St. Paul Voice September 2023

The St. Paul

Sample St. Paul

Vegfest returns to Harriet Island

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Page 4

Retro diner opens in Mendota Heights

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Deep-fried

macaroni and cheese, egg rolls on a stick, and vegan cheese curds are just a few of the scrumptious plant-based foods you’ll discover among the 90-plus food vendors and exhibitors at this year’s Twin Cities Vegfest, held 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17 at Harriet Island Regional Park. The free-to-attend festival is celebrating its 11th year and, in addition to hosting food, music and games, will hold a Let’s Beat Breast Cancer rally from noon-1 p.m. The festival is organized by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), a nonprofit that encourages people to move toward plant-based diets.

“It’s all vegan [food] but people will be surprised,” said CAA executive director Laura Matanah. “If you haven’t had vegan food, or have preconceptions about what it is, it’s probably not what you’re imagining…. You’ll find all the stuff on a stick that you would find at the State Fair, but plant-based.” Matanah noted that all food vendors are required to provide a $4-or-less option.

The first 100 people to arrive get a swag bag with nonalcoholic wine, food samples, coupons and more. CLIMB Theatre will host a family tent with games for all ages, and the Farmaste Fun Zone will feature cornhole, giant jenga and other outdoor activities. Handmade kitchen products and jewelry will be available, and one vendor is teaching how

Work gets rolling on Mendota Heights skate park

The nearly $447,000 project will include a new surface and nine major obstacles

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The 19-year-old skate park built atop two weathered tennis courts at Rogers Lake in Mendota Heights has been cleared to make way for a new skate park that will feature a 10,000-squarefoot concrete base and all-new modular features, including a quarter pipe, jump box, wedge, grind rail, pyramid section, bank ramp, spine, half pipe and grindbox. Demolition and resurfacing began in mid-August and is expected to be complete by the end of October. The new features will be available in November but aren’t expected to be installed until next spring.

“The existing skate park was past its useful life,” said Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence. “The features and the base were becoming a safety hazard for users… This park has been a highly utilized amenity in Mendota Heights and I’m excited for it to continue to be a spot for skate park enthusiasts.” She noted that half of the old features were sold, and half were donated to a skate park nonprofit.

Talks for a new skate park began in 2020 and a subcommittee was formed at the end of that year to help guide plans and designs. The final design was approved this year in early May following two

While the days of kicking back with friends at a soda fountain are for the most part lost to history, there are still some places where people can find a similar throw-back experience. One such place is the 1950s-themed Ze’s Diner, which is expected to open by September 1 at 730 Main St., Mendota Heights. The diner is known for its all-day breakfast, burgers and sandwiches, malts and milk shakes – and this will be its fourth branch. While each location has its own personal flair, all feature a signature checkered floor and share the same menu, which includes half-pound burgers, pot roast and meatloaf, as well as homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

The 3,500-square-foot space, formerly home to Mendoberri restaurant, seats 100 and was renovated over the course of about four months to install new flooring, kitchen appliances and custom-made furniture. Mendoberri’s brick fire pizza oven remains and will likely be used to bake fresh bread and cakes.

Managing the diner is Moustafa Arafa, a graduate of Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights. He has an associate degree in computer networking from Dunwoody College of Technology and worked in that industry for a few years before tiring of desk work. He learned the ropes of the restaurant business from his father Moody Arafa, who opened the

Tiny Tots and Little Tykes turns 50

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Over the past five decades, countless parents have relied on Tiny Tots and Little Tykes, Inc. to care for and educate their children. The daycare and preschool, which has operated in West St. Paul since its founding in 1973, recently held a commu-

nity event to celebrate its 50th anniversary and thank families for their support. It took place at their building at 60 Marie Ave. E. and featured food, games, photographic displays, and the opportunity to meet founder Sylvia Nelson-Witz.

Nelson-Witz began the business as a preschool in her home on Ohio Street so she could care for her son

and several neighborhood kids. About four years later, she outgrew the space and moved the operation to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. In 1986, she relocated to Riverview Baptist Church while simultaneously launching a daycare program at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on St. Paul’s West Side. In 1992, the daycare and preschool joined forces

with St. Croix Lutheran High School (now St. Croix Lutheran Academy) and the business doubled in size within its first six months there.

Nelson-Witz retired in 2008 and ManaRae Schaan, who started as assistant director in 1995, took over as executive director at that time. In 2014, the business purchased the first floor of

the building on Marie Avenue, fulfilling Nelson-Witz’s longtime dream of the business owning its own space.

Tiny Tots offers daycare and preschool programs for children aged six weeks to kindergarten, and before and after school care for children in kindergarten through age 12. It’s a member of the National Association for the Education of Young

Children and is accredited through the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation where they hold a 4-Star (highest rating) Parent Aware rating. It has a fenced-in playground as well as another fenced-in recess space at the corner of Marie and Livingston which had 2,730 square-feet of turf

Tiny Tots / Page 2

Vegfest/ Page 5

Ze’s Diner / Page 3

Skate park / Page 3

New market offers a taste of the tropics

Tiny Tots

from page 1

installed shortly before the community celebration on August 8.

Getting through the pandemic and its aftermath has been the business’s biggest hurdle ever. While it’s licensed for 148 children, it served only about half that number during the pandemic. Schaan said they never closed during the pandemic, and during that time they implemented additional safety measures, including

installing a hospital-grade air filtration system in each room, regularly monitoring children’s temperatures and adapting their programming to accommodate social distancing protocols.

