Downtown St. Paul Voice March 2020 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

Downtown St. Paul “Musical medicine for what ails you.”

SAMPLE ST. PAUL Page 6

Page 9

Volume 26 | Number 3

Your Community News & Information Source

March 2020

Market House Collaborative adds variety

Time to Lend a Hand

Amy Johnson Staff Writer

Minnesota FoodShare month begins Mar. 1

New downtown clinic now open Amy Johnson Staff Writer

Minnesota Community Care, formerly West Side Community Health Services, has opened a new clinic in downtown St. Paul at 424 Dorothy Day Pl. Working in partnership with Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the clinic is located in the new St. Paul Opportunity Center. The clinic offers primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy, dental services, chiropractic and optometry. Over the past 50 years, Minnesota Community Care has grown into the largest federally qualified health center in Minnesota with an operating budget over $30 million, 400 employees and more than 100,000 square-feet of space. It operates both a health and dental clinic on St. Paul’s West Side and East Side, 10 schoolbased clinics at middle and high schools in St. Paul Public Schools, three sites serving the homeless, and one in a public housing complex. “Since 1969, Minnesota Community Care has been a safety-net health care provider for historically marginalized and underserved communities,” said Paige Bowen, chief advancement officer. “Our mission is to strengthen the well-being of our community through health care for all.”

Photo by Neighborhood House

Amy Johnson Staff Writer

innesota FoodShare Month is upon us, which means it’s time to pitch in to help stock local food shelves. Taking place Mar. 1-April 12, Minnesota FoodShare Month is the state’s largest grassroots food and fund drive. Residents, businesses and community organizations are encouraged to participate to help keep 300 food shelves supplied for the year. In March 2018 and 2019 alone, the campaign collected more than 10 million pounds of food, and a total of $17.8 million has been received since 2018, all of which is distributed to food shelves in the state.

Against All Odds Lowertown resident continues to make art, strengthen the community Nigel Parry Contributor

hen Lisa Mathieson moved to Lowertown a dozen years ago, she quickly became involved in the arts community. She has served as a community arts organizer and St. Paul Art Crawl liaison for the

Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative, a board member of the St. Paul Art Collective, and co-organizer of the Lowertown Drawing Circle, now beginning its eighth year of weekly Sunday meetings. Most remarkable is that she has accomplished all this while battling a debilitating disease.

The Neighborhood House food shelf at 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul, offers healthy and culturally appropriate food to St. Paul residents. According to spokesperson Sarah Lennander, one in nine people—and nearly one in six children—struggle with hunger in Ramsey County. According to the most recent statistics available, 56 percent of Ramsey County students qualified for free and reduced lunch during the 2017-2018 school year. This is the sixth highest percentage in the state and 14% higher than Hennepin County. Last year Neighborhood House food markets served more than 4,700 children and teenagers, and more than 8,000 FoodShare / Page 2

The Market House Collaborative at 289 5th St. E. in Lowertown has added some new variety to the mix of businesses and those supplying food. R&R Cultivation, co-owned by Nick Robinson and Lance Ramm, joined Market House Collaborative after finding success at the St. Paul Farmers’ Market’s summer and winter markets. Their offerings include a variety of gourmet mushrooms. Robinson said the most popular are lion’s mane, blue oyster, golden oyster and chestnut. Lion’s mane can be formed into “crab” cakes as a meatless dinner option, while chestnuts are good in risottos, and the oyster varieties are great for side dishes, said Robinson. R&R sells its wares from an open case, such as one would find at the farmers’ market, during normal Market House hours: 10 a.m.8 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday. True Stone Coffee Roasters, which began in 2003 as a wholesale coffee roaster, has opened its first retail outlet. “As a coffee roaster, we are primarily focused on high-end coffee, pour overs and espresso drinks,” said Tyler Liedman, the director of operations and café manager. They have another location, the Roasterie, at 755 Prior Ave. N., near Can Can Wonderland.

Market House / Page 2

Raised in Fergus Falls, Minn., Mathieson was introduced to the arts world through classical music training. She discovered her true passion when she traded her horn for paintbrushes while attending Bethel University, where she graduated with a bachelor in fine arts in 1988, majoring in studio arts with minors in art history, philosophy and English literature. She credits the rigorous practice and performance regime required of musicians with “fine tuning

and tempering” her into the artist she is today. After college, Mathieson studied photographic lighting and darkroom techniques at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and took a mix of graduate courses including poetry, archaeology, astronomy and ornithology at a variety of local colleges. She also studied and worked extensively at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. “In those years after college I discovered porcelain,

realizing the first time I handled it that it was an extraordinary medium with complexity and depth. I felt my hands were made for it,” she said in a recent interview. “I found glass a few years after that, and today I throw and hand-build clay. In glass, I fuse, cast, cold-work and slump (using gravity in a kiln to mold glass) the materials.” Working with glass requires much skill and patience. “A pendant might have

eight to 10 layers of glass in it,” she explained. “It may have spent 54 hours heating and another 60 hours annealing (the process of molten metal or glass cooling slowly). That’s almost five days total in the kiln. Then it’s cut on a tile saw with a diamond blade, ground into shape on a diamond grinder, and polished. “There is always the challenge when working with mediums like glass and Lisa Mathieson / Page 3

B usiness

Your community news and information source

Market House from page 1

He said their most popular drink is the Woodsman, a nonalcoholic coffee version of an old fashioned. The cold brew features the flavors of maple syrup, oat milk, bitters, smoke and lavender. Another popular choice is the “Instagrammable” avocado toast.

True Stone previously provided coffee for Salty Tart before that company closed at Market House at the end of last year. Now, it carries products from two other new vendors: Vikings & Goddesses Pie Company and Lowertown Bakehouse. Hours are 7 a.m.-4 p.m.,

Monday to Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. A French bistroinspired brunch service runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. Vikings & Goddesses Pie Company began last summer. It’s owned by Rachel Anderson, who previously worked at the restaurants Bellecour and Revival. The shop offers special-order pies and “laminated” pastries, including croissants, choco-

late croissants and Danishes. (Puff pastry is the simplest laminated dough, made with flour, water and salt. Yeast and milk are added for croissants.) Additional items include cookies, muffins and other traditional breakfast pastries. Anderson said the Berries and Cream Pie is a popular choice. It’s topped with a streusel and features sour cream custard with organic raspberries or local strawberries from Twin

ALL YOU CAN EAT LEBANESE

Fish Dinners FRIDAYS during Lent

4:30-7:00 pm

Church Service 4-4:30 pm

Enjoy Lenten fish dinners served with all-you-can-eat Lebanese sides! $15 adults; $10 ages 12 & under

Holy Family Maronite Church 1960 Lexington Ave. S., Mendota Heights www.HolyFamilyEvents.org 651-291-1116

Are you passionate about helping others achieve goals? Do you desire to have a positive impact on the lives of others? We provide support to over 150 residential group homes. In these opportunities you would support those we serve in a variety of daily living tasks including medical and behavioral support. Careers available as direct support staff, community support specialist, mental health specialist, registered nurse and operational program director. Dungarvin.com

Our Team is YOUR team

Cities Berries. The Ham and Cheese Croissant also sells out regularly, she said. The baked goods are sold at True Stone, Almanac Fish and Octo Fish Bar, all of which are at Market House. The pies are made to order but Octo offers some on its dessert menu. A refrigerated pastry case will be added at Almanac soon. Christopher Sarles, owner of Lowertown Bakehouse, bakes at Market House every

day. Instead of a storefront, he sells his product from a farmers’ market booth outside the kitchen 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every other Saturday. The menu includes brioche donuts, New York style bagels, cinnamon rolls, babka, focaccia, sourdough pizza dough, scones, buttermilk biscuits and cookies. Specialties include sourdough baguettes, boules and brioche. The baguettes and boules are also offered at True Stone.

