Selective Focus: Bliss
Tyler Johnson, untitled
Bliss is seldom of an epiphanic nature; it often just slowly suffuses us, when after years or moments prior we’d barely thought it possible that matters could just placidly align. But a surfeit of joy can be just as intolerable as an abundance of grief. Neither can be sustained, and each will evanesce, then quietly, someday, return. (more…)
Jade Fountain closed; Gannucci’s expansion planned
Within six months of acquiring the Jade Fountain, Bill Kalligher locked the big red doors to the iconic Chinese restaurant. He reached the decision in September, fed up with a dirty kitchen he says he’s still trying to clean, alleged poor product quality from food suppliers and a box filled with bounced checks from customers. (more…)
Missing Person: Jonathan Beckman
Update: Jonathan Beckman and two other young males who ran from the Northwood Children’s Services West Campus last night were located and brought back to Northwoods by Duluth Police today.
The Mystery of Chuck’s TV
I have a mystery on my hands. About a year ago while driving over West Ninth Street, just before the intersection of North Eighth Avenue and East Orange Street, something caught my eye — what appeared to be an old car in the woods. After a couple passes, I could see that it was indeed an old car. Curious, once home I started some research. On the newly updated Google maps this past spring, I could see the car in question. Checking the DNR Historical Airphotos, I found that up to 1961 there are what appears to be two buildings, houses or perhaps a house and some other type of building on that very corner. Sometime between 1961 and 1972 they were torn down, as they no longer appear on the 1972 imagery.
The Fitz: 40 Years Later
Eyewitness News‘ Darren Danielson looks back at the fateful events of Nov. 10, 1975.
Where in Duluth? #136
This might be the most difficult “Where in Duluth?” ever. Ask questions in the comments for clues. You’ll need them.
Social Disaster: Dark Side of the Roller Rink
Ryan Nelson and Rachel Phoenix from the Social Disaster explain the magic behind the band’s debut Dark Side of the Roller Rink. The group kicks into high gear on Friday, Nov. 13, with a record release show at Rex Bar. Click on the image above to hear the podcast.
This Week: the Edmund Fitzgerald at 40, Veterans Day, Orson Welles and more
Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:
Tuesday is the 40th anniversary of the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald and there are several events to mark the occasion, a painter is remembered through a show of his work, the DSSO begins their Chamber Music Series, the last Union soldier to die (Albert Woolson, a Duluthian) is remembered, the crazy goofs in Putnam County are putting on their Spelling Bee and it’s time to Give to the Max.
Comedian Justin Caesar returns to Duluth to do some stand-up and show some films, Sage Francis lands at the Red Herring, the Social Disaster releases its first album with a Rex blowout, the latest contender for “best worst movie” opens at the Zinema, godlike genius Orson Welles is celebrated, skateboard decks are sold to raise money for skateboard parks and Gramma’s Boyfriend is in town.
Guide to Duluth-related Blogs in 2015
The craft of writing personal blogs probably hit its stride in Duluth around 2005 and started dying out around 2010. It’s been a long time since the days PDD carried a feed of local blogs, which became unnecessary once subscription news-aggregator applications became available. There is still a strong set of Duluth-area writers and photographers dedicated to kicking out text on a regular basis, however, and we profile them here so you can check them out and add them to your feeds as you wish. (more…)
Minnesota Deer Hunting Opener 2015
No luck yet for me, hunting in Kelsey, but a couple fresh rubs nearby. Anyone else having luck?
You know the feeling. You just sat down on your bucket in your stand, it’s at little after 6 a.m. It’s still dark but you can see a sliver of light starting to climb in the southeastern horizon. Your heart is beating from your walk in and you feel so warm your thinking there is no way it is 28 degrees.
(more…)
Glen’s Neighbor – “Help Me”
New video from Duluth band Glen’s Neighbor for the second single from the album Behind the Door. The video was directed by Shane Nelson and shot during the recording process at Winterland Studios in New Hope.
The big, fat EIS
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Forest Service have released the final environmental analysis of Minnesota’s first proposed copper-nickel mine. It’s 3,576 pages long. Click here for an overview on the DNR website and to find links to download the full 263 MB of wholesome review process. A 30-day public review period begins Nov. 13 and ends Dec. 14. Update: Deadline for submitting comments has been extended to Dec. 21.