“COVID was really tough, but I’d say – in the 28 years I’ve been here – the staffing shortage is the scariest thing we’ve faced by far,” said Schaan. “We’re the workforce behind the workforce and if parents don’t have

childcare, then they can’t go to work, and that’s not good for the economy at all.”

Schaan said they didn’t lay off any employees during the pandemic, although several retired or quit. With the current number of staff, they can serve about 85 kids.

“There’s a huge need for childcare,” said Schaan. “We get at least five or six calls a day from parents looking for childcare. We have space but we just don’t have teachers, and that’s what every center will tell you. The worker shortage is very dire right now.”

Assistant director Kathy Darrow said it’s difficult for them to compete for graduates with teaching degrees, many of whom are finding more attractive jobs at public or private schools that offer great benefits and are closed for several weeks throughout the year compared to just 10 federal holidays that Tiny Tots is closed. But Tiny Tots has gotten creative to attract and retain staff. In 2021, Schaan received a grant that she is using to offer monthly bonuses to her employees through 2025. Addition-

ally, they are flexible with employee schedules. For example, some teachers work there just one day a week in the summertime. Schaan and Darrow have been at the forefront of the business for nearly 30 years

and plan to lead it for at least another five before turning it over to their successors. Schaan has a bachelor’s in elementary education and English from the University of Mary in North Dakota, and Darrow has a bachelor’s

in elementary education from Concordia University in St. Paul. Both had previous experience in childhood education before joining Tiny Tots. For more information, call 651-457-0042 or visit ttlt.org.

Photo courtesy Tiny Tots and Little Tykes Kathy Darrow, Sylvia Nelson-Witz and ManaRae Schaan

Ze’s Diner

from page 1

first Ze’s in Eagan in 2012, followed by locations in Woodbury and Prior Lake.

Moody Arafa is a native of Egypt. He moved to Minnesota at age 19 with his wife Zeze – whom the diners are named after – and worked his way up through the ranks at several fine dining restaurants before becoming general manager of Nath Companies, where he oversaw several restaurants in the Twin Cities. In 2009, he purchased Cahill Diner in Inver Grove Heights, fulfilling his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant.

He said he immediately fell in love with the diner atmosphere and still operates that restaurant under its original name because it’s so wellknown in the community.

“We relate each of our restaurants to its neighborhood,” said Moody. “On one wall [in the Mendota Heights diner] we’re going to show historic Mendota Heights from the ’50s and ’60s…. We have a jukebox at our Woodbury location and are working on getting one here [Mendota Heights].”

Moody spends much of his time at Ze’s in Woodbury

Skate park

from page 1

community surveys. The nearly $447,000 project came in $147,000 over budget. The excess will be covered by the city’s special park fund. The city worked with

Bolton and Menk, Inc. on the design and engineering work, purchased the equipment from the American Ramp Company, and awarded the concrete contract to

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Copy Editor: Leslie Martin

Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack John E. Ahlstrom

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but regularly checks in at each location. He is nearing his biggest goal yet: to buy land and build a diner from scratch. He has his eye on a property in Woodbury and is trying to negotiate a deal. Currently all Ze’s Diners are in rented spaces.

“We love the diner atmosphere,” said Moody. “I had three goals in my head when I was building these restaurants: to offer quality food for a reasonable price, give people great walk-in service, and to be part of the community.”

He makes a point to hire

and train youth in the community to host, serve and wash dishes. He also helps raise money for The Open Door Pantry, a nonprofit food shelf in Eagan. During the pandemic, Moustafa put his technology skills to use by creating an online ordering system for each restaurant, which is still used today. They also offer catering.

Ze’s Diner in Mendota Heights is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday. For more information, visit zesdiner.com.

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According to the Skateboard Project, a nonprofit that helps communities create skateboard parks and secure grants, a skate park of this size should accommodate 70 users simultaneously.

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appeals to youth and young adults, continues to grow in popularity. It was added to the Olympics in 2021. For more information on the new park, call Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation at 651-452-1850. Wishing all students success and happiness this year. 550 Vandalia Street· Suite 170·Saint Paul, MN 55101 651-224-5153 www.spnn.org/ctep

Moustafa and Moody Arafa

New market and deli offers a taste of the tropics

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

BFYang built his business – and reputation – on offering fresh fruit to customers in the Twin Cities. Today, his daughter Mo and her three brothers are continuing his legacy and expanding the business. Mo has operated Mo’s Tropical Market in North St. Paul since 2019, and six months ago opened Mo’s Tropi-

cal Wholesale and Deli at 141 W. Lafayette Frontage Road, on the West Side.

“We’re excited to be on the West Side and near the downtown area because a lot of people were telling us they don’t have Asian cuisine or groceries nearby,” said Mo.

“We’re also getting a different set of customers than we have before… our Hispanic community is starting to know about us and come in, which is really nice.”

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Mo bought the 26,000-square-foot building, formerly a warehouse for Dragonstar Supermarket, in May 2022 and completed significant renovations before opening. Work included creating a kitchen, demolishing walls, and installing an elevator. Today, the two-story market offers a wide array of tropical fruit, including mango, Asian pear, rambutan, mangosteen, and longan, as well as seasonings and dry foods commonly used in southeast Asian dishes. It also has a deli with eggrolls, smoked sausage, soup, and a variety of other food and drinks. In the coming months, Mo plans to add tacos and burritos to the deli and begin stocking frozen meat at the market. Most of the fruit is imported from Southeast Asia, Mexico, South America, and Florida and California.

