Friday Miscellaneous: Books, Science and Other Things I've Been Thinking About

Today it's Friday. Here in the Northland we've been celebrating our annual Duluth Dylan Fest all week, which kicked off in Hibbing at the home young Robert Zimmerman grew up in there. Music by Geno, Amy and Pat was followed by a tour of the Hibbing High School where Bob first began to make a name for himself.

This was followed by a string of events here in Duluth throughout the week, culminating in the annual Front Porch Birthday Party at the house where Dylan spent the first six years of his life. We'll be gathering there from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Bob's birthday, with music by Greg Tiburzi. If you missed Wednesday's performance at Sir Ben's, you really missed a stupendous rendition of Dylan's Desire album. Big shout out to Greg, Erin Aldridge and Sonja Bjordal. Thank you.

Last night Cowboy Angel Blue performed in the Depot Train Museum and tonight will be the traditional Singer/Songwriter Contest at Sacred Heart. Full schedule here.

* * * 
One of the exciting things in my life right now has been a renewed interest in math and science. As followers of my Substack know I have been sharing the Math Circles of James D. Nickel. (Example: The Wonders of the Fibonacci Sequence). This exploration lead to the discovery of new thinking about the world we live in from a physics perspective. 

There are so many things that have been discovered about the nature of reality and the universe that are downright astonishing. It's my hope to share some of these things. The implications of Watson and Crick's discovery of the genetic code will blow your mind. How did the Hubble telescope expand our understanding of the size of the cosmos? What does "trust the science" really mean? 

My interest in history has never abated. Niall Ferguson's The Pity of War is now in my pile, revisiting the Great War and how it was a mistake for Britain to get involved. How ironic that the war to end all war proved to be the springboard to a century of wars in every corner of the world. 

That whole period of history was startling when you see the emergence of Social Darwinism, the birth of the Eugenics movement and the arrogance of Western intellectuals. 

On a more positive side  I've recently been inspired by some new writers I've been introduced to including David Berlinski and Stephen C. Meyer. 

As we wind down into Memorial Day weekend, more than a few Northlanders wonder when summer will start to show its face. What are some things you're jazzed about right now? There's so much still to be discovered. Don't just drift. Get a PhD in Lifelong Learning.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: A Glimpse of Duluth Culture Revealed in 7 Posters of Coming Events

 A random batch of current posters on the library bulletin board.

Roy Orbison was truly one of the greats. Check this out:
Seven Anecdotes from the Roy Orbison/Beatles Tour

Proof positive that we're not just flyover country.

This weekend Duluth Dylan Fest will commence.  Be there or be square.

I saw them my freshman year in college... a fun memory way back when.

First class shows for those who love live theater.

It's becoming a Northland tradition.

Looks interesting. Should we come with an appetite?

It's safer than snake-handling in Kentucky.

Lakes 10 Movie Theater in Hermantown has Closed, But We Still Have Great Theaters in Duluth

This is the beginning of a recent story from the Duluth News-Tribune:

HERMANTOWN — The Lakes Cinema will close after showtimes on Sunday, April 19, according to a statement on the theater's website.

Marcus Theatres, which operates the cinema at 4351 Stebner Road in Hermantown, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from the News Tribune as to why the theater was closing. In an email to loyalty members, the company wrote, "Thank you for your support over the years — we have enjoyed being part of this community."

Though no reasons were spelled out, I was aware that the theater was having trouble. The large parking lots on three sides of the theater had no more than a dozen cars one Sunday afternoon as I drove by last month. What a change from when we boomers were kids. Even drive-ins were full in those days.

I've known for some time that Covid played a role in breaking people out of their movie routines. Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime stepped up their game at the same time that giant flat-panel TVs come significantly down in price. As a result, going out to catch a matinee or evening flick was no longer the default way to see movies. Covid was a gut-punch from which theaters never recovered.

There were other things that happened though as well. Studios have been making fewer mid-budget films and more big "event" films (superheroes, franchises), perhaps in an effort to capitalize on add-on sales from memorabilia and other gimmicks (which I find nauseating). The blockbusters did fill seats, though even there it has been hit and miss much of the time. Small to mid-sized towns can't survive long dry spells between the big time stuff.

Which compounds the problem of rising costs, from heating to taxes to maintaining projection equipment and sound systems.

Then there's the economics of Hollywood itself. Studios make money from streaming, from global releases and the merchandising I mentioned above. Ticket sales at the theaters are no longer as important as they once were.

On the other hand...

