Downtown St. Paul
Author reading series goes virtual Page 3
Volume 27 | Number 2
Your Community News & Information Source
February 2021
Insight from community leaders on the top concerns of the day.
Damien Schoop
Working from ‘home’
Three Questions
Homeless man is working remotely from local shelter Sherie Wallace Contributor
for Joe Spencer
Spencer is the president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, which seeks to “create and maintain a vibrant, economically successful, safe and attractive downtown.” He was recently named to Twin Cities Business magazine’s 100 People to Know in 2021 list. The Alliance was formed, in part, to help recruit commercial developers and employers to downtown St. Paul. How has the widespread shift of downtown employees working from home during the pandemic altered your approach and what feedback are you getting from businesses on how this has affected their need for downtown office and commercial space? Our downtown employers have been appropriately focused on keeping their employees safe, and for many of them that means continuing Joe Spencer / Page 2
N
Artwork by Adam Turman
Winter Carnival returns Jan. 28-Feb. 7 For event details, see page 4
early four years ago, Damien Schoop was penniless, homeless and addicted to alcohol. Today, he’s gainfully employed, and since the onset of COVID-19 has been working from home, which happens to be a small apartment at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities in St. Paul. The night before he arrived at the Mission, Schoop had a “gatesof-hell” experience. It was winter 2017 and the temperature a brutal 17 degrees below zero. Schoop woke up huddled in a park bathroom. He hadn’t eaten in three weeks and was vomiting the alcohol that filled his stomach. He somehow found his way to his apartment, from which he soon would be evicted. He had been in and out of treatment programs over many years, and that night called a former Alcoholics AnonyDamien Schoop / Page 6
A ‘Sass’ Act for 50 years Klondike Kate program commemorates half-century milestone
Tara Flaherty Guy Contributor
T
his year’s St. Paul Winter Carnival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the Carnival’s most beloved characters, “Klondike Kate,” and all the gaudy ladies who have filled those shoes. The story of the original
Klondike Kate is a rollicking saga of triumphs and tribulations of a long and storied life. Born in Kansas, Kathleen Eloise Rockwell was a feisty, independent-minded young lady who sought show business opportunities in the Yukon during the Gold Rush around the turn of the last century. She was making a name for herself
as a tap-dancer with a great line of patter and dynamic stage presence when she met a struggling bartender and waiter named Alexander Pantages. He assisted her evolution into a full-fledged performer and the two embarked upon a scandalously tempestuous relationship that became legendary in the Yukon. Eventually, he
callously jilted her to marry another, inadvertently enhancing her fame as a “woman-done-wrong.” Pantages would eventually go on to build an empire of Vaudeville theaters across the West and Midwest, including the one in Minneapolis that Klondike Kate / Page 5
Shelley Pabst is the reigning Klondike Kate.
N ews Briefs
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{ THE FULLER FILES } The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library names new board members The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library has elected Na Eng, Bryce Miller, Deepa Nirmal and Mani Vang-Polacek to its board of directors. The independent nonprofit supports the St. Paul Public Library through fundraising, advocacy and programming. Eng is communications director for the McKnight Foundation. Miller is a partner in the downtown St. Paul law firm, Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, PLLP. Nirmal is associate vice president, senior training and development consultant for RBC Wealth Management US. Zang-Polacek is human resources director for the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Each will serve a 3-year term, which is renewable for up to three terms. For more information, con-
tact 651-222-3242 or visit www.thefriends.org.
New tenants at T.I. Center Two new sports-related businesses are opening soon in the Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul. Former Minnesota Gopher and Indianapolis Colt Ben Utech is opening Conquer Ninja Gyms, and chiropractor James Midboe is opening FinishLine Wellness. Both will share space with the recently opened D1 Training St. Paul, which uses NCAA Division I-style techniques to train high school athletes.
Groups formed for street car line Two advisory committees have been formed to guide the development of a proposed streetcar line that would run between Downtown St. Paul and the Mall of America. The line would use the tracks of both the Green and Blue Line light rail routes and include nine stations along West Seventh
by Roger Fuller
Street. The Community Advisory Committee will provide input from the community perspective, and the Station Area Planning Task Force will help guide the development of the stations in St. Paul.