“The wholesale isn’t designed just for retail customers but also for vendors like restaurants, grocery stores, elder homes and other business that need these products,” said Mo. “We’re in

the process of making an e-commerce website where vendors can go any time to order online…. We’re also looking to do delivery business with our deli through DoorDash and UberEats.” Mo’s family immigrated to the United States from Laos in 1978. Mo said her father was one of the first Hmong vendors at the Minneapolis farmers market. Ultimately, as more Hmong farmers began selling at the market, her father decided to specialize in selling fruit. After he passed away in 2003, Mo’s youngest brother took over his stall and continues to

Owner Mo Yang

operate it today.

“There are farmers markets in every city [now] so the business isn’t like it used to be,” said Mo. “In 2016, all the siblings got together and asked ourselves how we could take what mom and dad built and scale it to the next level. We decided we wanted to bring the tropical fruit and Asian vegetables from our homeland to the Twin Cities.”

That summer they sold tropical fruit at the Minneapolis market from a truck under the brand of BF Yang. Many customers said they wanted their produce

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year-round, so the siblings together opened the first BF Yang’s storefront in Roseville in 2019. They quickly outgrew that space and Mo and her brothers decided to divide and conquer: she opened her market in North St. Paul under her own name while her brothers opened a new BF Yang in Shoreview.

“The first three months we were selling out of a truck [at the farmers market] and people just fell in love with our concept, which is fresh direct from the farmer to the consumer, affordable, and family-oriented,” said Mo. “We’ve come a long way.”

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Kids Club Supervisor - Lead a school-age child care program in one of our elementary buildings and supervise paraprofessional staff. Full-time, 12-month.

Starting base wage $21.50/hr. (DOQ).

For more information and to apply:

Vegfest

from page 1

to care for hedgehogs – yes, they will have one there for visitors to pet. Live music includes Mary Bue, 10:45 a.m.; Happy Lance Brunious, 1:30 p.m., and Red Wine Trio, 2:30 p.m.

The Let’s Beat Breast Cancer rally is organized in partnership with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit animal liberation research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. It will feature high school drum lines and presentations from a breast cancer survivor, as well as two Food for Life instructors. Food for Life is a nutrition education and cooking class program operated by the Physician’s Committee that aims to help people facing diet-related chronic diseases. Two registered dietitians will be onsite throughout the festival to answer general questions.

“We really work to make the festival financially accessible,” said Matanah. “If you attend the cooking demonstrations on the VegFund Mainstage you get a free sample. We also have a food giveaway booth where we’ll be giving away free snacks.”

Matanah has been executive director of CAA for seven years and praised her 20-member volunteer committee for making Vegfest possible. In 2019, the event had 10,000 attendees. It was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2021 in a hybrid format. Last fall, it returned to Harriet Island, although attendance wasn’t as high as pre-COVID events.

ference they had hosted at the University of Minnesota dubbed “Their Lives, Our Voices.” That event brought in speakers from across the country to raise awareness of animals raised for food but never had more than a few hundred attendees. The first few Twin Cities Vegfests were held over two days at the University of Minnesota Coffman Union but it quickly grew too large for that space. In 2017, it moved to Como Park and again outgrew that space. In 2018 the festival found its new home at Harriet Island.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Latina 2023!

15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre

El Consejo de Asuntos Latinos de Minnesota celebra y reconoce las contribuciones económicas y el poder de influencia de los y las latinas en cada rincón del estado.

“Day-of volunteers are really critical to the festival, too, and we would love to have people volunteer,” said Matanah. “People who volunteer in high-need areas get a swag bag, and anybody who volunteers gets a Twin Cities Vegfest volunteer Tshirt.”

The festival strives to operate as close to zero-waste as possible. To help achieve this goal, volunteers will oversee garbage stations to ensure people are putting the correct items in the compost, recycling and trash containers.

Twin Cities Vegfest began in 2012 under the direction of co-founders Dave Rolsky and Unny Nambudiripad. They got the idea after attending a vegfest in Madison, Wis., and wanted to employ a similar concept to replace an annual con -

a moratorium on factory farming, and visitors are welcome to sign it at the festival. The petition will go before state legislatures early next year.

MetroTransit has free tran-

sit passes available for download, and CAA is providing free shuttle transportation, including an ADA accessible shuttle, to Harriet Island. For more information, visit tcvegfest.com.

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“Our theory for how we’re [CAA] going to make a better world for people and animals is that we first raise people’s awareness – and that could be helping them learn how delicious plantbased food is or learning more about the conditions animals have to live in on factory farms – and then taking a step like signing a petition,” said Matanah. “We work to build community so that people get to know each other and realize how many people are also caring about and taking action in this work.”

CAA is gathering signatures on a petition to place

Happy 2023 Latino Heritage Month!

September 15-October 15

Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs celebrates and recognizes the contributions and influence of Latino Minnesotans in every corner of the state.

Our church year begins September 10

Sunday Service, 9:00 am

Sunday School, 10:15 am

Teen Bible Class, 10:15 am

Adult Bible Class, 10:15 am

Special Events - Save the Date:

Submitted photo

S ample St. Paul

through Mar. 15, 2024. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

Ordway Center

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

Beethoven’s Second Symphony with Richard Egarr, 7 p.m., Sept. 15-16, and 2 p.m., Sept. 17. Tickets start at $12.