Many theaters have adjusted. What Bob Boone has done in restoring the West Theatre and its sibling The Alhambra is nothing short of wonderful. Whereas movie theater economics has threatened many, these asymmetrical twins were ahead of their time by creating a social hub like theaters once had been in the past. In addition to two theaters, the front half of the Alhambra has captured the historic Speakeasy atmosphere of a century ago, a time almost forgotten with live music and atmosphere.

The West is more than a movie house. Since opening it's been a stellar venue for top drawer acts from Peter Yarrow and Judy Collins to Jorma Kaukonen and John McCutcheon...  and so many others--Benny Goodman's Big Band, Gospel Bluegrass, Paula Poundstone the DTAs -- 52 weeks a year, and more!

Opened in 1913, and now it's back

It's not just music. We've also been wowed by magicians, and other acts that have added a little magic to our corner of the world. 

If you feel like the world today is driving you a little close to the edge, grab a Reader, see who's coming to town in the weeks ahead and drop in for a bit of sanity. 

*.* * 

For the record we still have the Zeitgeist downtown, an alternative venue that's got its own cool factor, and the Marcus Theaters by the DECC across from the William S. Irving ore boat.

I just heard a story recently about how the Irving ended up where it is today. A group of community business leaders brought the ship into the slip where it sits, to contribute to our soon to be flourishing tourist trade. It was all part of a grand vision for Canal Park, and it came to pass!

The Lincoln Park area has been the center of attention these past ten years, but it's my personal hope that the Spirit Valley neighborhood gets a similar about of love. And I know a lot of people who are eager to see Downtown thrive again. 

Nevada Bob Gordon's Latest Album Earns Praise from the Bob Dylan Center

Nevada Bob Gordon is one of those rare individuals whose life reads like a country song come to life—full of twists, hard work, and a deep love for music. A singer, songwriter, and author (best known for his memoir 50 Years with the Wrong Woman), Nevada Bob has worn many hats over the decades: Navy veteran, police officer, cattle rancher, gold mine assayer, and hydrocarbon well analyst. Through it all, music has been his constant companion.

In late 2025, he released his ninth album, titled I'm Happy Wherever I Go... Most Folks Are Happy Whenever I Go! Recorded in Nashville--with an All Star team*--the project features a mix of covers and originals that showcase his gravelly voice and storytelling style. Standouts include classics like Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," John Fogerty's "Bad Moon Rising," Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings tunes, and Wyland's "Keep It Country Keep It Real."

One track in particular stands out: a heartfelt cover of Bob Dylan's "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" from Dylan's 1965 masterpiece Highway 61 Revisited. Dylan's original is a slow, laid-back blues gem—one of the more relaxed cuts on an album packed with electric energy. It draws from traditional blues roots, weaving in influences from legends like Charley Patton, Brownie McGhee, and Leroy Carr, while adding Dylan's poetic touch.

The song carries a world-weary resignation: life can be tough, joy doesn't come easy ("it takes a lot to laugh"), but sorrow arrives almost inevitably ("it takes a train to cry"). Trains in blues lore often symbolize departure, lost love, or life's transient journeys—perfect for a track that's equal parts melancholy and gentle groove.

Nevada Bob brings his own flavor to it, infusing the tune with a seasoned, lived-in feel that honors the original while making it feel fresh and personal.

The highlight? An email from Steven Jenkins, Director of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The center, which houses Dylan's vast archives and celebrates his legacy, reached out after Nevada Bob shared his CD:

Howdy Bob,

Nice to chat last week, and thanks again for sharing your CD with me. I really like your Dylan cover—you bring a whole new feel to the song—and the rest of the album is terrific as well.

Thanks again, and wishing you all the best from the Dylan Center.

Steve  Steven Jenkins

Director, Bob Dylan Center

Coming from the official stewards of Dylan's work, these kind words carry real weight. It's a nod that Nevada Bob's interpretation resonates even with those closest to the source material.

At 85+ (and still going strong), Nevada Bob Gordon proves that passion for music—and a good story—never ages. 

If you're a fan of classic country, bluesy covers, or just authentic voices from the road, give I'm Happy Wherever I Go... a listen. It might just put a smile on your face... most folks do when Nevada Bob's around.

(You can find his music on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and more. And naturally, if you're ever in Tulsa, swing by the Bob Dylan Center—it's a treasure trove for Dylan enthusiasts.)

What do you think of Dylan's bluesier side? Have you heard Nevada Bob's take? Drop a comment below!

Musicians accompanying Nevada Bob on this CD: Wanda Vick Burchfield, Charlie McCoy, Mark Burchfield, Eddie Bayers, and Randy Moore.

