Downtown St. Paul Voice March 2024

Sample St. Paul

Saint City takes over former Creator’s Space

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The catering business that Guillermo Hernandez began five years ago has grown by leaps and bounds and now also operates a fullfledged restaurant, Saint City. Located in the former Creators Space building, 218 7th St. E., it seats 200 and features American, Mexican and Salvadorian entrees for breakfast and lunch, a French-style bakery and specialty events. Hernandez, a 22-year veteran of the restaurant industry, aims to foster a sense of community by opening the space for events small and large.

“I want to make it a place where music and comedy are happening and you can come get your newspaper, drink your coffee and hang out for hours,” he said. “I have a little stage area where people can just go up to the mic and jam or do something if they want to.” He noted the performance space can also be reserved.

Saint City Catering operated in a 35-seat area within Creators Space for five years and Hernandez also managed Creators Cup Coffee there. When Creators Space went out of business last fall, Hernandez closed as well while considering his options.

“One of the things I wished I would have known is the fact that the new building owner wanted to keep me there, because then I would’ve never closed,” he said. “My main goal was to reopen later on, but the owner wanted it [Saint City] open, so it was

Downtown St. Paul

A Saint Paul Original

St. Patrick’s Day parade marches in one day early

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Luck is sure to shine upon St. Paul this March when its streets are flooded with all things Irish – most notably the swaths of people clad in green cheerfully marching in (or viewing) the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Due to the holiday falling on a Sunday this year, the parade will be held Saturday, Mar. 16. It kicks off at noon sharp from Rice Park and travels about a half-mile along 5th St. E., ending at Mears Park, where food trucks and a variety of vendors will be stationed.

The event has been organized by the St. Patrick’s Day Association, a St. Paulbased nonprofit, since 1967 and typically draws hundreds of people from Minnesota and the surrounding states. This year’s festivities include the “Ballpark Hooley,” a post-parade party held 1-3 p.m. at CHS Field. It will feature live music from the Surfs, and Rattle and Hum, Irish dancing by Rince na Chroi, drink specials and more. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

“It’s just a short little after party,” said St. Patrick’s Day Association president

Slice Brother’s Pizza opening soon at TI Center

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Jonesing for a massive slice of ’za that can be folded in true New York-style fashion? Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond have got you covered. In March, they’re opening a branch of Slice Brothers Pizza at the Treasure Island Center, 400 Wabasha S. N. It will be their largest location yet, specializing in pizza by the slice from the classic to the exotic, and featuring a full-service bar and TVs airing the hottest sporting events.

Slice Brothers is moving into the space that was home to Red’s Savoy pizza for a brief stint before it closed along with many other restaurants and businesses during the pandemic in 2020. Co-owner Adam Kado said minor renovations have been made to make the space their own and that a grand opening event will be scheduled for late March or early April. The space can seat about 40 inside and another 15 on the patio.

The menu features all the classic pies, like pepperoni and supreme, as well as creations like chicken bacon ranch and chicken alfredo, and even one called dill pickle, Coming soon will be wings, garlic knots, pastas and salads.

“I think my personal favorite right now is called the ’roni cup,” said Kado. “It’s like charred pepperonis but when you cook them, they invert and look like upside down pepperonis. Every now and

Record-high demand continues at local food shelves

Minnesota FoodShare campaign is underway

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Neighborhood House and Neighbors, Inc. are among the approximately 300 food shelves across the state participating in the 43rd annual Minnesota FoodShare cam-

paign, an initiative of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. It challenges food shelves to see which one can raise the most food and money, and the Council of Churches donates a proportionate amount of funds to each based on how much they raise. While these organizations rely on donations throughout the year, the boost is especially needed this time of year

as they restock after the holidays and prepare for the busy summer months ahead. The campaign runs through April 6 and, like last year, the need for contributions is at an all-time high.

According to Hunger Solutions, a statewide antihunger organization, last year food shelves in Minnesota saw a staggering 7.55 million visits, shattering the

record of 5.75 million visits set the year before.

Neighborhood House, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul, operates the Wellstone Center Food Market, which serves residents of Ramsey County. Last fiscal year, the market distributed approximately 665,320 pounds of food to 10,777 individuals and 4,688 families. Its goal for the campaign is to raise 325,000 dollars/pounds of

food. Donations may be dropped off at the center at any time. According to Neighborhood House, $15 allows it to purchase groceries for an emergency to-go bag, $60 covers food costs for a family of four, $80 covers the cost of 30 dozen eggs, and $225 is enough to purchase enough protein for 25 families of four. People seeking to receive food must make an appointment before

visiting the market. To make an appointment, call 651789-3630 between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, visit neighborhoodhousemn.org.

