Queries Posts

House Hunting in Riverside

My husband and I have recently thought about buying a house in Duluth. There have been a few houses in the Riverside neighborhood that have caught our eyes, but we aren’t really familiar with that part of town. Can anyone offer up any kind of information regarding Riverside?

What is “In the Park After Dark” and why is it held before dark?

In the Park After Dark

Skyline Parkway Corridor Management Plan

Icy Street Panaramic

Does anyone have any word on building restrictions on Skyline Parkway? I’m asking because someone built a house on the lower side of Skyline a block above my house. Someone is working on a plot of land to the east which is also directly above my house and they need a variance (for which there is a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday next week).

My street has had a drainage issue ever since I moved in, but the first house to be built up there caused the issue to escalate. With more housing being built directly above, I fear that the problem will get increasingly worse. If anyone has any info on the corridor management plan or building on Skyline in general please let me know, and if you think this issue might directly affect you, let me know so I can forward the meeting info on to you.

I love Duluth and hope that we can work together to make things better. Above is a panoramic picture of ice taking up half the street due to water running down it.

Struggling Apple Tree

We moved into a house near Hartley Park last summer and were delighted when the apple tree in our new backyard produced basket after basket of fruit in the fall. This summer, though, we never saw the tree blossom, and while the leaves seem healthy, there are clearly no signs of apples. Any ideas what might have caused the lack of blossoms this year? We wondered if last winter was simply too tough on the tree, or if something else is wrong. Does anyone else know of apple (or other fruit) trees struggling this year? Any suggestions for a lawn/garden center or somewhere else to seek advice to ensure apples next year?

Shore-fishing suggestions around Duluth

I got great feedback on my barber inquiry, so now on to my next priority. I love to fish with my family, but don’t have a boat at this time. We will be purchasing one in the future. In the interim, can anyone suggest good shore, dam or pier fishing in the area? I have fished the Two Harbors Breakwall, as well as McQuade in the past, with hit and miss results.

I fish all species, so that is not a big concern. I do like to eat some of what I catch, so water with minimal consumption issues is preferred, but I will catch-and-release fish, too.

I don’t want anyone’s secret spot, just some general ideas and locations. If anyone does want to share more detail, I would be happy to provide an e-mail so you don’t have to post it on a forum. Thanks!

Seeking advice on relocating deer

Item from the PDD Inbox:

I live on Brainerd Avenue, behind UMD. The large lot behind my house and extending to Mississippi Avenue has now been bought by developers who plan to put townhouses and parking there. The lot seems to be home base to several deer, however, who roam the neighborhood from that lot, reproduce like crazy and appear to be quite content there.

There is a City Counsel meeting next Tuesday regarding zoning issues to be addressed before the builders get the go-ahead to start construction. Is there some humane way to relocate the deer who live there? Perhaps they can find Chester Bowl or the Bagley Nature Preserve on their own, but if there is some suggestion we can make at the City Counsel meeting, that would be great.

Thanks in advance for your advice on this matter.

Why does the City of Duluth hate wildflowers and butterflies?

 

Here in Lakeside we love our extension of the Lakewalk. One of the best features are all the wildflowers that grow along the fence, including stands of milkweed which is essential for Monarch butterflies.

So, I was shocked today to see City crews with weed whips cutting down the wild flowers along the fence.

Who could have thought this was a good idea? And how can we tell that person to stop destroying this wonderfully beautiful and diverse wildflower habitat?

Fourth Street Trees??

Driving past Fourth Street and 19th Avenue East today I noticed some signs saying that by 2016 all of the trees along Fourth Street would be gone. I have no idea if these signs are new, but can someone tell me what that is all about? True?

If someone wants to add a picture of the signs and tree huggers (clothes nailed to the tree to look like people hugging the trees), feel free, I didn’t have a camera along.

The Snooty Fox Tea Shop

Snooty Fox Tea snooty fox

Any information on the tea shop coming in across from Vintage Italian Pizza on East Eighth Street?

Duluth wheelchair rental

A relative is going to be flying in from out of town and has some mobility issues and would like to have a wheelchair to get around while he’s here. Does anyone know a place that rents wheelchairs for short periods of time (less than a week)?

Is it Crazy Cessna Day?

Does anyone know what’s up with the two small yellow planes that have been flying over Duluth all morning? They are flying awful close to buildings, making a lot of noise, and don’t appear to be doing anything productive. Just wondering if you all know something I don’t.

Weird noise

I have been hearing a low, humming rumble come from the downtown area for the past half hour at least — it’s 1:18 a.m. I am in Lakeside near the lake around 54th Avenue East. Is anyone else hearing this? Could it be boat sounds carrying over the water? No boat visible.

Park Point fox too friendly?

Last night we had a very interesting encounter with a sweet little fox. The fox went to run in front of our truck and then changed it’s mind and cowered on the side of the road. I then grabbed out my handy dandy camera to photograph him. At first he was a little farther away and as I was snapping away he started running at me! I was actually a bit scared and I hurried up and hopped in my truck. He didn’t leave, he lingered right by our truck. It seemed like he needed or wanted something from us. I was wondering if he was hungry and looking for food. I felt that the situation was abnormal. Thoughts?

What would you have done?

On Monday my family went to the first sandy beach at Park Point. When we were done enjoying the scenery and the water we began to pack up our car. There was another family packing up its car, but the adult woman in the car was swearing at the three young children who were under 5 years old. It was not just a few swear words, but a vulgarity-filled yelling directed at a child who did something that the adult deemed unacceptable. There were other bystanders, but no one said anything.

I rolled down my window and was about to speak up for these poor kids, but then I thought about how the adult in the car might own a gun or be carrying. It has bothered me ever since and is making me rethink my views on firearms. I’m wondering what some of you would have done. The three kids stood outside the car and looked so sad. I thought about when they enter our schools and swear in class because of the example they were given. This was right here in our town and I felt powerless because everything I am reading about says that carrying a firearm is what everyone should be doing.

What would you have done?

Help with Duplicator

No, I’m not trying to copy myself. I have a Model 70 Conquerer Spirit Duplicator which I am trying to figure out. I have never used one but am interested in how the machine works and would love to get this one back in action. If anyone could share some knowledge or point me in the direction of some good resources I would greatly appreciate it.