St. Paul Voice April 2020 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

The St. Paul

City seeks Landmark Trees Page 7

Success on the links Page 4

Volume 54 | Number 4

Your Community News & Information Source

Capital City Bikeway continues to expand

Closed door brings Open Window

Amy Johnson Staff Writer

owntown St. Paul is set to create another segment of the Capital City Bikeway, a project that began in 2017 with the completion of a network of bicycle facilities along Jackson Street, from University Avenue to Kellogg Boulevard. The project aims to connect the downtown bikeway network to existing bike and pedestrian trails and to keep all of downtown within a few blocks of any trail. The current bikeway, which cost $14.25 million, features a two-way off-street trail along sections of Kellogg Boulevard, Jackson Street, St. Peter Street and Wabasha Street, 9th Street and 10th Street. Landscaping divides the trail from roads and sidewalks, and the trail is made of porous asphalt, which is better for storm water runoff and helps keeps lanes dry, thus increasing bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ safety. There are also benches, directional signage, streetlights and public art along the bikeway. The expansion of the bikeway is part of the St. Paul Bicycle Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in 2015 and details how St. Paul will double its amount of bikeways over the next few decades. St. Paul hopes to emulate Minneapolis’ bikeway success. According to the St. Paul Bikeway Benefits Face Sheet, Minneapolis saw $200 million in residential development after it built the Midtown Greenway, Capital City Bikeway / Page 2

April 2020

Overcoming adversity, Open Window Theatre finds new home

Founder Jeremy Stanbary and Creative Director Cole Matson Tara Guy Contributor

n a time of political rancor, scary viruses and deep national division, a quiet moment of hope can be like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. Many such moments can now be found at a new professional theater that recently opened in the Salem Square Center near I-494 and South Robert Trail. Billing itself as a “professional, multi-generational theater with a redemptive mission

in the arts,” Open Window Theatre is bringing its own brand of hope and inspiration to the southeast metro. The company’s opening production was the regional premier of Keith Bunin’s allegorical “The World Over,” which ran from mid-February to mid-March. “‘The World Over’ is filled with affirmations that life is worth living even in the midst of great difficulties and challenges,” said Jeremy Stanbary, the company’s founder and artistic director. Of its “multi-generational” focus, Stanbary Open Window / Page 6

Census Day is April 1 Amy Johnson Staff Writer

t’s time to be counted. By now, everyone should know that April 1 is Census Day 2020, when the U.S. Census Bureau ramps up efforts to get a complete count of residents across the nation. Participation in Minnesota is especially important because the state is in danger of losing a member in the House of Representatives because of declining population in recent years. Census figures are used to determine the number of representatives each state has. Minnesota currently has eight—five Democrats and three Republicans—representing 5.7 million people. The count, which occurs every 10 years, is also used to determine allocation of federal funds. In addition, cities use census data to determine the need for schools, new highways, housing developments and more. St. Paul teamed up with Ramsey County to form a committee to make sure information about the census is accessible to all residents. Last year, the City budgeted $30,000 to market and promote the census to historically marginalized members, such as minorities and low-income households. In 2020, the City budgeted another $30,000 for this effort. According to Census Bureau data, 79 percent of St. Paul residents participated in the 2010 census. This year, getting counted is easier than ever. You can use a mobile phone or personal device, or a public computer like the ones found at Census Day / Page 3

Wakota Life Care Center receives council approval to expand Amy Johnson Staff Writer

he Wakota Life Care Center in West St. Paul is expanding. The center plans to demolish its current building at 1140 Robert St. S. and break ground in May on a multimilliondollar two-story facility on its current site. The center’s space will increase from approximately 2,000 to nearly 10,000 square feet and allow

the organization to offer additional medical services. Wakota is what is known as a crisis pregnancy center, which typically offers many services to pregnant women and mothers, with the intent to persuade women to continue their pregnancies rather than seek an abortion. Wakota currently offers free walk-in pregnancy testing, obstetrical ultrasounds and counseling on fertility, childbirth, breastfeed-

ing, postpartum and family life. New services will include mental health, “child watch”—a place for parents to leave their children while they attend medical appointments or programs—and additional educational classes. The center also offers free clothing, formula and baby items to families in need. According to its website, last year it provided more than 80,000 diapers, about 4,000 outfits, 204 layettes contain-

ing 30-plus items for a new baby, 396 pieces of large baby equipment such as high chairs, and 2,700 miscellaneous items, including toys and pacifiers. Wakota initially had trouble obtaining permits, due, in part, to citizen complaints at a Jan. 21 Planning Commission hearing over the nature of the business, proposed use of the building, parking and concerns over how the project fits in with

the city’s Renaissance Plan, a document that guides development. The planning commission voted 6-0 against the application, citing concerns over pedestrian safety, increased traffic, the size of the new building on its current lot, parking and signage. The City Council reviewed the project at its Jan. 27 meeting, at which council chambers were overflowing with supporters and oppo-

nents, several of whom testified during a public hearing that was part of the meeting. Wakota’s director Dan Saad and his attorney were there seeking council approval of a conditional use permit, site plan and preliminary plat review, all of which were needed to proceed. Before the discussion and vote, Ward 2 council person John Justen and Ward Wakota Life Care / Page 3

C ommunity Captial City Bikeway

Your community news and information source

from page 1

a 5.5-mile stretch of protected bike paths. The document also states that Twin Cities bicyclists, using Nice Ride, spent an extra $150,000 at restaurants and businesses near the Nice Ride stations in one season. Nice Ride offers bike rentals at various stations in the Twin Cities. The next phase of the Capital City Bikeway will target 9th and 10th Street from the History Center driveway to Broadway Street; 12th and St. Peter Street from John Ireland Boulevard to Kellogg Boulevard; Minnesota Street from Kellogg Boulevard to 10th Street; and 4th Street from Minnesota Street to Broadway Street. The

first three sections will cost $2.3 million. The cost for 4th Street has not yet been determined. Funding will come from the City budget, state and federal grants and Municipal State Aid. The City began an Interim Design Study for the bikeway and will complete it this spring. To get feedback on the design, the City conducted online surveys and held three open houses. Key results included a preference for bikeways with a physical barrier (such as a concrete curb) from traffic, two-way bikeways on one side of the street, and on-street parking and loading zones for businesses. A popular request

was the addition of sidewalk amenities, including cafes, trees and landscaping. Maintenance, such as snow clearing, was also deemed a critical factor. There was mixed feedback on the possibility of a two-way to oneway conversion, specifically for making the westbound section of 10th Street a oneway for motor-vehicle traffic. The design is labeled “interim” because the lanes will be street-level and run between existing curbs. In the next few years, the segments will transform into protected bikeways when street resurfacing projects take place. For now, the City is focused on making the bikeway interconnected and easy to access. To view the plan, visit www.stpaul.gov and search Capital City Bikeway.

