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

Downtown St. Paul

A family tradition for more than 150 years Page 2

Harnessing the river Page 8

Volume 26 | Number 5

Farmers’ market opens with new safety rules Amy Johnson Staff Writer

he St. Paul Farmers’ Market opened its outdoor market earlier than normal this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was scheduled to move outdoors on April 25 but the date was bumped up to Mar. 21. The market had been operating its indoor winter market across the street at Market House Collaborative. To address safety concerns, the market added handwashing stations and offers sterile protective gloves upon request. It also banned vendors from providing food samples and offering food for onsite consumption. Per social distancing protocol, everyone is expected to stay at least six feet apart. Minnesota farmers’ markets are exempt from Governor Tim Walz’s executive order for the closure of non-essential businesses. The State considers the markets to be in the same category as grocery stores. The Lowertown market at 290 5th St. E. is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays and currently has 25-30 vendors offering meat, cheese, vegetables, baked goods and other items. The St. Paul Growers’ Association governs the market and operates about 20 other locations across the city. The satellite location at Signal Hills, 1225 S. Robert St., West St. Paul, will open June 14 and be held 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays. The location

Your Community News & Information Source

May 2020

COVID-19 crisis spurs acts of compassion I n the interest of public health, we’ve all been called upon to make sacrifices in recent weeks, and more will be asked of us in the weeks and months to come. It’s a challenging time for all and undoubtedly some are more severely affected than others through illness or loss of livelihood. Yet through it all there are rays of hope, and none shine brighter than the many ways people have

put their personal needs aside to attend to the well-being of others. In times of crisis, community is more important than ever—and those in our readership area have responded valiantly. Here’s a sampling of how some have risen to the challenge, as well as words of encouragement from community leaders on how we can emerge stronger and more united. Coverage begins on page 4

‘We’re all in this together’

Farmers’ market / Page 2

Next Steps

How will we respond in the weeks and months ahead? Tim Spitzack Editor

s winter slowly melted into spring, the fuzzy picture of a novel virus that originated on the other side of the world suddenly came into crystal-clear focus in Minnesota. Mar. 12, 2020, will forever be remembered as the day the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected lives in our state. On that day, Gov. Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-01 declaring a peacetime emergency in the battle against the coronavirus. In ensuing days, other executive orders fell like dominos and touched our lives deeper still. On Mar. 16, bars, restaurants and other public establishments were closed for 10 days, and the next day schools were shut down for a similar timeframe. By that time, all 50 states had confirmed cases. On Mar. 19, the first Minnesotan died as a result of the virus, a Ramsey County resident in their 80s. On Mar. 25, we were asked to abide by Emergency Executive Order 20-20 and stay at home and limit movement within the community from Mar. 27 to April 10. All restrictions were later extended to May 4. All this was done to “flatten the curve,” or spread out the number of those infected over a longer period as to not overwhelm the health care system. Every day brought reports of new cases, new deaths. Unemployment spiked. Suddenly, we found ourselves under a dark cloud Next steps / Page 3

Artist selected for Union Depot sculpture Amy Johnson Staff Writer

he stark white “2020” plaster sculpture that greets people as they enter Union Depot will soon get a splash of color. Muralist Liv Novotny has been selected to decorate it using a colorful, engaging design. Located under the Head House clock, the sculpture is intended to celebrate the

year 2020 and provide a photo backdrop for residents and visitors alike. The design will include elements from the city, including light rail and cityscape, and local flora, fauna and the Mississippi river. She hopes the artistic blend of urban and nature will encourage residents to care for both. Novotny, 24, is no stranger to murals. She created her first one about six years ago

and has been a full-time freelancer for the past two years. Among other projects, she created the mural on an exterior wall of the Phoenix Market, 685 3rd St. E., St. Paul, during a time she worked with GoodSpace Murals, a group of artists who promote community identity and development through murals. She also created the Lake Phalen Stormwater Mural at a Phalen Creek

bridge crossing for Friends of the Mississippi River, working in collaboration with St. Paul Public Works, St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. Novotny, who spent the winter painting in California, was excited her design was accepted for the Union Depot sculpture, particularly because she has had Depot art / Page 2

Liv Novotny and her design for the sculpture.

B usiness Farmers’ market

Your community news and information source

from page 1

at Securian, 400 Robert St. N., will open June 26 and be held 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Market Manager David Kotsonas said only locally grown food is sold at the markets. He estimates the market sees 12,000 people during its peak season of

mid-July through Labor Day and said attendance the rest of the year varies based on the weather. Special events for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day are on hold. For updates, visit www.stpaulfarmersmarket. com.

