Downtown St. Paul Voice July 2023

Downtown St. Paul

Summer music, movies, festivals

Local author releases picture book celebrating the pandemic

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

When the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm in 2020, countless neighborhoods rallied and made sacrifices to keep the aggressive virus at bay. While precautions such as masking and social distancing may have been inconvenient – and stretched on much longer than most anticipated – some positive things resulted from that turbulent time, says Freeman Ng, who recently published a picture book for children that celebrates the good. It contains two stories written as poems: “The Masks We Wore” and “The House We Sheltered in.” Ng found two main positive takeaways from the pandemic.

“One is the collective effort that so many people made to mask, distance, get vaccinated, and skip family events if they were concerned they might spread it [the virus] to older people in their family – all those sacrifices. Also, the workers who continued doing jobs that exposed them to the virus. I think the collective heroic effort of all these people really needs to be celebrated and we need to remember what we were capable of doing once upon a time. The second thing is we can think about all the ways we fell short of those things…. I hope that this book and other celebrations of the good ways in which we responded to the crisis will help us to be even

The Clean Team

Great River Passage Conservancy names new director

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Have you spotted people in yellow safety shirts patrolling downtown St. Paul, picking up debris or cleaning graffiti?

These friendly faces are street ambassadors with the St. Paul Downtown Improvement District (SPDID) which was established by the St. Paul Downtown Alliance in 2019. The team is dedicated to maintaining downtown’s cleanliness, safety and welcoming atmosphere. Seven more ambassadors recently joined its ranks and the team has plans to spruce up the city this summer more than ever before.

The team of street ambassadors is now 18 strong. They cover five downtown zones each day, although some are occasionally

pulled to a specific zone before or after an event. Most of their tasks involve cleaning – picking up trash and debris, removing graffiti, pulling weeds – but that’s not all they do. They also answer a myriad of questions for locals and visitors alike and are happy to escort people to their cars or transit stops. Each is equipped with a radio they can use to contact an SPDID dispatcher if they don’t have the answer to a question or need additional assistance. The team is on the street 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. To request their assistance, call 651-236-0284 or email info@spdid.org.

Ashley Borud, who oversees the entire 21-person SPDID team which includes two operations supervisors and one team lead, began as the operations manager a little

Katie Nyberg, a Mississippi River advocate with 20 years of leadership experience, has been named executive director of the Great River Passage Conservancy. She succeeds founding executive director Mary deLaittre, who resigned in early April after serving in that role since 2019. The Conservancy works with the City of St. Paul’s Great River Passage Initiative to raise funds for three key projects along St. Paul’s 17 miles of Mississippi River: The Mississippi River Learning Center, which received $8 million in the recent state bonding bill, the proposed River Balcony along the riverfront in downtown St. Paul, and the East Side River District.

Before joining the Conservancy, Nyberg was founding executive director of Mississippi Park Connection, a nonprofit that partners with the National Park Service on projects in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a 72-mile corridor through the Twin Cities. The organization began in 2006 with a $10,000 budget and Nyberg

Lowertown restaurant dishes out the flavors and traditions of Ethiopia

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Named after one of the few volcanoes in the world with a persistent lava lake, Erta Ale Ethiopian restaurant aims to warm the hearts and bellies of hungry diners in Lowertown. Owner Amy Tsegaye, a native of Ethiopia, opened the restaurant in mid-May at 308 Prince St. E., in the former Kyatchi Japanese Sushi res-

taurant.

“I started Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant with two main objectives,” said Tsegaye.

“On the one hand, to create a space for the Ethiopian diaspora where they can feel welcome, enjoy the flavors that remind them of home, and relax and unwind after a busy day at work.... Moreover, it has always been my goal to have a platform that I can use to promote the rich and colorful culture and his-

tory of my country Ethiopia through its authentic cuisine and art. I want Erta Ale to be a destination customers will visit to experience the culture in full.”

The chic space seats 80 and a patio out front holds another 16. The restaurant has a full bar and the menu features several of Tsegaye’s family recipes. The kitfo special has Ethiopian-style steak tartare, minced beef, mitmita seasoning and

Ethiopian spiced butter. It is served with kocho, homemade cottage cheese and collard greens. Another favorite is the lega tibs with goat meat, which is made with sautéed onions, bell pepper, jalapeño, tomatoes, spiced butter and fresh rosemary. Many meals at Erta Ale are served on a large, spongy sourdough bread called injera, and are meant to be eaten by hand to promote a communal and interactive

dining experience.

The restaurant offers a veggie combo buffet from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays, as well as a traditional coffee ceremony starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The ceremony entails a specific brewing and serving process, and guests drink from special cups. Light snacks are served with the coffee.

“In Ethiopian culture, coffee is a symbol of hospitality,

friendship and community,” said Tsegaye. “It is often served during social gatherings, such as weddings and religious ceremonies, and it is a way for people to connect and share their experiences.”

The restaurant will soon begin hosting Ethiopian traditional music nights and monthly jazz nights. In addition, Tsegaye plans to open

Pandemic book / Page 2

Nyberg / Page 2

The Clean Team / Page 3

Katie Nyberg

More street ambassadors hired to lend a hand in the downtown improvement district

Time marches on at Union Depot

Page 10

Submitted photo

With its seven new members, the team is now 18 strong.

Pandemic book

from page 1

better next time.”

The first poem was written early after the pandemic began, said Ng, who lives in downtown St. Paul. “As the pandemic went on and on and on, I saw the need for a second poem. I saw lots of negative treatments of measures like masking and social distancing… I thought there was a need for positive treatment and celebration of our efforts.”

Ng self-published the first poem, “The House We Sheltered In,” in April 2020 as a printable booklet, and used computer graphics to illustrate it. It was primarily intended for teachers and parents with students at home. He wrote the second poem, “The Masks We Wore,” last summer and hatched a plan to find professional illustrators then self-publish it as a book along with the first

Nyberg

from page 1

as its sole employee. Today, it has grown to 10 employees with a budget of $1 million and has raised more than $6 million for the Park Service.

Freeman Ng

poem. That process proved to be long and tedious, and included contacting more than 200 illustrators across the country, 16 of whom ended up participating. Three live in the Twin Cities.

