Downtown St. Paul Help stock the shelves Page 8
Volume 27 | Number 3
Your Community News & Information Source
March 2021
Landmark Center rolls out the welcome mat
Insight from community leaders on the top issues of the day
Three Questions for John Bandemer
Director of St. Paul’s new Safety Communication Center
Bandemer, a former St. Paul John Police senior commander who re-
John O. Anfinson
The river flows through him Anfinson enters his next stage of Mississippi River advocacy Tim Spitzack Editor
O. Anfinson, who retired John on Jan. 3 as superintendent of
the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), may be passing the torch of management but his commitment to river advocacy is not drifting away. He is now concentrating on issues near and dear to his heart and looks forward to being unencumbered by the bureaucratic red tape he faced at MNRRA, a unit of the National Park Service that encompasses a 72mile corridor along the Mississippi in the Twin Cities. “Now I’m able to focus on things I’m most passionate about and dive deep into those things,” he said. He will apply his 40-plus years of experience to several boards and commissions, including Friends Anfinson / Page 2
Landmark Center Executive Director Amy Mino Tara Flaherty Guy Contributor
T
o the delight of many, St. Paul’s beloved Landmark Center reopened on Feb. 3 after its pandemicrelated closing in December—albeit with reduced live programming and fewer days and hours of operation. Executive Director Amy Mino welcomes the limited reopening as a
hopeful sign of better things to come. She acknowledges the closure’s painful economic impact on their operation and mourns the public’s loss of access to the treasured building and its vast slate of programming and events. Despite the astonishingly nimble response on the part of Mino and her associates to swiftly convert almost Landmark Center / Page 3
cently retired after 31 years with the department, is now serving as the director of safety strategies for the Safety Communications Center, which opened in February on the skyway level of the 401 building. The center is part of the St. Paul Downtown Improvement District, an initiative of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. In this role he will work closely with law enforcement, private security firms and others to enhance safety in downtown St. Paul. This includes tracking and sharing crime data, communicating key issues, and working together to develop solutions to improve safety and quickly respond to issues that arise in the district. For more information, visit SPDID.org. What are your primary duties with the safety center? It’s my responsibility to create and manage our overall safety strategies for the Downtown Improvement District, to ultimately improve our safety outcomes and perceptions for residents, workers and visitors in the area. A big part of that is going to be setting up regular communications with our partners, including Bandemer / Page 2
New Red Cross blood donation center opening soon Tim Spitzack Editor
I
f you are among the thousands who donate blood at the American Red Cross donation center on Robert Street you’ll need to visit a new location this spring. The Red Cross is moving its donation center from 176 S. Robert St. to its nearby building at 100 S. Robert St., near E. Fillmore. That
building is in the final stages of a $2 million renovation to accommodate the donation center, upgrade other uses and consolidate office space. It is expected to open by May 1. The building that formerly housed the donation center will be sold. The renovation includes a new 8,000-square-foot blood donation center with 12 beds for whole blood donations, 15 for platelet and
plasma donations, two for white blood cell donations, and 10 rooms for health history examinations. The room where platelets are collected will have the most apheresis machines of any Red Cross donation center in the nation. The Red Cross estimates that every two seconds someone in the United States needs to receive blood, and thanks to donations, they
get what they need. The nonprofit provides about 40% of the country’s blood supply. The St. Paul donation center annually collects approximately 18,700 platelet and 7,400 whole blood units. The newly renovated building is also home to the third largest Red Cross manufacturing and distribution center in the country. It annually processes more
than 686,000 units of blood products, which are shipped to more than 100 hospitals in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, and to about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. The facility has more than 300 employees, now with newly renovated workspaces. The Red Cross is conducting a naming rights donation campaign and will recognize
donors by naming various rooms of the building in their honor, or on a donor wall, depending upon the level of support. One anonymous person—a cancer patient who received blood products to successfully battle the disease—has already donated $750,000. Ecolab Foundation has also made a significant contribution. All
Red Cross / Page 5
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Anfinson from page 1
of the Mississippi River, Minnesota and National Mississippi River Parkway Commissions, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center Citizen Advisory Board and the National Parks Conservation Association. Anfinson, who has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, began his career in 1980 as historian and cultural resources specialist for the St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 2000, he accepted a similar role with MNRRA, based in downtown St. Paul. In 2010, he became chief of resource management, and in 2014 was named park superintendent. During the past four decades, he has seen many changes throughout the corridor. “There has been a real transformation of the river, from being highly industrial,” he said. “From Day-
ton to Hastings, these cities have turned back to the river in real and physical ways. There are now 90 parks on the river.” That’s a stark contrast to the 1970s when the riverfront was largely dominated by industry, resulting in an unsightly and polluted landscape in the heart of the Twin Cities. Yet the National Park Service recognized the historic and cultural importance of the corridor and in 1988 enacted legislation to create a unit of the park service to help enhance and protect the river. Since then, water quality has improved, and cities have reclaimed the riverfront for parks, recreation and housing developments. The return of bald eagles to the area is proof that the river is much healthier today. “There are now over 50 nests in the corridor,” said Anfinson. “What an environmental success story.” Much of what MNRAA staff do is provide education.