Gerten family is market’s longest-serving vendor

t seems everyone at the St. Paul Farmers’ Market loves Mike Gerten’s tomatoes. In fact, he sells out every year. He tends 1,800 tomato plants on his 50acre farm in Hastings and comes from a long line of growers. His family is the longest-serving vendor at the market. His great-grandfather, Adam Gerten, began selling produce of all sorts—cabbage, melons, cauliflower and tomatoes—at the Minneapolis market more than 150 years ago. He moved to the St. Paul market when it opened at Tenth and Jackson

Streets in 1902. The market moved in the 1980s to its current location at Fifth and Wall. Before his death in 1950, Adam sold his farm near Maplewood to his eldest sons, Fred and Bill. His other two sons, Henry and Frank, went into business together and purchased an 80-acre farm in Inver Grove Heights, where they each raised 10 kids who helped plant, grow and sell vegetables. Henry passed away at the age of 47, and two of his sons, Leonard (Mike’s father) and Ray, bought his 40-acre portion.

File photo

Mike sold his father’s portion of the Inver Grove Heights farm because the real estate taxes became too expensive. His uncle Frank branched out with his own plan in the early 1900s by turning his portion into a garden center offering flowers, landscaping plants and supplies. Frank’s grandsons, Lewis and Glen, and brother-in-law Gino, currently own and work the Gerten Greenhouse at 5500 Blaine Ave. Until two years ago, Mike sold spring bedding plants but decided to stop because it was too much work. He

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

Pet

friendly Pet Friendly! Facility

• Resident activities • Beauty salon • Views of the river

For more details, call 651-288-8159

South St. Paul HRA 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

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.

Page 2 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020

now focuses on tomatoes and keeps two greenhouses full of hot house tomatoes, proudly carrying on his family’s truck farming tradition. He said he enjoys the relationships he has established with customers over the years and that he doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon. “I’ve just had a good time,” he said. Mike is now 73 and mostly retired. He may be the last Gerten to sell vegetables at the market. None of his five children wish to carry on the legacy.

Mike Gerten with his prized tomato plants.

Depot art from page 1 many gigs cancelled due to the coronavirus. She will receive a $1,500 commission for her work. “I was really happy people were thinking about art in all this,” she said. She expects to begin painting in June or July and complete it in about a week. “We hope this art piece will become a focal point for

Union Depot and make a great photo backdrop for community members, photographers, travelers

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

and more,” said Lindsay Boyd, marketing manager of Union Depot, in a statement.

N ews Briefs

Your community news and information source

{ THE FULLER FILES } Green Line use on the rise According to Metro Transit, in 2019 more than 14.2 million passengers traveled the 11-mile Green Line light rail route that links downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, an increase of 3% over 2018. Overall ridership of public transportation was 91.5 million, a 2.7% jump.

New apartment building Ackerberg Group and Northland Real Estate are proposing to build a 7-story,

200-unit apartment complex at West Seventh and Leech on property owned by Bonfe Automotive. If approved, Bonfe would relocate its operations there to its main location at West Seventh and Smith Avenue. The marketrate units would range from 350- to 1,000-square-feet.

CRC moving CapitolRiver Council/ District 17 (CRC) is planning to relocate its office by June 1 due to a rent increase. Under its current 3-year lease, CRC pays $720 a month for approximately 900-square-feet at 180 E.

Next steps from page 1

of uncertainty. The first shock wave pushed many into survival mode, and people flocked to stores to purchase groceries and other supplies, including massive quantities of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and protective masks. Then others began to look for ways to help, oftentimes in simple yet effective ways. They sewed protective masks to donate to medical professionals and others. They shopped for and attended to the needs of an elderly family member or friend. They volunteered to feed the hungry or homeless. They bought gift cards to help beleaguered restaurateurs struggling to survive weeks of closure. They washed their hands a million times and stayed six feet away from others—the new social distance norm.

