Ames called worst BIG XII town

[StLouisClone]

Who cares? This is one man's opinion. As others pointed out, it's probably based on one trip he took to Ames several years ago (if he's even been there). So Ames doesn't have a Westin or Ritz-Carlton Hotel or a five-star restaurant. Those might be great to a sports reporter but that's not what really matters to a college student. I'll take Ames along with its beautiful campus, top-notch recreational facilities with ample parking and friendly people.

 

[chuckd4735]

Having managed a restaurant or two over the years, here's what you do (it's not really difficult. Seriously).

1. Ask your waitperson to have the manager come to your table.

2. Ask the manager (firmly) to put the game on, and if he/she cannot comply , ask why not?

Not complicated, is it?

First off, even if the manager simply refuses, you will encourage your fellow customers to make the same request. So don't whisper.

In some cases, in this day and age of canned "ambience", either there is no OTA radio at all, or there is no link from the TV's to the overhead speakers. Either of those can be remedied by management or ownership, given persistent customer interest.

Or tell the manager you'll take your patronage elswhere.

Oddly enough, restaurants like to make money. They do what the customers want. :yes:

When you are watching the game in the hometown of the university that is playing, you should not have to do this. None the less, we asked the bartenders at Olde Main many times throughout the basketball season last year; they always denied us.

 

[Aclone]

Well, I'll disagree. There's plenty to do in Ames and it is a great town. There are a lot of good places in Ames to eat and drink that I had no idea were there while I was a student. I think that the town has made major steps forward in the last few years. And it's getting better every year.

To me, the only thing really lacking in that now the big concerts go to Des Moines, instead of the "good 'ol days" at Hilton or the Jack. :yes:

I was amazed at how many places there were/are to eat in Ames-besides Hickery Park. You just have to get away from campustown.

 

[2forISU]

They need to invest some money into Ames. It need's a lot of help!

 

[Aclone]

When you are watching the game in the hometown of the university that is playing, you should not have to do this. None the less, we asked the bartenders at Olde Main many times throughout the basketball season last year; they always denied us.

So go over their heads. That's why I said "manager".

If that doesn't work (assuming the general manager works days), drop a note for the owner. Owners really love letters like that. :biggrin:

 

[chuckd4735]

So go over their heads. That's why I said "manager".

If that doesn't work (assuming the general manager works days), drop a note for the owner. Owners really love letters like that. :biggrin:

Again, this should not even be an issue in the HOMETOWN of the university that is playing in the game.

 

[Tornado man]

outside of the state.......... Iowa is statistically one of the better places for public schools. but what is ames inside the state

Ames might be the best in Iowa.
Ames High School was named as one of the top two high schools in Iowa (along with CR Kennedy) last year by US News. I think it would follow that if Ames High is ranked so high state-wide (and nationally), the elementary and middle schools would have to be just as good.

 

[Aclone]

Again, this should not even be an issue in the HOMETOWN of the university that is playing in the game.

I got that. But obviously it is, so get it over with, deal with the problem, make them put the game on--and then it won't be an issue any more.

 

[PGreen ISU '92]

The campus itself is second to none along with the architecture, splendor, and beauty that is Iowa State Center (Jack Trice Stadium, Hilton Coliseum, Scheman Building, Steven Auditorium, and the Fisher Theater). Ames is my favorite city in America followed by Charleston, SC and Seattle, WA on a sunny day.

 

[bmuff]

Again, this should not even be an issue in the HOMETOWN of the university that is playing in the game.

You're right, but if the employees don't want to turn off the music and turn on the TV audio, I'd speak with my wallet. That is, unless you are out for the microbrew more than the game. I do know that OMB owners are big Clone fans (hence the Clone Ale). But it's their business decision to not have game audio on. It would be my business decision to walk across the street. I'd bet that there are at least 5-7 places just in that area that have audio for ISU games.

 

[bmuff]

They need to invest some money into Ames. It need's a lot of help!