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C ommunity Wakota Life Care from page 1

3 council persons Wendy Berry and Lisa Eng-Sarne recused themselves from the meeting, each citing a personal conflict pertaining to their duties under the City’s Code of Ethics. Justen took issue with an email Saad sent him requesting a meeting to discuss the project and with a memo Saad released after the planning commission meeting, charging that “the group of women” who protested the project at the Jan. 21 Planning Commission meeting swayed the 6-0 vote unanimous vote and have “infiltrated the West St. Paul government bodies.” Justen read that email during the meeting and a portion of the memo. Council person Berry stated conflicts stemming from her supporters, saying, “I was endorsed by two campaigns with missions to endorse decidedly pro-choice candidates.”

Eng-Sarne said she was concerned that her private interests would affect her decision. City attorney Kori Land reminded the council that the decisions being made were to be based solely on whether or not the project meets city code requirements. After hearing much citizen feedback, Ward 1 councilmembers Dick Vitelli and Bob Pace and Ward 2 councilmember Anthony Fernandez approved Wakota’s application without much discussion. One of the central points stated by opponents was that Wakota did not qualify to be reclassified from office space to medical office use. Jim Hartshorn, the city’s community and economic development director, said 51% or more of an organization’s services must be medical-related to receive

Your community news and information source this classification. The site is now zoned B3-General Business District, which prohibits building a medical or dental facility without a conditional use permit. Wakota attorney Rich Gabriel told the council that the center’s services are currently 13% medical but will increase to 51% following the expansion. He noted that Wakota plans to have a doctor and lactation specialist on site, as well as continue other medical services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, mental health services and well-woman care. A licensed nurse and sonographer are currently on site. He also mentioned that their parking plan, which includes a shared lot parking agreement with two neighboring businesses, exceeds city requirements by nine spaces. The last to present during the public hearing was Teresa Collett, a law professor. Wakota asked her to review the tape from the Planning

Wakota was established in 1976 by two physicians and a group of local citizens. For the past two years the number of visits has exceeded 4,400 at its location at 1140 Robert St. S., West St. Paul. Commission hearing and share her opinion with the Wakota board. Collett told the council that CVS and Target were granted the right to act as medical offices for their Minute Clinics, even though less than 51 percent of their business involves medical services. Collett also said she reviewed 207 appellate cases from the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota

Supreme Court and found that a majority of the cases were granted medical office status before opening so they could get the right licensure and recognition. “That is what Wakota clinic is doing in this instance,” she said. Wakota was established in 1976 by two physicians and a group of local citizens. For the past two years the number of visits has

exceeded 4,400. In 2016, Wakota became an affiliate of The Guiding Star Project, which focuses on holistic women’s health care. In 2000, the center began offering free ultrasounds to pregnant women. Its mission statement is: “to serve any woman, any mother, any family compassionate, life affirming care and support. We serve all without discrimination.”

Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY

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Census Day from page 1

a library, to complete an online questionnaire. Visit my2020census.gov and click “Start Questionnaire.” Log in using your census I.D., which you should have received in the mail or had dropped off at your door. You’ll need to confirm your address, provide your name and phone number and complete the questionnaire in one session. You may also respond by phone, or to mailings being sent in late March and April.

A census worker may stop by your home in April to conduct a quality check interview or drop off census materials, and in mid-May to collect responses. They may also ask for responses to the American Community Survey, an ongoing survey by the Census Bureau that gathers detailed demographic information. To verify the representative is a Census Bureau employee, make sure they have a valid

I.D. badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date. Employees may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. If you still have questions about their identity, call 312-579-1500. This spring, the bureau will determine which residents have not submitted their forms or didn’t complete all the questions. Census workers will work through July to contact those people and collect the information.

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

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St. Paul Voice - April 2020 - Page 3

S ports

Your community news and information source

Sam Udovich, 13, earns a return trip to Augusta John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

n the August 2018 issue of the St. Paul Voice we introduced 11-year-old golfing phenom Sam Udovich. Four months earlier, he had competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt Contest sponsored by the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., and finished runner up in the 10-11 year-old division. Sam’s golf career continues to blossom and he is scheduled to make an encore appearance at Augusta on April 5, in the 1213 year-old division. Sam was introduced to the sport by his father, Mike Udovich, the proprietor of the popular Fireside Bar and Restaurant in West St. Paul. By the time Sam was three years old he was hitting golf balls with precision into a net Mike had set up for him in the basement. Between age three and five, he was a regular at the Country Air Pitch and Putt

Golf Course in Lake Elmo. The 18-hole course, which has since closed, featured holes fluctuating between 45 and 90 yards. It was a perfect venue for Sam to develop his game. At age eight, Sam was one of 135 entrants from 22 countries invited to play in the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation Championships at Pine Hurst, N. C. He played a 2,300 yard, ninehole, par-36 course on three consecutive days and carved out a nifty three under par 34-38-33-105 scorecard. He finished in second place, one stroke behind a golfer from Thailand. The year 2016 was a transformational one for Sam, when he became a junior member at the Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. His membership enabled him to hit balls on the range and play a quality golf course, but most importantly it gave him the opportunity to meet Southview head pro Phil Anderson, who would

Sam Udovich with Phil Anderson, his indispensable mentor and coach since 2016. become an invaluable mentor and coach. Anderson has been indispensable in honing Sam’s swing and other technical parts of his game, and although Anderson is now the general manager at the North Oaks Golf Club, the two continue to meet for teaching sessions three to four times per month year-

round. Their relationship is close and their admiration and respect for each other is an essential element in Sam’s growth as a player. “He is such a great coach and there is no way that I could have achieved the success I’ve had to this point without Phil,” said Sam. “He is so patient and is always there for me when I need some advice or encouragement.”