A New Era Today, we are in uncharted territory but can glean wisdom from echoes of the past. One need only look to the WWII era to be inspired by how a collective effort of solidarity can strengthen a nation. When Pres. Franklin Roosevelt gave his fireside chat on April 28, 1942, he addressed a nation at war. We face a different kind of war, yet similarities remain. In his speech, he called on all Americans to do their part for the common good. Consider these excerpts from that speech: “But there is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States—every man, woman, and child—is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home,

by Roger Fuller

5th St. The landlord wants $923 a month to renew. Staff recommends moving to the Osborn370 Building near Fifth and Wabasha. There CRC would pay $627 for a 277-square-foot office on the seventh floor, with access to a common area and three large conference rooms. Other locations under consideration are in the US Bank building and the St. Paul Athletic Club building.

Central Library adapts delivery The George Latimer Central Library, 90 W. Fourth

in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks. Here at home everyone will have the privilege of making whatever self-denial is necessary…. This will require, of course, the abandonment not only of luxuries but of many other creature comforts…. All of us are used to spending money for things that we want, things, however, which are not absolutely essential. We will all have to forego that kind of spending…. As I told the Congress yesterday, ‘sacrifice’ is not exactly the proper word with which to describe this program of self-denial…. I know the American farmer, the American workman, and the American businessman. I know that they will gladly embrace this economy and equality of sacrifice— satisfied that it is necessary for the most vital and compelling motive in all their lives—winning through to victory.”

We May Have Been Apart but We've Always Been Together 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 lives have changed quite dramatically in recent weeks due to the impact of the coronavirus and Minnesota's stay-at-home order. What hasn't changed, is the way we care for each other. I am proud to represent a city that takes care of its neighbors and I encourage you to continue finding new ways to support one another.

State Senator

Sandy PAPPAS

Paid for by Pappas for Senate 909 Bayard, St. Paul. MN 55102

St., has allowed patrons to pick up books and other materials without human contact. Library staff place the materials in a locker in the tunnel near the library (stairway at Fourth and Washington) and supply a code to access the locker. To place an order, call 651-2667000.

Jazz Fest postponed The Twin Cities Jazz festival scheduled for June in Mears Park has been postponed. Organizers will decide this summer if they will hold it later this year or cancel it entirely for 2020.

His words ring true today and offer inspiration for what lies ahead. Many are without a job now or have had their hours cut, and some small business owners are wondering how their operations will survive. While economic challenges pale in comparison to those who have lost a loved one to the coronavirus, they are very real struggles all the same. This crisis has particularly affected small businesses and their employees. According to a report by JP Morgan Chase and Co., over 99 percent of America’s 28.7 million firms are small businesses (500 employees or less). The vast majority (88 percent) have fewer than 20 employees, and nearly 40 percent of all enterprises have less than $100,000 in revenue. These are the businesses we see on Main Street, businesses that provide jobs and services that support our communities. They are our favorite restaurant, our

In the meantime, they are working on live-streaming jazz performances to continue supporting musicians and venues alike.

Still time for cookies Did you miss placing your order for Girl Scout cookies due to the stay-at-home order? Girl Scouts River Valleys are still accepting orders at www.girlscoutsrv.org.

Buddy Poppies Members of American Legion St. Paul Post 8 will be accepting donations for Buddy Poppies 11 a.m.-1:30

hair stylist, our dry cleaner, our… This crisis is a time for all to come together and help our neighbor, to be there for those who grieve, to shop locally more than ever, and to support organizations dear to us, including civic groups, places of worship, and especially the nonprofits that provide food, clothing and other assistance with daily needs.

p.m., May 15 and May 1822 in the St. Paul skyway system, alternating daily at the US Bank Building, Town Square and Alliance Center. Funds from the distribution of poppies support programs that assist activeduty military, veterans, and their families through the Legion’s outreach programs. The program was created in 1922, in memory of U.S. soldiers killed in WWI. Poppies are distributed nationwide by American Legion and VFW posts. Should protocol for the coronavirus pandemic require, these dates may be postponed.

If you have not been affected economically by COVID-19, count yourself lucky, but also consider yourself as one who has the means to help others, even though it might mean sacrificing some creature comforts. The spotlight of history is upon us. How will we be remembered?

Small Business Bingo The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance has created a new promotion—Small Business Bingo—to support small businesses, and participants have the chance to win a $100 gift card to a downtown business. To play, one must successfully fill a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally by spending $25 or more at the businesses on the Bingo card, found at https://stpdowntownalliance.org/supportlocal. To enter the drawing, submit a receipt from each business in the winning combination to emma.burns@stpdowntownalliance.org by May 31. The Alliance will accept receipts dating to Mar. 12, 2020, and recommends calling the businesses to place your order.

