Opinion | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Unacceptable that SPPL ignores community input on Hamline Midway Library

Concerning the future of the Hamline Midway Library, I do not understand the purpose of surveys and public engagement if SPPL director Catherine Penkert can simply ignore the results. In March … more

8/21/22

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

Deceitful public process undermines democracy in Saint Paul

Two months ago, the Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) announced its plans to demolish the historic Hamline Midway Library, claiming that the decision was the result of “extensive work with … more

by Barbara Bezat, Tom Goldstein, Jonathan Oppenheimer, Roy Neal, and Bonnie Youngquist | 8/12/22 | 2 comments

New library essential to bridging community’s past with its current and future needs

In Saint Paul, we know that libraries are about people. They are community gathering spaces, safe havens, and places where access, connection, and opportunity merge together. Whether you’re … more

by Catherine Penkert | 8/12/22

Celebrate Black Philanthropy Month by investing in the community

Black Philanthropy Month is an invitation for our community to engage in Harambee which means “let’s pull together.” Together, we can have a great impact on our local community and … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 8/12/22

Celebrating cultures of the Midway

One of the best things about the Midway is that is has always been a melting pot. University Avenue, like so many Main Streets throughout the country 100 years ago and now, has been a home to … more

By CHAD KULAS, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director chad@midwaychamber.com | 8/12/22

MEDITATION ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

“It is not that I belong to the past, but the past that belongs to me.” ~ Mary Antin “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 8/12/22

FOR THE PEOPLE

It was an astonishing idea. Spend $100,000 in 1873 to buy 260 acres of land, including Como Lake, a lake that was little more than a large swamp at the time? Crazy as it sounded, that’s exactly … more

7/13/22

Neighbors near fair banding together

I am part of a group of neighbors near the State Fair. After gun shots were fired on a neighbor’s lawn in 2021 (during a parking dispute), we decided to band together to work towards a safer … more

7/13/22

Thanks for voices against violence series

I am a staff attorney at Standpoint. In case you aren’t familiar with us, we are a non-profit (located in St. Paul right on University Avenue, but we offer our services statewide) that provides … more

7/13/22

SAD TO HEAR LIBRARY WILL BE DEMOLISHED

I am saddened to learn our elected city officials have decided to misspend taxpayers’ money to demolish this beautiful old building. Our elected officials, not just city but also state, seem to … more

7/13/22

Minnetronix Medical has been located along Energy Park Drive for many years, but was faced with a decision: stay and expand, or leave? After careful consideration, they chose to stay and grow from 120,000 to 160,000 square feet. Part of their rationale is knowing that their 400 employees are spread out and the site is centrally located. This is one of the most referred to benefits of the Midway neighborhood.

Midway’s industrial sector still one of hottest spots in Twin Cities

Throughout the history of the Midway neighborhood, manufacturing has held a very important place. As technology and products have changed, so, too, has the evolution of the buildings and the … more

By CHAD KULAS, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director chad@midwaychamber.com | 6/26/22

South Minneapolis resident James Johnson is the winner of the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute Writing for Social Change Competition. His children’s book, “Ol’ Jim Crow’s Jubilee Day Caper,” will be released on Juneteenth 2022.

New Juneteenth book explores history, culture, and community-building

Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute is proud to announce that James Johnson is the winner of our Writing for Social Change Competition. His children’s book, “Ol’ … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 6/26/22

Frog Food by Z Akhmetova July 2022

6/26/22

Renovate 1558 heartbroken by SPPL decision to demolish Hamline Midway Library

Renovate 1558 is heartbroken by the decision by St. Paul Public Library (SPPL) to tear down the historic Hamline Midway Library, a choice that needlessly divides our neighborhood by demolishing a … more

by Jonathan Oppenheimer, Tom Goldstein and Bonnie Youngquist | 6/9/22

Colleen O’Connor Toberman is the Land Use & Planning Director at Friends of the Mississippi River. She can be reached at ctoberman@fmr.org or 651.222.2193 x29.

Join us to explore the future of the Mississippi River

In the 20th century, we made major public investments to transform the metro Mississippi River for commercial and industrial purposes. However, some of that old infrastructure is no longer useful, … more

By Colleen O’Connor Toberman, ctoberman@fmr.org Friends of the Mississippi River | 5/11/22

Saving Hamline Midway Library embraces future while preserving our past

Two weeks ago our community learned that St. Paul Public Library (SPPL) is considering two options regarding the future of the Hamline Midway Library: a renovation and expansion design that SPPL is … more

By Barbara Bezat, Tom Goldstein, Jackie Lannin, Roy Neal, Jonathan Oppenheimer and Bonnie Youngquist | 5/11/22

Celebrating Jackie Robinson’s leadership legacy

The Minnesota Twins recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut in Major League Baseball. Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute was represented during the … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 5/11/22

Mental health and school shootings: a call for intervention

The rise of school shootings and school shooting threats within the last five years in the United States has left school officials and law enforcement in a state of perplexity in attempting to … more

By Hannah Ericson, Kenzie Harstad, Savannah Lyytinen, Hannah Moore and Isabel Quevedo | 5/11/22

Spring has sprung

You may have heard the phrase from a certain famous local singer that sometimes it snows in April (and if you haven’t, check your social media feed literally every time a snowflake falls this … more

By CHAD KULAS, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director chad@midwaychamber.com | 4/16/22

A call to inclusive leadership

Inclusive leadership is more important than ever, and includes more than recognizing cultural, ethnic, and gender differences. It is critical for companies and organizations that want to attract and … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 4/16/22