Open Thread #38
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Grand Forks Life is the first and biggest blog covering life in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. GrandForksGuy shares local news, rumors, and his own opinions.
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NOTE: The views expressed in original posts on "Grand Forks Life" are merely the views and personal opinions of the owner of this blog. No guarantee is given for the accuracy of content. The views expressed in reader comments are the views of those readers. "GrandForksGuy" and "Grand Forks Life" do not endorse the views of readers.
76 comments:
Grand Forks is getting an Outback Steakhouse and an Olive Garden soon.
Oh I hope so... OG is awesome...
And they would be going where?
Stupidest. Post. Ever.
...and there've been lots of stupid posts.
Anyways.
:o)
Outbacks are almost extinct in Minneapolis not sure if it would go in GF, OG would be a good fit.
Good to hear. We need more McDonalds too. And throw in another Taco John's.
In other news, the Alerus Centre will be hosting the next Beatles reunion, featuring Paul, Ringo, Julian Lennon, and... uh... Eric Clapton channelling George's ghost. Or something.
I love this blog! *L*
Yeah and greenglass 4 is going to be the guest host of Mac Talk! next week..
Whatever happened to that Dakota woman? She still on the radio?
I can't imagine that many people listen to her any ways.
Neither can I.
Which is why I don't know if she's still around. She privatized her blog, a clear indication that others share adversion to her, too.
If one more person complains about living in North Dakota/Minnesota I will kick their butt. Ok, so I won't actually resort to violence, but I'm sick of it.
If you don't want to be here then leave. I choose to be here because it's an amazing place to live. I love that you can experience all the different seasons, can always find something to do, and you don't have to always worry about someone beating you up just to get $5 from you.
Yes, we have crime. Overall though, I would say that if there is anywhere in this country that I would want to raise my child it is here.
I would love for some more "culture" to come into town, but the world, overall, moves at a slow pace so I expect it will take time to bring in a more diverse population.
Also, if I see one more person walking their damn cat I will scream. If you are going to walk a cat at least put it on a damn leash and not just sit there and call it's damn name. It's a cat, not a dog you idiot.
Why would Dakota do that to her blog. You can't even read it or the postings. Seems a bit wierd for a new media type ?
For the time being at least, Dakota's blog is dead. I've emailed her about this and, although she emailed me back, I'm still really not sure why she stopped blogging...
Kudos to the owners of the mall where Mexican Village is by giving the front a face lift. Kudos to the owners of KFC for giving that building a face lift too. It's good to see owners put money back into their buildings and keep them updated looking.
Don't forget the Subway on Columbia getting redone. BTW The Subway downtown looks pretty good side.
*inside
Mexican Village does look great, but I'm going to miss the pink flamingo neon sign that used to be out front.
Thanks for the news about Dakota's Blog. If it is dead for the time being, then we can move on and not waste time trying to see new news or postings. Maybe it should be taken down or deleted.
Who goes to that blog, anyway? *L*
My wife and I are considering a move to Grand Forks relatively soon. In my research, I'm finding very few 'chain' sit-down restaurants available in the area (like Chili's, TGI Friday's, etc.). This is somewhat surprising to me considering UND is there. Are there more sit-down restaurants there than the web is leading me to believe? Also, doing quick and dirty research, it seems that it's cheaper to live over in MN that it is in ND. Is that the case?
Thanks!!
G.
Wow, way to ask an inciteful question (as in "inciting" :-)
You've most likely found a comprehensive list of sit-down chain restaurants here -- there aren't a lot. It's a subject of much debate on this blog, and it's about an even split with those who want to see new chains, and those who think we're better off without them.
You will likely pay less in property taxes in East Grand Forks, but Minnesota income taxes are higher than North Dakota, so it may be a wash. Kind of depends on your situation.
Higher income folks generally live in Grand Forks-you won't see physicians living on the eastside-even those who have practices there. While the property taxes are lower and again-modest income folks get a property tax rebate in the fall (owner or renter) I feel you ought to check into the utility rates in EGF before deciding. They seem to be higher in East Grand Forks. The schools are good in either city. So welcome if you decide to move here!
