St. Paul Voice Nov. 2023 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

The St. Paul Sample St. Paul Page 6

Volume 57 | Number 11

Your Community News & Information Source

November 2023

West Side Boosters to induct 8 into its inaugural Hall of Fame class

GAP students build home from scratch; alumnus awarded Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

ast summer Santino Franco, an active member of the West Side Boosters for three decades, gathered a group of his contemporaries to discuss the logistics for establishing a West Side Boosters Club Hall of Fame. Members of the committee included Larry Lucio, Tony Ruiz, Don Luna, Roman de la O, Bob Kruz and Danny Franco. Each has played a prominent role in the development of the athletic programs that have been at the heart of the mission of the West Side Boosters for 53 years. And there are literally thousands of kids on the West Side whose lives have been enriched under the guidance of the Boosters. It was in 1970 that the El Rio Vista Recreation Center at Neighborhood House and numerous others centers in St. Paul were notified that funding for youth athletic programs had run dry. An emergency meeting led by legendary coach Harry Gaston and Neighborhood House Director Frank Hijikate convened at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and before the meeting adjourned the West Side Booster Club was born. Joe Joe Ruiz was elected as its first president and Ben Quintero was voted secretary-treasurer. Also in attendance were Bob Elizondo, Felix Casillas, Bob Rodriguez, Chicho Munoz, and 20-year-old El Rio playground Boosters / Page 4

VOTER’S GUIDE L

ines of people will soon stream to polling booths to exercise their right to vote. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and voters in the St. Paul Voice distribution area will cast ballots for candidates running for city council and school board seats. St. Paul voters will also see a question on their ballot to raise sales tax in the city by 1% to generate about $1 billion for parks and roads over the next 20 years, and voters in Independent School Election / Page 8

he shrill of whizzing buzzsaws and smells of sawdust have become commonplace for Guadalupe Alternative Program (GAP) students enrolled in the school’s twoyear construction career pathway program. Every year, they work under the supervision of a professional construction team to renovate a home or build one from scratch. This spring, 40 students wrapped up work on the first of four lowincome single-family homes to be built on Page Street East on the West Side – just a few blocks from their alma mater – and 2012 GAP graduate Boe Boe recently sold the home. “It meant a lot to get the opportunity to sell the home,” said Boe. “I still feel like the [GAP] teachers and YouthBuild team take care of me and are like family…. [I advise students to] stay focused in the program because it will help them in their career in the future.” The program has been offered at GAP school for nearly 30 years. It’s operated in partnership with YouthBuild, a nonprofit with more than 280 similar programs across the country that give youth work experience. In August, Boe was selected from thousands of people across the country to receive YouthBuild’s Alumni of the Year award because of his help with the program. Boe immigrated to Minnesota at GAP / Page 3

West Side Community Organization celebrates historic milestone Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

ive decades ago, residents of St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood rallied together to keep Humboldt High School from permanently closing its doors. This activism spurred the founding of the West Side Community Organization (WSCO), a nonprofit and the planning council for

District 3 that is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. A celebration event will be held 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, at Humboldt High School, 30 Baker St. E. It’s free and open to the public. “We’re the first district council ever implemented in the city [of St. Paul] so celebrating 50 years is significant,” said WSCO Director Monica Bravo. “We’re for the community but also

by the community. All the board members live here, and the majority of the staff live here…. We thought it’d be great to have our 50th honoring that big win – that we still have the high school in our neighborhood today.” WSCO is partnering with Humboldt to host an open house from 1-2 p.m., giving people the chance to see improvements made at the school in the last few years.

It will feature tours, booths from more than a dozen West Side organizations, and WSCO’s Stories from the Flats oral history photo exhibit. WSCO’s annual meeting kicks off at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. It will include the election of its 2024 board of directors, the announcement of the 2023 West Sider of the Year award, and special guest speakers, including Javier Morillo-Ali-

cea and Rep. María Isa PérezVega. Community members interested in running for one of the three open spots on the 13-member board will each have the chance to speak for two minutes about why they’re running. The meeting will be followed by social time in the cafeteria with complimentary appetizers and refreshments. To RSVP or learn more, visit wsco.org/50th.

Looking ahead, WSCO’s West Side Tenant Union will go to Washington D.C. in November to participate in the Homes Guarantee Campaign managed by People’s Action, a national housing justice cohort. The group was established at last year’s annual meeting and works to educate renters about their rights, help renters address

WSCO / Page 2

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WSCO

national recognition in the past year because of its creation and implementation of an equitable development scorecard, which helps ensure that all development in the neighborhood benefits the people living there. By December, WSCO plans to unveil its completed

from page 1

issues in their buildings and improve housing affordability and stability in the neighborhood. The organization’s equitable development program has also achieved

report about displacement that occurred when the West Side Flats neighborhood was razed. “Our hope is to garner investments that this neighborhood has sorely needed for decades through these findings,” said Bravo. “There

WEST ST. PAUL-MENDOTA HEIGHTS-EAGAN AREA SCHOOLS

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was disruption and displacement that happened here so it’s looking at how that affected this neighborhood, and if there’s repair that can happen, what is it. We hope to be able to use this report in a lot of different ways so it’s really exciting.”

Work planned for next year includes hiring a new director for the equitable development program, developing WSCO’s new 10year strategic plan and creating several design options for what could be made at WSCO’s land at 76 Baker

St. Community feedback to date has suggested a variety of development ideas including park space and a center for youth. WSCO also has public art planned for three new apartment buildings opening on the West Side next year.

