Monthly Archives: March 2010

Collecting American History

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Story and photos by Ashley Wirtzfeld
MSUM mass communications major

 

Every past has a story.

 

The history of the American frontier started with the Old West, full of rich stories about cowboys and more importantly how the Old West was tamed. The taming was carried out with the barrel of a gun. Walking into Frontier Americana located in the Black Building at 114 Broadway N Suite G6 in downtown Fargo brings one back to those times. The smell of old earthy leather and antiques adds to the ambiance. The walls lined with old guns and other collectibles show only a small history of the American West. Owner, Pete Erickson says, “this is my life.”

 


Frontier Americana owner Pete Erickson.

 

Even though this is his life now, Erickson did not always work in the firearms business. “I used to work for AT&T, but working with collectibles was a second calling,” he said.

Starting Out

In 1971, Erickson was introduced to a gentleman who was involved with European sporting arms of the 1500s-1900s. According to Erickson, that is what began his interest in antique firearms. “My first gun was a percussion double-barrel shotgun made by Mortimer in London,” he said.  “I grew up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and a genuine interest in the American cowboy.”

“It wasn’t hard to get into,” he said. “However, now the cost of getting into this business would prohibit many people from doing it.”

Erickson’s second calling started out small with a personal collection. Once that began to grow, he started a catalog, just “working out of the house.”

 


A Mauser Zig Zag 9mm from 1878.

 

Needing a Store

“I had always thought of opening a store,” Erickson said. “Finally in 1997 getting a store was a reality.”

Frontier Americana has always been in the Black Building on the 200 block of Broadway. “I started out in the lower level and was there for 11 years,” he said. “Then I moved into this location on the main level because it is three times bigger than my old location.”

 


The front of Frontier Americana seen from the lobby in the Black Building.

 

Even though he now has a store, Erickson said, “most people shop my Web site and catalogs.”

Frontier Americana is open Monday-Thursday. Erickson spends much of his time  attending national auctions and shows. “It isn’t odd for me to be in hotels 100 nights a year,” he said. “We are more known nationally than locally.”

Besides running his store, Erickson also works for two national auction companies, High Noon in Los Angeles and Cody Old West in Scottsdale, Ariz.  www.highnoon.com

 


Frontier Americana not only displays firearms.

 

Cody Old West Auction Company

 

 Brian Lebel, director of Cody Old West met Erickson in Cody, Wyo.

 “I met Pete at a show when I noticed the quality of goods he carried,” said Lebel.

 Lebel is not a newcomer to collecting. “I started dealing with antique firearms after attending gun shows when I was 14 years old, which was 41 years ago,” he said.

 “Antique firearms collecting is big not only nationally but internationally and people have been collecting firearms for hundreds of years all over the world,” Lebel said.

 Erickson is a big part of the auctions held by the Cody Old West company.

 “Pete Erickson is one of the most informed people I know when it comes to firearms and American history overall,” said Lebel. “Pete helps write descriptions for the catalog, does the technical descriptions of firearms, decides authenticity and originality and researches the history of the particular firearm as well as the gun companies.”  codyoldwest.com

 


From top left going clockwise: Colt #2 Deringer, Colt Open Top 22rf from 1873, Colt Open Top 22rf from 1871, Colt 3rd (Thuer Model) 41rf Deringer from the 1870′s.

 

Expertise Comes from Years of Collecting

Erickson’s experience with antique firearms is an integral asset for Cody Old West and for his own store. He also does appraisals for people who inquire. However, appraisals can be tricky, especially if the item in question is going to be sold.

 “There is always an ethical question when you are appraising for purchase,” said Erickson. “I always encourage people to take weapons to other places to get a second appraisal to be fair.

Besides appraising  weapons, Erickson is federally licensed to transport guns. When it comes to North Dakota or Dakota cowboy collectibles, Erickson isn’t too likely to sell and would rather keep items for his personal collection. 

 “I also actively look for Native American stuff,” he said.

  


A collection of Native American garb including moccasins, a child’s bandoleer bag and a beaded belt.

 

Erickson’s store also carries antique saddles, swords and paintings.

 Stepping into Frontier Americana is like entering someone’s personal museum.

 “I consider myself awful lucky to be able to do something I love and to be able to own all this stuff,” said Erickson.

  


A collection of American Civil War and Pre-Civil War Swords.

