By JANE MCCLURE

Several area neighborhoods lack sidewalk connections, sometimes for a block or several blocks. That’s a problem for walkers, children on bikes or trikes, and people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. It can mean crossing the street to travel or in some cases, traveling in mixed traffic.

For property owners, sidewalks add installation as well as ongoing maintenance expense. That’s why the notion of adding the walkways can generate so much controversy, as happened recently in the North End.

Getting infill sidewalks added in the future will be easier if Ward Five Council Member Amy Brendmoen is able to craft new policies for the city’s street paving program. But during the upcoming summer construction season, one North End residents who wanted infill sidewalks added as part of an upcoming street paving project will be disappointed.

Because the request for sidewalks was made so late in the street project planning process, Brendmoen said a request for a sidewalk along Kent Street’s west side from Orange Avenue to Wheelock Parkway would be denied.

Typically when the city redoes neighborhood streets, existing sidewalks are replaced as needed. Under the Residential Street Vitality Program, residents pay 25 percent and the city pays the rest. But in this case, there isn’t a sidewalk on Ken’s west side. Some residents contend that would add too much to project costs.

“I think sidewalks are important,” Brendmoen said. She wants to change the city’s Residential Street Vitality Program so that future projects include potential costs of infill sidewalks up front.

That action disappointed one group of North End residents, who wants to see the sidewalk installed along Kent. More than a dozen people attended a May public hearing on the sidewalk issue, including several children.

Deborah Kuebler and her family live on Front Avenue, and use Kent frequently. They told the City Council in May that the area isn’t safe for pedestrians. “Our area has a hill and vehicles tend to speed up there,” she said. Her children would use the sidewalk to get to friends’ homes and other destinations.

Deann Urbaniak-Lesch lives on Wheelock Parkway “I feel badly that we as a neighborhood are so split on this issue.” But she walks frequently and agrees with the safety concerns, saying a sidewalk is very much needed.

Others vehemently protested the idea of sidewalks. Concerns ranged from not wanting to pay for sidewalks to not wanting to move landscaping that has been planted in a city right-of-way.

Forest Lake resident Corrine Mitsch owns rental properties at 1309 and 1311 Kent St. “I am opposed to any sidewalk there,” she said. She and her tenants testified at they wouldn’t be able to keep the sidewalks cleared of snow, and that paying for snow removal could make rents cost-prohibitive.

Steve Nelson lives on the part of Wheelock Parkway eyed for sidewalks. He said installing them would be “a classic overreach” by city government. He also contended that adding sidewalks would be detrimental to the area and would affect neighborhood character.

First row left to right: Leland Engelking, Joseph Lallier, Zach Wells, Lucas Wells, Daniel Ramerez. Second row: Mitchell Lallier, Amen Ellbeshy, Ahmed Ellbeshy, Brandon Latourneau, Jonah Engelking, Youssef Abdallah and Emanuel Woods.

Midway YMCA has always been a hotbed for Handball. A few key long time handball players Gary Aeles, Rich Ryan, Emanuel Woods, Ray Miller, Greg Taylor, Ted Bergstrom ( 83 years young) and all the other handball players have helped build a new group of young handball players at the Y.

David Miller (16 years old) took first place in the A Division at the Minnesota State Handball tournament last weekend. Jesus Cordova (17 years Old) took 3 place in the B division.

The really good news is the Minnesota State Handball recognize the need to invite more young players to join them at the state handball tournament (April 27 ) at the University of Minnesota. Matt Johnson Director of Recreation (handball player) set up two courts to allow 9 young handball players from the Midway YMCA and 2 players from Mankato into the tournament.

Sportsmanship, support of the other players, hard play and having fun was some of the key ingredient to this Youth 2 bounce tournament. The 9 players were from 4 different countries and all have been playing for only 3 months.

The 3 top finisher were Zach Wells, Joseph Lallier and Youssef Abdallah. All the participants Ahmed Ellebishy, Amen Ellbishy, Jonah Engelking, Lelan Engelking, Lucas Wells, Braden Latourneau were all great sports and all were winners.

The newly formed Rice Street Festival Committee has many more community members involved in the festival, which runs from Wed., July 24-Sun., July 28.

By DEBORAH BROTZ

While the Rice Street Festival is the oldest community festival around going back to 1910, it is always changing. This year the Free Family Fun Night has been expanded to include many more activities. And, the newly formed Rice Street Festival Committee has many more community members involved in the festival, which runs from Wed., July 24-Sun., July 28.

