After a long-anticipated wait, the Olive Garden, located at 3160 32nd Ave. S. near the ColumbiaMall, will have its first day of business on Monday, Jan. 23. It’s been a long time since I have enjoyed that wonderful salad and breadstick combination at an Olive Garden Restaurant. I know many of us who drive up 32nd Avenue have watched it evolve as it was built from the ground up. I know I have said this before but the number of restaurants in Grand Forks is just baffling, and I know that competition is always good for the consumer, but one can only hope that there is enough of the pie to go around. Olive Garden has already built a name for its self and owns a special niche in the restaurant industry when it comes to food. They also have a wonderful philanthropy niche as well. The Harvest Food Donation Program, one of the Olive Gardens charitable offshoots, is committed to making a difference in the lives of others in the local community. One of the ways they do that is through ourDarden Harvest program. At the end of each day, they freeze and safelystoresurplus food items for local community food banks to pick up and supply to those in need. Since its inception, and with support of other Olive Garden restaurants in the United States and Canada,Darden Harvesthas donated more than 35 million pounds of food with a fair market value in excess of $300 million to local community food banks across the country. What a great way to give back to the communities which they serve. I think that’s one of the reasons that this great restaurant has become so popular. They go the extra mile not just in their kitchens across the country, and now in Grand Forks, but also in the communities in which they operate. We welcome the Olive Garden Restaurant to Grand Forks and know they will be a great addition to our community.
Alfonso Rodriguez: Enough is enough
Eight years ago in Grand Forks an event touched our lives almost to the degree of the 1997 flood. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. came to Grand Forks and kidnapped and killed one of the members of our community, Dru Sjodin. Not only did he turn the Sjodin family’s life upside down, but he harmed this community. As I watch and read the news, time and again this guy’s ugly face pops up. It happened again yesterday and I thought to myself, “Why is this guy still in the news? Why is he still in the court system wasting millions of our taxpayer dollars? What is wrong with our judicial system?” I remember the Oklahoma City bombings when Timothy McVeigh was tried and convicted of that horrific crime. I do not in any way condone what McVeigh did, but after he was convicted and sentenced to death, he asked for his penalty and didn’t appeal his sentence. He manned up, accepted his fate for what he had done, and was executed. I don’t respect Mr. McVeigh at all; however I do respect him accepting his fate. Alfonso Rodriguez is a sex offender, kidnapper, killer and now a coward. Does he actually believe that his conviction is going to be overturned, or that Matlock is going to come to his rescue and find the person who set poor Alfonso up? I am so sick of the time and money wasted on this man, and that still today, eight years after he killed this beautiful young woman from Grand Forks, our community still has to read about his appeals. To the members of the Sjodin family, my thoughts and prayers are still with you, and know that some day when our judicial process wakes up, you will no longer wonder, “When does it end?” It will be over. Enough is enough Alfonso Rodriguez! Man up and accept your fate.
Family gives even in face of its own tragedy
After losing a loved-one, a Grand Forks family wants to help others in the community. They’ve started a foundation to raise awarenessand build ahospitality housein the area. A Grand Forks woman who died nearly five years ago is having an impact on people’s lives today thanks to her family. In Shannon Larson’s memory, her family is making sure what happened to her won’t happen to anyone else. Shannon died after suffering from dehydration during a hiking trip in Arizona after she had moved away. After coping with Shannon’s death, her family wanted to make a difference in the town she grew up in. They started the Sunshine Memorial Foundation and this year The Sunshine Fest will help raise money to build a Hospitality House for those who need it. The Larson family also raised nearly $8,000 dollars last year with a walk and fun run, and they’re helping to raise awareness about the importance of hydration for hikers. “We do need to make a difference and if we can save one life that would be good,” Van said. If you would like to register, donate or volunteer you can log onto www.sunshinememorial.org . The Sunshine Fest runs January 19 through 21 with award winning country artist Paulette Carlson.
Source:WDAZ-TV