle of sloe gin and a bottle of grenadine, the contents of which had both been partially consumed.
The two bottles have been in my parents coat closet for many years. The theory is that they were leftover from my brother’s wedding reception in 1985.
I’m pretty sure the grenadine should go straight down the sink, although I’m kind of wondering if corn sweetner and citric acid blended with various preservatives tastes any different after two-and-a-half decades.
The sloe gin, on the other hand, needs to be consumed and enjoyed in excess. Does anyone out there have a parent with some vermouth in the closet? We should get together for cocktails.
And by the way, what’s your favorite sloe gin drink?
Artists and Crafters Wanted
On Sat. Dec. 5 Washington Studios Artist’s Co-op is hosting “It’s a Wonderful Life” a three-tiered event with a members’ show in the Washington Gallery, All-day entertainment schedule, and handmade arts and crafts in the halls outside the gallery. We still have spots available for artists of all sorts, our main stipulation is that your art/craft must be handmade. It’s going to be “A Wonderful Time!”
The application is available on our site www.wsacduluth.info
Ed Fitz radio doc to air tonight
The annual airing of the 2-1/2 hour documentary We’re Holding Our Own: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald will be tonight at 7 p.m. on KUWS-FM (91.3 Superior, 102.9 Ashland). The ore carrier sank in eastern Lake Superior with no distress calls, no witnesses and most tragically, no survivors. This doc was produced by Wisconsin Public Radio over a five-year period and aired November 10, 1995 on the 20th anniversary of its sinking. Two-and-a-half hours seems like a long time, but it moves pretty fast and doesn’t have Gordon Lightfoot’s song all over it.
I almost saw Into Temptation last night
Patrick Coyle, director and writer of Into Temptation, was in Duluth to discuss his Minnesota-made movie last night at the Zinema, our town’s great new independent movie theater. At the start of the sold-out movie, the director sat on the aisle steps awaiting the audience’s reaction to his film. Unfortunately, the movie was a choppy version of the original. The disc kept skipping like a bad movie night in your living room. Coyle ran out to see what was happening and then returned apologizing and saying he would pop over to his car and get another disc. A director who has an extra movie at the ready seemed handy and kinda weird.
Then after a few minutes of disc 2, skip, … skip,… skip, and no director appeared to apologize. The audience sat for about 20 more minutes before starting to file out of the theater. We got our money back but wondered what the deal was. It’s too bad too since the 30-40 minutes of the movie I saw (parts from the beginning, middle, and end, by the way) was pretty good. Jeremy Sisto (of Law and Order and Six Feet Under) plays a gentle Catholic priest who tries to help a woman who has confessed that she plans to kill herself. But what actually happened at the Zinema last night? Who knows? It was kinda fun afterward when we tried to fill in the holes by imagining what happened.
You’re Getting Sleepy….Very Sleepy….
The Teatro Zuccone is excited to welcome Gabriel Holmes, from Rochester, MN, to the Teatro Zuccone stage tonight, November 6, 2009 for ONE NIGHT ONLY.
Gabriel will perform his very popular stage show at 9 pm followed by a live Improv set from Renegade at 10:30 p.m. Tickets for Gabriel’s show are $10. Tickets to improv are $5, or free with your ticket to Gabriel’s show!
Tickets are available at the door or by calling 218-336-1414.
From the collected works of Dr. Thunder

Act 3: Scene 5
(on the homestead)
Paw: Son, go gets me one of them there keepin’ fixtures from out yonder.
Son: Out yonder? I done thought ya telled me to puts the keepin’ fixtures ’round back, Paw! (more…)
I know you’re coming to Indie Film Night on Saturday but just in case

Indie Film Night is this Saturday, November 7, at the hottest new arthouse theater in the entire country, the ZINEMA2 at 222 East Superior Street. Here’s the rundown:
4:00 – Info session on how to apply to the $25k McKnight Filmmaking and Screenwriting Fellowships – FREE
5:00 – CINEMA LOUNGE with the best short films made by Duluth-area filmmakers, and interviews with the supercool filmmakers – FREE
7:30 – Duluth premiere of the MN-made feature that’s taking the indie film world by storm: INTO TEMPTATION, starring Kristin Chenoweth and with an appearance by director Patrick Coyle! – $10
10:00 – PARTY
Renegade’s 2010 Season Auditions!
Audition Notice
Renegade Announces Auditions for the first 3 shows of their exciting 2010 Season: The Sparrow, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and The Who’s Tommy.
WHEN: Saturday Nov. 14, Sunday Nov. 15.
TIME: 1:00pm-4:00pm each day ~Sign up for a 10 Minute Time Slot!
WHERE: Auditions will be at Teatro Zuccone
Sign up in advance for a 10-minute time slot by stopping by the Renegade upstairs office, by calling 722-6775, or by emailing [email protected]