“There are numerous factors that undoubtedly contribute to the rise in food shelf visits in Minnesota,” said Cassie Kienbaum, Neighborhood House director of Food Support

Saint City / Page 3

Slice Brothers / Page 3

St. Patrick’s Day parade / Page 4

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is set for March 16.

FoodShare campaign

from page 1

Programs. “The sun-setting of emergency COVID-19 benefits such as e-SNAP, which ended in February 2023, hit our families hard.

The effects of inflation – high-cost food, rent and gas prices – can still be felt. And when people have to choose between budgeting

St. Matthew’s 35th Annual Dine-in & Curbside-to-go

Table service for dine-in, no buffet line

Baked

Adult meal $15 fish / $13 non-fish. Cash, check or card.

Dine-in:

Curbside-to-go line off Humboldt Ave. onto Robie St. For more information, visit st-matts.org

St. Matthew’s Social Hall, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul

for housing, transportation, utilities, medical bills, and food, we know that food is often where they sacrifice.” She expects this trend to continue.

Last year’s FoodShare campaign raised $11.2 million and 6.23 million pounds of food, up from $9.81 and 5.44 million pounds in 2022.

The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches was founded in 1905 with the mission to unite people of faith and serve people in need. In addition to hunger relief services, it offers programs and services in youth development, senior support and more.

“We all know that it can be hard to ask for help [especially the first time],” said Kienbaum. “That is why the food support staff at Neighborhood House works hard to create a welcoming and judgement-free space for all. I am proud of how our staff greets, listens and seeks to support shoppers visiting our cost-free food markets. When an individual meets with one of our food support intake workers at Neighborhood House, the care in the

St. Matthew’s Social Hall, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul

Volunteers help stock the Wellstone Center Food Market at Neighborhood House, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul, which serves residents of Ramsey County. Last fiscal year, the market distributed approximately 665,320 pounds of food to 10,777 individuals and 4,688 families.

room is palpable. This isn’t just a job for them.”

Second Harvest Heartland, the nation’s thirdlargest food bank and one of the biggest nonprofit organizations in the state, recently announced a new “moonshot” initiative designed to cut hunger in half for all Minnesotans by 2030. Dubbed Make Hunger History, it consists of preventing

food insecurity by advocating for investments that will cut costs of other basic living expenses, better tracking of its progress using its new data and analytics team, and seeking extra funding in the upcoming legislative session to bolster the existing emergency food network. For more information, visit 2harvest.org.

LENTEN AND EASTER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Church of Saint Matthew • 510 Hall Avenue, St. Paul www.st-matts.org • (651) 224-9793

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions. All are welcome.

Weekend Mass Times

Saturdays – 4:15 pm

Sundays – 10:15 am

Stations of the Cross

Mondays during Lent – 7:00 pm

Tuesdays during Lent – 12:30 pm

Saint Matthew’s Fabulous Fish Fry

ALL Fridays during Lent 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Communal Reconciliation Service

Sunday, March 17 – 2:00 pm

Palm Sunday

Saturday, March 23 – 4:15 pm

Sunday, March 24 – 10:15 am

Holy Thursday, March 28

Celebration of the Supper of the Lord – 7:00 pm

Good Friday, March 29

Stations of the Cross – Noon

Good Friday Service – 3:00 pm

Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday, March 31 10:15 am

The Church of St. Matthew is a Catholic community that is a visible expression of God’s love.

Slice Brothers

from page 1

then we’ll bring it out and throw some Nashville hot honey on it and give it a little kick…. I think what we have with Slice is, we can do more than just whole pies. We’re not afraid to take risks and push the envelope on what pizza is.”

New York-style pizzas are typically prepared in advance and individual slices are popped in the oven for reheating when a customer places their order. This allows for quick service and gives the crust a slight crunch.

The duo has had success offering their food at venues like the Target Center and plan to stay tied to the sports and entertainment scene –something that should be easy to do, as the Minnesota Wild’s practice ice is located

Saint City

from page 1

kind of rushed.”

The grand reopening was in mid-January, although Hernandez is currently in talks with the city and other nearby businesses about hosting a block party to officially welcome more people back in. It would feature live entertainment inside his restaurant and food trucks outside.

Hernandez bakes his own bread using the yeast formed during the beer brewing process at Barrell Theory Brewing in Lowertown and processes his own masa (corn dough flour) to make two types of tortillas. Occasionally, he fires up specials like slow-roasted quail or duck, deep fried plantains, and Mexican- and Salvadorian-

just a few floors above them.

Kado and Thurmond met while playing high school basketball and have been best friends ever since.