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day, Oct. 28, at Two Rivers High School, 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights. It will feature 10 Mexican folklore dances, candy for the kids, information about the festival, lotería (bingo) and more.

at SCLA in 1999 and continues to be dedicated to the development and success of her players, on and off the court. While some of her victories were earned elsewhere, including 81 wins at Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, Wis., the vast majority have been with the Crusaders. She credits her assistant coaches and players for helping her reach this milestone. During her career, Grev has led two teams to the State tournament. Her husband, Ryan, has been coaching alongside her since 2011 and achieved his 250th win on Sept. 14.

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 their caregivers can have a break. For more information, contact Linda at volunteer@ darts1.org or 651-455-1560.

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Volleyball coach gets 500th win Rachel Grev, head volleyball coach at St. Croix Lutheran Academy (SCLA), earned her 500th career victory on September 23 with the team’s win over the Hastings Raiders. She began her coaching career

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GAP

from page 1 age 18 from a refugee camp in Thailand and joined GAP school after being pushed out of his local high school after reaching the age limit. He said the program taught him a wide variety of construction skills uncommon in his homeland. Houses there are often built with a mixture of bamboo and wood and don’t need air conditioning or heating units, glass windows or many other features that are required in homes in the United States. He also said most GAP students must learn English as a second language and that the teachers do a great job of pushing that skill on them during class time. Since graduation, he has volunteered at the school as an interpreter and advisor to students. “The students today have very good opportunities to build the whole house and that’s very good,” said Boe. “Back in my time we didn’t get to do a lot of stuff… I didn’t help build any homes from scratch, just renovating.”

Your community news and information source Students completed nearly all parts of the most recent home with their own hands, doing everything from carpentry to painting to meticulously examining blueprints. The only parts of the project they couldn’t do were the installation of heating and air conditioning, and plumbing and electrical systems, although they had the chance to shadow professionals who completed that work. The home is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified and was recently awarded the Malcom Lewis leadership award from the U.S. Green Building Council for its design, which uses no natural gasses and features cellulose insulation, solar panels and more. YouthBuild construction program manager Tony Zahradka said the four homes will be slightly different, but all will be low-income single-family homes and environmentally friendly. In fact, YouthBuild will use them as a sort of case study to determine how to make the most environmentally friendly build, and will use that design to guide other projects across the country.

“The students are really great on the site,” said Zahradka. “A lot of them come to us with struggles in the classroom and a lot of them love to work with their hands and outside…. It’s rewarding to see the transformation of students who maybe come in with not a lot of confidence, and maybe haven’t done well in a traditional school but really excel on the construction site and use those skills to springboard them into their career, whether that’s in construction or not.” GAP school purchased the four lots on Page Street East in 2016 with plans for students to build a multifamily unit but the City’s zoning requirements had them opt for single-family units instead. Students recently broke ground on the second home, which is expected to be complete in October 2025. GAP school also offers a healthcare career pathway program. Both pathway programs teach digital literacy skills. In 2019, the school merged with The Change Inc., a Minneapolis-based organization that creates educational and training opportunities for youth, young adults and families.

Some of the students who helped build the home on Page Street East. The two organizations had worked closely together for more than a decade and the merger allowed them to streamline and expand operations. The Change Inc. was chosen for the name of the organization, but

the GAP School name was retained for the alternative high school and associated programs in St. Paul. GAP School and traditional Aztec dance group Kalpulli Huitzillin will host a free Dia de los Muertos

Celebration 1-3 p.m., Saturday Oct. 28, at the school, 381 Robie St. E. It will feature an ofrenda exhibition, Dia de los Muertos ceremony and Mexican cuisine. For more information, visit thechangeinc.org.

St. Paul Voice - November 2023 - Page 3

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Neighbors, Inc. Dawn Wambeke President & CEO

I would like to take this opportunity to showcase our Financial Empowerment Center. We launched this innovative program in July 2022 with thoughtful input from our board of directors, people receiving services, and experienced staff. After more than 51 years of pro-

viding high dignity basic needs services (food, clothing, holiday gift and meaningful resource and referrals), we are excited to add financial empowerment services to help our neighbors on their journey to achieving greater economic stability. Neighbors has two accred-

Boosters from page 1

director Larry Lucio. All eight were instrumental in the fabulous growth of the Boosters. At age 51, Gaston was the oldest of the “Great Eight” who gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to Elizondo, Gaston was a “dy-

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namic and charismatic coach and disciplinarian who emphasized physical and mental toughness. His day job was with the U.S. Post Office and his afternoons were most often spent at Neighborhood House.” Gaston coached the El Rio Vista eighth and ninth grade traveling football team. He seldom lost a game and was considered by most of his peers as the Godfather of West Side Athletics. “I learned so much from him,” said Lucio. “He worked full-time during the day and then came to El Rio to mentor and coach. He made sure that most of those eighth and ninth graders were fully prepared to

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Page 4 - St. Paul Voice - November 2023

ited financial counselors on staff who meet the education and experience requirements of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education. Our Financial Empowerment services provide free personalized, oneto-one coaching and education to help improve the financial well-being of people in our community. Financial well-being means having financial security and financial freedom of choice, in the present and in the future. Services include advice on managing money and debts; budget development; obtaining a copy of and understanding credit reports and scores; financial educational materials and workshops; digital literacy education

and training; career counseling and connecting persons to home ownership services. Neighbors is one of only 15 referral partners in the Twin Cities metro that can help get buyers “Habitat Ready.” Small sums grants are available for qualified individuals served by Neighbors. They are intended to be personcentered, collaborative grants individuals can use to meet their goals. Examples include paying for a class, licensure, tools, building credit, and emergency savings. Our small sums grants are flexible dollars made available by the generous support of our community donors. In fiscal year 2022-23, our new financial empowerment programming provided:

• A newly renovated serene Financial Empowerment Center complete with computers, printers/fax and a cozy, comfortable conference space that allows our neighbors to discuss their financial hopes and dreams with our counselors • 294 hours of financial counseling to 349 households • Financial and digital literacy and skill-building classes in the community, taught by our AFCPE accredited financial counselors and held at our local Adult Basic Education facility, and secondary and vocational schools • Small sums grants As we look to the future, we are thrilled to explore

growing our Financial Empowerment services, such as enhanced employment and training services, expanding home ownership services and increasing the number of individuals we can serve with our small sums grants. This service is free and open to the public. Feel free to share information regarding our Financial Empowerment services with those who may be interested. We truly appreciate your support in helping raise awareness. As always, I’d love to connect. You can reach me at dawn@neighborsmn.org, 651-272-1135 or just stop by. Please stay connected with Neighbors’ latest updates at neighborsmn.org.

play varsity football up the hill at Humboldt.” Joe Joe Ruiz was an active president and organizer, said his nephew Tony Ruiz. “Bar raffles, spaghetti and taco feeds, candy sales, you name it, the Boosters tried it,” said Tony. “Ben Quintera was sharp as a tack and handled the finances and balanced the books.” Felix Casillas also had a long tenure as a coach. “He and ‘Beat Al’ Monita coached the El Rio seventh grade team, and very few teams Beat Al,” said Ruiz. Bob Rodriguez and ChiCho Munoz were also active with the Boosters and available to give of their time and energy, said Lucio. Both coached basketball and baseball in the intramural program. After considerable deliberation, the 2023 Hall of

Fame Committee decided that it was appropriate that the “Great Eight” who took it upon themselves in 1970 to literally save youth athletics on the West Side should comprise the 2023 inaugural Hall of Fame class. Sadly, six of the eight inductees have perished, but certainly none of them have been forgotten. Alizondo is still with us and has nothing but fond memories of his work alongside his fellow Boosters and especially the kids. His brother-in-law, Larry Lucio, had a distinguished career in education, including a stint as principal at Humboldt High School and continues to be active in numerous ways with the Boosters and his alma mater. There will be no Hall of Fame for me, but I am proud that I had the opportunity to coach alongside the likes of

Dino Alsides and Catalina Adamez Smith for nearly a decade. Both of my kids – one of each gender – and we their parents benefited mightily because of the West Side Boosters. There is a team ritual that the Boosters have followed for a half-century. After every practice and before and after every game, coaches and team members gather in a team huddle with hands held high. When the coach asks, “Who are we?” the kids respond in unison, “West Side!” Again, “Who are we?” “West Side!” And finally, reaching a crescendo, “Who are we?” “West Side Boosters!” It’s a battle cry that has been heard on athletic fields all over the state and beyond. At tournaments, especially when played outside the

metro area, it is not unusual for someone unfamiliar with the location of the team to approach and ask with a quizzical look on his face, “What is the West Side?” “Well, it’s a community on the southside of the Mississippi River in St. Paul,” I would reply. And that would usually confuse them even more. I would end the discussion right there: “Just remember that the West Side is the best side!” Case closed. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at Valentino’s Night Club, 200 Concord Exchange N., South St. Paul. The social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. and ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. For more information, call Santino Franco at 651-230-8486.

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Postscript

Talking to Strangers

I got anxious again today. I think I’m getting better at leaving anxiety behind, and then anxiety says, “Not so fast! We have more work to do.” Usually, this has to do with my writing: “Is it good enough? Does she hate it?” But not always. Sometimes I’ll post something on Facebook and someone will take offense. Since I make an effort to never post anything controversial or unkind, this always shocks me and makes me wonder if I have any idea

12 most surprising things about Dakota County What do Rosa Parks, Ted Geisel, and Taylor Swift have in common with Dakota County? As children, Ms. Parks, Dr. Suess, and Ms. Swift each described themselves as “invisible.” All were quiet and reserved, preferring to let their work and actions speak for them. Likewise, county government is often described as the “invisible layer of government,” where we generally let our work and actions do the talking. Unsurprisingly, this approach frequently leads to some degree of astonishment among residents when they hear all that Dakota County does. Below are the dozen things about Dakota County that surprise our residents most. 1. A huge public safety role. Dakota County handles every felony prosecution for each city and town in Dakota County, runs the county jail, and collaborates with local cities on Dakota911, making our 9-1-1 emergency response faster and more efficient. We handle more than 50,000 intake and crisis calls a year, while creating places like Aspen House in Mendota Heights, which provides a safe place for kids in crisis. County social workers also partner with local police to make responding to mental health calls more effective and safer for all involved. 2. Clean water guardians. Dakota County teams up with the state to protect our drinking water and prevent its exportation elsewhere. Twice in the past four years there have been proposals to ship our limited water to

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

how I sound when I write. Since writing is pretty much all I do, this concern starts to bang around in my brain like a kitten knocking things off the shelf.

Joe Atkins

Dakota County Commissioner

desert southwest states like Arizona. We have prevented this from happening. 3. Metro’s most popular libraries. Dakota County libraries get more visits per capita than libraries in any other county in the metro area. Two million visitors checked out four million materials in 2022 alone. Next year, a 10th library, currently under construction in South St. Paul, will join our Dakota County library system. 4. A vast network of roads, bridges, parks and trails. Dakota County maintains 81 bridges, 134 traffic signals and 440 miles of county roads, like Thompson, Delaware, Oakdale, Southview and Concord. We oversee a 5,000-acre park system, including Thompson County Park in West St. Paul and our River to River Greenway connecting South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, welcoming more than a million visitors annually to our parks and trails. 5. Award-winning preservation. With support from significant grant funding, Dakota County’s awardwinning land conservation program has permanently preserved 12,000 acres of

