Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

In her dream, a young girl was walking down Dale Street with her mother, who pushed a stroller. She was reading a poem on the sidewalk. “Look, mama, you can read it both ways,” the girl … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/16/21

Property taxes going up in 2022

Pieces of the 2022 property tax levy and local government budgets are falling into place. St. Paul and Ramsey County have announced maximum levies and 2022 budgets; the St. Paul School Board is … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

St. Paul Mayor Race

Melvin Carter, incumbent1) Priorities:Saint Paul today is larger, more diverse and more prominent than ever. As our community reinvents itself, so too must we be prepared to reinvent the services, … more

9/16/21

“I’m a mother of five grown children. At the heart of my job is taking care of our children. When I step into my role as a principal, I am very aware that each of these students is someone’s child,” said Central High School principal Christine Vang. (Photo submitted)

Central High School’s principal focuses on closing opportunity gap

In the summer of 2020, Christine Vang was selected as the new principal of Central High School – the first Hmong-American ever to fill that position. What ensued was a year like no other, with … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Assistant principal focuses on building authentic relationships

When the 2,000+ students of St. Paul Central High School returned on Sept. 8, 2021, dozens of staff members lined the front steps to welcome them back. The freshmen class was brand new to the … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Father Tadeos (far left) said, “We have so much fun preparing for the kabob events and the festival. We don’t want to focus only on the end result. It’s important to enjoy the process.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

‘We are a small community, but mighty’

St. Sahag Armenian Church will be hosting its ninth annual Armenian Festival Sept. 18-19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Father Tadeos Barseghyan said, “It’s important for people to know that … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Meet Shevek McKee

A former riverboat captain is District 10 Como Community Council’s new executive director.And Shevek McKee found out about the job by reading the Midway Como Frogtown Monitor that was delivered … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/16/21

Like many others suffering from chemical dependency, Hamline Hi-Rise resident Andy Dodds had some success controlling the demons. He sobered up to attend school at Century College, graduated with honors, and worked for 22 years in the real estate industry. And then, the slip, the slide and total collapse. He hit rock bottom, and lost much of what he had built up over two decades. He went to rehab and has attended at least five 12-step meetings a week for the last two decades. He’s founded his own mental health project, Andrew Dodds Motivations, and has delivered more than 60 presentations for various groups over the last seven years.

The rise and fall and rise of Andy Dodds: He keeps coming back to help others

In the early 1970s, life for Andy Dodds stretched ahead, rich with promise and potential. Reared in a happy and stable family in the St. Paul suburbs near White Bear Lake, Andy was a tough … more

By Dane Smith | 9/16/21

What is the Right Thing to do?

“…sometimes doing what’s right feels wrong…” ~Stephen Colbert “Your attitude will shape the eventual outcome of all transitions.” ~ Dr. Darlene … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 9/16/21

Butterfly release honors loved ones

The staff of Our Lady of Peace Hospice (OLP) released 200 Monarch butterflies in the courtyard of Our Lady of Peace on Thursday, Aug. 26 in memory of the lives of those who have passed in our care. … more

9/16/21

Midway Center superblock gets more TIF funding

Redevelopment of the Midway Center superblock, including the burned-out remnant of Midway Center, is moving ahead with changes to a tax increment financing (TIF) district and an order to demolish the … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

Industrial buildings converting to schools, housing, mixed-use

Preserving St. Paul’s remaining industrially zoned properties is the focus of a study launched in August by the St. Paul Planning Commission. The study could have major impacts on the West … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

The Cougar girls soccer team gathered on the Como turf after their opening match of the season (Photo by Eric Erickson)

Fall sports in full gear

As we near the middle of September and start to feel cooler autumn air, high school sports teams are already one month through the 2021 fall season.Student athletes across the state began their first … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 9/16/21

Sejong moves into historic Iris Park building off University Ave.

Sejong Academy recently moved to a new location off of University Ave. into the historic Iris Park building (1885 University) and is excited to be part of the Midway neighborhood. A ribbon cutting … more

9/16/21

Treaties not Tar Sands

On Aug. 25, several hundred protestors gathered at the MLK Recreation Center in St. Paul. Since Aug. 7, a group of water protectors have been traveling on foot 256 miles from Line 3's upstream … more

9/16/21

Maggie Barnick, a natural resources tech with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, ready to steward near the Historic Street Car Station at Como Regional Park. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Volunteers pitch in as Como Park Stewards

For over 100 years, Como Regional Park has been meeting the recreational needs of residents of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. There really is something for everyone at the park with Como … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Holy Childhood Catholic Church: celebrating 75 years

This fall, the Church of the Holy Childhood will be celebrating 75 years of parish life: liturgy with celebrated music, prayers, parish activities, and more. Plans for this September and October as … more

9/16/21

Briefs September 2021

Isaiah Curtis honoredHigh school students from across the state were invited to present research findings and participate in the Minnesota Youth Institute on May 17, 2021, for a virtual educational … more

9/16/21

Hybrid classes offered this fall

Hamline Midway Elders is offering Fall Hybrid Classes (in-person and on Zoom, concurrently). Please contact laurel@hmelders.org or 651-209-6542 for details.• Chair Yoga: Thursdays, 10:30 – … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 9/16/21

ANIMATE, is a fictional, eight-scene moving theatrical experience performed on the Como Zoo grounds that repeatedly asks the question: “Does the good of the many supersede the good of the individual?” In an extravaganza that begins with a helicopter landing and ends with a sea lion jumping, audiences travel in small groups throughout the mythical Jackson Kennicott Zoo - to the primate house, the giraffe grotto, the big cat building, polar bears, the tropics, and culminate at the seal and sea lion habitat- to witness the Twin Cities greatest actors explore race and philanthropy through a lens of species preservation and conservation. The host of characters includes primatologists, zoo directors and curators and keepers, elected officials, activists, and more. ANIMATE has one preview, September 16, and opens September 17 for a two-week run, closing September 26. All performances are at 6:30PM. Reservations can be made at www.mixedblood.com

PLAN IT September 2021

Meet police at resource fairMeet the Saint Paul Police Department Community Engagement Specialists at Information and Resource Fairs this month. Learn about crime trents, prevention tips and ongoing … more

9/16/21