Monday, November 19, 2007

Open Thread #52

It seems like all I ever do these days is work, work, work...not enough time for blogging! What plans do you have for Thanksgiving? Have you already started decorating for Christmas?

99 comments:

Anonymous said...

Plans for Thanksgiving...

Coming up to GF to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and take in a Sioux game.

Eric J. Burton said...

I am working the over night shift.
Looks like I will be sleeping through Turkey Dinner.

Still Fighting It said...

Dinner with the in-laws, three days vacation, weekend, no gigs. Life will be simple. A little boring, but welcome.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain Grand Forks Guy. Too much work, not enough time to sit back and enjoy. Hopefully X-mas is better.

C. Y. said...

I get to work the morning shift (6-2) as it's my turn to work the holiday weekend.

Eric J. Burton said...

I will be sleep all day, so no Dinner at the IN-Laws. he,he,he...

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful I have a few days "off" so I can catch up with work. Couldn't come at a better time!

Anonymous said...

Thanksgiving dinner? Sure, even if the family won't be able to congregate in one place; I'll still enjoy the traditional taste of turkey, even if it's at one of the local eateries.

I plan to contemplate---a lot---about the many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is being blessed with living in a part of the (still) most wonderful country in the world. Yeah, you read right: North Dakota, with friendly people, intelligent and creative people, who still have their virtues intact. I'm grateful for the growth and vision of my own little area, Grand Forks, in no small part due to the people that make up the university, the air base, the medical community, as well as the more common folks that make up my neighborhood (a neighborhood not confined to blocks, but including vast miles...something common in the vastness of the prairie).

The folks that drop by this blog, with their gripes and opinions, most often accompanied by a unique style of humor, are included in that neighborhood, too.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...and...thanks.

Anonymous said...

Stop! Blogging and e-news are killing the GF Herald! Go buy a paper!

Anonymous said...

*L*

...ain't nuttin' in today's Herald.
Zippo.

Migosh...so void of news, they have pages---yes, pages---of crap about some boring presidential candidates.

Blog away. At least folks have show signs of life here.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12 p.m.:

You're either blind, or you can't frick'n read. If you think Thanksgiving plans are so damn exciting, then, dude, you lead a pretty boring life.

Oh by the way, don't listen to the radio or watch DAZ tonight because you'll get the same "boring" rehashed news all over again.

Anonymous said...

I moved to Grand Forks a little over a year ago with my husband and two-year-old son. Last winter, my son and I wandered around Target and Menards a lot just to get out of the house. Anybody know of any creative (and cheap) activity ideas for kids under three that a newcomer wouldn't be aware of? Sledding and skating are always fun options, but I'm looking for indoor activity ideas as well. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Purpur arena has an indoor playground.
Children's area of the library.
Canad waterpark.
Bowling. Pet store.
Barnes and Noble has some reading activities for kids.
Lowes puts on building activities for children.

Anonymous said...

Anon @ 12:13:

YOU must think blogs are exciting. After all, you were here, and took the time to post.

You need a life, pal. Seriously. (And your attitude goes against the norm, it appears, as well.)

Anonymous said...

Anon @ 12:13:

YOU must think blogs are exciting. After all, you were here, and took the time to post.

You need a life, pal. Seriously. (And your attitude goes against the norm, it appears, as well.)

Anonymous said...

I agree with anonymous 12:13. There's a lot of good stuff in the paper today, eveb an update on the 13 year old girl who was assaulted. And they use actual sources to cite the information.

Anonymous said...

Guess I missed it---the update. Couldn't locate the article my third time through the paper, actually.

Anonymous said...

To mce - Cabela's is always a good wondering around store. Live fish tank, interesting displays, etc. Scheel's can be interesting looking at sporting equipment, etc. In the summer there is a nice park in EGF, not sure the name. But it has nice playground equipment to play on.

deadstick said...