OPEN DAILY

Delivery Service Through Bitesquad

Cubside Service Noon-9 p.m.

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

FREE

$9.99

Not valid with any other offers. Not redeemable through Bitesquad. Expires 5/31/20.

large salad with purchase of 2 pizzas

1 Item Pizza

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. Not redeemable through Bitesquad. Expires 5/31/20.

Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020 - Page 3

C ommunity

Your community news and information source

RESPONDING TO COVID-19

‘We’re all in this together’

Union Gospel Mission in downtown St. Paul monitors people’s health before allowing them inside for a free meal.

NONPROFITS Knowing that “homelessness takes no sick days,” the Union Gospel Mission continued to feed and house the homeless. Registered Nurse Audrey Segovia, with Health Care for the Homeless in St. Paul, checks the health of men prior to their admit-

tance to receiving breakfast at the Mission in St. Paul. “It’s pretty surreal to be here, and you do the best you can to keep yourself healthy so you can keep showing up,” she said. Health Care for the Homeless is part of Minnesota Community Care, a federally qualified health center. Each day, the Mis-

sion serves about 600 total meals. It has made several changes to protect guests and staff alike, including outdoor health screenings, limiting entrance points, reducing group sizes for meals, modifying emergency shelter sleeping arrangements and offering mental health services over the phone. Neighborhood House Neighborhood House continued to operate its food shelf programs at the Wellstone Center on the West Side and Sibley Manor in Highland Park but changed the way food is distributed. Staff and volunteers provide pre-packaged bags of food for walk-up and drive-up service, and workers deliver food packages to those unable to visit a center. Staff also provide counseling over the phone to those facing a housing crisis (call 651-7937340). CLUES has continued to serve the needs of the Latino

“This crisis gives our community the opportunity to rise to the challenge and show the best that is in us. I’m so proud of the way Ward 2 neighbors and business owners are stepping up to help one another with food, supplies, and words of encouragement and kindness. We will get through this together— as St. Paulites always have— and we will be stronger for it.” Rebecca Noecker Ward 2 St. Paul City Council representative

community in the Twin Cities. Its staff provide information and support to people applying for unemployment, health insurance, rental and mortgage assistance, emergency housing services and more. CLUES also has grants available through its Latino Families Emergency Relief Fund, which provides quick access to financial assistance for low-income individuals and families experiencing income loss due to the CO-

VID-19 crisis. Funds can be used for food, essential household items, transportation and more. In addition, CLUES is distributing food packages weekly to 200 families in the east metro area and is expanding its program to the west metro. CLUES is providing Spanish language telemedicine services, and has also launched a bilingual Spanish/English hotline—651-768-0000—and web page with information

about COVID-19. Find the link at http://www.clues.org. YMCA - “We are not ‘social distancing’ at the Y, but ‘physical distancing’,” said Katie Lowe, executive director of the YMCA in West St. Paul. “Many of the things we are doing directly impacts how others are connecting socially and we want to ensure we fend off social isolation as much as possible.” To achieve that, the Y has offered child care for those

SATISFY YOUR CURIOSITY Gift Cards Available!

Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs.

CHARTER

Academia Cesar Chavez 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com Achieve Language Academy 2169 Stillwater Ave. E. St. Paul 651-738-4875 www.achievemn.org St. Paul City School PreK-12 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org

COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES St. Paul College 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul 651-846-1600 https://saintpaul.edu

PAROCHIAL

St. Croix Lutheran Academy 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul 651-455-1521 www.stcroixlutheran.org

Page 4 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020

Find your favorite titles at www.subtextbooks.com and place your order online or call 651-493-2791 CURBSIDE PICK-UP: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

SUBTEXT BOOKS

Downtown St. Paul's Independent Bookstore 6 West Fifth Street, St. Paul | 651-493-2791 | subtextbooks.com

C ommunity fulfilling essential services and has been working with other nonprofits to feed the hungry. In just two weeks alone they handed out nearly 1,000 bags of food at their location near Robert Street and Mendota Road. They are also working with Loaves and Fishes and UnitedHealth Group to serve pre-packaged fresh, healthy meals Monday-Friday from noon-2 p.m. In addition, staff have made more than 1,500 calls to their senior or older adult members to let them know someone cares and help connect them with resources they may need to stay safe and healthy. The conversations have spanned the gamut of emotions, from singing “Happy Birthday” to one person, to connecting another with a suicide prevention service. Great River Greening - Social distancing requirements have resulted in scores of people visiting area parks. Great River Greening, an environmental conservation nonprofit based on the West Side, created an interactive map to 16 sites that its staff consider to be “hidden