 

 
Back: One of a kind Colt 2nd-3rd Gen SAA "The Flaxmon", Front Left: Colt SAA 3rd Gen 45 cal from 1982, front right: Colt SAA

For more information about Frontier Americana visit www.frontieramericanaoffargo.com


 

Tea partiers protest pro-health care reform votes

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Local conservatives try to send a message to their congressional delegates during the state’s Democratic convention on March 27. The tea party rally lasted nearly three hours and protested the recent health care overhaul.
Photo by Tiffany Irving

Conservatives rally outside Civic Center to express disapproval

By Misty Irving
MSUM Mass Comm Major

Conservatives gathered outside the Fargo Civic Center during the Democrats’ state convention on March 27 to protest the pro-health care reform votes cast by North Dakota Democratic Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy.

“I came out to just watch and support,” Dennis Harsch said. “(I’m) not planning to say anything.”

While the Democratic-NPL Party gathered to endorse candidates for the 2010 election, protesters yielded signs claiming that “enough is enough” and asking Democrats to “stop stealing from my grandkids.”

“We woke up when it’s too late,” Harsch said. “My kids and your kids will be in a compromised situation (if the health care is government controlled).”

Health care overhaul angers many
Congressional delegates refuse to listen to constituents

The recent health care overhaul vote has infuriated and disappointed many citizens. The convention hired security for the first time because of the planned rally and threats to lawmakers. Four ushers and one police officer were positioned in the building.

“I’m very concerned about ObamaCare — the government care of education, health care, financial care,” Harsch said. “It isn’t at all what capitalism is supposed to be.”

The tea partiers peacefully protested in the rain from about 1 to 3 p.m. They gathered in hopes of making their voices heard by their congressional delegation. Some citizens have been trying unsuccessfully to contact their delegates for weeks.

“I haven’t been able to get in contact with (our senators or representatives),” David Tibbals said. “Their voicemails are always full.”

Protestors hoisted flags and signs to express their disappointment with the government.  Many people just want their voices to be heard and acknowledged by their senators and representatives.
Photo by Tiffany Irving

Health care system demands reform
Government takeover not the answer

While many agree that something needs to be done about the health care situation, some argue that government takeover is not the way to go.

“(Lawmakers) are focusing on health care, but there’s a bigger issue at hand: government takeover,” Harsch said. “I have a lot of relatives in California (where they have government health care). It’s a bad situation. My dad needed a quadruple bypass surgery; he got it, but my brother and brother-in-law had to wait 11 months for the same surgery.”

The protest continued after the tea party rally at the Comstock Memorial Union at Minnesota State University Moorhead from 3 to 7:30 p.m. during a “Win Back Washington” town hall and rally. A panel discussed issues from 3 to 5 p.m., and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota’s 6th District led the rally.

Crows at the Spirit Room

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Story and photos by Keiko Kimoto
MSUM mass communications major
 

Cameron MacKenzie and Camille Federowich dance at the opening event of the Great Winter Crow Show.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years ago the Spirit Room started its biennial art exhibition “The Great Winter Crow Show.”
This year the Crow Show is back with its themes of crows, ravens and blackbirds. In all, 73 pieces of artwork are on display. The non-competitive exhibition runs for the month of March.

“I think (the show) is wonderful," said Donna Chalimonczyk, a first-time viewer of the Crow Show. "I like the variety.”

Variety is the main characteristic of the show. The artwork includes paintings, photography and sculpture. Each work focuses on the crow itself along with the shape of the crow — feathers, eyes and other details. In addition, the opening event of the Crow Show featured music, dance performances and literary and poetry presentations.
 

Kevin Carollo reads his poem with the accompaniment of a cello and guitar at the Crow Show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Spirit Room

The Spirit Room is a non-profit organization founded in 1997. Its mission is to enrich people’s lives through the development and practice of creative, contemplative and healing arts. The Spirit Room, at 111 Broadway in Fargo, has hosted about 150 art exhibits in its gallery.

Dawn Morgan, executive director and curator at the Spirit Room, said what she likes about her job is she can realize her ideas for projects at the Spirit Room and also work with other people to develop their ideas.

“We’re open to projects that people bring to us,” Morgan said.

Dawn Morgan, director and curator of the Spirit Room, and one of the works of the Crow Show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People and the Crow Show

Morgan came up with the idea of the Great Winter Crow Show. She selected crows as the theme of the show because she likes crows for their intelligence and human-like and culture-related aspects. She pointed out the relationship between people, especially those who live in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and crows.

