A great lunch with Councilor Fedora

The Free Democracy Summit held another great lunch with a councilor. This time it was held at blackwoods, and was with 1st district councilor Todd Fedora.

Before I get into the main part of the post, I need to say people really need to put politics a side and listen to both sides. This summit is great, well I don't agree with a lot of it, I still listen to every one's point of view and yes I am even learning from it. I have received comments ( that I have not published) and emails saying why go when it is largely leans to the left. I say what does it matter? Like I said I have learned and received some great information. You may not change your mind and that is fine but at least take the time to listen. People that are so shallow to not attend something because they don't agree politically are missing out on a great summit.


The lunch with councilor Fedora was good, there was about 7 people who came to talk about issues that matter to them. Much of the talk was about the 300 foot rule and NorShor. Issues brought up also included crime, how the council got a long, and more.

Todd was a great guest for the summit, he represented his side and his points very well.

Tomorrow ends the lunch with a councilor series for the summit. Pizza Luce is the spot to be noon to 1pm most of the councilors will be there.

Better Food!

Here is more about food! This is event is a long standing tradition for my family to attend.

The Duluth Lions Club pancake fundraiser is May 6th and runs all day long. It is a fun cheap way to get great pancakes, sausage and pop or coffee and milk. You could go for all three meals if you wished as the event runs from 6am till 8pm.

You can buy extra sausage, milk, juice and pop. Seconds, thirds, fourth on pancakes are included in the price. I believe tickets are $5 a head of time and 6 or 7 dollars at the door. I would advice getting your tickets early, as the line can be very long, especially at rush hours.

Good food!

I am a fan of food, who isn't? The Greater DownTown Council, and restaurants are having a special week to feature there restaurants. It happens May 10th-16th, there will be lunch specials at $10 and Dinner at $20.

Restaurants include, Sir Benedicts, Pizza Luca', Hell's Burgers and much more. For a list of all restaurants go and the menu for the event go to, www.downtownduluth.com

Norshor approved.

The Duluth City Council approved the sale of the NorShor last night. The city now owns it and the temple opera building, the city approved buying them for 2.6 million dollars by a 6-3 vote.

The partisan vote, was because of type of business located at theater and possibility of rejuvenating old downtown.

The city will most likely turn around and resell the building.

Free Democracy Summit--- First lunch.

Today was the first lunch with a councilor for the summit. There will be one every day this week.

This one was at the Burrito Union and was with 3rd district councilor Sharla Gardner. The group got a chance to share their concerns with the councilor. The conversation was great. The main two topics of the discussion were the NorShore theater and the 300 foot rule. Both topics will come during tonight's city council meeting.

The discussion was great because it was free flowing and because it jumped around and touched on a number of topics. I am looking forward to tonight's (5pm) second chance forum at the central hillside community center. It will focus on a second chance for people who have been released from jail.

Tomorrow is another lunch, this time with councilor Kerry Gauthier at Sammy's pizza downtown, noon-1pm.

At 5pm tomorrow there will be a social networking and digital activism forum. I will be one of the panelists. It will take place at the Harrison community center. It will be followed by an economic forum at 6:30, also at the center.

Today's free free democracy events.

Here is today's line up for the for the summit please join if you can.

Monday April 26th
*Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
3rd District City Councilor Sharla Gardner
@ Burrito Union 1332 E 4th St.

Central Hillside Community Center - 12 E 4th St.
Second Chance for People Coming from Prison
5 pm - 6:30 pm Second Chance Forum - Moderator - Cynthia Finley
Panel - Sarah Walker - Minnesota Second Chance Coalition
Mark Haase - Council of Crime and Justice

7 pm - STAR Power - A Social Justice Simulation

Join us.

Tomorrow is the kick off for the free democracy summit 7.0. The events start at 4 pm, they include a forum, supper, and program.

Here is a list of the events,

4pm Keeping the faith-- the role of religion in the Public Square.

5pm Soup and Bread supper

5:30pm Habitat play and program,

The events are all at the Unitarian Church 835 W. College St.

I hope you will join us for the kick off event.

Mark Rubin and Ford to face off for County Attorney.

A year ago yesterday, Mark Rubin said he would run for St. Louis County Attorney. Yesterday, he made it official. Rubin held two news conferences to outline why he is running. One was in held in Virginia, Minnesota, where his work started in 1978, and the other was held outside of the Duluth courthouse.

Rubin did not attack his opponent at the Duluth press conference, instead he outlined his background and what he believes is the proper role for a county attorney. Rubin seems to understand that the voters want a positive message.

