Almost Wordless Wednesday: First Visit to Lizzard's Gallery in 2022

Lizzard's Art Gallery & Framing is one of many galleries in Duluth featuring regional artists. The gallery is located at 11 West Superior Street in the heart of downtown. Here are just a few of the pieces that caught my eye when I checked in last week.

"Grasping Light" -- Matt Klooster, Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 36

"Her Wild Life is Coming Back I"--Sarah Brokke, Oil on Canvas 20 x 30

"Fifth Avenue West"--Scott Murphy; Print on Canvas

"Walk Across the Lake, look"--Adam Swanson; Acrylic on Board, 14 x 18

"The Aquarium"--Scott Murphy, Oil on Canvas, 48 x 24

"Antler Swing"--Naomi Christianson, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 20

A nice piece by the late Terry Millikan

Due to reflections this is a poor photo of Danielle Thralow's very cool 
photo of a lightning strike on Lake Superior. She has been doing a series
of striking images from her porch on the West Central Hillside.

 

Despite two years of Covid, Northland artists have been active. The art scene is still alive and well here in Duluth. Thursday evening there will be an artists reception in the Zeitgeist Atrium featuring work by the Lake Superior Abstract Group.

5:00 p.m. @ 222 East Superior Street. Join us! (Masks required.)

A Few Comments on Bob Dylan's Malibu by Martin Newman

Anyone half paying attention will have noticed a lot of new Dylan books have been appearing in recent years. What's interesting is how each one has its own angle. The history of the Never Ending Tour, the stories behind specific albums, or even specific songs... One of my favorites--as far as an unusual angle for a Dylan volume--was the Mary Lee Kortes book Dreaming of Dylan in which she shares 115 dreams people have had in which Dylan showed up. 

Then there are the contributions from people close to Bob at various sections of his life. I just recently started Suze Rotolo's A Freelwheelin' Time, for example. Peter McKenzie's account of Bob's first months in New York--Bob Dylan: On a Couch and Fifty Cents a Day--similarly adds insights that you won't find in other books because Bob crashed on his family's couch for several months after first arriving at the Big Apple and was like the older brother that he never had. In Dylan & Me (by Herzl Camp friend Louis Kemp during Bob's teen years) I finally learned who Bob was with the night he went to see Buddy Holly and his Winter Dance Party Tour.

All of those books were personal, because they were written by people with a personal relationship to Dylan for a period of time. Which brings us to Bob Dylan's Malibu by Martin Newman. For the record I am not related to Martin Newman. (Neither am I related to Paul Newman, Randy Newman or, to my knowledge, any of the other Newmans associated with Hollywood. 

I acquired Newman's book in the spring of 2021 and read it in a single sitting shortly after our 2021 Duluth Dylan Fest was a wrap. My copy is a large format paperback on what appears to be a Mountie Matte paper, ideal for printing photographs, which is what this book essentially is, a picture book accompanied by anecdotes and related stories. The accompanying subtitle reads, "My time with him in the 1970's."

The author is an obviously multi-faceted man who through a "simple twist of fate" ended up becoming intertwined with Bob Dylan as the famous songwriter/performer took up residence in Malibu. The occasion for this book was Bob's 80th birthday. In it he shares stories and photos of a variety of interesting project he worked with Bob on, including clothing (the jacket Dylan is wearing on the cover of the Basement Tapes album), gifts they shared with one another, and numerous acquisitions for Bob's new digs like fun house mirrors, a 1947 Wurlitzer, special gifts for Sara, etc.

This is the kind of book that would be of interest to fans looking to get a few more rare, intimate glimpses of a more private side of Bob Dylan. You learn a lot more about a person by visiting their home than by having them as a guest at yours. 

The structure seems a bit like that of an old man reflecting on his youth while going through a photo album. The author points to a photo and says a little about the story behind it, then turns to another page of photos, singles out another and tells another story. 

It seems evident that Marty became part of Dylan's life because he could be trusted. He respected Bob's privacy and thereby became an asset in helping make a magnificent piece of property into an even more splendid residence. 