FoodShare from page 1

adults and seniors. The market uses the client-choice model, which allows shoppers to pick the items they want, just as they would in a traditional grocery store. The organization also runs fresh produce distributions throughout the year. Last year 245,528 pounds of food was distributed at these events alone. Neighborhood House is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and noon-5 p.m., Sunday. For more details or to donate, call 651789-3630 or visit www.neighb.org/march-food-drive. To volunteer at Minnesota FoodShare, visit www. mnfoodshare.org/volunteer.

2020

Let the Back in Balance team help get you back on track to better health. We use the most advanced techniques to diagnose and treat a wide variety of injuries and ailments.

Ticket Discounts

OsmanC

ircus.com

ENTER: V

OICE in coupo n code

Dr. Scott A. Mooring Owner & Clinic Director

Dr. Debby Jerikovsky

OUR 97th YEAR

FREE PARKING! 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 Writers: John E. Ahlstrom, Amy Johnson

Contributors: Roger Fuller, Tara Guy Ginny Contreras Sawyer, Nigel Parry Delivery: Independent Delivery Service

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

$5 O Brin

g th

Mar. 26-29 THURS., MAR. 26 10:30 am & 7 pm

per

is ad

ticke

ff for

FRI., MAR. 27

10:00 am, 2:30 pm, 7:30 pm

SAT., MAR. 28

10:00 am, 2:30 pm, 7:30 pm

SUN., MAR. 29

10:30 am and 3:00 pm

ST. PAUL PUBLISHING COMPANY

1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 651-457-1177 | info@stpaulpublishing.com | www.stpaulpublishing.com Downtown St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright Downtown St. Paul Voice 2020. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.

Online tickets & info at www.OsmanCircus.com Click on the happy elephant and enter coupon code: VOICE

Proceeds are for the benefit of Osman Shriners activities, payments not deductible as a charitable donation.

Page 2 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020

P eople

Your community news and information source

Lisa Mathieson from page 1

porcelain for the artist to rise above the perceived preciousness inherent in the material,” she added. “Porcelain is particularly conducive to this challenge due to its raw bone-like frailty. When thrown on the wheel, it can be worked until it’s quite thin. It can be made strong, however, through compression, in much the same way that glass can be made strong through annealing.”

Strength through compression Mathieson learned about strength through compression from more than working with clay and glass. At 19, she developed an autoimmune disease that severely affects her bones. She was subsequently told by doctors that she had six months to live, a prediction she has defied for 35 years and counting. The disease is a metaphorical kiln in which she herself is daily subjected to a different kind of fire. One way she deals with the illness is by reflecting her own physical frailty in her ceramic and glass sculptures, which often have recognizable bone and spine motifs that emphasize the fragility already hinted at by the mediums themselves. “Much of my work speaks to brokenness, both literally and metaphorically, and making art that articulates brokenness is a two-way journey—from the fractures inside to the fractures

in the world around us and back again,” she said. “Artists have been speaking to the brokenness of our persons, tribes and cultures since time immemorial. I believe in the possibility of personal and societal wholeness and perhaps even redemption through the making of art. I hope that people see a bit of themselves in my art.” Those close to Mathieson know her to be unfailingly upbeat regardless of whatever pain she is navigating on any given day. This is reflected in her drawings, which are cheerful and bright. Using a tropical color palette, she creates playful, pseudo-realistic wildlife set against fantastical forest flora. She recently created an exploratory coloring book project, which proved popular and prompted plans for a follow-up book featuring line drawings of Minnesotacentric motifs.

A love of Lowertown Mathieson’s studio on the fifth floor of the Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative overlooks an awe-inspiring panorama of the Mississippi river to the south and Indian Mounds Park to the east. While this space alone would attract nearly any artist to the neighborhood, she wastes no time equivocating about what keeps her here: “The art, the art, the art…. The artists, the artists, the artists!” she said. “Lowertown is a small town where everybody knows you

and you know everybody.” Mathieson cites the arrival of the St. Paul Saints as the beginning of the neighborhood’s most profound period of change in several decades. While recognizing the massive migration of artists out of Lowertown to Northeast Minneapolis and other St. Paul neighborhoods—some estimate the loss at between a third to a half— Mathieson ascribes to a “what’s done is done” philosophy and is quick to point out that many artists remain. “Joe Paquet is one of the most in-demand traditional plein air landscape painters in the world,” she said, “and Ta-coumba Aiken, another local artist, also has an international reputation. There are so many artists and performers living in Lowertown that have had a global reach.” Sitting in her studio surrounded by examples of her work, it’s evident she is passionate about her own art. She is constantly picking up pieces of pottery or glass to explain the process by which that particularly exquisite, swirling, shimmering, multilayer, colored bowl, vase, pendant or sculpture came to be. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her space eclectic, with works spanning multiple mediums displayed on every shelf and surface. Mathieson also collaborates with other artists and organizations. One example is her work with a local luthier, a maker of stringed instruments. She was one of several local artists to customize a finished guitar for guitar maker Gene Kuschnir,

Lenten Special Your Choice: Cheese Enchiladas, Bean Burritos, Bean Tostadas, Quesadillas and Sopes

2 each

$ 00

Offer valid every Friday through April 10, 2020.

Mathieson’s studio is an eclectic, creative space. covering the instrument with a glass mosaic. Another is the St. Paul Saints’ coloring pages project, which uses local artists three times a year to create designs for kids to color during baseball games. Mathieson has shown her work extensively around the Twin Cities and across the state at exhibits and art fairs, and has won many awards and commendations. One was for a commemorative piece about her grandmother entitled “Requiem” that was part of a spiritual-themed exhibit that traveled to several local churches before concluding at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

She was also awarded for her luminescent glass mask of King Boreas (“the King of Winds”) at a St. Paul Winter Carnival Art Show. Passionate about sharing her skills, she teaches pottery and glass classes and offers private or group classes on request. Her jewelry, visual art and pottery are available in the gift shop of the AZ Gallery, 308 E. Prince St. The Minnesota History Center gift shop periodically stocks her work as well. The Weekly Lowertown Drawing Circle takes place 1-3 p.m. every Sunday at Just/ Us restaurant, 275 E. 4th St. All ages and abilities are

welcome. Visit Mathieson April 24-26 at her studio in the Tilsner Building, 300 Broadway St., during the St. Paul Spring Art Crawl, or view her work at instagram. com/lisa.c.mathieson.

FOR RENT Find your new home with us! We're

At Home Apartments

with locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApts.com for availability of an apartment or townhome. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Dry cleaning orders of $15 or more

$3.00 Off

Cleaning done on site

651-457-2909

984 So. Smith Ave. - West St. Paul

Please present coupon with incoming order. Not valid with other offers. Expires 3/31/20.

(Smith at Dodd Rd.)

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7-7, Sat 8-4.

Camelot Cleaners, 984 So. Smith West St. Paul • 651-457-2909

• NY Style Pizza • Hoagies • Salads • Gyros & more... • Gluten FREE crust available • All fresh, local produce & made from scratch

WE DELIVER! DOWNTOWN Both Pizza & Ice Cream for Home or Office.

Sun.-Thurs. 11 am-9 pm Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 pm

www.grandolecreamery.com | 750 Grand Ave. • Saint Paul | (651) 293-1655

FREE

407 S. Wabasha • St. Paul

651-222-TACO (222-8226)

large salad with purchase of 2 pizzas Not valid with any other offers. Expires 3/31/20.

$9.99 1 Item Pizza

Not valid with any other offers. Expires 3/31/20.