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19. Tickets start at $57.54.

Eunice Kim plays Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, and 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30. Tickets start at $12.

Palace Theatre

17 7th Place W. St. Paul 612-338-8388 first-avenue.com

Tove Lo, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. Tickets start at $35. Coheed and Cambria, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $39.50.

The Tallest Man On Earth, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19. Tickets start at $35.

RiverCentre

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

Twin City Cat Fanciers

Cat Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept.

24. $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors and children.

Science Museum of Minnesota

120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444

smm.org

“Exquisite Creatures” is on display through Sept. 4. Explore the planet’s biodiversity by viewing preserved animal specimens arranged in intricate patterns.

STEM Adventure Saturdays is a new program featuring themed activities in the galleries and interactive presentations from community members. Themes are: Dinosaurs, through Sept. 1; and Backyard Science, Sept. 2-Oct. 16. Each theme will begin with a kickoff event featuring special activities. The kickoff for Backyard Science is 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9.

Artist at Pine Needle Gallery is a temporary exhibit featuring work from Jim Grafsgaard, last year’s artist-in-residence at the Pine Needles cabin on the St. Croix Watershed Research Station property.

Omnitheater films : “ Wings Over Water ,” through Sept. 4. Follow the migrations of winged creatures as they return home to raise the next generation of waterfowl.

“ The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness,” through October 18. Meet polar bears, Porcupine caribou and people who have called the vast arctic region their home for thousands of years.

LEGO DERBY CAR RACE

September 16 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Saint James Lutheran Church 460 Annapolis Street West, West St. Paul

Kids in grades K-8 are invited to build and race a LEGO car. LEGO chassis and bricks provided.

Fun for the whole family!

Lunch provided after the event.

To pre-register, contact:

Saint James Lutheran Church, West St. Paul 651.457.9232 | saintjameslutheran.com

Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, Eagan 651.454.7235 | office@trinityloneoak.org

Friday Museum Nights features blockbuster movie showings on the Omnitheater screen every Friday night at 7 p.m. through October. Upcoming shows: “A Bug’s Life,” Sept. 1; “Jumanji” (1995), Sept. 8; “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” Sept. 22; and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Sept. 29.

Stellar Tours Live Digital Telescope Show, Wed.Sun. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Choose your own space adventure and experience the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system. Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for children ages 3 and under.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can experience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota. Admission is free for personal care attendants when visiting with a client. Tickets are $9.95.

Xcel Center

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

xcelenergycenter.com

Pearl Jam, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2. Tickets start at $160.08.

Greta Van Fleet , 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. Tickets start at $44.50.

Old Dominion, 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9. Tickets start at $29.

Eric Clapton, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Tickets start at $46.

50 Cent, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $40.

Dave Chappelle , 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23. Tickets start at $64.50.

Outdoor events

Minnesota State Fair continues through September 4 at the State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Ave. The Fair showcases Minnesota’s finest in agriculture, art and industry, hundreds of concession stands, a giant midway, Grandstand concerts, giveaways, animal and product demonstrations, parades and much more. Grandstand concerts include: Brandi Carlile with special guest Wynonna Judd, 7 p.m., Aug. 29 (from $79); Yung Gravy with special guest bbno$, 7 p.m., Aug. 30 (from $29); Duran Duran with special guests Bastille and Nile Rodgers & CHIC, 7 p.m., Aug. 31 (from $77); Jonas Brothers, 7 p.m., Sept. 1 (from $77); The Current featuring The Hold Steady with special guests Bob Mould Band and Dillinger Four, 7 p.m., Sept. 2 (from $27); MSF 50th Annual Amateur Talent Contest Finals, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 3; and Blippi, 3 p.m., Sept. 4 ($16). For more information, visit www.mnstatefair.org.

Mystery on the Mississippi, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21. Who killed Buzz Masterson? Guests are invited to help solve the mystery aboard the Jonathan Padelford Riverboat during a 2-hour cruise. The interactive performance is set in the

Landmark LIVE

Landmark Center 2023 Fall Concert Series

September - December Cocktail Hour @ 6:45 pm Concert @ 7:30 pm

1980s, so wear attire from that era. $30. The cruise departs from Harriet Island. For more information, visit parkconnection.org.

Ballet Co.Laboratory announces new season

Ballet Co.Laboratory kicks off its 6th season with Vogue: A Celebration of Dance and Fashion (annual benefit performance) on October 14. Other performances are: “Nutcracker in Wonderland,” December 8-10 at The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts; “Puss in Boots,”

Volunteer In Your Community

March 2-3 and 9-10 at Ballet Co.Laboratory Studio Theatre; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” April 5-7 at Luminary Arts Center; and “The Little Prince,” May 17-19, at E.M. Pearson Theatre. Tickets start at $30 and may be purchased at balletcolaboratory.org/season or by contacting the Ballet Co.Laboratory box office at 651-313-5967.

Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults or mentor school-age children. Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement. Please contact Brinn Krabbenhoft at 651.310.9455, or Brinn.Krabbenhoft@ lssmn.org for more information and to make an impact in your community. 1400 S. Robert Street,

Welcome Sunday September 10

Join us as we kick off the program year! We’re excited to welcome back familiar faces and extend a warm greeting to visitors and guests.