“What was I thinking?” I wonder. But I don’t actually remember thinking anything at all. I’ll make comments I imagine are helpful or clarifying and end up offending someone and wondering why I didn’t just remain silent. The best thing to do at this point is to take a walk. On my walk, I usually encounter a few homeless people. The Catholic Church nearby feeds them and provides other services, so there are usually a handful of folks – who have some kind of problem that I have never had to deal with – waiting in the summer heat or the winter cold for the doors to open so they can get the help they need. I talk to these folks as I walk by. Some of them ig-

nore me. Most of them smile and return the greeting. But occasionally I meet someone who just stares at me, like, “What is her story?” And the funny thing is that they assume I have one. “It’s going to be cooler tomorrow!” I announced yesterday to a gentleman sitting on the steps. Only as I got closer did I notice he had his head under his T-shirt. He pulled it out when he heard me. “It’s going to be really cool,” I repeated to the confused-looking fellow. “Much cooler than normal!” He stared at me as if I was speaking in code. I could tell that – whatever he thought of me – he assumed I knew what I was talking about. He

thought I had it together. He had no way of knowing how many days I wondered if hiding under my own Tshirt might not be the best strategy. I realized by then that he had some cognitive problem but felt I needed to wrap up the conversation anyway, just for the sake of politeness. “So, you take care, OK?” I waved and headed off, realizing I had just embarrassed myself in front of a man who was hiding under his own T-shirt. We’re all making up stories for one another without knowing what the real story is. The story I make up for myself when I’m anxious is

that I’m failing – somehow, somewhere – and no one has told me how or why. But I have no idea why that man was hiding under his T-shirt, and I’m betting his reasons were a lot better than mine. By now I know that my anxiety is a mood, that it will pass. As uncomfortable and demanding as it is in the moment, it’s almost impossible to remember after the fact. Walking helps. And talking to people, even folks who seem a little confused, helps as well. It is cooler today – just as I promised the fellow on the steps it would be. I’m going to put on my shoes right now and talk to some strangers. Till next time.

pristine woodlands, wetlands and natural areas since it began in 2003. 6. We own a dam. Our 123-year-old Byllesby Dam on the Cannon River in southern Dakota County provides crucial protection to thousands of residents and businesses downriver, including the entire city of Cannon Falls. 7. Best in renewable energy. In 2024, Dakota County will generate twice as much electricity as we use each year, with 100 percent of the electricity we generate coming from renewable energy sources. I am not aware of any county government in the nation that has achieved this milestone. Upgraded turbines at Dakota County’s Byllesby Dam will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of over 4,000 homes and will bring in roughly $1 million in annual revenue to the county. 8. Most productive volunteers. In the last year, more than 2,300 volunteers contributed 23,500 hours in 177 service opportunities, helping Dakota County provide quality services and activities for residents, at a value of $672,545 in services completed. Thank you to all our volunteers for helping us provide terrific services while still holding down property taxes. 9. Top schools. Every high school in Dakota County ranked in the top 10 percent of Minnesota high schools, according to recently released U.S. News and World Report rankings. Dakota County works closely with our local schools on a variety of efforts, including nutrition, energy, literacy, and waste reduction

programs. 10. No tax increment financing. Dakota County does not offer tax breaks to bring businesses here. We consistently hear from the business community that our low property taxes – the lowest county property taxes per capita in Minnesota – along with our great schools, workforce and infrastructure, are enough to attract and retain businesses. 11. Debt-free. For a seventh straight year, Dakota County is one of the only counties in the nation with zero debt. By not having to pay principal and interest

on debt each year, Dakota County is able to hold down property taxes while still investing in services like public safety, transportation, libraries and parks. 12. Tops for safety, health and sustainability. Out of over 3,000 counties nationwide, Dakota County earned the top county award in the nation for public safety in 2018, for public health in 2020, and for sustainability this year. This unprecedented level of achievement makes us the only county in the country to have earned all three of these top county awards.

As mentioned earlier, county government is sometimes described as “the invisible layer of government.” I hope columns like this can help make Dakota County’s efforts more evident to those for whom we work. Joe Atkins represents District 2 on the Dakota County Board, which includes South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. He welcomes feedback. To share comments, concerns or questions, contact him at Joe.Atkins@ co.dakota.mn.us or 651-4384430.

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Patti LuPone will perform at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Ordway Center.

Landmark Center 75 5th St. W. St. Paul 651-292-3225 landmarkcenter.org

Consortium Carissimi Concert: Madrigals of Northern Italy, 3 p.m., October 28-29. This classical music concert will feature a selection of madrigals, a form of secular vocal music composition that originated in Italy during the 14th and 16th centuries. Tickets start at $10. Great Pumpkin Halloween Festival, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Festivities include a kids’ DJ, magician, face painting, costume parade, treats and crafts, including the chance to decorate your own trick-ortreating bag. Once Upon a Time gala, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 3. This annual fundraiser for

the Landmark Center will feature a reception, dinner and programming about the city of Paris. $150. Landmark Literati “Grace & Grit: The History of Ballet in Minnesota,” noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8. Local author Georgia Finnegan, founder of Saint Paul City Ballet, shares her book on the history of ballet in Minnesota. Free. Courtroom concerts, held noon-1 p.m. on Thursdays, includes Irina and Julia Elkina (piano duo), Nov. 9; and Clea Galhano (recorder) and Jacques Ogg (harpsichord), Nov. 16. Free. KidsJam: Speaking in Tongues, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Nov. 16-17. Three musicians from different cultures will teach about the people, cultures and musical traditions from their homeland. Musicians are Sowah

Mensah from Ghana, Marc Anderson from Minnesota and Gao Hong from China. Free, but registration is required. Geared toward ages 5-12. Landmark Live concert featuring Phillip-Michael Scales, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. A cocktail hour with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar begins at 6:45 p.m. Ballet Tuesday, noon1 p.m., Nov. 21. Ballet Co.Laboratory performs excerpts from its upcoming season. Free. 45th Annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30. The event features gift items handcrafted by area artists, including jewelry, woodwork, paintings, décor, woven and wearable art, handmade lotions, soaps

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and more, festive music and treats. $5.

