by Ross Kaplan on September 29, 2010
“Don’t Mind Me”
I really don’t care if you talk on your cell phone within my earshot in public (trust me, you’re not that interesting).
And I don’t necessarily lose it when you dawdle using the ATM while I’m standing behind you.
But — and here’s the part that seems self-evident — if you’re going to tie up the ATM machine while there’s a line(!!), you may just want to delay taking that cell phone call.
I and two other people got treated to this exceptionally boorish behavior at an Uptown ATM earlier today.
(Try this in a less patient, “Minnesota-Nice” city than Minneapolis and you’ll get more than cold stares.)
by Ross Kaplan on September 29, 2010
The Factor in Selling a Home Today
If you have a choice between price and terms . . pick terms.
–famous real estate line
Once upon a time, when mortgage rates were in the stratosphere, “terms” — specifically, financing terms, if the Seller was providing it — were everything in real estate deals.
Fast forward to today’s environment of free money (for banks) and very, very cheap money (for home Buyers with decent credit).
Once a listed home is well-staged, photographed, and otherwise well-marketed . . . the only factor that’s left is price (that insight per City Lakes Office Manager Josh Kaplan).
by Ross Kaplan on September 29, 2010
Review, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”
I went to see Oliver Stone’s last film the other night.
And by that, I don’t mean his most recent film — I literally mean, the last film he is likely to make (at least with a big studio budget, at least for a long while).
That’s because it was wretchedly bad.
So bad that, even with a subject near and dear to my heart, Wall Street, and a clutch of great actors (Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin, Eli Wallach), I couldn’t stomach more than 30 minutes or so.
So I didn’t, and left (but not before catching Stone in one of his uncredited cameos, though).
Coming on the heels of such disappointments as “Alexander” and “W,” you’d guess it’s at least awhile before Stone gets bankrolled again.
by Ross Kaplan on September 29, 2010
In a Word: ‘More’
Want a one word summary for the new Linden Hills Co-op that just opened near 44th and France, about six blocks west of the old location?
“More.”
As in, more floor space (I’d guess at least double); more parking; more deli space and prepared foods; more eat-in dining tables for enjoying all those prepared foods, etc.
Twin Cities’ Most Expensive Salad Bar?
And, at least for some items, more money: at $8.99 per pound, the Co-op’s salad bar out-does even Whole Foods.
Tempering the sticker shock somewhat: great specials on selected items like Muir Glen Pasta Sauce ($2.50, vs. $4-plus regularly), as well as $5 coupons every two months for members.
Given the high quality (if expensive) food and produce, and the new, more accessible location, the Co-op can expect lots more members.