Farmers’ Market The outdoor St. Paul Farmers’ Market at Fifth and Wall streets in downtown St. Paul is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the winter, offering meat, cheese, eggs and a variety of other farm-fresh items. The Market will host its annual football celebration on Feb. 6 and a special Valentine’s Market on Feb. 13.
Seed scattering The environmental nonprofit Lower Phalen Creek Project is hosting a seed scattering event 10 a.m.noon, Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary near Lowertown. Snowshoes will be available. Pre-registration is required and limited to 20. Register
The Downtown St. Paul Voice is published monthly and delivered to every apartment, condominium and skyway drop in St. Paul’s historic urban village, as well as other locations throughout downtown St. Paul. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Staff Writer: John E. Ahlstrom
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New clinic opens Allina Health is opening the United Family Physicians clinic at 233 Grand Ave., near the Allina-operated United Hospital. Clinic staff will include 21 family medicine residents. For two decades Allina provided physicians to the United Family Medicine clinic on West Seventh Street but ended that partnership late last year. United Family Medicine continues to provide primary care, and preventative, behavioral and chemical health services.
Fairview closes emergency room M Health Fairview has closed the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown St. Paul and is transferring its 23 specialty clinics to its other hospitals in Maplewood, Woodbury and Edina. St. Joseph’s will continue to house the mental health unit and provide care to COVID-19 patients. Future plans include a wellness center and office space for private healthcare providers.
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Joe Spencer from page 1
to work from home. However, these same businesses remain absolutely committed to downtown St. Paul and are preparing for what a return to the office will look like. Also, the BOMA Market Report didn’t show a reduction in occupancy downtown. It actually showed modest increase. Anecdotally, we’re still seeing new lease deals in downtown. We are grateful for our employers and their partnership as we ensure that our downtown community is ready to welcome employees and visitors back when it is safe to do so. Downtown safety continues to be a concern. What are a few ways the Alliance’s new Safety Center will improve safety for residents, visitors and businesses alike? There are several concerted efforts happening right now to ensure that downtown is safe for everyone, including engagement and patrols from the St. Paul Police Department, our Street Team ambassadors that add a physical presence and keep our streets clean and vibrant, and the City’s efforts to provide stable housing for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. On top of being able to track safety trends in the downtown improvement district, facilitate communications between private security and police resources, and provide innovative solutions, the new Safety Center will allow all of these efforts to be coordinated, effective and efficient. The pandemic has hit the entertainment industry hard. How important are these venues to the vibrancy of downtown and what are some ways the public can best support them? Our entertainment venues are a critical component of our downtown economy and contribute to the vibrant environment that makes us unique. We know from the Creative MN Study that they normally draw seven million visitors each year, employ almost 10,000 full-time workers and create almost $500 million in direct economic impact. That study doesn’t even include the tremendous impact of sports and commercial concert venues like the Palace Theatre or Xcel Energy Center. These spaces are not only critical to our economy but also create the kind of vitality and competitive advantage that makes downtown St. Paul special. We know that times are tight for everyone but we encourage people to participate in the new ways our venues are engaging audiences, from virtual performances to interactive online experiences. If possible, donate or purchase season tickets to use in the future.
