Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

“This museum is not just for the Hmong people, but for everyone to come and learn more about Hmong history, art and culture,” said Txongpao Lee, executive director. It is located at 375 University Ave. (Photo submitted)

By Jan WillmsThe Hmong Cultural Center Museum at 375 University Ave. in St. Paul is not trying to be the Hmong Smithsonian, according to Mark Pfeifer, director of programs at the Cultural Center. … more

1/11/22

Prior Avenue to be rebuilt

By Jane McClure Prior Avenue provides an important bike and pedestrian connection between neighborhoods north and south of Interstate 94, as well as a motor vehicle route to many Midway … more

1/11/22

Monitor in a Minute January 2022

New use eyed for longtime schoolThe St. Paul City School is preparing to move its operations out of historic Frogtown Catholic schools and into a new building at University Avenue and Marion Street. … more

By JANE McCLURE | 1/11/22

Dr. Buffy Smith, interim dean of Dougherty Family College, see herself in the experiences of the students there. She was the first person in her family to attend college. (Photo submitted)

Dougherty Family College offers students a great start

A two-year college through the University of St. Thomas is tailored to motivated, underrepresented students who have encountered barriers in pursuing a college degree.Founded in 2017, the Dougherty … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/11/22

Public comments prompt change to proposed religious use ordinance

New regulations for religious uses in St. Paul look very different than they did a few months ago when they provoked outcry throughout the city.Adoption of the new regulations will clarify and … more

By Jane McClure | 1/11/22

BRIEFLY January 2022

MatasCastillo elected ChairThe Ramsey County Board of Commissioners elected Trista MatasCastillo as Chair of the Board for 2022. Since 2019, Commissioner MatasCastillo has represented Ramsey County … more

1/11/22

Wondering what we do?

Hamline Midway Elders is here to support our neighbors 60+ in the Hamline Midway and western Frogtown area. Our service area is within Dale Street on the east; University Avenue to the south; … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 12/11/21

The HiBAR team at their workplace in the St. Paul Midway neighborhood. HiBAR launched in late 2018, and is already on the shelves in more than 10,000 stores across the country. Founder Nora Scharper said, “The world needs one or two brands that can popularize the idea and practice of being plastic-free, and we intend to be one of them.” (Top photos submitted, bottom photo at right by Margie O'Loughlin)

HiBAR co-founders drawn together by sense of purpose

By now, everyone has seen images of plastic-strewn beaches around the world. Half a billion shampoo and conditioner bottles get tossed out every year in this country alone. Nora Schaper and her three … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 11/12/21

There’s a brand new play space at Hamline Park

Located in the Hamline-Midway area at 1564 Lafond Ave., this play space has been completely replaced, including new safety surfacing and new drains underneath to keep the playground dry. The new play … more

11/12/21

LEAP, Galtier and Jackson may close

The St. Paul School Board is preparing to vote Nov. 16, 2021, on a plan that would close schools including Galtier and Jackson elementaries and the LEAP Academy High School, and make program changes … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/12/21

Night Trains return to Twin City Model Railroad Museum

Night Trains™ season is back. This special holiday tradition returns to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum (668 Transfer Road, Suite 8) runs every Saturday evening from 3-7 p.m. through the … more

11/12/21

Monitor in a Minute November 2021

Parks funding wins OKGrants and donations for improvements to area parks and trails won St. Paul City Council in October.The council received $22,693 from the Ramsey County Soil and Water … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/12/21

Development Roundup November 2021

Keystone project moves aheadKeystone Community Services’ planned new and expand food shelf facilities took a step ahead Oct. 20 as the St. Paul City Council approved an allocation of $902,255 … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/12/21

B Line plan moves ahead

B Line bus rapid transit service is to start in 2024, providing a faster connection between St. Paul’s Union Depot and Uptown Minneapolis. The $65 million project’s final corridor and … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/12/21

Love Letters for the Midway

In the autumn season nearing winter, I don’t often think about planting or new beauty popping up in yards. Yet, here at the Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC), trees are being rooted in yards and a … more

By SARAH o’BRIEN director@hamlinemidway.org | 11/12/21

Midway Center was demolished in October 2021.

Midway Center finally demolished

As October began, demolition equipment was quickly crunching through the remains of Midway Center. Excavators smashed down walls, and carefully picked out and set aside metal. Parts of the structure … more

By JANE McCLURE | 10/17/21

Dancing together through a pandemic

On Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, Ballare Teatro dance instructor Molly Breen (at left) and her Cardio Funk dancers gave a live performance every 15 minutes through the early evening.They danced against a … more

>> Photo series by Margie O'Loughlin | 10/17/21

Bikeway extension?

Extending the Midtown Greenway into St. Paul could generate $3 billion in economic development, according to a recent study, and the supporters say the route will help fight climate change.Midtown … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/17/21

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