As the general manager at North Oaks, Anderson does not involve himself in coaching to the degree he did at Southview. “The parameters of my job do not allow me to do a lot of coaching,” he said. “The only two golfers I work with on a continuous basis are Sam and John Kriesel, a veteran who lost both of his legs when struck by a roadside bomb in Iraq.” Anderson’s admiration for Sam is reciprocal. He is particularly impressed with his calm demeanor, which is crucial to success on a golf course. “Sam is not easily flustered,” said Anderson. “There are a lot of aspiring golfers out there who don’t respond very well after hitting a bad shot and they end up hitting several more. Sam keeps his composure and his sole focus is the next shot.” Sam was 5’4” and weighed 98 pounds when he competed at Augusta in 2018 and hit his drive 232 yards. He is now 5’9” and 114 pounds and is hitting drives as far as

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260 yards. According to Anderson, the reason for Sam’s success off the tee is his work ethic. “Sam is growing and getting stronger, and during that process we continue to make subtle changes to his swing,” he said. “He immediately goes to the range or the simulator to work on what we are trying to do and comes back a week later fully dialed in. Most kids don’t do that and more often than not we have to start all over again.” Sam had a breakthrough year in 2019. He opened the season with a first-place finish in the U.S. Kids Ozarks Open in Ozarks, Mo., and followed that up with a sixth-place finish in the Future Masters Invitational in Dothan, Ala. In July, he participated in the 11-12 year-old division at the IMG Academy World Championships in San Diego, Calif. Sam finished fourth out of field of 160, with rounds of 70-7071-211 (5 under par). In August, it was on to the U.S. Kids World Championships in Pine Hurst, N.C. Competing against 170 entrants from 20 countries in the 11-12 age category, Sam finished runner up, with rounds of 70-73-71-214 (2 under par). Locally, Sam played in two events hosted by the Minnesota PGA Players Tour for golfers age 19 and under. Participants included many of the top high school players in the state. With a field of 60 in an 18-hole event at Southview Country Club, Sam won with an even par 72. At a 36-hole tournament at Keller Golf Course and Midland Hills Country Club, he finished third with

S ports a 72-75-147. In December, Sam took his considerable talents to Florida. His one-under par 36-hole total of 141 at the Doral Publix Junior Golf Classic (ages 12-13) sent him into a sudden death playoff. On the first playoff hole—a par three—Sam hit his tee shot to the right of the green. With two-thirds of the ball submerged in water, he managed to chip the ball within 15 feet of the hole and then sink the putt for the victory. Those kinds of results should give Sam some momentum as he heads to Augusta to take part in this year’s Drive, Chip and Putt competition. The road to qualify for that prestigious event is not easy. It is a threestep process that began last summer. Upwards of 8,000 kids in four age groups (7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15) participated in a girls division and a boys division in local competitions at more than 200 sites in all 50 states. Sam was among about 40 kids in each age group that took part in

Your community news and information source the local competition at the Faribault Country Club in August. The top three boys and three girls in each age group moved on to the subregional, held at Victory Links golf course in Blaine. The top two finishers in each age group in the sub-regional qualified to participate in one of the ten regional finals conducted across the country. The Upper Midwest regional was held last fall at Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis. There is no room for error in the regional. You win or you go home. Sam’s work ethic and calm demeanor were in full display at Interlachen. He was victorious in the 12-13 age group and punched his ticket to Augusta. He will be making his third appearance in that prestigious event which is televised worldwide on the Golf Channel. In 2016, at age nine, Sam finished fifth in the 7-9 age group, and in 2018 he finished runner-up in the 10-11 age group. He is looking forward to taking the next step on April 5 among the dogwoods and

azaleas at Augusta National. I interviewed Sam the day before his 13th birthday party. He is an easy-going young man with no ego or pretentiousness. Like most kids his age, he was looking forward to spending time with his friends and family. When discussing his dad, he is quick to express his gratitude for all the time and resources he has invested on his behalf. “Obviously none of this could have happened without him,” said Sam of his father. “He has been with me every step of the way and I can’t thank him enough.” Because of his out-ofstate golf schedule over the past several years, Sam has missed a lot of school. Now a seventh grader at Friendly Hills Middle School in Mendota Heights, he continues to find himself on the “A” Honor Roll. “The biggest help for me is my iPad,” he said. “It has all of my homework assignments on it and I can work on them when I’m in my (hotel) room at night. I take most of my tests when

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I get home, and so far it has worked out pretty well.” Barely a teenager, Sam has already carved out an impressive golf resume. His calm demeanor appears to be omnipresent and his dedication to the sport he loves unwavering. When asked if it was too early to set long term goals, Sam said, “I have two. First, I want to earn a scholarship to play golf at a Division I school, and secondly I would love to play on the (18-year old and younger) USA Junior Ryder Cup Team.” Sam already has three crucial ingredients going for him toward accomplishing those goals—his family, his coach and most importantly himself.

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A rts & Entertainment Open Window

Your community news and information source

from page 1

explained, “There are not many theaters that consistently perform works that reach a really broad audience. Many people are too intimidated to go to the theater, not knowing what the content will be, so I think the fact that we are doing high-quality professional theater that is thoughtprovoking and inspirational—but without explicit content—will provide that assurance. People should know that they can breathe easy in bringing the kids and the grandparents to our shows.” He stressed, however, that Open Window is not a children’s theater. “The plays are intellectually challenging,” he said. The company’s goals, which are many and bold, center on uplifting the world by seeking the divine through the beauty of the arts. Although Stanbary himself is Catholic—a member of St. Joseph’s Church in West St. Paul—and the production content is deeply spiritual in nature, the theater is unaffiliated with any specific religion. “We’re not tied to any particular faith tradition,” said

Stanbary. “We want to reach people of every faith, and those with no faith at all.” Instead of proselytizing, the group focuses on a redemptive vision of the arts. The concept of redemption is core to the company’s ethos; the word itself appears repeatedly in their literature and social media. For the group, “redemption” means the restoration of hope in a dark world. “We don’t shy away from the ugliness of the human condition, but we also want to provide a vision of hope for something better,” said Stanbary. The theater was founded by Stanbary and his wife Sarah in 2011, after years of touring together in oneman and small cast shows as Epiphany Theater Productions, the parent company of Open Window. Like “Adam,” the everyman protagonist in “The World Over,” the company itself wandered in the wilderness for a time in recent years, overcoming one obstacle after another in its quest to find a new home. Reflecting upon that journey, Stanbary said it was “painful but pu-

rifying…agonizing, yet full of grace.” “We were originally located in a rented space in Minneapolis, where we’d built up a really successful company with a growing fan-base and many loyal patrons,” he said. They were so successful, in fact, that they needed to expand the physical space to accommodate growing audiences. A planned expansion led to permits, inspections, code compliance and occupancy troubles—the usual host of problems that pop up when bringing old buildings into compliance with modern codes. A tangled snarl of conflicts ensued with both their landlord and the city, requiring the theater to close, prematurely ending its 2016 season and leaving it literally on the street. The disputes were eventually negotiated and resolved but the litigation caused a near fouryear period of dormancy for the theater. Following an intensive search, Open Window found the Salem Square space, signed the lease last October and promptly commenced construction on the interior. “It’s a terrific space,” said Stanbary. “We have great landlords and were able

to negotiate really good terms…and we have tons of parking.” Even in brief conversation, it becomes evident that Open Window Theater is comprised of serious theater professionals. Stanbary has a theater degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and wife Sarah has a dual degree in theater performance and arts management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Managing director Cole Matson also has impressive credentials, including a Ph.D. in theology, imagination and the arts from St. Andrew’s University, a B.A. in theology from Oxford and a B.F.A. in drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. When asked how they met, Matson recounted that he was working on his doctoral thesis on the Rhapsodic Theater (a company founded by Karol Wojtyla—later Pope John Paul II—when he was a young actor quietly resisting the Nazis in Poland in the early 1940s) when he stumbled upon an article Stanbary had written on the topic. “I paid five dollars to download it, and actually cited it in my paper,” he said.