3-Course Meal Deal

2-topping pizza, cheese bread and pint of one of 10 flavors of ice cream. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 3/31/20.

Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020 - Page 3

N ews Briefs

Your community news and information source

{ THE FULLER FILES } Coming and going Drury Plaza hotel at 10th and Jackson will re-open on Mar. 31. The hotel, which closed last year for extensive remodeling, was originally an Embassy Suites. Sylvia Strobel has been named president of Twin Cities Public Television. She succeeds James Pagilarini, who served for 20 years. Strobel was formerly chief operating officer of Ideastream of Cleveland, Ohio, which manages The Ohio Channel and Ohio Government Communications. She

“Ours is a Service of Sincerity” Since 1927

Ken B. Peterson Owner-Director

Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation 612 So. Smith Ave.

651-222-3220 www.johnsonpeterson.com

has a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, a master’s from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Kathy Lantry will retire as head of St. Paul Public Works on Mar. 6. She was appointed in 2015 by Mayor Chris Coleman after serving 18 years as a city council person for Ward 7. During her tenure, Public Works embarked on a three-year plan to repave nearly all downtown streets. The first phase ended last October. Park Square Theatre has discontinued the position of artistic director and is now using an artistic committee “Lo direction nuestro to provide for the theater. Flordelino Lagunes un servicio dino of New York was the lastde to serve as artistic direcsinceridad” tor. He succeeded Desde 1927 Richard Cook, who had been with Ken B.forPeterson Park Square four decades. Owner-Director The 103-year-old St. Paul Athletic Club is for Johnson-Peterson sale. Rupp CasaOwner Funeria yJohn Cremación hopes a612 non-profit will So. Smith Ave. purchase the 13-story building 651-222-3220 and convert it into a comwww.johnsonpeterson.com

EVERY FRIDAY THROUGH APRIL 3

by Roger Fuller

munity center. The building contains the 56-room Hotel 340, a fitness center and houses a campus of St. Scholastica University. Rupp recently purchased the Church on a Hill on Summit Avenue and converted it into a music school and a performance center. A 14,000-square-foot event center is scheduled to open soon on the third floor of the Treasure Island Center. It will seat 450 people and can be used for meetings, conferences, expos, weddings and live musical events. Crave Catering and Events will be the primary food provider. The Gold Line bus-rapid transit project between Woodbury and St. Paul is slowly moving forward. Following an environmental assessment, the Federal Transit Administration recently determined the proposed 10mile route would not have a negative effect on the environment. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 and busses will start running in 2024. Buses will run on dedicated lanes north of

highway 94 every 10 or 15 minutes.

Restaurants and artists unite to raise awareness of homelessness Union Gospel MissionTwin Cities is hosting its annual “Soup for the Homeless Soul” fundraising event 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 4 at the Men’s Campus, 435 University Ave. E., St. Paul. Participants will sample free soups from Keys Café and Bakery, Yarusso Bros Italian and Kane’s Catering restaurants, and local potters will give demonstrations and sell their artwork. All proceeds go to the mission. Artists are from Skunk Hollow Pottery, Deneen Pottery in St. Paul, Dock 6 Pottery, Evla Pottery, Front Avenue Pottery, Fired Up Studios, Northern Clay Center, Minnehaha Academy, North St. Paul High School, Concordia University. West St. Paul woodworker Jim Shirley will also sell his artwork, including engraved plaques and kitch-

en cutting boards that can be ordered with customized inscriptions. For more information, visit ugmtc.org.

Presidential nomination primary is Mar. 3 If you support a major political party, head to your local polling place on Tuesday, Mar. 3 to vote for your preferred candidate for president of the United States. Currently, four major parties represent Minnesota but only the DemocraticFarmer-Labor and Republican parties have contending candidates for the 2020 presidential election. Each party’s chair has chosen the candidates. If a candidate drops out before the primary, the ballot will remain unchanged. Minnesota passed legislation in 2016 authorizing a presidential nomination primary to replace the caucus system. Voters will choose between two separate ballots, the Democratic Party or Republican Party. The ballot

will only include candidates in the upcoming presidential election. The regular primary, happening in August, will include other offices. Anyone can vote if registered in Minnesota. To find your polling place, visit https://pollfinder.sos.state. mn.us/.

Friends of the St. Paul Library Friends of the St. Paul Public Library has elected eight new members to its board of directors. They bring a wide range of expertise and experience to the organization, from government affairs to corporate strategy. The new directors are Carol Bagnoli, Patricia Lopez, Michael S. McGreevy, Kim O’Brien, Marcus Pope, Dan Stoltz, Carolyn Wollan and Der Yang. Outgoing board members are Paul Dzubnar, Ann Folkman, James V. Toscano, Courtney Henry and Elona Street-Stewart. Members are elected to a three-year term, which is renewable for up to three terms.

ALL YOU CAN EAT

Served 4:30-7 p.m. in the Mother Teresa room at 840 19th Ave. N. Meal includes all-you-can-eat fish (gluten free), salad, baked potato or French fries, macaroni & cheese, roll, beverages and dessert. Beer & wine available.

$14 adults, $13 seniors 62 and older, $7 ages 12 and under

LENTEN SCHEDULE

840 - 19th Ave. N. South St. Paul

Ash Wednesday: Wed., Feb. 26 7:30 AM & 6:30 pm Stations of the Cross Fridays at 4 pm WEEKLY MASSES: Tues.-Fri. 7:30 am, Sat. 5 pm, Sun. 8:15 & 10:30 am

Go Wild! This summer, give your child a window to the natural world and see the zoo in a whole new way. Enjoy STEM, horse, llama, and many other camps for all ages. Scholarships are available to qualifying families.

Minnesota Zoo Camps | MNZoo.org/ZooCamp | 952.431.9390

For more information, call 651-451-1863 or visit www.sjvssp.org Page 4 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020

N ews Briefs

Your community news and information source

{ CALENDAR OF EVENTS } Penumbra Theatre, 270 Kent St., will present “The White Card: Here’s Looking at You” at 7 p.m., Feb. 26-29 and 2 p.m., Feb. 29 and Mar. 1. The Book End Class will discuss “The White Card” at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Mar. 2. “Let’s Talk: BecomingNew Work from the Ashe Lab” will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Mar. 23. St. Paul Conservatory of Music, 1524 Summit Ave., will hold a Guitar Master Class with Rene Izquierdo at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27. The coffee concert, “Roads to Bach” featuring Jacques Ogg on harpsichord, will be at noon, Wednesday, Mar. 11. New Lute Café will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 19. “Music for All” will be held at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 26. Clarinet Hour will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 31. Amsterdam Bar and Hall at Sixth and Wabasha will present While She Sleeps on Mar. 3; Fashawn and J. Stone on Mar. 7 and 13;

Elohim on Mar. 14; Bad Omens on Mar. 16; Grieves on Mar. 20; Early Eyes on Mar. 21; Insomnium on Mar. 23; The Acacia Strain on Mar. 24 and The Moth Story on Mar. 25. Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave., will present Langer’s Ball at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 4 and Sea Shanty Sing at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Mar. 9. East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St., will present “Immigration: The Making of St. Paul” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 4; “History Revealed: She Voted” with Katie Roberts and Michelle Witte at 7 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 5; Breaking Barriers History Day Workshop at 10 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 7; and “From the Monkey Mountains: Bakken Trio” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 11. Lowertown First Friday will feature works by local artists at 7 p.m., Friday, Mar. 6 at Northern Warehouse, AZ Gallery, Lowertown

