News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Valerie Geary instucts students who are part of the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program at the International Intitute of Minnesota. (Photo submitted)

There is an increasing need for health care workers in the United States, especially since many left the medical profession after the challenges of COVID-19. The International Institute of … more

By Jan Willms | 5/8/24

‘‘Thresholds’ is supposed to explain to multiple audiences how the autistic brain comprehends and takes in sight, sound, smell and touch as opposed to the non-autistic brain,” said Michael Wolfe.

Show combines neurodiversity, art and science

Anxiety, restlessness, being a superpower and feeling free and unchained are some of the emotions Saint Paul actor Michael Wolfe experiences while waiting for a bus. Wolfe, who identifies as a … more

By Jan Willms | 5/8/24

Youth Council members include (left to right): Moises Soto Puente, Stone Williams, Javier Soto, Claire Nybeck, Firdows Mohammed and Erica Lee.

Podcasts shine light on Rondo

Rondo – St. Paul’s vibrant Black community – was torn in two from 1956-1968. Wrecking balls demolished roughly 700 homes and 300 businesses. With the center of the community … more

By Jane St. Anthony | 5/8/24

Nathan Datta practices at St. Catherine’s Butler Center. Datta is a part of the swim team at his high school, Cretin Derham Hall, and participates in national competitions through the Courage Center. (Photo by Terry Faust)

‘I JUST DO IT’

Swimming is a big part of Nate Leber’s life. The Cretin Derham Hall senior started swimming at seven, and today is a member of the school’s swim team and has been all through high school. … more

By Jan Willms | 4/10/24

Mobility clinic participants demonstrate agility and strength during the "So Every BODY Can Move MN" event.

Those with limb loss push back against ‘not medically necessary’ during day at capitol

There are over 35,000 Minnesotans living with limb loss, and thousands more living with limb difference and mobility impairments. Many are unable to access prescribed orthotic and prosthetic care due … more

By Margie O’loughlin | 4/10/24

The rulings of forced contact from those involved in family court go against standard psychological advice, according to clinical forensic psychologist Dr. Catherine Barrett of Los Angeles, Calif., who has spoken nationally about reunification therapy and camps. She points to a confirmation bias in family court that believes women coach children to make up allegations of abuse, and then acts on that belief that children are lying about abuse. “We need to listen to kids,” said Dr. Barrett. “Kids don’t make this stuff up.” According to a study by Dr. Joan Meiers and George Washington University Law School that was funded by the National Institute of Justice, in family court allegations of abuse are not believed 75 percent of the time. “The confirmation bias is that victims are lying,” said Dr. Barrett. “This is the generation of voice and technology,” she observed. “These kids aren’t being coached.”

An ‘oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders and 12 parenting time schedules

What do you do when 11 judges and referees, 20 therapists, 12 mediators, two parenting consultants (with 37 directives), one custody evaluator, and one guardian ad litem haven’t been able to … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/10/24

Midway resident DJ Traudt said,“We have talked about stopping, but then we never do. We just enjoy it too much. These guys are like my brothers.”

After 50 years, they’re like brothers

“The longevity of a band is really contingent on loving the people that you’re making music with and being able to get along in the long run. It’s just like being married, except … more

By Jan Willms | 3/13/24

Satara Strong-Allen of Love First Community Engagement collaborated with Black Table Arts Cooperative for the first Glow and Grow conference in May 2022. (Photo submitted)

Creating a safe space

In 2022, in the wake of an ongoing pandemic and the uprising following the murder of George Floyd, activist Satara Strong-Allen took a significant step forward. As the executive director … more

By Aamira Redd | 3/13/24

The past winter’s cold snap and thaw damaged nine areas of rail, including eight areas along the Green Line. They will be fixed April 19-21.

Why aren’t people riding the train?

Addressing short-term and long-term challenges to the area’s transit system is the way to bring riders back to Green Line light rail and area buses. Doing so will be a collaborative effort … more

By Jane McClure | 3/13/24

Former Twins player Joe Mauer played for Midway Baseball teams as a child.