Curious about Open Window and Epiphany, Matson asked his east coast friends about them and learned they were both well-known and highly respected. Stanbary heard Matson on a “Catholic Creatives” podcast a year ago and contacted him to see if he could recommend someone for the theater’s new managing director position. Matson, then between jobs, jumped at the chance. The chemistry that resulted has already generated praise and acclaim from Twin Cities theater critics and audiences alike. During a Saturday matinee in early March, the theater was nearly full, and the audience was engaged, enthusiastically applauding the drama and lightning-fast changes of costume and character among the cast of eight. Despite a loyal patronage that helped keep them afloat during their hiatus, Stanbary acknowledges, “We have some audience rebuilding to do after a four-year absence.” He added, “We’re a destination theater. People will drive to see us, but we also want to get to know and welcome our new community.” Toward that end, their outreach will include

renting their space for community events, implementing a K-12 theater program and possibly offering future fitness training and ballroom dance classes. In addition, Stanbary and his family will be building a new home in South St. Paul this summer to be closer to the new venue. “We’re excited about the move,” he said. The theater’s next production is the U.S. premier of Ron Reed’s play “Tolkien,” which examines the deep and complex friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (running April 17 through May 17). Stanbary and Matson invite the community to come and get acquainted with the theater and its mission of bringing hope to the world. In a final reflection on the arduous journey to find their new home, Stanbury smiled, then borrowed a line from Bunin’s play. “Sorrows and losings and fools there are plenty. But there are wonders here, too, and resurrections. You must not despair of this place.” Open Window Theater is located at 5300 S. Robert Tr., Inver Grove Heights. For more information, visit www.openwindowtheater. org or call 612-615-1515.

{ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES } Neighborhood House in St. Paul is looking for volunteers to assist in the food shelf, with tutoring, youth services and other areas. For more information, contact Vanessa Edwards at 651-789-2524 or vedwards@neighb.org. Neighbors, Inc., a social service agency serving northern Dakota County, has a number of volunteer opportunities to assist local residents, including work with the food shelf and thrift store. For more information, contact Jenny at 651-2721133 or volunteer@neighborsmn.org. DARTS, a nonprofit organization serving seniors in Dakota County, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for all ages. To volunteer, contact Angela Liedke at 651-234-2254, angela.liedke@darts1. org or visit www.darts1.org/volunteer. Dakota County offers volunteer positions in community corrections, environmental resources, the Historical Society, library, parks, public health, the sheriff’s office and social services. For more information, call 651-438-4435 or visit www. co.dakota.mn.us/Government/Jobs/Volunteering/Pages/default.aspx Dodge Nature Center, a nonprofit environmental education center in West St. Paul, is seeking volunteers age 16 and over to assist with community events, land management and environmental education. For more information, call 651-455-4531 or visit www.dodgenaturecenter.org. Page 6 - St. Paul Voice - April 2020

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

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

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

C ommunity

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ARBOR DAY IS APRIL 24

City seeks landmark tree nominations Amy Johnson Staff Writer

ith more than a half million trees in the city of St. Paul, a few are bound to capture your attention, and the city wants to know about them. If you have a favorite tree, you’re encouraged to nominate it for St. Paul’s Landmark Tree Program, which was created to compile a list of exceptional trees within the city so others may enjoy them. You don’t have to own the tree to nominate it. However, the tree must be within the city limits and be on or visible from public property. Trees on private property require the property owner to sign a consent form, which is found on the nomination form. Nomination forms and an interactive map of all Landmark trees and their locations can be found at www. stpaul.gov (search Landmark Tree Program). Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 1. Photos are recommended. Once a tree is selected, a Certificate of Appreciation is awarded to both the nominator and owner. It will also be recognized at the annual Blooming St. Paul awards

ceremony. Blooming St. Paul is a collaborative initiative between St. Paul Parks and Recreation, the St. Paul Garden Club and the Ramsey County Master Gardeners. It showcases businesses and residents that enhance the community through landscaping. The tree will have lifetime Landmark Tree status, but this does not guarantee its protection against removal if damaged by a storm, insects, disease or other factors. One way to view a variety of trees in one area is by visiting the Horton Park Arboretum at 1383 W. Minnehaha Ave. The park is one square block and contains more than 50 species. Informative signs help visitors locate and identify the different trees. A map is also available at www. stpaul.gov (search Horton Park). West Side-based Great River Greening has been helping beautify St. Paul since 1995, and in the past two years alone has planted more than 50 trees and 10,000 native plants along the Mississippi River. The nonprofit will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a volunteer planting event at Vic-

toria Park, 740 Victoria St., from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May. 16. More than 200 volunteers will plant native wildflowers and grasses at the 40-acre site by the Mississippi River. This will stabilize the soil and increase biodiversity at the park, which was once an industrial lot. Coffee, water, light snacks and lunch will be provided. An anniversary party will be held once the restoration is complete. Registration closes on May 8 or when space runs out. For more information or to register, visit the Get Involved link at www. greatrivergreening.org.

Arbor Day events The city of Mendota Heights is hosting these free community events on Saturday, April 25. • Educational booths and activities at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, 10 a.m.noon • World of Wildlife–Minnesota Zoomobile program at City Hall, 11-11:45 a.m. • Volunteer tree planting event at Hagstrom King Park, located on Mendota Heights Road just west of Delaware, 1 p.m.

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A rts & Entertainment

Your community news and information source

Changes in store for St. Paul Art Crawl Amy Johnson Staff Writer

he St. Paul Art Crawl is one of many major events that has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s especially unfortunate because organizers had already announced plans to discontinue the fall Crawl and focus efforts on the spring event, which has always been more popular. Linda Snouffer, president of the Collective, cited declining attendance in the fall as the reason. For more than two decades, the St. Paul Art Collective has hosted an Art Crawl each spring and fall, allowing art aficionados to visit artists in their studios and purchase their art. It’s been a challenging year for the Collective in other ways as well. Staff and supporters mourned the passing of Brenda Brousseau, who served as director of the Crawl for the past six years.