“I’m really pleased with how it [the book] turned out,” said Ng. “I feel so grateful for the work of all those illustrators, especially because I couldn’t pay them upfront. They did it en-

both unique and incredibly valuable to the entire Great River Passage Initiative,” said Andy Rodriguez, director of Parks and Recreation at the City of St. Paul, in a statement. “I look forward to our continued partnership in her new role at the Conservancy.”

For more information on the Conservancy and its projects, visit greatriverpassage.org.

Correction notice

It was reported in our June issue that Dr. Peter Cannon retired from his dental practice. It should have stated that he closed his private practice. He operated in the Securian building for 22 years, and prior to that

tirely because they believed it would sell well enough to be worth their time and effort, or because they believed in the importance of the book…. We had this big sign-up sheet for the images that would be needed, and people just signed up for whatever they wanted. Right up to a few months ago I was still looking for more illustrators.”

He noted that the style of artwork is remarkably uniform throughout the book despite having so many illustrators. The illustrators were assigned royalties based on their percentage of work on the project.

Ng originally considered publishing the poems as separate books, but ultimately made the decision to combine them because of the dual nature of the stories. He found a creative way for each story to have its own identity. When you pick up the book, you’ll see the cover for one poem, followed by

Erta Ale

from page 1

a small marketplace online and in the restaurant where people can purchase the ingredients necessary to make Ethiopian dishes at home.

The restaurant offers catering services and a 25-seat private party area.

Tsegaye moved to the United States in the early 2000s. Before opening her

its story. If you flip the book over, you’ll see the cover of the other poem and its story.

“The first poem is all about the inward and sheltering at home, whereas the second is about the outward fight with masks and vaccines and distancing,” said Ng. “I thought that sort of yinyang relationship made the dual book really the perfect design for the two poems.”

The end of the book includes information about the virus, pandemic and vaccines, originally written in the past tense. Just before publication he felt the need to rewrite it into present tense because the pandemic continued to linger on. He hopes one day to release an edition with the information in past tense.

Ng grew up in the Bay Area of California and received a bachelor’s in English from the University of California-Berkely. He spent his career in software development and returned to his

restaurant, she spent 15 years in management with HMSHOST, a global food and beverage company at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Her passion for the culinary arts stems from learning to cook with her mother and grandmother while growing up. Erta Ale is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. For more information, call 651-728-8182 or visit ertaaleethiopian.com.

literary roots after retiring. He moved to downtown St. Paul two years ago and said winter is beautiful from inside his warm apartment. His other published works include “Basho’s Haiku Journeys,” and “Poetry and Terror.” His most recent work, “Bridge Across the Sky,” is a

young adult novel about the Chinese immigration experience through Angel Island in San Francisco in the 1920s. It will be published in fall 2024.

For more information on Ng and his books, visit authorfreeman.com.

was in the Lowry building for approximately 18 years. In January, he joined the St. Paul Dental Center, 30 E. 7th St., Ste. 101, St. Paul, and continues to practice full-time. We regret the error and any confusion this

has caused him, his patients or the clinic.

Cannon was recently appointed to a 4-year term on the Minnesota Board of Dentistry by Governor Tim Walz. The mission of the 9-member board is to

Downtown St. Paul's Independent Bookstore 6 West Fifth Street, St. Paul 651-493-2791 subtextbooks.com SUBTEXT BOOKS New Releases | Timeless Classics | Author Readings Shop in store or order for pick-up or delivery. Gift cards available. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. noon- 5 p.m. Satisfy your curiosity!

protect public health and safety by ensuring every licensed dental professional in the state meets safe, competent and ethical practices. The board regulates more than 17,500 dental professionals in Minnesota.

The restaurant offers a traditional coffee ceremony on Saturdays and Sundays.

Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack

Copy Editor: Leslie Martin

Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack John E. Ahlstrom

Marketing Manager: Jake Spitzack

Contributor: Roger Fuller

The For questions regarding news or advertising, call 651-457-1177

“Katie’s experience successfully leading an organization that brings together the public and private sectors to accomplish shared goals is

The Clean Team

from page 1

over a year ago. Since then, she has been largely bound to her office but recently has been getting into the field more. This was made possible with the hiring of a second operations supervisor in March. This year, Borud has set goals for the team to clean up 800,000 pieces of trash, about 500,000 more pieces than they did last year. Additionally, they have begun implementing wellness check-ins for the ambassadors.

A priority for the team this summer is to continue painting the bases of light poles. They began the project last year and received much positive feedback from citizens saying they didn’t realize the poor condition of the light poles until they saw how nice the spruced-up ones looked. The team will also continue patrolling and working in the skyways. Ambassadors occasionally connect with unsheltered people to see if they can provide them with

resources or get them in touch with one of SPDID’s outreach partners. SPDID dispatchers also monitor cameras placed downtown and report suspicious activity to the St. Paul Police Department.

“They (street ambassadors) connect with a lot of security personnel in downtown to provide support to them as well,” said Borud. “If there’s an incident that takes place and a security guard requests the assistance of an ambassador then our dispatcher will document those types of requests. It’s really helpful for management and for our client to see where we’re

able to fill in any gaps or provide additional support to those partnerships or those in need.”

Borud noted that the influx of new hires is much appreciated, as one of the biggest challenges she has faced has been hiring staff following the pandemic. She said most of the new hires are people who have seen street ambassadors at work and wanted to get involved themselves. While the team does not accept volunteers, it still has room to grow. To

apply or for more information, visit spdid.org.

Borud has a bachelor’s in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University and previously worked for Block by Block dispatching service in Minneapolis for nearly nine years, including five as dispatch supervisor. She, the operations supervisors and the street team operate from their office in Wells Fargo Place. The dispatchers are housed in the Safety Communications Center, sometimes referred to as

the Fusion Center, in the Securian building at 401 N. Robert St. For more information, visit spdid.org.

“This area [downtown] is so beautiful, and we really want it to be a space that’s inviting for everybody, a space that people think to come to for outings with their families and other

Volunteer In Your Community

Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults or mentor school-age children.

Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

Please contact Brinn Krabbenhoft at 651.310.9455, or Brinn.Krabbenhoft@ lssmn.org for more information and to make an impact in your community.

events,” said Borud. The SPDID was founded following a pilot program in 2018 dubbed Streets of Summer. It operates under the umbrella of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, a nonprofit that works to build a strong and vibrant downtown. Property owners fund the district’s operations.

