Hamline-Midway | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

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)

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

A look at what’s happening in Hamline-Midway

On a snowy Thursday night in November, neighbors walked, bussed, and drove to Hamline University for the Hamline Midway Coalition’s Annual Meeting. Speakers included Ramsey County Commissioner … more

By CHAD KULAS, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director chad@midwaychamber.com | 12/12/22

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

An Austin Film Festival Winner and Catalyst Story Institute Winner, Lillie Gardner was raised in the St. Paul before she studied writing and music at New York University. Her work is focused on women defying expectations in both contemporary and historical settings.

Sisters collaborate on animated show to highlight unknown female composers

Hamline-Midway resident Dr. Lillie Gardner took her animated kids TV show about women composers to Austin Film Festival in October. A piano instructor and screenwriter born and raised in St. Paul, … more

12/12/22

Programs for elders

Here are a few upcoming classes: • Arthritis-Friendly Exercise Program, Jan.17-March 9, Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-2:30 p.m. •Chair Yoga, Jan. 19-March 9, Thursday 10:30-11:30 a.m. • … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 12/12/22

Mike Reynolds (left) and Jessica Kopp stand by the new stoplight at Snelling and Englewood. (Photo submitted)

A LITTLE SAFER FOR ALL

For decades, neighbors have been asking that something be done to make it safer to cross the street at Snelling and Englewood. In October 2022, the city finally installed a stoplight. “I had … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22

This Taco Bell building has been demolished and will be rebuilt.

Judge allows new Taco Bell

A new Taco Bell restaurant is going up at 565 N. Snelling Ave., thanks to a successful court challenge by owner Border Foods. Neighbors were surprised that the longtime location was fenced off and … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/9/22

Como resident William Kent Krueger said, “I try to challenge myself in some way with every book. I want to be engaged. If I am engaged, the reader will be engaged.”

19 books into Cork series, and author says he’s still growing

There are some notable differences in William Kent Krueger’s latest book in the Cork O’Connor series, “Fox Creek.”His readers are familiar with Cork, the Irish-Anishinabe … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/9/22

Hamline Midway Library design released

Designs for a new Hamline Midway Branch library have been unveiled, as efforts to save the existing building continue. Designs and floor plans for Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights and Riverview … 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

A SAFER APPROACH FOR CUSTODY CASES

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? And how does it affect the kids?Figuring out family dynamics in custody cases can be tricky, but the Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) in St. Paul … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/12/22

TALKING ABOUT COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

Hamline University School of Business Professor of Practice Jim Scheibel invited Midway Como Frogtown Monitor owner and editor Tesha M. Christensen to speak to his “The City as University: … more

10/12/22

TIDBITS October 2022

YMCA LAUNCHES GEORGE WELLBEING INITIATIVE The 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

District 11: a place where your voice matters

What does a district council in St. Paul do? The answer is as varied as the people who live in district, Como resident Sarah O’Brien has discovered in the last year since she was hired to … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/18/22

What will happen with rent control?

Changes to St. Paul’s sweeping rent control regulations could be adopted by the St. Paul City Council in mid-September. But with so many amendments and a looming legal challenge, it’s … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/18/22

Citizens rally outside the Hamline Midway Library to express support for saving the historic building on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Photo submitted)

In unusual move, historic preservation committee didn’t support library nomination

Planning for a new Hamline Midway Branch Library continues, with a decision in August to not consider National Register of Historic Places designation for the 92-year-old structure. The State … more

By JANE McCLURE | 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

Nigerian officials work with Books for Africa

His Royal Majesty Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle (JP), Okorefe l, Ovie (King) of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom (Urhoboland, Delta State, Nigeria), met with Books For Africa staff on Sept. 2, 2022 at the Books … more

9/18/22