Is Duluth Climate Proof?

You may have heard Duluth referred to as climate-proof, but what makes this small Midwestern city resilient to climate change? And is it, in fact, climate-proof? Hear from National Weather Service Duluth Meteorologist, Ketzel Levens, UMD Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and the Large Lakes Observatory, Jay Austin, about the science behind Duluth’s unique climate.

This digital PBS North production is a part of the Climate Across America campaign, an imitative of the PBS science series Nova.

Accurate Duluth Map

Please enjoy this highly accurate map of Duluth and Superior.

Sheila Packa on MPR

Sheila Packa was interviewed by Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Public Radio. She asked her what poem made her want to become a poet.

Selective Focus: Snowy and Sloppy Spring PDDs

Select photos from Instagram spanning mid-March to mid-April 2023, all hashtagged with the name of a certain website. #perfectduluthday

Mystery Photo: Fire Department Captain

This mystery photo is another from the studio of the fiery ol’ Swede Lars Liden. Penned on the photo is something along the lines of “f. d. Capt. Axel Strom.”

It seems somewhat clear that the photo is of the captain of some fire department, and since the photo was shot in Duluth it is likely this captain represents Duluth or some municipality near Duluth. So, Axel Strom? Is that the name?

Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology

Duluth’s Jonathan Thunder is the subject of a short film that aired nationally on PBS in November. Now, the feature is available via YouTube, and is embedded above.

Big Sky Woody – “#70”

Free on Bandcamp.

PDD Quiz: April Foolish

Take a peek at April Fools’ Days of yesteryear with this week’s quiz!

The next PDD quiz will review April 2023 headlines; it will come your way on April 30. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by April 26.

Timber structure washes up near Lakewalk

A large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)

Another large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex.

The structure appeared on the shoreline below the Duluth Lakewalk trail following an April 4 snow and wind storm. It is made up of 12 x 12 timbers, metal cables and bolts and looks to be the size of Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pick-up truck.

Ripped at C’s Lounge in 2003

[Editor’s note: For this week’s essay we’ve once again pulled out a relic from the archive of Slim Goodbuzz, who served as Duluth’s “booze connoisseur” from 1999 to 2009. Twenty years ago the Sultan of Sot visited C’s Lounge, 1419 Banks Ave. in Superior, which today is the location of a Kwik Trip convenience store. The article below appeared in the April 16, 2003 issue of the Ripsaw newspaper.]

Whenever I go to C’s Lounge — and I’ve been known to do that from time to time — I find myself baffled that I’m in Superior, Wis. Hell, I’m baffled that I’m in the 21st century. Walk into C’s and it’s like walking into Hibbing in the 1970s, not that I have any idea what that would be like. Nonetheless, that’s the feel.

The place is dark, in a good way, with amber and red lights hanging from the glittery ceiling. Everything else is either red or the color of wood. In fact, it looks and feels a lot like the Regal Beagle from Three’s Company, except that instead of spotting Jack Tripper and Larry, you’re more likely to spot middle-aged white trash.

The best thing about C’s is that the drinks are cheap and strong. It’s not uncommon for the drink specials to be something different and surprising, such as $2 Manhattans. For the domestically inclined, beer comes in big mugs for under $3. And, for folks like you and me, tap Busch Light is always 65 cents a glass. That is information to be treasured.

Homegrown Music Festival Field Guide 2023 has arrived

The 2023 Homegrown Music Festival runs April 30 to May 7, and the annual Field Guide for the event was trucked into Duluth this morning. Piles of them will be available at local music venues within the coming days.

This year’s festival features 171 acts at 36 venues over the course of eight days.

MN Moder – “Shooting Star”

Presenting the visualizer for the new single by MN Moder. The Duluth-based hip-hop artist performs May 5, 8:15 p.m., at Legacy Glassworks as part of the Homegrown Music Festival.

R.I.P. Diona Johnson / Di Jay / AfroGeode

Diona Johnson, leader of the Duluth band AfroGeode and the Gemstones, died on Monday at age 35. The Duluth News Tribune reports that the cause of the sudden death remains unknown pending the results of an autopsy.

Duluth is Horrible

It’s been ten years since Vincent Gargiulo completed his short movie Duluth is Horrible. Finally, the full flick is available for online viewing. Enjoy the horror.

Sydney Hansen – “For Better”

Duluth native Sydney Hansen, who now splits time between her home town and Nashville, has a new music video.

Hansen performs at Duluth Cider on May 1 at 8:30 p.m. as part of the Homegrown Music Festival.