This includes programs such as Big River Journey for the younger generation. “MNRRA is the #2 youth education program in the Midwest region, with 26,000 youth on the river,” said Anfinson. “We’ve just started to tap the recognition as a premier urban national park.” Achieving that recognition has been one of his greatest frustrations. “Our biggest challenge is getting people to know we exist, and why that matters,” he said. “The vast majority of people don’t know we even exist…. We have to grow into the idea that we are a national park.” One of the most notable achievements during his tenure was the creation of the MNRRA visitor center, located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota. It opened in 2003 and attracted about 62,000 people the first year—a far cry from the 650,000 who visited the museum. “Forty percent didn’t know we were there,” lamented Anfinson. “They thought we were a guard station.”
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To improve its image, the visitor center was fully renovated in 2016 and reopened on Aug. 25, the 100th anniversary of the Park Service. “We had 194,000 visitors the first year, and that has settled into an average of 160,000 (annually),” he said. Other projects that have increased the park’s visibility include the renovation of Coldwater Spring nature sanctuary near Minnehaha Falls, and the creation of a visitor center in the building of the former Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam in Minneapolis. The Army Corps of Engineers closed the lock in 2015 and the Park Service turned its building into a visitor center shortly thereafter. In 2019, it attracted 25,000 people, according to Anfinson. The park’s overall visitation increased nearly fourfold from 2015-18, from 112,000 to over 430,000. Craig Hansen, superintendent of Grand Portage National Monument in
northern Minnesota, was named acting superintendent of MNRAA and will serve in that role until the Park Service fills the position this spring. Anfinson said the new superintendent’s biggest challenge— and opportunity—will be the creation of the proposed River Learning Center near the Watergate Marina in Crosby Farm Regional Park. The project is a partnership with the City of St. Paul, Mississippi Park Connection (a nonprofit that raises funds for MNRRA), Great River Passage Conservancy and others. He said they are halfway to raising the $600,000 needed for schematic design and expects to reach the fundraising goal this spring and have the design by the end of the year. If all the pieces fall into place, it could open in 2024 or 2025, he said. The Park Service would relocate its office there from downtown St. Paul, and rangers would
Bandemer from page 1
property owners and their private security teams, police, and social service providers, so that we are getting the best safety outcomes from our existing resources. I will be having weekly checkins with service providers addressing mental health needs and homelessness, as well as the St. Paul Police Department, along with regular informal communications with the downtown beat office. As I gather information from these sources in real time, I will be providing updates and communications to people in the District to keep them informed, tracking information and data to spot opportunities or gaps, and improving upon out-
comes where it’s needed. What are the short and long-term goals for the center? Our ultimate goal is to improve upon the safety outcomes and perceptions within the District. Safety— and the feeling of safety—is the most important attribute of a downtown community for residents, visitors and employers alike. In the short term, we are working to get our information management systems in place and training staff and partners to utilize them. Once that’s up and running, we plan to tackle the more visible issues that contribute to negative perceptions, including graf-
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lead environmental and educational programs from the center, including boat trips on the river and bike outings on the nearby regional trail. “The River Learning Center at Watergate Marina will become the destination to visit this park,” said Anfinson. The other challenge his successor will face is carrying out one of the Park Service’s main goals for MNRRA: to guide development along the river. This is a large task for a park that relies heavily on public-private partnerships. Anfinson said many cities along the corridor recognize the importance of protecting the river but that others still need more education regarding the long-term value of doing so. Private developers are another story. He said the majority have yet to see the benefit, which inspires him to roll up his sleeves and work harder on spreading the message and providing research that supports the park, the river and the people who enjoy it. fiti, trash and general maintenance. What are the most common safety issues you anticipate the center will handle? Our goal is to gather data and eventually address lower-level crimes and social issues with existing resources before police intervention is needed, in line with Mayor Carter’s Community First Public Safety Initiative. We hit the ground running in January, providing updates about the potential protests and activity at the Capitol while coordinating with the various public safety organizations involved. We anticipate that whether it is a protest or a large event, we will be providing similar support on a regular basis.