MN Children’s Museum 10 7th St. W. St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

“Ball-o-rama” through Jan. 21, 2024. Experiment with velocity, gravity and acceleration through 10 interactive stations. The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Fri.,

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays. Tickets are $14.95. Admission is free the first Sunday of each month; reservations are required and tickets are limited. The next free date is November 5.

MN History Center

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

Charles M. Schulz” is featured through June 9, 2024. Explore Schulz’s roots in Minnesota and his role as the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip and its beloved cast of characters. “Reframing our Stories,” is a new addition to the “Our Home: Native America” exhibit. It’s on display through October 2025 and features dozens of recently discovered historic photos of Minnesota’s Native communities and stories about them as told by

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Christmas with Christensen Collective, Friday, Dec. 8, 7 pm, free Join us for an evening of Christmas music, cookies and apple cider Saint Paul Conservatory of Music Coffee Concert Brass Quintet, Wed., Dec. 13 noon-1 pm, free The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra presents a holiday Big Band JAM, Sunday, December 17, 4 pm, free Your holiday favorites with a Big Band attitude! Christmas keeps on Swingin'

Saint James Lutheran Church 460 Annapolis Street West, West St. Paul 651.457-9232 • www.saintjameslutheran.com Sunday Service, 9:00 am Sunday School, 10:15 am Adult Bible Class, 10:15 am Teen Bible Class, 10:15 am Monday Service with Contemporary Music Mondays, 6:30 pm

S ample St. Paul Native people. “Our Home: Native Minnesota” features historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts. Learn how Minnesota’s native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values. Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Then Now Wow,” “Grainland” and “Weather Permitting.” The center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thurs.Sun. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages five to 17.

History Theatre 30 E. 10th St. St. Paul 651-292-4323 Historytheatre.com

“I Am Betty” is presented on select dates Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Discover the story of Betty Crocker, a fictional character who has been admired and scorned for a century as people grapple with questions regarding women’s role in American society. Tickets start at $30, with discounts for students.

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MN Museum of American Art 350 Robert St. N. St. Paul 651-797-2571 mmaa.org

“Hazel Belvo: For Love,” is a new exhibit opening Nov. 4, in the Nancy and John Lindahl Gallery. It features more than 60 pieces of artwork from Hazel Belvo’s 70-year career as an artist. It is on display 10 a.m.4 p.m.,Thursday-Sunday. through May 24, 2024.

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

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra presents Express Concert: Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Nov. 3, and 7 p.m., Nov. 4. Tickets start at $12. Minnesota Opera presents Cuzar La Cara De La Luna, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 4, 9 and 11 , and 2 p.m., Nov. 12. Tickets start at $34. Schubert Club presents Milos (guitar), 7:30 p.m., Nov. 18, and 3 p.m., Nov. 19. Tickets start at $36.

Patti LuPone concert, 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19. Tickets start at $68. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra presents Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Gabriel and Jeffrey Kahane, 7 p.m., Nov. 24-25, and 2 p.m., Nov. 26. Tickets start at $12. Leo Kottke performs guitar, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28. Tickets start at $57.99.

Science Museum of Minnesota 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444 smm.org

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is a featured exhibit returning to the Science Museum for the first time since its debut in 2013. It’s on display through Sept. 4, 2024. Presented in English and Spanish, it features more than 200 authentic artifacts, hands-on activities, lifelike simulations and more. Green Card STEM Voices is a temporary exhibit on display in the Community Gallery through the end of the year. Learn about the life journeys of 30 Afghan youth.

Entomology Pinning Workshop, 5:45 p.m., Oct. 27, and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Oct. 28. Learn about the scientific study of insects, the entomology collection at the Museum and the basics of how to prepare your own specimens for display. Classes are one hour long and participants will bring home a Death’s-head Hawkmoth that they pin. $140. Museum admission included. Omnitheater films: “Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope,” through Feb. 29, 2024. Follow the world’s most famous living ethologist as she inspires people to make a difference in the

world around them. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), 7 p.m., Oct. 27. Alien (1979), 7 p.m., Oct. 28. “Recombination,” 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights. The film features the work of fractal artist Julius Horsthuis and seven of his favorite musicians. 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.

Museum tickets are $29.95 for ages 18+ and $19.95 for ages 4-17.

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Queen + Adam Lambert, 8 p.m., Oct. 27-28. Tickets from $238.84. Tool, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31. Tickets from $79. Eagles, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 17-18. Tickets from $249. Jonas Brothers, 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19. Tickets from $44.95. Pentatonix, 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25. Tickets from $79.

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E lection 2023 Election from page 1

District 197 will see two levy questions to address a projected $2.1 million budget shortfall over three years. To vote in Minnesota, residents must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, and a resident of Minnesota for 20 days. Register to vote in advance to save time at your polling location. To register online, visit mnvotes.sos. state.mn.us. To find your polling location, visit poll finder.sos.state.mn.us. For more information on elections and voter registration, call the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office at 651-2151440 or visit www.sos.state. mn.us/elections-voting. Candidates without information were given multiple opportunities to respond.

