OT: The Newer OT Thread III and Lounge

[doulos]

I remember when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida back in the 90s there were lots of news reports of people trying to get homes rebuilt and it was huge gongshow. Insurance would pay claims but you couldn't find any builders to do the reconstruction. Fraudsters saw an opportunity and moved in posting as qualified builders from another states taking payment to rebuild homes and only doing 10-20% of the work before bolting to another town and doing the same scam all over again.

Hopefully, things don't happen in that manner in Fort Mac and people don't start forking out their cash out of desperation to the first warm body that says they can build a house. However, i remember in the boom years (~2006-2014) here in AB hearing lots of out of province builders coming to Alberta to take advantage of the hot economy and leaving mid-project.

There was some of that going on post-Alberta floods as well wasn't there?

 

[Philly85*]

I remember when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida back in the 90s there were lots of news reports of people trying to get homes rebuilt and it was huge gongshow. Insurance would pay claims but you couldn't find any builders to do the reconstruction. Fraudsters saw an opportunity and moved in posting as qualified builders from another states taking payment to rebuild homes and only doing 10-20% of the work before bolting to another town and doing the same scam all over again.

Hopefully, things don't happen in that manner in Fort Mac and people don't start forking out their cash out of desperation to the first warm body that says they can build a house. However, i remember in the boom years (~2006-2014) here in AB hearing lots of out of province builders coming to Alberta to take advantage of the hot economy and leaving mid-project.

Hurricane Andrew was small fries compared to Hurricane Katrina and insurance claims people were dealing with in New Orleans. Rebuilding was a disaster. A term arose from all that, "disaster capitalism".

I don't anticipate things will be quite as bad up here, but you never know. These insurance companies seem to change the goal posts in many circumstances when something like this occurres. With estimates up around $9 billion, I don't anticipate matters will be settled too easily. Gonna be a gargantuan project rebuilding.

 

[Replacement*]

Should take this opportunity to recommend everybody understand your home insurance policy. Companies talk about covering things like hotels and rent until you can get back into your home. But it may not be as much as you think.

When I lost my condo due to the flooding caused by putting a fire out above me, I learned that my upper limit was 50% of my insured contents, not my condo. At 10 months, when I could move back into my own place, I was getting close to paying out of my own pocket.

Probably don't need to revisit your dollars insured every year, but don't go too many years without validating what you have insured with what you need insured.

Also good to denote that insurance should be respective of CURRENT value of home which is important consideration given that housing prices in this area, and most of Canada have increased dramatically. Usually insurance companies (especially local agents) pick up on this but not always. It can be a nightmare if you have a house insured at 200K and its now valued at 400K.

 

[MoneyGuy]

Client of mine is moving to Spruce Grove and had their house in FM sold...the day before the fires hit town with the papers to be signed the next day (the day the first hit town). I checked late last week and the house was fine. However, it's since been burned to the ground. I don't know now what they'll do.

 

[MoneyGuy]

Driving through downtown Edmonton today and I'm wondering if anyone here knows if the motorcycle parking at the corner of 101 St. and 102 Ave. at the west end of the CN Tower lot is free to park bikes??

 

[Philly85*]

One of the best individual clutch basketball performances I've ever seen tonight by Steph Curry. Wasn't good during the course of regulation, then flicked a switch and took over the very end and all of OT. Jordan level dominance. Pure spectacle.

 

[Dakine879]

One of the best individual clutch basketball performances I've ever seen tonight by Steph Curry. Wasn't good during the course of regulation, then flicked a switch and took over the very end and all of OT. Jordan level dominance. Pure spectacle.

As someone who has no basketball knowledge and has never watched more than 10 mins of a game (obviously)...You're description sounds awesome!

Go Raptors!

EDIT : I just learned Steph Curry plays for GSW, Not Raptors LOL!

