News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Voter Guide 2023

WARD 1 Vying for this position are Anika Bowie, Yan Chen, Travis Helkamp, James Lo, Lucky Tiger Jack Rosenbloom, Omar Syed, Suz Woehrle, and Jeff Zeitler. Anika Bowie … more

10/12/23

The first of 1,000! Tree Frogs celebrate their initial tree planting in 2011. Then-city councilmember Melvin Carter is in the center of the group.

Frogtown gets greener with 1,000 trees x 2

Frogtown residents who have spent more than a decade working toward a goal of “1,000 Trees for Frogtown Homes” will reach – and surpass – that goal this year. … more

By Patricia Ohmans, Frogtown Green | 10/12/23

National Merit Scholars

Como Park seniors Sophie Warner and Kai Sackreiter have earned the prestigious honor of being named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. With elite academic credentials and exceptional scores on … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 10/12/23

University of Minnesota Extension educators from around the state learned about Rondo’s history during a tour of the area on Sept. 28, 2023. They posed by the Solar Peace Pole at Western Sculpture Park. (Photo submitted)

A place-based approach to operating

“There is much work ahead, and I believe that radical self-care will light the pathway to a newly imagined world.” - Dr. Joi Lewis “Compromise, if not the spice of … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 10/12/23

Allianz asks approved

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Midway Center site can go forward. Various project approvals won St. Paul City Council support on Sept. 20, 2023, including plat approval and interim … more

By Jane McClure | 10/12/23

Know your Como?

Como Curb Cleanup this Fall Como Community Council is partnering with Capitol Region Watershed District again for the 2023 Como Curb Cleanup. When it rains, leaves on streets release nutrients … more

By Shevek McKee, Executive director, district10@district10comopark.org | 10/12/23

This is the second church building for Jehovah Lutheran.

Jehovah celebrates 100th

Jehovah Evangelical Lutheran Church is observing its centennial with celebrations on five separate Sundays, beginning Reformation Sunday, Oct. 29. The congregation, a Midway mainstay, has chosen as … more

10/12/23

King Coil Spirits (550 Vandalia St.) holds a ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

Openings and expansions

As someone who works for a chamber of commerce, one of the fun parts of the job is helping open new businesses. This means walking around with a giant pair of scissors and getting the odd looks that … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 10/12/23

In Progress

A brick building sits sedately along a quiet street in Saint Paul. Along the side of the building, plants are growing in small garden beds. Lawn chairs rest on the patio and there is a table with … more

By Jan Willms | 9/15/23

The fully inclusive playground was designed by Landscape Strucures, and will be the first of its kind in St. Paul.

United Village Phase 1:

A mix of skepticism and cautious optimism are greeting the talk of a fresh start for redevelopment of the longtime Midway Center superblock. More than 60 people … more

By Jane McClure | 9/15/23

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, community members explored the area of Little Mekong along University with artist Katie Ka Vang. The walking tour was part of Mixed Blood Theater’s 12x12 series.

Little Mekong through eyes of artist Katie Ka Vang

Community members smiled as they tasted different dishes and snacks from local businesses of the Little Mekong cultural district on University Avenue on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The event was artist … more

By Talia McWright | 9/15/23

Season ticket holder Jericho Tabor of Minneapolis holds up a jersey with collected signatures from U.S. National team players during a May 2023 Loons game.

Weary of trash, citizens concerned about parking lots around Allianz Field

Requests to continue use of two interim parking lots west of Allianz Field and add a third new interim lot northwest of the soccer stadium go to the St. Paul City Council for a public hearing at 3:30 … more

By Jane McClure | 9/15/23

Gentry Academy hires Como High graduate Kyle Follmer to lead boys’ hockey team

Gentry Academy in Vadnais Heights has hired Kyle Follmer as the school’s new boys’ hockey coach. Follmer, who played high school hockey at St. Paul Como Park, before playing junior and … more

9/15/23

Rain Taxi Book Fair returns Oct. 14

Rain Taxi Book Fair returns Oct. 14 Rain Taxi presents its 23rd Annual Twin Cities book Festival Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the state fairgrounds with special … more

9/15/23

Commusication celebrates 10 years

ComMUSICation (CMC), a nonprofit organization providing equitable access to music programs for youth in Saint Paul, marked its 10th anniversary by hosting a concert on May 21 at the Ordway Concert … more

9/15/23

Join other seniors

JOIN OTHER SENIORS Our programs for seniors are welcoming and informal, you may join any Ame. There is no fee for classes; donations are always welcome. To register, please call or email: Hamline … more

By Laurel Collins, laurel@hmelders.org, 651-209-6542 | 9/15/23

Niger’s Coup – China, Russia, Climate, and Nukes on Sept. 27

World Without Genocide will host a webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023: Niger’s Coup – China, Russia, Climate, and Nukes. On July 26, a military junta in Niger deposed Niger’s … more

9/15/23

“I can only image that the excitement, pride and blessings that we are experiencing today are much the same that the founding women felt a century ago when they welcomed the first residents to the St. Paul campus,” said Jeff Heinecke, President & CEO of Lyngblomsten.

Lyngblomsten opens new senior living community, first time in over a century

Lyngblomsten, a Minnesota nonprofit senior services organization, announces the opening of its new continuum-of-care campus in Lino Lakes, Minn. The community welcomed its first residents to the … more

9/15/23

St. Paul author’s book helps children process grief

St. Paul author Jean Havlina-Madsen has devoted her life to helping and educating others. After years of working in pediatrics, she entered the hospice field and became involved in grief education … more

9/15/23

Friends for a NonViolent World, PEACE WALK Sept. 30

Activist, professor, community organizer, and author George Lakey is visiting the Twin Cities in September for his international book tour. From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most … more

9/15/23