Friday, June 27, 2008

Open Thread #86

And just what interesting directions will this open thread take?

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

It appears this open thread won't take us in any interesting directions.

*Sigh*

Well. It IS summer, after all.

Get out and about, enjoy Grand Forks!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know what is going into the old gas station at 32nd Ave and South Washington?

Anonymous said...

Dear Grand Forks,

Thank you for spraying for mosquitoes. I donated a pint of blood to them in rural ND yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Don't beleive GF is void of mosquitoes as we were almost carried away in the greenway behind simonson lumber two days ago

Anonymous said...

Going to work yesterday morning at 5am, I stopped at the 32nd Ave and 42 St. (Arbys + Superpumper) traffic light for ZERO cars. I sat there for about a mintue and I noticed that every direction was RED! No green arrows or anything. This was a good mintue or so before I took off going through the red. Other cars still sat there as I was on top of the I-29 bridge. The lights on 32nd need to be fixed ASAP!

Anonymous said...

How long do people have to complain in this city about the traffic lights before something gets done? It is so ridiculous.

We sat at 13th Ave. and S. Washington for a good minute. It was red all the way around, no green turn arrows for anyone, nothing. Everyone was looking at all the cars trying to figure out what was going on.

32nd Ave. is a complete joke when it comes to the timing of the lights.

Anonymous said...

To 11:00 am anonymous,

With regards to the light at 13th and Washington: If a pedestrian or biker pushes the button at that intersection there will be a 'red in all directions, no turn' period for crossing the street. This occurs at the end of the east/west green and before the north/south green. The intersection is very close to Lewis & Clark Elementary and students who attend there live on both sides of Washington. That is the reason for the 'no turn on red' [often ignored] and the all way red time for crossing.

Anonymous said...

I wish that the above 13th & Washington intersection had protected turn arrows... it's an accident waiting to happen.

That intersection is also the closest to Elks pool, so there's always alot of pedestrian and bike crossing... maybe the reason behind the "red on all 4 sides" during the summer.

Anonymous said...

On two occasions, I have witnessed a four way GREEN on 24th and Columbia in the past 6 months. One time was at about 4pm and one was at about 1am. Luckily, no harm came from it...I had called the street department when it happened, and they said they would look at it...

Anonymous said...

I think columbia is the joke with the traffic lights.

So is amtrak

Anonymous said...

Dear Grand Forks Life,

I remember when you hosted thoughtful and insightful debates. I could come visit to find the latest scoop or see others ideas.

But it seems you've changed.

Your friends have become more cynical. They whine about everything, seldom, if ever, contributing a helpful idea. It seems that not so long ago we discussed future plans for GF, the airport, new businesses, hotels...city issues. How did it slip away so fast? I sometimes wonder if your friends haven't acquired some rare form of midlife A.D.D. Rarely can we have a conversation stay on track. Our, once stimulating, open discussions have become no more than a way to dispense half fact rumors and theory with no discussion of either. I wish we could find our way back to a time when people’s ideas were filled with insight and thoughtfulness. Each new post gave me an opportunity to understand and explore another’s idea. I feel that your friends have become less courteous, and they often rush to post without thought or consideration…I know you want an Olive Garden, you’ve told me before…why?

I feel as if I may be coming across a bit harsh. I apologize.

You were bound to grow up and meet new people with new ideas. I’m just worried about the kind of people you’ve been hanging out with. Some of your new friends are not helping you grow and learn. GFL, they’re holding you back. I reached my peak of concern when I realized your dialogue with greenglass4 was diminishing. I had never really appreciated your connection to him/her, and had wished you would cut off communication. I’m now concerned that the moldy cup initiated this separation…what has your existence become when people like this are choosing to avoid you? I’m worried about where you’re headed. I am also a bit suspicious that the green grail has simply gone through a midlife change of it’s own and is now an aspiring artist…???

I do still drop in to see how you’re doing, but less and less these days. It’s tough to watch what you’re doing to yourself.I hope you can work through the challenges that you are facing. Hopefully one day we can again discuss, in detail, what GF is and will be.

Until you recover…take care,

LookingIn

growingupartists said...