My Favorite Things... a Blast from the Past

This is a page from my original website (ennyman.com) which I built in 1995 after reading a book titled How to Learn HTML in Two Weeks. Since that time I added a few movies (2, 4, 10 & 12), an author, and my favorite "place" in the world. Everything here is still meaningful to me, but there is probably a lot I'd need to add from the last 25 years to bring it up-to-date.

  My Favorite Things

Quote of the Week
"Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius." ~anon.

---

Favorite Movies
1. Educating Rita (Michael Caine)
2. The Dancer Upstairs (Javier Bardem in a film directed by John Malkovich)
3. The Truman Show (Jim Carey) Original, philosophical fun.
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly  
5. The Trip to Bountiful (Geraldine Page) One of those "I wish I could write like that" movies.
6. Groundhog Day (Bill Murray)
7. The Mission
8. Zelig
9. Chariots of Fire (Inspirational)
10. Vanilla Sky
11. Runaway Train (Jon Voigt as existential hero) 
12. As Good As It Gets
13. Chinatown
14. The Natural

Strictly for the fun of it.
--BeetleJuice (Michael Keaton)
--Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Michael Caine and Steve Martin)

Seven of my Favorite Writers in the 1990s
1. Jorge Luis Borges
2. Graham Greene
3. Andre Gide
4. Elmore Leonard
5. C. S. Lewis
6. Rainer Maria Rilke
7. Par Lagerkvist

Six of my Favorite Writers in Earlier Years
1. Joseph Conrad
2. Ernest Hemingway
3. Thomas Mann
4. Herman Hesse
5. Anton Chekhov
6. Jack London
7. Kurt Vonnegut

Favorite Quotes for Writers

Favorite Short Stories
If I were to assemble an Anthology...
1. The Bet by Anton Chekhov
2. A Piece of Steak by Jack London
3. The Lagoon by Joseph Conrad
4. The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad
5. The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges
6. The Aleph by Jorge Luis Borges
7. There Are More Things, again by Borges
8. The Harness, by John Steinbeck
9. Here We Are, by Dorothy Sayers
10. The Doctor & the Doctor's Wife, by Ernest Hemingway

PLUS (Must be mentioned): The Mirror and the Mask, by Jorge Luis Borges

Favorite Novellas
1. The Tenth Man, by Graham Greene
2. Of Mice and Men, by Steinbeck
3. Barabbas, by Par Lagerkvist
4. Theseus, by Andre Gide
5. A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean
6. Isabelle, by Andre Gide
7. Seize the Day, by Saul Bellow
8. Death in Venice, by Thomas Mann
9. The Sybil, by Par Lagerkvist
10. The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis
11. Mr. Majestyk, by Elmore Leonard
12. Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton

Five Novels That Especially Made an Impression On Me When I First Read Them
1. Martin Eden, by Jack London
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway
3. The Old Gringo, by Carlos Fuentes
4. Too Late the Phalarope, by Alan Paton
5. The Godfather, by Mario Puzo

Three Novels of Eighty Years Ago That Reveal Remarkable Prescience
1. 1984, by George Orwell
2. Brave New World, by Aldous Huzley
3. That Hideous Strength, by C.S.Lewis

Books on my Shelf That I Started But Haven't Finished Yet
1. War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy
2. Remembrance of Things Past, by Marcel Proust
3. The Agony and the Ecstasy, by Irving Stone
4. The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner

Three Favorite Cities in Mexico
1. Guanajuato
2. Cuernavaca
3. Tepotzlan

Favorite City in the World (at this moment in time)
1. Florence, Italy

Favorite Pieces of Short Classical Music
1. Prelude in E Minor (Op. 28 No. 4) by. Chopin
2. None But The Lonely Heart, by Tchaikovsky
3. On Earth As It Is In Heaven, by Ennio Morricone
4. Adagio opus 11, by Samuel Barber
5. Concerto for Clarinet in A Major K622, by Mozart
6. Ballade No. 1 in G minor, by Chopin
7. Concerto for Piano & Orchestra, No 1 Op. 11, by Chopin
8. Sonata for Piano No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, Pathetique, Adagio, by Beethoven,
9. Elvira Madigan, by Mozart
10. Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, Second Movement

Most Memorable Honeymoon Dinner
J.J. Charlies', Monterrey, Mexico, 1981

Three Favorite Bible Passages
1. Matthew 25:31-45
2. James 1:27
3. Psalm 138:8

Two Turtledoves
And a Partridge in a Pair Tree 

A Random Walk Through Last Weekend's Park Point Art Fair

This was the 53rd Annual Park Point Art Fair. Wow! What a great track record. The weather forecast was mixed, but we'd decided to go and it turned out to be a beautiful day Saturday mid-morning to early afternoon when we did our walk-through. As usual, there were artists of all types and stripes creating in all manner of media. Ceramics, fiber arts, Jewelry, photography, sculpture, wood, glass and combinations of the above, from whimsical to practical as well as serious.  