Kado attended Central High School and Thurmond went to Harding High School. After graduation, Kado played collegiate basketball at Fresno Pacific University in California and then overseas for a few years before returning to the states and becoming an entrepreneur. Thurmond graduated from the University of Minnesota and also became an entrepreneur, working in various fields. They signed the lease for their first Slice Brothers location – a diminutive 300-square-foot space in northeast Minneapolis – in 2019 but didn’t open until

2021 due to construction delays and leasing negotiations.

“By the time we were operational I feel like I got a bachelor’s in construction management and leasing negotiations,” said Kado, who worked at Papa Johns throughout high school.

“Working through those first two years of just paying bills and not bringing in any money was like paying tuition at a university. By the time we were open I feel like I had learned so much already. I mean, you learn from wins, but you learn a lot more from losses and when you go through two years of taking losses, you learn a lot.”

The two worked hard to offer the best pizza by the slice they could and eventually opened a branch in July 2022 at the Midtown Global Market in South

‘I’m excited to see how the community takes me with my own ideas,’ said Hernandez. ‘I just really want to highlight the community is welcome to eat there, hang out and create memories.’

style tamales, or whips up a tomato eggplant chutney or other vegetarian dishes. A few staples on the menu include huevos rancheros, quiche, salmon salad, square pizzas and sweet potato quinoa cake.

“It’s [the quinoa cake] three types of quinoas, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice, red onion and shredded sweet potatoes and I form it into a patty and sear it both

Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack

Copy Editor: Leslie Martin

Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack

ways,” said Hernandez. “It comes with two scrambled eggs and a nice salad with a choice of two dressings, either the lemon honey or strawberry balsamic… The quiche we make here is almost like Jello and it’s beautiful.”

The recent five-course Valentine’s Day specialty dinner was accompanied by a musician and consisted of curry soup, watermelon and

Marketing Manager: Jake Spitzack

Contributor: Roger Fuller

Delivery: Independent Delivery Service

Minneapolis. They expanded to Frogtown in St. Paul in September 2023 and to the Mall of America in October 2023. Today they have about 35 employees and offer dine in, delivery and catering.

“Most of our employees

goat cheese salad, scalloped carpaccio, duck breast with pomegranate glaze, broccolini and mashed potatoes, wild salmon with beets, and roasted vegetables glazed with brown butter dill. Hernandez was pleased to see the plates come back looking like they were licked clean and plans to launch a permanent Thursday-Saturday dinner menu beginning in June.

have worked with us since inception so we feel like we have a family culture that brings out loyalty and a sense of community,” said Kado. “It’s more than just business and transactions.”

Why did the partners

“Mocktails are one of the things I’m really looking forward to doing, especially in the summer,” said Hernandez, who noted he doesn’t serve alcohol. “I want people to come for the food not the beverages. There are so many options for that [drinks] around here anyways, so I don’t feel like I need it. People come here to have family time, not just to drink.”

Guillermo is a California native and received a bachelor’s in culinary arts from the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles. He worked at several eateries before moving to Minnesota. Prior to founding Saint City Catering, he worked at Moscow on the Hill, FACES Mears Park, the Lexington and Joan’s in the Park. Saint City is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed.-Sun., and continues to offer catering for events

choose to open their first pizzeria?

“Everybody loves pizza,” said Kado. “It’s affordable and, more than anything, it tastes good.”

For more information, visit sliceminneapolis.com.

of all sizes. On Fridays, 4-6 p.m., you can buy one coffee and get one free. For more information, visit saintcitycatering.com.

“I’m excited to see how the community takes me with my own ideas,” said Hernandez. “I have so much freedom now and I just really want to highlight the community is welcome to eat there, hang out and create memories.”

Co-owners Hosie Thurmond and Adam Kado

Guillermo Hernandez

St. Patrick’s Day parade

from page 1

Hayden Kilkenny. “We don’t want to take too much business away from the pubs downtown and along West Seventh. Another thing we’ll probably do again this year is give a discount for Ballpark Hooley tickets if you go to the events at the Landmark Center.” The Landmark Center, located adjacent to Rice Park, is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, in partnership with Irish Arts Minnesota. The event will feature Irish dance and cuisine, Celtic vendors, pipe bands, children’s crafts and more. Cost is $7-9.

Kilkenny has fond childhood memories of traveling from Wisconsin with her family to attend the parade. She got involved with the St. Patrick’s Day Association after running for Ms. Shamrock in 2018. She is now in

the second year of her threeyear term as president.

