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.
The entries may be a bit mindless and repetitive (ok a lot repetitive), but I for one am very glad that we're not on here debating the latest serial killer around town, or the 20 car pileup, or major layoffs or gang activity, etc. Bring on the simple and peaceful GF! It's safe and predictable and I like that : )
Ha! I laugh at people who think crime doesn't happen here -- go sit in some court rooms for a week. You think it's that way cause the Herald doesn't publish anything but shiney happy people news. Excuse me while I lock my door.
Nobody said crime doesn't happen here. I laugh at people who don't recognize that it is a lot better here than most other places. We don't score well in nice places to live because we are culturally better than everyplace.
I KNOW there is crime here, believe me, I did intensive in-home family therapy in our community ... I KNOW about meth, violence, sexual assault, robbery, wanna-be gang activity ... what I was referring to was crime activity like other large cities that I've lived in ... which we do not have. I will take living in the worst part of GF over living in a semi-sketchy area of those cities any day!
Can anyone else confirm the rumors of Grand Forks having a minor league baseball team again? I've heard there has been a lot of talk about having a team here in 2009.
Did anyone else read this article this morning about mini-golf finally coming to GF? I hope those folks can pull it off, their business would be a huge success.
I like the "Adventureland" idea too, what a great way for teenagers to enjoy a little freedom, in a safe, fun (and hopefully inexpensive) way. If it doesn't get marketed right from the start, though...it could quickly be coined nerdsville. Teenagers are powerful like that.
I'm somewhat surprised there won't be an indoor mini-putt course (I realize that costs may be prohibitive for a building that provides enough space). Will the outdoor mini-putt only be open ~May-Sept? Will that be enough revenue to keep the business afloat?
I see that the fire dept. is checking water hydrants today. I saw the guy crack the valve for a few seconds and shut it off. My question is: Was he using the firetruck to go around and do this because it was easier on fuel than a pickup truck, or, was that the vehicle where they stored the big wrench?
A horrible name, no stadium to speak of and a lake-loving local population wasn't a great recipe for success. But who knows, with gas prices what they are, maybe more people will stick closer to home and it could work.
Growingupartists makes a great point. If they throw up a couple of ugly pre-fab steel buildings and don't create an attractive park-like atmosphere, I don't give it much of a chance. I hope the developers will visit places in the Twin Cities and elsewhere to get ideas. We're a very mobile society, so we know what's going and won't accept design that's dumbed down for what they consider "small town" tastes.
Considering they hired professionals out of NJ that specialize in these type of facilities, I would hope it's not a big metal building. I also would think that the planning commission would turn it down, if it does not fit into the neighborhood.
Great point anon 9:34 pm. Alerus looks like a lean to addition. By the way Hal G your barn like red buildings are not charming, they are down right uglie ! Remember the bank on 5th and Demers ? They tore that barn like structure down ! Tear them down Hal G and get with 2008 ! thanks. greenglass4
I love the barns. They're thematic, in the same way Texas Roadhouse is! That's much different than throwing up a pre-fab steel building and calling it a day!
This is the most cheap-assed town I've ever seen. From the pre-fab concrete and steel construction to the lack of landscaping along city streets and highways. And please folks, can we stop talking about the Alerus as though it was biggest blunder in the history of civil society.
I was wondering if anyone knew what they are clearing land for in the area of South 20th Street and 40th Avenue South...it sure looks like a pretty major construction project by the amount of land they are clearing. Any ideas?
After going to Denny's, waiting over an hour for the meal, and then having it arrive undercooked, I've decided I feel no need for a return visit. Does anyone here think that they serve anything really special, anyway? I don't.
Greenglass, does it ever get tiring fighting whatever fight it is you are fighting? Is life really that bad? Relax for once dude! Can you confirm that you are not Jon Hoff or a relative or friend?
He might be a friend of Hoff, but he ain't ol' Johnny boy. greenglass4 is Gary Hangsleben, resident kook and all-around he-man woman hater. His court battles at the state and local level are legendary.
Re Denny's: Never been a fan, their food is too greasy so I always feel sick after eating there.
I've always thought something similar to Thunder Road in Fargo would go over well up here. Do you know if the Mini-golf area will include any other features like batting cages, or an indoor arcade area, etc?
Dear Anon: 7:29 and 9:55 am. If you are a "player" : it takes $10,000 to buy into this "poker game". Receive 300% interest or $30,000 or % of recovery of "lost treasure". This ad is not for the weak of heart (GF Herald : City Briefs. Your local community bulletin board for about $50 a week. What's happening, announcements, what's new, bargains, & specials).
I love Grand Forks. Yes, indeed I do. I love the cleanliness, quietness, and the low crime rate. Grand Forks is a beautiful place to live, and its easier to have a decent lifestyle here. Ya'll should be proud the Mayor of Grand Forks lets you live here.