NOW HIRING: FULL-TIME Bilingual-Financial Coach

The Financial Coach will work primarily with the Latino community by providing direct services to improve participant’s financial wellness and stability and/or asset development. Primary Responsibilities • Facilitate financial literacy workshop and modules on credit, savings, money management, retirement; etc. • Support and expand NeDA’s Home Improvement Loan program, meet with homeowners, complete assessment, originate loans • Outreach to tenants living in NeDA-owned and partner apartment buildings • Maintain and manage accurate and complete files to track and report outcomes • Other duties as needed as they relate to supporting NeDA’s financial capacity programs. Training on Financial Coaching and HUD certification will be provided (if necessary.) Qualifications • Fluency in Spanish and English required. • Strong interpersonal and problem-solving communication skills. • Experience with computers, internet based applications and Microsoft Office. • Ability to multi-task • Self-starter with excellent problem solving skills and ability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities in a positive, focused manner and remain composed under stress. Compensation Package: • Wages: $38,000 to $43,000 depending on experience • Benefit Package: Health, Dental, Long-Term disability, and 403 (B) retirement program. Send resume and cover letter to NeDA, Attn: Hiring Committee 481 S. Wabasha St. St. Paul, MN 55107 or info@nedahome.org

Underground Gallery, Show Gallery, 333 Gallery, Handsome Hog, Octo Fishbar and Birch’s Lowertown. Zeitgeist will present “Playing It Close to Home” at Studio Z, 275 E. 4th St., Mar. 6-8. The quartet will perform works by Randy Bauer. Mounds Theatre, 1029 Hudson Rd., will present the Fearless Five Comedy Show 6-7 p.m., Friday, Mar. 6 and Saturday, Mar. 7. Midwest All-Star Wrestling will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 21. Minnesota Museum of American Art at 4th and Robert is presenting “Gordon Parks: A Homecoming” Mar. 7-April 19 at the Henrietta Schmoll Rauenhorst Court. Parks worked as a photographer for the Minneapolis Spokesman, St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Town and Country department of Frank Murphy’s store in the 1930’s and 40’s

before he went to New York and attained national fame. The exhibit contains photos from Park’s early years. The gallery is showing “A Choice of Weapons, Honor and Dignity: The Visions of Gordon Parks and Jamel Shabazz” through April 19. Lower Phalen Creek Project will hold a conference on advocacy and governance at the InterContinental Hotel on Mar. 11. The project administers the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. George Latimer Central Library Book Club will discuss “Girl Waits with Gun” by Amy Stewart at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Mar. 12. The History Book Club will discuss “Rubicon” by Tom Holland at 2 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 26. The library is located at 90 W. 4th St. Baroque Room, 275 E. 4th St., will hold a Lunchtime Concert, Heroes of the Baroque and the Flying Forms, at noon, Friday, Mar.

TAX SERVICES

 IRS problems  Federal and all states  Individual and small business  Certified Quickbooks advisor  Estates, trusts, planning  Free e-filing with return prep  Licensed to practice before the IRS

13 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14, and Lyra Lunchtime Concert at noon, Friday, Mar. 20. Underground Music Café, 1579 North Hamline Ave., will present Unsung Heroes 3 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14, Classical Guitar Showcase at 2 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 21 and Bluegrass Showcase at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 24. Books and Bars will discuss “The Fifth Season” by N.K. Jemisin at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 18 at Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St.

Subtext Book Store, 6 W. 5th St., will present Michael Kiesou Moore, author of “Song Castle,” 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 18. Waldmann Brewery, 445 Smith Ave., will present “History Revealed: Tourney Time” at 7:45 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 19. AZ Gallery, 308 Prince St., will hold the exhibit “100 Best High School Artists’ through March. A jury examined about 1,000 entrants and reduced the field to 100.

THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY WELCOMES YOU!

Since 1865

A vital Catholic Faith Community

LENTEN SCHEDULE Daily Mass: Noon, Mon.-Fri. (except April 9 & 10) Ash Wednesday Masses: Feb 26, Noon & 5:30 pm Stations of the Cross: Fridays, 5:30 pm Lenten Dinners: Fridays, 6:00 pm Lenten Vespers: Sunday, April 5, 5:00 pm HOLY WEEK Holy Thursday Service: April 9, 5:30 pm Good Friday Service: April 10, noon: The Lord’s Passion, Stations & Light Lunch Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil: April 11, 6:30 pm Easter Sunday Masses: April 12, 7:30 am and 10:30 am (choir)

John Stevens, EA

Stevens Tax & Accounting, Inc. DBA EQUI-TAX 1870 East 50th St. Inver Grove Heights

(Corner of Babcock Trail and 50th St. E.)

Weekend Masses: Sat. 4:30 pm, Sun. 7:30 & 10:30 am Weekday Masses: Mon.-Fri. Noon Reconciliation: Mon.-Fri. 11:30 am-11:50 am, Sat. 4:00 pm-4:20 pm and by appointment. Ample parking & handicapped accessible.

261 Eighth St. E., St. Paul

www.equitax.net

Phone: 651-222-2619

March issue

Call 651-773-5000 today for an appointment!

St. Matthew’s 31st Annual

All You Care To Eat

318 W. Water St., St. Paul 651.227.1549 Mon.-Fri. 8-4 Sat. 8-2 Sun. closed

Bring us one item or a houseful...

WE ACCEPT IT ALL!

Every Friday Feb. 28-April 10

Demolition and Construction Waste | Trash & Lawn Debris

Grilled cheese and spaghetti available as non-fish option

We will drop off a container or dumpster for you and haul it away once it's filled. If you prefer to save money, you can haul your trash to our refuse and recycling station. We accept all items in large or small quantities. We also offer many sizes of roll off containers, from 10 to 40 cubic yards.

Serving Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Baked and fried fish, baked potato, vegetable, cole slaw, roll, beverage and dessert

Adults $12 • Seniors $11 • Age 6-12 $6 • Under 6 FREE Credit cards accepted

TABLE SERVICE - No waiting in a buffet line! Beer, wine and pop available for purchase

$1 off drive up to-go orders on Hall Ave. St. Matthew’s Social Hall, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul

Furniture & Appliances | Tires and much more

Reasonable Rates! Roll Off Boxes for Large Jobs One Time Pickup Available

We Support

Recycling

Haul your own & SAVE! Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020 - Page 5

S ample St. Paul

Fitzgerald Theater

10 E. Exchange St. St. Paul 651-290-1200 https://thefitzgerald theater.com

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, 8 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 1. $29.50$49.50. Kamasi Washington, 8 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 4. $35. National Geographic Live – Mark Synnott, 2 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 8. $25-$45. An Evening with Gaelic Storm, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 17. $41-$46. Welcome to Night Vale, 8 p.m., Monday, Mar. 23. $32.50. Gary Gulman: Peace of Mind, 8 p.m., Friday,

Your community news and information source

Mar. 27. $20-$35. Gregory Porter, 8 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 29. $49.50$79.50.

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

“First Avenue Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom,” through May 3. Since 1970, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been at the heart of the Minnesota music scene. This exhibit celebrates the musicians, employees and regulars who have called First Avenue their rock ‘n’ roll home. Museum tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $6 for children ages five to 17. Free on Tuesdays, 3-8 p.m.

Women in Music Conversation with PaviElle French, 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 3. The World War II Round Table will discuss “Operation Varsity: 75th Anniversary,” 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 10. Another discussion, “The Chief of Staff for Eisenhower,” will take place 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 24.

St. Paul’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held noon-2 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 17. It begins at Mears Park in Lowertown and ends at Rice Park.

Music history trivia, 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 10.

Electoral College,” 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 21. $16.

Recovering Chippewa City, 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 17. Staci Drouillard will discuss her book, “Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe.”

Inspiration of Youth, 7:30-9 p.m., Mar. 2-3. Visit the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., to hear the Hill House Chamber Players’ seasonal theme, “Inspiration of Youth.” $12-$23.