I remember from other reading that the house took three years to prepare for moving in, and seem to recall there was a lot of conflict generated by the delays, possibly contributing to Sara's departure. Because of that memory I look at these photos with a bittersweet sensation. The book, published by EDLIS Cafe Press, does offer fresh insights into a part of Dylan's life history that are only hinted at in other books. 

* * * 

Insights and Observations from Napoleon Bonaparte: A Baker's Dozen

The Emperor in His Study.
Jacques-Louis David

I once read that Napoleon Bonaparte was the most written about man of the 19th century. More than 100,000 books were penned. This alone should signal that he was more than just a famous general. He began his life as the second son of a minor provincial family in Corsica. Circumstances and ambition helped him rise to become Emperor of France. With a firm hand he ended the insanity of the French Revolution and its beheading of aristocrats. Once France had been stabilized he set about to establish an education system, improve the infrastructure and set in place the Napoleonic Code.

What I found striking was how much of an original thinker he was. According to military historians, of the top 20 most brilliant battles in world history (based on strategy) Napoleon was the general who conceived and executed 12 of these. That's a pretty impressive statement. 

Anyways, all I wished to accomplish here was to share a dozen quotes from this historic figure. (EdNote: I am not attempting to hold him on a pedestal in every respect, for I am conscious of his shortcomings. Most of these quotes still have relevance today, for individuals and for nations.)

* * * 

The reason most people fail instead of succeed is they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment.

EdNote: An early example of the principle of deferred gratification.

                                                * * * 

All great events hang by a hair. The man of ability takes advantage of everything and neglects nothing that can give him a chance of success; whilst the less able man sometimes loses everything by neglecting a single one of those chances.

                                                 * * * 

The barbarous custom of having men beaten who are suspected of having important secrets to reveal must be abolished. It has always been recognized that this way of interrogating men, by putting them to torture, produces nothing worthwhile. The poor wretches say anything that comes into their mind and what they think the interrogator wishes to know.

EdNote: So why were we still waterboarding in the 21st century?

                                  * * * 

A form of government that is not the result of a long sequence of shared experiences, efforts, and endeavors can never take root.

EdNote: How did we think we could somehow turn Afghanistan into a modern democracy?

                                   * * * 

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

EdNote: Do we not see this born out daily on social media?

                                       * * *  

The word impossible is not French.

EdNote: Is this the origin of Possibility Thinking?

Corollary: Perhaps this is why the French generals kept sending waves of infantry with only rifles and bayonets to assault German machine guns in WWI. 

                                                 * * * 

As a rule it is circumstances that make men.

EdNote: As I look back on my career, it is apparent that my greatest successes were as much due to circumstances that gave me the opportunity to thrive. 

Corollary: Good leaders understand that they can get the best from their team by creating a culture where their employees have the opportunity to really achieve something.

                                    * * *  

Napoleon before the Sphinx. Photo: G. Firstenberg

The only way to lead people is to show them a future: a leader is a dealer in hope.

EdNote: "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope."--Helen Keller

                                 * * * 

Conscience is the most sacred thing among men. Every man has within him a still small voice, which tells him that nothing on earth can oblige him to believe that which he does not believe. 

                                     * * *  

Man loves the marvelous. It has an irresistible charm for him. He is always ready to leave that with which he is familiar to pursue vain inventions. He lends himself to his own deception.

Today we call this the "Shiny New Toy" syndrome

                                      * * *  

A man who has no consideration for the needs of his men ought never to be given command.

EdNote: Amen.

                                       * * *  

What then is, generally speaking, the truth of history? A fable agreed upon.

                                        * * *  

My most splendid campaign was that of March 20; not a single shot was fired.

                                         * * *  

EdNote: The painting of Napoleon gazing on the Sphinx is by Jean-Leon Gerome, 1886. It is not a photo by Gary Firstenberg.

For more quotes from Napoleon Bonaparte, visit:

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Napoleon_Bonaparte

Story Idea: The Party and Its Aftermath

This idea for a novel or film is based on an incident from the life of Cary Grant. (I'm currently listening to a Cary Grant biography while commuting here and there, running errands, etc.)

I've not settled on a title yet, but the story concept is set. As in real life, situations lead to decisions which create new situations. As a working title we'll call it ...