Leading the parade is grand marshal David McCabe, a St. Paul police patrol commander and president of the Emerald Society of Minnesota, and celebrity grand marshal Dan Patrick from the Dan Patrick Show. Jim Flaherty, owner of Pauly’s Pub & Grill, is the new Mr. Pat, and the new Ms. Shamrock will be selected from 11 Shamrock princesses at 6:30 p.m., March 12 at the Minnesota Music Café, 501 Payne Ave. No motorized vehicles are in the parade and families are encouraged to join the procession. To register, each group must fill out a short form on the St. Patrick Day Association’s website and submit $75.

In the six weeks leading up to the parade, royalty members sprint to sell as

Ask us about saving money on your energy and water costs.

Over 100 Years of Personal Service!

Since 1912 www.rascherplghtg.com

Since 1865

THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU!

at 3 pm; Tenebrae service at 9 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil: March 30, 8:30 pm

Easter Sunday Masses: March 31 7:30 am and 9:30 am (choir)

Weekend Masses: Sat. 4:30 pm, Sun. 7:30 & 9:30 am

Weekday Masses: Mon.-Fri. Noon

Reconciliation: Mon.-Fri. 11:30 am, Sat. 3:30 pm, and by appointment.

Ample parking & handicapped accessible.

267 Eighth St. E., Suite 100, St. Paul • 651-222-2619

many commemorative St. Patrick’s Day buttons as possible. Anyone who purchases one will be entered into a raffle for a $1,500 cash prize. Buttons are $5 and can be found at Irish on Grand, 1124 Grand Ave., and any metro area Blaze Credit Union. Royalty members will also be selling them at local businesses. Locations can be found on the calendar on the St. Patrick’s Day Association website.

“We work year-round to support the parade and make it still viable,” said Kilkenny. “It’s a great tradition that lots of people in St. Paul love to participate in. I think it’s important to have these kinds of community celebrations where everyone gets together with their neighbors and the people that live in their city. There have been so many (parades and festivals) in recent years that have gone by the wayside so we feel it’s very important and almost

urgent to make sure we’re raising money and keeping this going.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Association is entirely volunteer run and donates $10,000 annually to local charities such as Irish Network Minnesota, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Paul Police Band, Our Lady of Peace and Catholic Charities. Other fundraising events include the Ms. Shamrock coronation, and the Wearin O’ the Green formal dinner party, also known as Irish Prom, held this year March 7 at Fiesta Feliz event center, 2900 Rice St., Little Canada. The Association also participates in the Vulcan Torchlight Parade during the Winter Carnival, parades in other cities throughout the year, has a booth at Irish Fair in August, and organizes a “halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration” in September. For more information, visit stpatsmn.org.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday, March 28

11:00 am Worship with Communion

7:00 pm Worship with Communion

Good Friday, March 29

10 am Family Worship

8:00 pm Tenebrae Service of Darkness

This service uses the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross, followed by congregational hymns, Senior Choir anthems and instrumental music. This service is marked by a progressive dimming of lights and extinguishing of candles.

Easter Vigil, March 30 at 7:00 pm

This multisensory service is welcoming to all ages! We gather around fire, word, water, bread, and wine, proclaiming through story and song that ours is a God who continuously brings life out of death.

Easter Sunday, March 31

8:30, 9:45, 11:00 Festival Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 Contemporary Worship, Fellowship Hall

1400

Paul augustana.com 651-457-3373

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Support for MinnesotaCare Public Option

I am writing to bring attention to an important development in our state’s healthcare system and encourage citizens to support the MinnesotaCare Public Option.

In 2023, our legislators took a significant step forward by passing a bill that empowers the state to design the MinnesotaCare Public Option. This bill aims to provide thousands of small business owners, farmers, care workers, artists, front line workers, young and elderly access to affordable healthcare coverage. It is time we prioritize the needs of the people over the profitability of the insurance industry.

The insurance industry is extracting wealth from hard-working people at an alarming rate while providing the illusion of healthcare coverage. For many of us, health insurance feels more like bankruptcy insurance, with high premiums and large deductibles limiting our ability to seek necessary medical care. We pay exorbitant amounts to avoid financial ruin in the event of a catastrophic medical event.

Most mental health professionals, (i.e. marriage and family therapists, psychologists, social workers) are females and often work as contract workers, or on 1099 forms. I have been on 1099s, ten out of my 15 years in the profession. When I worked as a contract worker I generally did not have health insurance due to the expense, nor did I qualify for MNCare. I am concerned about the devaluation of “women’s work” and care work within our society. It is disheartening to witness systemic discrimination and oppression that assumes females will rely on their husbands’ health plans for coverage in spite of having a graduate education and being an integral part of the medical profession.

The implementation of the MNCare Public Option has the potential to provide a lifeline to thousands of uninsured Minnesotans. Let your legislators know your personal struggles in obtaining adequate healthcare and urge them to support the MNCare Public Option. We can create a healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of our residents, rather than the profits of the insurance industry.