Here are just a few of the varieties of creativity we saw:

Support Your Local Artists

There were also food trucks and musicians, includng Russ Sackett, Hannah Rey, 

Water Cat, The Has Ben's Paul Metsa and Mississippi Mike Wolf.

MY ONLY RECOMMENDATION

to the folks who assemble this event 

would be to include websites or contact information on the program 

for the participating artists so attendees can find them later.

Otherwise, THANK YOU to the Park Point Community Club 

and all the local companies who help 

make these events possible through sponsorships.

Northland Dylan Tributes: Gregg Inhofer, Billy Peterson, Paul Metsa and Duluth Dylan Fest 2025

This coming Friday and Saturday, Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson will be joining Glenn Swanson for a very special weekend of Cookin' at the O. Though Peterson has been a staple at the Oldenburg House for years now, this is the first time Inhofer has joined him in an event that will serve as prologue for the upcoming week of Dylan Fest.

An American singer-songwriter, pianist, and vocalist, Gregg Inhofer's music combines a wide variety of influences, including rock, R'n'B, and jazz. He's played a significant role in the Minneapolis music scene throughout his career and is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Gregg Inhofer w/ Billy Peterson
on set of Metsa's Wall of Power (2019)

What's special about this weekend's shows is that Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson, who have been performing together since the early Seventies, recorded with Dylan on half the songs on "Blood on the Tracks". (For more about that story, follow the links below.)  FWIW, Dylan’s album “Blood on the Tracks”, ranks number 16 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. 

Another special feature about the weekend: Glenn and Gregg worked together decades ago in the band "This Oneness" and for the two of them, this is a long awaited reunion.

I first met Gregg at a special event in the studio of Paul Metsa's Wall of Power. The six Minnesota musicians who contributed to Bob Dylan's 1975 double Platinum Blood on the Tracks were gathered together to celebrate the release of Bootleg 14: More Blood, More Tracks. (Two were present via media connections.) It was an exceedingly moving event, because their contributions to the original album had not yet been publicly recognized. Thus, this was a vindication of sorts, in addition to being a reunion.

IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN to the Oldenburg House for their A++ jazz events, you really owe it to yourself to learn more about this historic Carlton hideaway. The shows include first class cuisine by Chef Paul Sapyta of Room at the Table.

In addition to the 8-day week of events assembled for Duluth Dylan Fest 2025, I have to quickly mention that the Alhambra Theater, adjacent to the West Theatre, is having it Grand Opening this weekend. There will be magicians, musicians and more. (For the record, Dylan was a big fan of Harry Houdini. On one occasion he was asked what event he would like to see if he could go back in time. He purportedly said that he would like to have been there when Harry Houdini was chained, trussed and locked in a box that was thrust into the East River.)

So, on Tuesday May 20 at 8:00 pm at the Alhambra, Paul Metsa and friends are inviting you to share a Salute to Bob Dylan Concert and Conversation. This intimate setting will include special guest Gregg Inhofer and Metsa's superbly talented harmonicat sidekick, Sonny Earl. Doors open at 6:30, concert kicks off at 8:30. Tickets are $18 and $23 based on seating:  https://readertix.com/events/paul-metsa-friends-do-dylan

About the Alhambra

The Vision for the Alhambra

New chapter for Historic Duluth Theater

About Paul Metsa's 2019 BOTT Reunion Celebration
Inside the Studio: Still More Blood and Tracks as Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Features MN Music Luminaries

Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Featuring Dylan's BOTT Studio Musicians from Sound 80 (Part 2)
Lives Touched and Energized: Dylan, Blood, Tracks, Metsa--Part 3

Cookin' at the O 2025
Upcoming Performances

Tickets for May 16 Dylan Tribute

Tickets for May 17

10 Things You May Not Know About the Oldenburg House in Carlton

When I first met Gregg in 2019 he shared these personal observations from his experience in 1974 recording with Dylan. “I was working for Kevin (Odegard), Billy Peterson and Bill Berg (drummer). They needed a studio keyboard player. First impression: 'Cool' He (Dylan) had my respect. I wasn’t a fan like the other guys. I was studying jazz/rock fusion. Dylan’s tunes were technically simple."

When I asked about not being mentioned on liner notes he replied, “I take my own 50% responsibility. I should’ve called David (Zimmerman). I was naïve about business and didn’t follow up.”

