The Whistler

And how many restaurants did we have before the Alerus opened up? I fail to think that a building that sits mostly empty 300 days a year and only draws from the local trade area is really affecting the restaurant business. I think it's interesting that you act as if the Ralph should be taxed to punish them. Aside from holding a concert or two what do they do that could be conceived as negative to the Alerus? Since the Alerus invariably loses money on those things it makes you wonder if they aren't doing a favor. Another thing about the Ralph is that it was announced in plenty of time to cancel the Alerus. The civic auditorium argument is facetious because 1) That's all the place cost us. The Alerus cost us $8,000,000 last year. and 2) the City never did save the money on the civic auditorium. Rather than put it up for sale, they held on to it and we're still paying. I would perhaps agree with the football thing, but I also must note that the Alerus wasn't sold as a football stadium. Maybe if it had there would be less controversy over the thing today. What I find interesting is that apparently some want to build a new football stadium (which I don't agree with, the Alerus is a good venue for fooseball.) I think reasonable people can disagree without "flaming." For example the place is built now. That's fine, but it does NOT excuse bad management and continuing throwing more money into the place because of that mismanagement.

Any chance that Zach Jones will show up?

That's an idea. That's half an idea. Holy Cross would be perfect in the Big Ten Hockey Conference.

You have evidence of that? Or you just can't justify the Alerus by talking about the Alerus? They were $300,000 behind budget this summer. They lost more on Brit. Last year things were much worse than they were telling us. But hey if you and your buddies want to pay for all of the bad management at the Alerus, why should I complain? I think last year revenues were about 4 million and total costs were around 12 million (counting the payment as an expense, but not counting depreciation.)

It was a big deal to play them when they were good. Now that they've been an average team lately, not so much. Of course those things will come and go.

Over the weekend, I noticed Home of Economy had some Nike replica jerseys in green and white.

Especially starting pitching, which ironically wasn't the problem in two of the games against the Yankees. Sum up the problems this year and you come up with something like "can't beat the Yankees." Well they are a pretty good team.

And then what's in it for them to be in there as cannon fodder. As it is the lesser teams in the WCHA, CCHA and Hockey Least have as many or more peers to play as well as strong programs.

Suppose they had a Big Ten hockey conference. Doesn't that make it harder for the fortunate 4 to all make the NCAA's. I would think that Mich, Mich State, Wisconsin and Minny have all been in the NCAA's the same year numerous times. Add in another strong school or two and it's going to be hard for them to have a 500 record.

How do you go downhill from getting swept by the Sioux in Grand Forks?

Remember, LEFT TURN!

Tradition!

I kinda liked that Ness kid. As a Sioux fan that is. You can do that?

OOOOOWAAAAH! Our skatelaces were too short. (Meant in fun)

Someone needs to direct Gopherz to the Gopher excuses thread where he'll feel at home.

Well we're talking about ground rats here, but some are likely cleaner than others.

I like it that the filthy rodents took the week off, so that we've got a real weekend under our belt and they do not.

Sudden Death? OMG, the man is deranged. That wasn't even a good Jean Clod (sic) movie. What I really liked about the Miracle movie was that contrary to my fears I left the theater disliking Brooks more.

So how is it our business if the Ralph loses money if it's not publicly financed and at this point owned by a private foundation?

Really we just owe it to our betters to buy the a Brazillion dollar house.

1 to 0 Ben Blood. That should lock the first Sioux Survivor for me.

So the Alerus finished cost in 2001 was 80 million. The original vote was for 43 to 49 million. The first cost estimate came in at $65 million. They whittled that down to $57 million for the second vote. They then threw any restraint to the winds.

I did follow up and watched the hit that led to Hextall going after the BADger scum Chelios.

Didn't find the Monique Lamoureux fight. Was Hex serious?