B usiness Landmark Center from page 1
everything from live to virtual formats, something is necessarily lost in closing the building to the public. Perhaps because, as Mino describes it, the Landmark Center is a kind of sanctuary in the middle of the city. “It’s a little haven of peace, away from the stressors of the regular world,” she said during a recent conversation at the Center. “It’s a beautiful space to walk around in, savor the architecture, and enjoy the ever-present examples of art and culture.” The mission of Minnesota Landmarks, Inc., the nonprofit that manages the Center, is twofold: to maintain the structure as a historic landmark and to enhance appreciation of arts and culture. To that end, the majority of its tenants are arts and cultural nonprofits. Some of those longtime tenants include the Schubert Club, the Minnesota Boychoir, the Rose Ensemble, the League of Women Voters of St. Paul, and the Ramsey County Historical Society. These groups host their own events on premise throughout the year, bringing a perk to Mino’s job. “This morning the Schubert Club was rehearsing…we all got to listen to the beautiful music floating through the building,” she said. The center lost just one of its tenants during the past year’s on-again-off-again shutdowns: caterer Jeff Conlin’s “Anita’s Café,” a bustling little venue he had operated there since 2004. “Last April we were completely shut down like everywhere else,” said Mino. “Since being allowed back in May, most of the organizations have kept a regular skeleton staff working on-site.” The Landmark Center embodies living history. Designed by architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke, the structure was built in the “Richardsonian Romanesque” style. Lush and romantic, the style is visible in the building’s exterior, which gives the impression of a dusty pink fairytale castle, complete with cylindrical towers and turrets, sprawling over an entire city block. Entering from 5th Street, a visitor immediately beholds the “Cortile,” an internal courtyard that runs the entire length of the building. Standing in the atrium, one can see the skylights six stories above, through which
pours sunlight on the Italian floor tile below. In 1892, under the supervision of Minnesota State Capitol architect Cass Gilbert, construction began on the building that would house the Federal Courthouse and U.S. Post Office for the next 65 years. The main building was completed in 1902 and the north tower in 1908, for a total cost of $2.5 million, equivalent to roughly $76 million today. In 1967, after the Federal Courthouse moved into its sleek, modern building near the Mississippi river and the Post Office relocated, the building was empty, decaying, and considered by some to be architecturally obsolete. In 1970, just before the wrecking ball swung, a grassroots campaign to save the structure sprang up, and impassioned preservationist citizens formed the nonprofit Minnesota Landmarks, Inc. President Nixon placed the building on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, which paved the way for Ramsey County to take ownership of the property, and for Minnesota Landmarks to undertake the colossal rehabilitation effort. After an extraordinary sixyear fundraising campaign and massive restoration project, the lovely old structure reopened in grand style as the Landmark Center in 1978. The Center showcases an impressive permanent art collection through its free exhibits and galleries. One piece hanging near the 5th Street entrance is Anna Metcalf ’s “Letters to Landmark.” The sculpture consists of a suspended mobile depicting the city of St. Paul, from which dangle handmade porcelain “letters” crafted to simulate actual notes received from the public who had been invited to share their favorite memories of the Landmark Center. In the North Gallery is a charming exhibition entitled, “Drawing from Life - Sketches from Everyday Life,” featuring the art of illustrator and sketch artist Don Thomas. There are also two interesting museums on-site, the Gallery of Wood Art, and the Schubert Club Museum, which is presently undergoing a complete redesign. Perhaps the Landmark Center’s most impressive offering is its vast array of
Your community news and information source programming. Though live performances and gatherings remain suspended for the time being, the hope is that a gradual return to normalcy will phase in this summer, as the pandemic eases. In a normal year, the Center sponsors approximately 250 events, including stalwart family favorites like “Sundays at Landmark,” which has been highlighting the performing arts since the 1990s, and “Urban Expeditions,” now in its 17th season. Though the customary guided tours are currently unavailable, self-guided interactive tours such as the “Uncle Sam Worked Here” exhibit on the main floor remain active. In normal times visitors can enjoy building tours, such as the “Nooks and Crannies Tour” or the highly popular “Gangster Ghost Tour.” The latter is led by guides costumed as the infamous gangsters who resided in St. Paul during the 1930s, including “Ma” Barker, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, John Dillinger and others, many of whom were held in the third floor Detention Room or tried in Courtroom 317. In normal summer months, walking tours include the Great River, Heart of the City, and Rice Park tours, all led by volunteers. Rental events, such as weddings, comprise the rest of the approximately 1,000 activities hosted by the Landmark Center annually, resulting in an average of two to three events daily. Naturally, it is those large revenue-generating affairs that were hardest hit by the pandemic, along with a few of the more beloved annual events such as the Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar and the customary December fundraising “Once-Upon-aTime Gala.” “We had celebrated each decade in years gone by, starting with the 1910s and progressing up to what