8:30 & 9:45 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 am Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary

Food, fellowship, and opportunities throughout the morning. Learn about all of our Wednesday night activities at Augustana.com

Weyerhaeuser Auditorium Landmark Center, Saint Paul

Amy LaVere Eric Peltoniemi & Dean Magraw

Phillip-Michael Scales

The OK Factor

N ews Briefs

Square dance

Dakota Grand Squares and Triple T Square Dance Clubs are offering weekly beginner square dance classes at Salem Lutheran Church, 11 Bernard St. W., West St. Paul. The first class is 6:308:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12. Cost is $5. First lesson is free. For more information, call 763-516-2165 or 651503-7040.

TPAC events

Unless noted, all activities take place at Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul.

Events are for ages 55 and older. To register, call 651403-8300.

Paint Like Bob Ross, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. $50. Must pre-register.

Bean Bag Toss (aka Corn Hole), 10-11 a.m. each Wednesday, September 6-October 25. $8.

Paint Like the Masters, 1-3 p.m. Mondays, September 11-25. $50. An additional supply fee of $30 is due at class.

British History: Roman Britain - The invasion of Britain , 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12. Register by September 7. $8.

The ABC’s of Medicare, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, September 18. $3.

League of Women Voters St. Paul, a brief history, 1011 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19. $3. Write Your Own Healthcare Directive, 11 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Sept. 20. $3.

Nature Sense with Eloise Dietz: For the Love of Trees , 10:30-11:45 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26. $10.

The Fabulous Fairlanes, a capella group, 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27. $10, includes dessert. Register by September 20.

Lebanese Festival

Saturday, September 9

Lebanese Cuisine • Music Raffles & Silent Auction Games • Baked Goods

Holy Family Maronite Church

For complete details, visit www.HolyFamilyMaroniteChurch.org 1960 Lexington Ave. S. at Hwy 110

Understanding Probate, 11 a.m.-noon, Wed., Sept. 27. $3. Must pre-register.

Armchair Tourist: Breathtaking Photos and

Highlights of Utah’s National Parks, 11 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Sept. 28. $3.

Computer Center - Free assistance with technology

questions for hand-held and home-based devices is available each Monday, 9 a.m.noon. (closed Sept. 4).

Salem Lutheran dedicates new labyrinth

opening fall 2023

The Theodore is a new affordable 55+ community in the Wirth on the Woods development coming to the Bryn Mawr neighborhood! The park-like setting is adjacent to Theodore Wirth Park & Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, and includes walking paths, gardens, a greenhouse, underground parking, and beautifully appointed apartments. All this just minutes from downtown Minneapolis.

Apartments available to qualifying seniors earning 30-50% of the Hennepin Co. Median Income (AMI).

| 612-441-3316

|

Salem Lutheran church, 11 Bernard St. W., West St. Paul, will host a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 17 for its new labyrinth, located at the corner of Hall and Bernard. The walking labyrinth provides an opportunity for gentle exercise, meditation and prayer. Various sources indicate that walking a labyrinth can reduce stress, have a positive effect on memory, lower blood pressure and provide other general physical health improvements.

Salem received a grant from Age-Friendly Minnesota to cover 75% of the cost. The balance was provided by a bequest. Members of Salem also planted more gar-

dens and trees in the southwest area of its campus to enhance the natural beauty surrounding the labyrinth and will build two benches near the labyrinth to be used for resting and contemplation.

Salem’s labyrinth has two halves that mirror each other and can be used by groups of up to 12 people at the same time. The labyrinth is ADA accessible and is available to be reserved for weddings and other ceremonies or classes. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, and to walk the labyrinth at any time. For more information, visit salemluth.org.

Forty-Forty Flats is a new affordable 55+ community in Edina near Southdale Center. Conveniently located within walking distance of retail, restaurants, and medical offices, the community offers a fitness center, community room, underground parking, gardens, and beautifully appointed apartments.

Apartments are available to qualifying seniors earning 30-80% of the Hennepin Co. Median Income (AMI).

It is never too late to honor a fallen hero.

The South St. Paul community came together 90 years ago this month, and will do so once again, to honor a police officer killed in the line of duty.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on August 30, 1933, the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang pulled off the biggest holdup in Dakota County’s history, netting the equivalent of $595,000 in today’s dollars. Six bandits armed with machine guns held up bank messengers in front of the South St. Paul Post Office, making off with the massive payroll for stockyards employees. The money had come by train from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank.

It is estimated that there was more cash in the City of South St. Paul on any given day in the 1930s than anywhere else in the country, due to South St. Paul being home to the world’s largest stockyards. This is likely why Ma Barker and her Barker-Karpis Gang, who were holed up in a hideout at 1031 Robert St. in West St. Paul at the time, target-

Joe Atkins Dakota County Commissioner

ed South St. Paul for their record-setting robbery. Although nine decades have passed, we will gather on August 30 for a formal dedication of the post office to remember South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak, who was killed in the robbery, and Officer John Yeaman, who was injured. In December 2022, President Joe Biden signed legislation to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of Officer Pavlak. The legislation was shepherded through the process by Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. While no one was ever charged with the South St. Paul robbery or the shootings of Officers Yeaman and

Pavlak, every gangster alleged to have been involved in the robbery was either dead or behind bars by 1936. Speaking of history. It was 103 years ago that women from Dakota County were the first in the nation to vote following enactment of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On August 27, 1920 – a mere nine days after the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote – 87 women in South St. Paul made history when they lined up at 5:30 a.m. to vote on a local water referendum.