THE FULLER FILES }

Metro Transit has broken ground on the B line bus rapid transit route between St. Paul Union Depot and Uptown in Minneapolis. It will replace much of the 11mile Route 21 and feature bus-only lanes, transit signal priority and advance fare payments. It is scheduled to open in 2024.

The Minnesota Legislature included $194.7 million in a transportation bill to help fund a 152-mile rail line between Target Field in Minneapolis and St. Louis County Depot in Duluth. The federal government would pay 80% of the cost of the line. It would include stops in Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley and Superior, Wis.

The vacant Sears build-

Central Library events

All library locations will be closed July 4. Baby & Toddler Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m. each

Thursday

Learn 3D Printing, 2-3 p.m. each Friday. Learn

ing at 425 Rice St. has been purchased for $7 million by Pacifica Group/Windfall Group of Illinois. The 187,000-square-foot building, which sits on 17 acres near the State Capitol, has been vacant since 2019.

The vacant St. Paul Public Safety Annex at 10th and Robert has been demolished to make room for the expansion of Pedro Park. A $1.5 million federal community development block grant funded the demolition. The city is now seeking funding to make improvements to the park.

Maureen Hartman has been appointed director of the St. Paul Public Library system. She had served as interim director since last fall when former director

the basics of operating the Library’s Ultimaker S3 and Lulzbot Mini 3D printers. Registration required, call 651-266-7000.

Learn Laser Engraving, 2-4 p.m. each Saturday.

Learn the basics of operating the library’s Universal VLS

by Roger Fuller

Catherine Penkert resigned. Hartman joined the St. Paul system in 2017 as deputy director of public services. She has also worked for the Hennepin County Library system, Minneapolis Library and Watertown, Mass., library. She has a bachelor’s in English from Macalester College and a master’s in library science from Simmons College.

Fifteen poems will be stamped on city sidewalks this summer. The poems will be stamped on new sidewalk blocks that are used to replace damaged ones. Public Art St. Paul and St. Paul Almanac received 200 submissions for the contest.

Several West Seventh Street businesses have asked to be included in the

3.50 laser engraver/cutter. Registration required, call 651-266-7000.

Saturday Vibe – Shark Week Storytime, 11 a.m.noon, Saturday, July 1. Ages six and under.

Drawing & Coloring Circle , 6-7:30 p.m.,

Downtown Improvement District, which seeks to improve safety and cleanliness and promote a welcoming atmosphere. To expand the district, at least 25% of the businesses must agree to pay annual dues of 6 cents per square foot and 13 cents per linear foot of street frontage.

Brian Ingram has canceled plans to open Spring Break restaurant in the Seven Corners Gateway development. Ingram, who also operates the Apostle Supper Club at the Gateway Center, said supply chain issues and a lack of contractors to work on the space forced him to halt the project. Kaeding Development Group is looking for a new tenant for the space.

The St. Paul Saints will hold fireworks super shows on Saturday, July 1 and Monday, July 3. Special events at CHS Field include Dog Days on July 2, Monster Food Truck on July 3 and Irish Night on July 27.

Taste of Minnesota returns after an eight-year absence. The food, music and arts event, which began in 1983 at the State Capitol Grounds and moved to Harriet Island in 2003, will open July 2 at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. It was last held in 2015 at the Carver County Fairgrounds in Waconia.

Laugh Camp Comedy Club, 490 N. Robert St., will host Kellen Erskine, July 7-8; Greg Henderson, July 14-15; Nick Hoff, July 21-22; and Chelsea Hood, July 28-29.

Ramsey County Historical Society will present a History Revealed program viz Zoom at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 20. John Andreozzi will discuss Italian immigration to St. Paul.

St. Paul Farmers Market is offering Pilates classes 1011 a.m. on Saturdays at the downtown market at Fifth and Wall.

Minnesota Sinfonia will present a classical concert at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 12 at Como Park Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N., featuring works by Haydn, Rossini and Respighi.

The skyway walking group meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays at U.S. Bank, 101 5th St. E. The group travels a mile and a half through the skyways at a casual pace. During good weather, it often walks outside.

Saints home game

How it works

Simply email us at info@stpaulpublishing.com and request your FREE e-subscription to our community newspapers. Once a month you’ll receive an email with a link to view our latest edition. It’s as simple as that! You will never receive more than one email a month and our distribution list is confidential and is never shared with other parties.

All subscription requests will be entered into a July 5 drawing for tickets to one game in July or August. Winner will be notified by email.

Wednesday, July 5. Materials provided.

Dungeons & Dragons Camp , 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesdays starting July 12. Ages 11-15.

Level Up at the Library, 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15. Whether you enjoy video games, arts and crafts, or tech, the library has something for you.

Play board games at the library, 6-7:30 p.m.,

Wednesday, July 12. All ages. Craft Circle, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 26.

Safe Summer Nights

The St. Paul Police Department is collaborating with the Safe Summer Nights organization to offer free hot dogs and hamburgers, beverages and outdoor activities 5-7 p.m., Thursday, July 20 at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 E. Robie St. For more information, visit www.stpaul.gov or call 651-266-5485.

TPAC events

Since 1927

Michael P. Dougherty Owner-Director

Johnson-Peterson

Funeral Home & Cremation

612 So. Smith Ave. 651-222-3220 www.johnsonpeterson.com

Stassen Lane, West St. Paul. Events are for ages 55 and older. To register, call 651403-8300.

Nice Cars & Ice Cream, 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, July 26. Classic cars and new electric cars will be on display throughout Thompson County Park. The event includes ice cream sundaes and music. Free.

Neighborhood Garden Tour, 9:30-11:45 p.m. Carpool will meet at the TPAC office at 9:15 a.m. Space is limited to 12 people. Cost is $12.

Desde 1927

Unless noted, all activities take place at Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200

Michael P. Dougherty Owner-Director

RK Retirement Solutions

Johnson-Peterson

Casa Funeria y Cremación

612 So. Smith Ave. 651-222-3220

Jeremy Kromer Financial Advisor jeremy@rkretirementsolutions.com 888-233-0817 www.rkretirementsolutions.com

www.johnsonpeterson.com

Now Accepting Applications

NowApplicationsAccepting

Paraprofessional - Work with students in a classroom assisting teachers, before/after-school child care OR supervise groups of students. Full-time or part-time. Starting base wage $19.63/hr. (DOQ).