Rosemarie Zagarri, history professor, will discuss “The Murky Past and Contested Future of the

Irish Heritage tours will be held at the James J. Hill House 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 3. Reservations required. Special “Irish Heritage Weekend” tours will be held 10 a.m.5 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14 and 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 15. $6-$10.

Opening Early March

Mental Illness and the Victorian Mind tours at the Alexander Ramsey House, 265 S. Exchange St., 7-8:15 p.m. and 8:309:45 p.m., Friday, Mar.

13. $11-$12. “Votes for Minnesota Women” tour at the Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14. $8-$10. Ramsey After Dark, 7-8:15 p.m. and 8:309:45 p.m., Friday, Mar. 27. Take the “Crime and Justice” tour at the Alexander Ramsey House, which details the famous murder trial of 1859. $11-$12.

History Theatre

10 E. Tenth St., St. Paul 651-292-4323 www.historytheatre.com

“Superman Becomes Lois Lane,” through Mar. 1. See the gender transition story of Bob Sylves-

973 Smith Ave. S., West St. Paul Open daily at 11 am | Sunday Brunch 11 am-3 pm

All-day menu featuring a delicious variety of appetizers, small plates, sandwiches, entrees, salads, soup and desserts.

Private event space that accommodates up to 60 guests for seated and reception-style events.

Visit us onlie at wwwfoodsmithpub.com Page 6 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020

“Not for Sale,” Mar. 21-Apr. 12. The story follows Arnold Weigel, a rising star in the Twin Cities real estate business as he puts his career on the line to represent families of color when buying homes in all-white neighborhoods. $20-$53. “Not in Our Neighborhood,” Mar. 25-Apr. 5. William and Nellie Francis, both civil rights advocates and leading citizens in St. Paul’s growing African-American community, dared to move from their home in the Rondo neighborhood to an all-white neighborhood. $20-$53.

Landmark Center

Sundays at Landmark

Full bar featuring fourteen local craft beers and a boozy craft cocktail menu.

ter, former president of the St. Paul City Council, as he becomes Susan Kimberly. $20-$53.

March 8, 1pm: Urban Expedition: Indonesia March 15, 11am - 5pm: Day of Irish Dance March 17, 10am - 5pm: Irish Celebration St. Patrick’s Day events - $7/$5 March 22, 1pm: Urban Expedition: Poland & Hungary Full event details at www.landmarkcenter.org Lillian Wright and C. Emil Berglund Foundation

75 W. 5th St., St. Paul 651-292-3225 www.landmarkcenter.org

Courtroom concerts: Border CrosSing, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 5; Artu Duo featuring Ruth Marshall on cello and Garret Ross on piano, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 12; Duo Ihana featuring Jesse Nummelin on cello and Rie Tanaka on piano, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 19; William Howard on piano, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 26. Urban Expedition: Indonesia, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 8. Music, dance and crafts that celebrate the culture of Indonesia. Ballet, noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 10. See excerpts from Ballet Co.Laboratory repertoire.

S ample St. Paul

Your community news and information source

Photo by Jeremy Dainie

“The Color Purple” Broadway musical opens Mar. 31 at the Ordway. A Day of Irish Dance, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 15. Day two of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration will take place 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 17. Urban Expedition: Poland and Hungary, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 22. Music, dance and crafts that celebrate the culture of these countries.

Ordway Center 345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222 www.ordway.org

TaikoArts Midwest will present “HERbeat: Taiko Women All-Stars” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29. $27-$42. Sphinx Virtuosi, 3 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 1. The nation’s top Black and Latino classical string soloists, Sphinx Virtuosi,

returns with their new program, “For Justice and Peace.” $16-$26. Howard Jones Acoustic Trio, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 4. $37-$58. Daniil Trifonov on piano, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 10. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 11. $39-$69. St.

Paul

Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s “Seventh Symphony: What Makes it Great?” with Rob Kapilow, 8 p.m., Mar. 1314; “Xplorchestra: Calling All Horns,” 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 21; Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony with Pekka Kuusisto, 8 p.m., Mar. 27-28 and 2 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 29. Ticket prices vary.

Atmosphere, with the Lioness, Nikki Jean and DJ Keezy, 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28. 18+. $35-$45.

Danú, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Mar. 20. $32-$42.

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

Classic Albums Live: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River,” Saturday, Mar. 21. $39$70. Edward Tulane, Mar. 21-29. $23-$133. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Sunday, Mar. 22. $58$68. “The Color Purple” Broadway musical, Mar. 31-Apr. 5. $48-$112.

Palace Theatre

17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul 612-338-8388 www.palacestpaul.com

Eric Nam, with Frenship, 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29. $40.

at the Omnitheater through May 10. Museum tickets are $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children and seniors. Omnitheater tickets are $9.95 and $8.95 respectively.

Drive-By Truckers, 8 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14. 18+. $29.50-$45.

St. Paul RiverCentre

Science Museum of Minnesota

The world premiere of “Ancient Caves” takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, Mar. 6 at the Omnitheater. The film features paleoclimatologist Dr. Gina Moseley, who specializes in analyzing the chemical signatures in stalagmites for evidence of historical climate change. “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” runs through May 10. This exhibit chronicles the Space Race, a time when the U.S. and Soviet Union competed to see who would reach the moon first. The film “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition” is showing

175 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul 651-265-4800 www.rivercentre.org

Minnesota Roller Derby, 7 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 7. $12-$14. 33rd Annual Donnie Smith Bike Show, 9 a.m.7 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 28 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 29. $15.

Xcel Center

199 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-726-8240 www.xcelenergycenter.com

The Lumineers, 7 p.m., Friday, Mar. 13. From $45. Jason Aldean, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 14. From $105.

Chamber

LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE Church of St. Matthew, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul

The Church of Saint Matthew invites you to join us in this season of Lent and the joyous season of Easter. We welcome you to come celebrate with us the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If you desire information about us, please visit www.st-matt.org or call 651.224.9793. LENT Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturdays at 4:15 p.m. & Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Daily Masses are Monday, Tuesday & Friday at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday Communion Service at 8:00 a.m. Thursday Mass at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School at 9:10 a.m. Mondays, March 2-April 6 Stations of the Cross: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 Ham Bingo 5-8 p.m. Fish Fry - Fridays, February 28-April 10 from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Individual Reconciliations Saturdays, March 7, 21 & April 4 & Sundays, March 8 & 22 Reconciliation after Masses Scripture Study-St. Matthew-Passion and Resurrection Saturdays, March 14, 21 & 28 from 9;15-11 a.m. Free will offering; registration requested Sunday, March 22 Confirmation at the St. Paul Cathedral: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31 Chrism Mass–St. Paul Cathedral: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5 Communal Penitential Service: 3:00 p.m. HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Services Saturday, April 4: 4:15 p.m. & Sunday, April 5: 10:15 a.m. Easter Triduum Celebration Holy Thursday Mass: April 9, 7:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 10 Good Friday Service: 3:00 p.m.; Stations of the Cross: 12:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 11 Easter Vigil: 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 12 Sunrise Mass of the Resurrection: 7:00 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection: 10:15 a.m.

$25 OFF

LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE Church of St. Matthew, HallRETURN Ave., St. Paul ANY510 TAX

Must bring in or mention Newus clients only. Expires 4/30/20. The Church of Saint Matthew invites you this to ad. join in this season of Lent and the joyous season of Easter. We welcome you to come celebrate 1040 - $100 • 1120S, 1065- $500 with us the resurrection of our JesusInclude Christ. If you desire about PricesLord, after coupon. Federal and MN returnsinformation and electronic filing of both Other charges will or apply for 651.224.9793. additional forms and schedules. us, please visitreturns. www.st-matt.org call Please call for a more precise estimate.