Removing racist language. An effort to remove racist language from property deeds is underway in Dakota County. Dating back over half a century, racial covenants can be found in property records in communities across America, including locally in West St. Paul, South St. Paul and Lakeville. These restrictive clauses were inserted into property deeds to prevent people who were not White from buying or occupying land. For example, a restriction on scores of homes in northern Dakota County

stipulates that the “premises shall not at any time be conveyed, mortgaged or leased to any person or persons of Chinese, Japanese, Moorish, Turkish, Negro, Mongolian or African blood or descent.”

Jews were often included in this laundry list of “objectionable” people, too.

While a U.S. Supreme Court case in 1960 held that these racist property provisions cannot be enforced, formally discharging these covenants is important and does more than just send a message. In at least one instance I know of, the Venezuelan husband of a White woman here in Minnesota incorrectly concluded that they were precluded from buying a particular home because of the racial covenant on the home’s deed.

Dakota County is believed to be the first suburban county in the nation to take up this task. My appreciation goes out to the hardworking volunteers making

it possible to update these deeds across the county in the coming months.

100 years ago this month. In 1923, Eva Olson, a South St. Paul teacher and principal, spearheaded the first night school courses that allowed people working full-time to finish high school. Particularly helpful to waves of immigrant families coming to work in the stockyards, Olson and her team of teachers changed lives for generations to come. Through her programs and dedication, immigrant families were able to not only attend school and pass citizenship exams, but find housing, health care and jobs. Olson remained the principal at Central until her retirement in 1948 and, it is

said, could still recall every student by name.

145 years ago this month. On September 9, 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes became the first U.S. president to visit Dakota County. President Hayes traveled through South St. Paul and Inver Grove to Hastings, where he spoke to a crowd of thousands at the Dakota County Courthouse. President Hayes spoke of his confidence in paper currency. I did not attend.

While we can learn much from history, next month’s column will focus on what lies ahead for Dakota County.

P ostscript

The Power of Music

I’ve never known much about music.

As the first-born, I had no older siblings playing what was popular when I was young. My mother listened to public radio in the morning. My dad played Bach on the piano every Sunday after we got home from church. My parents sang at both services in the church choir, so Mom would make something quick when we got home, often a Swanson pot pie. I somehow got “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” mixed up in my head with pot pies, and I think of Bach’s masterpiece as “The Pot Pie Song”

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

to this day. By the time I was a teenager, I was already behind the curve. I wasn’t popular enough to be invited places where I’d hear new music. I still haven’t caught up.

But, in my defense, I enjoy listening to new musicians and new music. My husband Peter and I go to concerts in the park all summer and hear all sorts of music. Some of it we love. Some of it we’re not so sure about. Sometimes Peter says, “You’re looking tired. You want to go home?” And I’ll say, “Yeah, maybe so.”

We pack up our folding chairs and head home, still listening to the music in the distance. But most of it I like.

Last winter, I went to a concert performed by an old high school friend. I attended with two other old friends and found myself surrounded by people I’d known in high school and hadn’t seen since. They were

Neighbors, Inc.

Dawn Wambeke President & CEO

I am pleased to submit my second editorial and share how Neighbors’ work honors this month’s topic of “Culture and Diversity.”

I am both humbled and inspired by Neighbors’ highly person-centered services and to see firsthand how the organization has established a warm, welcoming and inclusive culture of belonging that mirrors our incredible diverse community. The agency’s value of culture and diversity are woven into the very fabric of our mission,

vision and core values and are illuminated in our daily work.

Mission: “Providing opportunities for our neighbors to thrive by connecting volunteers to people in need.” Neighbors’ diverse volunteer community brings our mission to life every day. We have volunteers of all ages, from students to one of our beloved founders, Virginia, who is 106. Our volunteers represent diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds.

Vision: “Transformed communities where all are nourished.” Nourishment occurs throughout the continuum of Neighbors’ services and begins with a solid foundation of being a trusted ally for all. Culture and diversity are embraced in our services including our Hunger Relief Programming, which recognizes the importance of how food represents our diverse and beautiful cultures and is an important aspect of celebrating family and community. Stability Services include public benefits application assistance and connect the community to diverse and culturally appropriate services via our partner organizations. Our Clothing Closet/Thrift Store delivers a boutique shopping experience and ensures that all individuals have access to gently used, affordable clothing. Financial Empowerment Services honor the importance of economic

all a lot older than I remembered them – or imagined them – to be. But it was fun to be with people who knew all the words to all the songs. I thought about what a powerful thing that was, to have such a strong shared memory with a room full of people.

“Isn’t it weird,” my friend Andy said, “how you can remember exactly where you were when you first heard a song?”

“And exactly how you felt and who you were thinking about?” my friend Clay added. His girlfriend, Lou, nodded knowingly and rolled her eyes. I wondered what she was remembering.

“And then you stop hearing the song completely,” Andy said.

stability based on each individual’s personal values and goals.

Core values

Respect: “We value all people. Every story matters.” Neighbors staff and volunteers truly get to know each individual whom we are honored to serve and focus on providing “wholistic” services. There is no need too small or too large. There is no length of service too short or too long. We meet each person “where they are” on their journey. We provide caring, compassionate services that value and honor our diverse communities.