Rubin outlined his work in protecting the people. He stated that he has the knowledge to take on the tough issues like gun and domestic violence. He has done all this by working with people and by listening. He believes that the county attorney should be rooted in our community, and that will be his focus during the campaign.

Rubin also received key endorsements at the press conference. Rubin got two endorsements from key players in the county. One endorsement came from the Duluth Police union, and the other came from the St. Louis County Sheriffs' Association.

Downtown Duluth losing a key business.

*****UPDATE****** Jernouimis says there maybe a buyer for the business in the near future.


Ace hardware will close after 66 years in Downtown Duluth. The business will close on Saturday but will reopen briefly for a liquidation sale on April 29th. The downtown store has been owned or the last 25 years by Mark Jernouimis who is retiring to focus on other business opportunity's.

The store one of three big time names downtown will be yet another blow to a struggling downtown. Don't worry our city has a plan, they will save us maybe.

Ace along with mainstream fashion for men and Minnesota Surplus are the big names in our downtown and are the main business draws.

The last days events of the summit.

I hope you take the chance to come out to this great event, and join us for one or more of the forums, lunches, panels. Just a reminder I am part of the Tuesday forum at 5pm.

---Friday, April 30th
-9 am - A Grab Bag of Hot Employment Topics w/ Maria Flores @ Central Hillside Community Center

-Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
2nd District Councilor Patrick Boyle and At Large Councilors - Dan Hartman and Jeff Anderson @ Pizza Luce - 11 E Superior St.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP for any Lunch with a Councilor. Please call Scott at 336-1034 or email tpac@damianocenter.org to reserve your spot.

-5 pm - Democracy NOW!! @ Zinema2 - 222 E Superior St.
-7 pm - Poetry Slam / Open Mic Night @ Amazing Grace - 394 S Lake Ave
-9 pm - After Party @ The Rex - 600 E Superior St.

---Saturday, May 1st
-8 am - Breakfast with Elected Officials and Community Leaders @ Radisson Hotel - Great Hall
Keynote Speakers...
Steve O'Neil - St. Louis County Commissioner
Liz Kuoppala - Eveleth City Councilor and Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director

May Day Picnic, Rally and Concert
4:30 pm @ Central Hillside Community Center - 12 E 4th St.

More of the weeks events.

---Tuesday, April 27th
-Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
4th District City Councilor - Kerry Gauthier
@ Sammy’s Pizza - 103 West First St.
The cost of lunch is on your own. Due to limited seating, please RSVP for any Lunch with a Councilor. Please call Scott at 336-1034 or email tpac@damianocenter.org to reserve your spot.

-Harrison Community Center - 3002 West Third St.
5 pm - Social Networking and Digital Activism
6:30 pm - Economic Forum

---Wednesday, April 28th
-Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
At-Large City Councilor - Tony Cuneo
@ Zeitgeist Arts Café– 222 E Superior St.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP for any Lunch with a Councilor. Please call Scott at 336-1034 or email tpac@damianocenter.org to reserve your spot.

-Double Feature Movie Night
Teatro Zuccone - 222 E Superior St.
5:15 pm - San Marco Video / No Losers
7:15 pm - Shouting Fire - Stories from the Edge of Free Speech
Panel Discussions following each movie

---Thursday April 29th
-Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
1st District City Councilor - Todd Fedora
@ Black Woods, 2525 London Rd.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP for any Lunch with a Councilor. Please call Scott at 336-1034 or email tpac@damianocenter.org to reserve your spot.

-Forum on Higher Education @ UMD - Kirby Student Lounge, 4pm
-Student Housing and other Rental Properties - Facts and Myths - 6pm
Holy Family Catholic Church - 2430 West Third St.

Just a few days away from the summit. Again here is a list of the week long events.

The Free Democracy Summit Kickoff is Sunday, April 25th at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, 835 West College Street. Events will take place throughout the week. There will be a lot going on, programs, forums, discussions and more.

---Sunday, April 25th...

-Keeping the Faith - The role of Religion in the Public Square - 4:00 pm
The panel will consist of Rev. Kathy Nelson - Peace UCC, Elizabeth Olson from Churches United in Ministry, David Markusen from On Eagles Wings Church

-Soup and Bread Dinner - 5:00 pm

-Program - Habitat Play about homelessness in Duluth - 5:30 pm

Space sponsored by the Social Justice Committee - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth

---Monday April 26th
-Lunch with a Councilor - Noon - 1 pm
3rd District City Councilor Sharla Gardner
@ Burrito Union 1332 East Fourth St. Lunch is at your own expense
Due to limited seating, please RSVP for any Lunch with a Councilor. Please call Scott at 336-1034 or email tpac@damianocenter.org to reserve your spot.