Bus Drivers - Safely transport students to and from school. Paid training & CDL certification. Starting base wage $22.90/hr. (DOQ).

Nutrition Services - Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch for students. Starting base wage $16.50/hr. Custodian - Perform cleaning, event set-up/clean-up, and ensure safety of buildings. Full-time starting base wage $21.76/hr. Part-time and seasonal starting base wage $16.80/hr. (DOQ).

Kids Club Supervisor - Lead a school-age child care program in one of our elementary buildings and supervise paraprofessional staff. Full-time, 12-month.

Starting base wage $21.50/hr. (DOQ).

For more information and to apply: sowashco.org/careers

EOE

Conversational Spanish for Beginners, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Wednesdays, July 12Aug. 23. Registration required. $40 for seven sessions. Looney Tunes, 11 a.m.noon, Monday, July 24. Traveling naturalist Melonie Shipman will share an uncommon presentation on the common loon. Registration required. Cost is $8. Neighbors, Inc. volunteer opportunities, 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, July 25. Registration required. Cost is $3 plus a food shelf donation or $8 without.

Mystery Book Club , 10:30 a.m.-noon, second Tuesday of the month. $10 annually.

Computer help, 9 a.m.noon each Monday. TPAC volunteer mentors assist with questions regarding handheld devices and home-based technology. Free.

Duluth Vista Fleet Cruise, Wednesday, Aug. 9. Must register by July 7. Enjoy a one-hour harbor cruise to experience the wonders of Lake Superior. Cost is $99; includes lunch and transportation.

“Ours is a Service of Sincerity”

“Lo nuestro es un servicio de sinceridad”

Prospective homebuyers see signs of hope as market levels out

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Anear 30% decline in home sales across the Twin Cities and a leveling of listing prices suggest good news for those looking to purchase their first home, and folks seeking larger homes.

The median sales price of $367,000 in April was down 0.7% from a year ago – the first such decline, however slight, since 2012. The average time on the market increased by nearly two-thirds, to 45 days, and inventory levels shrank 4.5%, to 6,155 units.

Median sales price in downtown decreased 13.8%, from $174,000-$150,000. Time on the market increased 10.2%, from 147 to 162 days.

Market trends in the Twin Cities

Sales in St. Paul decreased 28.6% while sales in Minneapolis fell 36.4%. Sales of single-family homes fell 31.5%, condos declined 36.1%, and townhomes dropped 14.4%. New construction home sales rose 20% while existing home sales were down 32.9%. The decrease in overall sales in the Twin Cities can, in part, be attributed to significantly fewer listings compared to last year, a decrease of about 28%. Rising interest rates have impacted affordability but those, too, are leveling out. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage in 2022 jumped from 3.22% in January to 7.08% in October. Today, rates are hovering around 6.8%.

Rental properties

Rent for apartments in

St. Paul has stayed relatively consistent since April last year. According to a recent report by HousingLink, median rent for 1-bedroom units increased only 1%, to $1,007; 2-bedroom units increased 3%, to $1,340; and 3-bedroom units increased 2%, to $1,698. Construction of affordable housing continues in the metro and surrounding areas. Affordable housing in St. Paul is identified as costing 60% of the area median income (AMI) and “deeply affordable” housing as 30% of the AMI. Currently, 83% of vacant properties are affordable, 56% are available for 50% AMI and none are deeply affordable. There are 4.2% fewer rental properties available compared to last

year but 1,479 multifamily units have been permitted for new construction, a 79% increase from last year.

New housing developments

The 16-story tower at 386 Wabasha St., formerly known as the Ecolab University office tower, will reopen in mid-2024 as The Kaeding apartment complex. Indiana-based Inland Real Estate Acquisitions, LLC purchased the property and Kaeding Development Group, LLC is the developer. The building will have 178 units, ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units. Amenities include a rooftop sky deck, access to a parking garage and several skyway connections.

Florida-based Affordable Housing Preservation Corporation (AHCP) is in the process of purchasing and renovating the 122-unit Sibley Court apartment building at 484 Temperance St. and the 114-unit Sibley Park apartment building at 211 E. Seventh St. In mid-May, the City of St. Paul gave preliminary approval of multifamily housing revenue bonds to support the project. Currently, 149 of 236 units are deemed affordable. When AHCP takes over, all units will eventually be reserved for households with incomes at or below 75% AMI, with 20% reserved for 50% AMI. Work is underway on Soul Apartments, scheduled to open in spring 2024 at the former Red Cross building

site at Robert Street and Plato Boulevard on the West Side. The 5-story building will have 178 units ranging from 1- to 4-bedroom units, 143 of which will be afford-

able and 35 deeply affordable. The building will also have nearly 9,250 square feet of commercial space, surface and underground parking, a community room and fitness room, kid rooms, outdoor playground area and bike storage. The developer is Minneapolis-based Schafer Richardson.

Farwell Yards, a 5-story market-rate apartment building under construction at 150 Water St., is expected to open in June 2024, offering 221 units ranging from 1-bedroom to 2-bedroom with a den. It will also have a fitness center, wi-fi lounge, plaza and nearly 2,600 square-feet of commercial space on the first floor. The developer, Edinabased Buhl Investors, is creating another apartment complex nearby at 115 Plato Boulevard. The Harbourline Apartments will feature 5670 units, six of which will be affordable. It is slated to open around the same time as Farwell Yards. Amenities include garden plots, surface parking, a computer center, event room, clubhouse and outdoor dog run.

Construction is underway on two neighboring developments on the West Side: Farwell Yards at 150 Water St. and Harbourline Apartments at 115 Plato Blvd.

S ample St. Paul

History Theatre

30 E. 10th St. St. Paul 651-292-4323

Historytheatre.com

“Glensheen” is presented July 8-23. Set in 1977, this dark musical unravels the mystery of an heiress and her night nurse who are found dead in the Glensheen mansion in Duluth. Tickets start at $30.