“The festival committee is just expanding its volunteer base,” said Kirsten Libby, chair of the Rice Street Festival Committee and president of the North End Business Association (NEBA). “We’re getting more help from the community. Many hands make light work. We put a group together so more people from the community can get involved.”

Now, there’s a little more structure and involvement.

“Louis Ryg, who had been our parade director for many years, retired,” said Libby. “He handled so much. We had to bring new people on and get people educated as to what he did. Cindy Shanley retired as well so we have a new royalty director, Monette Moorman. Between Cindy retiring and Louis retiring, we had to fill a gap.”

In addition to Moorman, Don Apitz is the new parade director; Gidget Bailey, from Tin Cup’s, and Kevin Barrett, from Dar’s Double Scoop, are sharing activities director; while Gina Stokes, recreation director at Rice Street Recreation Center, is in charge of Family Fun Night at the center.

Libby, owner of Libby Law Office, wanted to be chair of the Rice Street Festival Committee for many reasons.

“I do like to be involved in the North End,” she said. “There are so many good things going on. The festival is a good opportunity to showcase Rice Street and the North End. With as many people who work on Rice Street, the festival shows the commitment and enthusiasm these volunteers have.”

The committee decided to expand the Family Fun Night because it’s so popular with families.

“It was so well-attended and liked last year,” said Libby. “It’s an opportunity for good, clean, free family fun for kids and their parents.”

Family Fun Night will be held Fri., July 26, at the Rice Street Recreation Center, 1022 Marion St. and will feature several activities from 6 to 8 p.m.: a rock climbing wall, a jump castle, carnival games, face painting, temporary tatoos, and spin art and button making. A fire truck and a canine unit are also planned to be at the festival. At 8 p.m., a free outdoor movie, “Wreck It Ralph,” will be shown.

The schedule of festival activities is: Wed., July 24, Old Timers Softball Game; Thurs., July 25, Rice Street Festival Parade; Fri., July 26, Family Fun Night; Sat., July 27, Kickball Tournament, on athletic fields at Rice Street and Lawson across the street from Dar’s Double Scoop and JMT Subs. The Car Show and the High Heel Race are also on Saturday, which people can register for at Dar’s Double Scoop. Sun., July 28, is the Queen Coronation.

Apitz, who moved to the Rice Street area from Isanti in February 2013, helped out with the Isanti Parade as a float driver for the Isanti Ambassador Program for 15 years.

“I love community involvement,” he said. “The Rice Street Parade director was stepping down. It was the perfect opportunity to help the community I’m in. The more volunteers you have, the better everything is.”

Finding it difficult to pinpoint one parade highlight, Apitz says he’s trying to make the whole parade a highlight.

“There is one thing,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of fire trucks. I’m trying to get all the fire trucks from the area that represent the different areas. When the little kids see a city block of fire trucks with sirens and lights flashing, it’s exciting. The Half Pint Marching Band from Farnsworth Elementary will be in the parade. A lot of schools don’t have marching bands.”

Moorman, who was a past Rice Street Princess six years ago, brings her past experience to her new position as royalty director.

“We like to keep our Royalty Program really based in the community,” she said. “We’d like to get more royalty from the Rice Street area.”

Moorman is in charge of the Kickoff Dinner, on Mon., June 24; the Fashion Show, on Mon., July 15; and the Coronation, on Sun., July 28.

The Kickoff Dinner is the introduction of candidates running for Rice Street Royalty. The social starts at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and will be catered by TST, at Ideal Hall, 1494 Dale St. N.

“This is their first chance to be seen by the public,” said Moorman. “It’s a fun way to raise money for the festival. We also do a dessert auction.”

The Fashion Show also starts at 6 p.m. with a social hour, and at 7 p.m., the show starts. It will be held at the Klub Haus, 1079 Rice St.

“This is another one of our fund-raisers we do to support the festival,” said Moorman.

People can get in to the Coronation on July 28 with a button that costs $5. They will be available at many local businesses in the area on June 25.

The purpose of the Rice Street Festival is to celebrate the community.

“It presents the opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their neighborhood, their history, and their diversity,” said Libby.

Libby hopes people appreciate all the hard work volunteers have done to make the festival the best it can be.

“I hope that we have a lot of people participate, and they really have a good time,” she said.