Echo the sentiments on both the library (my 3 year old loves going up to the children's section and then bringing me a book or 2 to read to her, and then we check out a couple to take home) and the Barnes and Noble story time (often the reader is a character they're familiar with - Maisy the Mouse, Angelina Ballerina, etc...)

Anonymous said...

It's in the online version of the paper... they've got new stuff on their usually every 30 minutes.

Rob

Anonymous said...

I agree with Charlie...there are many things to be Thankful for this holiday season. I just have to remember to take a step back in life, and enjoy everything. Don't take anything for granted!

Anonymous said...

We're going away on vacation this Thanksgiving because this year has sucked royally so far, and we deserve it after all the suckitude.

Anonymous said...

Here's a question for everyone, how safe does everyone actually feel in GF/EGF nowadays?

The murder at Broken Drum, the daytime rape of the young girl, the guy shooting a gun at a truck on the interstate in GF, etc, etc...

How safe do you actually feel?

I know whenever I go outside alone at night I feel like I have to be extra vigilant.

Anonymous said...

MCE...The Heritage Village just south of Northland College in EGF has a fantastic model train layout, and the guys are most hospitable, eager to show off their hobby. It's free, of course, and they usually have a candy dish out and spring for a soda, as well. (There is a box for a freewill donation, but that's up to the viewer.)

The kids will be awed at the detail, and so will their mom and dad. I promise! :o)

C. Y. said...

Here's a question for everyone, how safe does everyone actually feel in GF/EGF nowadays?

To add to the question, anyone have a concealed weapons permit?

How often do you carry?

Anonymous said...

funny you should mention being "concealed". I have just decided to go through the process to become "concealed".

Anonymous said...

Everyone has a right to carry a concealed weapon if they go through the process and have a good background. Just a peice of advice...be safe! And be mentally and physically prepared to defend yourself and others should the need arise. Be very clear if you need to defend yourself with your weapon that when the police show up that you NEED to follow their commands to the letter (or take on a very high risk).

Anonymous said...

I am an inquiring mind who stumbled across this blog/ I am coming to Grand Forks this weekend and am wondering if there are any more alternative local businesses to shop at? Records, clothing, bookstores? I haven't been able to find much information on the intarwebular galaxy, your assistance would be appreciated!

Anonymous said...

Feel perfectly safe compared to other locations I have lived. I have no problems walking at night, etc.

Anonymous said...

The park in EGF is called Sherwood Park, right by Campbell Library in EGF.

Matt BK said...

I feel safe from the people . . . I just don't feel safe from the drivers. I cycle a lot at night.

Anonymous said...

The park is Sherlock Park and the play area is Sherlock Forest Playground. It is located between the EGF Pool and the Library. Kids can play for hours there and there are places for adults to sit if they wear out.

Anonymous said...

Google Ron Paul

Anonymous said...

I agree lot of unsolved murders and dead bodies found lately> Could it be a gang war ? Could it be a crime spree that started at a local bar? And its get even time ? Just asking the questions that need to be asked ! (please don't shoot the messanger) carry a handgun if you can. greenglass4.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous, who was "wondering if there are any more alternative local businesses to shop at? Records, clothing, bookstores?"

Well, the options are limited, but you could try Discontent on South Washington, Budget Music, also on South Washington but closer to Demers, and, for books, there's no alternative bookstore, but there's a used bookstore on N. Washington and 2nd. Ave. Nothing really for men's alternative clothing, but there's a women's "funky" used boutique on the Demers block of S. 3rd St.

Enjoy your stay here!

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:37 whats with the alternative shops, this is Grand Forks, ND. Isn't the regular shops good enough for you?

Anonymous said...

"Isn't" you okay with freedom to choose?

Anonymous said...

Great publication of the Herald today; the front page of Section C, especially, has some seasonal flavor: a terrific photo of two turkeys!


Isn't. Good grief. Things have deteriorated in our schools the last decade or so, too.

Anonymous said...