Landmark Center

75 5th St. W. St. Paul 651-292-3225

landmarkcenter.org

Music on the Cortile events are offered each Wednesday, noon-1 p.m., on Musser Cortile. This month’s lineup features Lazerblade, June 28; Jaspar Lepak, July 12; and Jeff Ray, July 26.

The Landmark Center offers 60-minute guided walking tours Wednesdays

at 10 a.m. through August. The following tours are free, but reservations are required: “Rice Park,” June 28 and July 26; “St. Paul’s Origins,” July 12; and “The Great River,” July 19. For more information, visit www. landmarkcenter.org or call 651-292-3276.

MN Children’s Museum

10 7th St. W. St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

“Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out” is the featured exhibit through September 4. Learn about emotions, memory and imagination through interactive and digital experiences.

“The Backyard: The Mud Zone” is a new outdoor exhibit. Mix dirt and water to create different types of

mud, mix up a gourmet muddy meal in the mud kitchen and use catapults and air cannons to launch mud at various targets.

Other exhibits and activities include “The Scramble,” “The Studio,” “Creativity Jam,” “Sprouts,” “Our World,” “Forces at Play,” “Shipwreck Adventures” and “Imaginopolis.”

The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays. Tickets are $14.95. Admission is free the first Sunday of each month; reservations are required and tickets are limited. The next free date is July 2.

MN History Center

345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-259-3000 mnhs.org

“Our Home: Native Minnesota ” includes historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts. Visitors learn how Minnesota’s Native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values.

Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Then Now Wow,” “Grainland” and “Weather Permitting.” Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thurs.-Sun. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages five to 17.

MN Museum of American Art

350 Robert St. N. St. Paul 651-797-2571 mmaa.org

“Im/perfect Slumbers” is on display through August 20 in the M’s window galleries and skyway entrance. Guest curated by M artistin-residence Katya Oicherman in collaboration with Curator of Exhibitions Laura Joseph, this multidisciplinary series of installations captures the historical and contemporary state of sleeping and being in bed.

“Colonial Traumas ,” is an installation in Skyway 28 over Wabasha Street at 4th Street in downtown St. Paul. Created by Luis Fitch, the mural features colorful, vinyl cut-out skulls that represent the complexity of identity, place and belonging for people of mixed-race descent.

“Off the Deep End,” a digital mural printed on vinyl, is on display in the Jackson Street skyway bridge

between 4th and 5th Streets through March 15, 2024. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

Ordway Center

345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222 ordway.org

“ Ordway Inside Out: Finding Her Beat ,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15, at Rice Park. This event includes a live Taiko drumming performance followed by a screening of the locally based documentary “Finding Her Beat.” The film tells the story of women making their way in the world of Taiko drumming, which had been off-limits to women for thousands of years. Directed

Free Summer Music Series

by Minnesotans Dawn Mikkelson (multi-Emmy Award winner) and Keri Pickett, award-winning filmmaker, photographer, author and artist. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free.

Palace Theatre

17 7th Place W. St. Paul 612-338-8388 first-avenue.com

Trevor Hall and The Great In-Between , 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, June 28. Tickets start at $39.50.

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Place St. Paul 651-291-7005 parksquaretheatre.org

Park Square is offering a 1.5-mile guided walking tour that highlights the

Tuesday, August 1 4 – 7 PM

Grab your family and friends and head over to Union Depot for National Night Out. This free event features local artisans, food trucks, live music, sidewalk chalk artists and more! Come together on the North Plaza at Union Depot for some summer fun. Visit uniondepot.org/nationalnightout to learn more!

History Theatre presents “Glensheen” July 8-23.

S ample St. Paul

many buildings associated with renowned Minnesota writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, July 13, at The Commodore, 79 Western Ave. Proceeds go toward the cost of reopening Park Square Theatre. $40.

RiverCentre

175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651- 265-4800 rivercentre.org

Twin Cities Tattoo Festival, noon-10 p.m., July 14; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., July 15; and noon-7 p.m., July 16. More than 200 tattoo artists from around the world will offer tattoos and participate in contests. Weekend passes are $65 and one-day tickets are $30. Tickets are cashonly and only available at the door.

Science Museum of Minnesota

120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444 smm.org

“Exquisite Creatures” is on display through September 4. Explore the planet’s biodiversity by viewing preserved animal specimens arranged in intricate patterns.

STEM Adventure Saturdays is a new program featuring themed activities in the galleries and interactive presentations from community members. Themes are: Water, through July 7; Air and Space, July 8-Aug. 4; Dinosaurs, Aug. 5-Sept. 1; and Backyard Science, Sept. 2-Oct. 16. Each theme will begin with a kickoff event featuring special activities. The kickoff for Air and Space Festival is 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, July 8.

Omnitheater films : “Wings Over Water,” through September 4. Follow the migrations of winged creatures as they return home to raise the next generation of waterfowl.

“The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness,” through October 18. Meet polar bears, Porcupine caribou and people who have called the vast arctic region their home for thousands of years.

Friday Museum Nights features blockbuster movie showings on the Omnitheater screen every Friday through September. Upcoming shows: “Life of Pi,” June 30; “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” July 7; “Men in Black,” July 14; “Apollo 13,”

God bless America!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.“

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28

SPECIAL EVENTS

Free outdoor movie in the parking lot

Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m.

Join us for an evening of uplifting, family-friendly entertainment. The fun starts at 8 p.m. with music followed by the magical movie Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free refreshments.

Night to Unite

Tuesday, August 1, 6-8 p.m.

Saint James Parking Lot

This event features live music, a Bouncy House, games for all, free entertainment, refreshments and the chance to meet your neighbors

Sunday worship at 9 a.m. (in person and livestream)

Monday contemporary worship at 6:30 p.m.

No Monday worship July 3 or September 4

Saint James Lutheran Church

460 Annapolis Street West, West St. Paul 651.457-9232 | www.saintjameslutheran.com

July 21; and “Spaceballs,” July 28.

Stellar Tours Live Digital Telescope Show, Wed.Sun. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Choose your own space adventure and experience the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system. Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for children ages 3 and under.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can experience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota. Admission is free for personal care attendants when visiting with a client. Tickets start at $9.95.

Xcel Center 199 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul • 651-726-8240 xcelenergycenter.com

Erykah Badu, 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 30. Tickets start at $80.85.