For information, visit: ricestreetfestival.com

May Park, one of the city’s mini-parks, did get recommended for 2014-2015 funding on June 10 just as the Monitor went to press. But its fate won’t be known until year’s end, when the St. Paul City Council adopts the capital budget. (Photo by Denis Woulfe)

By JANE MCCLURE

Some Hamline-Midway residents may not know about May Park. One member of St. Paul’s Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Committee called May Park “the saddest little park I have ever seen.” Hamline-Midway Coalition calls it “the park that time forgot.” But unless city officials act, the park’s old equipment may remain in place for at least a few more years.

May Park is what the city calls a “mini-park,” on a .81 acre site on Clayland Place, just west of Fairview Avenue and south of Newell Park. Its equipment is more than 25 years old. It has the dubious distinction of ranking fifth citywide, out of 77 play areas needing work due to safety, accessibility and existing conditions.

May Park’s equipment include an old six-swing swing set, a wood and metal toddler-sized slide and a slightly leaning merry-go-round. The merry-go-round is of the type area parents and grandparents might remember playing on. It isn’t the type of equipment the city has used for many years.

Its site includes a field area and trees that also need attention. One concern St. Paul Department of Parks and Recreation staff has is that the park’s two old oak trees have soil compaction because of years of children playing beneath them. “To preserve and protect these trees, any new park amenities such as a play area should be located away from the root zones, yet still take advantage of the tree canopy,” a city staff report said.

If and when the project is funded, May Park would get new, relocated pay equipment. Work would be done to improve the field and address the issues facing the trees. A sidewalk would be added on the park’s north side. The project has an estimated cost of $254,000.

“Ths is absolutely the saddest little park I have ever seen,” said CIB Committee Member Kellie Charles Connor. “It has the only old merry-go-round still being used in the entire city.”

“It looks like one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of the play areas,” said CIB Committee Member Melanie McMahon.

But the two women were unable to get May Park moved up into the ranks for committee funding. With more than 100 projects vying for funds for the next two years, May Park faces staunch competition.

Hamline-Midway Coalition ranked the park third. The district council’s top priority was multi-model improvements to Snelling Avenue, which also have missed out on funding.

“We do hear from people saying from time to time that they would like to see the park improved,” said Hamline Midway Coalition Executive Director MichaelJon Olson. But the capital budget request came from Parks and Recreation.

In a letter to the CIB Committee, the Coalition stated, “The existing play area is antiquated and referred to by local residents as ‘the playground that time forgot.’ As the proposal notes, the existing play equipment is not accessible to those with disabilities and does not meet current playground safety standards. Also, the multi-purpose field is sorely in need of rehabilitation.”

But what hurt the park in the eyes of some CIB Committee members was not having a group of neighborhood residents lobbying for support. But some neighbors said they didn’t know the proposal was being heard and that they would have attended a hearing.

Of the households around the park, 24% of households have children under the age of 18, according to the 2010 US Census.

On the wide water slide, groups of up to four can slide down together. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

One spot has it all: pool, zoo, amusement rides, and conservatory

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSON

Kids and water go together like peanut butter and jelly. If your kids are anything like mine, they spend the summer asking for pool days.

Give them their wish without stretching your budget.

An affordable afternoon is as close as Como Regional Pool Park. There’s no need to drive out to the suburbs anymore. My family of four bought a family pass of $16 for the day. Those with more than five in the family pay an additional $3 for each person.

Got a smaller group? The fee for children under 48 inches is $4.50, and those under age 16 is $5. Adults are $6.50 and seniors cost $6. If you don’t want to get wet, pay $2 for a non-swimming deck fee. Those coming with more than 10 people qualify for reduced group rates.

You may want to check out the family season pass. For $195, your family can swim whenever they want at any of the city’s three water parks: Como Regional Pool Park, Highland Aquatic Center and the indoor Great River Water Park.

Open since June 2012, the city-run Como Pool has something for everyone.

The younger kids will love the zero-depth entry area with sprinklers, and the water fun table situated under a shade canopy. There are three waterslides kids of all ages can enjoy that empty into a two-foot-deep area. The wide slide was a big hit with my four-year-old daughter. It’s not easy to find waterslides she go on, let alone a slide she can ride with a parent.

Older kids (and parents) will love the zip line, cliff jumping area, and aquatic climbing wall.

There’s also a 25-yard lap pool with basketball hoops, and a 400-foot lazy river.

