Local Boy

I'd feel better if there were 1/2 as many teams, zero in places like Georgia and Texas, and very fans with the "part of the game" opinion. But what do I know, I'm still not able to get into the NHL since Park went to the Bruins.

You said much of what I mentioned was gone, and then others agreed. That's simply not true. In fact, none of it was gone. Big distinction. No big deal. Just wanted to clear that up.

I agree with PCM on this one. A lot of those things had changed before the flood hit. Everything on my list was there April 18, 1997. Of course Memorial Stadium wasn't flood related. What else? Maybe The Frontier Bar? I don't know, I'm asking. Lincoln Park and the neighborhood...There. Central Park and the neighborhood...There. Riverside Park and the neighborhood...There. Noel's...There. Awesome Indian / Punjabi cuisine. Formerly Web's...way back. Kickin' my friends asses at the old Valley Country Club and Lincon...There. The old Whitey's on a Sunday...There. Kickin' it a lil' funky downtown... -Some pool at the old Uptown Bar...There. Great bar architecturally. -A good local band at McGuires...There. Wasn't it? -A couple at The Frontier Bar...There. Wasn't it? The Antique Lounge...There. A lot wasn't there? Really? I love the innocence of Western North Dakota. But, you got to love Eastern's proximity to Northern Minnesota.

No, I'm not native to this specific area, but I visited Grand Forks many times before we moved here in 1992. While I do miss the neighborhoods along the river, there's no way that I'd go back to pre-flood Grand Forks.

Absolutely not.... Lincoln Park and the neighborhood. Central Park and the neighborhood. Riverside Park and the neighborhood. Noel's Kickin' my friends ass at the old Valley Country Club and Lincon. The old Whitey's on a Sunday. Kickin' it a lil' funky downtown... -Some pool at the old Uptown Bar. -A good local band at McGuires. -A couple at The Frontier Bar. The Antique Lounge. A nice snap of schnapps at Memorial Stadium. That's a short list...I could go on, and on. Not living my life with constant reminders of the flood EVERWHERE and the fact that so many great things about Grand Forks are long gone. If you like "neighborhood bars" like Applebees...more power to you. Not my thing. I'm guessing you, and your family, aren't native to this AMAZING historic region...you wouldn't understand then. Your reply is just weak politics. (Local Boy is kinder and gentler).

Grand Forks....pre flood.

These companies have been around for a long time. I don't know how they can legally exist. The "employees" are underage and from out of state. They typically travel in a van with a scary dude and sleep 8 to a motel room. They're essentially fed off of fast food dollar menus. I had an attractive young girl last year, about 16, come to my door. She wanted to come in and told me she was 2 subscriptions away from a goal, bonus, or something. She explained that she would do "anything" for the last 2 sales. I see them about once every 2 months in my neighborfood. Who would send their child out with one of these groups? We have some serious parenting issues in this country.

Don't fall for the Alerus commission's spin. The place is in big trouble. The coming year's operating loss will be in the 300-400K range (at least). Also, The Alerus counts their tax contribution as "revenues". That amount is 400K. That's a 700K-800K annual operating loss that doesn't account for any debt service or depreciation. Also, $880K of their revenues is suite and advertising revenue. The anticipation is, after the current contracts expire, many will not renew. No events = no benefit to suite ownership. No events = no benefit to advertising at the property. This issue will greatly increase the Alerus' operating loss in the future. The economic impact is also very false. There are very few events that draw from out of town. Maybe year one, and two, there were. There are VERY few now. It's also a very sad fact that The Alerus boasts about their increasing banquet sales. The Alerus was sold to the community to be a regional draw. Sadly, all the menus, and pricing, have been dummied-down to attract a local clientele. The center is now in direct competition with local businesses. By the way, the labor costs at The Alerus are well over 50%. This will probably be the year that the wheels really come off with the community and the commission. The citizenry of G.F. have become very apathetic towards community leaders and have virtually tuned out. Voter turnout in the last elections was less than 10%. The Fritz always had the support of the community. Citizens would support national, and international acts, even if they were unknown artists; to support a great venue. The Alerus doesn't enjoy this benefit. The coming catering conundrum with The Canad will prove to be another massive issue in the future. The emerging Grand Forks blogoshere has many more facts about this money pit. Check it out. An informed citizen has put the true annual cost of The Alerus at about $7,000,000 when you factor in the operationg loss, tax contribution, depreciation, and interest on the bonds. Not good.

Seriously? A thread about improvements at The Alerus? Is anybody familiar with the facts of this project? Annual "Revenues"....3.8 Million. Tax Contribution...about 400K Suite and Advertising revenue...880K. Yes...the taxes are included in their "sales". So, the long and short of it is, this property's daily sales average about that of a successful Pizza Hut. That's bad. Agreed? Where will the money come from for these "improvements"?