‘It’s a little haven of peace, away from the stressors of the regular world,’ said Mino. ‘It’s a beautiful space to walk around in, savor the architecture, and enjoy the ever-present examples of art and culture.’ should have been the 1970s this past year—complete with a disco ball,” said Mino. The gala was instead converted to a stage show, with limited audience capacity, and presented virtually. Minnesota Landmarks also celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, without a celebration. But it’s an ill wind that blows no good, the cheerful Mino believes, citing the learning opportunity they were afforded in converting most of their live programming to virtual platforms. “We received comments from Pennsylvania to Japan on our online content— people we would never have reached before,” she said. “We’ll almost certainly keep
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sharing the virtual content we develop, but we look forward to a return to our live programming. After all, this was built as the ‘people’s building.’ It’s vital to us that we carry on our welcoming tradition and free programming so people of all income levels can come in, enjoy the beautiful building, and experience arts and culture in the lovely setting. It’s their place to come.”
For more information, visit www.landmarkcenter.org.
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LENTEN SCHEDULE Daily Mass: Noon, Mon.-Fri. (except April 1 & 2) Stations of the Cross: Fridays, 5:30 pm Lenten Vespers: Sunday, March 28, 5:00 pm* HOLY WEEK Holy Thursday Service: April 1, 5:30 pm* Good Friday Service: April 2, noon: The Lord’s Passion, Stations* Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil: April 3, 6:30 pm* Easter Sunday Masses: April 4, 7:30 am and 10:30 am (choir)*
*Livestreamed at: www.facebook.com/stmarystpaul/live • www.stmarystpaul.org • youtube.stmarystpaul.org (youtube video available after service) 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.
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Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2021 - Page 3
S ample St. Paul
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 following performances are free and may be viewed at schubert. org: 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.
Urban Expedition Landmark Center is hosting two virtual travel experiences in March. The free
events will introduce viewers to the culture and traditions of the people of the featured country. Both will be available for 30 days at www.landmarkcenter.org/ urban-expedition/. Urban Expedition: Spain begins at 1 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 7. Urban Expedition: Iran begins at 1 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 21.
Meet the artists The Ordway Center’s Meet the Artists series continues through March. It offers free livestreamed conversations with the performers, directors, designers and artists who create shows for “Broadway at the Ordway” performances. Reservations are required. Visit www. ordway.org to make a reservation or for more information. The following hourlong conversations will be
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followed by a 20-minute audience Q&A session. Brittney Mack, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 9. Mack plays Anna of Cleves, one of the lucky queens in the Broadway production of “SIX: The Musical.” She will share the importance of faith in her career, how she makes a role her own, why she knows much about being one of six, and how she summons the insatiable exuberance needed to sing “I’m the queen of the castle, get down you dirty rascal.” Tamara Tunie, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 23. Tunie was in the 2019 production of “42nd Street.” She will share stories of her work as a philanthropist and activist, her Broadway shows with Lena Horne and Denzel Washington, her film work (including two projects with Al Pacino),
Photo by Joe Weismann
Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society will present a radio show via Zoom on Monday, Mar. 15. The cast includes Joshua English Scrimshaw, Tim Uren, Eric Webster. and her 21 seasons as medical examiner Melinda Warner in the NBC television series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society will present a radio show via Zoom
at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Mar. 15, April 19 and May 24. The March show features two classic radio thrillers that explore the blurry line between dreams and reality. “The Dream” spins a strange yarn about a man driven mad by dark visions. “I Saw Myself Running” is about a young woman plagued by recurring nightmares, in which she sees herself tormented by
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an unknown adversary. The April performance features two ghost stories inspired by the works of Montague Rhodes James. “He Who Follows Me” is a chilling tale of an innocent couple tormented by a relentless ghost. “Runestones are a Girl’s Best Friend” tells of a gorgeous alchemist who puts a spell on Jimmy. The May show has two tales of crime and punishment. “A Shroud for Sarah” is about an unlikely criminal mastermind who plays friend and foe in an ambitious game of murder and political intrigue. “A Guy Like Me” is of man hoping to abandon his life of crime. Each evening includes live trivia-worthy introductions by the company and two pre-recorded half-hour radio dramas, followed by a live chat Q & A with the cast. Tickets are $18 per household. A 3-show package is $36. To order, visit www. parksquaretheatre.org or email tickets@parksquaretheatre.org.