Laura Barbeau

Downtown St. Paul

ews Briefs

Library

The following events are held at the George Latimer Central Library, 90 W. 4th St. When registration is required, call 651-266-7000.

Baby & Toddler Storytime , Thursdays, 10:3011:30 a.m.

Learn 3D Printing, Fridays, 2-3 p.m. Learn the basics of operating the Library’s Ultimaker S3 and Lulzbot Mini 3D printers. Registration required.

Learn to Sew with Susan, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., March 2 and 16; Learn to Sew with Ella, 2-4 p.m., March 9 and 23. Bring your own sewing machine or use one of the library’s. Some fabric and notions provided. Registration required.

Yoga and Scarves for Young Children, 11 a.m.noon, Saturday, Mar. 2.

Learn Laser Engraving with Dennis, Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. Learn the basics of operating the library’s Universal VLS 3.50 laser engraver/ cutter. Registration required. Level Up at the Library, Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m. Enjoy

video games, arts and crafts, or tech.

Drawing and Coloring Circle , 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 6. Materials provided.

PJ Storytime , 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 6. Kids are invited to wear PJs and bring a stuffed animal.

Noodleplay , 11 a.m.noon, Saturday, Mar. 9. Use all your senses to learn about bugs.

Historical Building Tour of the library, 4-5 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 9.

Library After Dark:

Game Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 13. Board and card games for all ages.

Clean Energy Incentives for Renters and Homeowners, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 16. Learn about clean energy incentives, find out what you’re qualified for, and what works for your home.

Mini-Maker , 11 a.m.noon, Saturday, Mar. 16. Hands-on STEM and arts program for families with young children. Materials provided.

Community Volunteer Event , 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 23.

Read Brave Family Storytime, 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Mar. 23. Ages 6 and under.

Craft Circle, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 27. Bring a project to work on or start a new one with supplies provided.

Home-Buying Class, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Mar. 30. Learn about buying a home for the first time.

Family Storytime , 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Mar. 30. Storytelling along with puppets, songs, rhymes and activities.

The following events are held at the Riverview Library, 1 E. George St.

West Side Writers , Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. Participants bring in pieces of written work, offer each other feedback, and discuss the craft of writing.

Teen Wednesdays , Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Games, snacks, art and more for ages 12-18.

Chess Club, Thursdays,

6-7 p.m. Open to chess players ages 8-18 of all skill levels.

Riverview Book Club , 6-7 p.m., Monday, Mar. 11. The title is “Man O’ War” by Cory McCarthy.

Union Depot

The following events are held at Union Depot, 214 4th St. E. For more information, visit uniondepot.org/ event-calendar.

Minnesota Wedding & Quinceañera Expo, noon5 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 10. Free. The event also includes a fashion show. Cost is $10. Riffs, Rails and Cocktails, 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 7.

Free yoga classes are offered 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9-10 a.m., Saturdays. Games galore, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. each Wednesday. Giant-size games are available or bring your own. Free. All ages. Public tours of Union

Depot , 11 a.m.-noon, March 12 and 26, and noon1 p.m., Mar. 21.

TPAC

Unless noted, all activities take place at Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul. Events are for ages 55 and older. To register, call 651403-8300.

Ragamala: Indian Dance, 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 6. Explore technique, evolution and modern interpretations of this South Indian dance. $10, includes dessert. Register by March 6.

Paint Like the Masters, 1-3 p.m., March 4, 11 and 18. Paint your personal rendition of a landscape, still life, floral or portrait.  $50 for three sessions plus a supply fee of $30.

Your Vote Counts: League of Women Voters St. Paul, 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Mar. 7. Explore a brief history of the League, how

to become civically engaged, key voting deadlines, how ranked-choice voting works and more.

Maple Tree Celebration, 1:30-2:45 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 12. Discover the magic of maple trees and their sweet treasure in early spring. $10.

Spring Cleaning and Simplifying, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Mar. 13. Zestful Designs will offer tips on decluttering, downsizing and recycling or repurposing items you no longer need.  $5.

Gender & Sexuality 101, 1-2 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 14. This course covers the basics of gender identity, pronoun use, gender expression and sexual orientation. Free.

Breaking the Political Divide , 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 19. Braver Angels, a nonpartisan nonprofit, will show a video and lead interactive activities that can be used to unite friends, family and neighbors. $3.

Fitzgerald Theatre

10 Exchange St. E. St. Paul

612-338-8388

first-avenue.com

Cat Power performs a song-for-song recreation of Bob Dylan’s 1966 Royal Albert Hall concert, 8 p.m., Friday, Mar. 1. From $59.50.