Your community news and information source gems,” nine of which are in the metro area. The list is based on accessibility, natural appeal and spaciousness. Visit www.greatrivergreening.org to find new areas to explore. Several organizations harnessed the power of the internet to offer opportunities for learning, enjoyment and exploration. The Minnesota Children’s Museum (mcm. org) posted parent resources and activities for children, including links for a virtual tour of the Minnesota Zoo and other zoos across the country, and the Science Museum of Minnesota created a Learn from Home resource page at smm.org. You may also view three Omnitheatre films for free: “Dinosaurs Alive,” Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaophs” and “Wild Ocean.” The St. Paul Public Library offers a host of activities that can be done from the comfort of home, from ancestry research to learning a new language. Its digital library offers online tutoring and other assistance, and allows you to download digital magazines, e-books, audio-

books and other materials. They also offer daily storytimes on Facebook Live. For more information, visit https://sppl.org.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY Many restaurants—an industry that has been hit hard—donated food to nonprofits to feed the hungry, and others retooled to offer curbside pick-up and delivery. Visit St. Paul has shared numerous stories at www. visitsaintpaul.com of businesses giving back. There you’ll learn about Afro Deli, which has two downtown locations, offering free meals to K-12 students to meet the needs of those who depend on free lunches during the school year, St. Paul Hotel providing free meals to firstresponders and health care workers, and many more uplifting stories. Nathan Jespersen, who owns the Anytime Fitness studio in West St. Paul and four other locations, created a Home Challenge Facebook group to encourage the community to stay active while Continued on page 6

Loaves and Fishes at St. Matthew’s

INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY GROUPS Members of the West St. Paul Mendota Heights Rotary Club have maintained their commitment to the Loaves and Fishes feeding program at St. Matthew’s Church on the West Side. Member Susan Hommes, left, was joined by her husband Joe and son Peter, right, on April 2. Peter, a high school senior, said it was nice to get out of the house during the stay-at-

home period and was happy to help make sure people were getting something to eat. They worked with club President Katie Lowe, center, and other members to box food for participants to pick up. The club volunteers monthly with Loaves and Fishes, which has 32 sites in the Twin Cities that provide free, healthy meals to anyone in need. At St. Matthew’s,

meals are served 5-6 p.m., Monday-Friday. Normally, the site offers dine-in service. Numerous individuals have pitched in as well. Lowertown resident Bill Hanley organized a series of blood drives, and many others have sewed masks, shopped and cared for the elderly, purchased gift cards to support local businesses and volunteered in different ways.

Join our Tribe... Support Your Community Newspaper! A tribe is defined as a group of people having a common character or interest. In today’s day and age it has also come to mean supporters and we invite you to be one of ours. Since 1966, we’ve proudly and effectively covered the issues most important to our community. We ask our loyal readers to consider donating a small amount to help us continue publishing community news that informs, entertains and inspires. Could you send $10 a year...or more? Every dollar helps. To contribute, mail your check to St. Paul Publishing Co., 1643 S. Robert St., Suite 60B, West St. Paul, MN 55118, or call us at 651-457-1177 with your credit card number. Mailed subscriptions are available for $21.50 per year.

Thanks for your support! ST. PAUL PUBLISHING COMPANY St. Paul Voice • Downtown St. Paul Voice South St. Paul Voice • La Voz Latina

St. Paul Publishing Company | www.stpaulpublishing.com | 651-457-1177 Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020 - Page 5

C ommunity Continued from page 5 practicing social distancing. Participation is open to all, not just club members. He also implemented a weekly drawing that supports the winner and small businesses alike. He offers a weekly prize of $100 in gift cards to local businesses to someone who posts a post-workout selfie photo. The winner is drawn at random. “What makes this group unique is the community aspect,” said Jespersen. “It’s more than just a daily workout; it’s the support, motivation, accountability and encouragement from your teammates. It gives a sense of normalcy in this unprecedented time in which we are living.”

Your community news and information source

FAITH COMMUNITY The Rev. Dr. David Colby of Central Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Paul said he has witnessed many acts of compassion and has called on people to continue support one another. “Faith communities, at their best, help people come together to offer support and harness good works to serve the community,” he said. “In this unusual time, we can still love our neighbors, and connect with compassion. But we need to be creative and intentional to do so in ways that maintain safety and concern for the health of all. Let us pledge to continue to stay connected by technology when possible, through phone calls and cards, and prayer and meditation. Faith, hope and love will endure.”

