Around the Block and Back

This will be a good week to touch on several topics, some that have been subjects of previous HPR editorials. So, bear with is as we hop, skip and jump around.

Carl Ben Eielson Statue

Back in January, we penned an editorial that had somewhat of a wish list for things we could do in Fargo, and in our downtown specifically, that would improve our quality of life while also enhancing the potential for an even more vibrant and alive downtown.

Granted, the notion of getting live music out on the streets on weekends in summer is not happening quite yet. But there is talk of it, and we still see that happening some day. Fargo could be the mini-New Orleans of the North if we so decided.

In that same vein, we do not see immediate breakthroughs in the concept we espoused of also allowing discrete public consumption of alcohol with stringent limitations. For example, drinks have to be poured by a licensed downtown vendor, who cards and who provides wrist bands to assure that legal aged folks are buying drinks.

Also, the public consumption could only happen in publicly designated areas, such as Broadway between Main Avenue and 6th Avenue north up by Josie’s Corner, and no further east or west than the alley in the middle of the block. And it goes without saying that the drinks consumed in public would have to be in proper containers that indicate alcohol but are also disposable and eco-friendly.

That’s not that hard to visualize, is it? Quite frankly, any of us who’ve traveled anywhere know what these things look like in other cities; we just don’t get that opportunity here at home and we should.

We also need public telephones and public bathrooms downtown. To top it all off, the day will come when Fargo’s downtown stays open on Sundays—God forbid—and changes the dynamic even more dramatically as far as evolving into an entertainment destination, which our downtown is closer to achieving every day.

Our January editorial—with all those good suggestions for our downtown—also included a request for Fargo to give due honor to Carl Ben Eielson by putting a life size bronze statute of the famous Hatton, ND aviator visibly in Hector International Airport in Fargo.

Long story short, Fargo City Commissioner Brad Wimmer has taken that project and has breathed life into the possibility that such a statue could actually come to being placed in our airport.

Last week, the Municipal Airport Authority voted unanimously to support the concept of a citizens group led by Wimmer to explore the possibility of getting a statue of Eielson placed in the airport, with several possible locations already in mind.

We encourage all you Carl Ben Eielson fans to contact Wimmer at Wimmer Diamonds or through City Hall and join in the effort to give such due
recognition to one of North Dakota’s most famous sons.

Best Bets Humor

Last week we announced our Best Bets 2009 winners. While the editorial correctly listed John Lamb as the Funnest Person, as well as Media Personality, the full page listing of all winners incorrectly had John Strand as the funniest person.

No joke.

Well, some thought it WAS funny, but not this writer. John Lamb, however, knows the truth and so do HPR readers.

Speaking of Funny

A caller to remain unidentified for good reasons showed considerable grace last week when she contacted us and informed us that somehow or other particular escort ad in our classified page actually carried her cell phone number. The first call she received asking about some intimate companionship really caught her off guard. By the second call, and after we had already been contacted and assured the ad would be corrected for the next week’s paper, she had a better sense of humor about it—and so did her fellow office workers, we understand.

Thank goodness for folks who have a good sense of humor. The other good news—and we have to say it—HPR ads work!

Speaking of HPR ads, you may begin to notice that some of our ads have crowns on them. Keep an eye out for these—they are Best Bets ‘09 winners.

Congrats Grads

Hundreds and thousands of young North Dakotans are graduating from high schools in every part of the region. We join in congratulating them on their achievements and for being such good ambassadors for our state—their home state.

We also join in telling them they are always welcome here and will always be North Dakotans, even if they go off and travel around the block
one or maybe several times. This is their home and this is their roots and this is where they can always land on their feet, with good people with big hearts and more open minds than ever before…

Good job and we wish all graduates the best in whatever endeavors they choose.