July 2010 Posts

Kid’s Art in the Park

Kid’s get the chance to draw what they see on Lake Superior and then fit into a frame!

*Must pre-register by calling Pineapple Arts (218) 722-2919
*Includes walk to the park and a healthy snack
Where: Meet at Pineapple Art Center 124 W 1st St Duluth
When: 1:30-3pm July 25 -Sunday-
Cost: $10 includes all

Bullsh*t Alert!

“Duluth” Trading Company opens its first retail store. Where, you ask? Mount Horeb, Wis., naturally.

Wisconsin State Journal: Remodeling starts for Duluth Trading’s first retail store in Mount Horeb

Site for small reception in Duluth?

I’m in search of a unique venue for a smaller wedding reception of around 80 people in Duluth. Something other than a typical hotel banquet room or similar is preferred. Perhaps a restaurant? Your ideas and info are appreciated!

Merging in construction zones on I-35

I know previously someone started up a conversation about the proper use of the merge lanes on I-35, but I am unable to find that posting.

I now have been honked at, given the finger, had one woman actually move her car to block me and then just sit in the left lane blocking traffic, because I’ve properly used the left lane for merging and have zipped past all those who have chosen to sit and creep along in the right lane.  My husband has actually had cars swerve out at him as he’s passed, which is now making me nervous to even attempt to use the merge lane.

Have any of the local news stations talked about this? It’d be sweet if they’d all remind people that those of us who actually use the left lane and merge at the appropriate point are the one’s doing the correct thing.

St. Louis County Primary Election 2010 Sample Ballot

Some notes on the Aug. 10 Primary Election:

* This is an election in which you have to choose a party. You can’t, for example, vote for a Republican governor and a DFL congressman. On the partisan side of the ballot you have to vote for the same party in all races. That’s how it works, whether you like it or not.

* Your party choices are Republican, Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Independence. Yes, there are some candidates representing other parties — Constitution, Green, Ecology Democracy, Resource and Grassroots — but those candidates do not have any opposition within their parties and therefore move on to the General Election automatically.

* If you live in Duluth, you won’t see the County Commissioner races that are listed on the sample ballot — those are for districts outside of Duluth. Pretty much all of the Duluth-relevant nonpartisan county races have only two or one candidate, so you won’t get to vote on them until November. The exception is the Sixth District Court Judge 11 race, which has eight candidates.

Duluth Waits for Shane, Sarah and Josh

Thursday, July 29 | 10pm | Pizza Lucé

Local musicians perform the music of Tom Waits to benefit the hikers detained in Iran.

The lineup will include Coyote, Bill and Kate Isles, Rachael Kilgour, Tony Bennett, the Tico Three, Dave Mehling, James Moors, Jim Hall, Charity Huot and the Mark Anderson Trio.

Cover charge: $10, which goes to Free the Hikers.

On July 31 it will be a full year that Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal have been detained in Iran with no charges brought against them. Shane and Josh have been sharing a cell in Evin’s Prison, but Sarah has been held in solitary confinement.

Bauer is a Minnesotan. His sister and brother-in-law live in Duluth, and he also has family in Shakopee and Pine City.

A protest walk and benefit will be held on July 31. More info on that in a future post.

Wildcats in Duluth’s Lester Park?

Last weekend, while enjoying a quiet rest on Lester River about one mile up from the main park, I heard what sounded like a cat hissing, but at 20 times the volume of what you’d hear from a house cat. There were five or six of these “roars” followed by a rustling in the under brush at which point I got the hell out of there. I have heard of bobcat sightings in the area but wonder if it might have been something larger, say a mountain lion? Has anyone else had a similar experience or even a sighting?

