News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Segundo Velasquez, co-founder of Mano a Mano. (Photo by Margie O'Loughlin)

Non-profit sends medical supplies to Bolivia – and shares surplus at home

Joan and Segundo Velasquez founded Mano a Mano in 1994 with the goal of saving surplus medical supplies from the landfill in Minnesota and shipping them to Bolivia, where those supplies were … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/17/21

“It’s okay for professionals to say they are not doing okay and get therapy or join a support group,” says Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia University. The university has started a program for an online graduate certificate in trauma, resilience and self-care strategies. (Photo submitted)

Helping professionals need help, too

Coping with the ups and downs of everyday life can be challenging in the best of times. But add COVID-19 to the mix, and those challenges can increase greatly.Jerrod Brown, a professor at Concordia … more

By Jan Willms | 10/17/21

“Cart” Rob runs the business side of things, including logistics and coordination for helping feed the Frogtown neighborhood. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

MOTORCYCLE CLUB LENDS A HAND

Every Thursday morning, things are hopping in front of 609 Dale Street North. Members of the Cash Money Ryders Motorcycle Club unload three semi-trucks full of groceries donated by Godtown and Hyvee, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/17/21

Plan It October 2021

‘Genocide’ seminar In commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, “Genocide of the American Indians: From 1492 to Today” will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 7-9 p.m. … more

10/17/21

Regular classes, yard help, rides

Hamline Midway Elders is here to support our neighbors 60+ in the Hamline Midway and western Frogtown area, offering rides to medical appointments, yard help, referral and advocacy, as well as … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 10/17/21

Briefs October 2021

Lyngblomsten expands Lyngblomsten, a Minnesota senior services organization, will begin preparing a 20-acre site in mid-October 2021 for a senior living campus in Lino Lakes. This is a significant … more

10/17/21

Frogfood October 2021

10/17/21

Exceptional honors for Como students

The National Merit Scholarship Program has recognized Como senior Soren Sackreiter for his academic excellence and outstanding collegiate potential. Through his coursework and performance on the PSAT … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 10/17/21

I’m inspired by young folx

Hello autumn, Monitor readers,It seems that I’ve been working double-time in attempting to honor my 2021 resolution of staying optimistic. My attempt is not denying the record number of … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 10/17/21

Captured at on 25 Aug, 2021 by Alex Carroll Photography

Ribbon cutting for Rice Street Library Children's Area

Leaders and friends from PNC Bank, Saint Paul Public Library, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Saint Paul Council President Amy Brendmoen gathered to celebrate the library’s new … more

10/7/21

A NEW DALE STREET BRIDGE

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 … 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 Fry … 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