Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

PLAN IT June 2022

ECO FAIR COMING AUG. 13The Eco Fair will be a free community event. Organizers of the Eco Fair & 5k have put out a call for exhibitors to participate in the event to be held Saturday, Aug. 13 in … more

6/26/22

D10 thanks lake clean-up and blood drive volunteers

Thanks so much to everyone who showed up to make our May 21 Como Lake Clean-Up event a success! We had 32 community members help collect 50 pounds of trash from the lakeshore.We also had our third … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 6/23/22

Como junior Alex Le is training in the U.S. Naval Summer Flight Academy at Delaware State University. (Photo submitted)

Flight Academy for JROTC Cadet

On June 10, 2022, Alex Le will complete his junior year at Como with the No. 1 academic ranking in his class. Two days later, Le began training at the U.S. Naval Summer Flight Academy.Le earned a … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 6/23/22

D10 welcomes four new board members and new officers

The D10 Board held its annual meeting and election in April. We’re excited to welcome new board members Lizzy Cantley (Subdistrict 3 Seat), Jeremy Rappaport (At-Large Renter Seat), Abby Gold, … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 6/8/22

What happens when you stop mowing and start planting native flowers around the edges of West Minnehaha Recreation Center in Frogtown? The bees return, including this endangered Rusty-Patched bumblebee (Minnesota’s state bee), spotted and photographed last July. (Photo by Kathy Sidles)

NO MOW MAY

Let’s face it – your lawn, with all the mowing, raking, fertilizing, weeding, chemical treatment and watering it requires – is pretty much useless. At least that’s what a lot … more

By PATRICIA OHMANS | 6/8/22

Community split on library

By JANE McCLURE A decision on the future of the Hamline Midway Branch Library will be announced by St. Paul Public Library administration this month. If recent community forums and surveys are any … more

By JANE McCLURE | 5/11/22

Jason Espinoza spray-paints a catalytic converter during an event on May 4 at Allianz Field. In the first four months of this year, over 1,204 catalytic converters have been reported stolen in St. Paul. Auto salvage companies are on the alert and will refuse to buy painted converters.

FIGHT AGAINST CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022 members of the Saint Paul Police Department, headed by Sr. Commander K. Hallstrom, organized three lines in Allianz Field’s parking lot to help fight the rash of … more

By Terry Faust | 5/11/22

Autumn holds her new baby sister, Delylah. (Photo courtesy of Kelsey Kruse)

FAILED BY FAMILY COURT

Helpless and hopeless.That’s how Kelsey Kruse felt for years as she tried to co-parent with her ex and his wife, Brett and Sarah Hallow.And then one day, she got the call she was scared … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 5/11/22

The concessions counter at the theater on 115 SE Main was remodeled. New carpeting was installed on the stair to the second floor, and the second-floor concession stand was removed. The old bulb-illuminated exterior “Main” sign remained, but the marquee below has been remodeled to include the MPS Film Society name. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Ukraine, women-directed films highlighted in 41st MSP Film Festival

Welcoming its patrons back to a fresh look, the MSP Film Society opened the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) on May 5 at the theater on 115 SE. Main. Formerly the St. Anthony … more

By JAN WILLMS | 5/11/22

Black Garnet: self-empowerment and emotional strength

Dionne Sims has loved books since before she could read, when her mom would read out loud to her. Once she could read, books were a consistent refuge whenever the world felt too overwhelming. They … more

By CHLOE PETER | 5/11/22

City paying $300,000 bill for wire thefts from light poles

When Frogtown Farm and Park opened in 2015, one of many welcomed featured was lighting along paths and in other areas. Residents felt safer walking through the area at dusk.But the park is one of … more

By JANE McCLURE | 5/11/22

Dave Crawford and Diane Peterson stand in front of their entryway.

The clown colored house on the hill

Perched on a hill overlooking the Como Park Golf Course is a two-story vivid spruce green and fuchsia pink cube made of steel and glass. Situated on a bend in Lexington Ave, it’s impossible to … more

5/11/22

Elevator in lower level of home also showing mechanical working in adjacent closet

Home renovations to age in place

At age 69, I was a “silver sneaker” poster child – fit and healthy, living on my own, fiercely independent and proud of it. Ironically, my main fitness exercise, avid fast walking … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 5/11/22

IN BRIEF May 2022

GREG RATHERT NEW VICE PRESIDENTSaint Paul College President Deidra Peaslee announces that Greg Rathert has been named the college’s new vice president for academic and student affairs, … more

5/11/22

Upcoming events

Jody’s Documentary, last Wednesday of each month at 1:00 (May 25, June 29). Jody Huber, film aficionado and all-around great person, hosts this monthly group with a curated short documentary, … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 5/11/22

PLAN IT May 2022

PAUL KOTZ TO SPEAK MAY 15Author Paul Kotz will be speaking at the Hamline Church United Methodist Women’s Sunday at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 15 at the church at 1514 Englewood Ave. The service is … more

5/11/22

Turbo Tim’s opening second location in neighborhood

THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE: Lord, help me live from day to day in such a self-forgotten way that when I kneel to pray my prayer shall be for - OTHERS. – Madame C. J. Walker Mothering myself … more

By Melvin Giles peacebubbles@q.com | 5/11/22

Students from Como’s Braided Journeys program participated in an immersive experience at the Mdewakanton Sioux Community Culture Center.

Exams, honors, activities and celebrations

AP Exams Hundreds of Como students are taking Advanced Placement exams during the first two weeks of May. The national tests administered by the College Board allow students to show what they know … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 5/11/22

Many businesses reopened in 2021, including Lloyd’s Pharmacy, which rebuilt in the original location after burning to the ground.

A YEAR OF REOPENINGS

Going into 2021, the Midway community was similar to neighborhoods throughout the world: hoping for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. To add to that challenge, many businesses were still recovering … more

Chad Kulas | 4/16/22

Brittany Seaver holds her newly born infant. She used the doula services in 2011 when the program was quite new, and is now a doula herself. “You have no choice of where you go or how much medical care you receive. You feel like you are not heard or respected,” said Seaver. (Photo submitted)

THE PRISON DOULA PROJECT:

Giving birth to a child can be both a wonderful and challenging experience. But when you are incarcerated, the challenges can be even greater.Acknowledging this fact and trying to provide a more … more

By JAN WILLMS | 4/16/22