Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

The Midway neighborhood, highlighted in blue, scores high in priority for advancing environmental justice through tree planting and canopy preservation compared to other neighborhoods in St. Paul, points out local environmentalist Molly Codding.

“We all have angels guiding us… They look after us. They heal us, touch us, comfort us with invisible warm hands… What will bring their help? Asking. Giving thanks.” ~ Sophy … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 3/9/23

Volunteers clean and package native seeds for distribution at a MN SEED workshop in January. Cleaning and packaging the seeds is just one step in the process. (Photo submitted)

Seeds of change and beauty at Little Free Libraries

Over the past few summers, you may have noticed an increase in blooming wildflower gardens in our neighborhoods. Have you wondered where people get some of the seeds they need to make those gardens … more

By Mae Macfarlane Frogtown Green | 2/8/23

Then and now photos at Jan. 21 benefit

The community is invited to a “then and now” slide show about Frogtown and the Midway area at Half Time Rec (1013 Front St.) on Saturday, Jan. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. There will be … more

1/16/23

Eugene Johnson and his children (Angelic, age eight, and Angelica, age nine) appreciate the experience they’ve had through Shop with Cops. Johnson told Midway Area Chamber of Commerce members about it during a fundraiser on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Happy tidings from Shop With Cops

Last year, Christmas was looking pretty bleak for the Eugene Johnson family.Johnson fell off a second story building onto a fence, and was hospitalized for weeks. Then he spent time in a wheelchair. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/13/22

Gita Ghei, a longtime volunteer in both Hamline-Midway and Frogtown, holds up a tree that has just been extracted from a gravel-filled nursery bed. Gravel bed-grown trees form dense clumps of roots that aid in transplantation. (Photo courtesy of Frogtown Green)

Free trees for Frogtown, Hamline-Midway residents

Frogtown GreenSince 2011, volunteers in the Frogtown neighborhood have been planting free trees in residents’ homes. Inspired by those efforts, and alarmed by recent declines in urban tree … more

By Mae Macfarlane | 12/12/22

The Victoria Theater was built as a silent movie house in 1915.

Victoria Theater Arts Center to finally open in January 2024

Frogtown’s historic Victoria Theater could be in the spotlight in 2024, as the long-awaited community arts center opens its doors. The theater leadership earlier this fall accepted $1 million … more

By Jane McClure | 12/12/22

Urban29 owner Joyce Sanders stands in her new store at 633 University Ave. W., in the new Frogtown Crossing building. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Streetwear at University and Dale

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN Urban29 lost its space at 804 E. Lake in Minneapolis when the building burned after the murder of George Floyd. Owner Joyce Sanders of Longfellow opened a pop-up location … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22

Shaunie Grisby hopes to create a place like The Den from the television series “Moesha”– a place that is a community hangout. Flava Coffee and Cafe at 623 University Ave. West serves beverages, breakfast and lunch. “I wanted to create a space like that where people loved being,” said Grisby. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

One latte at a time

Frogtown has a coffee shop again.Over three years of planning culminated with the official opening of Flava Coffee and Cafe on Aug. 27, 2022 in the newly built Neighborhood Development Center at the … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

Sherburne Collective aims for deeply affordable housing

Developers of a changing and complex Frogtown affordable housing proposal have been given more time to put things together. The St. Paul City Council, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/9/22

Development update November 2022

ALATUS PROJECT MOVES FORWARDLexington Station is chugging along, with excavation this fall and much more work to come for the next several months. The Union Park District Council (UPDC) land use … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/9/22

Business award winners named in St. Paul

St. Paul’s 6th annual Business Awards winners have been announced. The awards recognize local businesses that provide critical services, contribute to the city’s community, invest in … more

11/9/22

PLAN IT November 2022

HOLIDAY CONCERT NOV. 18Four local composers will present their latest works at a concert of new vocal music. The concert will be on Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1697 Lafond Ave., … more

11/9/22

New anthology celebrates youth writers

Third Reconstruction, Racial Reckoning – none of these words could fully encapsulate the reality of the quest for justice. On May 25, 2020, Mr. George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minn. … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 11/9/22

He began in praise and worship, transitioned to pop rock, and finally found his home in hip hop music as Nur-D.

NUR-D PERFORMS BENEFIT SHOW OCT. 28

Catch a Nur-D show and support local radio on Friday, Oct. 28, 5-9 p.m. at Urban Growler Brewing (2325 Endicott St.).“I love Nur-D’s energy and stage presence!” said WFNU co-founder … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/12/22

A brown creeper is stunned after a collision with a window. Turning off as many night time lights as possible and making windows “visible” to birds during the day helps keep them alive. (Photo courtesy of Frogtown Green)

Save a bird: go dark ‘til Halloween

By Patricia OhmansFrogtown GreenAre you concerned about news of bird die-offs, and even extinctions? Turn off the lights! That’s one of two simple things you can do, according to experts at the … more

By Patricia Ohmans Frogtown Green | 10/12/22

DREAMING, VISUALIZING, PLANNING

“Let me just say: Peace to you, if you’re willing to fight for it.” ~ Fred Hampton “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” ~ Dr. … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 10/12/22

TIDBITS October 2022

YMCA LAUNCHES GEORGE WELLBEING INITIATIVEThe YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and Penny and Bill George and the George … more

10/12/22

NEW CAREER PATHWAYS CENTER

Volunteers from 3M helped ready the new Career Pathway Center on the Saint Paul College campus on Aug. 31, 2022. The new Saint Paul Public Schools learning space features classrooms, state-of-the-art … more

Submitted | 9/18/22

SPPS students show gains in all subjects on MCA test

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has released districtwide results for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs) for the 2021-22 school … more

9/18/22

Frog Food September 2022

Z Akhmetova | 9/18/22