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A rts & Culture Fireside Reading Series goes virtual
A diverse line-up of readings by Minnesota authors will be presented virtually at 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Feb. 24 as part of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Fireside Reading Series. This annual series features the work of Minnesota writers who have published a new work in the previous year. To register or receive more information on the following readings, visit www.thefriends.org/fireside. “American Gospel” by Lin Enger, Jan. 27 - On a small farm beside a lake in Minnesota’s north woods an old man is waiting for the Rapture, which God has told him will happen in two weeks. When word gets out, Last Days Ranch becomes ground zero for The End, drawing zealots, curiosity seekers and reporters— among them the prophet’s skeptical son. Enger has published two previous novels, “Undiscovered Country” and “The High Divide.” A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he has received a James Michener Award, a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship and a Jerome travel grant. He teaches English at Minnesota State University Moorhead. “How the Streets Were Made: Housing Segregation and Black Life in America” by Yelena Bailey, Feb. 3 - Bailey examines the
creation of “the streets” not just as a physical, racialized space produced by segregationist policies but also as a sociocultural entity that has influenced our understanding of Blackness in America for decades. Bailey is a writer, researcher and former professor of English and cultural studies. She is currently the director of education policy at the State of Minnesota’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. “Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify: Essays” by Carolyn Holbrook, Feb. 10 - Holbrook’s life is filled with ghosts—of the girl she was, the selves she shed and those who have caught up to her, the spirits she’s encountered, and the beloved souls she’s lost and those she never knew. She has heeded the call to tell the story of her life and to find among its chapters the lessons and necessary truths of those who have
come before. Holbrook is a teacher, arts advocate, and founder of the More Than a Single Story discussion series. She is the recipient of the Hamline University Exemplary Teacher Award, the Kay Sexton Award and many arts fellowships and grants. “Village of Scoundrels” by Margi Preus, Feb. 17 Based on the true story of French villagers in WWII who saved thousands of Jews, this novel tells how a group of teenagers stood up for what was right. They forged documents, helped smuggle people over the border and carried messages for the French Resistance to aid the refugees. Preus is the New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Honor book “Heart of a Samurai” and other notable books for young readers, including the Minnesota Book Award-winning “West of the Moon.” “Little Big Bully” by
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Heid Erdrich, Feb. 24 “Little Big Bully” begins with the collective question: how did we come to this? In answer, this book offers personal myth, American and Native American contexts, and allegories driven by women’s resistance to narcissists, stalkers and harassers. Erdrich has published seven books of poetry and a nonfiction work on indigenous foods. She edited “New Poets of Native Nations,” an anthology for Graywolf Press. Her honors include a National Poetry Series award and two Minnesota Book Awards. Erdrich, who is Ojibwe, teaches at Augsburg University.
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Arts groups get boost from Knight Foundation The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded a combined $2.2 million in grants to six St. Paul-based arts organizations. The Playwrights’ Center received $1.5 million to assist with its relocation from South Minneapolis to 710 Raymond Ave. in St. Paul, expand programming, offer stipends to artists, and expand its University Partnerships Programs, which connects undergraduate students across the U.S. to professional playwrights. FilmNorth received $200,000 to expand a program that teaches filmmaking to storytellers from underrepresented communities in St. Paul, and support programs that make the arts more accessible to all communities in St. Paul. Penumbra Theatre received $200,000 to support its residency program for emerging Black artists, the development of a repertory festival, and commissioning new works by Black playwrights. Victoria Theater Arts Center received $100,000 for professional development, arts programming, the creation of an Opportunity Fund for new programs and collaborations, and to support its BIPOC Advisory Council. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts received $97,000 to support its pilot year of a musical theater training program for emerging artists of color in St. Paul. Public Art St. Paul received $75,000 to assist it with planning the inaugural St. Paul-Minneapolis Triennial Art Festival, to be held in 2023. Mixed Blood Theatre Company received $50,000 to produce two new works of experimental theater in neighborhoods along the Green Line light rail route.
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Downtown St. Paul Voice - February 2021 - Page 3
A rts & Entertainment
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St. Paul Winter Carnival returns Jan. 28-Feb. 7 Tim Spitzack Editor
T
he mere fact that the St. Paul Winter Carnival is taking place offers a glimmer of hope that this year will be better than the last. In 2020, the plug was pulled from nearly every event near and far. The Carnival is bucking that trend, which is not surprising since its origin is one of feisty defiance. It began in 1886 in response to reports from newspaper correspondents who visited the city during the winter of ’85 and returned home to tell their readers that St. Paul was “another Siberia…unfit for human habitation.” To prove them wrong, hearty St. Paulites began a winter festival, which this year marks its 135th return. The pandemic, however, continues to wield its influence. In response, Carnival organizers have moved many signature events to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and will present them daily Jan. 28-Feb. 7 at the new Drive-
Thru Ice & Snow Sculpture Park. The entry fee starts at $20 per vehicle, and each pass includes a swag bag filled with goodies and the chance to win prizes through I Spy Bingo. You can also play Winter Carnival Trivia via the Winter Carnival app, and cast a vote for your favorite snow or ice sculpture. The following themed days include special swag bag items with the purchase of a vehicle pass, or some other entertainment. Hours are 4-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To order tickets or for more information, visit www.wintercarnival.com. Northern Soda Days, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Receive a 4-pack of locally made Northern Soda along with twisty straws and koozies (insulating sleeves that keep beverages cold). Crayola Experience Family Day, Jan. 30. Receive two passes to Crayola Experience Mall of America, activity packs, two GoGo
squeeZ pouches, and other snacks. National Hot Chocolate Day, Jan. 31. Receive two mugs, hot chocolate mix, and Milkman chocolate milk. Bring your own thermos of hot water to enjoy the treat. “The Croods: A New Age” Day, Feb. 2. To commemorate the release of the movie “The Croods: A New Age,” goody bags include popcorn, candy and Croods swag. St. Paul Saints Day, Feb. 4. Receive two Saints caps. Also, look for the team’s “ushertainers” and their infamous mascot, Mudonna, along the route. Minnesota Twins Day, Feb. 6. Receive two Twins beanies. Vulcan Torchlight Night (after 5:30 p.m.), Feb. 6. The Vulcan Krewe will entertain with special attractions and performances. Cost is $35 per vehicle; includes one swag bag. Minnesota Made Day, Feb. 7. Enjoy locally made treats.