All the shops in the downtown area are of interest. Find the Paddle Wheel and walk around the surrounding blocks, you'll find:
Amazing Grains - natural food store
Widman's Candy - world's famous chocolate covered potato chips
Urban Stampede - coffeehouse, gifts, small art gallery
True Colors - "funky" thrift clothing & jewelry mentioned above
Meadowbrook - gifts/furniture
River Cities Jewelers - fine jewelry
Badman Designs - jewelry, metal works, sculpture
Dakota Harvest - delicious baked goods using local ingredients
Scott's Music - sheet music, instruments, etc.
3rd Street Gallery - close to Urban Stampede housing local art works
Porpoura coffee house - great coffee & gifts, portion of sales & all tips go to Altru Cancer Center

There is much to do downtown - this list doesn't list the bars & great dining spots in the area - my favorites being the Toasted Frog, Rhombus Guys, and Sanders.

Enjoy your stay!

Anonymous said...

If you only can go to one store while in GF - Widman's Candy on 3rd is the place. You'll know when you walk in the store and that heavenly smell fills your nose.... mmmmm.... chocolate.

Angie said...

MCE - Can't think of anything additional for winter except the small play area in Columbia mall which could be in conjunction with checking out the pet store, but university park has a free splash park.

Angie said...

I forgot about Thanksgiving post - I'll be visiting family.

As for safety, I feel pretty safe physically, but sick of the vandalism.

We've lived in our house for less than a year and have had our garage spray painted and one of our vehicles broken into. They did steal anything out of the truck, (they must have gotten scared) but if they had been successful at removing the radio, it's broken anyways.

Anonymous said...

We're having friends over. And I'm sharing with them the Thanksgiving Proclamations I found over at bismarckmandanblog. Very intereresting; we may make a tradition of this.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Anonymous said...

Heading for that splash park right now.


Good grief.

Anonymous said...

hey anon 10:28 if you actually took the time to read the first sentence you would have been able to figure out the spalsh park suggestion would be for the summer.

Anonymous said...

" a fantastic model train layout"

Days and hours it's open please.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to find some info on that EGF movie theater but I'm finding nothing. I remember a commenter posting a phone number for them and an opening date...can someone help me out?

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:51: I read it. Read it again. No mention of summer. Anon 10:28 is within bounds.

I swear English teachers have been sleeping the last ten years or so. The infancy of expressions in this blog as of late is disheartening, at least by a few.

Anonymous said...

www.caseyholtjunction.org is a website for the model train layout in EGF, ec99. Since it's provided entirely by volunteers, the hours are flexible. If memory serves me right, there is more definite info as to hours posted on the door, should you have a chance to drive out that way.

I've stopped by a few times, and have never been disappointed. The hospitality---along with the craftsmanship---is unbeatable.

(And no, I've no affiliation with the group, although I'd be proud to be a part of it.)

I'd be interested in hearing your opinion of the experience; another of the Grand Forks' area well-kept secrets, I guess. :o)

Anonymous said...

I swear English teachers have been sleeping the last ten years or so.

It isn't necessarily English teachers. My Uncle used to teach English in Grand Forks. He got fed up with parents continuously complaining about the grade he gave their kid so he retired early. In one case he had the parent's bitching to him directly to his face about the C he gave their kid and how it was going to affect his going to college. Maybe the kid should have done better work...but I suppose that'd be too much like work.

Anonymous said...

As someone who has been asleep for the past ten years, let's dissect this message.

"Can't think of anything additional for winter except the small play area in Columbia mall which could be in conjunction with checking out the pet store," - the first part of this message would imply that there is only one additional suggestion for the winter months. For those who need this in explicit terms, the small play area.

Therefore, the remainder of the sentence would imply a different season. "but university park has a free splash park."

This is a great example of how all writing does not give you an explicit answer and you may need to learn.

Anonymous said...

Have I been transported back in time to some hellish form of 9th grade english? Can we think of no other topics to discuss?

Anonymous said...

Have I been transported back in time to some hellish form of 9th grade english? Can we think of no other topics to discuss?

Anonymous said...