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The St. Paul Downtown Alliance will host the virtual seminar “The Future of the Office” noon-1 p.m., Friday, Mar. 5. Speakers Christopher Leinberger, co-founding partner and managing director of Places Platform, and David Smith, vice president of Cushman & Wakefield, will explore how the need for office space will change in the post-pandemic world and what that change will mean for urban districts. To register, stpdowntownalliance.org/speakers.
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Read Brave hosts ‘Owning our Stories’ series Read Brave, a program of the St. Paul Public Library that uses the power of stories to build a safer, healthier community, is hosting virtual programs in March and April. Through the reading and evaluation of pre-selected books, the program seeks to build awareness and empathy on the theme “Owning Our Stories: Rising Together for a Better St. Paul.” Programs will be hosted by a variety of organizations and consist of discussions, programs and activities. Conversations will be centered on self-worth, racial healing, reconciliation, liberation and accountability as they relate to book characters and BIPOC authors. Some authors will be available for questions and discussion. Books can be checked out from St. Paul public libraries. Below is a list of the titles and descriptions provided by the library. For more information, call 651-266-7000 or visit www.readbrave.org.
“The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” by Junauda Petrus. This book is told from the perspective of two 16-year-old girls who fall in love when they are reunited after many years apart. Mabel and Audre work to develop their budding relationship despite different backgrounds and the ordinary troubles of being women of color, but their love is put to the test when one of them learns she faces a fatal illness. This story combines elements of fantasy, bittersweet realism and spirituality to tell the coming-of-age story of these two complex, young Black women and show that love can either break or grow stronger when facing life’s struggles. “Children of the Land: A Memoir” by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo. Shedding light on the lives of undocumented immigrants and their lives after their families are split up, this
memoir jumps through different parts of Castillo’s life, where both physical and social boundaries keep his happiness at bay. Providing detailed history on immigration statuses, as well as the thought processes of immigrants, this book allows readers to examine the journey of split families and how individuals learn to cope with these boundaries. “Front Desk” by Kelly Yang; a children’s book selection. Mia Tang is a 10-yearold Chinese American immigrant whose family is being financially cheated by the motel owner they work for. She takes it upon herself to make a difference in her family’s situation as well as help others in the community. Her story is one of indefatigable hope and of triumph over injustice, and her voice is genuine and inspiring. Ages 8-12. “Astrid and Apollo and the Starry Campout” by V. T. Bidania; a children’s book
selection. Astrid is anxious about her family’s camping trip because she is afraid of the dark (and bears) but her twin, Apollo, is looking forward to the experience. When they go, Astrid keeps herself together until she hears the scratching outside the family’s tent. Even though fear floods over her, she is determined not to let her father face the possible threat alone. “We are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade; a children’s book selection. A child learns from her grandmother that water is the first medicine, and that oil pipelines (“the black snake”) threaten to wreck everything they touch. The girl, Anishinaabe, takes action to battle a pipeline and help save the environment. An author’s note traces the story’s genesis to the 2016 Standing Rock protests in the Dakotas.
from page 1
donations will be used by Red Cross Blood Services to fund COVID-19 antibody testing, collection of convalescent plasma, blood testing and research, and other initiatives. Spokesperson Sue Thesenga said donations have remained strong throughout the pandemic, particularly since the Red Cross instituted new safety measures. Donors must now make an appointment and have their temperature checked upon entering the building. Face masks are required for all staff and donors, and beds and equipment are disinfected before each donation. The biggest need is for convalescent plasma, which is used to help hospital patients, including those with COVID-19. People who themselves have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate because they may have antibodies in their plasma that could help another patient beat the virus. These donors must meet certain criteria, including having proof of a positive COVID-19 test. The donation takes about 90 minutes. In addition, the need for all types of blood remains constant. Individuals age 17 and older and in good health may donate. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
St. Matthew’s 32nd Annual
DRIVE UP TO GO
Daisy named Canine Queen of Snows Daisy, a 10-month-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mutt who was rescued by Alexis Hill, not only has a new home but also a new title. She was named the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s Canine Queen of Snows, besting 30 other rescue dog nominees for the honor. “I took her home with me the day I met her,” said Hill, who rescued Daisy from Matty’s Heart
Red Cross
& Soul Animal Rescue. Hill had just made the move from Ohio to St. Paul when she decided she needed a companion for her new adventure here. “When moving to a new city during COVID, it was super helpful to have a companion like Daisy. I can go out and explore with her and it’s really great that I get to share all these new experiences with her.”