“One of the few animal companions that we have in town is the crow,” Morgan said. “We have a long winter here and people notice crows are always around. They seem like they are always with us, no matter what culture you go into or how far you go back. Almost everybody has a crow story.”

Merlin Londo plays a native American flute at the Crow Show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spirit Room’s largest audience is during the Crow Show, Morgan said. She said that March, the month in which the show is held, is a turning point when Fargo-Moorhead people start to move from winter to spring. The show becomes a gathering place for people after the long winter.

"It’s social interaction,” she said. “It’s kind of like that murder of crows coming together. The crows coming first and then all the people come and gather and gather.” (A group of crows is called a "murder." The name came about because a group of crows will sometimes kill a dying crow, according to the PBS Web site "Nature," which gives other facts about what it calls the most intelligent of birds: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/critters/crow.html.)

“You don’t have to take yourself seriously,” Morgan said about the Crow Show.

The show is different every year; different art and different people. She recommends the show for anyone who likes to have fun and appreciates the winter and the human and cultural connection to the crow.

Visit these Web sites for future event information:

Spirit Room

Downtown Community Partnership


Downtown revival brings controversy to one-way avenues

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City commission urges community members to help address issues of a one-way vs. two-way, street parking and bike lanes.

By Kelsie O’Keefe
MSUM Mass Comm. Major


The streets of downtown Fargo are bustling again and community members need to address whether downtown’s one-ways should whisk people through or carry them in.

The Fargo City Commission is looking into the reconstruction of the downtown sections of NP (formally known as Northern Pacific Avenue) and First avenues due to the revival of downtown Fargo.

“As more and more people start to move downtown, we want it to be a place where everyday activities can be accommodated safely,” says Dominic Fischer, a registered landscape architect for the Leonard Atelier Group, hired by the city commission for streetscape design and bicycle and pedestrian analysis.


Corinne Donahue, public transportation planner for Wilbur Smith Associates, explains alternatives for the two avenues’ reconstruction to Fargo residents at the public meeting on March 2. Community members used colored pens to write or draw in comments or suggestions.
 

Four alternatives

The Fargo City Commission is probing four preliminary alternatives for changes to the one-way avenues.

     1. Two-way with two-lanes going one direction, one going the other
     2. Two-way with left turn lane
     3. Two lanes one-way with diagonal parking
     4. No build

Each alternative has the option of either a designated or shared bike lane.

Decision based on community feedback

Ultimately, the Fargo City Commission will decide what to do, but that decision will be largely based on community feedback, says Michael N. Gorman, president of HWS Consulting Group, hired to manage the downtown one-way avenues’ project and the public involvement.

So far, the Fargo City Commission has held three public meetings in an attempt to provide updated information and get feedback from the community.

Many residents at the city commission’s second public meeting on March 2 had strong opinions about the one-way avenues’ alternatives.



More than 45 people attended the public meeting on March 2.
 

Creation of one-ways

“The one-ways were created because Highway 10 went through downtown Fargo and Moorhead,” says Dawn Morgan, executive director of the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo. “It was really important to be able to move that highway traffic through downtown. Since that time, that traffic has been discouraged in downtown Fargo. This is kind of the leftover from those days when they were trying to bring that traffic through downtown very quickly.

“Most of the surveys that I’ve studied indicate that slowing down the traffic and getting rid of as many trucks and big vehicles as possible in a neighborhood like downtown is really the direction you want to go so that it’s pedestrian friendly,” says Morgan.

Morgan: ‘A visual experience’

Morgan also thinks that leaving NP and First avenues as one-ways “cuts off the community from a whole visual experience.” She says the downtown community needs to get away from the sense that people need to speed up and get out of downtown.

“We can look around and see what we have and enjoy the beautiful architecture and just slow down a bit,” says Morgan. “That’s what I would be in favor of — two-way (lanes) in whichever the best plan is.”

Benefits point to two-way

Austin Yates, an engineer intern for HWS Consulting Group, prefers the two-way option provided by alternative one. Yates was involved with a similar project managed by HWS in Omaha, Neb., in which a two-way with two lanes going one direction and one going the other was implemented. The consulting group also added diagonal parking. The project was complete in fall 2009 and has been extremely successful, says Yates.

The economic benefits also point to two-way avenues, says Gorman.

Two-way difficult for truck parking

“I’ve lived in this town 65 years,” says Mike McNair, a downtown resident and business owner. “I’ve seen them as two-ways. I’ve seen the delivery trucks. I’ve seen the buses—it’s a bad situation.”

