Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Project at former school building A Merriam Park development project, which hit some delays, is moving ahead. The St. Paul Planning Commission Jan. 6 approved a conditional use permit and variances … more

By Jane McClure | 1/16/23

Eugene Johnson and his children (Angelic, age eight, and Angelica, age nine) appreciate the experience they’ve had through Shop with Cops. Johnson told Midway Area Chamber of Commerce members about it during a fundraiser on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Happy tidings from Shop With Cops

Last year, Christmas was looking pretty bleak for the Eugene Johnson family.Johnson fell off a second story building onto a fence, and was hospitalized for weeks. Then he spent time in a wheelchair. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/13/22

A brown creeper is stunned after a collision with a window. Turning off as many night time lights as possible and making windows “visible” to birds during the day helps keep them alive. (Photo courtesy of Frogtown Green)

Save a bird: go dark ‘til Halloween

By Patricia OhmansFrogtown GreenAre you concerned about news of bird die-offs, and even extinctions? Turn off the lights! That’s one of two simple things you can do, according to experts at the … more

By Patricia Ohmans Frogtown Green | 10/12/22

A community pollinator garden is installed at the Orchard Rec Center, and cared for by community members. (Photo submitted)

Join the Saint Paullinator team

On April 14, 2022, Como Community Council was awarded the Lawns to Legume Demonstration Neighborhood Grant through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Funding is provided by the Environment … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 10/12/22

District 11: a place where your voice matters

What does a district council in St. Paul do? The answer is as varied as the people who live in district, Como resident Sarah O’Brien has discovered in the last year since she was hired to … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/18/22

There are easy woodland walks that don’t require heavy hiking. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

From the ‘Hood to the Woods

Beach to beechWhen I arrived in Minnesota as an east coast transplant in the late 1980s, my summer visions were of expanses of New Jersey beaches rather than expansive views of blue beeches, the … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 9/18/22

Young climate carnival-goers “voted” for their favorite step toward sustainability. (Photo courtesy of Frogtown Green)

LIFE IS A (CLIMATE) CARNIVAL

First the bad news: Frogtown, Saint Paul’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhood, will be hard hit by the coming climate crisis. Residents of our low-income neighborhood are already suffering … more

By Patricia Ohmans Frogtown Green | 9/18/22

New park opens at Highland Bridge development

On Aug. 9, 2022, the City of Saint Paul celebrated the opening of Uncií Makhá Park (2230 Montreal Ave.), a brand-new 6.4 acre park at the Highland Bridge development. The new park … more

9/18/22

Several large carp over two feet in length were tagged during the 2021 survey.

Common carp muddy the water at Como Lake

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) is scheduled deployed four large box nets on Aug. 10 to catch and remove common carp over a period of 4-5 weeks in Como Lake. Common carp are an invasive fish … more

9/18/22

DIARY OF A PLASTIC-FREE WANNABE

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

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 … more

7/13/22

South Minneapolis resident Roxanne Stuhr said, "One of my biggest rewards comes from guiding people through the process of creating their own individual take on an effective system and seeing them be proud and excited of their contribution." (Photo by Penny Fuller)

Guardians of our freshwater

What thoughts or images come to mind when you hear “freshwater”? Do you see a sparkling lake, hear water lapping against the shoreline, feel it tickling your toes? Is it a gurgling creek … more

By PENNY FULLER | 6/26/22

What happens when you stop mowing and start planting native flowers around the edges of West Minnehaha Recreation Center in Frogtown? The bees return, including this endangered Rusty-Patched bumblebee (Minnesota’s state bee), spotted and photographed last July. (Photo by Kathy Sidles)

NO MOW MAY

Let’s face it – your lawn, with all the mowing, raking, fertilizing, weeding, chemical treatment and watering it requires – is pretty much useless. At least that’s what a lot … more

By PATRICIA OHMANS | 6/8/22

Dave Crawford and Diane Peterson stand in front of their entryway.

The clown colored house on the hill

Perched on a hill overlooking the Como Park Golf Course is a two-story vivid spruce green and fuchsia pink cube made of steel and glass. Situated on a bend in Lexington Ave, it’s impossible to … more

5/11/22

Advice and service tips from Bobby & Steve’s Auto World

After a brutal winter, Minnesotans know it’s time to tend to our vehicles. And for metro area residents there’s no better place than the locally owned Bobby & Steve’s Auto … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 4/16/22

A SHOE STORY

Gene Hartsock is stepping away from a cobbler’s life. Gene’s Hartland Shoe & Boot Repair winds down operations this month, after having a Midway presence since 1989.“I want to … more

By JANE McCLURE | 4/16/22

At 576 square feet, this office space at 996 Front Ave. is considered a small working space. “I just believe, whether it’s for business or personal, you don’t need as much space,” said building owner Stephen Filing of Realty Group.

Tiny spaces live large

Stephen Filing of Realty Group was looking to start a real estate business in 2014. He and his wife recently had a child and wanted to start something in the area. When Filing found the tiny office … more

By CHLOE PETER | 4/14/22

Anna Lovat, Como Park Senior High School student

Why you should care about bugs

When I say I love insects, I’m normally met with a blank stare. Or worst case – a shudder. It’s not a very popular take, but with insect populations drastically declining across the … more

By Anna Lovat | 4/14/22

A family group participates in the 2021 parks cleanup event at Frogtown Park & Farm. (Photo courtesy of Frogtown Green)

Who cares about litter?

Have you noticed those people with blue and purple bags, picking up litter at the park on a Saturday in April? Are those litter-removers actually doing anything to help the environment, or are they … more

By PATRICIA OHMANS | 4/14/22