Is there a profile configuration item that sends email alerts?  I saw a switch on the bottom of these messages - however, I'd like it to be permanent - that every post/reply sends me an email alert to check the forum.

If you click on your Account Name on the top-right and go to Account Settings, you'll see an option for "Notification Settings" on the right. You can manage your notifications there to get notified for any replies to content that you've posted.

If you're looking to get notified about new topics in Core4, you can go to the Core4 forums and click on the "Follow" button.

Hope this helps!

-Francis