Oops...me again. The article says it's Notre Dame hat. I tried to zoom in but the resolution got bad. It was hard to tell on the TV also. Maybe it says Irish below UND. Probably.

The lone survivor of the Sago coal mine was wearing a UND Sioux hat at today's press conference. Anybody know of a connection there? It was a very brief appearance. Below is a link with a photo. Somebody send that man a grinder and some chippers! http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1785960 Just curious.

Sorry that I haven't had a chance to respond...I'm very busy with work. 'Tis a busy season...and someone has to make the donuts. Actually, I don't have time to respond at this time. I am curious however... Was the Journey show at The Alerus the first in-house promoted show executed with the new promotions fund? The reason I ask is, I heard that it bit the big one. Hate to see that! How much of the fund was blown?

Okay. Got it. The Alerus/Canad topic is not available for discussion.

Is this project/development so ugly that it's taboo for discussion? I just hate to see Grand Forks making long-term, serious community impacting decisions, from a position of desperation. Trust me, my best intentions are what is good for the community, not blowin' this deal up. Probably too late though. It is ugly however. Of course, this is my opinion. I appreciate that others may disagree. I do have another guestion, when does Alerus' naming rights deal expire? Thanks in advance for the input.

Is there an on-line feed anywhere? Audio is what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance!

Is what you could say more "facts" like your Civic comparison? Aye, yi, yi. Your attitude and point of view worked lots better in the past when the project was all speculation and hope. Now with 4.5 years of hard #'s (bad ones btw), fumbled executions (raw food at the all schools reunion for example), and market refocusing (targeting weddings and local events/groups and competing with local businesses instead of drawing regional events) your argument is week and well..."homerism". I don't have a problem with your attitude and quest to skirt the facts. Just realize that they are very transparent. I'm dealin' with it. My mind can be changed. How? Event days my friend, event days. Incidentally, local businesses used the Civic for overflow, capacity purposes, and bid on civic/community events. The local businesses paid the Civic for the privilege. AND...they in effect were all sales agents working together to bring groups/$$$ to the property. A previous poster stated the point that the Alerus is a great destination for weddings, and local events. And, that the Alerus should build on this base. The property was sold to the community from the point of view that they weren

I appreciate your homerism but your argument is based on your so-called fact that the Alerus loses the same as the old Civic. Recalculate your math and factor in the tax contribution to the Alerus. Got it? Your only allowable factual response under this circumstance (the reality btw) is..."oops, forgive me, I never thought of that". This is a UND Sports forum. My tone is out of line is this context. But, there's no other forum. So, I guess, here I am. I'll go away and lurk the Sioux Sports forum. It's good stuff! Love it. The reality is...even if the property was ramped up and staffed-up to chase the Clear Channel Presents, House of Blues, and the Concerts West concert events AND the big Regional conventions that the ballroom/convention center feature was supposed to attract...it would lose much more money. Probably an additional 100K plus. Seriously...grim reality sucks. Lie in the weeds and wait for a non major-flag hotel operator to open and save the project, then reevaluate the situation. At that time, the Alerus will be faced with capital outlays regarding remodeling, equipment updates, and general maintenance. Also, factor economic shifts of company

Sorry to belabor this topic but, keep in mind that you

In response to the last few posts, I don

The Alerus day to day operations are subsidized by tax dollars. Lots of them. A hotel will be expected to cash flow. What's next? A tax subsidized hotel?

I know that if you looked at all my posts here, you'd see that I'm mostly a one-topic poster. I apologize for that. But, isn't the entire Alerus/Canad issue a major cluster-youknowwhat from the get-go? FYI...I'm a hockey and football ticket holder who enjoys the games, but by no means is a big sportstalk junky. I enjoy lurking here and by-and-large; feel that it's a great community. I just can't get away from the fact that the Alerus is such a boondoggle. I sense that from the fact that there's very little talk about the center, shows that people in their hearts agree that the joint is a big-old white elephant. I suppose that if you're a Grand Forks "insider" you have to tow the whole party line that this is some sort of a economic development engine and not a big bust from the get-go. I wish not, but apparently it is.

Even though this joint is in horribly bad taste, it's not illegal. The real crime is the fact that this clown was ever allowed, by the city, to even get back in the bar business in the first place. The dude has a history of torching properties and there's residential units above these establishments. Although, I believe he's leasing these buildings and doesn't own them. So I suppose that there's no incentive to torch them at this point. He snuck in the back door to get his last liquor license in East Grand Forks. Now, it's my understanding that they won't allow him to operate over there. It's a sad symbol of the level of desperation in downtown Grand Forks, in my opinion.

Duane Sanden? Is he still covering local sports up there? "Oooohh, I've been hit...back after this message". One of the classic moments in sports broadcasting of all time.

Follow the thread...it's a reference to a prior statement. Oh my...people drive after drinkin' a couple beers. What a shocker!