Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

“It is a travesty on so many levels that we have gotten to this point, given there are multiple win-wins for the community, including a renovation design commissioned by the city or a relocation of the library, something that has never been seriously considered but would serve the community better on a number of levels,” said Jonathan Oppenheimer of Renovate 1558.

The Hamline Midway Library building will check out its last book on May 27 and close on May 28, 2023. The historic building will be demolished and replaced with a new structure. Once closed, staff … more

By Jane McClure and Tesha M. Christensen | 5/10/23

Ker Cha, one of the team members that went to South Korea, practices at Frogtown Community Center.

It all started in a refugee camp

Gao Chang likes to play volleyball and soccer. But the sport that has captured his heart is sepak takraw, a game with three team members on each side of a net using any part of their body except … more

By Jan Willms | 5/10/23

Diane Schray, a real estate agent with Real Estate Masters, shopped on April 28 at the ReUse Warehouse, scoring vintage fixtures for a client who recently bought a tudor-style house in Como neighborhood. The clerk remarked that they had just come in that day.

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, reuse of building materials had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in … more

By Margo Ashmore | 5/10/23

Angelina Hernandez spoke about the importanance of smudging. (Photo submitted)

Educator advocates for smudging policy

“All Native American students should have the right to smudge,” said Como Park High School teacher Angelina Hernandez. “We need to expand policies to protect the rights of … more

By Eric Erickson | 4/14/23

She helps students take risks, achieve goals

Sarah Ehlen, a math and science teacher at Prodeo Academy, finds joy in building connections with her students and watching them grow as learners. The veteran teacher believes it’s her job to … more

By Sarah Graves | 4/14/23

Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul (Photo by Jill Boogren)

‘You belong here’

Minnesota’s transgender community and supporters packed the State Capitol for Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, sending a clear and unapologetic message that reverberated throughout … more

By Jill Boogren | 4/14/23

Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish. Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning experience. The Elpis ice fishing program is open to youth from fourth grade and up at area schools. They learn how to identify species, as well as fishing regulations and cold weather conditions. “They are taught heater safety, hook safety and hole safety,” Erickson said. Sixth-graders from Sejong Academy experienced ice fishing on Lake Como on Feb.13, 2023. Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish (above). Police cadets from the St. Paul Police Activities League assisted students at Como Lake.

Land of 10,000 outdoor hobbies

Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning … more

By Jan Willms | 3/9/23

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

Library earns national register designation

The Hamline Midway Library’s newly won spot on the National Register of Historic Places doesn’t guarantee its future. The building could still be demolished. But the decision, announced … more

By Jane McClure | 3/9/23

Help wanted

Businesses are struggling to find people to fill positions at all levels and departments with qualified staff who will be reliable and show up. “If you are an employer struggling to find … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/9/23

Leap Pediatric and Adolescent Care is a Reach Out and Read Clinic. Not only do kids get to take home books at well-child visits, but Dr. Julia Joseph-Di Caprio reads to them at visits. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Leap opens in Midway

When your physician looks like you and understands your culture, studies have shown your health outcomes are better.Knowing that, Dr. Julia Joseph-Di Caprio, a Black physician, decided to open Leap … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/8/23

Inspired

Nine months before Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on the bus to a White passenger. She was 15. Youth Performance Company (YPC)’s “Inspired by Claudette & … more

By Jill Boogren | 2/8/23

Reparations commission formed to address past wrongs

St. Paul has created a Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission, as a result of unanimous St. Paul City Council action Jan. 4. Approval was greeted with applause in the council chambers as … more

By Jane McClure | 2/8/23

Planning tool updated for Allianz Field site

Development around Allianz Field is anticipated to be scaled back from what was originally planned, according to an alternative urban areawide review or AUAR update completed late last year. … more

By Jane McClure | 1/17/23

Chocolat Céleste owner Mary Leonard adds a layer of chocolate to truffles at her Midway facility. Leonard battled breast cancer in 2020, but didn’t miss a day of work. She had chocolates to create, after all. Each chocolate is hand made with fresh whipping cream, small batch butter and the finest fair trade cocoas. The company that she started at age 46 was named after her beloved Bichon Frise. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

A sweet journey

Chocolat Céleste owner Mary Leonard didn’t take a day off work when she was being treated for breast cancer. Not even when she was dealing with severe radiation burns.It was her busy … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 1/16/23

Enchanted by the Mississippi

The research for Thomas Becknell’s recent book, “Enchantments of the Mississippi,” began years before he actually wrote the book. “At the outset, I must have read at least a … more

By Jan Willms | 1/16/23

Keystone food center gets $1.7 million boost

Construction on Keystone Community Services’ planned new food center gets underway in January, with a goal of opening the doors later in 2023. That’s welcome news to anyone who has relied … more

By Jane McClure | 12/13/22

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

The Victoria Theater was built as a silent movie house in 1915.

Victoria Theater Arts Center to finally open in January 2024

Frogtown’s historic Victoria Theater could be in the spotlight in 2024, as the long-awaited community arts center opens its doors. The theater leadership earlier this fall accepted $1 million … more

By Jane McClure | 12/12/22

Urban29 owner Joyce Sanders stands in her new store at 633 University Ave. W., in the new Frogtown Crossing building. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Streetwear at University and Dale

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN Urban29 lost its space at 804 E. Lake in Minneapolis when the building burned after the murder of George Floyd. Owner Joyce Sanders of Longfellow opened a pop-up location … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22

Mike Reynolds (left) and Jessica Kopp stand by the new stoplight at Snelling and Englewood. (Photo submitted)

A LITTLE SAFER FOR ALL

For decades, neighbors have been asking that something be done to make it safer to cross the street at Snelling and Englewood. In October 2022, the city finally installed a stoplight. “I had … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22