Dude Perfect, 6 p.m.,

Sunday, July 2. Tickets start at $29.75.

Bryan Adams, 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 3. Tickets start at $26.

Cirque Du Soleil, 7:30 p.m., July 13-14, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., July 15, and 1

p.m., July 16. Tickets

S ummer

Fun Music, movies and festivals

Music in the Parks, Mears

Lunchtime Series - Free concerts are held noon-1 p.m. at Mears Park every Tuesday and Wednesday through Aug. 16. No shows are held July 3-4. The lineup: Barlow with Bionik & Eric Mayson, July 11; My Cousin Dallas, July 12; Cassandra Cole, July 18; Rosie Rossi, July 19; St. Suburbia, July 25; Qlivia, July 26; Mellifera, Aug. 1; Joan of Profile, Aug. 2; Capital City Wind Ensemble, Aug. 8; Dale & Kathleen, Aug. 9; TBD, Aug. 15; and The Fairlanes, Aug. 16.

Lowertown Sounds is a free concert series presented on Thursday nights in Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. Concerts run 6-9:30 p.m., and guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the show. The lineup: The New Standards, July 13; Craig Clark Band, July 20; Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers, July 27; Jaedyn James, Aug. 3; Salsa Del Soul, Aug. 10; Run Westy Run, Aug. 17; and Flamin’ Oh’s, Aug. 24. Food trucks will be onsite at each performance. For more information, visit www.lowertownsounds.com.

Bands on the Boulevard is a free, outdoor concert series featuring Minnesota musicians at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. Concerts are held 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and arrive early for pre-show dancing, activities and food from various food trucks. Activities and crafts will be-

gin at 6:30 p.m. The lineup: NUNNABOVE, July 11; Barbaro, July 18; The Northerly Gales, July 25; Ecuador Manta, August 1. For more information, visit www. mnhs.org or call 651-2593000.

Summer Nights in Rice are free concerts held 5-7 p.m. on select Thursdays in Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St. The lineup: International

Reggae All-Stars, July 13; Moonlight Serenaders, July 27; Pete Whitman Quartet, Aug. 10; Natania & Ticket to Brasil, Aug. 24; and Jimmy “Primetime” Smith Blues Band, Sept. 7. Groovin’ in the Garden free concerts are held 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. The lineup: Flowtus,

July 5; Mubbla Buggs, July 12; Eleganza, July 19; and Flamin’ Oh’s, July 26. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

The City of Mendota Heights presents free concerts at 6 p.m. at Market Square Park, 720 Main St. The lineup: Cole Allen and Sena Erhardt, July 12; The M & M Show, July 26; Helium for Liftoff trio, Aug. 9; Matt Graunke and the Crow River Rebellion, Aug. 23; and Skippin’ Stones, Sept. 6. Revved UP performs 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11, at Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Rd.

The City of West St. Paul outdoor movies schedule features “DC League of Superpets,” 9 p.m., July 14, at Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St. W.; and TBD (community vote), 8:30 p.m., Aug. 25, at the West St. Paul Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave. For more information, call 651-552-4100.

Midtown Blues & Funk Fest, formerly the Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest, will be held noon-10 p.m., Saturday, July 22 at Dual Citizen Brewing, 725 Raymond Ave. Concerts are free and

the lineup features Walter Trout, Corey Stevens, Mick Sterling and the Stud Brothers, The Jellybean Johnson Experience, Kendra Glenn and Lisa Wenger. For more information, visit www.lowertownbluesfestival.com.

Mendota Days is held July 7-8. It will feature live music on Friday, including Elvis music from 1-4 p.m. A parade kicks off at noon on Saturday, starting at St. Peter’s Church on Highway 13 and ending just after the VFW. A car show will be held 1-4 p.m. The event will also feature a beanbag tournament, bouncy house, arts and crafts, food trucks and more. For more information, visit cityofmendota.org.

The St. Paul Food Truck Festival returns to Union Depot 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, July 22. Located in parking lot C, 390 E. Kellogg Blvd., the event features 60 food trucks, live music, beer/ seltzers and nonalcoholic beverages, games for all ages, a doggie station and more. The music lineup is Whiskey Stone, 11a.m.-2 p.m.; Skitzo Phonic, 2:30-5:30 p.m; Tyte Phitt, 6-9 p.m. For more information visit www.mnfoodtruckfestival.com.

The Eddies unite with Songs of Hope for annual concert

Tom Surprenant Contributor

It was on a warm night in July 2003 when a crosscultural tradition took root on the shores of the Mississippi River. It began when a company of young singers from eight countries climbed aboard a school bus for a trip to Harriet Island to see the world-famous river and hear traditional river songs performed by The Eddies on the River, a local singing group.

The organizers of the event were two old friends, Phil Platt, an original member of The Eddies, and Jeanne Junge, co-founder and artistic director of Songs of Hope, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that offers performing arts camps and performances.

Since 1991, Songs of Hope has held camps each summer for kids ages 10 and older from countries around the world. The kids spend their first three weeks in rehearsals. Then, over 18 days, they perform up to 25 times throughout the Twin Cities

and beyond. For many, it’s their first time in the United States.

The Eddies started out as a book club organized by a group of male friends who got together to drink beer and discuss books. They quickly discovered they also enjoyed singing together. After a few sessions, the members decided the singing was more fun than the book discussions. It was then they transformed themselves into The Eddies on the River.

In 2002, Songs of Hope participants attended a local concert by The Eddies. It was there that Junge told Platt how excited the kids were to see the Mississippi River. It immediately occurred to them that it would be a great experience for the kids to listen to traditional songs while sitting along the river. The two friends left with a promise to schedule a singing event for the following summer – a promise they kept and have honored to this day.

The event grew into something more than a simple

concert when Platt suggested that The Eddies and the Songs of Hope company take turns singing for each other. The Eddies would sing a song then the Songs of Hope company returned the favor with a selection from their concert program. Near the end of that magical night in 2003, The Eddies finished by singing, “What do you do (with a drunken sailor),” with the kids joining the choruses. Even today, Junge is a little embarrassed to admit how many 12-year-olds from around the world have gone home from St. Paul knowing words to the slightly scandalous sea shanty.

