Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Funded: Food shelf, Victoria Theater and childcare center conversion

The planned new Keystone Community Services food shelf, Victoria Theater renovations and conversion of the Work It co-working space into a child care center are among the local projects approved in … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

“For me, this is the most peaceful place on earth," explained Dr. Remi Douah, who is a listening presence at the "Say Their Names Cemetery" near George Floyd Square. "I can easily spend eight hours a day here. It’s not a chore; it’s not an intervention. It’s my way of life now. It’s what I structure my days around.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Learn to listen

Dr. Remi Douah is a listening presence at the “Say Their Names” Cemetery near George Floyd Square, just off East 37th Street between Chicago and Columbus avenues. He spends hours there … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 9/16/21

Comment on proposed Ramsey County budget

Ramsey County Manager Ryan O’Connor proposed to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners a biennial budget of $772.8 million for 2022 and $781.9 million for 2023 on Tuesday, Aug. 24, … more

9/10/21

Participants at artistic events at Afya Sanaa engage in self-expression and wellness activities to heal through art, knowledge and love. (Photo submitted)

Newly opened Black healing arts center damaged by fire

Afya Sanaa is a healing center and community space where Minnesotans who identify as Black, African, or African American can find the solace, safety and fellowship to start their journey toward … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/24/21

The center of the Midway Shopping Center was the most severely damaged by the fire on May 28, 2020. The shopping center remains vacant and boarded, with a fence around it, more than a year after the damage.

Will demolished Midway Center be used for parking?

The fire-ravaged Midway Center faces an order to be demolished within 15 days at the Aug. 25 St. Paul City Council meeting. While a building demolition permit for the shopping center at the southwest … more

By JANE MCCLURE | 8/12/21

Ryan Companies Parks and Public Spaces project manager Mac Pegovac and Bob Fossum of CRWD check out the progress of the storm water management at the heart of the redevelopment project at the former Ford Assembly Plant property. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Reviving upper Hidden Falls Creek

This summer, workers are building a channel and bridge that will connect a recreated upper Hidden Falls Creek with the lower falls at East River Parkway and Magoffin Avenue.It’s part of the … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

FNA’s Anti-Displacement Community Organizer Danielle Swift, said, “What makes me most excited about this project is the opportunity to be creative around affordable housing and community ownership. The city of Saint Paul will transfer ownership of 652 Sherburne to Model Cities. FNA will be a working partner in this project along with Hope Community’s Housing Justice Center and Historic Saint Paul.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT

About two dozen people boarded a big yellow bus on a hot, sticky night to discuss the prospects for Development without Displacement in the Frogtown, Rondo, and Summit University neighborhoods. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Tina Tavera stands with her billboard “La Conneccion” on the Cup Foods rooftop behind her. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Billboards at George floyd square show connection, unity

Two new artist-created billboards are up on the rooftops at George Floyd Square. Part of the Social Justice Billboard Project, “La Conneccion,” by Maria Cristina “Tina” … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 8/12/21

Correction August 2021

On page 7 of the July 2021 Monitor, we incorrectly identified a man in a photo as “Police Commissioner” Todd Axtell. Also, we would like to point out that Chad Giblin is no longer with … more

8/12/21

Ten Thousand Things Artistic director Marcela Lorca said, "This is a very difficult time, but it has required all of us to learn many new things." (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

What is role of artists in community?

Marcela Lorca is the artistic director of Ten Thousand Things (TTT), a theater company whose work has been grounded in practices of inclusion, equity, service and accessibility since in its founding … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Alan Berks (left) and Leah Cooper (right) are co-artistic directors of Wonderlust Productions, located in Frogtown. Their 2016 play about the experience of adoption has been adapted into graphic novel form. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

In my Heart: the Adoption Story Project

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLINSeven years ago, Wonderlust Productions co-artistic directors Alan Berks of Merriam Park and Leah Cooper began inviting people from the adoption community to share their … more

8/12/21

Como resident and author William Kent Krueger focused on the various relationships in his main character’s early life in this newly released prequel. (Photo by Jan Willms)

Newest Cork O’Connor book coming Aug. 24

By JAN WILLMSFor his 18th novel in the Cork O’Connor series, Como author William Kent Krueger has written a prequel to the adult life of his Irish-Ojibwe private investigator. In … more

By JAN WILLMS | 8/12/21

Como Park Senior High School Pirncipal Kirk Morris is looking forward to a new school year.

Como Principal Kirk Morris looking forward to his second year

With a new academic year set to begin in September, Como Park Senior High School Principal Kirk Morris is planning and preparing for what everyone hopes is a more “normal” school … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 8/12/21

Hamline University requires COVID-19 vaccination

In order to ensure a full educational experience in the fall 2021 semester, Hamline University will require all students and employees to complete a COVID-19 vaccination series by Aug. 15, 2021. … more

8/12/21

SPPS may require masks

Superintendent Joe Gothard was expected to introduce a resolution requiring masks for all children ages two and older, staff and visitors at the Committee of the Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, to … more

8/12/21

Diane Dodge was roasted and toasted by several dozen friends and admirers at a recent picnic at Newell Park. Best known for her relentless community activism and cheerful, flower-covered hats, Dodge is moving to rural Wisconsin to be closer to family. (Photo by John Pavlica)

Gardening activist moves on

After many years as a Hamline-Midway resident, longtime neighborhood activist Diane Dodge moved to rural Wisconsin at the end of July. Dodge was active in racial equity and social justice work … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

What’s good? What needs reconciling and healing? Let me know.

“Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.” -Friedrich Nietzsche “The butterfly does not look back at the … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 8/12/21

Louie Moore has been president of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota for 22 years. He is a tireless advocate for cycling: promoting the sport in communities of color, and improving biking conditions across the city for all. Club rides meet at his home near 48th Street and Columbus Avenue in South Minneapolis. Moore was the first Black person to buy a home on his block, and has lived there for 57 years. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Major Taylor Bicycling Club promotes cycling geared towards African American riders

The Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota has been bringing diversity to Twin Cities cycling since it started in 1999. Co-founded by Louie Moore and Walter Griffin, the nonprofit … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Sarah O’Brien hired as new executive director of Hamline Midway Coalition

The Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC) Board of Directors is happy to announce that Sarah O’Brien has been hired to be the next executive director of Saint Paul District Council 11.O’Brien … more

8/12/21

Shavek McKee, District 10 Executive Director

New vice chair, sub-district 1 member on board

A special election to fill two District 10 board vacancies was held in July. Como community members elevated sitting Sub-District 4 board member Benjamin Kowalsky-Grahek to the Vice Chair seat and … more

8/12/21