Generosity: “Everybody benefits when time, talent and treasure are shared.” We are so fortunate to have the incredible support of our community represented in diverse ways, from our volunteers, to our wide array of sponsors and funders,

3 easy ways to support your community newspaper

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“There is some music I don’t need to listen to anymore,” Clay agreed. “It’s burned into my brain.”

I’m not sure if I remember the first time I heard most of the songs I know. But I remember songs that helped me when I was struggling with emotions that seemed too big to handle on my own. Songs tided me over. They gave voice to feelings that were either too powerful or too painful to experience in silence. Songs grounded me when I felt I might fly away or explode. Songs made sense of things, even if I couldn’t explain in words what I learned from them.

They say that music resides in a different part of our brains than other memories do. Some Alzheimer patients

to our Holiday Gift program partners, to those who donate food and clothing and beyond. Your support enriches the culture of our organization in immeasurable ways. Neighbors staff have a moto: “find the yes.” At all times, our volunteers and staff seek ways to be stewards of the communities’ generosity, including exploring how we can serve the community better, expand services, and grow our partnerships with the goal of providing the highest quality of services possible.

Inclusion: “Diversity makes communities stronger.” Neighbors strives to ensure that all people are served, volunteers and staff feel valued, included and that they truly belong. For our community served, we understand the importance of providing services in the individual’s first language. Services are offered in both

who no longer remember their families can still play the piano. Musicians performing for the elderly see their faces come to life when they hear songs from their youth, many singing along, recalling the melodies and the lyrics. Music buries itself deep within us. When we hear a familiar refrain, we feel the emotion associated with it before we even remember the tune.

The concert finished. The crowd demanded an encore. The musicians complied. The audience erupted in cheers and sang along with the last song. I thought about what Clay said about the music being burned into his brain. In a literal sense, it was likely true.

English and Spanish through our many bilingual staff. For our volunteers and staff, we strive to recognize the diversity of ideas, backgrounds and experiences. We focus on aligning their passions and talents with opportunities to serve the community. This approach ensures that our volunteers, staff and communities thrive. As a part of our upcoming strategic planning process, we will ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging continue to live vibrantly throughout the scope of our work. As always, I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out to me at dawn@neighborsmn.org, 651-272-1135 or just stop by. I look forward to continue exploring ways to further embrace the beauty of culture and diversity together. Please stay connected with Neighbors latest updates at neighborsmn.org.

N ews Briefs Harvest festival

The Capitol View Communal Garden and Orchard on the West Side, 386 Cherokee Ave., is hosting a harvest festival 3-7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23. The event is open to the public and includes a free community meal.

Ward 2 election

St. Paul City Council

Member Rebecca Noecker has filed for re-election. She was first elected to the city council in 2015, and earned the DFL endorsement for the Ward 2 seat in March. She has three challengers: Bill Hosko, who owns two downtown businesses, Peter K. Butler, who worked nearly 30 years in state and local government before moving to the financial services sector five years ago, and Noval Noir.

DARTS

DARTS is looking for volunteers for its group respite program in West St. Paul and Eagan. Respite volunteers spend time with elderly people with dementia so caregivers can have a break. For more information, contact Linda at volunteer@ darts1.org or 651-455-1560.

The DARTS 12th annual Party It Forward will take place at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19. To register or learn more, visit partyitforward. givesmart.com.

Library events

The following events are held at the Riverview Library, 1 E. George St. Curiosity Corner , 4-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays

and Wednesdays. Drop-in activities including Legos, Lite Brite, jewelry-making, hexbugs and more. Supplies provided.

Family Storytime, 10:3011:30 a.m. Fridays. Includes stories, songs, fingerplays, puppets and more.

Riverview Book Club , 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13. The title is “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren.

Club Book , 6:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20.

The title is “The God of Endings” by Jacqueline Holland.

Union Depot

holiday tree

Union Depot is seeking an evergreen tree for the holiday season. The tree must be 50to 70-feet tall, in good condition for viewing from all sides, and located in Ramsey County. The tree will be illuminated with more than 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights and placed in the North Plaza of Union Depot. Those who would like to donate a tree should email their address and a photo of the tree to info@uniondepot.org or call 651-2022700. The deadline is Friday, Sept. 22. Union Depot will pay to remove the tree and grind its stump, and the tree owner and their family will be invited to participate in the Holiday Tree Lighting celebration on December 2.

Student notes

St. Mary’s College of Maryland dean’s list: Oliver Meyer Purchase College dean’s list: Aneva Dubeaux

St. Olaf College dean’s list: Eva Barnes, Bella

Marek, Jaelyn Orth, Allie Prokosch and Oslo Martin Risch

University of WisconsinRiver Falls dean’s list: Elizabeth Vujovich

Emporia State University graduate: Samuel Lange, master of science in health, physical education and recreation

University of WisconsinStout graduate: Mitchell Koeckeritz, bachelor of science, applied science

University of WisconsinMadison graduates: Kate Thompson, bachelor of arts, psychology; Neil Pursley, bachelor of business administration; Charles Skadron, bachelor of science, biology; Daniel Zuckerman, bachelor of science, environmental sciences, political science; Brendan McFadden, bachelor of arts, English, graduated with distinction