A lot of this discussion also relates to the frequent poor service in Grand Forks retailing that has been mentioned so often in this blog.
There was a time when people gave a rip about their appearance, the impression they made on others. In short, they thought of others before themselves.

Unfortunately, and it's not only on a local level, as the national leaders are clearly examples of being egoists who shun corrective suggestions as well, but unfortunately "if you don't like it, tough bounce" has become the way of life.

I join a couple of others in here that notices, and am all the more depressed as a result.

Some of us who murder the use of standard English and excuse ourselves with a shrug of our shoulders at the realization are the same people who diss immigrants who continue to speak their native tongue. Interesting, eh what?

I believe the original topic had to do with holiday plans, btw. May we continue?

Anonymous said...

nick, it's an OPEN thread...hence we don't have to just focus on one topic.

Anonymous said...

Funny story of the week. Moe Gibbs asking/suing for $21 million for injury to his wrist when he slipped in jail ! Plus aggravated by handcuffs ! You can't make these thing up ! greenglass4.

Anonymous said...

MCE: Grand Forks has a meetup group. They plan all kinds of fun stuff for kids. Just go to www. meetup.com and join. Lots of fun!
And don't forget the Santa village on Belmont (don't know the exact address).

Anonymous said...

Don't forget thrift stores for "alternative" shopping. Grand Forks has a great deal to offer in that area. St Vincent de Paul is my favorite, but there are many others. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

How about those people waiting for Black Friday deals at Best Buy? I went for a drive at about 11 PM tonight (Thursday) and I saw that the Best Buy parking lot was completely full and people were lined up outside in a line that started at the entrance and ended at the loading dock. What is wrong with people? Haha :) I already have my flat panel TV ;)

Anyone know of any other lines that started today/tonight?

dale said...

As far as waiting in lines for Black Friday, Wii and Playstation Release date, iPhone, and so on, I think it must be social thing, as much as anything else. What's your time worth? Your health? Does it make sense to camp out overnight in sub-freezing temperatures to save a couple hundred bucks (at most) on a sub-par laptop computer?

About the only thing that was "worth" standing in line for in recent memory was the Wii at Best Buy in Grand Forks a year ago. Thank to Nintendo's manufacturing woes (or maybe Best Buy's purchasing woes,) I haven't seen a Wii in stock at Best Buy since.

Most everything else, though, was like the iPhone -- big lines, and yet, a couple of days later we walked into an Apple Store and bought one, with no waiting.

Jimmie said...

A picture of shoppers at JC Penney in the GFK Columbia Mall made the Black Friday Shopping article on CNN.com this morning. Anyone see anybody they know? :)

Anonymous said...

dale:

As someone who went out shopping today, oddly enough, plenty of Playstation 3's floating around (I'm just guessing savvy gamers know it's not the time to buy yet). Surprisingly, Xbox 360s are sold out and Wii's are expectedly sold out (it's not Best Buy purchasing, as much as it is Nintendo production, despite the fact they have amped up worldwide production starting in the summer).

As for the iPhone, there isn't AT&T service here so nobody has them for sale.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else had horrible luck at Applebees (on Columbia)? Everytime I go there I am horribly disappointed. On my recent trip today (a family member's decision to go there, not mine), my meal was brought out 10 minutes after my family member's meals and when it got there, the pasta was cold! The waiter brought it back...nearly 10 minutes later I get the same plate of food, now very hot, but the chicken is hard and horribly overcooked. NOT impressed.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the new EGF movie theater...I was driving by this Friday evening and on the sign it said opening Dec 7th.

Anonymous said...

Might be a little late on this one but does anyone have an idea what is going on next to Sams Club?

Anonymous said...

I'd believe it. I saw in the paper the GF health inspectors gave that Applebees a 77 (out of 100) on the most recent inspections (all the scores were in Marilyn's "eatbeat" a week or two ago). That 77 was pretty much the lowest in the city, just 2 points above the "immediate action required" threshold. I believe only 2-3 restaurants in GF scored under 80...which doesn't speak highly of that establishment.