She passed away on Oct. 2 after battling cancer. Under her leadership, the Crawl expanded to reach artists from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds all across the city. Moving forward, other changes are in store for the Crawl. For the last 25 years, all participants—artists, nonprofit organizations, businesses, galleries––automatically became members of the Collective. However, now they may choose whether or not to become a member. The cost for an annual artist membership, which includes registration in the Crawl, is $120. Nonmember artists can still register for $75. Students pay $50. Membership privileges include participation in the Art Crawl, a profile with images on the Collective’s website and a listing in the Crawl directory. In previous years, the Collective published

a catalog for each event. These guides were expensive and quickly discarded after the weekend. The Collective has decided to discontinue the catalog in favor of a new “coffee table style” format membership directory that highlights member artists and their art. They will print 10,000 copies and have them available at the Crawl, and year-round at the Collective’s office in the Northern Warehouse, 308 Prince St., #206. To continue making local art more accessible yearround, the Collective plans to organize smaller, districtfocused events in the future. Lisa McCann is helping with this effort. She is the director of community development, a newly formed position at the Collective. As a former gallery owner in California, she understands artists and their desire to reach people with their work. McCann is busy creating deeper re-

This year’s media contest winners were Heather Friedli, MaryBeth Garrigan and Carly Swenson. Friedli’s “Resilience,” (left) received Best in Show and will be featured on the directory’s cover. Garrigan’s “Whisper of the North” (top) and Swenson’s “Love Her Wild” were named Honorable Mentions. lationships with other local organizations, including Visit Saint Paul and Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, both of which have become members of the Collective and vice versa. The

aim is to use these collaborations to help showcase local art and connect artists with those who buy their work. “We’re bringing their work to a larger audience,” she said.

Last year, more than 400 artists participated in the Art Crawl, showcasing their work from nearly 40 buildings.

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N ews Briefs More downtown housing A four-story, late 19th century building at Wabasha and Seventh is scheduled for renovation. The former Viking apartments, which recently housed the Just Us restaurant, will be converted into an apartment building. It will have 30 studios and four one-bedroom units, and 20% of the units will be rented to low income tenants. The developer is Ed Conley of CCI Properties. Chase Realty plans to build a five-story, 140-unit apartment building on an existing parking lot at Ninth and Wacouta streets. Construction of “The Gallery of St. Paul” is expected to begin this year and open in late 2021. The estimated cost is $25 million.

Cohen memorial Artist Marjorie Pits has prepared three concepts for a memorial to Larry Cohen, to be located at City Hall plaza. They are called “Solar Radiance,” “Cohen’s Ethics” and “You are Welcome.” Cohen, who passed away in 2016, served as mayor of

Your community news and information source St. Paul from 1972-76. His notable accomplishments included helping establish the city’s neighborhood district council program, the settlement of Hmong refugees in St. Paul and the transition of the former U. S. District Court building into Landmark Center, a home for nonprofit organizations.

District 17 news The boundary of CapitolRiver Council District 17 has been expanded to include the portion of Kellogg Boulevard and Shepard Road that have the Science Museum of Minnesota, District Energy and a development site at Wabasha and Kellogg owned by Ramsey County. The western border includes Eagle Street, which extends from the Seven Corners area to Shepard Road. The CapitolRiver Council, District 17 board of directors voted to support the concept of turning the St. Paul Athletic Club into a community center. Owner John Rupp purchased the 103-year-old building in 1997 but wishes to sell it to a non-profit organization for the creation of a community

center. The building currently houses Hotel 340, a fitness center and a campus of the College of St. Scholastica. The skyway connection to the 333 on the Park apartment building has been closed due to security concerns. Previously it was open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The CaptiolRiver Council’s skyway governance advisory committee opposed the decision, stating it would create a bad precedent and encourage other landlords to follow suit. The skyway in the adjacent 180 E. Fifth building is still open. The St. Paul Zoning Board of Appeals declined a variance for a 50-by-58-foot sign at the Xcel Center to promote Minnesota Wild games and Xcel Center Events. A variance was required because signs cannot exceed six feet in height or be higher than 37.5 feet above grade.

clude “Closing Time: Saloons, Taverns, Dives and Watering Holes of the Twin Cities” by Bill Lindeke and Andi Strurdivant; “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State” by Christopher Lehman; “Tulips, Chocolate and Silk: Celebrating 65 Years of the James Ford Bell Library” by Marguerite Rognow and Natasha D’Schommer; and “Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe” by Staci Lola Drouillard.

Library will announce the winners of the Minnesota Book Awards on April 28. For details, visit www.thefriends.org. Nominees in Minnesota non-fiction in-

The St. Paul Public Library will present a puppet show production of “Mother Goose: The Musical” in April. The Loki Puppet Players are back with Little Bo

Peep’s sheep to plan a party for Bo. The show will be held at the George Latimer Central Library, 90 W. Fourth St. Performances are scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Saturday,

April 4; 10 a.m., Friday, April 10; 10 a.m., Thursday, April 16; and 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 20. For more details, visit www.sppl.org.

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A rts & Culture

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The Urban Explorer Exploring our regional amenities Ginny Contreras Sawyer Contributor

Penumbra Theatre Bright theatrical lighting illuminates what appears to be an apartment. A living room with a day bed and coffee table are positioned in the forefront of the stage. Behind them is a mini bar with champagne flutes and wine glasses, and to the left is a kitchen table with six ornate chairs. Empty frames— windows or perhaps mirrors—adorn the walls. The walls and furniture are all white, appearing beautiful instead of plain. Like a castle built from ice, the set subtly shimmers under the lights. Suddenly, the lights dim,

and a powerful voice is heard. The empty frames begin to flash with pictures and words. The pop of gunshots echoes across the theater. As images of police violence and Black Lives Matter protests fill the frames, the voice narrates a litany of dates, places and names. Then the words of acclaimed African American writer Zora Neale Hurston appear: “I feel most colored when thrown against a sharp, white background.” This quote remains illuminated even as the lights return and the actors enter the stage. It’s a sleepy Saturday afternoon in February and I’m

at Penumbra Theater to see the critically acclaimed play “The White Card,” written by Pulitzer prize winning author Claudia Rankine. Located within the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in the historic Rondo neighborhood, Penumbra is one of only three professional African American theater companies in the nation to offer a full season of performances. Nationally renowned, Penumbra has launched many a playwright’s career, including the late two-time Pulitzer prize-winning August Wilson. According to their mission statement, Penumbra seeks to “illuminate the human condition through the prism of the African American experience,” and they employ more artists of color than all other theaters in Minnesota combined. “The White Card” fits their mission, though from a slightly different perspective. The play centers around