Photo by Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger
“Vulcanstein,” created by Royal and Supreme Order of Snow and Sand Sculptors and Shovelers, won the 2020 snow sculpting contest. Team members were Jonathan Baller, Joshua Baller and Curtis Cook.
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A rts & Entertainment Citywide events This year’s Carnival will not include the traditional parades or events in Rice Park, and changes have been made to other activities. All events will abide by COVID-19 protocols for social distancing and mask wearing. Most events are free. For a full line-up, visit www.wintercarnival.com. • Family Days will be virtual, featuring entertaining performances, educational seminars, arts and crafts lessons, storytelling sessions and more. All can be enjoyed online from the warmth of
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your home. • Pop-up concerts will be held in parking lots and establishments around St. Paul. • Securian Financial Winter Run and the Winter Carnival ice fishing tournament are scheduled. • New this year are three scavenger hunts that highlight St. Paul parks, landmarks and other notable attractions. • The fifth annual Fire & Ice Winter Carnival Art Show will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 7 at AZ
Klondike Kate from page 1
bears his name. But it was the miners in the Yukon— who routinely showered the flamboyant dancer with gold nuggets and gold dust when she performed—who nicknamed her “Klondike Kate,” providing the model for the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s beloved “mistress of merriment and song.” Shelley Pabst of South St. Paul is the reigning Klondike Kate. She fell in love with “the Kates” the first time she saw them in the mid-1990s. She had recently relocated from her home state of Indiana and heard them as they passed below the window of her downtown St. Paul apartment, singing from their parade float. “From the very first time I saw the Klondike Kates in the Winter Carnival parade, I knew I just had to be a Kate one day,” said Pabst during a recent visit. Last winter, after auditioning for the third time, her dream came true when a nine-judge panel selected her out of seven contestants to be the 2020 Klondike Kate. Her reign, along with almost all of last year’s royalty, will extend through 2021 because COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most of
last year’s appearance schedule. A Kate may participate in hundreds of events during her tenure, including community festivals and visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other charitable organizations. “A few appearances last less than an hour, but most of them will last longer than that,” said Pabst. Each year, up to ten aspiring Kates are evaluated in an oral interview, which can be a little unnerving for someone like Pabst who considers herself an introvert. “I’m crazy shy,” she said with a smile, a fact that seems
Gallery, 308 Prince St. in the Northern Warehouse. The Carnival is organized by the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit that also produces the Cinco de Mayo West Side St. Paul fiesta. The Winter Carnival typically attracts more than 250,000 visitors and infuses $2 million to $3 million into the local economy.
Buy a button Support the Carnival by purchasing a Winter Carnival Button. The cost is $5 each or $19 for a 4-pack. Each purchase allows you to counterintuitive, given the ebullient, robust Klondike Kate persona. “They bring you in, all the judges are there around the table, and then it’s just you there, all alone, selling yourself.” What they’re looking for in the ideal Klondike Kate is a sparkling personality, a genuine ability to connect with a crowd, and a strong—not necessarily professional—singing voice. The voice is secondary, as it was with the original Kate, who was primarily a dancer. Reigning as Klondike Kate is not for the faint-hearted. This strictly volunteer position requires a tremendous commitment of time, energy and money.