MN Children’s Museum

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

Wild Kratts: Creature Power is the featured exhibit through May 12. Explore the secret lives of animals in habitats around the planet and go on a mission to foil a villain’s nefarious plans.

Other exhibits and activities include “The Scram-

ble,” “The Studio,” “Creativity Jam,” “Sprouts,” “Our World,” “Forces at Play,” “Shipwreck Adventures” and “Imaginopolis.”

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 March 3.

MN History Center

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

“Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow” is a new exhibit featured through June 9. It follows Black advancement from the end of the Civil War through World War I and features art, artifacts and photographs high-

lighting Black resilience and resistance in that time.

“The Life & Art of Charles M. Schulz” is featured through June 9. Explore Schulz’s roots in Minnesota and his role as the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip and its beloved cast of characters.

“Our Home: Native Minnesota” features historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts that show 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.” Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages five to 17.

Fit in. Stand out.

“Hairspray” is showing March 12-16 at the Ordway Center.

History Theatre

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

Historytheatre.com

“A Unique Assignment,” March 16-April 7. Following the Ole Miss Riot of 1962, a young second lieutenant in the Army is tasked with protecting the University of Mississippi’s first African American student. A relationship is forged as they

navigate the political and social segregation of the Civil Rights movement. Tickets start at $25, with discounts for students.

Landmark Center

75 5th St. W. St. Paul

651-292-3225

landmarkcenter.org

Third Coast Percussion performs a courtroom concert, noon-1 p.m., Thursday,

Feb. 29.

KidsJam: Third Coast Percussion , 10:30 a.m., Feb. 29 and March 1. Learn about other cultures through music, dance and interactive activities. Geared toward ages 5-12. Free, but registration is required.

Urban Expedition: Brazil, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 10. Enjoy authentic music, food, dance and crafts. Free. Ballet Tuesday, noon-1

S ample St. Paul

p.m., Thursday, Mar. 12. Ballet Co.Laboratory performs excerpts from their repertoire. Free.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration , 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 16. Held in partnership with Irish Arts Minnesota, this event features regional and local Irish musicians and dancers, Celtic vendors, Irish cuisine, and children’s crafts and entertainment. $7-9.

An Irish Day of Dance, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 17. View a handful of Irish and Celtic performances. Produced by the Irish Music and Dance Association.

MN Museum of American Art

350 Robert St. N.

career as an artist. It is on display 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, through May 24.

Ordway Center

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

ordway.org

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts: Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, 7 p.m., March 8-9, and 2 p.m., March 10; Bach’s Double Violin Concerto, 11 a.m., March 15, and 7 p.m., March 16. From $12. “Hairspray,” 7:30 p.m., March 12-13 and 15; and 2 and 7:30 p.m., March 14 and 16. From $44. Malevo, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 21. From $39. Classic Albums Live per-

Greensky Bluegrass, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Mar. 1. From $30.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, 8 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 2. From $69.50.

RiverCentre

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

Let’s Play Hockey Expo, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., March 8, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 9. $5 for adults; free for youth 18 and under.

35th Annual Dennis Kirk Donnie Smith Bike Show & Swap Meet, 9 a.m.7 p.m., March 23, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 24. $20 for adults; free for kids 12 and under.

Omnitheater films. Tickets are $9.95. Free for children ages 3 and under. “Asteroid Hunters,” through April 7. Meet the engineers and scientists fighting to protect Earth from this cosmic danger.

“Pandas,” through April 7. Follow a young giant panda as she takes the first steps outside of her protected habitat and discovers her true animal nature.

“Back from the Brink,” through April 7. Learn how California’s Channel Island fox, China’s golden monkey and Christmas Island’s migrating crabs are being rescued from the brink of extinction.

“Deep Sky,” through June 30. Embark on a journey to the beginning of time and space and view images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

“Stellar Tours: A Star is Born,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wed.-Fri., and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sat.-Sun. Follow the life cycle of a star using the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system.

“Recombination,” 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. The film features the work of fractal artist Julius Horsthuis and seven of his favorite musicians.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can ex-

perience 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.  Museum tickets are $29.95 for ages 18+ and $19.95 for ages 4-17.

Xcel Center

199 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-726-8240

xcelenergycenter.com

Olivia Rodrigo , 7:30 p.m., Friday, Mar. 15. Ticket prices were not available as of presstime.

Steve Doody and Jennifer Westerhaus will lead the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s Royal Family this year as they represent the St. Paul Winter Carnival at numerous community events and festivals during the year. Doody was crowned as King Boreas and Westerhaus as Aurora Queen of Snows.

