Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

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

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

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 … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 9/16/21

Industrial buildings converting to schools, housing, mixed-use

Preserving St. Paul’s remaining industrially zoned properties is the focus of a study launched in August by the St. Paul Planning Commission. The study could have major impacts on the West … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

ANIMATE, is a fictional, eight-scene moving theatrical experience performed on the Como Zoo grounds that repeatedly asks the question: “Does the good of the many supersede the good of the individual?” In an extravaganza that begins with a helicopter landing and ends with a sea lion jumping, audiences travel in small groups throughout the mythical Jackson Kennicott Zoo - to the primate house, the giraffe grotto, the big cat building, polar bears, the tropics, and culminate at the seal and sea lion habitat- to witness the Twin Cities greatest actors explore race and philanthropy through a lens of species preservation and conservation. The host of characters includes primatologists, zoo directors and curators and keepers, elected officials, activists, and more. ANIMATE has one preview, September 16, and opens September 17 for a two-week run, closing September 26. All performances are at 6:30PM. Reservations can be made at www.mixedblood.com

PLAN IT September 2021

Meet police at resource fairMeet the Saint Paul Police Department Community Engagement Specialists at Information and Resource Fairs this month. Learn about crime trents, prevention tips and ongoing … more

9/16/21

Frogtown Art Festival set for Sept. 25

On Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 the Frogtown Neighborhood Association (FNA) and the Victoria Theater Arts Center (VTAC) will co-host the annual Frogtown Arts Festival. This annual festival celebrates the … more

9/16/21

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

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

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

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

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

Imam Mursal of Masjid alihsan leads the Eid prayer hosted by Al-Ihsan Islamic center. (Photo submitted)

Eid al-Adha explores theme of sacrifice in final month of Islamic calendar year

Eid al-Adha is one of the most important days for Muslims around the world. In July, Eid al Adha was celebrated by the Muslim community of Frogtown. The celebration is traditionally held on the 10th … more

By Ibrahim Hussein, Frogtown resident | 8/12/21

Development Roundup August 2021

Project receives fundingThe Metropolitan Council has awarded $2.8 million in polluted-site cleanup grants that promote redevelopment and economic opportunity in the region, including funding for a … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/21

Mississippi Market staff with food donations. (Photo submitted)

BRIEFS August 2021

Mississippi Market increases food donations, food justice effortsMississippi Market has launched a new food donation program to help meet the increase in hunger the community is facing, which is … more

8/12/21

PLAN IT August 2021

Como Relays Aug. 18 & 25Every Wednesday in August Run Minnesota is hosting Como Park Relays at the intersection of Horton Ave. and Lexington Pkwy. Kids race (race 1/4 mile or 1/2 mile) start at … more

8/12/21

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter (center), husband Melvin Carter Junior (left) and son St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter III (right) commemorated their family’s original Rondo home that was uprooted during the construction of I-94 by planting a tree during the Juneteenth Celebration at the Rondo Center of Diverse Expression at 315 Fisk St. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Rebirth, healing, reconciliation and hope

Saturday, June 19, 2021 was a day of healing, rebirth, reconciliation, and hope in St. Paul’s historically Black Rondo neighborhood. The Juneteenth Celebration showcased the creation of a new … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/23/21