In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic halted performances of both The Eddies and the Songs of Hope company, but last year the tradition at Harriet Island resumed. This year, the groups decided to expand and will host a joint concert with shared singing and audience participation. Songs of Hope received a grant from St. Paul’s Cultural

STAR program to support the concert, held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15, on Wacouta Commons Park at 465 Wacouta St., St. Paul. In case of rain, it will be held inside the nearby First Baptist Church of St. Paul. The event is free.

Songs of Hope will also host its 30th anniversary

party in July. The event will feature the premiere of a new documentary on the nonprofit followed by a full concert of Songs of Hope featuring 50 performers from Vietnam, Turkey, Israel, Finland, Italy, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m.,

Saturday, July 29 at the Celtic Junction Art Center, 836 Prior Ave., St. Paul. For more information, visit www.soundsofhope.org

Tom

Surprenant is program director for Songs of Hope. He lives aboard a houseboat at Harriet Island. Chuck Lentz of the Eddies also lives on the West Side.

Submitted photo

Songs of Hope members on a sightseeing trip to the Mississippi River.

Walter Trout will perform July 22 at the Midtown Blues & Funk Fest.

DOWNTOWN

Church of St. Louis, King of France 506 Cedar St. 651-224-3379 stlouiskingoffrance.org

• Church of the Assumption 51 W. Seventh St. 651-224-7536 assumptionsp.org

• Central Presbyterian 500 Cedar St. 651-224-4728 centralforgood.org

• First Baptist 499 Wacouta St. 651-222-0718 firstbaptiststpaul.org

• Church of St. Mary 267 8th St. E., #100 651-222-2619 stmarystpaul.org

WEST SIDE

Cherokee Park United 371 Baker St W 651-227-4275

cherokeeparkunited.org

• La Puerta Abierta UMC 690 Livingston Ave. 651-558-1896

• Our Lady of Guadalupe 401 Concord St 651-228-0506 www.olgcatholic.org

St. Elizabeth Orthodox 125 Congress St E 651-424-0814 seocc.org

• St. Matthew Catholic 490 Hall Avenue 651-224-9793 st-matts.org

• St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship 371 Baker St. W 651-291-0647 saintpaulmennonite.org

WEST ST. PAUL

Augustana Lutheran 1400 Robert St. S. 651-457-3373 augustana.com

• Community Christ the Redeemer 110 Crusader Ave W 651-451-6123 ccredeemer.org

• Crown of Life Lutheran Church & School 115 Crusader Ave. W. 651-451-3832 colwsp.org

•

Faith United Methodist 1530 Oakdale Ave. 651-457-5686 faithumcmn.com

• Mizpah River Ministries 1530 Oakdale Ave. 651-399-5783

• Riverview Baptist 14 Moreland Ave. E. 651-457-3831 riverviewbaptist.net

Salem Lutheran 11 Bernard St 651-457-6661 salemluth.org

•

St. George Antiochian Orthodox 1250 Oakdale Ave. 651-457-0854 saintgeorge-church.org

• St. James Lutheran 460 Annapolis St. W. 651-457-9232 saintjameslutheran.com

•

St. Joseph’s Catholic 1154 Seminole Ave 651-457-2781 churchofstjoseph.org

•

St. Stephen’s Lutheran 1575 Charlton St. 651-457-6541 ststephenswsp.org

SOUTH ST. PAUL

Luther Memorial Church 315 15th Ave. N. 651-451-2400 luther-memorial.com

•

St Augustine’s Catholic Church 408 3rd St N 651-455-1302 holytrinitysspmn.org

• First Presbyterian 535 20th Ave N 651-451-6223 fpcssp.org

• Woodbury Lutheran Wakota Ridge Campus 255 W. Douglas St. 651-739-5144 woodburylutheran.org

South St. Paul Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist 140 6th Ave. N. 651-455-0777

• Grace Lutheran Church 149 8th Ave S 651-451-1035 grace-ssp.org

• Holy Trinity Catholic Church Catholic church 749 6th Ave S 651-455-1302 holytrinitysspmn.org

• Clark Memorial United Church 779 15th Ave N 651-451-7278 clarkgraceucc.org

• St. Sava Serbian Orthodox church 357 2nd Ave S 651-451-0775 stsavamn.org

• Saint John Vianney Catholic Church 789 17th Ave. N. 651-451-1863 info@sjvssp.org

• Sf. Stefan Romanian Orthodox Church 350 5th Ave. N. 651-451-3462 sfantulstefan.org

• St Mary ’s Coptic Orthodox Church 501 6th Ave S 651-455-8947 stmarymn.org

Postscript

Footprints

“They put in a new sidewalk,” my neighbor said, “and the first thing that happened was a cat walked across the cement and left little footprints.”

My neighbor was amused. “I hope they leave them. They’re so cute!”

I thought those prints would probably survive. No one was going to take the trouble to cover up a few cat prints on the sidewalk.

A few years back, they started putting poetry on sidewalks, laid right into the cement. I stop and read the poetry on my walk. I’ll

Session recap

As we enjoy the festivals, music and outdoor activities that make Minnesota summers so wonderful, the transformative 2023 legislative session has given us many more reasons to celebrate this year. This was a historic session that delivered on the DFL’s promises to build an economy that works for all Minnesotans; protect rights, expand freedoms and defend democracy; lower the costs of health care and childcare; and ensure safe communities, strong schools and a healthy climate for all.

I’ve spent several decades at the Capitol as a legislator, and this has been the best session of my entire career. We passed laws that will create more affordable housing

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

ponder for a moment or two, then move on. I’m not great with poetry. It fills me with questions that have no answers.

I want to ask the poet,

“Can you tell me the rest of the story?” But there is no more. I’m sure the poet would be disappointed in me but I like reading the poetry anyway.

Some pavement was replaced recently, and a leaf landed on it. There remains a perfect leaf print, and I took a picture of it. If I see the cat prints, I’ll take a picture of them, too. I’m proud of that cat, leaving its mark.