University of MinnesotaTwin Cities dean’s list:  Marwa Abdullahi, Cecilia Cossairt, Victoria D’Zurilla, Charles Gannon, Angel Hernandez Lopez, Joseph Juliette, Michael Landsman, Qiyue Liao, Cyrus Martin Risch, Collin McEllistrem, Holly Mingo, Macy Mingo, Selena Moreno, Steven Nickson, Michaela Schaffer, Rachel Sechter, Russell Shaver, Sophia Watts, Molly Altier, Adler Dickie, Baird Doud, Annabella Meyer, Natalie Meyers, Alyssa Newfield, Jonathan Stamman, Margaret Zanmiller, Adam Gardner, Rachel Maslow, Esteban Salazar, Juan Telles, Emily Bowers, Joshua Burns, Mayeli Hernandez Chavez, Noelle Lynch, Rachel Nelson, Anja Nilles

Washington University dean’s list: Gabriel Sirek University of Maryland

dean’s list: Graham Monteith

Luther College dean’s list: Quinn Zeleny University of Wiscon-

sin-Eau Claire graduates: Kathryn VanNatta, bachelor of science, communication sciences and disorders and psychology; Holly Ball, bachelor of arts, communications

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H ome Improvement

Must-do fall home maintenance projects

As summer winds down and the days get shorter, it’s time to turn your attention to some projects that will ensure your home survives the winter and that you don’t have any unwelcome surprises in the spring. Here are projects that should be done each fall. There are plenty of videos on YouTube and other online resources to help with the easier projects. For complicated projects, hire a licensed contractor and be sure to check referrals and get contracts in writing, including any change orders.

Roof, siding and gutters - Walk around your home and inspect your roof, siding and gutters. Shingles or siding that are damaged should be replaced to prevent water

from entering your home and creating an even bigger problem. Gutters should be cleaned thoroughly. For your safety, this should be done from a ladder, not sitting on top of the roof and leaning over. You might consider installing gutter covers at this time to prevent debris from entering the gutters in the future. If your home’s exterior, doors or window frames have peeling paint, scrape it, prime it and repaint now. Now is a good time to clean your windows and siding as well.

Windows and doorsInspect windows for cracks and replace damaged weather stripping or caulk around windows and doors. Check for drafts. If you feel air coming through, especially on windy days, it might be time

to start saving for new windows. While it’s a big upfront investment, energy efficient windows will save you money on your energy bills.

Outdoor water faucets

- Never leave a garden hose

Financing help for home renovations

Kirsten Partenheimer Minnesota Housing

A young St. Paul family was on the hunt for a new home. With two young kids, they didn’t want a fixer upper. But when they saw an old house within their budget in the perfect location, they fell in love. But the house needed a lot of

repairs needed but was determined to make this old house their home.

This family’s situation is not unique. Fewer houses on the market and rising interest rates mean people don’t always find their dream home right away. Homes for sale may have dream home potential, but repairs and updates are needed first. Min

house, allowing them to look beyond worn-out carpet or a dated bathroom and instead focus on the great floor plan and ideal location.

With the Fix Up program, homeowners can apply for a secured loan up to $75,000 or an unsecured loan up to $25,000. A secured loan is backed by collateral or assets (like a house) while an

connected to a faucet in the late fall and winter when temperatures drop near or below freezing. This could lead to a pipe bursting. Some older homes have faucets that need to be drained each

include replacing a water heater, installing a new roof and siding, making energyefficiency improvements and more. Additionally, homeowners can do the work themselves or hire a contractor. The Fix Up program has fixed interest rates, longer repayment terms and affordable monthly payments. Even those with little or no equity could qualify for the loan.

As the St. Paul family weighed their options, theying participating lender who told them about the Fix Up

fall. This is done by closing the shut-off valve inside the house and opening the faucet to drain the water. Turn off the faucet and repeat the process for each exterior faucet. Drain and store hoses.

If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, it, too, must be drained. On some older homes, it’s a good idea to wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.

Appliances and fireplaces

- Grass clippings and leaves can accumulate around central air conditioning units. Clean out the debris and rinse off the screens of the unit with water. If your furnace is old or exhibiting erratic behavior, it should be professionally inspected. If you have a wood burning

loan program. With the help of the lender, they were able to close on the house and apply for a Fix Up loan.

The family hired a contractor to rebuild the porch and replace the windows. They tackled the easier repairs, like repainting interior rooms. With Minnesota Housing’s Fix Up loan program, the family was able to turn their house into a home.

To find a Minnesota Housing Fix Up loan program participating lender in your area, visit mnhousing. gov/lender-directory.html.

In connection with Single

fireplace, it should be professionally cleaned every three years, or sooner if it is heavily used. Older fireplaces should also be inspected for cracks and damaged flues. Check for frayed cords and wires on appliances, and clean lint from the dryer vent.

Cement and asphalt - If your driveway and sidewalk are showing their age, fill the cracks to prevent further damage. Consider sealcoating your driveway to extend its life.

Decks and patios - Clean and stain or seal your deck in the fall, and clean patios and repair damaged bricks or pavers.

Lawn - Leaves should be raked, and the lawn mowed before winter. Fall is the best time to aerate the lawn.

Family Division loan programs, Minnesota Housing does not make or arrange loans. It is neither an originator nor creditor and is not affiliated with any lender. The terms of any mortgage finance transactions conducted in connection with these programs, including important information such as loan fees, the annual percentage rate (APR), repayment conditions, disclosures, and any other materials which are required to be provided to the consumer are the responsibility of the lender.