May 2012 Posts

PDD Shift: Dan Neff / Lake Superior Art Glass

This is the last of four videos in the PDD Shift series. This profiles Dan Neff, one of the winners of the Greater Downtown Council’s Go Downtown / Grow Downtown contest from last year. At the end of this month Dan is opening a new store, Lake Superior Art Glass, at 202 E. Superior St. The shop will feature classes, various glass artwork, as well as front window demos.

The grand opening is May 31.

Logo Contest for Duluth Horse Trails

Artists and designers — especially those with a special love for the outdoors or horses — are needed to help a new Duluth area trail-building group develop a logo. The Duluth Area Horse Trail Alliance is holding a logo contest that will be the centerpiece of its promotional campaigns.

Black bear on the pier in Duluth

Thanks to photos from the Duluth Shipping News’ “bear cam” and an audio clip of Ryan Beamer, chief Aerial Lift Bridge operator, PDD now presents this delightful 12-second recap of yesterday’s events at the South Pier of the Duluth shipping canal.

PDD Shift: Tara Lieberg, Great Lakes Aquarium

Our third video in the PDD Shift series is an interview with Tara Lieberg from the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Music: “Improv” by Andy Immerman.

Anyone recommend a person good at installing doors?

We’re looking for someone who can hang two solid oak doors, including cutting out the hole for the handle and notching out for the hinges. We’re looking for someone with experience as with these doors they will definitely have to measure twice and cut once, because there will be no going back if cut wrong.

PDD Shift: Kenspeckle Letterpress

Next up in our series of people at work, Rick Allen and Janelle Miller of the Kenspeckle Letterpress.

We interviewed Rick and Janelle while they were working to get pieces ready for their current show at Siivii’s Gallery in Canal Park.

Music: “Gone from Minnesota” by Loup-Garou.

Levitating Volkswagen

A & Dubs

It’s back. First day I’ve seen A and Dubs open this year.

I couldn’t find any reviews from burgerdogboy for some reason and he’s usually got Duluth hand food pretty well covered. However, I did find this little blurb on Jim Heffernan’s blog.

PDD reader-generated A & Dubs stories are most welcome in the comments.

Nerd Nite Road Trip Edition

Below, a selection of photos from Nerd Nite Road Trip Edition.

Munger Trail field report

For 25 years, one of the best bike rides in Duluth for those who like level, flat trails is the Munger Trail. But before you head out for a great ride up the old railroad track bed through the hills of far west Duluth, you might want to read my blog update about trail closures and delays this summer. There’s a total trail closure for bridge construction in the Riverside area until June 1 and major re-paving in the works for this summer.

The trillium and violets are blooming like crazy along the trail, though your best bet is to head for the parking lot off Becks Road for now.

Zenith City Online is … online !

I just wanted to drop those PDDers with a taste for local history a reminder that Zenith City Online is up and running at zenithcity.com. I’m hoping you stop by Zenith City after your morning check of PDD for your daily dose of Duluth history with “This Day in Duluth.” This month’s issue also features …

PDD Shift: Mark Bartel, Frost River

This semester, UMD journalism student Jamie Merideth has been working at Perfect Duluth Day on a series of interviews with people at work. Monday through Thursday of this week, we’ll present four videos that profile five people and their jobs.

This week: steampunk, a cult TV classic, ale and sailboats

Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.

Today kicks off the free Monday showings of The Prisoner at the Zinema 2. It also kicks off Mondays with the Mayor. Coincidence? I think not. March into the mayor’s office and tell Don, “I am not a number!” I dare ya.

Speaking of numbers, ever wonder what that Donald and Daisy Duck salt and pepper set that’s been gathering dust in the back of your liquor cabinet was worth? Find out on Wednesday at the Antique Appraisal at the Depot. Also on that day the Wednesday Sailboat Races return to a great lake very near you!

On Thursday you can grab the Brewpub Bus and go to Tycoons, Thirsty Pagan and Carmody and taste three takes on the same ale recipe. And if you happen to see some people decked out in Victorian neofuturist garb, it’s not that you drank too much, it’s the Steampunk Expo at the Duluth Art Institute with the afterparty at the Rathskeller.

Saturday you can help clean up the St. Louis River and then watch our Roller Dames clean up in their match against the Bemidji Babe City Rollers. See what I did there?

So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!

“Bernie the bobcat” released

Bernie the Bobcat was released today.

The Next New Thing

Am I the only one who has this feeling that Duluth might be the next new thing?

First we have Trampled on Letterman, and then on CNN. Now Tycoons is making the NYT’s restaurant section. We’re slowly getting bigger and better quirky acts to Bayfront (oh, Steve Martin, how I love thee). And I feel like I’m missing some other stuff.

Are we really on the road to becoming TwinPortlandia?