-Second Chance for People Coming from Prison forum
Moderator - Cynthia Finley
Panel - Sarah Walker - Minnesota Second Chance Coalition and Mark Haase - Council of Crime and Justice
Central Hillside Community Center - 12 East Fourth St.
5 pm - 6:30 pm - Moderator - Cynthia Finley

7 pm - STAR Power - A Social Justice Simulation"

One dead in fire.

A 56 year old woman died in a house fire, the fire broke out early 4758 this morning at Rice Lake Road. There was another man visible out side of the house running around after the fire broke out. It is not known what caused the fire at this time.

The fire took more then six hours to put out, it was first reported at 6:40 this morning, and was not put out till early afternoon. It took the effort of five departments to put the fire out, that included the 148th fighter wing.

Free Democracy Summit 7.0

"The week kicks off Sunday at the Untarian Unversalist Church located 835 W. College St. Events on Sunday include a panel discussion Keeping the faith -- Regions role in public square. A soup and bread dinner, that is followed by Habit play all about Duluth homelessness.

Monday-Friday there you have a chance to meet a councilor and talk with them about issues that matter to you. It is your chance to be heard by our elected officials. Lunch is on your own and space is limited. To take part in the lunches you can call Scott at 336-1034.

The councilors taking part in the lunch series are, Sharla Gardner, Kerry Gauthier, Tony Cuneo, Todd Fedora, Dan Hartman and Jeff Anderson. The lunches are held are a number of restraints around town.

Here is the line up for next Tuesday. It starts with lunch with a councilor, 4th district councilor Kerry Gauthier. His lunch will take place at Sammy's Pizza from noon-1pm. The next event takes place at the Harrison Community Center at 5pm. A panel discussion about social networking and digital Activism. That is followed by an economic forum at 6:30."

A bit of a struggle today.

The Minnesota Twins are having some trouble today. As they are 7-3 to the Kansas City Royals. They have already won the series, as they have won the first two games. The game right now is at the end of four innings of play.

The Twins have not yet lost a series this season. Winning the opening one against the Angles, it was a four game series and the Twins won 3 of the four. Losing only the opening game of the. Then off to Chicago for three games. The Twins took 2 of 3 against the White Sox's. Then it was the home opener against, in a new place. Target Field saw three sold out games against the Boston Red Sox's. The Twins again won 2 of the 3 games and then this series the Twins won the first two games. The Twins are 9-3 well KC is 4-7 on the season.

One week a way from the kick-off event.

Sunday the April 25th is the kick off of the Democracy Summit. The summit is a great opportunity to learn about a number of issues. It is also going also be a lot of fun. Every day starting Monday the 26th there is lunch with a councilor.

Back to the kick off event. The event will start at 4pm with a great discussion, Keeping the Faith-- The role of Religion in the public square. The panel for this discussion is Rev. Kathy Nelson from Peace Church, and Elizabeth Olson from Churches United in Ministry.

That is followed by a bread and soup dinner at 5pm and then then the headline event for the night, is Habitat play that starts at 5:30pm.

All the kick off events take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, located at 835 W. College St.

Tea party rally.

The big rally went off yesterday at Bayfront Park in Duluth. More then 1,000 people rallied for smaller government, and better use of our money.

There was music and speakers at the event,that saw people make there own signs and wave American flags. The rally had people from both sides speak at the event.

There are a lot of pics and video of the event, I will find some and get them up. I will also try to find of the other rally.

Anti-war/peace rally.

The anti war group can't be happy with yesterdays turn out at the rally. About 100 people where there. A far cry there original event a number of years ago. It is however one of the best attendant events in recent events for them, I guess they can take that as a positive.

I wonder if the event was poorly attended because the President is a Democrat. The group likes to play the partisan card all the time. Could it be they are afraid of something else?

No post for this reason!!!!

One would have thought ,I would have had a lot to post about yesterday. And you would have been right, there where a couple of big events in town. The tea party rally and an anti war/peace rally but I was busy.

I will try to comment on the rallies today as I have gotten a lot of feed back from people.

I was at Target Field, taking part in the opening series events. I won tickets to the game,and what a great place to play baseball.

From our seats in left field.

NLA hosting sound off.

NLA Bob Hanson will be hosting a pre tea party show tomorrow. He will have Chuck Fredrickson on, the show. Fredrickson is head of the DNT opinion page. There has been a lot talk about the tea party movement.

Join them tomorrow 8-10am an take part in the discussion.