Sales tax increase A 2019 report from St. Paul Public Works found the city’s approximately 200 miles of arterial and collector streets to be in fair-topoor condition, and a 2022 study indicated they will be

Your community news and information source considered very poor within the next 20 years. Revenue from the sales tax increase would provide $738 million for road improvement and reconstruction projects throughout the city, including 24 arterial and collector roads and some bridges. This work would bring the road network’s Pavement Condition Index to an average level. Park and recreation facilities in the city are 40 years old on average and there is a backlog of more than $100 million in deferred maintenance projects, all of which will be considered critical or urgent within the next five years. Revenue from the sales tax increase would provide $246 million for improvements to aging parks infrastructure including community centers, trails and athletic facilities. Funds would also be used to build a multipurpose community center on the East Side, an athletic complex at an undetermined location, a river-focused environmental learning space and National Park Service headquarters at Crosby Farm Regional Park, and the River Balcony, a 1.5 mile promenade along the

downtown bluff. The tax increase would not be applied to purchases of food, clothing or other essential items.

St. Paul City Council Ward 2 Peter Butler Occupation: Process and procedure writer. Formerly an in-house management consultant and budget analyst in state and local government for 30 years. Political experience: None Top priorities: Repeal the Summit Avenue Regional Trail Plan, substantially reduce the cost of residential trash collection, and promote greater citizen and business input into decisions affecting them directly and citywide. Candidate statement: “I will be ‘At your service and on your side.’ A city council member is elected to represent their constituents, ascertain the majority’s will, and ensure that city services are efficiently and effectively delivered to exceed residents’ and businesses’ expectations. St. Paul can only be successful when residents and businesses are

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engaged in problem solving and planning for the future. City government is responsible for direct services to the public. I will focus on the City’s core responsibilities to citizens, businesses and visitors. I don’t have a personal agenda other than representing the interests of Ward 2 and ensuring that the City spends its tax dollars wisely.” Contact: odd2evenstp@ gmail.com, 651-395-7565 Bill Hosko Occupation: Self-employed freelance architectural artist for 34 years and owner of Hosko Gallery and frame shop for 30 years. Political experience: 100% non-partisan and independent. Elected to three district council boards. Top priorities: Upholding laws that protect the rights of all citizens to be safe and ending the normalization of crime; cleaning up neglected city and public properties within six months and maintaining them; putting tax funds toward road and infrastructure repair and basic city services instead of political pet projects; and holding weekly livestreamed conferences where every-

thing is in the open for discussion, including getting our exploding city budget and subsequent endless tax increases under control. Candidate statement: “Vote NO on the 1% sales tax referendum. Existing taxes should pay for road repairs and basic city services. Too many people are being harmed by ever higher taxes and crime rates (under-reporting of crime has become common). Together, residents of Ward 2, we will correct many of our problems while simultaneously greatly improving your quality of life here.” Contact: 651-222-4767, billhosko.org, bill@billhosko.com Rebecca Noecker Occupation: City councilmember Political experience: Two terms representing Ward 2 as a city councilmember Top priorities: Make it easier for working families to live in St. Paul by expanding access to quality childcare, affordable housing and jobs. Invest in our infrastructure, especially where deferred maintenance has taken a toll – roads, bridges, bike lanes

and city buildings and parks. Expand our tax base and find reliable new revenue models to stabilize our city budget so we can preserve our high-quality city services and add new programs without unsustainable tax increases year-over-year. Candidate statement: “I am a proud resident of St. Paul’s West Side, a community builder, a relentless optimist, a wife and mother. I am committed to working hard, to seeing all sides of a problem, to listening and to getting things done. I ran for office to make St. Paul the best city in the world to work, to learn, to have fun and to raise a family. During my first two terms, I have been a leader on the Council on public safety, economic development, education and government accountability. We’ve got a lot more to do. I’m excited to keep working with you to make our city a place where all children get off to a great start, housing and jobs are abundant, and families feel safe in neighborhoods they love. I hope to earn your support.” Contact: 651-314-9311, rebeccaforsaintpaul@gmail. com, rebeccanoecker.com

E lection 2023 Noval Noir Occupation: Artist and arts educator for more than 15 years Political experience: None Top priorities: Education reform and working with all stakeholders to ensure that every child receives a quality education and the resources they need to succeed; fostering collaboration between law enforcement, community leaders, and residents to increase public safety and address crime and safety concerns more effectively; and implementing programs that provide education and resources to prevent addiction and support those on the path to recovery. Candidate statement: “I’m proud to be a grassroots candidate, driven by the voices of our community. I see myself as a bridge builder, aiming to bring diverse perspectives together to find common ground and enact positive change. Our youth are the future, and I am a staunch advocate for their voices and concerns. Together, we can create opportunities and a safe, nurturing environment for our young people to thrive.” Contact: 651-360-3888, novalnoirforward2@gmail. com, novalnoirforward2. com

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Your community news and information source St. Paul School Board Zuki Ellis Background: Two terms on the school board including time as chair; Minnesota School Board Association district director for Area 8; on the Legislative Executive Board for the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and served as ex-officio member of the St. Paul Teacher Retirement Fund Board Association. Future budget needs: “It’s critical to surround our students with social-emotional learning, mental health support and elective opportunities to explore and engage in their learning for the possibilities of their future. I have and will continue to advocate for the state fully funding schools. We have American Rescue Plan federal dollars. It has created possibilities for staffing, growth and innovation. That money has a sunset, and difficult decisions will need to be made and that work is underway. I will also continue to support the investment of upkeep and improvements of our buildings for future learning.” Funding extracurricular programs: “Programs that provide our students access and opportunities to ex-

periences and connections within schools and in partnership with our community are extremely important…. and help build relationships and create more opportunities for learning and fun. It gives families safe and affordable before and after school learning experiences for their kids.” LGBTQ+ policies: “Discrimination against our LGBTQ+ community is on the rise and is intolerable. We need to fight against these hateful messages. I am proud that St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) was the first to create the Gender Inclusion Policy. I fully support it and will continue to dialogue with our students and staff to increase trans and non-binary inclusive sex-ed, consent ed and comprehensive sex education.” Security in the schools: “We all want to know our children are and will be safe in their schools. This is a complex topic that has to be approached in a wholistic way – there is not one answer or one simple solution. I do not believe, nor does research prove, that armed police in our schools make them safer. We have increased our School Support Liaisons across SPPS and they have been doing great work in our schools.

