Is Grand Forks the next Atlanta?
In the past ten years I’ve lived in a Florida town of 350,000 people, in the Atlanta area of 6 million plus, in a Scottish coastal town of 50,000, become quite familiar with the Twin Cities of 3 million, spent significant time in a Minnesota town of 1100, and now live in Grand Forks with about 50,000. In each place I’ve preferred neighborhoods that promote walking or biking, provide easy access to shopping and restaurants, and encourage relationships with my neighbors.
I enjoyed this video on suburban expansion versus the merits of in-town living. Sure, it’s PR, but it’s well done and points to an important issue, both environmental and social. Though it focused on Atlanta, I wonder now that I’m a Grand Forksian (is that right?), if Grand Forks can’t do more to address southward expansion. When I drive in the neighborhoods south of town I just feel, well, like I’m worshiping closed garages, viewing unsustainable expansion, and am more connected to pretty lawns than kind people. That’s probably not fair, as I haven’t actually lived out there, but my point is that Grand Forks would do better to improve downtown development than southward expansion.
If Grand Forks really wants to tackle North Dakota’s brain drain, leaders should fix downtown parking problems, fix up downtown living, address the loud and long trains, incentivize shops for groceries and every day products, and improve the bus system. This weekend’s arts festival was a great example of what Grand Forks can do and be. I hope leaders build on this success, emphasizing smart, sustainable, friendly community life.
Big Grand Forks News: Fighting Sioux nickname, logo is retired
Big news in Grand Forks today: the UND “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo is being retired. After decades of discussions, it’s done. The ND board of higher education voted yesterday, and President Kelley now begins the process of deciding on a new logo and nickname.
As you might imagine, this decision is just a wee bit controversial. A new Facebook group has already announced a protest and picture to occur today at 2:30 p.m. at the Ralph Engelstad Arena (that’d be the hockey palace in town).
I really don’t want to debate the merits of the decision in this post, as I’ll be away from my computer this weekend, and it’s not like I’d actually shed any new light on things. This wikipedia article covers the issue in general.
My outsider’s point of view over the last few years is that, eventually this was bound to happen. Different sides will call it different things: progress, political correctness, scoffing at history, racist or overly sensitive, and any number of other things. But since a NCAA ruling a few years ago, the Fighting Sioux logo became a liability both financially and in terms of UND’s national reputation.
Growing up in Tallahassee — home of the Florida State Seminoles — I’m not exactly a stranger to similar debates. Yes, the Seminole tribe of Florida supports the use of the nickname, symbol, and other “Seminole inspired” images. Yes, there is a unique and supportive relationship between the Seminole tribe in Florida and FSU. But there’s plenty of dissenting voices around FSU as well, whether from the Oklahoma Seminole tribe, or the protesters outside every home FSU football game. Such debates will always occur.
What strikes me now that the decision to retire has been made, is that beginning today the true character of UND alumni, Grand Forks residents, and fans will show. How many racist comments will appear on news articles and Facebook pages (I just checked, there’s some already)? Will frustration lead to dialog and healthy grieving, or will protests turn wholly negative? Will those who disagree with the decision do so with both their individual feelings,and the university’s and community’s best interest in mind?
To be honest, my thoughts immediately turn to my experiences in the local and national Presbyterian church. Sometimes our reaction to change is impulsive, drastic, and damaging. Sometimes, though, with solid leadership and clear heads we seize the opportunity to mourn for what was, and begin to imagine a new future. After big change, we need opportunities for dialog and expressing our profound disagreement. The spirit of those exchanges often determines how stakeholders react down the line — to fight or fold.
I hope that President Kelley, leaders from the Sioux tribes, and members of the board of higher ed will now lead in ways that allow for showings of public grief and tolerate continued disagreement, even as they move to choose a new mascot and logo of which we might be proud.