Penumbra Theater photo

“The White Card” play fit Penumbra’s mission to “illuminate the human condition through the prism of the African American experience.” a rich, white couple, Virginia and Charles Spencer, who collect art. They’ve invited Charlotte Cummings, an up-and-coming African American artist, to their

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home for dinner in an effort to woo her into selling them a painting for their private collection. Over aperitifs and champagne, Virginia makes cringe-worthy comments, which literally have the audience writhing in discomfort. When their son Alex arrives late because of attending a Black Lives protest event, sparks really start to fly. Virginia makes an off-hand comment about all lives mattering. At one point, trying to be a friendly hostess, she tells Charlotte, “Sit down. You’re not the maid,” without even realizing the blunder she’s made. She and Charles view themselves as the “good” white people. During the entire first act, the tension in the theater is palpable. We’re all waiting for Virginia and Charles’s subsequent gaffes, each one eroding their chances, bit by bit, of attaining Charlotte’s art, though the couple seem absurdly oblivious to it all. It’s a perfectly crafted situational comedy of the darkest kind of humor. Most impressive of all, the actors have somehow managed to portray this invisible struggle between black and white that pervades our current society. As one critic writes, Rankine’s play “eavesdrop[s] on America and a racism that has never gone away.” I’m so engrossed in the play that I don’t realize an hour has passed. The opening scene closes. After watching Charlotte amidst this extremely white setting, Zora Neale Hurston’s words take on new meaning. There’s no break for intermission, except the few minutes it takes to change the set. Now we’re at Charlotte’s simple studio—just

a worktable, some framed pictures and a water pitcher with glasses. Her buzzer rings, and it’s Charles. Some months have passed but he still can’t get the disastrous dinner out of his mind. In another tense scene, Charlotte attempts to explain why she can’t sell her work to him, and he again attempts to convince her that he’s one of the good guys, that, in fact, there’s no difference between him and her. Finally, there seems to be a glimmer of hope, perhaps a semi-happy ending is in order. In a dramatic moment, Charles closely inspects his skin, as if seeing it for the first time, not just its color but the privilege that goes along with it. He rips off his entire shirt and jumps up on Charlotte’s desk. The lights dim and suddenly his image is cast on the wall behind him. The play has delivered its final message: change cannot come before recognition. I sit in stunned silence after the play finishes. The usher politely asks me to leave. Not only is the production of Broadway caliber, the performance has struck a chord with me. It’s almost as if a mirror has been held up to the country’s current political, social and racial turmoil, and then been reflected in the form of a play. Still not ready to go home, I wander the halls of Hallie Q. Brown looking at the banners and pictures which cover the walls. It’s like a mini-museum celebrating the vibrancy and beauty of the original Rondo community before the construction of I-94 tore through its heart. I don’t know what to do or to say. Maybe that’s the point.

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Minnesota’s first Swedish settler Jacob Fahlstrom: fur trader, mail carrier, missionary Amy Johnson Staff Writer

plaque near the corner of Robert and Kellogg pays homage to Jacob Fahlstrom, the first Swede ever recorded to step foot in what is now Minnesota. What it doesn’t reveal is the harrowing journey that began in his native Sweden and ended here in St. Paul, and how he abandoned his ancestry when he assimilated with native tribes. Fahlstrom was a true frontiersman and blazed the trail for the flood of Swedish immigrants that flocked here between 1850 and 1930, about three decades after he arrived in 1818. He was born in 1795 in Stockholm, Sweden, with an adventurous spirit. At age nine, he boarded his uncle’s ship as a cabin boy, and at 14 found himself shipwrecked off the coast of England. Afterward, he journeyed to London, where he joined Lord Selkirk’s expedition to Hudson Bay. This was a turning point in Fahlstrom’s life; it was here he fell in love with the New World. Soon after the ship touched shore, Fahlstrom ventured out to explore the North American wilderness. During one excursion, he became lost for about eight days. He endured a devastating rainstorm, which soaked his gunpowder. Unable to hunt, he resorted to eating rotten fish to survive. He finally came across a Chippewa tribe, which generously took him in. After living with them a few years,

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he married one of their own. Fahlstrom abandoned his Swedish heritage entirely and took up the Chippewa way of life, even dressing in native clothing. Those in his tribe called him “Yellowhead” because of his blond hair, and European settlers called him the “Swede Indian” because he was fluent in several native languages, including Ojibwe, Dakota and Iroquois. Fahlstrom’s linguistic skills—he was also fluent in Swedish, English and French—helped him greatly in his job as fur trader for the Hudson Bay Co. and American Fur Co. Early in his career, Fahlstrom grew restless and left his wife. He followed the fur trade to Lake Superior, working with the American Fur Co. While in that region, he met and married Marguerite Bungo, daughter of the leader of the Lake Superior Chippewas. She bore him nine children. He and his family eventually drifted south in 1827 to the newly built Fort Snelling. There, he found work as a U.S. Government mail carrier, and landed a contract to supply firewood to the fort. Fahlstrom lived in the Cold Spring region by Fort Snelling, where light rail trains now zip along Hiawatha Avenue. His mail route was vast. He delivered parcels to Prairie du Chien, Wis., along the St. Croix River and to the Lake Superior region. A man of many interests, he also Branch and Bough Tree Service and Landscape Care

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land. Fahlstrom eventually settled in St. Paul and owned 80 acres in what is now the city’s business district. He later sold the acreage because he thought it was too hilly and moved to White Bear Lake, but he frequently returned to the city, often walking roughly 17 miles to lend support to the newly established Swedish church in St. Paul. In 1841, Fahlstrom relocated to Afton, where he farmed and continued his missionary work. He experienced Minnesota’s official statehood in 1858, about one year before his death. He is buried in Afton in the Fahlstrom Cemetery. Fahlstrom was a polyglot, postmaster, blacksmith, translator, missionary, farmer and fur trader. In 1948, Prince Bertil of Sweden dedicated the aforementioned plaque in St. Paul in his honor. A painting of Fahlstrom hangs in the Swedish Institute at 2600 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. While it depicts him with a frowning countenance, he is recorded as being “kindly, sincere and devoted,” despite displaying a few rascally habits throughout his younger years.