Kids baseball coming back

Play ball! A group of dedicated Como area volunteers want young baseball and softball players to get onto the diamonds this season. The nonprofit Como Ball Youth Baseball and Softball … more

By Jane McClure | 2/7/24

Russ Battisto (right) and his daughter, Gina Battisto, had a steady stream of customers on Dec. 21. Even their dog, Bubba, joined them on the sales floor. Russ said sales were good for the holiday season.

Got a broken vacuum? Take it to A-1 Vacuum

In 1952, Salvador “Sam” Battisto started a vacuum shop in his basement. Today, his son Russ and granddaughter Gina are continuing to operate A-1 Vacuum Cleaner Company (2575 Fairview … more

By Jan Willms | 2/7/24

Matt and Ashley Lloyd have purchased the family hardware store from Ashley’s dad, Kendall Crosby. They plan to continue offering free popcorn and friendly service. Plus, the beloved pets will be around, including Cleo the German shepherd, Lila the Rottweiler, Stanley the big black cat, and Makita the tortoiseshell cat.

From father to daughter

Kendall Crosby remembers being at a conference in Atlanta, Ga. and sharing the mission statement for his St. Paul hardware store: “To go above and beyond customer expectations.” The … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/7/24

Curl Power stylist Paige Graling trims and styles a young client’s curly hair. Graling was bullied in school growing up because of her natural hair. Now, teaching others about how to care for their natural hair is one of Graling’s passions.

Learning to love their curls

Rosie Jablonsky brushed out the curly hair of a young girl, as stylists in the Mall of America salon gathered around. “She looks like a lion,” one stylist said. “She hates her … more

By Talia McWright | 1/10/24 | 1 comment

Ronnie Hartman gets a coffee and a donut at Milkweed cafe as part of the Too Good To Go program that pairs customers with surplus unsold food at restaurants for lower prices.

Get cheaper food to go

Had a tough day at work and don’t feel like cooking, but don’t want to pay the price for the family to eat out? Too Good to Go (TGTG) may solve your problem, and enlist your help in … more

By Jan Willms | 1/10/24 | 1 comment

Loon sculpture to land soon

A massive loon taking flight – the emblem of the Minnesota United soccer team – will soon land at the corner of University and Snelling avenues in St. Paul. The loon statue, a … more

By Jane McClure | 1/10/24 | 1 comment

Iris Logan initiated the boulevard garden out of necessity while working full-time and part-time jobs. It was a project that not only reduced the need for lawn mowing, but also brought her joy and instilled neighborhood pride.

City orders Iris to remove her boulevard garden

One of Hamline-Midway neighborhood’s most colorful and distinctive sites is changing, and many neighbors don’t think the change is for the better. Sherburne Avenue resident Iris Logan … more

By Jane McClure | 12/7/23

“Every day I read the ‘Just for Todays.’ These give me a way to approach life and other people with optimism, gratitude, cooperation, responsibility for my own actions, positive intentions, and the possibility of happiness,” said Marilyn. (Photo submitted)

Emotions Anonymous offers tools for living

“If you’re life has become like a shoe that pinches, try EA.” That advertisement brought Marilyn* to Emotions Anonymous 40 years ago. The St. Paul resident had a … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/7/23

This Hamline graduate has used music to explore what is happening in life around him. Next up is a new stage name for Terrell Woods.

Carnage the Executioner transitioning to Terrell X

Terrell Woods, who goes by the stage name of Carnage the Executioner, took some time recently to reflect on his career as a beat box artist and rapper. The Saint Paul musician has built a … more

By Jan Willms | 12/7/23

Homeowners may see tax break in 2024

When 2024 “truth in taxation” notices start hitting mailboxes Nov. 11 and 24, St. Paul home owners could see a break. That’s even if their values increase. Property tax shifts and … more

By Jane McClure | 11/26/23

Innovative 3DE Program launches

A new high school program brings professionals from high-demand industries into the classroom for project-based learning and case studies. Called 3DE by Junior Achievement, all ninth-grade students … more

11/26/23