Minnesota Community Care staff

MEDICAL COMMUNITY Minnesota Community Care, which operates clinics in downtown St. Paul and St. Paul’s West Side and East Side, adjusted services offered at its sites to address COVID-19. The East Side clinic serves as a testing and respiratory care site. The

West Side clinic, La Clinica, is dedicated to well-care and telehealth services. The Downtown clinic, located within the Catholic Charities building, primarily provides care for Minnesota’s unsheltered population and continues to provide essential medical services, chemical dependency counseling,

THANK YOU WARD 2 From my family to yours

COVID-19 screening, triage and testing services. In reflecting upon the work of their medical staff, physician Alison Warford said, “This is what we are trained to do: we run toward and not away from. To be sure, the COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing most medical providers in America have seen before. It’s scary for us but it’s even more scary for our patients…. They need to know we are open for business and can partner with

ROGERS MASONRY Since 1976

318 W. Water St., St. Paul 651.227.1549 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 Sat. 8-2 Sun. closed

Quality brickwork & tuck pointing of buildings, stone foundations and chimneys licensed, bonded, insured

651-224-6985 www.rogers-masonry.com

Bring us one item or a houseful... WE ACCEPT IT ALL!

them as we all navigate these uncertain times.” Children’s Minnesota has changed operations in a few ways at its West St. Paul clinic. Morning hours are devoted to patients who are feeling well, and the sick are seen in the afternoon and on Saturday. They’ve added a drive-up service to help kids stay current on their vaccinations. Parents make an appointment, and providers come out to the vehicle to administer the vaccines. MERRIAM PARK

PAINTING

FREE BIDS

Now booking exterior jobs

Call Ed. 651.224.3660 www.mppainting.com

LIC. BOND. INS.

Demolition and Construction Waste | Trash & Lawn Debris Furniture & Appliances | Tires and much more

Thank you to the residents of Ward 2 for supporting our children, our families and our small businesses during this challenging time. I'm proud to represent you at City Hall and to work on programs that offer relief. Working together, St. Paul remains strong.

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.

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

Prepared and paid for by Friends of Rebecca Noecker, P.O. Box 4756, St. Paul, MN 55101

Thanks to our students, their parents and our staff for working together during this challenging time to promote learning. Call 651-225-9177 or visit www.stpaulcityschool.org to learn more and schedule a tour

St. Paul City Primary School 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul St. Paul City Middle School 643 Virginia St., St. Paul River's Edge Academy High School 188 West Plato Blvd., St. Paul

Page 6 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020

Recycling

Haul your own & SAVE!

Serving Pre-K-12th graders in St. Paul Metro

St. Paul City School District

We Support

• Free public charter school • Small class sizes (25 or fewer) • Full day pres-school and kindergarten • Emphasis on community • Environmental Ed / Experiential Learning programs • Free school busing in St. Paul for Pre-K-8th grade / Free Metro Transit passes for 9th-12th grade • Free breakfast & lunch available • Special education services • English language learning services • School culture that emphasizes relationships, community building, leadership and character growth.

Now Hiring Roofers and Laborers

• No experience required • Daily transportation to job sites required • Competitive wages and benefits • Pre-employment drug screen required • Summer help needed - must be 18 yrs old

Call to schedule an interview 952-881-2241

In Pain? We're here to help! 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. Dr. Scott A. Mooring Owner & Clinic Director

Dr. Debby Jerikovsky

C ommunity

Your community news and information source

Artists need your support, too Nigel Parry Contributor

he cancellation of this year’s St. Paul Art Crawl was a blow to local artists who rely on the event to promote and sell their work. Now, the organizer of the event, the St. Paul Art Collective, is encouraging the public to support artists as much as possible and is exploring options to help artists promote their work throughout the year. We spoke with Dave Evans, president of the Collective, and four Lowertown artists to learn about their future plans. “We feel devastated, as we had invested all the funds we have collected into the event,” said Evans. “We have no idea what effect this will have on our members. The Art Crawl has become a major source of income and an important way to establish client relationships for participants.” In all the scrambling that has occurred since the coronavirus wave hit Minnesota and forever changed our lives, one solution has been to leverage the Internet. As of press time, the Collective planned to hold a Virtual Art Crawl during the weekend of the originally scheduled event: April 24-26. In mid-April, staff were busy contacting member artists and discussing creative ways for them to host “live” events and inform buyers about how to purchase their art. The Virtual Crawl was scheduled to include video performances from artists and musicians that allowed the public to get a glimpse into the artists’ working spaces.