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experimented with blacksmithing. Fahlstrom lived in this manner––taking odd jobs, venturing into the wilderness and lazing around whenever possible––for 13 years before he stumbled into Camp Coldwater and a makeshift church near Fort Snelling established by Methodist missionaries. Although raised Lutheran, he became Methodist after observing a powerful sermon delivered by a passionate preacher who actually broke the pulpit during his homily. It inspired Fahlstrom in his Christian faith and he later became a licensed preacher himself, in 1840. He took up this newfound calling with vigor and became known as “Father Jacob.” Fahlstrom served as missionary and translator to the Native Americans in the area and ministered to Swedish immigrants, who later came in waves, and to lumbermen at camps in the north woods. Eventually, his wanderlust subsided. He reportedly said he was so tired of being asked by the U.S. Government to relocate that he “pledged to walk east all day until the sun dropped behind him,” which would take him off government

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Jacob Fahlstrom, courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS South Washington County Schools, serving the communities of Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury, Afton, Denmark and Grey Cloud Townships is now accepting applications for the following positions:

Summer Only and School Year Positions Available PARAPROFESSIONAL – Work with regular or special ed students assisting classroom teacher OR supervise groups of students. PT and FT positions available. Starting base wage $15.75 - $16.25 per hour (DOQ). Summer only and school year positions available. BUS DRIVERS – Safely transports students to and from school; starting base wage $17.30 - $20.35 per hour. School year only positions available. NUTRITION SERVICES – Prepare/serve lunch and breakfast for students; starting base wage $15.00 per hour. School year only positions available. CUSTODIAN – Perform cleaning, event setup/clean up and ensure security of buildings (year round positions); starting base wage $20.27 – $33.54 DOQ Summer only and school year positions available. KIDS CLUB SUPERVISOR – Lead our Kids Club Program (School Age Child Care) in one of our elementary buildings. Supervise paraprofessionals staff. Kids Club Supervisor positions are full-time, 12-month positions. Starting base wage is $18.75 per hour. School year only positions available. For more information and to apply: www.sowashco.org EOE

St. Paul Voice - April 2020 - Page 11

N ews Briefs

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Student notes Tufts University (Medford, Mass.) dean’s list: Julia Debertin University of MinnesotaTwin Cities dean’s list: Clare Bann, Emily Essen, Kathleen Gleason, Andro Khalil, Casey O’Brien, Shaymus O’Brien, Kamilla Ruppman, Julia Wallace, Julia WetzelEdstrom, Emily Gallagher, Samantha Salmen, Bergen Thomson, Trent Andersen, Olivia Nachtsheim, Juan Telles, Benjamin Archambeau, Ananda Davenport, Evan Grove, Gabriel Schmid Minnesota StateMankato dean’s list: Louisa Hall, Jessica O’Connor, Gabriel Miller, Faith Adebayo, Antonio Estrada, Jasmine Lund and David Shubat Concordia University Wisconsin honor’s list: Nicole Demlow College of St. Benedict dean’s list: Nancy Arellano University of WisconsinEau Claire graduate: Ethan Sweet, business management Bemidji State University president’s list: Sara Mendez Washington University dean’s list: Jared Zirkes

Leadership changes at Humboldt High St. Paul Public Schools is making a leadership change at Humboldt High School for the 2020-21 school year. According to Kevin Burns, director of communications, Mike Sodomka will serve as principal through the current school year then be reassigned to a leadership role within the district. He gave no reason for the change and said Sodomka’s new role is yet to be determined. Sodomka was named principal at the high school in 2007 and remained in that role when the junior and senior high schools merged in 2009. He has degrees and licenses from St. Cloud State University, University of Minnesota and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Humboldt, the district’s only environmental science magnet for grades 6-12, is in the final stages of a $48 million renovation project that added 36,400 square feet to the school. Academic performance in some areas has improved in recent years. From 2017 to 2019, the number of students meeting state

standards in math jumped from 9.6 percent to 15.9 percent and reading from 13 percent to 22.2 percent. Science remained flat, at 7 percent. Between 2014 and 2018, the most recent data available, graduation rates peaked in 2015 at 77 percent then declined to 72 percent three years later. Of the student body, 46 percent are English Language Learners and 88 percent are on the free and reduced lunch plan.

DakotaLink extends service Dakota County is extending the DakotaLink transportation service for one year and offering the shuttle service to all residents at no cost. The bus service was launched in 2019 to help residents who lack transportation get to county appointments, court hearings, public health visits and other meetings. It can now be used to ride to work, visit friends and family and get to shopping locations. The service runs three times daily Monday-Friday between the Judicial Center in Hastings and transit hubs at Cedar Grove Transit Sta-

Now hiring for the summer! Join Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) as a seasonal employee starting at $14.61/hr. Help us promote health and well-being for the sevencounty metro area by protecting the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, in an environmentally safe manner. LOCATIONS IN: Oakdale, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Jordan, Rosemount Seasonal MMCD employees enjoy: Paid holidays • Paid time off • Unique job variety Outdoor work environment • On the job training Skills to boost your resume • Most weekends off Flexible start and end dates Apply today! Visit mmcd.org Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer Women, minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.

Page 12 - St. Paul Voice - April 2020

tion in Eagan, and the Signal Hills Shopping Center in West St. Paul, where riders can access Metro Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority bus connections. DakotaLink routes begin from the Judicial Center at 6:50 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Riders should look for the DakotaLink bus stop signs located at each of the three stops along the route. Drivers will not make unscheduled stops. For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us (search DakotaLink).

Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Friends of the St. Paul Public Library has elected eight new members to its board of directors. They bring a wide range of expertise and experience to the organization, from government affairs to corporate strategy. The new directors are Carol Bagnoli, Patricia Lopez, Michael S. McGreevy, Kim O’Brien, Marcus Pope, Dan Stoltz, Carolyn Wollan and Der Yang. Outgoing board members are Paul Dzubnar, Ann Folkman, James V. Toscano,

Courtney Henry and Elona Street-Stewart. Members are elected to a three-year term, which is renewable for up to three terms.

MN FoodShare campaign ends April 12 Those wishing to contribute to the Minnesota FoodShare campaign may make food or monetary contributions through April 12. To donate directly to the Neighborhood House food markets, call 651-789-3630 or visit www.neighb.org/ march-food-drive. For the Neighbors, Inc. food shelf, call 651-455-5000 or visit www.neighborsmn.org.

Vote for Quilts The Dakota County Star Quilters is presenting its 25th annual quilt show, “Vote for Quilts,” through April 3, in conjunction with the Hastings Spiral Piecemakers, at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 3rd Ave. N., South St. Paul. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays. A donation of

$5 is encouraged to support the museum. In addition to members’ quilts on display, the show includes a smallquilt auction and quiltingrelated items for sale in the museum gift shop.

ECFE plant sale St. Paul Early Childhood Family Education is hosting a plant sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, May 8 at 271 Belvidere, St. Paul. A wide variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets and more will be available. Plants start at $2.50. Proceeds support early childhood and family education programs on the West Side. For more information or to place an order, call 651-744-1750.

