Trouble in Thunder Bay

People may complain about crime in Duluth, but it appears our sister city to the north is having a really, really bad year.

According to Thunder Bay’s daily newspaper, the Chronicle Journal, the city just recorded its sixth homicide of the year. And we’re only in August. That may give Thunder Bay the highest per-capita murder rate in Canada.

I love visiting up there, but… yikes.

A Truly Superior Saturday

Walt Dizzo Bowling Party

… and after some exciting bowling – everyone is welcome to attend the musical festivities.

Walt Dizzo Birthday Show

Danger Strangers are from CA, Captain Black from TN, High Life and Cars & Trucks represent the home team

1935 Wheaties box featuring Frank “Butch” Larson

FrankLarson1Duluth native Frank “Butch” Larson appeared on Wheaties cereal boxes in 1935. Finding one of those boxes after 74 years might be a challenge.

RIP John Hughes

john hughes

This man has had an enormous impact on my life, I’m a little speechless so won’t even try. We’re playing 16 Candles tomorrow at MITP, just so you know. Wanna come down and celebrate that life/grieve a little with us?

Rainn Wilson Likes Us, He Really Likes Us!

Rainn Wilson (who plays Dwight on NBC’s “The Office”) recently alerted his nearly two million followers on Twitter that he found Dink Tank’s “total devotion to McConnaughy (sic) and “Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past,” Hysterical.”

So, just in case you missed it the first time we posted it, here’s the video again. This time with a fresh smelling seal of approval from a guy we think is pretty damn hysterical too. In fact, way more so.

Matthew McCounaghey\’s Biggest Fans…Dink Tank

Foreign exchange student host family needed

I was contacted by a very nice Brazilian girl named Mariana who wants to continue her high school education here in Duluth for 2009-2010 school year. She was an exchange student at Mesabi East last year, and did very well. Unfortunately, the visa she was on last year expired and cannot be renewed. She can come back on a different visa to attend a SEVIS-qualified high school (i.e. Marshall or any Duluth Public School), but she needs a host family. A stipend for the host family is part of the deal. If you can help, or know someone who can, please contact me by e-mail: nbs @ twinportslaw.com, or phone 625-8765. Thanks very much!

You better shutup all that screamin’

Three kids are playing or doing whatever in their backyard. I can’t see them, I can only hear them because they’re all yelling at each other.

Suddenly, the voice of what is likely the father drowns them all out with, “You better shutup all that screamin’!”

I’m not questioning this parenting method at all; I’m just telling the story as a fan of irony.

(Additional irony is that this follows the “Peaceful Waves” post. Serenity now!)

Peaceful Waves

Peaceful Waves off of Wisconsin Point

Homeschooling Information Night

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009
7-9 p.m., Barnes & Noble at Miller Hill Mall

Northland CORE hosts “Homeschooling Information Night” and will lead a discussion with experienced homeschooling parents. Topics will include Minnesota laws, registering students with local school districts, methods of homeschooling, testing, support groups or whatever else comes up! www.northlandcore.org

After the Bomb Baby suggests you check out the Funhouse

It’s hard to watch a house come down

738CentralDemo48572

This house at 738 N. Central Ave. in West Duluth was ripped down yesterday to make way for the new Laura MacArthur Elementary School. I think the new school will be great, and I have no particular reason to be sentimental about this house or any of the others on the block, but there’s something that punches me in the gut when I watch a house get smashed to bits.

Library Used Book Sale Aug 18-21

Friends of the Duluth Public Library
Annual Grand Used Book Sale

Aug 18-21, 2009

Come get bargain books, DVDs, videos, CDs, vinyl and more at the annual book sale held at the Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St. Hours for the sale are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Aug 19 and 20 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the bag sale on Friday, Aug 21. The sale is open to Friends members only on Tuesday, Aug 18 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be a special handicap-accessible shopping time from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wed, Aug. 19. Book categories include children’s books, fiction, biographies, cookbooks, nature, and much more. People can join Friends at the book fair or on-line at www.duluth.lib.mn.us/CS/Friends.html.

A silent auction will be held on the library upper level during the book fair and will have rare and unique books.

On Saturday, Aug 22, there will be a Book Fair at the Barnes & Noble at the Miller Hill Mall. Purchases made on that day will help to raise funds for the Friends of Library. The support voucher can be picked up at the book sale, at the library, or on-line at www.duluth.lib.mn.us/CS/Friends.html.

Farmers Market at UMD: Wednesday

Farmers Market at UMD
Every Wednesday 2-4:30
UMD Kirby Plaza Bus Hub
Local Produce, Music and Artisans!

CD Release Parties

oldknifey-090804

Historic Day at Denfeld

DenfeldHunting448752

Ten new members were inducted into Denfeld High School’s Hunter Hall of Fame on Saturday. At the end of the ceremony, descendants of Robert E. Denfeld and Walter Hunting were brought to the stage. Although the phrase “Denfeld Hunters” has been around since the 1930s, the Denfeld and Hunting families had never met before. (Photo by Butch Williams)