Just keep any underage girls you have away from greenglass4. Seriously.
Thanks folks for the advice..it's appreciated. Dale, thanks for the heads-up on the higher income taxes in MN. If I were to relocate there, it's a career move and the office is in Grand Forks, so I obviously won't have a choice in the matter on income taxes, but glad to hear that they are lower in ND! Another anonymous posting mentioned checking out utility rates...good idea.
-G.
Has anyone driven by Jeanie's on South Washington? They had started to demolish it. What is going to be going in there or will it just be an empty lot?
Last I heard another Auto Parts Store.
Please have the next poll be DAZ hotties. I vote for Tammi Osborne. She is the hottest DAZ reporter.
Another auto parts store? Well I think its official, washington is a pointless street with nothing on it. Too bad for the street that at one time was the center of town.
the office is in Grand Forks, so I obviously won't have a choice in the matter on income taxes
Not true... you pay INCOME taxes for the state that you live in (my wife, for example, works for a company based in Minneapolis, but pays ND taxes, since we live here.) They (the company) pay UNEMPLOYMENT taxes to the state that they're based in (so, if she was laid off, she'd recoup beaucoup MN unemp money.)
So make sure that you take it into account.
i can think of about 9 sit down 'chain' restaurants off the top of my head...how many do you really think we need? only thing i think is missing is a place like olive garden for italian food.
Concerning living in MN or ND for the person considering moving to Grand Forks....my wife and I decided to build in EGF as the lots were cheaper and there is a city incentive...back in 2003 it was $10,000 if you live there for 10 yrs (which we had planned to do). So it worked out better for us to build in EGF than in GF. But dale is correct....property taxes are lower in MN than ND but income tax is higher in MN so I considered that a wash basically. One thing to consider...most of your shopping is done in GF so living in EGF puts you a bit farther away from the 32nd ave shopping district. We have to cross the Pointe Bridge many many a times and sometimes just being closer to shopping is a convenience. But overall we built the house we wanted over here with a finished basement which we could not have done in GF.
This has probably been mentioned before... but what the hell is keeping that land between Canad Inn and BP on 42nd from being developed?! That land is SO prime! Right by the Alerus and Canad, RIGHT off the interstate, RIGHT by UND campus, and it's in a part of town that's exploding.... that land needs to be built on, Friday's, Olive Garden, some sort of entertainment? i don't care, as long as it's NOT ANOTHER DAMN FURNITURE STORE.
Seems like many blogs have died out.
Recent comments over the last few weeks in this (by far the most prolific of the area blogs, best in all respects) blog gives ample reason why.
A word---stagnant---comes to mind.
(Respectfully submitted, btw)
Thanks again for all the advice. No kidding...I didn't realize that income tax wasn't based on the physical location of your workplace. Then again, I've never been in a situation before where I could potentially live in one state and work in another. I will certainly then run a comparison of income tax rates between the states. I just wonder if the higher income tax rates in MN are enough to offset ND's. Looks like MN pays about 1.1% prop tax, whereas ND pays around 2.0-2.1%. So, using rounded figs of 1% and 2%, on a $200K home, that a $2K difference between the states. So, unless MN's income taxes are enough to make up $2K in difference, MN would be cheaper. Granted there is some extra 'cost' in gas and time traveled, but GF isn't all that big in size for that to be a huge concern.
Well, it seems like a really nice looking area with plenty of good people. Guess we'll be making our decision in the next 2-4 weeks.
-G.
A good real estate agent should be able to provide cost comparisions for you-I know mine did 11 years ago. I bought a home on the Point in south East Grand Forks-where I grew up. We have very little commercial development-only one gas station/convenience store, a bank and a few day care centers. Elementary and middle schools are also located on the Point. I grew up there and live there once again. The drive to Grand Forks is 5-10 minutes at most. If your intention is to purchase a home, I think you would like it there.
We built the house and currently live on the south side of EGF right down the street from South Pointe elementary. Crary is building homes on the street over from us on 20th Ave SE...nice family area if you have kids as there are lots of them. Another area of EGF they are building is on Laurel Drive on the south end and those homes are going to be larger. One thing over on the eastside, if you havent already read, is the beet smell. With a north wind it comes right over our neighborhood with odor sometimes worse than others. Now it doesnt bother me, but it does my wife. I know they have been working hard at doing something to the lagoons to eradicate the smell.
