“Don Ness doesn’t want to be America’s most popular mayor anymore,” reads the headline of a feature on the Minneapolis-based nonprofit news website MinnPost. “Ness, at 41, is doing what is inconceivable to some: stepping away from politics indefinitely at the height of his career — a move that has left many in Duluth and around the state wondering: Why?”
On Twitter, Ness offers an alternate title for the story:
A program designed to provide $7 taxicab vouchers to tipsy bar patrons in western Duluth and Proctor has been ramping up exposure leading into the holidays. Twin Ports Joyride is funded by participating bars, beer wholesalers and other donations.
Don’t let the “Minnesota Blues” or the “Live in Duluth” on this album cover fool you, Led Zeppelin never performed in Duluth. But what is the story behind this Zep bootleg?
Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:
It’s Thanksgiving week, so of course there’s a lot of turkey business going on in addition to the usual tomfoolery. Minnesota Congressman Rick Nolan comes to town on Monday for a forum, tap dancers, mayors and musicians come together in what’s being called a “lavish feast of local talent,” a locally-made Christmas coffee-table book is released, a man who spent two decades in prison speaks and comedian Josh Blue performs in Canal Park.
The Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet takes place, there’s a Thanksgiving Day Walk/Run in Lake Nebagamon, self-guided Christmas tours get underway at Glensheen Mansion, there’s a Funked-Up Dance Party at R.T. Quinlan’s, UMD Women’s Hockey gets discounted, Small Business Saturday is in effect with a multi-entrepreneur pop-up shop and the Northland’s first live-action-adventure escape room opens.
This film, circa 1975, was shot by the late Emil Praslowicz in Birnamwood, Wis., and digitized by his grandson, Kip Praslowicz.
Is there anywhere in Duluth (bar or coffee shop) with a good collection of board games? Classic games, not weird ones that take days to learn. I’d like to get some people together outside of my home. Just need a good place to do it! Thanks!
Community input is being sought by Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Department to develop mini-master plans for eleven neighborhood parks in the St. Louis River Corridor: Historical, Fond du Lac, Blackmer, Smithville, Riverside, Norton, Keene Creek, Grassy Point, Merritt, Harrison and Piedmont. Preliminary concept plans have been developed for the parks following public meetings held in September and October.
An online survey is available at the City of Duluth website.
Just stumbled across this dark little film on Netflix and our pals Low provide some of the soundtrack.
Karen Owsley Nease, “Selling Mom’s Car”
There is a perverse fullness in loss. Loss propelled me here. It informs my need to make art. It makes space for the unexpected to grow. Atul Gawande’s recent book “Being Mortal” describes “the chasm of perspective between those who have to contend with life’s fragility and those who don’t.” Loss widens our apertures to see farther down narrow, well-worn paths. It opens us to risk, and to more keenly-felt joys.
They’re going to spend $3.6 million. Isn’t that a lot of money?
(From the Minneapolis Tribune, April 22, 1967.)
My wife, Shawna Gilmore, has an interesting job. Today, for example, she painted the back of Charlie Parr’s amazing guitar. The instrument is a phenomenal work of art, both front and back. Next Tuesday is a great opportunity to come out and hear Charlie make music with it alongside his good buddy, Dave Hundrieser. Read more about Charlie and Dave, and see the garage they recorded in together previously, at Ed’s Big Adventure.
By the way, Teague Alexy, Tin Can Gin, Don Ness, Emily Larson, a stunning tap dancer, and I, will also be participating in Cornucopia at the Red Herring Lounge. Check out this amazing event on Facebook/a> and the PDD Calendar.
When Jim Hall was at my house I asked him if I could record his song “Beast in the Yard.” It’s sort of a meditation on consumerism with some great imagery nude celebs in the lyrics. Hall plays at Tycoons Supper Club this Saturday at 9 p.m.
Where can one get a regular and accurate list of the location “on the dial” of live sports on radio? I have found the Duluth News Tribune sports page wanting.
’Tis the season for the seventh annual PDD Gift Guide — a list of holiday gift ideas with a local connection. We present 15 ideas to get things started, and invite everyone to add their own suggestions and links in the comments below.
“Silent” Sam Olson rides quickly and silently through Duluth. Video by Max Fierek.