How about closing off the first block of Welch Ave and making it a plaza? How about a new mall with new stores and restaurants by the interstate? How about a totally renovated North Grand Mall? How about a Menards, a Kohls, a Japanese steakhouse, a Mongolian Grill and a Buffalo Wild Wings? How about a new entertainment center with bowling, lazer tag, an arcade, a sportsbar and a pizza restaurant? I've heard rumors of all of those in the works if they aren't already in place.

Like I said, the city is making major strides. They FINALLY have some good people on the City Council making good decisions (still a few nutjobs to weed out though). Things are happening, and of course this economic situation is slowing things down, but Ames is slowly turning into a more progressive city.

 

[Wesley]

He also mentioned one of the bigger stories bouncing arounf that if Weis loses out, he may be gone:

Stop The Madness

A Chicago Sun-Times story Monday shed much more heat than light on the tenure of Charlie Weis (28) at Notre Dame. The story declared that "The Weis Watch is officially on," but lacked even the slightest substantiation for that assertion beyond the Fighting Irish's continued lousy play against decent opposition.

 

[Aclone]

"...but lacked even the slightest substantiation for that assertion beyond the Fighting Irish's continued lousy play against decent opposition.

Does it even really need more substantiation?!!! :biglaugh:

 

[WalkingCY]

Shut up Forde. You piece.

Worst town = Manhattan, KS

 

[CrossCyed]

There's no way we're worse than Manhattan.

 

[Clonehomer]

Hey, as a resident of Ames I actually don't mind the bad pub. I like the small town atmosphere and if it keeps people away I'm all for it. I know how great of a town Ames is and beyond that I really don't care what others think of it. We've got great schools, friendly people, and sufficient entertainment for me. If you're used to a big city this isn't the place for you, but it sure beats anything the SEC has to raise a family.

 

[cybsball20]

If you're used to a big city this isn't the place for you, but it sure beats anything the SEC has to raise a family.

A few years back Gainesville was ranked as the number one place to live by Money Magazine... It is still a GREAT place to raise a family...

 

[hawkeyeguy85]

bottom line here is Forde is an awful columnist, that is rarely consistent month-to-month, EVEN COLUMN to COLUMN with his opinions, rather just rides what is simply hot during the hour or two he takes to bang out his column.

Plus, aside from this stupid dash thing, most of his columns on a specific subject tend to be unnecessarily negative. Likes to pile on during his columns and tv appearances.

 

[cybsball20]

bottom line here is Forde is an awful columnist, that is rarely consistent month-to-month, EVEN COLUMN to COLUMN with his opinions, rather just rides what is simply hot during the hour or two he takes to bang out his column.

Plus, aside from this stupid dash thing, most of his columns on a specific subject tend to be unnecessarily negative. Likes to pile on during his columns and tv appearances.

Nah, Forde is as good as they get... People just need to chill out...

 

[Broodwich]

We typically hit up Olde Main every Wednesday night, and last year during basketball road games, not once would they have the audio from the game playing over the speakers. The TV's would be tuned to the game, but music would be playing in the background. I was told they did the same thing for the UNLV and Baylor football games this year as well.

For those interested you should ask the proprietor of Olde Main just how difficult it was to get that place open. It is a minor miracle that they were able to open after the fight that the City of Ames put up. That is one of the few bright spots in Ames. I would venture to say that that place has single-handedly revitalized Main Street of Ames. We finally have some local color and they are now selling it regionally.

I have lived in Boulder and Iowa City. These communities are light years ahead of Ames. Boulder has The Hill and the Pearl Street Mall. Iowa City has the Ped Mall. The Iowa State campus has character it's beautiful and I am going to leave it squarely out of this rant. Ames however is non-descript. It's common. There's nothing to differentiate it from Boone or Oskaloosa or any other moderately sized Iowa town. There is no defining place that characterizes this home of a major University. I agree that turning Welch in to a pestrian only district would work wonders. I also think that they should bring the Dinky back to bridge the two entertainment district with something distinctive.

The question I have is where is THE great local place to watch a game? Where is our Sports Column? Where is our Kams? Where is our Eskimo Joes? Where is the tavern/restaurant that is the unequivocal home of the Cyclones? And why isn't the marching band playing "roll out the barrel" in campustown on friday nights before home football games?