One other thing, about the income tax. Minnesota and North Dakota have reciprocity...in that you will only be taxed on one state. In states with no agreement you would have both states income tax taken out. I work in ND and so does my wife...so we both have to fill out an income tax exemption form for our personnel office so that ND income tax is not taken out of our pay. Very simple to do the form though.
Perhaps I spoke too soon; the posts since my earlier impulsive statement prove most worthwhile.
I apologize if I offended anyone.
Depending on where you live in EGF, the smell from the beet plant should be taken into account. I know Crystal Sugar is working on the problem, but friends I know that live in EGF say it is unbearable at times.
So, what's the story with Jeske resigning The Alerus Center?
Their loss.
Well blame it on the sugar beet smell. Jeske is now out of the city.
Check out Editorial by Tom Dennis on Thursday, might be interesting. greenglass4.
All good stuff to consider. Thanks to everyone who's passed on advice and insight into the area. I appreciate it a bunch. I haven't had an opportunity to research the diff between GF and EGF utilities yet, or the diff between ND and MN income taxes yet, but I supposed I can pass that along when I do...and see if it jives with what you guys know being residents.
Thanks again,
G.
Income tax in Minnesota is about 27%, whereas North Dakota is about 11% (at least by comparing the pre-tax and post-tax paychecks of myself in ND and best friend in Rockford, MN).
Doesn't that depend on your income bracket, dependents etc?
I am (among other things :-) a payroll accountant. If you want to anonymously post an annual income, withholding status (married, single, etc), number of dependents (claims) and how often you're paid (weekly, twice a month, etc) I can tell you about how much income tax Minnesota and North Dakota would be.
greenbrainless4,
you mean the one titled: Comments likely didn't pollute jury pool?
Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/2fnpd8
Kinda makes you look like a complete idiot doesn't it?
OK Dale. Let's go with 55K salary, married, no children, and bi-monthly pay period.
Gracias.
Assuming "no children" means that you'll still make two claims (you and your spouse,) it would be (per period):
MN: $ 98.00
ND: $ 34.00
(Federal income tax would be $219, Social Security $142.10, and Medicare $33.23)
This is beginning to look more like a chatroom than a blog.
Geesh.
Hey, I have a question for you all.
My girlfriend and I spend a lot of time sitting around the house, wondering what we should do. it's a lot like those stupid Kelly's Bar commercials, except we usually want to do something other than drink beer and play pool.
Well, my idea with her was to write up a list on the computer and print it out -- a list with almost every thing we could possibly do on each day of the week, how much each will cost, a phone number for the place it's at, etc.
So I'm wondering: what do you guys do for fun around here? I just yesterday learned of the existence of the Dreamers Comedy Club, so any help at all (no matter how obvious) is appreciated.
Like, does the Empire hold weekly events? Or do any bars ever have any special games or something that would be worth going to regularly?
Joshtee!, if you are actually writing up something like that, we may want to work together so that we don't duplicate each other. We're in the process of doing something along the lines of what you mention at Campus Dakota. If you are interested, PLEASE drop me an email at bedrocks at gmail.com.
Anon: It's called an open thread for a reason! People are discussing various issues and sharing their thoughts on them.
Go geocaching. There are a bunch of caches in Grand Forks, it gets you outside, it's fun, and if you already have a GPS, it's free.
Joshtee!!! I have an idea for you...you could sing the rocky song with new words insulting your friend. hahaha you have been caught!
ps Josh.
That geo caching looks like too much fun. I am game if you two are?
joshtee!
If you're interested in the local live music scene, you can check out my blog. All types of music accepted!
Well it looks like Hansen Ford/Lithia Ford is sinking, a bunch have been hired at Rydells and in todays GF Herald ad "good ol' boys are back together" Noack, Schultz, Potulny, and Kaltenberg at Eide's Suzuki. Eide's has always been a used car place (where all the money is) Since it had Lincoln Dealership it has sold a ton of used cars.