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{ THE FULLER FILES } Patrick McGovern’s pub on West Seventh Street near the Xcel Center had its liquor license suspended for 24 days and was issued a $10,000 fine for violating Gov. Tim Walz’s executive orders regarding indoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic. During an inspection, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) staff found that customers were being served in a patio area that has retractable walls and a ceiling that opens to
the outdoors but both were closed at the time of the visit. The original penalty was a 60-day suspension beginning Jan. 5. MDH has since waived the additional time and will forgive the fine, unless McGovern’s violates the order again. The St. Paul City Council has established the St. Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission to promote racial healing and consider reparations for descendants of enslaved per-
by Roger Fuller
sons living in St. Paul. The vacant Sears building near the State Capitol is now being used as a training center for police, fire and emergency responders, and will serve as a center to coordinate response efforts during protests and mass demonstrations in the city. Girl Scout cookies will not be sold in the skyways this year due to the pandemic. To find a location to purchase cookies, call 651227-8835.
The Glow drive-through holiday festival at the State Fairgrounds attracted approximately 180,000 people. A total of 47,000 vehicles, with an average of four people each, cruised through the lighted displays between Nov. 19 and Jan. 3. The organizer donated $94,000 to local charities. The St. Paul City Council has placed a limit on the amount that delivery services can charge to restaurants, and mandated that customers receive an itemized statement identifying each charge.
The St. Paul Saints has named Toby Gardenhire as its first general manager since becoming the AAA minor league club of the Minnesota Twins. He played seven years with the Twins minor league club and later coached in the minors. He was also head coach at the University of WisconsinStout for five years. Toby is the son of former Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire, who led the team to six central division championships during his tenure from 2002-2014. St. Paul Mayor Melvin
Carter will seek a second 4-year term in the November election. Previously he served as a city council member for Ward 1, and a cabinet member during former Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration. He is the first African American mayor of the city and a fourth-generation St. Paul resident. Residents of downtown housing complexes are being reminded not to put plastic bags, take-out food containers and Styrofoam products into recycling bins. These items should be placed in the trash.
Ballet Co. Laboratory to host festival featuring BIPOC choreographers At the beginning of 2020, Ballet Co. Laboratory (BCL) was gearing up for the highly anticipated world premiere of a new rock ballet based on the life of Freddie Mercury, their school enrollment was growing rapidly, and the organization was developing strategic plans to move their art form forward. Like most of the nation, that all came to a grinding halt on Mar. 13, as the company dancers and staff of Ballet Co. Laboratory clustered around a small laptop to watch the governor announce the first statewide stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19. “As we temporarily closed our doors that day, it felt like the darkest moment in our organization’s history, there was just so much unknown,” said Managing Director Rachel Koep, “but little did we know, it was actually the start of a new digital era for our organization.” Within a week, the faculty and staff had created a full roster of online programming, which to date has offered more than 418 Zoom dance classes. So far this season, the organization has offered five virtual outreach events, performed outdoors in partnership with Tiny Balcony Concerts, hosted a drive-in style
fundraising performance, created a new full-length holiday ballet for film, and has kept 32 professional artists employed during a global pandemic. “I am so grateful to Ballet Co. Laboratory for placing their focus on artists throughout this pandemic,” said company dancer Rosa Prigan. “It would have been easy to just close the doors and wait it out. But that would have left us [the professional artists of Ballet Co. Laboratory] without a paycheck and no performance opportunities to share with our community.” Thanks to a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, BCL is currently working to financially and artistically support four local, emerging BIPOC choreographers as they create new works of classical and contemporary ballet for the company dancers and students of BCL. These new works will be featured in a two-day virtual festival titled “Laboratory II,” which will air March 20-21on any streaming device. Tickets are $30-45 per household; purchase at balletcolaboratory.org/season or 651-3133967. For more information, visit balletcolaboratory.org.