Not often enough do they empty the recycling bins at 32nd Hugo's. It's such an eyesore to drive by and see heaping piles of cardboard & other recycle-ables, some flying in the wind...
If they put out the large containers, they should be more proactive in emptying them before they become unsightly mountains of trash.
My family went to Minot for a 20th high school reunion this weekend. Took in the wonderful zoo, the state fair, the air museum, the mall, and a few other good things.
I do enjoy living in Grand Forks, but it is definitely lacking in places for families to go. Minot is a great place for the state fair considering its at the heart of the state. But, with the difference in size between there and here, why do they have more family attractions and one of the best malls in the state? We get quite a bit of Canadian business here. Surely we could attach a motel with an indoor water park to our mall and make it just as worthwhile as Dakota Square in Minot.
The Minot zoo is quite nice as well and the Air Museum charges just $5 admission for a whole family. My high school history teacher works there and you can bet that he is an asset to the place. Whoever put it together did a terrific job.
OK, so Lucy's Amusement Park is a hole in the gound compared to what it used to be. It's not worth going now. It entails mini-golf, a giant slide, and several kiddie rides which have probably in their places since the 1970's. Probably the best deal there is $4 to ride the slide as many times as you want to.
We rode the little train at Roosevelt Park. At just $2.50 per person, it's a nice little "jaunt" around the north end of the park.
Please keep your comments civil and relevant. GrandForksGuy reserves the right to remove comments. GrandForksGuy is not responsible for the content of comments.
OK, I've suffered through enough mindless entries on this blog -- if you can't lick 'em...
ReplyDeleteFIRST!!
I like summer here -- nice moon tonight, almost full...
The entries may be a bit mindless and repetitive (ok a lot repetitive), but I for one am very glad that we're not on here debating the latest serial killer around town, or the 20 car pileup, or major layoffs or gang activity, etc. Bring on the simple and peaceful GF! It's safe and predictable and I like that : )
ReplyDeleteHa! I laugh at people who think crime doesn't happen here -- go sit in some court rooms for a week. You think it's that way cause the Herald doesn't publish anything but shiney happy people news. Excuse me while I lock my door.
ReplyDeleteNobody said crime doesn't happen here. I laugh at people who don't recognize that it is a lot better here than most other places. We don't score well in nice places to live because we are culturally better than everyplace.
ReplyDeleteI KNOW there is crime here, believe me, I did intensive in-home family therapy in our community ... I KNOW about meth, violence, sexual assault, robbery, wanna-be gang activity ... what I was referring to was crime activity like other large cities that I've lived in ... which we do not have. I will take living in the worst part of GF over living in a semi-sketchy area of those cities any day!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that we don't sit and discuss the latest suicide bomber, etc. GF isn't perfect but there's a lot worse places, even in ND.
ReplyDeleteI need a girlfriend if I find myself on blogs, haha.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone else confirm the rumors of Grand Forks having a minor league baseball team again? I've heard there has been a lot of talk about having a team here in 2009.
ReplyDeleteNot to be a downer, but I fail to see how a town like GFK can support a minor league baseball team.
ReplyDeleteOne nice thing about the summer is the lack of vomit downtown. Or at least it's much more sporadic...
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else read this article this morning about mini-golf finally coming to GF? I hope those folks can pull it off, their business would be a huge success.
ReplyDeleteI like the "Adventureland" idea too, what a great way for teenagers to enjoy a little freedom, in a safe, fun (and hopefully inexpensive) way. If it doesn't get marketed right from the start, though...it could quickly be coined nerdsville. Teenagers are powerful like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm somewhat surprised there won't be an indoor mini-putt course (I realize that costs may be prohibitive for a building that provides enough space). Will the outdoor mini-putt only be open ~May-Sept? Will that be enough revenue to keep the business afloat?
ReplyDeleteI see that the fire dept. is checking water hydrants today. I saw the guy crack the valve for a few seconds and shut it off. My question is: Was he using the firetruck to go around and do this because it was easier on fuel than a pickup truck, or, was that the vehicle where they stored the big wrench?
ReplyDeleteRemember the Varmits? What happened to them? No body went to the games!
ReplyDeleteA horrible name, no stadium to speak of and a lake-loving local population wasn't a great recipe for success. But who knows, with gas prices what they are, maybe more people will stick closer to home and it could work.
ReplyDeleteGrowingupartists makes a great point. If they throw up a couple of ugly pre-fab steel buildings and don't create an attractive park-like atmosphere, I don't give it much of a chance. I hope the developers will visit places in the Twin Cities and elsewhere to get ideas. We're a very mobile society, so we know what's going and won't accept design that's dumbed down for what they consider "small town" tastes.
ReplyDeleteConsidering they hired professionals out of NJ that specialize in these type of facilities, I would hope it's not a big metal building. I also would think that the planning commission would turn it down, if it does not fit into the neighborhood.
