News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

This view of the proposed hotel and attached parking garage shows what it will look like from the northeast off of University Ave. The green space with seating areas is situated on the inside facing the stadium.

Hotel plans feel cut off from neighborhood, say community groups

Plans for a hotel and attached parking ramp at the United Village development could be headed to the St. Paul Planning Commission as soon as March 15. The complicated project design requires a … more

By Jane McClure | 3/13/24 | 1 comment

Events

FOOD DRIVE MARCH 17 A neighborhood food drive wil be held on March 17, noon to 2 p.m., in the Como Park Lutheran Church Parking lot (corner of Hoyt Ave. W and Hamline Ave. N). Cash/checks … more

3/13/24

Tidbits

JOIN THE BAND The Roseville Community Band would like to increase the number of band members from the Midway, Como and Frogtown areas of St. Paul. Did you play an instrument in high school or … more

3/13/24

Curious about Hamline Midway Elders?

Adults 60+ are invited to our Spring Social on Thursday, March 21, 1-3 p.m.Live music with Charlie McGuire. Desserts and coffee, Crafts with Coral: Seed Art, seedling planting with Stephanie … more

By Laurel Collins, laurel@hmelders.org, 651-209-6542 | 3/13/24

In a letter to members of the Episcopal Homes community, Marvin Plakut said he is “very proud of the continuum of care and affordability we have created on University Avenue.”

‘A good time to pass the torch’

Marvin Plakut came to Episcopal Homes as CEO in 1999, at a time when the eldercare institution was facing serious challenges. “Our industry on a national level was undergoing a … more

By Iric Nathanson | 3/13/24

Our 2024 Awards

On March 2, 2024, the Midway Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Celebration. This is our biggest event every year and one of the highlights of the evening is honoring members with awards. Our five … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 3/13/24

Sosan Theresa Flynn is the Guiding Teacher at Clouds in Water Zen Center in Frogtown.

Frogtown zen center celebrates 30 years

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, St. Paul’s Clouds in Water Zen Center is hosting a continuous 30-hour stretch of meditation: a Sit-a-thon, marking one hour for each year of cultivating joy, … more

3/13/24

Monitor in a Minute

Overnight tunes aren’t music to neighbors’ ears Wondering where the music is coming from when you try to sleep or visit a Midway Marketplace store? Devices set up by the city’s … more

By Jane McClure | 3/13/24

Swimmers set conference record, advance to state

A 26-year-old St. Paul City Conference record was broken by the Como 200 Medley Relay team at the city meet in early February 2024. Cougar seniors Oskar Helegn, Kai Sackreiter, Kyle Kosiak, and … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 3/13/24

How empty nesters can repurpose bedrooms

Converting a child’s bedroom into an area for adults may take some planning. It can be exciting to regain space, but at the same time, it can be disheartening to convert a child’s bedroom … more

3/13/24

Police officer Paul Elmstrand, officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth

Violence Free Minnesota issues statement on Burnsville Police and EMT domestic violence homicides

Violence Free Minnesota issued the following statement on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to call attention to the full circumstances around Shannon Cortez Gooden's murder of two police officers and an EMT in … more

2/20/24

Former Twins player Joe Mauer played for Midway Baseball teams as a child.

Kids baseball coming back

Play ball! A group of dedicated Como area volunteers want young baseball and softball players to get onto the diamonds this season. The nonprofit Como Ball Youth Baseball and Softball … more

By Jane McClure | 2/7/24

Russ Battisto (right) and his daughter, Gina Battisto, had a steady stream of customers on Dec. 21. Even their dog, Bubba, joined them on the sales floor. Russ said sales were good for the holiday season.

Got a broken vacuum? Take it to A-1 Vacuum

In 1952, Salvador “Sam” Battisto started a vacuum shop in his basement. Today, his son Russ and granddaughter Gina are continuing to operate A-1 Vacuum Cleaner Company (2575 Fairview … more

By Jan Willms | 2/7/24

Matt and Ashley Lloyd have purchased the family hardware store from Ashley’s dad, Kendall Crosby. They plan to continue offering free popcorn and friendly service. Plus, the beloved pets will be around, including Cleo the German shepherd, Lila the Rottweiler, Stanley the big black cat, and Makita the tortoiseshell cat.

From father to daughter

Kendall Crosby remembers being at a conference in Atlanta, Ga. and sharing the mission statement for his St. Paul hardware store: “To go above and beyond customer expectations.” The … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/7/24

New leaders in Saint Paul

Newly elected St. Paul Public School Board members Yusef Carrillo, Carlo Franco and Erica Valliant, and re-elected member Chauntyll Allen, were sworn in on Jan. 9, 2024. They join returning members … more

2/7/24

Hotel and ramp coming to former Midway Center superblock

With much of the former Midway Center superblock now owned by one party, redevelopment is moving ahead. The sale of more shopping center property to Snelling Midway Redevelopment LLC in late January … more

By Jane McClure | 2/7/24

Get the lead out!

Back in November, our Frogtown household got a letter from the city’s water agency – Saint Paul Regional Water Services – that suggested we should be concerned about lead in the … more

By Patricia Ohmans, Frogtown Green | 2/7/24

Five blood drives planned

Como Community Blood Drives D10 Como Park partners with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the zoo. Drives are held from 9 a.m. to 3 … more

By Shevek McKee, Executive director, district10@district10comopark.org | 2/7/24

Nordic ski team members out on trail at Wirth Park in the Twin Cities Meet. (Photo submitted)

Nordic ski team success

Despite a lack of snow this season, the Cougar Nordic ski team has been able to compete in meets on courses where snow-making machines are utilized. The Twin Cities Nordic Conference Meet took place … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 2/7/24

Tidbits - February 2024

HIGHLAND FRIENDSHIP CLUB Highland Friendship Club (HFC), a St. Paul-based nonprofit that provides social and learning opportunities for teens and adults who have disabilities, has created a new … more

2/7/24