 

[Replacement*]

Why do some think that just because there are SNC/Sky seats left after the season ticket holders have chosen means that they are an undesirable option? It just means they were less desirable to season ticket holders. It looks to me that these are a better fit for someone who goes to a few games a year. Its a novelty that could wear off pretty quick if you are going all the time but could be fun once in a while. If other sections are 80% sold out to season tickets and these are 60% sold out then what's the problem? Were the Oilers really supposed to gauge all seating options so that demand was even across all types? Perhaps they planned that these would sell better as casual seats. What about concerts? I bet SNC/Sky would sell out long before upper bowl even at higher price points for some events.

No argument with this. I can see your point here.

But I think SN/Sky was designed more as a pre/post game experiment here as well. To see if people will come early and stay late to consume beverage. That's where it makes money. But it will take people adjusting their work a day tendency to just go to the game, get their on time, and leave right away. This whole downtown arena experiment is about altering that. We'll see how it plays out.

I'm a longtime Citadel theater STH and it continues to amaze me how quickly people file out to race to the parking lot. Last Friday 1400 people were getting out from Maclab, Rapid Fire, and former Rice theater and yet going outside for a stroll not even 50 of them were milling about. On a great warm Friday night.

Normands Bistro, which puts together some pretty solid fare is NEVER full and is begging customers.

Meanwhile its not even 11PM and Zinc down the road is CLOSED.

Some things have to change with peoples habits and the downtown needs to be open and alive for business.

 

[oilers9799]

No argument with this. I can see your point here.

But I think SN/Sky was designed more as a pre/post game experiment here as well. To see if people will come early and stay late to consume beverage. That's where it makes money. But it will take people adjusting their work a day tendency to just go to the game, get their on time, and leave right away. This whole downtown arena experiment is about altering that. We'll see how it plays out.

I'm a longtime Citadel theater STH and it continues to amaze me how quickly people file out to race to the parking lot. Last Friday 1400 people were getting out from Maclab, Rapid Fire, and former Rice theater and yet going outside for a stroll not even 50 of them were milling about. On a great warm Friday night.

Normands Bistro, which puts together some pretty solid fare is NEVER full and is begging customers.

Meanwhile its not even 11PM and Zinc down the road is CLOSED.

Some things have to change with peoples habits and the downtown needs to be open and alive for business.

Probably because its not 1992...

 

[Replacement*]

Probably because its not 1992...

Whats that got to do with anything? Good food is good food.

I repeat Zinc was closed when the play ended at 10:40 on a Friday Night. Closed. Whats the excuse there? Its not 2012?

Week before went to Chop downtown and for awhile we were the only ones in the REstaurant. On a Friday night.

Meanwhile Chop on Ellerslie does OK business. Chop downtown is NEVER busy.

Fact of the matter is is a lot of establishments downtown don't seem to be doing so well despite all the ticket buyers in and out of there.

So will the behavior change with the arena downtown? That's the big question. Will people really be going out for dinner and drinks before or after. if they don't downtown businesses still suffer.

 

[Gord]

just saw the trailer for Yoga Hosers.

going to be a bad, bad movie. I'll watch it. lol

 

[oilers9799]

Whats that got to do with anything? Good food is good food.

I repeat Zinc was closed when the play ended at 10:40 on a Friday Night. Closed. Whats the excuse there? Its not 2012?

Week before went to Chop downtown and for awhile we were the only ones in the REstaurant. On a Friday night.

Meanwhile Chop on Ellerslie does OK business. Chop downtown is NEVER busy.

Fact of the matter is is a lot of establishments downtown don't seem to be doing so well despite all the ticket buyers in and out of there.

So will the behavior change with the arena downtown? That's the big question. Will people really be going out for dinner and drinks before or after. if they don't downtown businesses still suffer.

I live downtown. Chop downtown is busy downtown as a lunch spot not a dinner spot. It's kind of a strange spot to go for dinner. Zinc is not being open at 10:40 seems a bit odd as well but they probably do their last seating at 8:00 or something as it is quite a formal restaurant.

Try going to Cactus, Canteen, North 53, Bricco, Corso, etc. All these spots are really busy and they're downtown. Additionally, old mainstays like Hardware.