register for prizes, including the grand prize of $1,000 cash. Artist Adam Turman created four designs that reflect the history of the Carnival and winter activities in Minnesota. • The St. Paul Skyline button includes the State Fair arch to commemorate this year’s drive-through event at the State Fairgrounds. • The Klondike Kate on a toboggan button honors the Klondike Kate program, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The toboggan
featured on the button was fashioned after one Turman used as a child. • The King Boreas and Vulcanus Rex on snowmobiles button. Turman designed the snowmobiles on this button to resemble the Scorpion snowmobiles made in Crosby, Minn. • The Seven Hills of St. Paul button shows popular winter activities: ice fishing, snowmobiling, sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice hockey. It also features snow sculptures and a moose. Turman is an artist, muralist
and printmaker from Minneapolis. He got his start as an artist by making gig posters for bands playing at venues in the Twin Cities, drawing influence from the bold, graphic style of ’80s art and comics. He started his professional studio practice in 2003 and today specializes in colorful art screen prints and commissioned pieces, including logos, illustrations, murals and paintings. His murals can be found throughout the Midwest, and his prints are in private collections worldwide.
“Each lady is completely responsible for all of her own expenses, and we all create or purchase our own costumes,” said Pabst.” Their fancy, elaborate costumes generally include extravagant elements like sequins, feather boas, garters, corsets and fancy hats, making them quite costly. Kates also fund their travel expenses to festivals throughout the five-state area, and occasionally out of the country. Last year, Pabst traveled with the royal court
to Winnipeg, Manitoba to appear in the city’s annual Festival du Voyageur, a sister festival to the Winter Carnival. The trip happened right before COVID restrictions went into effect. “We do hold fundraisers during the year to try to help out with some expenses, and the reigning Klondike Kate is allowed to have a sponsor,” said Pabst. “My incredible sponsor is St. Croix Hospice, who has committed to me for both years.” For the women inducted
into the “Royal Order of Klondike Kates,” involvement is more than a yearlong reign. Each must sign on for a five-year commitment as an “active Kate” to support the subsequent reigning Kates. For many, five years is only a start. Most remain active with the organization for years. “It’s a full-on sisterhood, like meeting 20 great sisters you never knew you had,” said Pabst. Klondike Kate / Page 6
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A rts & Entertainment
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Klondike Kate from page 5
Shar Salisbury, 1997’s Klondike Kate, agrees. “Once a Kate, always a Kate,” she said. “They are a wonderful group of ladies.” Salisbury also fell under the Klondike Kate spell at first sight and determined to become one herself. “It was a dream come true,” she said of her reign. “You’ve got to have heart…. It’s all about making that special connection with people.” Many of the Kates had a similar initiation into the magic. “I saw my first Klondike Kate in 1977,” said Darice Koepke, who reigned in 2007. “The royalty had gone by and all of a sudden all the adults started cheering, and here comes this woman dressed like a Gunsmoke Saloon Girl, singing her heart out. I specifically recall asking my mom, in absolute awe, who that was. When she told me it was Klondike Kate, I told her that’s what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
This year’s virtual staging of some of the traditional Carnival gatherings, like the Klondike Kate Cabaret, has been challenging, but organizers have been nimble and imaginative in their response to pandemic constraints. “The Winter Carnival was created in 1886 to show the world how St. Paul embraces winter,” said Deb Schaber, president and CEO of the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the Carnival. “We believe we’ve created a schedule of events for our 135th anniversary that our Carnival creators would be proud of and our current-day fans can enjoy safely. The majority of our 2021 events will be held outdoors and all will abide by COVID-19 required protocols, such as social distancing and mask wearing.” As for the Kates, like their dauntless heroine, these troupers believe the show must go on. To that end, preliminary plans are in the offing to stage a gala revue
Damien Schoop from page 1
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Women inducted into the “Royal Order of Klondike Kates” sign on for a five-year commitment to support the reigning Kate at community events throughout the year. later this fall to properly celebrate their 50 years of history, fun and staying power. “Once you become a Kate
and meet the ladies that wore the sash before you, you start to see the bricks they have laid to help pave the way
for the Kates that came after them,” said Koepke. “It is genuinely an honor to be
a part of that legacy, and to continue to help pave the way for new Kates.”
mous sponsor whose number was still in his phone. When the sponsor learned Schoop was safe for the night, he said he would pick him up for breakfast the next morning and take him to the Mission’s men’s campus, which serves meals to 400 men a day. The meals come with a sermon and a cot in the chapel where they can stay the night.