Eric J. Burton said...

Last time I ate at Apple Bee was the night I went to the Wild and Sabres, I ate went to the arena, by the time I got the REA I had to make a mad dash to the bathroom. The food was so greasey. Horrible was the word.

dale said...

As someone who went out shopping today, oddly enough, plenty of Playstation 3's floating around (I'm just guessing savvy gamers know it's not the time to buy yet). Surprisingly, Xbox 360s are sold out and Wii's are expectedly sold out (it's not Best Buy purchasing, as much as it is Nintendo production, despite the fact they have amped up worldwide production starting in the summer).

The Wii at Best Buy has become something of a joke
with a friend of mine -- week after week, when we're in the store to check out the new DVDs, we look for Wiis. Plenty of games, accessories, carrying bags, etc, but there's never been a game machine. Not once. What's the market for a carrying bag if you can't even buy the console?

Play Station 3 is lacking any compelling reason to spend 2-3x for it. Blue Ray wasn't the killer inclusion Sony had hoped it would be, and game development has been slow and (largely) unimpressive. The rumoured $200 price drop may make it more interesting, but it seems that this round goes to Nintendo (if they could make enough) and Microsoft.

As for the iPhone, there isn't AT&T service here so nobody has them for sale.

As noted above, I bought mine at an Apple Store, with no waiting.

Might be a little late on this one but does anyone have an idea what is going on next to Sams Club?

Lithia is moving the Toyota dealership from the north side to this location.

GrandForksGuy said...

"Might be a little late on this one but does anyone have an idea what is going on next to Sams Club?"

That would be the two new dealerships that Lithia is building. They will replace the old dealership on Gateway (former Hansen Ford). No word yet on what will fill the old Gateway building, but I'm betting on Grand Forks Subaru and Kia making a move out there.

GrandForksGuy said...

Wow...Dale and I both answered the same question in the span of one minute. Cool.

Anonymous said...

I heard that the cops were called to Target this morning over two people fighting over a camera. Really, is it worth it?

GrandForksGuy said...

I heard that Kohl's was trashed this morning...a sea of people, lines to the back of the store, and merchandise laying all over the floor. Yikes.

Anonymous said...

We were at Kohls at about noon and it was still crazy with the line to the back of the store

Anonymous said...

Anyone see the 6 car accident on the entrance/exit to the Columbia Mall on 32nd? My friend saw it happen and apparently cars were lined up as far as the eye could see. I wonder if it will make the news tonight/tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/23/news/economy/black_friday/index.htm

There is the article of that picture jimmie was talking about. I did a quick Google search for "cnn black friday grand forks" and it brought up an article from 2006 with the same picture... so it must just be a stock picture CNN has been using, haha!

Anonymous said...

I went out and bought one gift on Friday AM-a birthday gift for my grandchild. I value my time and sanity more than some of the "early bird" specials. While shopping online may take away from the fun, free delivery and sipping something warm as I shop in my PJs is mighty nice.

Anonymous said...

Another guy mangled at a local bar.
Nice town.

Anonymous said...

happens all the time...it is just the hot news item now. There are aggravated assaults every weekend at bars. WDAZ just knows it will bring attention since the Lovelien homicide.

Anonymous said...

I'll vouch for the city cop- being downtown most weekends I've seen bloody, knock-down, chairs-flying-through-the-air fights where ambulances had to show up, and usually that doesn't get a mention in the Herald or elsewhere. Thank god the equation excessive testosterone+booze-a brain doesn't usually equal news. If it did, WDAZ would have a weekend bar correspondant.

Anonymous said...

WDAZ does have an undercover reporter, Cassie W. She shot the strippers in GF

Anonymous said...

what striipers in GF?? where was I for this? lol

Anonymous said...

"and usually that doesn't get a mention in the Herald"

As long as Jacobs believes the Herald is a brochure for the GF Chamber of Commerce it won't.

Anonymous said...