Does anyone want to have a photography contest? Which three places in town should be the subject? Just curious.

OUWxGuesser said...

Why should a photography contest focus on three places in town? How about a general GF contest?

Anonymous said...

Is anyone else repeatedly pissed off by the every-hour-on-the-hour playing of yet another patriotic song on South 4th Street? It's been driving me nuts for a year now. If we can't get anything done about the trains, can we at least deal with the nuisance of this noise?

Anonymous said...

What is the best nail place in Grand Forks?

Anonymous said...

Anyone else notice how everytime someone brings up a problem area in this town for traffic lights, there always seems to be some "reason" behind it. Seriously.......there is no reason why a vehicle should have to stop and sit at lights for an extended period of time with no other vehicles or people around. You also shouldn't have to stop at every light on 32nd when you try and get from the mall to S. Washington.

Anonymous said...

The reason the light on 32nd and S. 38th St. was stuck on all red was because the city was working on making a left turn arrow for southbound traffic on S. 38th Street. The work they did made the light malfunction for about an hour (about 5:30-6:30am). Police were there after they received a call about it and directed traffic there until temporary stop signs were put in place. Later the same day, the left turn arrow was put into place to improve traffic flow. The city electrician said that they have recently spent $20,000 to upgrade software and will soon be switching over to a much improved system on 32nd ave. Do you see why people get sick of blind complaining? Often there are resons behind things like this, but people would just rather complain about it than find out what is actually going on.

Anonymous said...

So who we going to ask? Does kevin nicswanger answer traffic questions? It looks like whining got you to answer so why should we change? maybe nicewanger should read these blogs.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 12:35 was dead center on target.

This blog lacks the importance it once had, being trivialized by stupid, childish posts.

Sad.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the traffic lights on 32nd being ridiculous. I hit a red light EVERY intersection during the day... EVERY time.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy the traffic lights they provide safety and ensure that people drive slower I appreciate the efforts that Gradn Forks has taken in order to make Grnad Forks a more pleasureable place to live. I love Grnda Forks.

Anonymous said...

I have lived in plenty of big cities, and grand forks traffic does not need stop lights every couple of feet on 32nd ave. It is crazy how manythings are backwards and wrong here.

Anonymous said...

There was a story on DAZ recently with the city's traffic engineer. They are working on the problem. So let's move on already.

I agree with the people who said GFL has changed. We Fest was a great thing for the first few years until some folks spoiled it. I'd like to see adult converstation once again.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone seen this website yet? It shows you were the real nasty neighbors are and where sex offenders live anywhere in the US. Here is the link for the site, it is centered over GF.
http://www.rottenneighbor.com/submit.php?search=grand+forks%2C+nd

GrandForksGuy said...

I can understand where the two anonymous posters who criticized this blog are coming from. I fully realize that there plenty of "childish" posters on here who sometimes tend to spoil what could otherwise be a good discussion.

One way of trying to lessen such interruptions would be to require people to have some sort of login before leaving a comment. However, this blog has always been free for truly anyone to comment on...one of my goals for this blog is to allow anyone who is interested in Grand Forks to have their voice heard. Also, might I point out that the two critics here chose to comment anonymously. Banning anonymous comments would probably get rid of plenty of the "stupid" posts, but it would also get rid of many good posts as well.

If you desire (as most of us do) interesting and informative discussion here, I encourage you to help out by doing your part to share thoughtful comments. Also, I do have the ability to delete pointless comments and I reserve the right to do just that. I also have to admit that I am often a fairly lazy moderator...I'm sorry about that.

I still thank God that for the most part the readers of this blog appear to be rocket scientists when compared with many of the people who leave comments over on the Herald site. :)

Anonymous said...

" this blog has always been free for truly anyone to comment on"

In contrast with Kevin Fee who screens all posts and apparently allows only those he agrees with. Hence just about every thread has 0 responses.

Anonymous said...

Ever notice how sports blogs are freqrented by Monday morning quarterbacks who really haven't much ability to converse intelligently other than to put someone down?

I don't blame Kevin for screening posts, eliminating the boring, inane remarks by some guy who doesn't get off his butt and only participates in sports from a stool or a recliner (often with beer and fat foods at hand).