“I soon came to learn that this was a place that restored dignity to individuals and gave them a purpose,” said Schoop recently. “Spiritual healing becomes the strongest weapon against all the demons each person must face.” Schoop was accepted into the Mission’s Christ Recovery Center, which serves 4560 men. Participants rigor-
ously study the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as well as the Bible. They also follow a demanding personal routine that helps them examine their attitudes, work habits and relationships. In addition, the men must complete the Mission’s Educational and Job Development program. Schoop, who had never graduated from high school, completed the program application the same way he had done on others for 33 years—by lying. He answered yes to the question: “Do you have a GED?” When a Mission staffer questioned him on it, he confessed for the first time that he did not. “Great!” she replied. “We’re going to help you complete your GED.” It took 18 months of hard work but Schoop reached that goal. Schoop estimates that 80 to 90 percent of those
in the recovery center find jobs, restore family relationships and move on to live meaningful lives. The Mission allows students to stay at the center until they find a network of supportive outside relationships and are comfortable stepping into employment. In the final stages of the program, they work a job and pay reduced rent for a limited period. His apartment at the Mission has given him the stability he needed to keep his job as a call center representative for a firm in Woodbury. When the pandemic began, all employees at his company were required to work remotely. Were it not for the Mission, he would have been forced to quit. Now he has his sights set on becoming a supervisor. Schoop plans to leave the Mission this year and make his home in the Twin Cities. While in the recovery center, he also found the strength to rebuild relationships with his two sons, age 9 and 17, and other family members. He remains ever thankful that he heeded one of the center’s mottos: “Just stay until the miracle happens.” Wallace is owner of The Wallace Group public relations firm. The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is one of her clients.
St. Matthew’s 32nd Annual
DRIVE UP TO GO
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THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY
Welcomes You!
Since 1865
A vital Catholic Faith Community
Just in time for the Big Game!
Drive-up Booya Saturday, February 6 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Drive-up / Carry out Booya available $5/scoop • $15/quart
261 Eighth St. E., St. Paul 651-222-2619 www.stmarystpaul.org Page 6 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - February 2021
Every Friday Feb. 19-April 2 Serving Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Baked and/or fried fish, potato, vegetable, cole slaw, roll and dessert.
Grilled cheese or spaghetti available as non-fish option
Meals are $10 each Credit cards accepted Orders taken on Hall Avenue in front of the church or at the social hall entrance at the rear of the church. A safe way to enjoy a delicious, affordable meal!
St. Matthew’s Social Hall, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul
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. www.stpaulpublishing.com
A rts & Entertainment
Ordway’s virtual concert series Winter Weekends with the Ordway, a weekly concert series featuring five musical acts, is available for streaming Fridays through Sundays through Feb. 21. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish, including free, per household device. Acts include Grammy-nominated Stray Cats founder and bass player Lee Rocker; a capella group Naturally 7; the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, an internationally renowned rock ensemble of bagpipers, guitarists, keyboards and drummers; Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, an 11-piece salsa group from New York City; and MOJO and the Bayou Gypsies, with its all-original mojo music. To view the concerts, visit www.Ordway.org.
Ethnic programs Landmark Center presents Urban Expedition: Ghana, beginning at 1 p.m., Feb. 7. This free virtual presentation includes music, dance, crafts and traditions of the people of Ghana. It will be available for 30 days at www. landmarkcenter.org/urbanexpedition/. The 2021 Balkan Festival will be held virtually, beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. Presented in partnership with Ethnic Dance Theater, the celebration will bring to life the rich traditions of the Balkan region. The event will be online for one month at www.landmarkcenter.org.
Doggie Depot This year’s Doggie Depot will take place virtually on Feb. 6 at uniondepot.org/
Your community news and information source
doggiedepot. The event features “doga” (yoga with your dog), a visit from local dog influencer, Murrow the Frenchie, the crowning of this year’s Canine King and Queen of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, pet rescue opportunities and information from pet vendors. The event is sponsored by the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota.