An exclusive story about bar fights in Grand Forks tonight on WDAZ. I don't know what was more funny, the fact that they are reporting about fights in bars which are an every day occurance or the fact that the reporter couldn't speak in full sentences without stumbling over his written monologue. Real investigative reporting on this story.

Anonymous said...

ec:

As an insider in the newsroom of the Herald, I can assure you that no one, not even Jacobs, is keeping that stuff out of the paper.

There is no mandate by him to push the good and downplay the bad. As publisher, he is more involved in advertising and circulation than he is in news content. The managing editor and the city editors have more control in news content, and believe me, they are no cheerleaders for the city, quite the contrary, actually.

Perception isn't always reality. But, I do understand it's all you have to work with. Just FYI.

Anonymous said...

Not buyin' it.

Anonymous said...

"Perception isn't always reality."

The only perception one has in regard to the Herald's news policy is what one reads in it daily. Who turned it into a local rag, Jacobs or the newsroom? If you compare it now with what it was 10, 15, 20 years ago, you may see what I am talking about. Who would call part of the paper a "Second Front," and then often make it the fourth section? What would it take to get an international or national story on the real front page with any consistency? And, I gave up long ago on there ever being a real restaurant reviewer.

Anonymous said...

EC,

If you are expecting national news focus from a newspaper in a small city, then you are even more incompetent than your comments here indicate.

Say what you will about the Herald, but they are smart enough to realize that national/world news hounds are not going to rely on that type of paper. If you are, then that says more about you than it does about the Herald.

Stop sitting around stewing in your poopy diaper and get out and gain some real experience, your comments here reflect absolutely no wisdom at all.

Also, the fact that anyone credits Mike Jacobs with any kind of grand conspiring thinking is truly hilarious. Let me guess, you think our 'powerful' mayor is running the city into the ground and are an avid listener of Dakota Huesby?

C. Y. said...

I don't care who you are that 12:26 Anon post was funny. (and probably correct) (probably more than probably correct, in fact)

dale said...

What would it take to get an international or national story on the real front page with any consistency?

Probably for more than a dozen people to want to get their national news from a local newspaper. I don't know of anyone who reads the paper to get national news... any medium with a 12 hour lead time is going to get scooped on every single story of non-local interest.

While I don't really have an opinion on the quality of reporting, it makes far more sense for the paper to focus on what's going on locally and then tangentially cover national and world events for the three people who don't watch television or have access to the Internet.

It would, however, be nice to have some coverage of bigger stories, but tie it in by attempting to dig up a local angle.

Anonymous said...

When Maidenberg retired, lots of us hoped The Herald would pull it's reputation out of the mud. Unfortuntely, that's not the case. What a huge disapointment Mr. Jacobs has turned out to be.

Once you learn how to decode the paper's content, it's appalling to witness what lengths they will go to to hide information, skew facts, and generally mislead the reader.

Anonymous said...

"I don't care who you are that 12:26 Anon post was funny."

Perhaps, but totally vapid. You'll notice he failed to address any of my points. The usual blog ad hominems had to suffice. Maybe that's why he preferred to remain anonymous.

Anonymous said...

And you're so well known and up front about your identity, ec. Do you sign you checks, ec99? Or is that Mr. ec99? Would I find you in a phone book listed under ec99? Is that your first name, last name or both, kinda like "Prince" or "Madonna? Do you want me to go on?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, ec99.

Tell us who you really are, or quit disparaging others who choose to remain anonymous like you.

Anonymous said...

"The only perception one has in regard to the Herald's news policy is what one reads in it daily."

ec99 buddy, not that you need a translation, but just in case, I think what anonymous 8:51 was saying was that people will bring different biases and impressions to whatever newspaper they are reading and that will color their perceptions whether that perception is what the writer intended or not. It happens all the time, one letter to the editor will harp on a newspaper for being to liberal, and then, on the other side of the column will be another letter by a different author, berating the paper for being to conservative. Two totally different conclusions from people looking at the same product. Hence, in most cases, perception is more opinion than reality.

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Anonymous said...

who wants to make it an even 100??