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Security and emergency management is continuous work, and while we do not have police in our schools, we do still partner with law enforcement when needed.” Contact: neighborsfor zuki@gmail.com, or zuki ellis.com. Carlo Franco Background: Humboldt High School graduate; bachelor’s degree in child psychology; youth engagement and training manager for the City of St. Paul; president of the West Side Boosters and a member of the board of directors for Neighborhood House. Future budget needs: “One of the biggest threats to our district is that families are leaving, often seeking private and charter schools, or even schools in the suburbs that can provide more accessible support services. To keep families here, we must invest to restore our public schools as competitive, critical community infrastructure. This will require reducing administrative overhead, which is bloated compared to our district’s total budget.” Funding extracurricular

programs: “To prepare students for meaningful careers, we must restore investments in arts and athletics, invest in experiential learning and out-of-classroom learning opportunities, and increase partnerships between district schools and communitybased organizations.” LGBTQ+ policies: “I am endorsed by Stonewall DFL and OutFront MN for championing LGBTQ+ friendly policies in my platform and through my experience in organizing and advocacy. We must ensure our curriculum and wraparound services are representative of all students to improve the health and education of the community as a whole.” Security in the schools: “We must invest in additional counselors, social workers, restorative justice coordinators and community intervention workers. I led student success, intervention and positive school climate initiatives at Humboldt High School from 2017-2021 and would like to see the successes of that program replicated districtwide.” Contact: www.carlo franco.org

Election / Page 10

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Abdi Omer Background: Public works employee for 23 years Future budget needs: “I stand for what is good for students and the community. Budget is important and I will work hard to see that it’s used to produce desired outcomes for the school and community. I will make decisions to adjust the future budget based on the past.” Funding extracurricular programs: “I know as a parent how my children benefited from extracurricular programs. We know it enriches our children.” LGBTQ+ policies: “LGBTQ+ policies are new to me, and I am learning. I believe it is long overdue to take steps for our communities to recognize the needs of the LGBTQ+ and other minorities’ rights.” Security in the schools: “Security is a hot issue nowadays. School safety is important, and we all have a different opinion. Talking to community members, I found police in schools do not make safe schools due to their practices and I believe them. I think we can find an

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E lection 2023 Election from page 9

alternative.” Contact: jkujoog55@ gmail.com Erica Valliant Background: Equity director at People Serving People; financial services and insurance; community engagement and systems change work; and telecommunications. Future budget needs: “Fully funding restorative justice programming, build financial literacy skills into curriculum, invest in early learning, adequate staff-tostudent ratio in classrooms, teacher retention and invest in increasing number of teachers of color.” Funding extracurricular programs: “Students need

Your community news and information source and should have access to extracurricular programs.” LGBTQ+ policies: “My goal is to do what’s in the best interest of all students.” Security in the schools: “Security in schools is very important to the safety and well-being of our teachers, students and staff. Restorative justice programming and being intentional about fostering a culture of school pride, respect, and belonging with staff, students and families goes a long way toward building a sense of accountability and ownership as we all have a role in keeping our schools safe.” Contact: 651-788-3320, contact@valliantforschool board.com, www.valliant forschoolboard.com Gita Rijal Zeitler Background: Graduate of University of MinnesotaTwin Cities; health care pro-

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Page 10 - St. Paul Voice - November 2023

vider and school volunteer. Future budget needs: “Better education and school environment for all children to get world class education. Make public school attractive to all families by offering catch-up and advanced classes. If the trend keeps going down, our public schools will keep closing, which will be devastating for low-income and middleclass families. Have a tutoring center in all public high schools so students who are struggling in math, reading, writing and science can get help and graduate with basic life skills of reading, writing and math. School management must work on using untapped resources like parents, nonprofits and business organizations. This is a tough time for families, so schools need to be smart about how they spend their resources. Must find alternative funding sources rather than increasing property tax – St. Paul will be an unaffordable place to live for middle-class people if we keep increasing property tax.” Funding extracurricular programs: “Yes but find funding from other sources rather than property tax.” LGBTQ+ policies: “People must be allowed to live the life they want to, and they must feel safe, welcomed and treated equally.

Same time, personal choices and views must not impose their own views or life choices on others.” Security in the schools: “I think children can learn only when they feel safe and secure. We need to have security in school and maybe have a long-term plan of other ways we can keep school safe.” Contact: gita4school board.com Chauntyll Allen and Yusef Carillo did not respond.

District 52B special election Minnesota State Representative of District 52B Ruth Richardson resigned Sept. 1 after accepting a job last fall as CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. A special primary election will be held in district 52B on Thursday, Nov. 16, to nominate candidates, and a special election to fill the vacancy will be held Tuesday, Dec. 5.

