August 2013 Posts

R.I.P. Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Duluth

Aug 13, 2013 4 Comments

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Westminster Presbyterian Church demolition is underway at 4441 Grand Avenue in West Duluth. The church was a victim of the Historic Summer Solstice Flood Disaster of 2012, when a culvert beneath the building worked its way into the basement and wrecked the place. The city of Duluth bought it as part of its Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program. The church was built in 1961.

Update: In 2015 Westminster’s congregation moved to a new home at 9030 Beaudry St. in Duluth’s lower Smithville neighborhood.


R.I.P. ,

UMD Makeouts

Aug 13, 2013 13 Comments

Yes, there is a Twitter page dedicated to posting photos of University of Minnesota Duluth students making out. It’s called UMD Makeouts, sporting the hashtag @UMD_makeouts.

Predictably, most of the photos are poorly shot. Some of them highlight cute little lovebirds, but more of them fall into the raunchy, drunken or questionably consensual categories.

Activity on UMD Makeouts seems to have dramatically slowed since mid June, either because of summer break or because good taste sometimes prevails over trends.

Cindy Vu wrote a commentary in March about this subject for the Statesman. PDD apologizes for not latching onto this saucy tidbit until five months after it was hot.


Uncategorized ,

State Fair: New excitement, musty history

Aug 13, 2013 10 Comments

It’s almost time for the Minnesota State Fair. Idaho Nachos, Deep Fried Olives … Synthetic Ice Rinks … all awesome! Duluthians look at me like I’m nuts when I say I secure a hotel room every year and spend 3-4 days at the fair every year. I used to spend 4-6 days, when I lived in St. Paul. I love the fried food, I love Lililan Colton’s crop art.

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Events

This just in: Red Mountain and Christine Hoberg are into teasing

Aug 12, 2013 1 Comment

Above: Teaser for the upcoming Red Mountain album Scowl Lightly.

Below: Teaser for the upcoming Christine Hoberg album World Within.

Both videos are from Duluth-based Lakefront Films.


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This week: midways, hikes and twins

Aug 12, 2013 1 Comment

  

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

Hey! The Huskies made the playoffs! Which means you have one more chance to see them at Wade Stadium tonight!

The Head of the Lakes Fair opens Tuesday at the Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds in Superior and runs through Saturday.

The Bigfoot Boogie music festival is in Lake Nebagamon this weekend, starting on Thursday evening and winding up Sunday with a free pancake breakfast.

A kid friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” opens at The Underground Thursday and runs two weekends.

Every Friday in August is Food Truck Friday on Michigan between the Library and the Depot.

Take a hike! There’s a guided 7.4 mile hike on part of the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth on Saturday.

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


Events

R.I.P. Gangsta/Ghetto Spur

Aug 12, 2013 15 Comments

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Well, that was the word that I heard From my brother in a fur hanging out at the Gangsta Spur He said, “it always begins behind The Twins they trade a bottle a gin for night full of sin.” -Giljunko

Tonight is your last chance to patronize the infamous Gangsta/Ghetto Spur. It will soon be razed and a new SA will be built farther back toward the alley.

The GS joins its fallen brethren Johnny Ray’s Pizza, House of Donuts, Members Cooperative Credit Union and others I’m probably forgetting. Share your memories in the comments.


News and Current Affairs, R.I.P.

Twin Ports Youth Talent Show

Aug 11, 2013 2 Comments

There are a whole lot of talented young people in our community and the upcoming Twin Ports Youth Talent Show is a great way for kids to get involved while friends and family enjoy an evening of live entertainment.

Neighborhood Youth Services and the Music Resource Center are presenting the Twin Ports Youth Talent Show on Monday, Aug. 19. Youth up to age 18 can still register to compete in any of the three categories: preteen, teen or mixed (preteen and teen in same act). Both individual and group performances are allowed. Prizes will be awarded for each category. Limited to first 20 acts. Acts must register by Wednesday, Aug. 14.

