Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Have you heard about Plastic Free July? It’s a decade-old movement to get people to reduce their use of single-use plastics. The hoped-for result: cleaner streets, lakes, rivers, and … more

By PATRICIA OHMANS | 7/13/22

Frog Food by Z Akhmetova July 2022

7/13/22

Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli from Indigenous Roots perform during the 2022 Peace Celebration. (Photo submitted by Abby Gessesse)

Celebrating truth and peace

“The naked truth is always better than the best-dressed lie.” – Ann Landers “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will… The limits of … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 7/13/22

Kids enjoyed treats and painting at the annual ice cream social. (Photo by Shevek McKee)

Thank you, thank you, thank you

It’s been a whirlwind few months at the Como Community Council, we’ve had lake clean-ups, blood drives, community gardening events, Como Tree Trek, Como Homo Hangout, new community events … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 7/13/22

Como Park senior Rais Jaffer raced to medals in both hurdling events at the Section 4AA track and field meet. (Photo by Eric Erickson)

Highlights at school year end

Graduation HighlightsSeniors from the Class of 2022 and their families were busy celebrating accomplishments in early June. Graduation took place at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul on … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 7/13/22

Little Jibril can now swim the length of the recreational pool at the Midway YMCA on Saturday mornings. (Photo by Mitchell Lallier)

LEARNING HOW TO SWIM AT THE YMCA

Little eyes brighten and smiles break out when mommy or daddy say it’s time to go to the pool at the Midway YMCA Saturday mornings for swimming lessons for infants and toddlers.Mitch Lallier … more

By CAROL MAHNKE | 7/13/22

Making St. Paul even more awesome

What do a Makerspace teacher at Randolph Heights Elementary School, the owner of a St. Paul Frogtown-based non-profit that provides medical supplies to Bolivians, and a library media specialist at … more

7/13/22

PLAN IT July 2022

SEE MACBETH JULY 22-31“Something wicked this way comes” as Shakespearean Youth Theatre presents Macbeth at the Crane Theater, 2303 NE Kennedy St. in Minneapolis, July 22-July 31. … more

7/13/22

BICYCLE SHOP HONORED

Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles is one of 108 bicycle shops across the US and Canada to receive the 2022 Bicycle Retailer Excellence Award from the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA). The St. … more

7/13/22

SAINT ANTHONY PARK TREE LOVERS FIGHT BACK

Asphalt or trees? A group of St Anthony Park residents gathered on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 to declare their firm allegiance to the trees.Armed with packing tape and scissors, the tree advocates affixed … more

7/13/22

Ward 1 council vacancy

Last week, Councilmember Dai Thao announced that he will retire from his post effective Aug. 1, 2022. The Saint Paul City Council is required to appoint a replacement who will serve until the end of … more

7/13/22

The city plans to demolish the historic Hamline Midway Library and build a new one, as shown by this rendering.

Design workshops set for Hamline-Midway Library

With plans in hand to demolish and replace the Hamline-Midway Branch Library, a detailed focus on design continues. Updated design renderings, the latest floor plans and specific details derived from … more

By JANE McCLURE | 7/13/22

8 tips to help children become readers and leaders

Summertime is the perfect time for enjoying reading. It can be an opportunity to inspire the reluctant reader by introducing a new book genre like science fiction. Alternatively, it can provide the … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 7/13/22

We’re redefining our priorities

Recently, the Midway Chamber of Commerce held a retreat for our board of directors. We are like many nonprofit organizations, where we have staff and also a dedicated group who serve in a volunteer … more

By CHAD KULAS, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director chad@midwaychamber.com | 7/13/22

Breathing new life into 27th and Lake

The 27th Avenue block between Lake and 31st Street bustled with community life. The block included a Latino night club, a popular Indian-Bangladeshi restaurant, and a community organization serving … more

By Iric Nathanson | 6/26/22

Raycurt Johnson (left) and Butchy Austin (right) play music at Say Their Names Cemetery during the vigil on May 25, 2022. Reverend Jeanette Rupert spoke at the vigil, which was followed by a candlelit walk via the Mourning Passage along Chicago Ave. to the George Floyd Memorial. Once there, members of the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center did a bronze pour of a sankofa bird.

REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD

People gathered May 25-28, 2022 to commemorate the 2nd angelversary of George Floyd’s death. Others lost to police violence were remembered, and their families, who continue to push for change, … more

6/26/22

Winston Smith’s brother Kidale Smith (center) speaks as Winston’s mother, Tijuana Wilson (left) and sister, Tamara Wilson (right) stand by his side. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Family, friends seek answers in Winston Smith killing

One year after law enforcement officers killed 32-year-old father and comedian Winston “Boogie” Smith Jr. at the top of an Uptown parking ramp, his family, friends and community members … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 6/26/22

Hamline-Midway library to be demolished

By Jane McClure The Hamline Midway Library will be demolished and replaced with a new structure for $5.8 million. St. Paul Public Library administration announced the decision May 26, 2022. Social … more

By Jane McClure | 6/26/22

Como resident Charlotte Tracy (above) is a part of the city’s only professional ballet company and school, the Ballet Co.Laboratory, as are her sisters, Isabelle and Hazel. (Photo by Alexis Lund)

Sisters who dance

As the school year draws to a close, most high school students are focused on final exams, proms, and preparations for graduation. Como resident Charlotte Tracy, a trainee dancer with Ballet … more

6/26/22

Give your opinion

Anyone seeking a project for their community doesn’t have a lot of time to weigh in on St. Paul’s 2023 Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) candidates. A public hearing on projects … more

By Jane McClure | 6/26/22