January 2011 Posts

Nerd Nite a success

Jan 18, 2011 2 Comments

Congratulations to Nerd Nite, the excellent night out at Teatro Zuccone.

Talks about rock tumbling, Star Wars prop replicas, and astronomy marked the evening as what it could be, at its best: a showcase for the passions of individuals. [If the talk on Fan Fiction fell short, it only fell short because the speaker was talking about someone else’s passions, not her own.] I had no idea the energy and the technique involved in rock tumbling. I had no idea the complexity of recreating (replicating) the props used in the first Star Wars movies. And, well, a bedroom designed so that the Big Dipper can be viewed in 3 dimensions from various other stars in the Galaxy, well, wow.

I enjoyed myself, I met a new person, and I felt the passions of others. What more could I ask for $5 admission and $3 for a bottle of Minnesota-brewed soda pop?

Thanks to the organizers, to the Zuccone for hosting, and to the presenters for a great night out.


Random ,

American Rebels, Old Knifey and DJ Path Annu

Jan 18, 2011 No Comments


Events, Music

Madrigal Valentine’s Event

Jan 18, 2011 No Comments

More information and reservations here.


Events

Get in where you fit in.

Jan 18, 2011 48 Comments

I was out enjoying the local snowmobile trails yesterday and came across a man walking his two dogs; a man with his child and dog walking; a man, child and two dogs XC skiing (not the dogs); a woman walking; and a man riding his mountain bike.

These are all great outdoor recreational activities to enjoy and I am not mad that they are participating, I am mad that they were all on the state snowmobile trail. If I were to ride down a ski trail, or the Lakewalk, or a regular sidewalk for that matter, people would be calling the police and hopping up and down in anger. So why is it OK to break the rules the other way?

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Outdoors

Duluth Art Institute Gallery Party

Jan 18, 2011 10 Comments

Free Reception, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 6:30 to 8pm
Duluth Art Institute Galleries in the Depot
506 W. Michigan St.

Sean Elmquist, Symbiosis
UMD Emerging Photographers
Duluth Art Institute Annual Membership Show 2011

Music by Healthy Band Music Club

The Duluth Art Institute will celebrate three exhibits with one awesome band this Wednesday from 6:30 to 8pm. Free food, free drink, free entertainment plus a whole heaping helping of the visual arts.


Art

R.I.P. James Bothwell, 1986 Principal, Morgan Park School

Jan 18, 2011 2 Comments

James W. Bothwell died on Jan. 13. He had a long career as a teacher and principal in St. Paul, but in 1986 he had a stint in Duluth as Morgan Park Junior High School’s interim principal, following the mid-school-year retirement of longtime principal Milan S. Karich and preceding the launch of Jon Vomachka’s reign.

I was in seventh grade and not much of an outlaw during Bothwell’s brief term, so I don’t have any good stories to relate, but I remember him seeming to be quite a nice guy. Does anyone have more specific memories to share?


History, R.I.P.

Zumba at Grandma’s Sports Garden

Jan 18, 2011 No Comments

Eman will be having a Zumba party at Grandma’s Sports Garden on Monday, Jan. 24, and every Wednesday in February. Come join the Zumba party with merengue, salsa, hip hop, belly dance. The event is only $10. Call Eman at 218-724-2691 for more details or visit emansbellydancing.com to sign-up.


Events

Which camera is right for you?

Jan 18, 2011 No Comments

Are you looking to purchase another digital camera, or just want to know more about what is out there? The Duluth Photography Institute has a free (for members) workshop on Thursday, Jan 20, providing insights on all the different choices out there! Don from First Photo will also be there with cameras for you to try out! E-mail the DPI to register. Members only — you can easily become a member for as little as $20/year by visiting duluthphotographyinstitute.com.


Photos

Duluth Small-business Tax Preparers

Jan 18, 2011 5 Comments

My spouse and I work regular salary jobs, but also have a small retail side business (bigger than a hobby, but not big enough to support a family and pay insurance, etc.) I don’t think my small-time preparer is going to register under the new guidelines and I have been a little skeptical about recent year’s filings.

I’ve worked with big accounting houses in the past, but they’re way too expensive and conservative. I don’t want someone to get too clever, but also a preparer that doesn’t think every gray area automatically defaults to the government.

If you own a small business and have a bit of advice or a recommendation, I would appreciate it. If you’re a tax preparer, I’d rather hear from your customers directly.


Random

Renegade Improv at Teatro Zuccone

Jan 18, 2011 No Comments

Hey you. Yes, the guy sitting at his computer in his underwear “working from home.” Need an excuse to put some clothes on and do something?  Renegade Theater Company has live improv comedy every Friday and Saturday night at 10:30 at Teatro Zuccone. It only costs $5. Details at renegadetheatercompany.org.


Art, Events

Dismal Duluth Dating?

Jan 17, 2011 67 Comments

A recent conversation with some friends brought up the question…what’s up with the Duluth dating scene? The main consensus was that it was pretty dull. Does the sometimes inclement weather force us to stay home rather than go out and socialize? Is everyone already taken? Am I too quick to judge? I am curious to know what the readers of PPD think about the Duluth’s dating scene. Successes/failures? Tips and tricks? As a fairly new inhabitant of Duluth, I would like to know… where are all the single people at?


Uncategorized

Short Circuit at Teatro – Saturday

Jan 17, 2011 9 Comments

Duluth Short Circuit

An evening of experimental electronic music featuring Tim Kaiser, Low Gain and Talking Computron.  Ethereal sonic landscapes, 8-bit Game Boy mayhem and circuit-bent mash ups for all ages. Tell your nerdy neighbor!


Art, Events, Music ,

Google is already in Duluth

Jan 17, 2011 3 Comments

Installing a typical home TiSP system is a quick, easy and largely sanitary process — provided you follow these step-by-step instructions very, very carefully.

TiSP: Going with the Flow


Random ,

Dr. Martin Luther King Through Kindergarten Eyes

Jan 16, 2011 6 Comments

I meant to post this last year, but I forgot. This is a picture that my daughter made in kindergarten. I found it in with some papers when I was cleaning her room and it just struck me right between the eyes. First, I thought it was all wrong: “What is that school teaching my daughter about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr? I mean, she took away his whole essence, she’s stripped away his race, she’s missed the whole point …”

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Art, Events, Recommendations

Greysolon Plaza elevator death in 1979 — fact or urban legend?

Jan 16, 2011 7 Comments

A woman I know from my hometown is an alumnus of UMD, and said that while she was in school UMD had the same overcrowding problem that it has now. Instead of housing students at Edgewater, they housed them at the Greysolon Plaza. She also said that there was an elevator accident in which some UMD students were killed. I can’t find this information anywhere online, can anyone confirm that this actually happened?


History , , ,