Plus, you can feel good about swimming in a pool that has half the chlorine of others, thanks to sphagnum moss filters. St. Paul was the first city in the nation to adopt sphagnum moss treatment in its municipal pools and with its partner, Creative Water Solutions, Inc., won the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention in 2011. Other green features at the one-year-old water park include high-efficiency Neptune-Benson filters in the mechanical room that allow the pool to use less water than conventional filters; 12 solar tubes on the roof heat that water for the showers and concession stand; and rain gardens in the parking lot that reduce run-off.

Open swim hours at Como are weekdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more about the pool at the St. Paul City web site http://www.stpaul.gov.

Lots more to do

When the kids are done swimming, check out the many other attractions that are just a hop, skip and a jump away. (Browse http://www.comozooconservatory.org/) If you’re like us, you might not have time to see everything in one day, but we’ll be back.

The Carousel

For just $2 a person, you can take a spin on Cafesjian’s Carousel. Originally located for 75 years at the Minnesota State Fair, it is now owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Our Fair Carousel, Inc. Volunteers have restored the carousel to its 1914 appearance. It was installed in a new pavilion next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in 2000.

The Zoo

Como Zoo’s gorillas got a new home in June 2013 when the Gorilla Forest opened. The larger space of 10,000 square feet is about two and half times larger the former outdoor space. The new exhibit is raised so that visitors get an eye-to-eye, up close and personal views of the gorillas.

Admission to the zoo is always free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer.

Como Zoo features a seal island, a large cat exhibit, a variety of aquatic life, primates, birds, African hoofed animals and a world class polar bear exhibit. Don’t miss the ever popular Sparky the Sea Lion’s show, held weekend days at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Como Town

Soar like an eagle 85 feet in the air on Como Town’s newest attraction, an exhilarating zip line. A double seat comfortably and safely accommodates two riders from one end of the amusement park to the other. There are more than 18 rides and attractions in Como Town, including the Splash Zone. In addition to the paid rides, there are free entertainment, events, and activities for the kids. After 4 p.m., an unlimited ride wristband is $14.95.

The Conservatory

Don’t forget to bring mom to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory before your day is over. The conservatory’s half acre indoor and outdoor facility features several wings dedicated to a variety of plant life including bonsai trees, ferns, orchids and seasonal flowers.

By JAN WILLMS

There is an old saying that what goes around comes around. The actions and thoughts that you emit into the universe will someday be returned to you.

And for Bowen and Nancy Phelps, residents of Albert Street, this old axiom is coming true.

Friends, family, neighbors and co-workers are joining together to present a fund-raiser for the couple June 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. on Albert Street, between Hoyt and Nebraska Avenues.

They are both suffering from cancer, and all the volunteering and support and friendship they have offered over the years is being returned in full to them.

“It’s kind of a boomerang commitment to life,” said long-time friend Bill O’Neill. “You get back what you give.”

Bowen had a seizure at his work as a sales associate for Century Link nearly a year ago, and was eventually diagnosed with brain cancer. Nancy had been diagnosed with a slow-moving leukemia ten years ago.

Recently both have been undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing exhaustion, as well as dramatic increases in insurance co-pays.

“That is what they are most concerned about,” said Erin Phelps-Stark, Bowen’s sister. “Bowen is not working, and they knew their insurance would change. Bowen has had two surgeries, chemo and radiation.”

She said that quite a few people are in love with her brother, and she and her other brothers and sisters are putting the fundraiser together. Nancy’s siblings are also helping.

“Our younger brother is a pit master, and he is hauling a smoker up from Florida,” Phelps-Stark said. “My sister is doing face-painting, and another brother has been collecting prizes for an auction and raffle.”

Bracelets for $10 will be sold at the entrance, and this will provide the purchaser with a meal of pulled pork. Music, games and activities for children, a bake sale by Century Link Friends and a silent auction and raffle will all be a part of the day’s events.

O’Neill, who said his kids grew up with the Phelps’ three sons, identified Bowen and Nancy as always being the life of the party.

“They were people who, until this unfortunate event, gave to their friends and community whenever they could,” he said.

“Bowen is animated and full of life, a music lover,” he continued. “The best way to connect with him is watching him at a concert and seeing him enjoying himself.”

In spite of a recent tough round of chemotherapy, Bowen is planning to enjoy the block party with his family and friends.

“We have lived here awhile, and we go to church at St. Cecelia’s. All our kids grew up here, and I used to hang out by Muffuletta’s when I was in high school. My wife lived in the Como Park area her entire life. Everybody who we have touched has been in this general neighborhood,” he said.