The Party and Its Aftermath

On a gorgeous summer evening in Duluth several dozen prominent people have gathered for a private dinner party at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Tables have been rolled in and set up to seat 52, six tables set for 8 and an additional table for the band. The invitation implied that anyone who is anyone will be present, along with some special surprise guests. 

The hosts of the party are newly minted Twin Cities billionaire Brent Chance and his wife Bev. The event was preceded by a News Tribune story about how Chance, who grew up in Edina but made his fortune in California real estate, was considering a serious investment in Duluth. The article cited Duluth's reputation as a growing arts mecca along with its well-known quality of life benefits. 

The gathered guests came from a variety of backgrounds. There were local political figures, lawyers, contractors, and people in the local hospitality industry. Two or three ad agencies were represented as well as business owners, a few local media personalities, the head of the Duluth Playhouse, a few professors, the new LISC director, a couple from the Duluth NAACP, and descendants of several prominent "old money" families. A few weren't really sure why they'd been selected, and several were a little insecure as to the purpose of the party.

It was a curious event. There had been an dance floor assembled with a jazz ensemble that entertained throughout the evening. At a certain point in time Brent Chance stood and went to the podium in the far corner of the room. The scenery behind him was glorious, the water shimmering on the bay creating an aura that made him appear to shimmer as well.

Chance introduced his wife, thanked everyone for coming, and made note of two or three individuals who had made him feel especially welcome when visiting the city during the past couple years. He also thanked The Boat House for catering the meal and Tom Hanson for the hors d'oeuvres beforehand and desserts after. He briefly shared how growing up in Minnesota made him the man he had become, then talked about his business ventures that had grown under the umbrella of Fast Pivot Enterprises.

"Be sure to tour the Aquarium and enjoy the new exhibits," he added. "There's also a rather nice display of new paintings by Adam Swanson down the hall from where you came in. Stay as long as you like. The bar will remain open till the band packs up." 

Shortly after returning to his seat the mayor's husband leaned over and asked, "The invitation implied a couple V.I.P.s might be present."

Chance gave a laugh. "Really, we're all V.I.P.s. But if you look at the musicians, over on the right is Billy Peterson on stand-up bass. He comes from three generations of jazz musicians in the Twin Cities. He recorded with Dylan on Blood on the Tracks. He'd planned to bring his friend Steven Tyler from Hawaii, but something came up." 

Everyone at the table craned their necks at this.

"Swanny Swanson, the drummer, is a friend of Billy's. The fellow on keyboards is an A-team player from California, Mario Landolfi. He's a personal friend and now one of the biggest names in both L.A. and San Diego. And if you check out the fellow standing over by the window, he's with the Vikings. He already asked if I have any connections to get him traded to a West Coast team. He doesn't like our weather." Chance laughed again. "I don't have any pull with the 49ers, and even if I did the report card on him is that he's lost a step since his injury in 2020. But he's smart, and who knows. He might make be an asset for one of my Fast Pivot companies in Malibu."

The food was remarkable, the desserts equally so. Most of the guests at one point or toured the Aquarium exhibits their tax dollars helped design and maintain.

As the crowd began thinning the jazz trio got into a swinging improv set so that as the guests made their exits it created an upbeat end to the evening. 

* * *

A week after this grand affair at the Aquarium everyone who had attended received a thank you card and an invitation to a follow up party. It will be full of surprises, the invitation read. "Nothing like you have ever experienced before," it promised. "It is very important you be there. You won't want to miss it." 

The follow up event indeed lived up to its promise.

TO BE CONTINUED

A Few Comments on the Food Shortages

In June 1992 a Burlington Northern railroad derailed while crossing the Nemadji River. 14 cars jumped the track. One of these, a chemical car, fell into the water and began spilling benzene. A toxic cloud of benzene began to form, slowly growing only to be carried by winds in what appeared to be the direction of Duluth and the North Shore. Local authorities quickly went into action and began urging people to evacuate the city.

Our family was living on the Central Hillside at the time. Susie called me at work to make a plan. It so happened that we had booked a cabin up near Gooseberry Falls for the weekend but cancelled. Because we could not get our deposit back I had planned to turn it into a one day writing retreat. 

