February 2014 Posts

Duluth cross-country ski instructor recommendations?

Following up on cork1’s comment regarding taking a couple of lessons on the post about cross-country ski trails for absolute beginners … I just moved here from a flatter, warmer state and I would love to have some ski lessons. I want to learn from someone who will be patient with my ignorance and  help me build my confidence with hills. Where do I find a good teacher?

Is Duluth unfriendly to posters?

I’m old school and used posters to promote an event. I’ve noticed a numerous amount of posters for my upcoming Minerva Zine Party have gone missing or were stolen from sites like Pizza Luce, Carmody, Sir Ben’s. I used multiple tacts and tape to secure them. More Duluth locations require you have the managers approval and are not posted timely. It’s extremely frustrating and expensive for a DIY zine publisher. Any tips, ideas to take out poster thefts, or solutions are appreciated!

Duluth Indoor Climbing: Boulder Problem

I wanted to share a video that I made about a climber, Rob, who faces his fears daily climbing at Vertical Endeavors in Duluth. Check out the video and let me know what you think!

World’s Top Public Intellectual at Zinema

Sarah LaChance Adams, that is, with Noam Chomsky and Michel Gondry doing backup at the Zinema 2.

About 60 people, I would guess, maybe more, attended the Explorer’s Club showing of Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? on Tuesday night.

Floridian

Peterson Anderson Flowers “had a little visitor come in with an antherium plant … all the way from Florida. We think it may be a Cuban Tree Frog. Thanks to the wonderful people at Wildwoods Rehab Center for taking on a Floridian!” FYI, an odd Duluth moment with Wildlife.

Trail for Absolute Beginner XC Skiers

I’m wondering what the best (least scary) trails are for newbies to the sport of XC skiing. I’ve been on XC skis once (and downhill skis once). People say Lester is beginner friendly, but I found it a bit frightening. I’d like to learn on a trail with some nice gentle slopes and curves. Suggestions??? Thanks!

Recreatin’

Chad Salmela’s Access Gold Medal

We had the clip here from Access Hollywood of Duluth’s Chad Salmela accepting a Gold Medal for his announcing of the 30k Skiathon as a cross-country skiing analyst for NBC. As you can see if you click on it now, NBC has put the copyright kibosh on it. Hopefully that means NBC has the clip available somewhere.

Duluth Photography Classes

I’m what you’d call an amateur photographer (along with everyone else) and I’m looking to improve my skills. Does anyone know of any photography workshops or classes around town that are free/cheap? Or are there any seasoned photography vets out there who wouldn’t mind showing me the ropes? Any help would be appreciated!

There is nothing left in anybody

Known to most of the world as “The Skiathlon Announcer” Duluth’s own Chad Salmela has gained notoriety as one of the stars of the Sochi Olympics. According to the web site Awful Announcing, “Chad Salmela is to the Winter Olympics what Rowdy Gaines is to the Summer Olympics.”

Orange and white kitty — stray? feral?

A medium-sized orange and white cat has been coming to eat on my deck for the past (at least) two weeks. It runs when it sees me — so no photo (yet). I will try to catch it and see if there is a collar or chip and what shape it’s in. Lakeside — near London Road and 54th Avenue East.

“Superior Dream” Kayaking Adventure Around Lake Superior

Superior Dream: A Circumnavigation of the world’s largest lake, Lake Superior. Footage from a kayaking expedition by two UMD alumni from Minnesota, Greg Petry and Luca Will, around Lake Superior in late 2010 was made into a movie Superior Dream. The 49-minute movie was released late in 2013 and started shipping in January 2014. We have not found any movie trailer besides the footage clip released back in 2012 and this Kickstarter video below.

Twenty-two consecutive days below zero

This week: hiking, anime and boats, boats, boats!

  

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

Sara Mowchan hiked the Appalachian Trail, if you know what I mean! No, she actually literally hiked it. You can hear all about it on Tuesday as part of Duluth Pack‘s Outdoor Adventure Series.

It’s midwinter, so why not stroll around the DECC and look at boats, motorcycles and recreational vehicles? You can do just that Wednesday through Sunday.

Private Eyes opens at The Underground on Thursday, a play with a fantastic cast, and afterwards you can head down to Pizza Lucé for the Transistor’s 10th Anniversary/Anti-Valentines celebration.

For Valentine’s Day proper, Friday, there are a wealth of activities to attend, including a fundraiser for LOON at the Northland Country Club, a spaghetti dinner at Amazing Grace, and dinner and comedy at Dubh Linn.

And on Friday at Teatro Zuccone Jonathan Manchester is remounting his one man show, Everything You’ve Done That Hurt Me, which was one of the most talked about shows of 2013. It’s a 20 page break up letter found in the street in front of his house.

Zinema 2‘s Saturday Morning Family Series continues with My Neighbor Totoro on Saturday morning.

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

Wolf=Flow

Rarely do I get to wear all three of my hats at the same time: faculty member, board member at a local wildlife non-profit, and board member with the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.  I got to wear two of three while I was with some folks at Zeitgeist yesterday.  I was dropping off some brochures about Wildwoods and met with folks from the Wolf=Flow exhibit.