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So far this season, the organization has offered five virtual outreach events, performed outdoors in partnership with Tiny Balcony Concerts, hosted a drive-in style fundraising performance, created a new full-length holiday ballet for film, and has kept 32 professional artists employed during a global pandemic.
‘I am so grateful to Ballet Co. Laboratory for placing their focus on artists throughout this pandemic,’ said company dancer Rosa Prigan. ‘It would have been easy to just close the doors and wait it out. But that would have left us [the professional artists of Ballet Co. Laboratory] without a paycheck and no performance opportunities to share with our community.’
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UGM names CEO Pamela Stegora Axberg has been named CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. She succeeds Dr. Charles Morgan, who resigned last June after serving nearly six years in that role. Axberg was named interim CEO in July 2020. Prior to that, she was a senior vice president at UnitedHealthcare. “These are pivotal times for cities around the country, including the Twin Cities, as we struggle to serve those experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental health issues and addiction,” said Kathryn Stark, board chair at the
Your community news and information source Mission. “The pandemic’s impact has increased the number of people in need. There is much to do. Pam, with her extensive healthcare expertise in medical and behavioral operations coupled with her lifelong commitment to nonprofit organizations, is ideally suited to help us address growing needs in our Minneapolis and St. Paul communities.”
Environmental assessment for Rush Line The Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project plans to publish an Environmental Assessment this May and hold public meetings and a comment period this summer. The proposed 15-mile line between St. Paul and White Bear Lake is expected to provide between 6,700 and 7,400 rides per day by 2040 and offer access to 50
Postscript
Stretch pants lifestyle
I don’t remember exactly when I took to living in stretch pants full time. The process was gradual, I’m sure of that. I started out wearing a pair of bellbottom stretch pants while writing. I didn’t actually live in them; they were part of my writing costume and they were comfy. But as the pandemic wore on, I noticed the legs of my stretch pants getting longer and longer until, one day, I noticed they were covering my feet, and it was not a respectable look. “I need to upgrade my stretch pants,” I decided. So I bought stretch pants with pockets. Pockets in stretch pants are completely useless because you can’t put anything in them without it looking as if you have a growth on your leg. A credit card makes a bump. A key looks like the beginnings of a tumor. And yet the pockets signaled that these stretch pants were almost like regular pants. They just stretched. They were certainly less disreputable-looking than the ones that covered my feet. I started wearing them most of the day. In late afternoon I go for a hike, and that’s when I put on my second pair of stretch
Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com
pants: my hiking stretch pants. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking in stretch pants,” I remind myself. “These are athletic stretch pants!” My hiking stretch pants look nothing at all like the stretch pants I just took off because they don’t have pockets. I wear them exclusively on my hike, and they are a little worn out because dogs jump up on them and bushes snag them. You would certainly never mistake them for my regular stretch pants, the ones I wear the rest of the day. One day I got home from my hike, took a hot bath and thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to just slip into something comfy like ... maybe stretch pants?” That’s when I brought out my old stretch pants—the disreputable ones that cover my feet—and put them on.
medical clinics and hospitals along the route, including Regions Hospital, HealthPartners Specialty Center and St. John’s Hospital. The project is led by Ramsey County in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake and White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township. Ramsey County and the Metropolitan Council will seek federal funding through the Capital Investment Grants Program administered by the FTA. A decision from the FTA on the Environmental Assessment is expected this fall. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, and BRT service in 2026. For more information on Rush Line BRT, visit rushline.org.
“I can look a little disreputable in the evening,” I figured. These aren’t as tight as the stretch pants with pockets, and are a bit heavier, which is nice on a cool night. I think of them as my “casual stretch pants” and wear them while making dinner and lounging about in the evening. One night while getting ready for bed, I put on my nightgown and had an epiphany. “What I need is nighttime stretch pants!” Not the stretch pants with pockets, of course. That would be ridiculous. And not the ones that dogs jump all over on my hike. Nor would I need anything as substantial as my casual evening stretch pants. I found a pair that were loose and made of a lighter fabric and, I am here to tell you, paired with a nightgown, they are the perfect pajamas. So now I move through my day from one pair of stretch pants to the next, marking the movement of the sun across the sky like a sundial by changing into a different pair—stretch pants that might appear, to the untrained eye, as strikingly similar in appearance. There’s talk that we all may be able to get out and about more in the near future. Of course I’m delighted. But it does seem a bit of a shame, having finally perfected my stretch pants lifestyle. Till next time.
