May 2009 Posts

New PDD Feature: Rating Posts

As some of you have already figured out, we added a tool on PDD in which readers can rate how useful or enjoyable they find particular posts.

[UPDATE: Ratings were taken down 15 days after this post went up, so don’t look for them and feel stupid.]

See that row of stars at the bottom of this (and every other) post? That’s where the rating happens. All you have to do is click on the appropriate star to gauge your appreciation. The meaning behind the stars is basically this:

1 star – Lame
2 stars – Somewhat appreciated, but still kind of lame
3 stars – Above average
4 stars – Mint
5 stars – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

A NOTE ABOUT RATING THIS PARTICULAR POST: Rather than rating the quality of this post, please rate the whole idea of having ratings at all, as that will be useful to know. And feel free to comment about it as well.

Rubber Chicken Theater presents “Humpty Dumpty: The Musical”

dscf7504
Funny jokes, men in dresses, silly puppets, The Egg Man himself….there’s something for everyone!

May 22-24 and 29-31 at the beautiful Scottish Rite Auditorium.
Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3 & 7pm, Sundays at 3pm

Written and Directed by Chani Ninneman
Original Music by Patrick Colvin

Tix & Info: (218) 213-2780, www.RubberChickenTheater.com

Sponsored in part by the Lake Superior Zoo, Perfect Duluth Day, and also made possible in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (www.ARACouncil.org) through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature.

The climate of Duluth, circa 1914

I don’t know if anyone has ever seen/read this or not (I imagine there might be a copy at one of our libraries), but I stumbled on it on archive.org:

http://www.archive.org/details/climateofduluthm00richrich

ss-05162009-030246pm

note the pre-lift bridge on the cover, plus there’s a few other neat old photos inside, plus some interesting reading, and some interesting old data…

It’s an emergency! Sound the bugle!

I live within earshot of ALL the noise going on around the airport this week as the 148th Fighter Wing conducts some training exercises.

I’m used to all the military fighters and other planes overhead, and I still enjoy looking up into the sky to see them.

But sometime last night, I groggily woke up to what sounded like bugles playing over a tornado siren. I wasn’t sure if I had been dreaming until just now, when (in a fully awake state) I heard it again – and it was clearly coming from over by the airport. I’d never heard it before last night.

The sound is a constant tornado siren noise, with a few overriding bursts of what sound like bugles playing a melody of 8-12 notes. The whole thing lasts maybe 45 seconds. I’d like to know what that sound signals to the military personnel. Does anyone out there know?

Calling all Treasure Hunters

metal-detector-4002

Does anybody out there own (or know somebody with) a high-quality metal detector?  I lost my wedding ring digging in the garden yesterday (should have removed it, I know…)   I already rented a cheapo one and tried it out but it wasn’t much help (too many false readings).  I’m looking for somebody with a high-end detector and the know-how to discern all the crazy noises it makes.  I’d pay you for your time.

Hillside Tree Hits the Medium Time

Big Tree in the Hillside, Duluth, MN

Big Tree in the Hillside, Duluth, MN

My tree snapshot was selected for the MN DNR Arbor Day photo gallery, they are looking for nominations of Minnesotans favorite trees and mine made the list. Or “a” list, anyway, not sure if it’s “the” list. Submissions are open for at least the rest of the month.
Try the DNR Photo Gallery here, my pic is about half way through MN DNR Arbormonth Photo Gallery

Mark your calendars

manhattan-copy

I’ve decided that this weekend will be the weekend to switch from manhattans to gin and tonics.

Share the Love Super1

Why is it that only the West Duluth Super1 bakery has the recipe for Peanut Butter Kisses?  I recently moved to the East side and neither the Kenwood or Superior St. Super1’s have these delicious calorie grenades.  I had to make the drive last night to satisfy the cravings of my significant other…

The New Boy Scouts

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/05/14-1

The Hillbilly Hellcats

At the Electric Fetus …

MinnEconomy Event Today!

11am-4pm : Mary of GitchiGami Beach Glass will be giving an in-store demonstration making jewelry from Lake Superior beach glass.

4pm : Free in-store concert by The Bitter Spills.

Get the new Bitter Spills cd at 10% off!

Free Tours of Glensheen

Glensheen will be offering free tours on Friday, May 22, 2009 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of opening to the public. The complimentary community day begins at 9:30 a.m. and the last tour starts at 4 p.m.

 

Enjoy entertainment and refreshments while you’re on the grounds, 3300 London Road.

 

DNT & Mexico Lindo

Headline on DNT.com today:

Twins owner Pohlad dead at 93
Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died today, a baseball official said. He was 93.

Sweet…I missed this the first time he died back in January while I was on vacation.

In other news, has anyone been to Mexico Lindo and noticed that they got rid of the burrito filled with french fries and veggies, and covered in oaxaca cheese? I believe this was one of the main reasons people went there (although their other food is good, too). What gives? Would McDonalds ax the Big Mac and think people wouldn’t care?

Public Restrooms

I used the women’s bathroom at ShopKo yesterday and it was the most disgusting experience I have had in a long time.  Of all the stalls, there was only one that was both “clean” and lockable.  There was neither soap nor towels at the sinks.  Nasty.  Which public restrooms do you avoid?

Duluth Papermaking

My fiance and I are looking to be married in August and are currently searching for recycled (hopefully seeded) paper for our invites. I have hunted around on the net, and got a few numbers, but I felt it would be good if we went with someone local. Does anyone around the area make paper or know someone who does? We have less than two weeks to come up with something before we’d like to have them printed, so the sooner the better. I actually tried making some paper last night, it worked out well, but I just don’t have enough time to get them all done. Let me know if you or anyone you know would be interested!