Over the years, the Collective has developed a large following of artists and Art Crawl participants alike and now has a large capacity for public outreach. “This information will be shared across all our established social media platforms reaching more than 10,000 collectors and lovers of art,” said Evans. “Our partnerships with Jazz 88.5 FM, Visit St. Paul and The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce allow us a reach that our members deserve in this unprecedented time.” The Crawl has been the lifeblood for some local artists, including JobyLynn Sassily-James, a visual artist and Lowertown resident. “The St. Paul Art Crawl and Art-a-Whirl in Northeast Minneapolis make up over one-third of my annual art income,” she said. “Just missing those two events is extremely financially debilitating.” Josephine Geiger, a glass artist and treasurer of the Collective, is in a similar situation. “It is important to me as an artist because my sales typically pay my bills for the next month,” she said. “I’m not sure what will happen come May or June.” Northern Warehouse resident, musician and music teacher Eric Carranza planned to post links to all of his music for the Virtual Crawl and was optimistic that it would help him reach a wider audience. While he doesn’t make significant income off the Crawl, he has been dramatically affected by the pandemic nonetheless. “Every single event, concert, performance and gig I had on the calendar has been

cancelled,” he said. “Performing regularly is a large part of my income stream. I also do a yearly teaching residency with a creative arts school, which is also now cancelled as schools scramble to offer distance learning to prepare for end-of-year testing.” Sassily-James is in the same boat. “I own a mobile art gallery bus and do outdoor events two to seven times a week through the warm months,” she said. “This is the time of year that I have either booked or am in the process of booking events, from April through October. All events that I booked through June—and some beyond— have been cancelled. Other events are not putting out the public calls that they usually would have by now. Two gallery shows that I was scheduled to be in have also cancelled. “So many show organizers are listening to what so many people are saying about not wanting to be quick to go back out into crowds,” she added. “I’m not sure when they’ll actually start planning large shows again. It kind of feels like it may never happen.” That sentiment is shared by artists far and wide. “Every show across the country has been canceled, and the ones that pushed through and held events in early March regret they did because sales were dismal, attendance sucked, and people got sick,” said Geiger. Lisa Mathieson, a glass artist who lives in the Tilsner building, said her bevy of jobs has been affected as well. “I am routinely offered

teaching positions, arts and craft sales opportunities, and gallery shows, often out of town,” she said. “Since the world has pretty much closed down, these are all lost opportunities.” With a compromised immune system from past health issues, she has reason to be concerned for her health as much as her income stream, but she’s trying to look on the bright side. “I do try to maintain a positive attitude though, and it is my hope that these opportunities will be rescheduled for a later time,” said Mathieson. Everyone we spoke with agreed that it won’t be merely a short-term storm to weather for some artists and arts organizations. Some of the venues that have cancelled upcoming events are now living with an existential threat. “It’s hard because fees have been paid to shows that are no longer happening, and artists are out that money, as well as any money that might have been earned through sales,” said Gieger. “Many of the shows that had to cancel are also struggling because they have expenses already incurred through planning and coordination and are now also dead-inthe-water in terms of show revenue and donations. Some of these shows have reserves to refund booth fees, some are holding fees for future dates, some are giving partial refunds, and some are operating on such a tight budget that they will be bankrupt if they have to refund fees.” Many artists depend on specific shows to sell their art and have already noticed

Your Words

Matter The words and phrases you use in your website, social media and company documents reflect your image. To ensure you are expressing your thoughts correctly and that your materials are pleasing to read and error-free, contact Tim at 651-457-1177 for a no-obligation quote.

Photo by Barbara Dodge

Dave Evans, president of the St. Paul Art Collective, organizers of the St. Paul Art Crawl. a national chilling when it comes to people willing to purchase art. “My work doesn’t typically sell in any way other than inperson,” said Sassily-James. “Having people seeing my work in my spaces—both my loft and my bus—or in any stores I choose to sell in that follow my esthetic, is my formula of selling my small items. Most of my large work sells in person in galleries. And that’s not possible right now. “People are also opting to not spend money due to the uncertainty of things,” she continued. “It’s feeling a lot like the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008 all over again, in that regard. If people were willing to spend money, then I would not be seeing sales on my Etsy shop—which

has both small art and vintage items—drop to almost nothing.” The artists interviewed for this article were not only concerned about their own welfare, but that of the Twin Cities arts scene as a whole. “Overall, I think there will be a lot fewer art shows and opportunities in the future because many of the organizations that sponsor these shows and festivals will be forced out of business,” surmised Geiger. Evans opined similarly about the lasting consequences of the pandemic. “This plague will change how we feel about our social connections for many years,” he said. For ideas on how to support local artists, visit www. stpaulartcrawl.org.