Not really sure what you are arguing about now though bringing up restaurants and their feasibility based on a downtown arena. These restaurants were all opened well prior to the arena being located downtown.

 

[McDNicks17]

just saw the trailer for Yoga Hosers.

going to be a bad, bad movie. I'll watch it. lol

Saw that Johnny Depp and Kevin Smith's daughters were in it in the sidebar thinger of Facebook.

They've got quite the names.

Lily-Rose Melody Depp and Harley Quinn Smith.

 

[Replacement*]

I live downtown. Chop downtown is busy downtown as a lunch spot not a dinner spot. It's kind of a strange spot to go for dinner. Zinc is not being open at 10:40 seems a bit odd as well but they probably do their last seating at 8:00 or something as it is quite a formal restaurant.

Try going to Cactus, Canteen, North 53, Bricco, Corso, etc. All these spots are really busy and they're downtown. Additionally, old mainstays like Hardware.

Not really sure what you are arguing about now though bringing up restaurants and their feasibility based on a downtown arena. These restaurants were all opened well prior to the arena being located downtown.

Could seem to be a tangent but the discussion originated in postulating what benefit in SC/Sky seating there actually is to Katz and with that apparently being the before and after game sales. i.e. fans staying and spending money there. Or arriving early. Even though this pattern isn't evident at Winspear, Citadel, SCC, AGA, etc.
Just saying that the noted trend is that people go to these places for events then go home.

The whole reason for building the arena downtown was to invigorate, revitalize the downtown. To get it hopping, busy. As for places like Corso I'm not swayed by 40 seat diners meaning that a lot of people are eating out downtown. Cactus? lol. glorified Earls. Hardware? This isn't 1996 to quote you. Overpriced menu from an establishment that laid an egg in their latest Alberta Hotel offering.

 

[Philly85*]

The **** is johnny depp doing with his career

I guess when youre that rich and married to a smoke show not much matters

 

[Arpeggio]

Could seem to be a tangent but the discussion originated in postulating what benefit in SC/Sky seating there actually is to Katz and with that apparently being the before and after game sales. i.e. fans staying and spending money there. Or arriving early. Even though this pattern isn't evident at Winspear, Citadel, SCC, AGA, etc.
Just saying that the noted trend is that people go to these places for events then go home.

The whole reason for building the arena downtown was to invigorate, revitalize the downtown. To get it hopping, busy. As for places like Corso I'm not swayed by 40 seat diners meaning that a lot of people are eating out downtown. Cactus? lol. glorified Earls. Hardware? This isn't 1996 to quote you. Overpriced menu from an establishment that laid an egg in their latest Alberta Hotel offering.

He wasn't judging the restaurants, he was saying those restaurants are busy every night.

 

[Replacement*]

He wasn't judging the restaurants, he was saying those restaurants are busy every night.

Hardware Grill is half empty most nights. Presumably because people got tired of spending 300 bucks out for dinner and getting mediocre food and service. Their companion restaurant in Alberta Hotel shutdown due to lack of interest.

Corso seats 40 people.

These are busy Edmonton restaurants?

I guess I can rent a small room, call it a restaurant, put up two chairs, and say its busy..

Again the sidebar is about entertainment district patrons behaviors and that they don't necessarily stay before and after events anymore than they will in Sky or SN lounges.

I think the only reason I would go to either is to get a glimpse at the new arena. Proably won't even bother to order the 10buck beer..

 

[oilers9799]

Hardware Grill is half empty most nights. Presumably because people got tired of spending 300 bucks out for dinner and getting mediocre food and service. Their companion restaurant in Alberta Hotel shutdown due to lack of interest.

Corso seats 40 people.

These are busy Edmonton restaurants?

I guess I can rent a small room, call it a restaurant, put up two chairs, and say its busy..

Again the sidebar is about entertainment district patrons behaviors and that they don't necessarily stay before and after events anymore than they will in Sky or SN lounges.