Potato Bowl USA
With a 31-24 win over Stony Brook, UND’s festive (and chilly) Potato Bowl USA came to a close this afternoon. It was my first Potato Bowl, and it won’t be my last. What with free french fries at the World’s Largest French Fry Feed, baked potato bars and chip giveaways all week, a parade, 8K, and, oh yeah, a football game, the week’s festivities were plenty fun.
That said, even after all that and reading the newspaper all week, I couldn’t really figure out exactly why the Potato Bowl was being celebrated. Sure, I get that potatoes are huge around Grand Forks, but why the week after homecoming? Why, um, Stony Brook? Why put it up against opening weekend of the hockey season? I guess the Potato Bowl is more about celebrating potatoes and the potato industry than the sports matchups. But I’m not complaining. I love potatoes.
There’s the absolutely true story in my family of the time in Scotland when I ordered some sort of meal that was to consist of five sides. So I carefully chose from a wide range of options on the generous menu: french fries, baked potato, boiled potatoes, hash brown casserole, and double-stuffed potato. I was young enough that I didn’t notice the trend. But I wasn’t too young to take advantage of the great opportunity to enjoy some delicious spuds.
Some pics below. They all mash up to be a spud-erful weekend of full baked fun.
Grand Forks Yard Craziness
Not sure what to make of this, but on about a three mile drive from our place to the mall today, I saw eight yard sales. EIGHT! Yes, I took the route through the neighborhood rather than on the larger road, but man o man, what’s up with Grand Forkians (Grand Forkers? Grand Forkites?) and yard sales?
Maybe it’s the midwestern thrift that causes folks to cash in their old stuff often.
Maybe it’s the warm weather going to people’s heads.
Maybe it’s a sign that folks just buy too much and need more room to store the new stuff.
Maybe it’s a sign of the economy — need money to pay the bills, so hold a yard sale.
I’m not sure, but I am rather curious. And also, come to think about it, there’s a large amount of thrift stores in Grand Forks as well. I’m all for thrift and buying and selling second-hand, but in this quantity? What gives?
image by JMGriffin
Grand Impressions
Oh I suppose I’ve been a Grand Forks resident for going-on two weeks, ya, and you betcha I just love the place.
(A quick phone pic from the Greenway Trail. Grand Forks was originally a port for steamboats until trains proved more profitable.)
Actually, overall, it has made a very good first impression with me. Here’s some bullets on what I’ve taken in so far.
Wows:
- love the wide streets; it’s the antithesis of driving in Scotland and you just feel safer and calmer while driving
- related to above, I love the (mostly) grid pattern of the streets. Streets run North/South and Avenues run East/West. Most roads hit at right angles (only complicated by the river, at points.) It’s bliss.
- The Greenway is amazing! The miles of trails along the river, wide path, friendly people. Just beautiful — and just blocks from our place.
- I do enjoy the university feel of the town. Students are everywhere, and this is often a good thing.
- Relatively low prices abound.
- Everything is close. I have yet to have a trip over 15 minutes. Not bad at all, especially coming from Atlanta most recently.
- No real lines anywhere — got my Drivers License in six minutes, most of which were spent chatting with the clerk.
Pows:
- Not meaning to be a snob, but I haven’t found a ton of real tasty locally-owned restaurants. Nothing against Applebees and Space Aliens but…
- Our mail is delivered, on average, at about 5:45 p.m. If I could only pretend it was the next day’s mail early…
- The movie selection is far from stellar; I do like the occasional art house or indie film. I guess it may be time to bump-up our Netflix account.
- There are plenty of coffee shops, several locally-owned so that’s great! But I do miss a local book store option. Maybe it’s out there, but I haven’t stumbled on it yet.
- There seems to be a supermarket monopoly. Now there’s a Hugo’s on every other corner, but I do wonder what else would crop up if Hugo’s didn’t have the market saturated.
- Ok, I’ll be honest here though I’m not proud of it: I really miss Banana Republic. There’s nothing like seeing that clearance rack in person.
Well, I better stop there before I get myself in trouble. Oh, but I almost forgot to mention the best thing of all: It’s not snowing yet!
Connect Online