On the flyers that have been passed out for the June event, there is a picture of a buffalo and the phrase “In the spirit of the Buffalo.”

“When the doctor told my wife that I had stage 4 brain cancer and the worst form you can have, my wife asked her if she couldn’t be more positive. The doctor said she had to be realistic. When my wife asked her what we could do, she said to surround ourselves with people with good thoughts and good spirits. She suggested we get a totem and visualize the cancer, which would help the internal body fight,” Bowen recalled.

He said he heard about a young kid who visualized Star Wars storm troopers attacking his cancer cells, and Bowen decided to go with a buffalo.

“I got a buffalo hide, and my brother had it blessed by a medicine man,” he said. “I wrap myself in it and think. Sometimes bad thoughts, sometimes good thoughts,” he admitted.

He said that personally, the fact that both he and his wife are currently fighting cancer leaves them both exhausted. But he said it does bring them closer together with their faith community and friends. People drop off gift cards or food, and he said the family really appreciates the kindness.

“The things I prefer doing, I can’t do right now,” Bowen continued. “I like to go to the boundary waters and kayak.” But he is hopeful that he will be able to do those activities once again.

For now, he likes to read and journal. Nancy likes to sketch and paint. And both are looking forward to the June block party. They are hoping sons Anthony, 14; Keith, 20 and Jason, 26, will all be able to attend.

“Everyone is invited. We’ll have lots of food, and we have to get rid of it,” Bowen joked.

O’Neill said he has always been impressed with Bowen and struggles he has overcome. Bowen currently has 30 years of sobriety.

“He had some real struggles early on, but he has taken all those emotions and turned them into something that has been positive. And he has been positive through all this.”

When artist Lori Greene first opened the doors of Mosaic on a Stick nine years ago on Snelling Avenue, she never thought the mosaic supply store, classroom and studio would one day occupy the historic old Hamline Park Building. Over Easter weekend, the shop moved its location to the two-story structure built in 1938. Above, Green poses with staffer Eamonn McLain in their new space. (Photo by Stefanie Berres)

By JAN WILLMS

When Hamline resident and artist Lori Greene first opened the doors of Mosaic on a Stick nine years ago on Snelling Avenue, she never thought the mosaic supply store, classroom and studio would one day occupy the historic old Hamline Park Building.

Over Easter weekend, the shop moved its location to 1564 Lafond Ave. and into the two-story structure built in 1938.

And on June 15, a grand opening will be held on the premises, with live music and food trucks brought in to add to the celebration.

Greene said the Hamline Park Building was constructed by the WPA and served as a parks building for the first 30 years of its life. It was then used by a series of nonprofits, but the space was greatly under-utilized.

Greene will make use of the space available, offering a variety of classes on the lower floor and a gallery, open studio and store on the first floor.

Classes will be available during daytime hours and evenings to participants of all ages, in beginning and advanced mosaic and handmade glass and sculpture.

Greene, who did her undergraduate studies at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland and her master’s at the Maryland Institute College of Arts, has been working with mosaic for the past 20 years.

“Operating the store has been the first time I have been open to public business,” Greene said, “but I have only really ever been an artist.”

From the beginning, she has promoted Mosaic on a Stick, so named because of its nearness to the State Fair corridor, as a community enterprise. One of her earlier projects was creating mosaic planters along Snelling, a joint effort with the Hamline Midway Coalition. Neighborhood residents and Hamline University students joined in to work on the planters.

Although Greene said she does not do much with the planters anymore, if she passes one and notices it needs to be fixed, she tries to repair it as soon as possible.

With the recent difficult economic climate, Mosaic on a Stick has not only survived, but flourished, a difficult task for a small business.

Greene said she attributed the business’ success to one thing—love. “This business is not a big money maker, but that’s not the point. It is really about community, and the people who come here are here for the community.”

She said she is still pursuing getting a nonprofit status for the business. She is currently working on a mural with North High students for their school and doing a project for two restaurants that are very much not local—they are in Dubai.

“It’s just a weird fluke that I happen to have work all over the place,” Greene said modestly.

She has two main staff members to help, Tara Nielsen and Eamonn McLain.

“I never expected the business to grow this much,” Greene said. “But I would like to encourage people to come over and see the building. It’s a very different space, and such a beautiful building. And people can always come and work on a project.”

