iFILMS are back at the library

iFILMS: independent & international films@
Fall/Winter 2009-2010 Series
Go to www.duluth.lib.mn.us

A free film series sponsored by the Friends of the Duluth Public Library

All films begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Main Library’s Green Room.
The Green Room opens at 1:15.

Zave Zou Zeen Zo Zhe Zinema?

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Have you been to the Zinema yet? I went to see The Big Lebowski last Friday and Moon earlier this week. If you have not been, what are you waiting for? This theatre is a jewel! I have been bitching for years about the lack of good movies in Duluth and now the drought is over.

Nick and I have made a commitment to support the Zinema 2 as much as humanly possible. Hell, I don’t have to sneak my beer in anymore, they sell it at the concession stand! Good beer on tap and for those on a budget get a bucket of Premiums for 10 bucks. When you are done with those 6 beers you can pee in the bucket! No more pesky bathroom breaks! More exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously the Zinema 2 is the best thing to happen to Duluth in a long time and I hope it is supported. Quit yer bitching and go see a movie!

United Way Chili Cook-off Tips

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Having attended the United Way Chili Cook-off numerous times, I have two pieces of advice to those who either have never gone before or don’t easily learn from past mistakes:

1) Don’t wear a jacket or sweatshirt into the event. It’s pretty warm outside this year, so maybe you wouldn’t have done that anyway, but my point is that no matter what the weather is like outside, there are 40 different kinds of chili being cooked for a giant crowd of people inside. It gets hot.

2) It’s best to go to this event with someone you don’t mind sharing food with. Instead of the two of you getting two portions of everything, just get one portion and share. If you like that particular chili, get a second portion. If you don’t, move on. You don’t want to waste a lot of time and stomach on a chili you don’t like, because there are many that you will like if you can get to them before they run out.

2009 United Way Chili Cook-off
Sept. 17 | 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. | DECC
$6 for adults; $3 for kids

Also, I should note two art openings going on tonight (Sept. 17) for your post-chilifest enjoyment:

1) “Burning Bridges,” new paintings by Eric Dubnicka at Washington Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m.

2) Photography by Nate Lindstrom at the Spiritual Deli from 7 to 9 p.m.

Insurance Company Rules!

Advocacy Training @ PAVSA

The Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault will be offering its next advocacy training starting in October 2009. This training, composed of various sessions, prepares volunteers to provide advocacy services on PAVSA’s 24-hour crisis/resource line and/or in the hospital setting with sexual assault survivors.

Since when are trampolines so damn popular? I mean, sheesh!

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A neighbor of mine put up a big trampoline in his back yard yesterday. The weird thing about this, other than that mid-September is a strange time to assemble something that will have to be taken apart in October, is that I have two other neighbors with trampolines.

Can anyone out there identify a city block in Duluth with more than three trampolines? I think my block might have the record.

Yard sale + records: 45s, LPs & 78s

Yard Sale at 417 N. 11th Ave. W. (Observation Hill)
Friday & Saturday Sept. 18 & 19, 8-4

Thousands of 50s-60s-70s-80s records: 45s, LPs & 78s CHEAP!
Household, electronics, old tools, men’s clothes, collectables & antiques, golf, fishing, camping, leather couch, 19th century Haviland China, bike rack for car, old Coke, 2 cases 4″ wall tile NEW, electric guitar.

Cancelled if rain.

Twin Ports Veg Week Schedule

Below is a full list of Pledge Week events:

Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Kick off party at Pizza Luce. Doors at 8:00.
Charlie Parr, Toby Churchill, Lookdown Moon, and Rusty Johnson will
perform. Raffle, prizes, and loads of information on the factory
farming industry and veggie/vegan lifestyles
Cost = Free

Extreme Home Makeover – Huber Edition

It has ben confirmed that Sunday September 27 will be the season premier of Extreme Makeover – Home Edition and that the first show if the season will feature none other than our South Shore friends the Huber family.  Ace’s on 29th in Superior will be hosting a party during the show – offering FREE appetizers and snacks during the show.  The back room will feature EM – HE on all the TVs and we will celebrate Superior’s amazing role in the life changing event.  Producers of the show say that the residents and businesses in the Twin Ports turned out in droves, maybe the most local support they have seen in the history of the show.  So come on down to Ace’s on 29th in Superior on 9/27 and celebrate the Huber’s joy and watch your fellow Northlanders on TV.

Getting Involved.

I am really interested in getting involved in efforts to support some sort of health care reform. Is there a local organization working to support this and show our leaders we think this is important and necessary?

This is something I’ve been really concerned about as an uninsured young adult and I feel like I need to do something other than shout at the television.

Please help!

–Amy Swanoski

Duluth 2009 Primary Election Results

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41 of 41 precincts counted; 11,691 total ballots cast.

Duluth Fourth District City Councilor
Top two candidates advance
Kerry Gauthier – 1,006 | 44%
Gordon Grant – 565 | 25%
Heath Hickok – 472 | 21%
Matt Potter – 135 | 6%
Celia Scheer – 110 | 4%

Duluth At-large City Councilor
Top four candidates advance
Beth Olson – 5,429 | 26%
Dan Hartman – 4,749 | 23%
James Stauber – 4,464 | 21%
Becky Hall – 3,743 | 18%
Mike Akervik – 2,629 | 12%

Duluth District One School Board
Top two candidates advance
Ann Wasson – 1,394 | 50%
Marcia Stromgren – 1,016 | 36%
Gary Glass – 396 | 14%

Duluth At-large School Board
Top four candidates advance
Tom Kasper – 6,668 | 33%
Mary Cameron – 4,729 | 24%
Nancy Nilsen – 4,164 | 21%
Maureen Booth – 2,409 | 12%
Bryan Jensen – 1,965 | 10%

PDD is a “harsh online critic of the mainstream Duluth News Tribune.”

Who knew!?!

http://www.businessnorth.com/exclusives.asp?RID=3151

Happy Estimated Tax Day!

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Today is one of four days of reckoning for the self-employed among us. I thought it was funny that these were the only stamps I had left on the sheet to put on my federal and state estimated payments.

Hospice Situation – Randy Jorgensen

Randy is in Solvay House, 801 Baylis St., awaiting a liver transplant. I don’t believe he’s on the short list. You know what your duty is. He’s not the Rugged Fish he once was.

Oodles of Noodles – Fundraising Event for Little Treasures Center

Take your bambinis to Valentini’s
To celebrate Dr. Seuss
With Little Treasures, whose fun and pleasures
Bring you — Thing 1 and Thing 2!