INDIVIDUAL, SMALL BUSINESS AND RENTAL RETURNS LENT ALL STATES, YEARSat & 4:15 IRS PROBLEMS Weekend Masses are celebrated onBACK Saturdays p.m. EVENING at & WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE & Sundays 10:15 a.m. LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS, Daily Masses are Monday, Tuesday & FridayYEAR-ROUND at 8:00 a.m.SERVICE Wednesday Communion Service at 8:00 a.m. Thursday Mass at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School at 9:10 a.m. Mondays, March 2-April 6 Stations of the Cross: 6:30 p.m. 1099 S. Robert St. 6428 Cahill Avenue 1001 Southview Blvd. Saturday, March 28 West St. Paul Inver Grove Heights South St. Paul Ham(651) Bingo 5-8 p.m. (651) 552-9320 455-4150 (651) 457-5090 Fish Fry - Fridays, February 28-April 10 from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Individual Reconciliations Saturdays, March 7, 21 & April 4 & Sundays, March 8 & 22 Reconciliation after Masses Scripture Study-St. Matthew-Passion and Resurrection Saturday, March 28 from 9;15-11 a.m. Free will offering; registration requested Thursday, March 31 Chrism Mass–St. Paul Cathedral: 7:00 p.m. Write one or more articles a month. Assignments Sunday, April 5 will match your interests. We cover city government Communal Penitential Service: 3:00 p.m. issues, community events, business openings HOLY WEEK and individuals engaged in noteworthy activities. Palm Sunday Services Basic photography skills Send Saturday, Aprilneeded. 4: 4:15 p.m. & resume Sunday, April 5: 10:15 a.m. and 3 writing samples to Easter editorTriduum Tim Spitzack Celebration at tim@stpaulpublishing.com. Holy Thursday Mass: April 9, 7:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 10 Founded in 1966, ourService: locally3:00 owned Good Friday p.m.;newspaper Stations of the Cross: 12:00 p.m. group publishes four monthly community Holy Saturday, April 11 newspapers that reach 37,500 homes downtown St. Paul, the West Side, Easter Vigil:in7:00 p.m. West St. Paul, South St. Paul,Easter Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Sunfish Lake, Sunday, April 12 and also the Latino Sunrise audience Cities. 7:00 a.m. Massofofthe theTwin Resurrection: Mass ofCompany the Resurrection: 10:15 a.m. St. Paul Publishing | www.stpaulpublishing.com

gothamtax.com

Gotham Tax Service, LLC

NOW HIRING Freelance Writers

651-457-1177

Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020 - Page 7

B usiness

Your community news and information source

Mendoberri owners to open new restaurant on Smith Ave. Amy Johnson Staff Writer

he corner of Smith and Dodd will be bustling with activity on Mar. 9 when Robert and Ann Ulrich open their newest restaurant, Foodsmith. The couple, who also own Mendoberri in Mendota Heights, purchased the building at 973 Smith Ave. S., West St. Paul, and have renovated it extensively to create a gastro pub and event space. It will have an art-deco feel with a midcentury modern approach. There is diamond-shaped brickwork outside, black frame windows and four low-profile TVs at the bar

but none in the dining area. A unique feature is the bar itself. It’s located is in the center of the building, allowing service to the main dining room and the adjacent party room, which seats up to 60 people. “Robert likes to make classic things that are infused with his Austrian heritage,” said Ann of the menu, which includes everything from burgers with grass-fed beef to spinach pasta to Viennese Spaetzle, an Austrian-style mac n’ cheese. Robert, who will serve as chef, is intent on making things from scratch. This commitment goes all the way to the house-made ketchup for the house-made fries.

The bar will feature 14 craft beers on tap and a variety of boozy cocktails, and Robert will use some of the ales in his recipes, including brown ale roasted mushrooms and roasted Brussels sprouts with an orange beer glaze. Before opening Mendoberri, Robert honed his culinary skills with Holland America Cruise Lines and Hilton International Hotels. He has cooked in far-off places such as Vienna, Frankfurt, Zurich and London, and locally as executive chef at the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis. Ann said they are excited to be part of the revitalization of Smith Avenue. They were attracted to the corri-

dor for its historical ties—it was once the site of a trolley car line—and the bikerand pedestrian-friendly surrounding neighborhood. “It feels like a mini Grand Avenue,” said Ann. She also noted that the city gave them a warm welcome and were accommodating with the project. For example, a challenge arose when it seemed they would have to build a parking lot. However, the city waived that requirement because they wanted to keep the area easily accessible for bikers and pedestrians. This will allow the owners to transform the tiny parking lot in front of the building into an

Ann and Robert Ulrich outdoor patio and reserve a handicap parking stall and a takeout parking stall. Foodsmith will be open

daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.foodsmithpub. com.

A taste of the tropics in SSP John Molene Contributor

El Jibarito owner José Colon serves up one of his restaurant’s signature dishes, a mashed and double fried plantain steak sandwich.

Learn new skills. Make media. Share your story.

Become a member today. Visit us at spnn.org or 550 Vandalia St Suite 170 Saint Paul, MN 55114

or the past four years José Colon has been dishing out Puerto Rican entrees to patrons in the Twin Cities from his food truck business, El Jibarito. This winter, he parked the truck to concentrate on running a new restaurant by the same name. It opened Nov. 19 in the former T&T Galley space at 901 Southview Blvd. in South St. Paul and features the same items offered from his food truck, but a much more extensive menu. First, the name. A jibarito is a sandwich made with plantains instead of bread. Colon’s version uses doublefried and mashed plantains filled with steak, grilled onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato and the house sauce. Other favorites include the mofongo con carne frita, similar to the jibarito but

with deep-fried pork, and a roast pork, ham and chicken dish called tripleta. Pastrami, veggie bean jibarto and pork sandwiches are also available. For starters, guests can choose from nine options, including crispy fried plantains, corn fritters stuffed with cheese or pork, and potato balls filled with shredded pork. Sides include rice and beans, and rice with pigeon peas. Desserts include flan and a Puerto Rican cake. You can wash it all down with passion fruit juice, Kola Champagne or Coco Rice soda. “This is 100 percent Puerto Rican food,” said Colon, who does most of the cooking along with his wife Mary. The flavors and seasonings are different than other Latin American cuisine, and the food is not spicy. “I opened the food truck because there was no Puerto Rican food around,” said Colon. “When I hear the

Affordable Living Seniors (50 & Older)

Now accepting applications for 1-bedroom incomebased apartments. Our buildings are updated, quiet and in a great neighborhood. • Utilities paid • Elevators • Controlled entries • On bus line

• Pet friendly • On site laundry • Close to shopping

• Resident activities • Beauty salon • Views of the river

For more details, call Elena at 651-288-8159

Page 8 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020

people say, ‘you should open a restaurant,’ I opened the restaurant.” Colon is no stranger to South St. Paul. Twenty years ago, he worked as a mechanic for several years at South St. Paul Automotive, then ran his own repair shop for 13 years. However, food service was in his blood and he decided to make a career change. He learned the trade by working a few years alongside his father, who operates a restaurant by the same name in his native Puerto Rico. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Take out is available. Colon will continue to operate the food truck on the weekends during the summer. He also offers catering. For more information, visit www.eljibaritofoodtruck.com.

South St. Paul HRA

Pet Friendly!