McNair thinks it will be difficult for businesses on NP and First avenues to unload trucks filled with supplies and merchandise.

The best alternative for delivery trucks would be alternative one. It provides greater access to businesses on both sides and greater visibility. “The studies that have been done show that,” says Gorman.

“People use the things they have available,” says Yates. “If there isn’t room for trucks to park on the street, they will find an ally or somewhere to park instead.”

Parking problems

“I live on Broadway … my business is on Broadway,” says McNair. “I think parking is a nightmare. There are times when people spend 15 minutes trying to back out of their parking space. I have clients complain about it.”

Gorman says some of the frustrations are temporarily necessary in the whole scheme of revitalizing downtown.

“Yes, it’s frustrating, but it’s a place of great activity,” says Gorman. “It’s difficult to get in and out but every time you look every parking stall is taken. Something’s going right if people want to use it that much and they’re willing to put up with that frustration. It’s about trying to find that balance. We don’t want NP and First to be Broadway, but is there a way we can push it a little closer toward what Broadway is and take advantage of the success Broadway’s had and put that on NP and First?”

Alternative three supports more parking.


Fischer (right) discusses the alternatives and answers questions from Fargo residents at the public meeting.




Traffic moves quickly on one-ways

Another resident sees two-way lanes becoming a bottleneck. “With one-ways you can get in and out fairly easy,” says Dick Auckert, who moved to Fargo from Germany five months ago, agrees with the idea that one-ways move traffic more quickly but doesn’t see it as a positive aspect.

“You are blessed with room on your roads. Isn’t the goal of these improvements to attract people to come downtown and stay downtown instead of rushing through? I think I don’t want people rushing through downtown. If that is the case they can use Main Street. So I think alternative three looks pretty awesome. I think business owners would be happy to have more people actually stopping by.”

Driving delays slightly vary

Some Fargo residents who work downtown think the possibility of added customers due to slower traffic and more pedestrian and bicycle friendliness would be worth the extra time a two-way would add for them to get to work.

Computer modeling analysis shows that each vehicle driving the one-ways experiences about 90 seconds of delay, says Gorman. In the future, the delay will increase to about 105 seconds if left as it is. Drivers can expect about 110 seconds of delay with alternative one, 140 seconds with alternative two and 110 seconds again with alternative three.

Speed-limit reduction for safety

Turning the one-way lanes into two-way lanes would require a speed-limit reduction for safety.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if a pedestrian is hit at:

  • 20 mph 95 percent will survive
  • 30 mph 55 percent will survive
  • 40 mph 15 percent will survive

A speed-limit reduction would not only protect pedestrians but bicyclists as well.

Fischer: ‘Drivers not educated on bicyclists’

For many bicyclists bicycle lanes are a long-awaited addition to downtown. The choice between designated or shared bicycle lanes is an important issue for bicycle safety.

“As far (the safety of) designated versus shared bike lanes, both groups could probably prove themselves right given different surveys,” says Fischer. “With the designated bike lanes cars tend to drive closer to bicyclists because they think that the bike lane is a visual barrier protecting the bicyclist. Studies have shown that the car is half a foot further away from the bicyclist with a shared lane.

“Personally, I think a designated bike lane is safer, especially in this application because drivers here are not educated on bicyclists. Designated lanes show that it’s OK for a bike to be here. A shared lane is better for places that have more bikes on the road.”


Designated bike lanes could help downtown drivers be more aware of bicyclists’ rights to the road.

 

Downtown bike unfriendly

Matthew Florence, an avid bicyclist in Fargo, agrees with Fisher’s conclusion.

“As far as Broadway, which is a shared lane, I have experienced a lot of psycho-related hatred by motorists,” says Florence. “They don’t feel I belong on the road. Obviously the signs prove otherwise, which I had to remind them. I feel like a (designated) bike lane is straight forward and to the point — you have the right to be in this spot and no car can get in the way.”

Community feedback welcome

So far, keeping the one-way with diagonal parking, alternative 3, is the least favored, says Gorman. It’s still too early to say which alternative is favored.

The last public meeting to discuss NP and First avenues’ alternatives will be some time in June.

The Fargo City Commission plans to complete the study by the end of this summer. Community questions and feedback are welcome by phone at 701-235-4761 or by email at dfischer@lagroupfargo.com

 

Taking the dive

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Story and photos by Ben Karkela
MSUM mass communications major

Sometimes after a long day, a strong drink sounds very, very good. The local dive provides a place to sit down and have well-deserved drink at a reasonable price.