Treasure Adventure Music Schedule

International Explorations is bringing its Treasure Adventure to Duluth July 24 through Aug. 8, coinciding with the Tall Ships Festival. Along with the display of $8 million in artifacts and general fun for the whole family, there will be music every night. Here’s the lineup:

7/24, 6pm – 4 on the Floor
7/25, 6pm – Mark Anderson Trio
7/26, 6pm – John Heino & Centerville
7/27, 6pm – Lake City Smokin’ Section
7/28, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
7/29, 7:30pm – Peter Provost, Thunder Brothers
7/30, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Brandon Scott Sellner
7/31, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Thunder Bros., the Acceleratii,
the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
8/1, 7:30pm – Michael Bean, Mark Anderson Trio, Teague Alexy
8/2, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/3, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/4, 6pm – Blue Collar Blues Club
8/5, 6pm – Cars & Trucks
8/6, 6pm – Cars & Trucks
8/7, 6pm – Brandon Scott Sellner
8/8, 6pm – The Acceleratii

Treasure Adventure takes place on Kelley Island — the former location of the LaFarge Cement terminal. It’s next to Bayfront Festival Park at Railroad Street and Eighth Avenue. Admission is $7; $3 for children under age 12.

Duluth touch or flag football

Is there a men’s adult two-hand touch or flag football league in Duluth? If so, please let me know … thanks a lot!

Friday, July 30, at Pizza Luce

No Bad Apples

Members of RWDSU-UFCW Local 220 in Williamson, NY, have been trying to negotiate a contract with Mott’s, a subsidiary of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The company is looking to slash wages by as much as $1.50 an hour for each and every employee, and is trying to take away the workers’ pension plan. There is no economic necessity for what the company is seeking to do. It is a profitable, growing company.

Gravel time

A friend pointed me to an article in the Wall Street Journal on communities that are replacing paved roads with gravel in order to save money. Which led me to think… Duluth really ought to de-pave Hawk Ridge and Seven Bridges Roads as soon as possible.

I think it was only in the last ten years or so that the city splashed a half-assed layer of asphalt on those roads–within a year or two, they had deteriorated to the point where the “pavement” was bumpier than the gravel it was supposed to cover. By now, those roads are a barely navigable moonscape. Judging by the condition of various residential streets and important thoroughfares, I anticipate the city will probably have sufficient funds to properly re-pave Hawk Ridge and Seven Bridges about ten minutes before hell freezes over–so why not admit defeat on this one? Would it be all that expensive to run a grader up and down there every week or two in the summer? Is there some other compelling reason to stick with the mess that’s up there now?

Duluth Plaza Super One … Is it just me?

I shop at the Co-op, Cub, and Super One, depending on what I need and where I am at the time. I’ve noticed that the Plaza Super One has much higher prices and lower quality produce than the other Super One stores. There are also fewer healthy product alternatives and generic alternatives at this location. And each time I go there, at least one of the items I buy does not ring up for the advertised sale price.

The cynical side of me wonders if the owners might be consciously taking advantage of the Plaza’s customer base, which appears to be of a lower income than that of their other stores — many of whom don’t have a car to use to get to another store.

Does anyone else share this perception or experience, or is it just me? Because lately I’ve developed a new, highly cynical theory on the human race: People are not essentially good, but they are not inherently evil either;  rather, they are prone to do the wrong thing (or the lazy thing), especially if they think no one is watching or that they won’t get caught.

Canine Heart Sounds, Dirty Horse and the 4onthefloor at R.T. Quinlan’s

The elusive progressive/art rockers Canine Heart Sounds will be joined with the pontoon rock of Dirty Horse and the 4/4 time signatures of 4 on the Floor at R.T. Quinlan’s Saloon on Saturday, July 24. Music starts at 10 p.m. and there will be a $3 cover. Rock!

For those of you who may be confused, we had to switch the date from 7/23 to 7/24. Hope to see you all out!

Fundraiser for People with Disabilities for Change

Carmody Irish Pub, 308 E. Superior St., Duluth
Tuesday, July 20 from 6-9 pm.
There will be music, belly dancing, and silent auction items.