News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, community members explored the area of Little Mekong along University with artist Katie Ka Vang. The walking tour was part of Mixed Blood Theater’s 12x12 series.

Little Mekong through eyes of artist Katie Ka Vang

Community members smiled as they tasted different dishes and snacks from local businesses of the Little Mekong cultural district on University Avenue on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The event was artist … more

By Talia McWright | 9/15/23

Will ground break soon for United Villages?

Long-awaited redevelopment of the area around Allianz Field could get underway soon. Getting shovels in the ground requires several steps, which are under review by Hamline Midway Coalition and Union … more

By Jane McClure | 8/11/23

Joyful Riders Club and Slow Roll MSP bring people together to bike, learn about their environments, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Biking with purpose

Patrick Stephenson of Minneapolis peddled on his electric cargo bike from the Minnesota State Capitol, cheering as music blasted from DJ Eric on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The Joyful Riders Club was … more

By Talia McWright | 8/11/23

Como residents learn more about their neighborhood.

Uncovering racial covenants and neighborhood evolution through the Know your Como project

Como residents are dismantling racial covenants and preserving untold stories through Know Your Como, a transformative neighborhood history project. Thomas Frankson, a prominent figure in the … more

By Aamira Redd | 8/11/23

On Saturday, June 17 the Joyful Riders Club gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol before leaving for the DJ dance party ride at the Frogtown Fair.

Biking with purpose

Patrick Stephenson, a Minneapolis resident, peddled on his electric cargo bike from the Minnesota State Capitol, cheering as music blasted from DJ Eric on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The Joyful Riders … more

By Talia McWright | 8/1/23

Dj Al Metro plays music during The Uprising krump battle on Saturday, June 10, at the Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center in Saint Paul.

The SOTA Movement

Simone Hall aka Athena, had the crowd in an uproar. The audience surrounded her, cheering louder than the music Texas based Dj, Al Metro was playing from the overhead speakers. The 20-year-old had … more

By Talia McWright | 7/14/23

Patricia Lacy sings “What’s Going On” on June 19 at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza.

Governor calls Juneteenth part of ‘our history’

During the Juneteenth celebration in Rondo, Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the importance of remembering Juneteenth’s history and the dangers of trying to rewrite history. … more

By Aamira Redd | 7/14/23

Attendees of St. Paul Pride event stop by resource booths on Saturday, June 10.

First St. Paul Pride Festival

Kyle Rucker, of Ruck B Media , organized his first ever St. Paul Pride event at Rice Park, on June 10, 2023. His goal was to provide opportunities for young Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs and … more

By Talia McWright | 7/13/23

Politicians from Minneapolis and St. Paul throw shovels full of dirt as they celebrate the ground-breaking of a new Bus Rapid Transit Line that will connect the two cities. The B Line is expected to be operational in 2024. Work will primarily be done east of Hiawatha Ave. this year, and to the west next year.

B LINE: ‘LIVING-YOUR-LIFE-IN-THE-CITY LINE’

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN Marshall/Selby/Lake St. will be torn up over the next two summers to create the new 12.6-mile Bus Rapid Transit B Line. The majority of construction along this line will … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

CAUGHT BETWEEN

She lived in Minnesota for only five months and her daughter was born in Iowa, but Dani* has been dragged into family court in Minnesota nearly every one of the past 11 years by her ex-boyfriend. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

Tameka Jones of Lip Esteem aims to help people of all skin tones feel beautiful with the plant-based, gluten free lipstick she sells.

She’s changing the landscape of beauty

Amidst the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uprising following George Floyd’s murder, Tameka Jones, a proud Rondo native and passionate makeup artist, emerged with a strong desire to … more

By Aamira Redd | 6/7/23

Jenne Nelson (at left) lives in Como with her family. (Photo submitted)

Meet Jenne Nelson

Hamline Midway Coalition has a new office and a new executive director. In February, the neighborhood group moved next door from the Hamline Midway Library into the Knox International Building. Jenne … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

“It is a travesty on so many levels that we have gotten to this point, given there are multiple win-wins for the community, including a renovation design commissioned by the city or a relocation of the library, something that has never been seriously considered but would serve the community better on a number of levels,” said Jonathan Oppenheimer of Renovate 1558.

Library closure starts May 28

The Hamline Midway Library building will check out its last book on May 27 and close on May 28, 2023. The historic building will be demolished and replaced with a new structure. Once closed, staff … more

By Jane McClure and Tesha M. Christensen | 5/10/23

Ker Cha, one of the team members that went to South Korea, practices at Frogtown Community Center.

It all started in a refugee camp

Gao Chang likes to play volleyball and soccer. But the sport that has captured his heart is sepak takraw, a game with three team members on each side of a net using any part of their body except … more

By Jan Willms | 5/10/23

Diane Schray, a real estate agent with Real Estate Masters, shopped on April 28 at the ReUse Warehouse, scoring vintage fixtures for a client who recently bought a tudor-style house in Como neighborhood. The clerk remarked that they had just come in that day.

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, reuse of building materials had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in … more

By Margo Ashmore | 5/10/23

Angelina Hernandez spoke about the importanance of smudging. (Photo submitted)

Educator advocates for smudging policy

“All Native American students should have the right to smudge,” said Como Park High School teacher Angelina Hernandez. “We need to expand policies to protect the rights of … more

By Eric Erickson | 4/14/23

She helps students take risks, achieve goals

Sarah Ehlen, a math and science teacher at Prodeo Academy, finds joy in building connections with her students and watching them grow as learners. The veteran teacher believes it’s her job to … more

By Sarah Graves | 4/14/23

Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul (Photo by Jill Boogren)

‘You belong here’

Minnesota’s transgender community and supporters packed the State Capitol for Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, sending a clear and unapologetic message that reverberated throughout … more

By Jill Boogren | 4/14/23

Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish. Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning experience. The Elpis ice fishing program is open to youth from fourth grade and up at area schools. They learn how to identify species, as well as fishing regulations and cold weather conditions. “They are taught heater safety, hook safety and hole safety,” Erickson said. Sixth-graders from Sejong Academy experienced ice fishing on Lake Como on Feb.13, 2023. Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish (above). Police cadets from the St. Paul Police Activities League assisted students at Como Lake.

Land of 10,000 outdoor hobbies

Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning … more

By Jan Willms | 3/9/23

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

Library earns national register designation

The Hamline Midway Library’s newly won spot on the National Register of Historic Places doesn’t guarantee its future. The building could still be demolished. But the decision, announced … more

By Jane McClure | 3/9/23