Leather Works Minnesota, a team of crafters that hand-makes a wide variety of wallets, billfolds, belts and travel accessories, has relocated from the Northern Warehouse in Lowertown to the long-closed Joseph’s Mexican Lebanese Market on the West Side, located at 736 Oakdale Ave.

The City of St. Paul plans to seek $2 million in state funding to create a renovation plan for the Xcel Center, built in 2000. The project is expected to cost around $300 million.

Smorgie’s restaurant has opened in the Courtyard by Marriot near the Xcel Center, serving comfort food and cocktails. Signature items are tater tot hotdish, chili mac, Swedish meatball bowl and

chicken pot pie. It’s located at 150 Smith Ave. N.

The Xcel Center is one of two venues in the Twin Cities to host the IIHF 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship, held December 26, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026. The 10-day tournament will feature 29 games at the X and Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota. Approximately 400 players between the ages of 17 and 19 will compete in front of about 200,000 fans during the tournament. Many players from this event in the past have gone on to the NHL. This is the 50th anniversary of the event.

Camp Bar and Cabaret, 496 N. Robert St., will present the following comedians: Josh Gondelman, March 1-2; Andrew Rivers, March 8-9; Luke Pauling, March 15-16; Alonzo Bodden, March 22-23 and Larry Reeb, March 29-30.

Zeitgeist will perform the music of Jin Hi Kim, a Korean American composer, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 16 at Studio Z, 275 E. 4th St. Penumbra Theatre, 270

Kent St. N., is presenting “Wine in the Wilderness” through March 17. The play is a frank portrait of Black women’s identity.

Books and Bars will host a discussion of “Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzalez at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 19 at the Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St.

The Ramsey County Historical Society will present a program on the Dakota language at 7 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 21 on Zoom. For more details, visit rchs.com.

AZ Gallery, 308 Prince St., is hosting the Collective Alchemy Show through March 24. It features approximately 65 pieces of original art by 65 different artists.

The St. Paul Farmers Market at Fifth and Wall offers tacos, meats and cheeses each Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market has overhead heating.

The skyway walking group meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays at US Bank, 101 5th St. E. The group travels a mile and a half through the skyways at a casual pace, or

may walk outside in good weather.

Ballet Co.Laboratory is presenting “Puss in Boots” March 2-3 and March 9-10 at its Studio Theatre, 276 E Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul. This 45-minute ballet is specially curated for toddlers and preschoolers. Before the performance, people are invited to create a cat-themed craft and learn how to read a show program to find clues about the story they will see enacted through

We reach the market you need to reach.

Our newspaper group reaches over 37,500 homes and businesses in the St. Paul area, as well as the Hispanic market of the Twin Cities. To advertise, call 651-457-1177.

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dance. Tickets begin at $25 and are available at balletcolaboratory.org/season or by calling the box office at 651-313-5967.

Emotions Anonymous , a 12-step program for emotional wellness and learning to live with unresolved problems, meets at 7 p.m. each Friday at the Twin Cities Friends Meetinghouse, 1725 Grand Ave., St. Paul. For more information call Paul at 651-402-6774 or visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

The Minnesota Inclusion Initiative is offering grants

for projects that serve people with disabilities, including affordable housing, voting rights and employment. The projects must be created by and with disabled people. Applications will be accepted from self-advocacy groups, disability advocacy organizations and nonprofits that promote social justice. For more information, contact Marais Wakem at maraiswakem@arcminnesota. org. The program is funded by The Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for men, especially Latinos, to mentor boys ages 7-12 in St. Paul. To volunteer, call 651-789-2400 or visit www.bigstwincities. org.

Ramsey County Community Human Services has volunteer opportunities for people age 16 and older. For more information, contact 651-266-4090 or visit ramseycounty.us/your-government/volunteer.

Science Museum of Minnesota is seeking volunteers to assist with visitor services and exhibits. Apply at smm.org/volunteer or call 651-221-9453 for more information.

CommonBond Communities seeks volunteers to assist children and teens with their academic skills, homework and discovering post-secondary school and career opportunities. For more information, visit commonbond.org/volunteer or contact volunteerservices@commonbond.org or 651-291-1750.

Minnesota Reading, Math Corps is seeking tutors to serve in St. Paul public schools. For more information or to apply, visit visit readingandmath.org/locations/ minnesota or contact 612-206-3030.

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities is looking for Safe at Home volunteers to provide home safety and accessibility modifications for low-income older adult or disabled homeowners in St. Paul and Dakota County. For more information,

call 651-776-4273, email volunteerservices@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org. or visit rtmn.org/get-involved/volunteers/.