PolyMet proposes to develop an open-pit mine and processing facilities for the extraction of copper, nickel and platinum elements, with an estimated 20-year lifespan for mine operations. The proposed mine would be located in the St. Louis River watershed on the eastern edge of the Mesabi Iron Range, about 6 miles south of Babbitt and about 1 mile south of the existing iron-ore Northshore Mine. Processing of the ore would take place at a former industrial site, the LTV steel plant in Hoyt Lakes. (more…)
Selective Focus: November
Hugh Reitan, untitled
Limbs (of trees) stripped near to bare, firewood cribbed, quilts at hand, larders stocked. This is the month that Maslow’s hierarchy seems tangibly real, unless you’re an artist and thus inclined to invert the pyramid. Many diverse takes this week, despite my dread that a theme so prospectively barren would go unchallenged. Credit a strain of Scandanavian fatalism? Anyhow, thanks. (more…)
Anchor Bar & Grill on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives featured five Duluth-area restaurants in segments shot during the spring and summer of 2010. The clip from the Anchor Bar & Grill in Superior was shot on July 1, 2010 and aired on Jan. 31, 2011. It should be noted that Guy Fieri did not actually make an appearance at the Anchor; this segment was for a “Viewer’s Choice” episode. The segment can be viewed at foodnetwork.com.
PDD Video Lab: Experimental Animation – Film to 3-D
In this silent video Adam Dargan, an animator from Duluth who now lives in Minneapolis, takes the physical exploration of film and re-imagines it in a 3-D environment.
If the silence is too much to take, we’ve selected some possible soundtracks for you. Start the video above, then press play on a soundtrack below.
Pak’s Green Corner on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guy Fieri buzzed through Duluth and Superior in July 2014 to shoot four segments for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. In this clip he visits Pak’s Green Corner in West Duluth. Pak’s closed shortly after the segment aired. The building was sold and demolished to make way for a new Superior Choice Credit Union location. (A 15-second commercial precedes the segment.)
Duluth’s first escape room opening for trial run
Three Duluthians have formed a business partnership to open a downtown storefront during the holiday season for a physical adventure game in which participants use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues and escape.
Silent Night: A Live-Action Adventure will open Nov. 28 in the Stanley Center, 408 W. Superior St. It’s the work of a new immersive event company, Solve Entertainment, aka SolveEnt. The partnership is comprised of Andy Bennett, Richard Hansen and Matthew Wagner. (more…)
Cirrus parachute deployed in Arkansas
Note: CBS News has removed its video of this report, therefore PDD has removed the embed. There is a different, non-embeddable video at cbsnews.com.
Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon was piloting a Duluth-manufactured Cirrus SR22T heading from Bentonville, Ark., to Waco, Texas, when he ran into engine trouble shortly after takeoff. As CBS News reports in the clip above, the airplane began to lose altitude and Simon made a split-second decision to deploy the safety parachute. He glided to the ground and landed on a stretch of road, the entire aircraft still visibly intact.
Duluth 2015 General Election Results
Emily Larson cruises to victory in the mayoral race. Elissa Hansen, Noah Hobbs, Gary Anderson and Em Westerlund are new city councilors. Alanna Oswald, David Kirby and Nora Sandstad join the school board.
With all 34 precincts reporting …
Duluth Mayor
Emily Larson – 15,352 | 72%
Chuck Horton – 5,862 | 27%
Write in – 125 | 1% (more…)
Kounty Quarthouse on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guy Fieri buzzed through Duluth and Superior in July 2014 to shoot four segments for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. In this clip he visits the Kounty Quarthouse, a “five-star dive bar” in South Range. (A 30-second commercial precedes the segment.)
The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank – “Down the Line”
Video directed by Joshua Priestley, shot at Bayfront Festival Park on July 11.
Video Archive: Gary Doty wins second term
For your Election Day amusement we take a trip to 1995.
Twenty years ago, Gary Doty defeated challenger Herb Bergson to earn his second term as Duluth mayor. Doty served a total of three terms, holding office from 1992 to 2004. He did not seek a fourth term. Bergson became mayor in 2004, defeating Charlie Bell.
Shorty’s Pizza & Smoked Meat on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
See the video on foodnetwork.com.
Guy Fieri buzzed through Duluth and Superior in July 2014 to shoot four segments for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. In this clip — from season 21, episode 3, “Cross-Country Classics” — he visits Shorty’s Pizza & Smoked Meat in Superior.
Duluth Bread CSA
Duluth’s Best Bread croissant
Photo by Rolf Hagberg
Would you like to get bread and croissants every week and support local foodways? Duluth’s Best Bread is starting a community-supported agriculture program this month.
The way a CSA works is that you pay a fee up front and in turn are guaranteed bread every week — including occasional special loaves not usually offered, like challah, rye or whole wheat. All you do is come pick it up. (more…)