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Events

Lake Superior Gator Attack

Aug 11, 2013 No Comments

Many people don’t realize Lake Superior is infested with fearsome man-eating alligators.


Outdoors, Videos

Roller Derby Results

Aug 11, 2013 4 Comments

Last night, at Hodgins Berardo Arena in Coleraine, on the Iron Range, there was roller derby action.

Grand Rapids, which like Duluth now fields two derby teams (the Attackonites and the Iron Range Maidens), struggled valiantly against the dual powerhouses of Harbor City Roller Dames’ Shipwreckers and Nautikills. Last time, I got tagged by the Dames for talking too much trash (c’mon, I grew up watching wrassling, cut me some slack), and I didn’t even see this bout, so I’ll let someone else do color commentary in the comments. Little help, please?


Sports

Audio Archive: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s honorary degree acceptance speech at University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1996

Aug 11, 2013 1 Comment

On May 17, 1996, the University of Wisconsin-Superior held its 100th commencement ceremony at Siinto S. Wessman Arena. Dr. Joe Domitrz, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at UW-Whitewater, gave what had to be one of the most overshadowed commencement addresses of all time, because Arnold Schwarzenegger took the microphone a bit later to accept an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree.

The event was carried live by KUWS Radio and Schwartzeneggar’s remarks were later rebroadcast on the KUWS program Between the Lines. Captured in the video above is the radio rebroadcast played on Public Access Community Television in Duluth back in ’96.

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History ,

A Day of Art and Craftiness

Aug 11, 2013 No Comments

Saturday was a day of art and craftiness, and I mean that in more than one way.

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Art

15 to 31 Miles on Foot? Why Not…

Aug 10, 2013 No Comments

Ahem. If I may, I would like to do some modest promotion for an upcoming 25k/50k run on Sept 29th. It’s called the Lightfoot, and it is a low-key, free, self-supported get-together of a run on the county roads north of the Woodland/Lakeside areas. Lightfoot provides a route, start location, and some cheering (perhaps cowbell) at the start and finish – BYO water, snacks, and emergency evacuation plan. It should be a great way to meet some fellow runners, or make an adventure out of a training run for a race later in the fall, or, if you’re the competitive sort, come out and see if you can run 25 or 50k faster than the rest of the folks who show up. Officially enter the Lightfoot by sending a postcard (because I like getting postcards), and see you in September. Details are up on Northland Runner or at duluthgravel.wordpress.com. Happy Trails!


Sports

Day labor services in Duluth area?

Aug 08, 2013 5 Comments

I am helping my grandma move from the Duluth area at the end of the month. Since estimates on hiring a moving company from Duluth to Minneapolis are pretty steep, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on day labor services where we could hire a person or two to help with the actual loading of boxes/furntire into the truck, etc. Any recommendations are much appreciated.


Random

Around the time Wesley Willis died …

Aug 08, 2013 5 Comments

From the August 2003 Perfect Duluth Day archives:

  • The B-52s cancel a Duluth show due to lack of ticket sales.
  • Starfire endorses Greg Gilbert for mayor and plots to cover Enger Tower in bedsheets.
  • Ca-chee recalls her days as a bad ass in shop class at “Ordeal” Junior High.
  • Dirty Knobs vs. Duluth, Minnesota is released
  • More skinny dipping.
  • Godsey drinks excessively.

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History

Beach House Wedding Rental Advice

Aug 07, 2013 5 Comments

I’m looking for some help. My partner and I are looking to get married in the summer of 2015, at the beach on Park Point. We are trying to find out if anyone on PDD has gotten married in a rental house along the beach or have any suggestions you could share. I’m not even sure if it would be allowed. We really want to go the rental house route because it is more intimate and can be cheaper than a resort and less limiting on the hours we can be there (i.e. 9pm cutoff for the Park Point Beach House). Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have!!


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