The store is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. The open house will be held during the regular Saturday hours.

Volunteers have restored the carousel to its 1914 appearance and installed it in its new pavilion next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in 2000.

Cafesjian’s Carousel—the historic and treasured merry-go-round that has delighted riders for thirteen seasons at St. Paul’s Como Park—is seeking additional volunteers for its fourteenth season, which begins May 1.

Volunteers operate the carousel, sell tickets, and sell merchandise at the gift shop. They work 3- or 4-hour shifts, two or more times each month. New volunteers are encouraged to apply individually, in pairs or as groups. Training is provided for all positions, and free parking is available. For information about volunteers opportunities, contact Cafesjian’s Carousel at 651-489-4628 or volunteer@ourfaircarousel.org, or visit our website at www.ourfaircarousel.org.

Cafesjian’s Carousel originally operated for 75 years at the Minnesota State Fair. It is now owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Our Fair Carousel, Inc. Volunteers have restored the carousel to its 1914 appearance and installed it in its new pavilion next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in 2000. The group pays operational expenses through ticket and gift sales.

The carousel operates Tuesdays through Sundays from May 1 through Labor Day, and weekends from Labor Day until the end of October.

Now that the long winter is behind us, people can finally turn their thoughts to festivals. One of the first, the Hamline Midway Heartwood Festival 2013, will be held Sat., June 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Newell Park, 900 Fairview Ave. N. The festival will begin with a Bike/Walk Parade at 10 a.m. at Hancock Recreation Center.

By DEBORAH BROTZ

Now that the long winter is behind us, people can finally turn their thoughts to festivals. One of the first, the Hamline Midway Heartwood Festival 2013, will be held Sat., June 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Newell Park, 900 Fairview Ave. N.

The festival is being held to bring neighbors together.

“It’s really an opportunity for people in the neighborhood to come together and showcase the highlights of the neighborhood, their talents, and the businesses,” said Kristy Clemons, Heartwood Festival coordinator. “It’s geared for people from the community meeting each other and learning what they have to share.”

The festival celebrates community, sustainability, and art.

“It provides a welcoming event for residents of all ages and backgrounds to come together, to develop a sense of place for local cultures, and to strengthen community bonds showing the wealth of diversity and local talents of residents,” said Clemons. “Also, the festival serves as the annual meeting for the Hamline Midway Coalition. Residents vote for new board members.”

The festival’s focus is sustainability.

“We’ve partnered up with St. Paul Parks and Recreation, Hancock Recreation Center, and Eureka Recycling,” said Clemons. “Eureka is helping us to make this a zero waste event.”

The festival will begin with a Bike/Walk Parade at 10 a.m. at Hancock Recreation Center.

“People will be making masks and boxes for kids to wear to make little box cars for light rail,” said Clemons. “They are artistic and creative ways to represent sustainable transportation.”

Mask making workshops will be held every Thursday beginning May 2 at Hancock Recreation Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“People will use boxes to make little cars at the same mask making workshops,” said Clemons. “It’s open to all ages. It’s an opportunity for youth and families to come together to create art for the parade.”

Musical entertainment will feature a mix of music.

There will be Greg Herriges doing solo World music, Pop Wagner doing solo folk music, Afro-Brazilian drumming, Todd Menton doing solo Irish music, Happy Minnesota doing physical theater, O’Shea Irish Dance and Center for Irish Music, Urban Hillbilly Quartet, and Xibaba Brazilian Quintet.

There will also be spoken word with Kevin Yang, Fres Thao and CHAT, and CANVAS Teen Arts doing spoken word/acoustic.

There will be interactive music, too.

“We’ll be having performances, and people will practice to make that music as well,” said Clemons. “A group, Beatrix Jar, will do some interactive electronic music. Mark Granlund will also do interactive storytelling.”

2-Wheel Tour/Open Eye Figure Theatre and In the Swing Sweet Adelines acappella quartet will be roaming the park grounds.

Hancock Recreation Center will be having kid’s activities such as kickball, soccer, and a bike rodeo.

While the Art and Craft Fair is still in the making, there will be photography for sale, including photos printed on handmade greeting cards, framed artwork, and prints. There will also be some jewelry, pottery, fabrics, and handmade bar soap. An author will be selling some books of their writings and short stories. People can take part in an interactive video project. They will create a video to go with the short stories.

There will be a Resource Fair with booths that include businesses, community organizations, churches, and schools. Applications for booths will be taken until Fri., May 17.