This is not to say a "dive" is a bad thing. A dive can be classified as a bar with no dress code, casual atmosphere and cheap drinks. They are not the fanciest establishments in town, but that’s not the point. In downtown Fargo-Moorhead, three bars come to mind: The Empire Tavern and the Bismarck Tavern in Fargo and Mick’s Office in Moorhead.

Beer, and plenty of it

Need a beer to go? Just go next door to the liquor store on the way out.

The Empire Tavern and Liquor store opened in 1932, originally as a diner that also served liquor known as the Empire Cafe. In 1943, the liquor store opened and it became the establishment seen today in 1964.

This combination attracts thirsty patrons from all over. The crowd is lively and approachable. A combination of college students and middle-aged patrons make up the clientele.

The booths are uncomfortable and the service is good, not great. This is the perfect place to spend the evening drinking and wash away all worries.

"There’s kind of a trend that the farther north you head on the strip (in Fargo), the grade of the bar goes down," Kyle Olmstead said. "It can be fun and it can be more relaxing."

The Empire Tavern and Liquor lights up Broadway.

An old-school feel

On the north edge of the revitalized Fargo downtown sits the Bismarck Tavern. It seems to have missed out on all the renovations going on around it, but it remains true to itself. Despite the smoking ban, it stills feels smoky inside. Pull-tab tickets line the floor and a beat-up pool table sits in the back.

"It tends to not get too crowded so it can be a good time," Casey Thielges said. "For what you get the price is very reasonable, it’s definitely worth your money."

The Bismarck Tavern generally serves an older crowd who are friendly, but wary of newcomers. College students usually stop by on weekend nights and a place at the bar or tables can usually be found without waiting.

The booze here will make even a seasoned drinker pucker up after taking sip. Often times the drinks served at a dive bar are notorious for their strength.

 Patrons line the bar at the Bismarck Tavern.

If these walls could talk

Mick’s Office fits snugly between the railroad tracks and Taco John’s in downtown Moorhead. This bar also serves a mixed crowd from anyone 21 years old and up. The college students most likely attend Concordia or Minnesota State University Moorhead.

At Mick’s, the writing is on the wall, literally. The ceiling is covered with graffiti from years past. Visitors could spend the entire night reading all the signatures on the walls and get a good idea of the social history of Fargo-Moorhead.

Mick’s Office also cooks up delicious cheeseburgers and fries, served until 9 p.m. They are simple and straight to the point, much like a dive bar itself.

Mick’s Office serves up beer, burgers and fries.

Elephants parade on Broadway

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By Ashley Wirtzfeld and Misty Irving
MSUM Mass Comm Majors

On March 18, the El Zagal Shrine Circus kicked off its annual performances in downtown Fargo by giving audiences a preview of what was to come over the weekend. People of all ages waited in anticipation to see elephants walk Broadway. The parade, which had not occurred in a few years, started shortly after 6 p.m.

Despite the chilly wind and temperature, people of all ages gather in downtown Fargo to watch “Elephants on Broadway,” a parade to kick off a weekend of the El Zagal Shrine Circus.

While some people were braving the elements, others sneak into the system of skywalks overlooking Broadway and Second Avenue North to enjoy the circus parade.

Children eagerly await the start of the parade and for their chance to see elephants walking the streets. Kids enjoyed the parade as a prelude to the Shrine Circus’ performances all weekend.

Protesters meander through the crowded streets during the parade. Robert Pausch and Jeff Larson hoisted signs that pleaded with people to bring to an end “a lifetime of misery” and to “stop animal cruelty.”

The El Zagal Shrine Circus’ ringleader greets onlookers of the parade. Other circus performers were featured in the parade as well.

El Zagal Shriners drive a funny car down Second Avenue North during their “Elephants on Broadway” parade event.

A Shriner rides his Harley motorcycle down Broadway. A fleet of eight motorcyclists performed stunts for the crowd.

A young boy stares at a clown warily as his mother attempts to convince him to shake his hand. Several clowns walked along the parade route greeting onlookers.

Children rush into the streets in a desperate dash to pick up candy that was tossed during the parade.

A pair of tigers is led through the parade route near the end of the procession. Other animals, such as a pig and miniature horses, were also featured during the parade.

Elephants march dutifully downtown as spectators gawk in wonder.

The two-block parade lasted 20 minutes, starting at Fourth Avenue North and ending at Second Avenue North. It featured funny cars, clowns, motorcyclists, circus performers, elephants, tigers and miniature horses.