Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Judy Gibson has lived in the Midway neighborhood for more than 40 years. She has found lasting friendships through the Hamline Midway Elders Knitting and Crochet Group. The group currently meets on Zoom, but hopes to return to in-person meetings in the not-too-distant future. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Hamline Midway Elders knit through pandemic

The Hamline Midway Elders Knitting and Crochet Group is live on Zoom for two hours every Monday afternoon. The 6-8 members who have stuck with it have gotten used to this new kind of knitting … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 6/9/21

Midway resident Susan Gainen is part of Art to Change the World, which will have a pop-up event at Sociable Cider Werks on Aug. 8 from noon to 8 p.m. (Photo submitted)

Midway resident part of Art to Change the World

When Art to Change the World director Barbara Bridges saw all the new construction of apartment buildings going up in her Northeast neighborhood she saw potential art buyers and collectors moving in. … more

6/9/21

Marvin Roger Anderson at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza (on the corner of St. Anthony and Fisk avenues). (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

Connecting past, present, future

ReConnect Rondo (RCR) is leading the effort to revitalize St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood. The non-profit organization and its partners propose building a community land bridge that would cap … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 5/12/21

See "Summer of Soul" at an outside event taking place at Como Pavilion on Thursday, May 13. (Photo submitted)

40 years for International Film Festival

In a year that has seen its share of trauma with the ongoing pandemic and the tragedies of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) has reached an … more

By JAN WILLMS | 5/12/21

Chroma Zone returns

Rather than eight days in the fall, this year’s Chroma Zone will kick off in May with a four-day live painting event at Bang Brewing called the Bang It! Mural Meet, curated by Peyton Scott … more

5/12/21

Artwork by Susan Gainen, a resident of the Midway area.

Art to change the world

When Art to Change the World director Barbara Bridges saw all the new construction of apartment buildings going up in her Northeast neighborhood she saw potential art buyers and collectors moving … more

4/14/21

Victoria Theater Arts Center establishes a Community Trauma Response Program

All summer of 2020 Victoria Theater Arts Center (VTAC) made a commitment to the Frogtown and Rondo community to help process the trauma in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and other Black … more

4/14/21

‘Stable Weight: a Memoir of Hunger, Horses, and Hope’

Eating disorders affect every gender, age, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Longtime Hamline-Midway resident and writer Lisa Whalen knows that only too well. Her debut book was out in … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/10/21

LEGENDARY

The whirlwind life of legendary film enthusiast, professor, writer, photographer, filmmaker, and founder of the University Film Society ended Dec. 20 when Al Milgrom, 98, succumbed to a … more

By JAN WILLMS | 2/11/21

ComMUSICation looks ahead to next stage

Youth participating in ComMUSICation programs speak many different languages including Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Somali, Thai, and Vietnamese. The common language they all share, besides English, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21

PPGJLI children’s book takes top award in Minnesota Author Project contest

The children’s book, “Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire,” has been selected as the winner in the first annual Minnesota Author Project … more

1/14/21

“Comets are amazing night sky objects to observe. They are relatively rare, and absolutely striking. Comet Neowise, pictured here, was the brightest comet seen from Earth in the last 20 years.” (Photo submitted by Mike Shaw)

In search of dark skies

Between the months of March-September on a clear, moonless night, it’s easy to find astrophotographer Mike Shaw. He will be in his car heading north.In August 2019, he was doing just that. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 12/9/20

‘Mr. Rondo’s Spirit: a story of a man and his community’

According to Rondo resident, educator, and artist Ericka Dennis, most children she meets don’t know the real story of the historic Rondo neighborhood. Dennis currently works as a Family Liaison … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 12/9/20

The Creative Enterprise Zone’s new executive director Angela Casselton. The 18 murals that now grace the mostly industrial spaces of the CEZ are a great way to experience art, especially during the pandemic when museums are closed. View the map of where they are located on the CEZ website at www.creativeenterprisezone.org. (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

Creative Enterprise Zone hires new executive director

Angela Casselton was recently named executive director of the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), a non-profit organization that attracts and supports creatives of all kinds to “make it … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 12/9/20

The art of improvisation

Mychal Batson (who goes by MycDazzle, or Daz, for short) is a young artist with a bucket load of skills, and a growing resume of projects anchored in St. Paul’s Central Corridor. His work … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 11/11/20

‘We did it!” says one sign as supporters celebrate the $2.4 million appropriation that Victoria Theater (825 University Ave.) has just gotten through the Minnesota Legislature’s Capital Investment Bill, which was passed in October. The push for the funds came through the governor’s office, which focused on equity-centered projects that are led by and serve communities of color and American Indians, as these organizations have not traditionally had access to state funds. (Photos submitted)

Victoria Theater Arts Center receives $2.4M

For over 10 years, community members have rallied around an abandoned silent movie theater at 825 University Ave. Their plans: to purchase and renovate the space into a community and arts center for … more

11/11/20

‘Profiles in Kindness’

Paul Kotz, a writer living in the Como neighborhood, knows that everyone at some time goes though crises. He is hoping his latest book, “Profiles in Kindness: Stories of Servant Leadership and … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/11/20

Artist Suyao Tian with a basket of her Modern Cover mittens. She said, “Hands for me have always had a very special meaning. They symbolize universal friendliness, helpfulness, and connection.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Hamline-Midway artist driven to ‘Do the most good’ with design

When Hamline-Midway artist Suyao Tian thinks back on her childhood, she remembers the freezing cold of winter. Tian grew up in a province of Northern China, near the border with Tibet. Her city, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 11/11/20

New mural exhibition sustains fight for justice

A neighbor looks at the mural exhibit at 825 University Ave. (Photo by Tyler Olsen-Highness) Four murals created in the wake of George Floyd’s murder have been re-introduced to the public at 825 … more

9/18/20

My Funny Quarantine

In the last line of Frank Sinatra’s classic love song, “My Funny Valentine,” Old Blue Eyes sang, “Stay little Valentine, stay, for each day is Valentine’s … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/18/20