April 2009 Posts

Growler Review

brewhousegrowler48567It’s no secret that Fitger’s Brewhouse beers are outstanding, but what happens when you mix a bunch of them together?

Having recently had 11 different Brewhouse beers available at an event, I was faced at the end of the night with many growlers that had less than an inch of beer left. So a consolidation into one growler seemed like the best idea.

The answer to the question at hand is this: If Wildfire Lager is one of the beers involved in the mix, the mix will taste like Wildfire Lager.

I just wanted to read more about the Grand Marais Slaw Dog?

My Sisters Place - Slaw Dog

My Sisters Place - Slaw Dog

It appears I need to pay $2.95 if I want to read more about the Grand Marais Slaw Dog. WHY?
I understand the rough time print publications are going through these days but $2.95 for one article on Slaw Dogs.  Dang – the Slaw Dog probably does not even cost that much.

$2.95 per article

$2.95 per article

Homegrown Music VIDEO Festival reminder

FREE PASS to Homegrown if you complete the following:

1. Come to Beaners this Friday at 6pm (if you can’t make it you can have a proxy draw for you)

2. Draw two songs from the past two Homegrown CDs and choose ONE with which to make a music video. You can use footage you already have, and there is NO obligation to include images of the band playing (in fact, it might be kind of fun to be creative). The only rule is to keep the song intact.

3. Turn in your completed music video on Sunday at 9pm at Pizza Luce.

Thats it! Once you turn in your movie you’ll receive your pass as well as the past two Homegrown CDs as a thank you gift.

Finished videos will be shown on MONDAY at 7pm at Harbor City International School.

Questions? Call or email Annie at [email protected] or 218-310-4703

Forum on the Death Penalty & Mumia Abu-Jamal

THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY & THE CASE OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
Saturday, April 25 at 6pm in the basement meeting room
of the Chester Creek Cafe at 1902 E. 8th St.,Duluth, MN

You are invited to a public forum on the struggle to end the death penalty, and to free political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. The tragic continued use of the death penalty has inspired millions to fight against it, and the case of Mumia has come to symbolize what is wrong with the death penalty, and our criminal ‘justice’ system in general. Speaking at this event will be a panel of local activists from Amnesty International and Northwoods for Mumia. After the presentations there will be an open discussion. There will also be a birthday card for Mumia for people who would like to sign it [April 24 is Mumia’s birthday]. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Sponsored by Northwoods for Mumia
P.O. Box 16853, Duluth MN 55816
[email protected] – (715) 394-6660

Dylan Days in Hibbing coming May 21-24

Here is our fresh new Dylan Days press release, cross posted at my blog, going out today:

Dylan Days boasts full new schedule for 2009
Lineup features music, art and literature in music icon’s hometown

HIBBING, Minn. (April 20, 2009) – As Bob Dylan prepares to release another new album, his hometown of Hibbing, Minn., is preparing to honor him with its annual celebration of music, literature, visual art and Dylan history. Dylan Days 2009 takes place May 21-24.

RENEGADE COMBATS TROUBLED ECONOMY WITH GUERILLA FUNDRAISING!

We here at the Renegade Comedy Theatre like putting on shows. They’re fun. And, we think you like seeing them too. So, how bout we join forces to make sure those shows we both like so much can keep happening?

How, you ask? Good question! And if you’d shut up for two seconds we’ll tell you…sheeesh.

If Renegade receives $250 in donations between now and Thursday, April 30th at 5pm, members of DINK TANK will head down to the Duluth 10 theatre and camp out overnight to be first in line to buy tickets to the latest Matthew McConaughey opus, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”

Chickens in the City?

I doubt I will actually do this, but wanted some input, encouragement and/or discouragement based on experience

Backyard Chickens

Backyard Chickens

Hunting a Grouse with a House: Local Food Stories

What’s the most interesting story you can tell about eating “something local”?

I might be the only person you’ve ever heard of who actually hunted a grouse with a house. About seven years ago I lived on Morris Thomas Road. One day my daughter (then 7) and I were sitting and reading a book together when we heard a tremendous bang against the large plate glass window on the front of the house. When we looked outside we found a grouse dead on the lawn. My daughter, ever responsible and serious at the time, said we shouldn’t let the animal go to waste.

I’ve never been a hunter, so I called the DNR and asked the very nice man who answered the phone if there was any reason (legal or health-related) that I couldn’t eat that bird, and he proceeded not only to reassure me it was alright, but also to carefully explain how to skin the bird and prepare it. We ate it for dinner and my daughter and wife both declared it was the best winged creature they’d ever eaten.

What’s the oddest local food story (either acquiring, preparing or any other) you have?

They Would Know, Wouldn’t They?

The DNT ran an article today about jobless rates in the Northland.  I don’t know about the dead-tree version, but online they ran a photo of an empty cubicle with the story. The photo appears to be an empty cubicle at the paper itself.  I’m sure there are a lot of those around these days.

ECO Store Grand Opening Wednesday

Come, Celebrate Grand Opening on Earth Day!

Check it out!

Check It Out!

Check It Out!

If You Are in the Twin Cities Tomorrow

Ms. Laurie Hertzel, the book editor of the Mlps Star Tribune, and I will talk about  books and the state of the publishing industry Tuesday evening, April 21, at the spanking-new Mlps. Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Our panel discussion will be moderated by Cathy Wurzer of MPR, and taped for later broadcast (I don’t know when). Event begins at 7 pm. I’m sure there’ll be a fabulous refreshments afterwards, there certainly were last time I went to a talk at the Mlps. Central Library.

Laurie Hertzel is a Duluth expat, who began her journalism career right here in D-Town, at the Duluth News Tribune. She’s also the author of several books, including Boomtown Landmarks. I write for Publishers Weekly magazine, but, unlike Laurie, have never written a book.

Testing the new policy…

Thought I would try out the gray area in the promotion portion of the PDD policy. Figured I could post this for the following reasons:

1. The shirts are local.
2. They have a positive impact through their message and the organizations that benefit from the proceeds. More positive can only dilute the negative.
3. They all have at least something to do with art or humanity. And I know there are a lot of artists and humans in the PDD community.
4. At least two of them can be related to music, which I’m guessing will win the approval of Culture Czar Baci (kidding Baci, but I do like that title).

Hopefully, that’s enough to qualify. If not, feel free to remove. And yes, I have permission from Fatboy Slim’s management to use his music.

Thanks!

2009 Geek Royalty

2009royalty348572

All hail the new King and Queen of Geek Prom, James Ellingson and Rachael Gilman.

Skywalkin’ in Duluth in 2009

Short video through a part of the Duluth Skywalk.