Several years ago, I was camping in the northeast corner of New Mexico. I took a guided hike that showed prehistoric tracks. The tracks were made by dinosaurs when that piece of land, now desert, had been right at the edge of an ancient sea that stretched

and working families. And we protected and expanded the fundamental rights of Minnesotans, including guaranteeing the right to reproductive health care.

all the way to Canada. The land by the shore of this sea was jungle. The interpretive signs said there were a lot of animal tracks right there because it was easier to walk on the beach than through the dense jungle. Just like today, creatures liked walking along the beach. The sand was dense, with a lot of clay in it, and many of those prints were filled in and eventually turned to solid rock. The tracks on display in this park were estimated to be 200 million years old. I tried to imagine leaving footprints that lasted 200 million years. I failed. But the most interesting part to me was one particular dinosaur track where the paleontologists said the

their later years. I first introduced these bills as part of the Women’s Economic Security Act of 2014, and I’m proud to have seen them cross the finish line.

dinosaur had slipped. They knew this because dinosaurs held their tails aloft and only touched them to the ground when they needed extra stability – if they were going to fall. And that’s what happened. A dinosaur was walking along this beach –I’m going to imagine it was a nice sunny day – the sand (with all that clay in it) was slippery and…whoops!

She slipped and caught herself in the nick of time with her tail. Then she kept walking. We don’t know what happened after that one moment in time – that moment that happened 200 million years ago. Just like the poems in the sidewalk, there is no more. But today we can still see her tracks.

riverbank

I love that.

The cat prints and the poetry and the leaf print in the cement will not last 200 million years. I’ve no idea if the planet will be here that long. But they will last longer than the poet who wrote the words or the cat who left the prints or the tree that dropped the leaf. And I think that is, somehow, wonderful.

I’d like to leave a small print somewhere. Nothing big. Nothing ostentatious. Maybe just a book that is in print for a few years before it disappears. That would be nice. Maybe just a record of a time when I slipped and –at the last moment – caught myself. Till next time.

and establish paid family and medical leave for all Minnesota workers. We made sure no student goes hungry in school and boosted teacher recruitment programs. We delivered $3 billion in tax cuts – the largest package in state history – which will help seniors, renters, homeowners

I’m particularly happy to celebrate some new laws that I’ve spent years working on at the Capitol. One is the Earned Sick and Safe Time Act, which will allow all Minnesota workers to take time to care for a sick child, heal from an illness or recover from sexual assault, without fear of losing vital income. Another is the Secure Choice Retirement Program Act, which creates a statewide retirement savings program so that every Minnesota worker can easily save for their future and ensures financial stability in

Time marches on

A look at the historic clocks at Union Depot

Tim Spitzack Editor

The two clocks in the Head House at Union Depot have marked the passage of time for a full century, each tick serving as a bridge between the past and the present. Since the depot first opened in 1923 the clocks have been prominently displayed between the stately marbled columns at opposite ends of the expansive room.

Passengers on steam locomotives were the first to glance at the clocks to make sure they had arrived on time to catch their train. The clocks were there as steam gave way to diesel-electric

power and when nine railroads jostled for space at the depot. At its peak in the 1920s, nearly 300 trains passed through daily and large numbers of men and women – always dressed in their Sunday best – looked at the clocks as they studied their train schedules.

Fewer eyes were upon the clocks in the 1930s as rail travel decreased during the Great Depression, but they continued ticking, nonetheless. And when the U.S. entered World War II, uniformed men and women anxiously looked at them before departing their homeland for foreign soil.

The clocks ticked as the Baby Boom exploded, as Big

Band was overtaken by rock ’n’ roll, and as auto and air travel drew passengers away from the depot in droves. And they continued ticking long after the last train left the station. The golden era of rail travel in St. Paul ended on April 30, 1971, when the Burlington Zephyr departed Union Depot.

But time marches on and the clocks tick on and are now serving a new generation of travelers. Following a $243 million renovation, Union Depot re-opened December 8, 2012, as a multimodal transportation hub serving Amtrak trains, light rail and bus lines. During the renovation in 20112012, extreme care was

I made our community a top priority as I led the charge to pass a $2.6 billion infrastructure and jobs bill.

I secured funding for important and exciting projects in St. Paul and West St. Paul, including:

• $28.5 million to complete the rebuild of the 3rd Street and Kellogg Bridge

• $8 million for the Mississippi River Learning Center in Crosby Farm Regional Park

• $6.2 million to design RiversEdge Park in downtown St. Paul, a terraced park from the bluff to the

• $2.5 million to build an inclusive and accessible playground for all children, including those with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities, in the West 7th Neighborhood

• $2.2 million to remodel Neighborhood House at the Wellstone Center

• $2 million to design improvements to Thompson County Park in West St. Paul, which may include a pollinator promenade, creek restorations, Dakota Lodge renovations, a greenway rest area with picnic shelter and a sledding hill.

The laws we passed this session are popular and proven policies, and they’ll improve Minnesotans’ lives in the short and long term.

As states across the country cut funding for lifesaving programs and deny their residents’ fundamental rights, Minnesota has become a beacon of people-focused policy and will be a magnet for people to move here because their rights are protected, and they have access to workerfriendly programs like paid family and medical leave.

From the North End to downtown, from the West Side to West St. Paul, we’re in this together to make life better for our neighbors, our families and all of Minnesota. We have made great strides this year after six years of gridlock, and I look forward to continuing this new era of listening and legislating in 2024.

taken to clean and repair interior pieces of the clocks to ensure they continue serving the public for years to come.

Rail service returned to the depot in 2014 when

Amtrak’s Empire Builder arrived on May 7. One would hope that those passengers shunned their cellphone clocks and noticed the historic timepieces that have

now served travelers for 100 years. And hopefully travelers today still recognize and use them to meet their departure schedules.

Sen. Sandra Pappas District 65

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Cannon has joined St. Paul Dental Center.

Dr. Cannon grew up in Duluth, attending UMD prior to dental school at the University of MN. He has practiced dentistry in downtown St. Paul for over 40 years before joining the St. Paul Dental Center in 2023.

Dr. Cannon has remained active in dentistry for most of his career serving as president of the St. Paul District Dental Society and president of the Minnesota Dental Association. He also served over 10 years on the Advisory Committee of the Health Professionals Services Program. He has received the President’s award from the Minnesota Dental Association and the Prize for Journalism from the American College of Dentists. Most recently, Governor Walz appointed Dr. Cannon to serve on the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.

Joseph Trowbridge, DDS Ryan Saas, DDS Tyler Jensen, DDS