R.I.P. West Duluth ICO

West-Duluth-Ico-2010

The West Duluth ICO on Grand Avenue and 46th Avenue West has been torn down. A CVS pharmacy will be built in its place. I don’t have any ICO memories that are springing to mind, other than that one night in 2010 I decided to shoot a photo of it.

By the way, I think it might have technically been a Spur station, even though everyone called it ICO and there was an ICO sign on it. I’m not really sure how gas-station naming works.

Pearl Harbor Day Reflections

And There Shall Be Wars is a worthy addition to any World War II library.

When the Twin Towers were struck and fell on my birthday ten years ago, 9/11 was immediately being compared to another Day of Infamy sixty years earlier. What’s striking about the two events is how differently the news reached us. In 2001 Americans across the land were glued to their TV sets seeing replays of the horror and hearing commentaries of related unfolding events as they happened, with varying degrees of accuracy but instantly. With Internet access we could also watch reactions from around the world. Information about the 1941 attack came home to us in a far different manner, as this book excerpt shows.

Destination Imagination Team Managers

We need team managers for Destination Imagination teams at Congdon Park Elementary. I have been trying to tap out other sources before posting here, but schedules are not lining up and I’m getting desperate!

PDD Ticket Giveaway Clearance

In preparation for the holidays, it’s time to clear the desks at PDD of any hot giveaway items. Mention in the comments how good you’ve been this past year, and which one of the shows below you deserve two free tickets to, and I’ll act like Santa and divvy up the goodies.

(UPDATE: This contest is over now, and Santa has given away all his goodies, but you can still brag about how good you’ve been in the comments if you want. Just be aware that bragging is not being good.)

The Running (Unopposed) Man
Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 30 and 31, 7 p.m., The Venue at Mohaupt Block

Dink Tank: Return of the Dinks
Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, 8 p.m., Teatro Zuccone

From Havana to Duluth
Dec. 12 and 13, 8 p.m., Teatro Zuccone

Old Knifey and the Cutthroats Holiday Variety Show
Dec. 17, 9 p.m., All American Club

Prøve Gallery Hosts Second Show

The Prøve Gallery is one of several exciting new galleries in the Twin Ports.

The Prøve Gallery promises to be an exciting addition to the Twin Ports arts scene.

Prøve Gallery has announced the opening of a new show, Second, on Friday, Dec. 9. Second will feature the work of Alexander Hanson, Nikki Burger, Michael Beachy, Brittany Sanford, and Zach Gorr. Prøve Collective members Anthony Zappa, Justin Iverson, Nickolas Monson and Steven J Read will also be presenting work. The DJ collective the Crunchy Bunch will be spinning records, food will be provided by Clyde Iron Works and micro-brewed beer will be provided by Carmody Irish Pub.

A Parachute Project in Duluth

I’m an independent radio/media producer currently living and working in Milwaukee. However, for a variety of reasons, I find myself strongly drawn to Duluth (I’ve visited a few times and a couple close friends currently live in Duluth).

Is the Last Place on Earth ruining Duluth?

[This post originally featured a video from the Northland’s NewsCenter that is no longer available.]

“Brenda” by the Philip Traum Quartet

Goodbye Habeas Corpus

The Senate has voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act , which contains a provision that would allow the military to abduct American citizens, on US soil, without charges or trial, indefinitely. Ex CIA analyst Ray McGovern discusses it here. Both Minnesota senators voted yea. This is a big deal!

William (Billy) Harper found dead at UMD

Billy Harper UMD studentUMD  released the name of a student found dead in his dorm Monday. William “Billy” Harper, 19 from Coon Rapids, was discovered dead in his room at Heany Hall on Monday. Lisa Erwin, chancellor of student life, says it appears he died of natural causes.  Billy Harper was enrolled in the Labowitz School of Business and Economics. He was very active in sports and talented football player in high school. My prayers are with his friends and family.

#9 … #9 … Duluth in Top 10 Coldest Cities

The Daily Beast: America’s 25 Coldest Cities

Poverty in Duluth

A public lecture by Dave Benson (executive director of the Damiano Center) happened to a standing-room only crowd at 5pm in the UMD Library Rotunda. I had to sit in the next room and listen intently.

This week: Avenged Sevenfold, The Nutcracker, Rubber Chicken and more

Tuesday, Dec. 6
The College of St. Scholastica counts down to the lighting of its Christmas trees with a candlelit event.

Wednesday, Dec. 7
Avenged Sevenfold plays at Amsoil Arena.

Thursday, Dec. 8
Dink Tank, Duluth’s only resident sketch comedy act, is back with Return of the Dinks.

Friday, Dec. 9
Two productions of The Nutcracker open tonight. One at the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids and the other at the DECC. In its second week is Rubber Chicken Theater’s fourth annual holiday sketch-comedy revue. This year it’s titled “The Running (Unopposed) Man, or, Another Fine Ness You’ve Gotten Us Into”

Saturday, Dec. 10
Lower Chester Park re-opens with ice skating, concessions and a proclamation from the mayor. R.T. Quinlan’s hosts a night of indie rock with A Winter Downpour headlining.

Keep checking the PDD Calendar for continuously awesome events.

Hair Pride?

For all the beards and mustaches raised in Duluth this fall, I expected more of a bang for the end of M’ovember harvest – the epic month of facial hair. Was something posted somewhere? A gallery?

I do some freelance work for SwimCreative and see they posted this video of Mike Malone getting a classic shave on their Facebook page.

Ten Minutes with Photographer John Heino

Radiance illuminated.

John Heino photo from his Radiance series.

Just posted at Ennyman’s Territory, an inside glimpse of the creative energies that drive John Heino.

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