Volunteers of America is looking for volunteers age 55 and over to assist children who are struggling with homework and reading. To volunteer or receive more information, contact 952-945-4 400 or visit voamnwi.org.

Hospice of the Midwest is seeking caring, responsible volunteers to provide companionship visits to patients throughout the Twin Cities. Also seeking music

providers, veterans, and pet therapy volunteers. Hours are flexible and training is provided. Contact Jen for more information: jennifer.emerson@hospiceofthemidwest.com

Cerenity Senior Care–Humboldt is seeking volunteers to work with seniors in assisted living, memory care, transitional care, and nursing care. To volunteer, contact 651-220-1771, HumboldtVolunteer@ bhshealth.org, or visit www.cerenityseniorcare.org/volunteer.

Neighborhood House in St. Paul is looking for volunteers to assist in the food shelf, with tutoring, youth services and other areas. For more information, call 651-789-2524 or visit neighborhoodhousemn.org/volunteer/.

DARTS , a nonprofit organization serving seniors in Dakota County, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. To volunteer, contact Angela Liedke at 651234-2254, angela.liedke@darts1.org or visit www.darts1.org/volunteer.

Dodge Nature Center, a nonprofit environmental education center in West St. Paul, is seeking volunteers to assist with community events, land management and environmental education. For more information, call 651-455-4531 or visitdodgenaturecenter.org.

Dakota County offers volunteer positions in community corrections, environmental resources, the Historical Society, library, parks, public health, the sheriff’s office and social services. For more information, call 651-438-4435 or visit www. co.dakota.mn.us and search “volunteer.”

Neighbors, Inc., a social service agency serving northern Dakota County, has a number of volunteer opportunities to assist local residents, including work with the food shelf and thrift store. For more information, call 651-455-5000 or visit neighborsmn.org.

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

The

Tim Spitzack Editor

It used to be that men got their hair cut and women had their locks styled. While those lines have blurred considerably in the past 50 years, many professional barbers are quick to educate people on the difference. They are protective of their trade and take their craft seriously. Barbers, they’ll tell you, are trained to trim hair and whiskers using clippers, razors, straight razors and shears. In fact, one

must have a barber’s license to use a straight razor on a customer.

The barber pole is the most iconic symbol of their trade and they have fought to keep it that way. They scored a big victory in 2013 when the Minnesota Legislature passed a law that says the traditional red-whiteand-blue-stripped barber pole may only be displayed on the shop of a licensed barber.

St. Paul is home to the last remaining maker of barber poles in the western

hemisphere. Since 1950, the William Marvy Co. at 1540 St. Clair Ave. has been building poles for barbers across the country and around the world. The company was founded by William “Bill” Marvy, who at age 13 began working at a barber supply company in St. Paul. He worked his way into a sales job and spent his weekdays on the road peddling supplies to barbers across the state. In 1936 he branched out on his own and founded the William Marvy Co., working out of the basement of his parents’ home. By 1940 he moved

his fledgling company into a commercial loft building in downtown St. Paul and a few years later relocated to a storefront location to sell retail barber supplies. As the business grew, he expanded to a neighboring storefront. Then he was struck with an idea that changed the trajectory of his company. Marvy was dissatisfied with the barber poles he was able to offer his retail customers – they were prone to rust and had glass encasements that were often vandalized. Convinced he could build a better pole, he decided to start manufacturing them himself. He invented the “Six Ways Better” barber pole and produced the first one on Jan. 1, 1950. It was made of rustproof aluminum and non-chip stainless steel, had an unbreakable glass cylinder, and was driven by an electric motor. During trade show demonstrations, Marvy reportedly proved its indestructibility by repeatedly hitting it with a hammer.

The pole was an instant success and fueled growth for the company, and the need to expand. In 1961 they moved to their current

location and ramped up production. In 1967, they produced 5,100 poles. It was their highest number to date. Then came the longhair revolution of the 1960s and ’70s, which caused barber shops across the country to close at an alarming rate. Of course, that affected the William Marvy Co. To remain competitive, the company began offering sanitizers, disinfectants and other barbering sundries. Today, it still manufactures poles and has a repair shop that can restore nearly any barber pole manufactured in the United States. Last year, the company produced 450 poles, and in early 2024 made their 90,000th pole. The company remains a family affair, operated by William’s son Robert and grandsons Scott, Dan and Brad. The Marvy pole is so emblematic of American culture that two are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

The barber pole dates to the Middle Ages, when barbers also performed minor medical services, such as tooth extraction and bloodletting. They hung bloodsoaked bandages on a pole outside their shops and the wind whipped them around, forming the signature spiral of modern barber poles. Around the turn of the 19th century, pole manufactures began using the patriotic colors of red, white and blue for the cylinder’s stripes.