News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Milan Dennie, owner of King Milan’s Barbershop said, “We’re a standout small business in the neighborhood because we stand for something positive.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

King Milan’s Barbershop keeps up annual tradition

Milan Dennie owns and operates King Milan’s Barbershop in the Frogtown neighborhood. He has continued a tradition there for years that he started in his hometown of Gary, Ind.: offering free … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/11/21

Executive director Tom Coleman with Winston, a service dog-in-training. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Local non-profit trains service dogs for vets and kids

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that training one is hard work. Most of us are satisfied with the basics – but Tom and Julie Coleman, co-founders of Pawsitivity … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/11/21

Origin of Racism

By JAN WILLMSFloyd Williams describes himself as a student of life, a revolutionary on many different levels: mentally, spiritually and socially. “I am definitely a person who is about my … more

By JAN WILLMS | 2/11/21

Housing issue hits close to home

Finding, creating, and maintaining safe, affordable housing for all residents in Saint Paul is not getting easier, especially in a pandemic and recession. But in a conversation Jan. 27 with the Como … more

By Michael Kuchta, Executive Director district10@district10comopark.org | 2/11/21

Debate to State!

The Como Park debating duo of Chikamso Chijioke and Sam Skinner concluded their junior year of competition as participants in the Minnesota State High School League Tournament. They’ve made … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 2/11/21

In Brief February 2021

International Film Festival MSP Film Society announces the 40th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF40) will take place Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 23, 2021. Due to the … more

2/11/21

Swap seeds with neighbors Feb. 20

Seed swapping between neighbors has been happening in the Midway this winter and one more date remains. Hamline Midway residents Anna McLafferty (of Hothouse Horticulture) and Stephanie Hankerson, … more

By Kate mudge kate@hamlinemidway.org | 2/11/21

‘Energy we can’t afford’

MN350 wants people to question whether natural gas is really clean-burning, safe and abundant energy, and they are fighting Xcel’s proposed new billion dollar fossil gas power plant in Becker, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/10/21

St. Paul COAST Unit members include (left to right) officer Lori Goulet, social worker Sally Vanerstrom, and officer Jen Hale. They respond to mental health calls, as well other crises. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Police officers, social workers ride together on crisis calls

While communities everywhere are calling for a changed model of policing, a small unit within the Saint Paul Police Department has been taking a different approach for almost three years. In March of … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21 | 1 comment

Student Engagement and Advisory Board Member Kalid Ali said, “I take every opportunity that comes my way as if it were the last one, for the betterment of myself and for others.” (Photo submitted)

Achievement gap growing

The first quarter grades for this year are in for St. Paul Public School students, and it appears that racial disparities are growing worse with distance learning. In 2019, Minnesota ranked 50th when … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21

Linda Grieme (left) and Gregg Kelley (right) have been members of the NSSTC for decades. They’re drawn to others who love and value silent sports. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

North Star Ski Touring Club embraces silent sports

To a cross country skier, there are few sounds more magical than the swoosh of their skis on a freshly groomed trail – and Minnesota has no shortage of these.According to Gail Lundeen Brand, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21

Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria with wife Nubia Espara and children Isabelle, Giselle and Santiago Sanchez-Espara. (Photo submitted)

Up close with local families

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Meet Seng Fields and her family. She’s a nurse at Abbott Northwestern who works four days a week, while her husband teaches for St. Paul Public Schools and … more

Compiled by Tesha M. Christensen | 1/14/21

Keystone expands

Soaring demand for food has strained Keystone Community Services’ food shelves, including its longtime space at 1916 University Ave. A new community food site, which will house an expanded food … more

By Jane McClure | 1/14/21

Kids learn patience, love and kindness through working and playing alongside dogs to boost self-esteem, emotional awareness, frustration tolerance and treating other people with respect. (Photo courtesy of Canine Inspired Change)

Canine Inspired Change hopes to bring healing through three deep dog breaths

Seven-year-old Danielle Graczyk sat on the kitchen floor of her one-level house, curled up into her dog, Sally. The blankets wrapped around her comforted the two to sleep. Sally had been brought to … more

By Makenna Cook | 1/14/21

Open Cities Health Center provides free care

A woman came into Open Cities Health Center (OCHC), 409 N Dunlap St., St. Paul, crying. She had just lost her job and didn’t know how she’d pay for the insulin she needed. Without … more

By Chloe Peter | 1/14/21

Students and their teacher in a College Readiness class at the Hubbs Center in 2018, which prepares students for college level work in reading and writing. (Photo submitted)

Hubbs Center offers free job training for English language learners

When Talita Silva left her small town in Brazil to work as an au pair in St. Paul last December, she dreamt of using her two-year visa to travel the U.S. and improve her English in order to one day … more

By Emma Harville | 1/14/21

Ain Dah Yung Center bridges gap for young adults transitioning to stable life

On University Avenue in St. Paul, yellow, green and red paint covers the walls of a new housing unit for homeless teens and young adults to transition into living independently. The Mino Oski Ain Dah … more

By Emma Eidsvoog | 1/14/21

HEALING

Eleven young activists connect on Zoom with Irreducible Grace Foundation (IGF) team members every other Sunday afternoon. These student activists listen as the IGF team members talk about how to … more

By Molly Korzenowski | 1/14/21

Youth in Model Cities created art on the side of the Victoria Theater Arts Center after the murder of George Floyd. | Submitted Photos by Crystal Vital-Schwartz

Coaches walk alongside youth to keep them out of prison

Bryale Winters, joined by his colleague, Crystal Vital-Schwartz, knocked on the door of a 16-year-old youth’s house for their initial meeting. As the youth’s community coach, … more

By Jhenna Becker | 1/14/21

The two Foodmobiles make multiple stops in St. Paul each week, offering food choices. Find the schedule at keystoneservices.org. (Photo by Logan Murphy)

Keystone brings food to community through foodmobile program

For some people in need, going to a traditional food shelf brings feelings of anxiety and shame. About seven years ago, Minneapolis-based nonprofit Keystone Community Services had an idea to change … more

By Logan Murphy | 1/14/21