A rts & Culture

Your community news and information source

The Urban Explorer Exploring our regional amenities Ginny Contreras Sawyer Contributor

Medicinal jazz for the midwinter blues

first learned of the Black Dog Café when a friend suggested meeting there for brunch two years ago. She lived in one of the artist’s lofts in Lowertown and the café was one of her regular haunts. It was a Saturday morning in late May and the place was really hopping. Standing in the entryway while waiting for a table, I watched servers deliver fluffy buttermilk pancakes, huevos rancheros and many other tantalizing dishes to eager customers. Once we were seated and served, I was not disappointed. After that day I thought of the Black Dog as “that amazing brunch place,” until I found out they had jazz. Since the late nineties, the Black Dog has been an anchor for the Lowertown community. They’ve morphed from a small coffee shop to a full-menu restaurant and bar, and live music has been part of the draw since the very beginning. Almost every weekend they host Saturday Night Jazz, featuring both established bands and local up-and-

coming artists. There’s no cover charge, though they do pass around a tip jar, and reservations are recommended. There’s also a smattering of mid-week performances, which include jazz, roots, world and bluegrass ensembles. I returned to the café with my husband recently for a Thursday night performance by The Medicinal Jazz Band, their tagline: “Musical medicine for what ails you.” The vibe in Lowertown this night is understandably different from my first visit. It’s midJanuary and there are no crowds at the nearby farmers’ market or anyone milling around CHS field. In fact, there are no people lingering outside for any reason. On the plus side, there is no competition for a parking space and we quickly find one on East Prince Street, less than 500 feet from the café. Unfortunately, the ghostly atmosphere follows us inside, where we find only a few younger couples, one middle-aged man at the bar, and a large group of older women looking suspiciously like a book club. Maybe they’re here for the jazz, too? I wonder. I hope the sparse crowd is due to our being

a half-hour early, but deep down I suspect that the 8-below temp and biting windchill has scared people away. We order a couple of beers and settle in. By 7:30 p.m., the book club has left, and a few new people begin straggling in. We are sitting “stateside,” as the staff refers to the area between the bar and the small stage. A red velvet curtain with a colorful string of Christmas lights serves as the musical backdrop, and low, dangling teardrop lights diffuse a soft glow into the space. It is dim, but not too dim. On a nearby wall is a cool painting of a piano and a bicycle. In theory, it should feel quite romantic, but honestly the ambience seems a bit stiff and gloomy. Conversation around us is subdued, including ours. As parents, my husband and I don’t often have date nights, and I know we should be more chatty during this uninterrupted time together. “Is it normally this quiet?” I ask our server. “I think it’s the weather,” she replies. The band—two guys with guitars and another with an accordion—lethargically sets up their equipment and checks the sound system. By 7:50 p.m. they finally seem satisfied with the arrangement but instead of firing up the first set they slump to the bar to order drinks. There is low energy all around. A little after 8 p.m., beer mugs in hand, the band finally takes the stage. I recognize the playful melody

The Medicinal Jazz Band provides “Musical medicine for what ails you.” of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” followed by “Lazy River” and a few others. As the music fills the air, I feel a welcome relief and look around to see if everyone else is feeling as energized as I am. Suddenly, it dawns on me that almost everyone is still wearing a coat. Two of the band members are wearing stocking caps, and one a knitted beanie. Every time a new customer walks in the door we all visibly shudder from the cold—and we are the hearty ones who made it out this frigid night. Soon, I see the music working its magic. Toes start to tap, and the clapping between songs certainly warms our hands. The lead vocalist cracks a few jokes and now

everyone is smiling. Slowly, the atmosphere starts to thaw. Though the music isn’t dazzlingly brilliant, it is warm and upbeat, and the band has made good on its promise. We are all suffering from a case of the January Blues and this is just the medicine we need. I admit, when I think of great jazz I think of New

Orleans and the French Quarter, of crowds spilling out into the street, of tipsy revelers meandering from bar to bar, from live band to live band. I don’t think of Minnesota or St. Paul or Lowertown, but for tonight, this will do.

Home Cleaning

Insurance

$20/hour

Serving the St. Paul area. Reliable, trustworthy housecleaning. 15 years exp. I offer top-to-bottom cleaning with detail orientation. Excellent references upon request. Call Ron at 651-757-5335

STATE FARM

Stremski Agency 1560 Livingston Ave., Suite 101, West St. Paul

Home, Auto, Business, Financial Services 651-457-6348

SPV-MusicManMar2020V-Eng.qxp_Lay

The Award-Winning All-American Musical!

Turn your calling into a career The College of St. Scholastica is equipping care professionals through CSWE-accredited, values-based undergraduate and graduate social work programs. Master of Social Work • A flexible, hybrid learning environment with two tracks for those with and without a BA in Social Work

NOW PLAYING!

952.934.1525 800.362.3515 ChanhassenDT.com

BA in Social Work • Values-based curriculum including interprofessional education and 570 hours of in-field service • Social work healthcare certificate option

css.edu/socialwork Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020 - Page 9

Str

1 Su

C ommunity

Your community news and information source

Postscript

Learning to Whistle My sister learned to whistle at age two. She was precocious in other ways as well. She knew how to read by the time she started kindergarten and demonstrated a physical dexterity I never did. She was much more talented at the piano. But it was the whistling that really got to me. I was six when she started

to whistle, and I remember it clearly. She sat in her highchair at my grandparents’ house and started whistling her heart out. She could see, even at two, that she was creating quite a sensation, so she continued, louder, demonstrating her newfound talent. I was sick with envy. I don’t think I have envied many people many times in my life, but I very much

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

wanted to whistle when I was six. Like tying your shoes at age five, it is a mile-

Personal, professional services tailored to meet your individual income tax and small business needs. The Leary Group James P. Leary, Jr., Ltd. Certified Public Accountant ■ Total Accounting and Bookkeeping Solutions ■ Business Income Tax Planning and Preparation ■ Professional Payroll Check Writing Services ■ Individual Tax Planning and Preparation

THE LEARY GROUP is in the Old National Bank Building 66 Thompson Ave. E., Suite 120 Phone: 651-450-9373 West St. Paul, MN 55118 Fax: 651-450-9214 jp@learycpa.com Toll Free: 1-888-450-9373

stone. My dad whistled. My friends could whistle. Now my baby sister could whistle, and everyone was over the moon. It was a low moment in my short life. My grandmother, whom I am sure was very well intentioned, did not make the situation better. “Carrie, some people never learn how to whistle,” she informed me. I suppose this was to help me understand that I had company, that there was a great world of non-whistlers out there and I would surely find companionship with the similarly inadequate. I was not comforted.

HEARTLAND & NORWAY BROOK APARTMENTS Quiet country living in Pine River, MN for low/ lower income seniors & disabled persons. Call for info on our 1 bedroom apartments and how to get on our open waiting list! (218) 587-2840 (218) 587-4929

“Some people never learn how to whistle!” I remember repeating to myself many times over. I think this may have been the first time I was seriously confronted with the possibility that there might be something I desperately wanted to do that I would not be able to. My parents assured me that I would be able to do whatever I put my mind to, and here I was, at six, already stopped at a major roadblock. It was discouraging. This may be my imagination, but it seems to me my sister sensed my dejection and whistled with even greater virtuosity. All this came to mind when I was in New York recently. I had just performed material from my columns at a conference, certainly a late arrival to this world. Most of the performers were at least 20 years younger, if not 30, and I was every bit as nervous as the youngest of them—perhaps more so. I had 15 minutes to perform and, while it’s hard to tell with these things, I felt I did reasonably well. After-

wards, I changed out of my sparkly costume and headed back to the hotel to watch some of the other performers. It was unseasonably warm for January. The sky was clear and there was an unexpectedly big moon rising over the skyscrapers. I stopped right in the middle of Broadway and stared at this giant moon. Suddenly I realized how ridiculously lucky I was. I was doing something new, having fun. I might or might not be embarrassing myself but who cared! I started to whistle. I was walking down Broadway whistling and didn’t care if anyone heard me. I fished my phone out of my purse and called my sister. “Hey, Sister!” I announced without preamble, “I just wanted you to know that I couldn’t whistle at two and not even at six, but I actually am a halfway decent whistler now!” My sister laughed. I told her I loved her and kept walking and smiling and whistling. Till next time.