Cintrón named community development officer at Old National Bank Joannette Cintrón has been named the new community development officer for Old National Bank’s Minnesota market. In her new role, she will lead efforts in community outreach and financial education, particularly in underserved communities. She previously served as a community development mortgage loan originator for the bank for the past three years.
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Cintrón is fluent in English and Spanish and teaches homeownership classes in both languages. She has a bachelor of arts in organizational management and leadership from Concordia University and a mini masters in project management from the University of St. Thomas. She is also a member of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance, and a board member for Neighborhood Development Alliance.
Library career labs extened Residents who have had experienced job loss, a reduction of hours or a loss of income due to COVID-19 can continue to get employment assistance at local public libraries throughout 2021. Thanks to a Community Development Block Grant, the St. Paul Public Library has extended its
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Career Lab program, which helps people build job-related skills. Career Lab staff can provide one-on-one help with resume-building, skill development, employment applications and more. This service, as well as use of computers and other technology, is free. One-hour appointments are available by reservation at the following St. Paul Public Library locations: • Rondo: Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. • Dayton’s Bluff: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Rice Street: Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. • Sun Ray: Fridays, 1-5 p.m. The Career Labs schedule may change. For updates, visit sppl.org/career-labs or contact 651-793-1699, CareerLabs@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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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. Sunday Masses streamed online at 10:15 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube www.facebook.com/churchofstmatthew or youtube.com/stmattswestside Stations of the Cross View anytime on Facebook or YouTube Fridays, February 19-April 2 St. Matthew’s Fabulous Fish Fry Take out only 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Reconciliation Saturday, February 27 - March 6, 13, 20 & 27 After 4:15 p.m. Masses Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. & Wednesday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, February 27 First Reconciliation - 10:00 a.m. Chapel Sunday, February 28 & March 28 Communal Penance Service - 2:00 p.m. HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Services Saturday, March 28, 4:15 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 10:15 a.m. Streamed online Drive-by Palm pick up at 11:30 a.m. Easter Triduum Celebration Holy Thursday, April 1 Mass, 7:00 p.m. In person and streamed online Good Friday, April 2 Stations of the Cross, 12:00 p.m. In person Good Friday Liturgy, 3:00 p.m. In person and streamed online Holy Saturday, April 3 Easter Vigil, 7:00 p.m. In person only Easter Sunday, April 4 Mass of the Resurrection. 10:15 a.m. In person and streamed online Downtown St. Paul Voice - March 2021 - Page 7
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Help stock the shelves Minnesota FoodShare drive begins Mar. 1 Tim Spitzack Editor
F
or the past four decades, the Minnesota FoodShare campaign has helped bring in tons of products to food shelves across the state, including those in our community. As the pandemic lingers on and continues to negatively impact livelihoods, the need for donations is as strong as ever. While food shelfs rely on donations throughout the year, now is when they count the most, as they restock after the holidays and prepare for the busy summer months ahead.
The Minnesota FoodShare March campaign, held Mar. 1-April 11, is the largest food and fund drive in the state. It brings together community organizations, businesses and faith communities to collect items and money to help stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. Last year it resulted in more than $21.5 million and 7.4 million pounds of food shelf items. The Wellstone Center Food Market, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul, served 16,150 individuals last year, a 24% increase over the previous year. The market, like most food shelves, accepts more than just food. According
to spokesperson Sarah Lennander, their biggest need now is for household items, personal hygiene products, baby diapers (size 5 and 6) and baby wipes. “Although we are grateful for both monetary and food item donations, monetary donations can further your impact,” she said. “With our food sourcing resources and bulk purchasing power, we are able to purchase more food for less money, so your donation goes further in our hands than at the grocery store.” The pandemic has affected the way people can use a food shelf and make dona-
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son shopping. Instead, food and other items are packaged and available for curbside pick-up and delivery. Packages include produce, dairy, deli items, a variety of grains, canned produce, cooking items, prepared meals, snacks, beverages and sweets. Those needing food may visit the center between 10 a.m.-noon or 2-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, then call 651-789-2534. Someone will bring the package out-
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side and place it at the curb. Those needing delivery, or who wish to make a donation of food items, should call the same number. Donations can be dropped off curbside at the Wellstone Center Food Market. Call when you arrive, and staff will come unload your car. Monetary donations can be made at www.neighb.org. For more information, call Tanika Fears at 651-7892513.
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