The week ahead will be loaded with memorable moments. If able, you may want to be part of them. 

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

Big shout out to Glenn Swanson and Emily Fuerste for the richness and life they've brought to their community. Shine on!

Another big shout out to Bob Boone and all the volunteers and financial contributors who sacrificed so much to bring the Alhambra back to life for a new generation.

Night Drive: Penetrating Heartfelt Tribute

The first time I noticed this song, really noticed it, was last year on a local Saturday evening radio program called Folk Migrations. From the opening notes it was haunting. After a long intro the vocals finally emerged, melancholic and evocative.  

How bright the stars
How dark the night
How long have I been sleeping?
Sleep overtook me on my westward flight
Held me in its keeping
I had a dream; it seemed so real
Its passing left me shaking
I saw you're here behind the wheel
On this very road I'm taking

Hurtling westward through the prairie night
Under the spell of motion
Your eyes were clear and bright in the dashboard light
Dreaming of the western ocean
The dusty towns left far behind
Mountains drawing ever nearer
Your face was then as it was tonight
Ever young
Ever clearer

Based on the mood and the lyrics, I assumed I was listening to a breakup song. Clearly the there was heartbreak in the air. The singer/narrator had been shattered. 

When I arrived home a little while later I found the song on YouTube so I could listen again. Strangely, I did not recognize the real story behind the song. I recognized the emotions, but there's an ambiguity here that gives it a far vaster reach. Though the song was deeply personal, it encapsulates universal themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. 

While researching the origins of the song I discovered the source of its power. It was not about an ex-girlfriend. Rather, it was a tribute to his late brother, Stan Rogers, with whom he traveled across North America during their music career in the 1970s and early 1980s. 

In the lyrics, Garnet describes a dream where he’s driving through the prairie night, and there’s Stan, right beside him, as real as ever. You can feel the weight of that moment—the motion of the car, the dark night, the stars above, and the overwhelming sense of Stan’s presence, like he never left. It’s haunting, the way Garnet captures that longing, mixing the joy of those shared memories with the pain of knowing they’re gone. He talks about things they did together—watching the northern lights, sharing a bottle of wine—and you get this vivid picture of their life on the road, not just the places they went, but the emotional journey they shared.

I know this road

And its every curve

Where the hills commence their climbing

We rested here

If my memory serves

The northern lights were shining

You lit a smoke

We shared some wine

We watched the sky in wonder

Your laughter echoes after all this time

In that high and wild blue yonder

Stan Rogers was Garnet's older sibling, a Canadian folk musician of stature, a brother he looked up to. In 2022 a good friend from our Dylan circles died. What moved me most was the manner in which Phil's three younger brothers respected and honored him at his funeral. Clearly this shines through in Garnet's tribute. Not only had Stan been an inspiration as an older brother, but even in his death his behavior was heroic. Here's the account from Wikipedia.

Rogers died alongside 22 other passengers most likely of smoke inhalation on June 2, 1983, while travelling on Air Canada Flight 797 while returning from performing at the Kerrville FolkFestival. The plane was flying from Dallas to Toronto and Montreal  when a fire from an unknown ignition source within the vanity or toilet shroud of the aft washroom forced an emergency landing at the Cincinnati airport in northern Kentucky. There were initially no visible flames, and after attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, smoke filled the cabin. Upon landing, the plane's doors were opened, allowing the five crew and 18 of the 41 passengers to escape, but approximately 90 seconds into the evacuation the oxygen rushing in from outside caused a flash fire.   

Soon after his death, legends began to circulate about Rogers' final moments. Amber Frost claimed: Before most likely succumbing to smoke inhalation, he used his last moments to guide other passengers to safety with his booming voice. I’ve heard more than one Canuck proudly declare that for all Rogers’ odes to Canada, he was never more Canadian than in his final words: ‘Let me help you.'

I don't know why I write these lines

It's not like I could send you the letter

It's that I love your more after all this time

It's that I wish I'd shown you better

Years have slipped

Beneath my wheels

Dwindling in my rear view mirror

As time has passed

Your life has seemed less real

But these night drives bring you nearer

I know why he's written these lines. Garnet knows, too. It's all part of the grieving process, encapsulating memories, as well as regrets. The candor cuts deep when he says, "I love you more after all this time, I wish I'd shown you better." It's both beautiful and bittersweet.

So tonight I'll wish upon these stars

As they rise upward to guide me

That I'll see you here just as you are

Now, as then, beside me

Scares me how the years have flown

Like the leaves drift in September

They've lost sight of you as your legacy's grown

But this road and I

We remember

* * * 

Here's a link to the song: 

 

You can also check out this video of Stan Rogers.