One look at Ryan's blog will convince you.

Dunno what the solution is; I know SOME folks read blogs who have active braincells, but all too often the comments seem to come from those---who like GFG mentioned---really don't have anything positive to offer.

Anonymous said...

"I don't blame Kevin for screening posts"

Screening is one thing, he seems to censor them completely. Not sure why one would have a blog if only one voice is ever heard, as in the case of Fee. Or nothing is ever posted on it, as in the case of Tome Dennis.

Anonymous said...

Great sprint car racing last night in GF. World of Outlaws drew over 7,000 people. 40 lap feature won by Donny Schatz , $10,000 prize. 410 cubic inch engine with 850 horsepower. Great Official Program for only $5.00 and lots of shirts, model cars, and caps availabe. Perfect night for racing. greenglass4

Anonymous said...

GFPD catches near north end arson suspect...nice work PD.

Anonymous said...

Cool, thanks for the link anon 1:15 AM, June 28, 2008
That's a very interesting website, I can now show the world my worst neighbors.

Anonymous said...

XL93 (radio station in Grand Forks) is giving away a $5000 shopping spree to Columbia Mall

Anonymous said...

I am so proud of the South Korean peoples for refusing to eat beef from a country that systematically deemphasizes food safety solely for the benefit of agri-business conglomerates and to the certain detriment of its citizens.

Now if only *our own* citizens were able to generate such political potential instead of cowing to the shameful status quo. Our beef should be labeled as to 1) age, 2) place of origin, 3)whether its been radiated/UV'd 4) breed (is it a post-dairy canner?).

You Go S. Korea!!

dale said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
growingupartists said...

What's that Trevor D.? Free money? How do I enter!!

Anonymous said...

FYI: You don't radiate meat. It can be irradiated!

wordcop

Anonymous said...

RADIATE
Main Entry: ra·di·ate
\ˈrā-dē-ˌāt\
Function: verb

Etymology: Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray

intransitive verb
2: irradiate

Anonymous said...

Sounds like your Merriam-Webster is descriptive as opposed to proscriptive [describes language as used (often by people who don't know better) as opposed to how it should be used!] It probably also says gourmet and gourmand are synonyms [not really].

Anonymous said...

oh sweet, i love the grammar blogs



(and no i'm not being sarcastic)

Anonymous said...

"as opposed to how it should be used!"

If normative grammarians had had their way, we'd all still be speaking Chaucerian English.

Anonymous said...

I love how people think that language should never evolve.

Anonymous said...

Micheal Duray’s Myspace Page

GF downtown arsonist's myspace page. He really thinks he's a "hot" item (just read the profile and check out the photos). In the bail hearing his lawyer said he needed it lower because of his fiancee and child he had to support, but there's no mention of either, just photos of him posing and his ATV's and pickup, not to mention the girls who comment those photos are usually 2-5 years his junior...

Anonymous said...

That is not Michael Duray. That is Michael Schmaltz..i know the kid and he did not get arrested. Stop falsey accusing people unless you know him personally.

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with language evolving. Some changes enhance our language; others cause us to loose important nuances.

wordcop

Anonymous said...

Just as some people like to overuse brackets and parentheses?

Anonymous said...

wordcop surely meant 'lose', pronounced 'loooooooz'; not 'loose', which is pronounced 'loooooossss'



wordcop's sup

Anonymous said...

Blues on the Red coming up in August and September!

Following successful events in other cities (including Fargo), nevertheless, exciting to have such a venue right here in Grand Forks!

Matt BK said...

I'm looking to print some stickers up in the near future, and it would be great to do it local instead of at one of those online joints Does anyone know who has good deals? The design will probably be one color, round or square 2".

Lynsey said...

Matthew, if you want a locally owned printer, try Knudsen Printing by Blockbuster on University and Washington. Copy Stop/Sign & Design at the Union can probably do it too, and more inexpensively -- you'd just be giving your money to UND.

And then, of course, there's always Office Max. Even if they are corporate, you'd be funding local paychecks.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know when the 'Downtown Horns' band will play again? I caught them at the Art Fest and really enjoyed their music. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Carnival looking for drivers to Minot.