ReplyDelete" I would hope it's not a big metal building"
ReplyDeleteput it by the Aurora/Alerus and who would notice?
My condolences to the families affected by the accident in Manvel yesterday.
ReplyDeleteGreat point anon 9:34 pm. Alerus looks like a lean to addition. By the way Hal G your barn like red buildings are not charming, they are down right uglie ! Remember the bank on 5th and Demers ? They tore that barn like structure down ! Tear them down Hal G and get with 2008 ! thanks. greenglass4
ReplyDeleteDumbglass, we take your opinion in the highest regard. Now let's talk about how we can get you to shut up for the rest of the decade. Idiot.
ReplyDeleteI love the barns. They're thematic, in the same way Texas Roadhouse is! That's much different than throwing up a pre-fab steel building and calling it a day!
ReplyDeleteThis is the most cheap-assed town I've ever seen. From the pre-fab concrete and steel construction to the lack of landscaping along city streets and highways. And please folks, can we stop talking about the Alerus as though it was biggest blunder in the history of civil society.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The Aurora / Alerus was the third biggest blunder in the history of civil society. (right after greenass 4)
ReplyDeletePaint it and they will come!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if anyone knew what they are clearing land for in the area of South 20th Street and 40th Avenue South...it sure looks like a pretty major construction project by the amount of land they are clearing. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteAfter going to Denny's, waiting over an hour for the meal, and then having it arrive undercooked, I've decided I feel no need for a return visit. Does anyone here think that they serve anything really special, anyway? I don't.
ReplyDeleteThe mini put should have been built by the Columbia Mall and hotels. What better place to find families and their kids.
ReplyDeleteGreenglass, does it ever get tiring fighting whatever fight it is you are fighting? Is life really that bad? Relax for once dude! Can you confirm that you are not Jon Hoff or a relative or friend?
ReplyDeleteLocal boy:
ReplyDeleteHe might be a friend of Hoff, but he ain't ol' Johnny boy. greenglass4 is Gary Hangsleben, resident kook and all-around he-man woman hater. His court battles at the state and local level are legendary.
Re Denny's: Never been a fan, their food is too greasy so I always feel sick after eating there.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought something similar to Thunder Road in Fargo would go over well up here. Do you know if the Mini-golf area will include any other features like batting cages, or an indoor arcade area, etc?
invest $10,000 for $3 million? in the paper today
ReplyDeleteThe invest $10,000 for $3 million ad appears to have been run by Gary Hansleben also.
ReplyDeleteDear Anon: 7:29 and 9:55 am. If you are a "player" : it takes $10,000 to buy into this "poker game". Receive 300% interest or $30,000 or % of recovery of "lost treasure". This ad is not for the weak of heart (GF Herald : City Briefs. Your local community bulletin board for about $50 a week. What's happening, announcements, what's new, bargains, & specials).
ReplyDeleteProposed motel/hotel/conference center, a few miles west of Cavalier, ND along ND hwy 5 needs investors. Is that it Gary?
ReplyDeleteI love Grand Forks. Yes, indeed I do. I love the cleanliness, quietness, and the low crime rate. Grand Forks is a beautiful place to live, and its easier to have a decent lifestyle here. Ya'll should be proud the Mayor of Grand Forks lets you live here.
ReplyDeleteHow often do they empty the recycling the Hugo's on 32nd?
ReplyDeleteNot often enough do they empty the recycling bins at 32nd Hugo's. It's such an eyesore to drive by and see heaping piles of cardboard & other recycle-ables, some flying in the wind...
ReplyDeleteIf they put out the large containers, they should be more proactive in emptying them before they become unsightly mountains of trash.
Summer in Grand Forks...??
ReplyDeleteWish I was there! I miss my Smiley water tower!
Living and languishing in overheated New York City, longing for GF summer, too.
ReplyDeleteMy family went to Minot for a 20th high school reunion this weekend. Took in the wonderful zoo, the state fair, the air museum, the mall, and a few other good things.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy living in Grand Forks, but it is definitely lacking in places for families to go. Minot is a great place for the state fair considering its at the heart of the state. But, with the difference in size between there and here, why do they have more family attractions and one of the best malls in the state? We get quite a bit of Canadian business here. Surely we could attach a motel with an indoor water park to our mall and make it just as worthwhile as Dakota Square in Minot.
The Minot zoo is quite nice as well and the Air Museum charges just $5 admission for a whole family. My high school history teacher works there and you can bet that he is an asset to the place. Whoever put it together did a terrific job.
OK, so Lucy's Amusement Park is a hole in the gound compared to what it used to be. It's not worth going now. It entails mini-golf, a giant slide, and several kiddie rides which have probably in their places since the 1970's. Probably the best deal there is $4 to ride the slide as many times as you want to.
We rode the little train at Roosevelt Park. At just $2.50 per person, it's a nice little "jaunt" around the north end of the park.