Everyone had their radios on, following the breaking story. I was working at Chromaline in West Duluth at the time and it was decided that we would all leave by noon. The slow moving toxic cloud would not reach the city for a couple hours. The radio station I was listening to had callers calling in to ask which roads were best to take in order to get out of town. Purportedly all traffic heading toward Duluth from the north was stopped in Two Harbors, as were other roads coming from the west and south.

When I left the office and headed to my house at the top of First Avenue East, there was an eerie sensation that I was living in a horror film. There were no cars moving, and with the exception of one man who was standing in the middle of his front yard with his arms folded I saw no people at all anywhere. I went into my house, changed clothes, grabbed a few items for the evening and left. 

While I was in my car, people were calling the radio station asking what roads were open to get out of town, and one of them said that traffic heading toward Two Harbors was backed up all the way to London Road. Well, that was the direction I needed to go. Looking out over the lake I could see the benzene cloud but it was moving slow and going more north than west, so I decided to take my chances.
 

SO HERE'S THE SHOCKER. When I drove down London Road, which was supposedly bumper to bumper traffic going north, there was nary a car. I mean, I did not see a single vehicle. I figured that if I keep going I'll reach the tail end of the traffic at some point further on, but as I drove along -- I took the scenic route so I could watch the white cloud on the lake -- I went totally unimpeded. Even while driving on this empty road one of the radio announcers repeated that this was not a good way to leave town because of the traffic which was stopped dead for 20 miles. 

My car was the only vehicle on the road, the entire way to Two Harbors.

OK, here's the point of my story. Wednesday on one of the radio stations I heard someone say how the grocery store shelves are all empty, that  it was like living in 1981 Soviet Union. 

The photos above were taken at the Mount Royal grocery store here in Duluth. The photos below were taken at a Super One in Hermantown or Pike Lake. 

OK, so we had a couple places where they were missing items. Last year we went three to four weeks without "Tostitos with a Hint of Lime."

But it's hardly the Soviet Union 1981. At least not here.

If your experience is different, feel free to leave a comment and say where you're from. I'd like a clearer picture of what is really happening.

Another Post About Books: New Arrivals at the Duluth Public Library

As nearly everyone knows, I love libraries, and especially appreciate the Duluth Public Library. One of the most challenging parts of 2020 for me was not having access to the library. There is something magical about looking at the spines of books on the shelves, reading titles and occasionally slipping one from its home to check out the cover and flip through its pages.

Our library also has a satisfying variety of DVDs and audio books, historical documents, newspapers, and 20 to 30 computers for internet browsing.

One of my favorite sections is an island of shelves upstairs containing new arrivals. The new arrivals shelves feature both fiction and non-fiction. If you know your Dewey-Decimal System, the 921s are always well represented. Who doesn't love biographies? 

I think that if I were to come back in another life, 

I would like to design book covers.
*

At the Duluth Public Library, the staff is always so helpful that even if you didn't like books as much as me, you would enjoy asking for help simply to put a lift in your step. (I have to interject here that the Superior Library staff is equally helpful. Perhaps libraries have that effect on all librarians everywhere.)

This page of random photos was taken yesterday in various parts of the New Arrivals shelf.

Related Links
So Many Books, So Little Time
Books, Books, Books and a Few Good Quotes (About Books, of Course)
Eight Books by Ed Newman 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: When A Building Catches Fire @32 below Zero

On Monday morning as I drove into town here in Duluth, a major fire was being attended to in the former West End, now known as the Lincoln Park District. After stopping at the library and a meeting elsewhere I attempted drive through the area and see which block the fire was on. After 35 years here I know that section of town pretty intimately. Today I learned it was the former Seaway Hotel, a.k.a. the Esmond Building.

The thermometer read 32 below zero at our house Monday, so I was imagining that in addition to the challenge of putting out the fire the firemen were also dealing with a risk of frostbite or serious exposure issues. 

For those in warmer climates, here are some photos I took today of the fire's aftermath. 

"Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice."

--Robert Frost

What do you say?