Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

SIMPLY LIFE June 2021

Raymond is on his way home and is using public transportation on June 1, 2021. Raymond shares, “I think about all the killings and everything that is going on in Minneapolis which is … more

Vanna Contreras, intern | 6/9/21

olomon Hailie (left), who owns Bole Ethiopian with his wife, Rekik Abaineh, chats with African Economic Development Solutions Executive Director Gene Gelgule (center) and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter during the ribbon cutting event on May 27, 2021, one year after the restaurant burned to the ground in the civil unrest along University Ave. after George Floyd’s murder. “When we needed something, we knew who to call,” stated Hailie. “We appreciate your support and love.” They received a $50,000 grant through the We Love St. Paul/We Love Midway fund to help with the new space in the former Fox Trot Burger (1341 Pascal Street). “Thank you for leading the way,” said Midway Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chad Kulas. (Photos by Tesha M. Christensen)

Bolé Ethiopian reopens, moves to Como

6/9/21

Kate Cimono of the Citizens League said commission members came from a range of backgrounds. (Photo by Bruce Silcox)

St. Paul ponders new ways to handle public safety

A new neighborhood safety office and changes in how some police calls for service are handled are among key recommendations from St. Paul’s Community First Public Safety Commission. St. Paul … more

by Jane McClure | 6/9/21

Members of the Building More Prosperity with Purpose Giving Circle at one of their gatherings. A premise of the group is that families who learn, share, and give together, grow together – and can change the world. (Photo submitted)

Philanthropy with purpose

The Building More Philanthropy with Purpose (BMPP) Giving Circle has gifted almost $120,000 to 40+ community-based projects since 2013. Their mission is to fund good ideas to build a better world. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 6/9/21

Diverse, record breaking classes at Augsburg

Augsburg University has become one of the most diverse universities in the nation.In the fall of 2019, 65% of the entering class identified as BIPOC students. It was also the university’s … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 6/9/21

A mural adjacent to the Lily Pad garden on the southwest corner of Dale St. and Lafond Ave. celebrates neighborhood pride. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Creating green space in heart of city

The Lily Pad is an emerging community garden and gathering space on the southwest corner of Dale Street and Lafond Avenue in the Frogtown neighborhood. The Hmong Funeral Home occupied that space from … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 6/9/21

Volunteers assist staff at the ReStore locations. (Photo submitted)

Do-It-Yourselfers love ReStore

Local Do-It-Yourselfers head to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 510 County Road D West or 2700 Minnehaha Ave. to get inspired.The outlet sells new and like-new furniture, appliances and building … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 6/9/21

Public hearing on Hamline library replacement, other CIP projects slated for June 14

Funding for Hamline-Midway Branch Library renovation or replacement is one of five projects that made it through the first round of the 2022-2023 Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process. … more

By JANE McCLURE | 6/9/21

Garden questions welcome

Connect with Ramsey County Master Gardeners online every Wednesday and Saturday from 12-1 p.m. May 26 through Sept. 29. Get advice for your garden problems, identify plants or insects (such as the … more

6/9/21

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

Let’s broaden our perspectives for fair and just state, country, world

“How different would perspectives be had we all been taught about Tulsa in 1921, even as early as the fifth grade?” - Tom Hanks Hello Monitor readers,Yes, how different would our … more

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

Rebecca Calvo is the interim director at District 10 Como Council.

In Brief June 2021

St. Paul edges out MinneapolisSt. Paul bumped Minneapolis to third and took second in annual Trust for Public Land’s 2021 ParkScore® index. Washington, DC, is the best city park system in … more

6/9/21

Standoff over development continues

By JANE McCLURE The St. Paul City Hall standoff over the Lexington Station mixed-use development continues. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office won’t be asked to weigh in on … more

6/9/21

Support available to start health care career

Jobs in the health care field are among those in highest demand in the Twin Cities. Individuals wanting to begin or further their career in health care can receive support from LSS Financial … more

6/9/21

The Como softball team’s victory on May 14 was the 400th win of John Fischbach’s coaching career.

Elements of normalcy at end of challenging year

The 2020-21 school year at Como concluded on June 11 for both in-person and distance-learning. In a challenging year for students, families, and staff, there were some elements of normalcy for those … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 6/9/21

Vaccine bus visits Hmongtown Market

North End resident Xia Yang drove the vaccine bus for Metro Transit to Hmongtown Market on Thursday, April 22 for scheduled and walk-up appointments. The vaccine bus is a joint partnership between … more

Tesha M. Christensen | 5/12/21

Turonda (last name withheld by request) stands with her family and accepts the Chief’s Award for helping a young woman in a mental health crisis in April 2020. She has dealt with her own mental health struggles and used what she has learned to help the young woman. (Photo submitted)

Frogtown resident receives Chief’s Award for helping young woman in mental health crisis

Turonda (last name withheld by request) got in her car one afternoon in April 2020, buckled up, and double checked to make sure she had everything she needed for a visit to her parents. The COVID-19 … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 5/12/21

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

District 10 Executive Director Michael Kuchta is leaving.

District Council Executive Directors bid farewell

Como District 10 and Hamline Midway Coalition are both looking for new executive directors.After almost six years in the position, Como District 10 Executive Director Michael Kuchta is moving out of … more

5/12/21