News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to last month’s Como Park Cleanup event. We counted 142 amazing volunteers, including 33 from the Twin Cities German Immersion School, that’s huge! … more

By Shevek McKee, Executive director, district10@district10comopark.org | 5/10/23

Students discovered and explored potential opportunities at the Como Career and Trade Fair in the Como Gym on April 27.

Como student learn about careers

Como students took advantage of the chance to visit with representatives from 30 different businesses, industries, and trade groups during school on Thursday, April 27. The fair featured many St. … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 5/10/23

Rondo resident Celeste Finn published a children’s book aimed at nurturing safe, fender-affirming communities. The book is titled, “As I Am,” and includes a 24-page guide to help caregivers navigate conversations.

Book with purpose

Rondo resident Celeste Finn has written “As I Am,” a children’s picture book notable for being one of the only children’s picture books with a nonbinary protagonist. It was … more

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

Amanda Vosberg, St. Paul Curling Club; Tracy Lindgren, Midway resident and member of the Midway Curling Club; and Matt Mittag, St. Paul Curling Club.

Chess on ice?

Curling has been described in many ways, according to Gretchen Pietruszewski, the manager of the Frogtown Curling Club at 743 Western Ave. N. in Saint Paul. “It’s been called chess on ice … more

By Jan Willms | 4/14/23

Comment on changes to parking lot rules at April 28 hearing

Anyone who has ever struggled to cross a busy parking lot to get to Green Line light rail or an A Line bus may appreciate proposed changes to how future lots are designed in St. Paul. Changes in how … more

By Jane McClure | 4/14/23

“It’s Only Life After All” tells the story of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls – the iconic folk rock duo. View it on the closing night of the film festival, on April 27.

MSPIFF 42 Begins

Whether a long-time film society member or new to the scene, film buffs all over the Twin Cities and beyond are getting ready for the 42nd Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) … more

By Jan Willms | 4/14/23

View ‘40 Below’

Why do people do this?Documentary filmmaker Marius Anderson tries to answer this question about the reasons people choose to expose themselves to bitter Minnesota wind and temperatures in the annual … more

By Jan Willms | 4/14/23

‘Minnesota Mean’

By Jan Willms Minnesota documentary filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson has managed to capture both the strength and the vulnerability of the roller derby skaters whose story she tells in her film … more

by Jan Willms | 4/14/23

Volunteers clean up Frogtown Park & Farm during a previous year event. This year’s event will be on Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. (Photo submitted)

Mark your calendar to make a green difference

Sick of snow? Me, too. It’s frustrating to be stuck inside yet again in what feels like an endless series of “final” winter storms. But these last slushy days give us time to get … more

By Patricia Ohmans Frogtown Green | 4/14/23

Send prayers to planet, relatives

“Arise and shine; go touch a life; Go and chase your destiny. Arise and shine; with the power of one; It’s your time.” Sherri Orr Hello Monitor readers,I send good thoughts, … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 4/14/23

‘Matilda, Jr.’ at Murray Middle School

After four years without a performance, the spring Musical Theater was back at Murray Middle School. The production of Matilda, Jr. was a huge success, according to organizers. Over 50 students were … more

4/14/23

Plan it April 2023

AUDITION FOR ‘THE MUSIC MAN’ AT COMOAuditions for “The Music Man” will be held at the Roseville Area Middle School on April 24 and 25 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly, with … more

4/14/23

Help clean-up Como Park on April 22

D10 Como Park usually co-hosts the Como Park portion of the city’s Regional Parks Cleanup Day. When: Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9-11:30 a.m. What: Individuals and groups of all ages come … more

By Shevek McKee, Executive director, district10@district10comopark.org | 4/14/23

Como AP Government students with Congresswoman Betty McCollum in her Washington D.C. office. (Photo courtesy of congressional staff)

Como AP Government students visit D.C.

Fifteen seniors studying AP Government and AP Economics recently spent a week in Washington D.C. as part of the national Close Up program. Highlights included study visits to national monuments and … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 4/14/23

Should banquet hall along University have parking lot?

A longtime Frogtown commercial building can become a restaurant and banquet hall, with St. Paul Planning Commission approval of a needed conditional use permit March 17. But the project has … more

By Jane McClure | 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

Garbage changes may be coming

St. Paul’s contract for organized garbage collection, serving 1-4 unit dwellings, expires Oct. 1. That may be months away. But in the scheme of city process, it is coming up fast.The St. Paul … more

By Jane McClure | 3/9/23