ISD 197 School Board and levy Two levy questions on the ballot will address a projected $2.1 million budget shortfall over three years due to a lack of funding for

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general and special education, decreased spending power due to inflation and increased needs from students across all schools. The first question proposes a new $731 per student operating levy which would increase annual property taxes by $153 for an average priced home ($350,000) in the area. The funds would allow the district to maintain class sizes, retain and attract teachers and staff, and avoid cuts to programs and services. The second question asks voters to renew the capital project levy, also called the technology levy. The levy provides district-wide technology infrastructure and network improvements, the purchase of student and staff devices, updates to classroom technologies and more. Approval of the capital project levy would not result in an increase in property taxes, although if it’s not approved then voters would pay about $75 less per year for an average priced home ($350,000) in the district. Tim Aune Background: Electrical engineering degree from MIT; executive at FactSet Research Systems; chartered financial analyst. Future budget needs: “While education models are evolving, I believe classroom-centered education is Over 40 years of service!

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still a key component. We need to have in place budgets, based on solid longterm revenue projections, that can accommodate pay structures that attract and retain talent.” Funding extracurricular programs: “Extracurriculars can be a wonderful component of a child’s education. Having a wide range of activities does require appropriate funding, especially for those activities which have limited opportunities to raise their own money. Having user fees with scholarships assist in funding, strikes a good balance.” LGBTQ+ policies: “I support the continuing development of policies that stress respect and acceptance of all students. We need to communicate these policies are not about advocacy. It is about creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming learning environment that includes resources to provide emotional health support for all students.” Security in the schools: “Physical security has been greatly improved through recent building improvements. I feel there is a good balance between controlled access and having students feel like the building is ‘locked down.’ Equally important is educating our students about digital security.” Contact: www.timaune. com, tim.aune@comcast.net Rowen Elsmore Background: Teacher and Gender and Sexuality

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E lection 2023 Alliance advisor at Jefferson High School Future budget needs: “We need to fully fund our schools and find ways to strengthen our contracts for our teachers and staff. We have fallen behind other districts and we are not able to fill many of our positions because we are not offering competitive wages. I am fully in support of the levy on the ballot to provide the funds we need to do right by our students.” Funding extracurricular programs: “All of our students should have full access to our extracurricular activities. We should be funding a broad range of extracurricular activities, which goes beyond sports.” LGBTQ+ policies: “The district needs to adopt specific policies that protect and honor transgender and non-binary students. All of our students deserve to see themselves in their schools, this includes LGBTQ+ students.” Security in the schools: “We need to keep students safe, which does not mean just physical safety. There will always be a balance to be struck when looking at school security. We need to look at our solutions through the lens of how they impact all of our students.” Contact: rowenforschool board.com Bryon Schwab Background: Bachelor’s in music education, master’s in education and specialist degree in educational administration; 12 years on ISD 197 Board of Education; 19 years of K-12 choral

Your community news and information source music teaching experience in Cottage Grove, Minn.; principal at Greenwood Elementary in River Falls, Wis. for four years; principal at Pilot Knob Elementary in ISD 197 for 13 years; member of the Minnesota Elementary Schools Principals Association (MESPA); Retired Principals of MESPA board of directors; Minnesota Charter School License Renewal board; U.S. Army veteran. Future budget needs: “In the immediate future it is very important for two school district levy referendum questions to pass on the November 7 ballot. A major responsibility for the ISD 197 School Board will be dealing with the value of passing or repercussions of failure of these two referendum questions. Also of importance to ISD 197 future budget needs is understanding and preparing for the financial impact from Minnesota legislation passed this year in areas such as the Reading Act, unemployment, family leave, student resource officers and free lunch.” Funding extracurricular programs: “District 197 has approximately 5,000 students enrolled preK-12. In the 22-23 school year, 47 athletic, activities and clubs were offered and some 1,566 students registered to participate. Extracurricular programs are an extremely important part of a student’s social, emotional, physical and academic growth and development. ISD 197 financially supports our extracurricular programs and I personally support 197’s commitment.”

LGBTQ+ policies: “Policy helps to provide clarity, procedure and integrity when equity issues may arise and Policy 106 (District Equity Policy) specifically identifies race and ethnicity, language, immigration status, ability, socioeconomic status, sex, or gender identity and sexual orientation (LGBTQIA+ status) as protected groups. ISD 197’s current equity work is strong, progressive and focused. I personally feel all students preK-12 must believe they are valued, respected, capable and competent to thrive, grow and experience academic success.” Security in the schools: “District 197 has a comprehensive and universal safety protocol procedure which is used at each facility, reviewed annually and practiced throughout the school year. The safety and security of all ISD 197 students (and employees) must be and is of utmost importance to our principals, administration and school board if we are to provide an environment focused on learning, growth, excellence and achievement.” Contact: byronschwab. com, schwabb@q.com, 651451-9928 Morgan Steele Background: Bachelor’s degree in French and secondary education and a master’s in teaching with an emphasis in teacher leadership; 17 years as a classroom teacher; member of her building’s instructional leadership team. Future budget needs: “I believe our contracts for

teachers and all staff need to be strengthened to retain staff and attract new staff, especially as we see greater numbers of retirements and a teacher shortage on the horizon. I believe it’s incredibly important to advocate for fully funding education rather than relying on property taxes to continue to allow inequitable funding to further the gaps in resources that exists in Minnesota.” Funding extracurricular programs: “I would love to see data on how many students/families opt out of extracurricular activities because of both cost and transportation needs. I think equity work should extend to extracurriculars and not just academics. I know that ISD 197 believes this as well.” LGBTQ+ policies: “I am proud to have been endorsed by OutFront Minnesota and will work diligently to ensure that our LGBTQIA students and families feel safe, seen and represented within our schools. I served as a co-sponsor of the Gay/ Straight Alliance when I was in Houston and it was a club that we had to fight to have in our building after students requested it for several years in a row.” Security in the schools: “School safety is incredibly important. Ensuring access to in-building mental health interventions, chemical health and continuing partnerships, and education about both with students and families is extremely important. I also think that reevaluating safety plans and listening to students,

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