While the Coalition is still getting food trucks together, Ginkgo Coffeehouse will be serving smoothies, ice cream, and sandwiches at the festival.

The Bike/Walk Parade will be leaving Hancock Recreation Center at 10:30 a.m.

“It’s a fun way to engage community members around a piece of the festival,” said Clemons. “It’s also a fun way for kids to get involved.”

When the parade gets to the park, there will be an opening ceremony with a ceremonial tree planting at the reNewell Tree Planting. Volunteers will be gathering from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to plant Burr Oak Tree seedlings. Partners include the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Parks and Recreation, and the Hamline Midway Coalition.

Like the reNewell Project, the Slice of Life Photo Exhibit is new to the festival. A digital slide show will be presented and a select number of prints will be on display.

“We’re highlighting the neighborhood through photography,” said Clemons. “It’s a fun way to engage people in the neighborhood showing and sharing things they like about the neighborhood.”

Sponsors of this year’s festival include: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, Groundswell Coffee, Eureka Recycling, Greg’s PC Repair, Renewal by Andersen, Heppner’s Auto Body, Borden Windows, and Celtic Junction. The Coalition received a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council with funds coming through the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.

Clemons hopes for a large turnout at the festival.

“It’s an opportunity for people in the neighborhood to build relationships with each other as well as businesses and organizations throughout the Hamline Midway community,” said Clemons. “It’s also an opportunity for people to connect with resources and opportunities throughout the Hamline Midway community.”

For more information, go to hamlinemidway.org

2013 Winner of Institutional Green Building Design Award – St. Thomas, Anderson Student Center

Ramsey County and District Energy St. Paul by Sustainable St. Paul

2013 Winner of Sustainable City Staff – Department of Public Works, Hamline Midway Pervious Alley Project

2013 Winner of Commercial Green Building Design – Kendall’s Ace Hardware

2013 Winner of Environmental Education and Awareness Award – Great River School

2013 Winner of Water Quality or Conservation Award – Como Lake Neighbor Network

By JANE MCCLURE

Celebrating environmental stewardship, energy conservation, lake pollution prevention and even a new method of alley pavement is the goal of the Sustainable St. Paul Awards. The 2013 awards, presented April 17 by Mayor Chris Coleman and the St. Paul City Council, included representatives from area neighborhoods.

This is the seventh year for the awards, said Coleman. He called the 2013 winners an “amazing group” and added, “They make St. Paul a better place.” The awards are presented as part of the city’s Earth Day celebrations. Although parts of the celebration, including parks cleanup, were snowed out, the awards presentation and other community celebrations did take place. Fourteen different awards were presented. All can be seen on the city website in the Mayor’s News Room tab.

One unusual award, for city staff sustainability efforts, recognized St. Paul’s Department of Public Works and its efforts to rebuild the alley behind Hamline-Midway Branch Library. The Hamline-Midway Pervious Alley Project involved removing roughly 12,800 square feet of impervious surface and replacing it with permeable pavement. This means less storm water runoff and more water being absorbed into the earth. The project area, a mixed-use neighborhood at the corner of Snelling and Minnehaha avenues, is ideal for the permeable pavement installation. The project was also coordinated with planned improvements to the Hamline Midway Library parking lot, minimizing disruptions to the neighborhood and improving cost efficiencies overall. The project involved a large amount of excavation but is expected to provide benefits for many years.

The Environmental Education and Awareness Award went to Great River School, which recently became the first school in the city of Saint Paul to join the Department of Natural Resources School Forest Program. The charter school’s students chose the Saint Paul’s Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom to be their school forest. Students and teachers spend many hours assisting at Como with a variety of natural resource tasks such as planting, mulching, seed collection, brush hauling, and removing of invasive species. Students also engage in long-term investigative research topics to help the outdoor classroom, and have more than 200 students help with natural resource management and park maintenance at Como Park.

The Water Quality or Conservation Award went to CLNN or Como Lake Neighbor Network. This group has worked to keep excess phosphorus out of Como Lake through a fall curbside cleanup. Neighbors work together for a week in mid-October to clean leaves from street gutters.

Fall 2012 was the largest and most successful Como Curb Cleanup to date. Nearly 200 Como households participated and removed 11,727 pounds of organics from street gutters. This translates to an estimated 12 pounds of phosphorus prevented from Como Lake and an estimated 6,000 pounds of algae prevented.