My parent's have been buying their cars from the same guy at Hansen/Lithia for years and even he has left for another dealership in town. My parents left too. It's definetely gone downhill there!
Posted by Lithia competition??
"if you are actually writing up something like that, we may want to work together so that we don't duplicate each other"
I was only doing it on a personal level, but if I got something going that looked decent, I thought I'd put it up on here or something to see what people thought.
I spend too much time inside, but sometimes can't think of anything else to do. A list to refer to for ideas might be something an absent-minded person like myself needs.
"Joshtee!!! I have an idea for you...you could sing the rocky song with new words insulting your friend. hahaha you have been caught!"
My first guess would have been Jesse, but then I remembered how difficult it must be for him to read, and how unlikely it is he would spend free time doing anything other than cursing God for how much smaller his penis is than mine. So this must be... Jenna? Or Matt?
Posted by Lithia competition??
Possibly, although, holy craparoli, both Lithia Ford and Hyundai really need to work on their inventory, assuming that all is well. Neither one has a whole lot of selection out there (well, they didn't a couple weeks ago, when I went by there.)
I can't imagine what the city would be like without a viable Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (Eide was Buick/Cadillac, BTW, not Lincoln) dealership, but appearances make it look like we're going to find out.
In attempt to find a balance, here: the guy that Lithia sent to manage Hansen Ford also is responsible for Hyunda and Chrysler Center. Lacking the inherited familiarity with the family dealerships that the Hansens had, could it be that the guy is just spread a little thin? It seems he's putting all his marbles in the Chrysler shop.
I agree with the last anonymous. It seems like the Toyota/Chrysler dealership is quite flush with new and used cars, while the others are quite bare. I bought a van a couple of weeks ago (from GF Honda - also owned by Rydell). I went through Lithia Ford and Hyundai. Needless to say I was more than a little suprised when the salesman had NO vans to show me.
could it be that the guy is just spread a little thin?
If so, that doesn't speak well of Lithia (the corporation.) They should know better than to send one person to manage three large (okay, two large, one small) dealerships. And if they're really losing staff like some of the anon posts claim, it doesn't bode well in the long term.
Maybe they have a different way of handling inventory at the model year end, but when your lot holds less than a dozen cars, it doesn't look promising.
Does Hansen still own the J.D. Byrider franchise here? That place still seems to be jumping.
I bought a van
Geez, Ben. A van? A frickin' van? Man, you used to be so cool. Are you at least going to trick it out in some sort of Scooby-Doo "Mystery Machine" theme? :-)
I would try for the mystery machine, but ...wife and two kids...at least I ended up with a Honda Odyssey...which is cool in the world of mini-vans. I was thinking of painting it white and putting political slogans all over it. Whay do you think?
I was thinking of painting it white and putting political slogans all over it.
Beats driving that dorky "Sandals" Honda Element some poor sap has to roll around town in. I think I'd wear a Groucho Marx mustache and glasses if I had to tool around in that.
I was at Lithia Ford for an oil change a couple of weeks ago and the employees look like they are tortured. Only one tried to smile and it didn't quite come out. They must have some terrible morale problem over there. The oil change was for a company vehicle on warranty or I would have taken it to Cartiva where I get my personal vehicles serviced.
Most of the cars come from the same place, Eide's Auction in the Twin Cities ( he use to own 3) and Tri State in Fargo and another in New York Mills. The only difference is the price. Rydells often gets theirs from Flint, Mich. Most are lease vehicles or new car trades that dealers sell wholesale. Get a CARFAX and find out for sure.
Josh tee! Not Jesse, not Matt...
"Most of the cars come from the same place, Eide's Auction in the Twin Cities ( he use to own 3) and Tri State in Fargo and another in New York Mills."
The cars are purchased at two locations in the Twin Cities: Northstar Auto Auction @ Shakopee and Minneapolis Auto Auction in Maple Grove. Mlps Auto Auction is the biggie, owned by the Manheim people who have similar auctions across the US. And yes, New York Mills and Tri State in Fargo are the other two main suppliers of cars for not only the dealership mentioned, but other area dealers as well.
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