Professional Copywriting and Editing Services Social media & websites ~ Company newsletters ~ Marketing materials ~ Ad copy ~ Company histories & more!

St. Paul Publishing Company | www.stpaulpublishing.com | 651-457-1177 Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020 - Page 7

B ack in Time

Your community news and information source

Harnessing the mighty Mississippi Amy Johnson Staff Writer

ow that the Mississippi river is once again open for the shipping season, it’s fitting to remember an event that significantly altered commercial navigation on the river: the construction of the Meeker Island Lock and Dam, the first such structure on the river. Its creation caused a spat between the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and was deemed a failure on all accounts. Built in 1907 and later known simply as Lock & Dam No. 2, the Meeker Lock and Dam was demolished five years later, just before the completion of its rival, Lock & Dam No. 1. A bitter rivalry between the cities led to its demise. They refused to work together to design the best lock and dam system for the river and instead each built its own,

leading to low dams that allowed safer navigation but inadequate hydropower. Therefore, when Lock and Dam No. 1 was halfway done, Congress ordered the removal of the Meeker Island unit. Lock & Dam No. 1 was completed in 1917 and promptly resulted in the flooding of its twin’s remains. The idea for Lock and Dam No. 1 stemmed from Minneapolis’s desire to improve its shipping operations but they faced some geographic hurdles. The river’s 8-mile stretch from St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul is a steep one. The water drops more than 100 feet in elevation, or the height of a 10-story building, and is hemmed in by a narrow gorge and threatening limestone boulders. This geography made Minneapolis a difficult spot for shippers to reach, so St. Paul auto-

matically became the river’s premier northern port. Minneapolis was quickly becoming the nation’s leading flour milling center and desperately wanted to edge out St. Paul as head of navigation on the Mississippi. City officials offered the pilot of the Lamartine steamboat $200 to make the voyage to prove their point. They also raised funds to remove boulders in the river that impeded shipping. By 1852, it was clear that a lock and dam would be their best option and the political posturing between the cities evolved into a battle over navigation and hydropower. It took more than 20 years before a decision was finally made. In 1873, Congress allocated $25,000 to improve navigation along the river but a quarrel over a land grant offered by the Minneapolis-based Mississippi River Improvement and Manufacturing Company in

1857 stalled construction for two decades. The Meeker Lock and Dam was finally completed in 1907 and the Itura was the first steamboat to pass through. The project was a national failure and Congress was glad to see it go. A conservation movement had sprung up across the country demanding that the river serve multiple purposes, such as hydropower for milling and producing hydroelectric power for the growing region. The Meeker Lock and Dam failed on both fronts and in 1912 the order was given to blast the top five feet of the lock walls. The story of the two dams marks a striking turn in American history. In 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau declared that the American frontier was extinct. With the 20th century approaching and industrialization sweeping the nation, Minnesota knew it had to capi-

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Construction of Meeker Island Lock and Dam talize on the river’s power if it wanted to succeed, and in the end the cities decided to work together. In 1924, St. Paul convinced Henry Ford to build an assembly plant on 167 acres near Lock & Dam No. 1, now known as the Ford Dam. This created jobs and new tax revenue for the city, and every year Ford generated 7,250 horsepower in hydroelectric energy from the dam. It was official: Min-

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

651-221-0026

neapolis gained head of navigation status and St. Paul got its hydropower. The watery remains of the Meeker Lock and Dam’s 334-foot-long concrete walls live on today. They can be viewed during low water by walking along Old Wagon Road Trail near North Mississippi River Boulevard and Eustis Street. The dog park at 486 N. Mississippi Blvd. is also near the site.

• • • •

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 5/31/20. 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 5/31/20. 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 5/31/20. 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 5/31/20. 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 5/31/20. 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 5/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

FREE Local Shuttle and Same Day Service on Most Repairs! Page 8 - Downtown St. Paul Voice - May 2020