Courtroom concert series The Schubert Club will present its popular Courtroom Concert series online in 2021 featuring a mix of full video concerts of new programs as well as archival audio recordings of past concerts held in the historic Landmark Center’s Courtroom 317. The performanc-
es are free and may be viewed at https://schubert.org. Schubert Club ComposerIn-Residence deVon Russell Gray is presented Feb. 11; “Latin America: A Miracle of Faith” by Border CrosSing Feb. 25; Gao Hong, pipa, and Issam Rafea, oud, Mar. 11; Jeffrey Van’s “A Ring of Birds” April 1; PaviElle French April 8; Artaria String Quartet May 6.
History Theatre at Home The History Theatre is streaming “All the Way with LBJ” through Feb. 4 at www. historytheatre.com. This is a 30-minute audio segment of the full-length play “Favorite Son: The Humphrey Perspectives,” based on the 1968 meeting between Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and President Lyndon B. Johnson just before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill. The recording includes a short interview with playwright Jeffrey Hatcher and a 20-minute post-show discussion with former Vice President Walter Mondale, historian Hy Berman and
Hubert’s son “Skip” Humphrey. The play was first produced at the History Theatre in 1997.
History Center now open The Minnesota History Center has reopened with a timed entry ticket reservation system. Exhibits include: Then Now Wow, Weather Permitting, Minnesota’s Greatest Generation and Our Home: Native Minnesota. Tickets are $812. To order, call 651-2593015 or visit www.mnhs. org/historycenter. A limited number of tickets are available for walk-ups. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 11 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday.
SteppingStone Theatre SteppingStone Theatre is returning to downtown St. Paul. The theater group is in the process of relocating from Grand Avenue to the Park Square Theatre on Seventh Place. SteppingStone, originally based at the Landmark Center, will use Park
Square’s stages but remain independent.
St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints will play a 144-game schedule in its first year as a AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Although attendance will be limited because of COVID-19, season tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.saintsbaseball.com.
Newspaper Delivery Immediate openings. Employee and subcontractor positions available for weekday and weekend routes. No early morning delivery. To apply, contact: Brian Amundsen 612-919-8626 or 651-487-1328
Independent Delivery Service 440 West Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul
Need Local, Affordable, Quality Care? visit www.mnhealthcenters.org
Get affordable and personalized health care in-person or from the comfort of your home at your nearest community health center. You'll find health care providers who represent and respect the unique characteristics of the communities and people they serve. These nonprofit clinics offer high-quality primary care, including COVID-19 testing, regardless of your ability to pay. They serve insured and uninsured patients.
Medical | Dental | Behavioral Health | Vision | Insured and Uninsured Downtown St. Paul Voice - February 2021 - Page 7
Destination: Downtown & Lowertown A Guide to Shopping, Services and Entertainment
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The Chiropractor
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St. Paul Dental Center
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Shop locally and support the businesses that support our community
Atlas Staffing G14 189 7th Place E., 651-222-5894 atlasstaffinginc.com Providing the BEST employees
Master Framers M16 262 E. 4th St., 651-291-8820 www.masterframers.com www.facebook.com/MASTERFRAMERS Custom picture framing and restoration since 1959
Great River Dental J12 375 Jackson St. Ste. 200 651-222-0983 greatriverdental.com Providing complete dental care, including implants
Subtext Bookstore K6 6 5th St. W. 651-493-2791 subtextbooks.com St. Paul’s independent bookstore
Kat-Key’s Lock & Safe St. Paul G16 249 E. 7th St. 651-292-1124, www.katkeys.com Repairs, replacements, safe sales, safe moving/delivering, rekeying, master key systems, door hardware/door closer installation and more.
The Chiropractor A12 523 Jackson Street, Suite 105 St. Paul, MN 55101 | 651-287-0935 www.thechiropractormn.com Chiropractic Adjustments Acupuncture | RockTape Techniques Massage Therapy
To advertise on this map, call 651-457-1177
Page 8 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - February 2021
Lancer Service F17 270 E. 8th St. 651-224-0267 www.lancerservice.com
Our promise is simple - continuously provide every customer with exceptional auto repair & maintenance solutions.
St. Paul Dental Center E7 30 E. 7th St., Ste. 101 651-227-6646 www.stpauldentalcenter.com We provide comprehensive family dentistry. Map Map base base courtesy courtesy of of the the Capitol Capitol River River Council Council