www.pineriverhra.com Equal Housing Opportunity

The World is a Great Big Place We proudly cover just a tiny portion of it. Community news specifically for community-minded people in... • Downtown St. Paul • The West Side • West St. Paul • South St. Paul • Sunfish Lake • Lilydale • Mendota Heights

To submit news or advertising to reach 37,500 homes in the greater St. Paul area and the Latino market of the Twin Cities, call 651-457-1177. Check us out at www.stpaulpublishing.com. Page 10 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020

C ommunity

Your community news and information source

{ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES } 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, contact Vanessa Edwards at 651-789-2524 or vedwards@neighb.org. 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, contact Jenny at 651-2721133 or volunteer@neighborsmn.org. DARTS, a nonprofit organization serving seniors in Dakota County, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for all ages. To volunteer, contact Angela Liedke at 651-234-2254, angela.liedke@darts1. org or visit www.darts1.org/volunteer. Dakota County offers volunteer positions in community corrections, environmental resources, the Historical Society, library, parks, public health, the sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and social services. For more information, call 651-438-4435 or visit www. co.dakota.mn.us/Government/Jobs/Volunteering/Pages/default.aspx Dodge Nature Center, a nonprofit environmental education center in West St. Paul, is seeking volunteers age 16 and over to assist with community events, land management and environmental education. For more information, call 651-455-4531 or visit www.dodgenaturecenter.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for men, especially Latinos, to mentor boys ages 7-12 in St. Paul. Volunteers are asked to commit just a few hours a month. To volunteer, call 651-789-2400 or visit www. bigstwincities.org. 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 651-290-6226. Cerenity Senior Careâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Humboldt is seeking volunteers to transport residents to activities. It also needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist with one-onone visits. Volunteers may work weekly, monthly or at a special event. Located on the West Side, the Cerenity Residence at 514 Humboldt provides assisted living, memory care and transitional care, and the Cerenity Care Center at 512 Humboldt provides nursing care. To volunteer, contact 651-220-1789, HumboldtVolunteer@bhshealth.org, or visit www. cerenityseniorcare.org/volunteer. St. Paul Public Schools is seeking volunteer tutors to assist students one-on-one or in small groups. Flexible day, evening or weekend hours. To volunteer, contact Jyni Koschak at 952-945-4162 or jkoschak@ voamn.org.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon needs volunteers to assist the families of deployed military members with household chores, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, etc. To volunteer or for more details, contact yellowribbon@wspmn.gov or call Jan at 651-457-3541. Volunteers of America is looking for volunteers age 55 and over to assist children who are struggling with homework and reading. Time commitment ranges from three to 12 hours a week. To volunteer or receive more information, contact Jyni Koschak at 952-945-4162 or jkoschak@voamn. org. Minnesota Reading, Minnesota Math Corps is seeking full- and part-time tutors to serve in St. Paul public schools during the school year. Volunteers earn a biweekly living allowance of $526 (full-time) and an education award of up to $4,200 to help pay for education. Full-time tutors may also receive health insurance. For more information or to apply, visit visit www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org, www. MinnesotaMathCorps.org, or contact 866859-2825. 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

AFFORDABLE HOUSING Apartment Name

City

Phone #

Dakota County. For more information, call 651-776-4273, email volunteerservices@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org. or visit http://rebuildingtogether-twincities.org. St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul is looking for volunteers to escort patients as they discharge from the hospital. Flexible shifts, free parking and meal vouchers offered. Contact Michele Sahar at 651-232-3756 or MLSahar@healtheast.org. Ramsey County Community Human Services has volunteer opportunities for people age 16 and older. For more information, contact 651-266-4090 or humanservicesvolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us. Science Museum of Minnesota is seeking volunteers to assist with visitor services and exhibits. Apply at smm.org/volunteer or call 651-221-9453. YMCA in West St. Paul - The YMCA offers several volunteer opportunities, including youth sports coaches, member services and Kids Stuff staff. For more information, call 651-457-0048 or visit www.ymcamn.org/weststpaul.

Please call individual site for specific building information Professionally Managed by BDC Management Co. Waiting List

Family

Senior 62 + disabled

Bedroom size(s)

Waiting lists change and may be open. Please call the property to inquire. Albright Townhomes Minneapolis Chancellor Manor Burnsville Cornerstone Creek Apartments Golden Valley For developmentally disabled individuals. Dale Street Place St. Paul Diamond Hill Townhomes Minneapolis Elliot Park Apartments Minneapolis Franklin Lane Apartments Anoka Hamline St. Paul Hanover Townhomes St. Paul Haralson Apple Valley Hopkins Village Apartments Hopkins Lincoln Place Apartments Mahtomedi Oakland Square Minneapolis Olson Townhomes Minneapolis Park Plaza Apartments Minneapolis Prairie Meadows Eden Prairie Ramsey Hill St. Paul Raspberry Ridge Apartments Hopkins Slater Square Apartments Minneapolis Talmage Green Minneapolis Trinity Apartments Minneapolis Trinity on Lake Minneapolis Unity Place Brooklyn Center Vadnais Highland Townhomes Vadnais Heights Veterans and Community Minneapolis Housing - Sober Housing Brustad Place, aka Veterans East Minneapolis

612-824-6665 952-435-7111 763-231-6250

closed closed open

X X

651-224-7665 612-726-9341 612-338-3106 763-427-7650 651-644-3442 651-292-8497 952-431-5216 952-938-5787 651-653-0640 612-870-8015 612-377-9015 612-377-3650 952-941-5544 651-229-0502 952-933-3260 612-340-1261 612-623-0247 612-721-2252 612-721-2252 763-560-8808 651-653-0640 612-333-0027

open closed X closed X closed open X closed X open X closed open X closed X closed X closed X closed X open X closed X open X closed X 1 bdrm handicap, 2 bdrm open open X closed X open X open

612-208-1712

open

X X X

1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2 efficiency & 1 2, 3 2, 3 1, 2 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 4 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 efficiency & 1 2, 3, 4 1, 2 1, 2 2, 3 2, 3 efficiency efficiency

Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020 - Page 11

BRAND NEW SENIOR APARTMENTS | AGE 62+ Now Leasing for Summer 2020!

1 Bedroom | $1053 2 Bedroom | $1261

Apply Online Now!

Affordable, Luxury Apartments

WinslowWestStPaul.com | 651-228-7665 Winslow@reeapartments.com

Downtown bp Serving the downtown community for more than 90 years!

651-221-0026

Income Restricted

• • • •

Quality bp gasoline Full-service auto repair ASE Master Technicians 36 month or 36,000 mile warrantly on all repairs • Convenience store

542 Robert St. N., St. Paul | www.downtownbp.com | Mon-Fri. 7 am-8 pm, Sat. 8 am-4 pm, Sun. 9 am-4 pm

GASOLINE

10¢ off per gallon (maximum 30 gallons)

Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

$20 OFF

Any Service over $100 Most vehicles. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

GASOLINE

10¢ off per gallon (maximum 30 gallons)

Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

FREE computer scan for store codes Most vehicles. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

OIL CHANGE $1999 or $4999

Synthetic blend

Full Synthetic Most vehicles. Up to 6 quarts of oil, standard filter and chassis lube. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

ANY SERVICE 10% off

(maximum savings $100.) Most vehicles. Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 3/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

FREE Local Shuttle and Same Day Service on Most Repairs! Page 12 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2020