I think the only reason I would go to either is to get a glimpse at the new arena. Proably won't even bother to order the 10buck beer..

You were saying that restaurants in downtown need the arena to ensure people are downtown afterwards for their viability. I am showing you that is not the case by pointing out busy restaurants without the arena.

Furthermore, I am not really commenting on the quality of food. Hardware is still the choice of businesses downtown whether you like it or not. I'm sure when the Hyatt opens it will drive further business to them. Regarding cactus club, just because you're not a fan of it doesn't mean the rest of Edmonton isn't. I think they're doing alright considering its jammed on Thursday Friday Saturday nights and often on other weeknights. Basically all these businesses show that they will do just fine with or without the arena.

Lastly, I think you need to get off your high horse, stating that you could open a restaurant that would be as busy as Corso. If you go to many major cities, there are small successful restaurants just like Corso. The Corso concept isn't even that small anymore considering Daniel Costa owns Bar Bricco next door and is opening another restaurant on the other side. I'm not sure where Edmonton restauranteurs had to open 200 seat restaurants to be considered successful...

 

[oilers9799]

Hardware Grill is half empty most nights. Presumably because people got tired of spending 300 bucks out for dinner and getting mediocre food and service. Their companion restaurant in Alberta Hotel shutdown due to lack of interest.

Corso seats 40 people.

These are busy Edmonton restaurants?

I guess I can rent a small room, call it a restaurant, put up two chairs, and say its busy..

Again the sidebar is about entertainment district patrons behaviors and that they don't necessarily stay before and after events anymore than they will in Sky or SN lounges.

I think the only reason I would go to either is to get a glimpse at the new arena. Proably won't even bother to order the 10buck beer..

Tavern (Alberta Hotel) closed because of a lease dispute not because of lack of interest. Check your facts before throwing out random statements.

 

[Replacement*]

Tavern (Alberta Hotel) closed because of a lease dispute not because of lack of interest. Check your facts before throwing out random statements.

lol

That was the official stated reason. Even prior to that the restaurant was often closed unexpectedly and had increasingly reduced hours and less frequent instances of being open.

The dispute was more about not making any money and wanting a better lease. Plus that they had so little business there they couldn't keep staff who made no tips in a mostly empty establishment.

The place died as soon as the Charcuterie, chevre, pork belly, bacon jam, macaroni/cheese eating bunch got tired of it. As they have apparently with the similarly useless Hardware Grill.

Theres another restaurant in Alberta Hotel now. By default it would be better.

 

[Gord]

The **** is johnny depp doing with his career

I guess when youre that rich and married to a smoke show not much matters

I can respect him being in such a stupid movie. when you're that rich and famous, might as well do as you want and just have some fun.

 

[Paralyzer]

I can respect him being in such a stupid movie. when you're that rich and famous, might as well do as you want and just have some fun.

Doesn't Johnny Depp usually play the weirdest roles and quirkiest movies any ways? He's good at doing those roles. So like you said, just having some fun.

Some pictures of his roles in movies:

 

[PBandJ]

Anyone know any decent chiropractors?

My back has been a mess lately and I've had to miss a lot of work because of it, hoping maybe seeing a chiro will help somewhat.

 

[Spawn]

The **** is johnny depp doing with his career

I guess when youre that rich and married to a smoke show not much matters

It's not small indie films like Yoga Hosers (and the predecessor Tusk) that have hurt Depp's career. It's continuous big budget Hollywood bombs like The Lone Ranger, Transcendence and Mordecai.

 

[Philly85*]

Of course, but it's all of it. He's done a slew of terrible movies both big and small the past few years.

And please don't anyone tell me Tusk was good. I watched the entire thing. Was absolutely ridiculous, and he was *intentionally* terrible in it.

Black Mass was a major disappointment by most people's standards and even though he put forth an IMO great performance as Whitey Bulger, it was largely overlooked and the movie was just mediocre.

I think the last good thing I saw him in, both performance and movie was Sweeney Todd. Guy was a great actor in his prime but I guess his best days are behind him now.