OLG enchilada dinner Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 401 Concord St., St. Paul, is hosting an authentic Mexican enchilada Lenten dinner 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. each Friday through April 3. Large plate $10, small plate $8, one dozen $20. Dine-in or pickup. For more information, call 651-228-0506.

LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE Church of St. Matthew, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul The Church of Saint Matthew invites you to join us in this season of Lent and the joyous season of Easter. We welcome you to come celebrate with us the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If you desire information about us, please visit www.st-matt.org or call 651.224.9793. LENT Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturdays at 4:15 p.m. & Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Daily Masses are Monday, Tuesday & Friday at 8:00 a.m. Thursday Mass at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School at 9:10 a.m. Mondays, March 2-April 6 Stations of the Cross: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 Ham Bingo 5-8 p.m. Fish Fry - Fridays, February 28-April 10 from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Individual Reconciliations Saturdays, March 7, 21 & April 4 & Sundays, March 8 & 22 Reconciliation after Masses Scripture Study-St. Matthew-Passion and Resurrection Saturday, March 28 from 9;15-11 a.m. Free will offering; registration requested Thursday, March 31 Chrism Mass–St. Paul Cathedral: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5 Communal Penitential Service: 3:00 p.m. HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Services Saturday, April 4: 4:15 p.m. & Sunday, April 5: 10:15 a.m. Easter Triduum Celebration Holy Thursday Mass: April 9, 7:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 10 Good Friday Service: 3:00 p.m.; Stations of the Cross: 12:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 11 Easter Vigil: 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 12 Sunrise Mass of the Resurrection: 7:00 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection: 10:15 a.m.

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MN Community Care opens new downtown clinic

Optimist club names contest winners The West St. Paul Optimist Club recently announced the winners of its 2020 spelling and essay contests. Shown here are (front) Eleanor Fallon, Grand Elementary Spelling Bee champion, Somerset Elementary; back row, John Rheinberger, club president; Sally Damm-Norby, club district governor; Elianna Zimmerman, first place essay champion winner, East Ridge High School; Diana Benitez, third place essay winner, and Megan Noggle, second place essay winner, both from Henry Sibley High School; Peter Olson-Skog, ISD 197 superintendent, and Cheryl Bergstrom, chairperson of the contests. Not pictured is Bella Carls, Grand Middle School spelling bee champion, Heritage Middle School. The club has sponsored the spelling contest for 23 years and the essay contest for more than 10 years.

{ MEETING DATES } St. Paul City Council meetings are 6:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of each held at 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday (ex- month at 209 Page St. W., St. Paul. For cept the fifth Wednesday of the month) more information, visit www.wsco.org at City Hall Council Chambers, 15 or call 651-293-1708. Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul. For agendas The Optimist Club of West St. Paul and contact information for city coun- meets 5-6 p.m., the first and third cil members, call 651-266-8560 or visit Wednesday of each month (no meetings www.stpaul.gov. in July) at Dunham’s, 173 Lothenbach West St. Paul City Council meetings Ave., West St. Paul. Visitors are welare held at 6:30 p.m. the second and come. For more information, contact fourth Monday of the month at City Cheryl Bergstrom at ckbergstrom@hoHall Council Chambers, 1616 Hum- tmail.com or 651-450-7391. boldt Ave., West St. Paul. For agendas The Rotary Club of West St. Paul/ and contact information for city coun- Mendota Heights hosts a weekly meetcil members, call 651-552-4102 or visit ing at 7:30 a.m., Wednesdays at Southwww.wspmn.gov/494/City-Council. view Country Club, 239 E. Mendota Mendota Heights City Council Rd., West St. Paul. Each meeting feameetings are held at 7 p.m. the first and tures breakfast and a guest speaker. For third Tuesday of the month at the coun- more information, visit https://portal. cil chambers at 1101 Victoria Curve, clubrunner.ca/8700. Mendota Heights. Some meetings may The Kiwanis Club of West St. Paul change to accommodate religious holi- hosts a weekly meeting at noon, Tuesdays and other events. For agendas, and days at Mattie’s Lanes, 365 N. Concord city council member contact informa- Exchange, South St. Paul. Each meeting tion, call 651-452-1850 or visit www. features lunch and a guest speaker. mendotaheightsmn.govoffice3.com/. The Dakota County Regional ISD 197 School Board meetings are Chamber of Commerce, which serves held at 6 p.m. the first and third Monday the cities of Eagan, Farmington, Lilyof the month at Mendota Heights City dale, Mendota Heights, Mendota, RoseHall Council Chambers, 1101 Victoria mount, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul, Curve, Mendota Heights. For agendas, hosts several meetings for the business and contact information for board mem- community. For more information, visit bers, call 651-403-7000 or www.mendo- www.dcrchamber.com or call 651-452taheightsmn.govoffice3.com/. 9872. St. Paul School Board meetings are Cerenity Senior Care-Humboldt, held at 6:05 p.m. at the Administration 514 Humboldt Ave., St. Paul, offers a Building at 360 Colborne St., St. Paul. support group for caregivers and famDates vary. For agendas, and contact in- ily members of people with Alzheimer’s THROUGH APRILcall3651- disease or dementia at 7 p.m. the third formation for board members, 767-8149 or www.spps.org/boe. Thursday of each month. For more inThe West Side Community Orgacall 651-220-1789 visitN. Served 4:30-7 p.m. in the Motherformation, Teresa room at 840 19th or Ave. nization’s board of directors meets at www.cerenityseniorcare.org.

EVERY FRIDAY

ALL YOU CAN EAT

Meal includes all-you-can-eat fish (gluten free), salad, baked potato or French fries, macaroni & cheese, roll, beverages and dessert. Beer & wine available.

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

Bowen, chief advancement officer. “Our mission is to strengthen the well-being of our community through health care for all.”

HHW collection Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste collection site at 5 Empire Dr., St. Paul, is open yearround. Drop-off is free for residents of Ramsey and Dakota counties with a photo I.D. For hours of operation and more information, call 651-633-3279 or visit www. co.ramsey.mn.us/ph.

Wentworth Library events The following events are held at Wentworth Library, 199 Wentworth Ave. E., West St. Paul. Low-waste living, 10-11 a.m., Thursday, April 23. Get tips to reduce waste and help your community and the environment. Intro to 3D printing, 4-4:45 p.m., Thursday, April 23. Learn the basics of how 3-D printers work and how to get started printing in the iLAB, using CAD tools for beginners. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. Día de los Niños/Libros, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25. This family-

friendly event includes live entertainment, Spanish/ English bilingual story time, crafts and games, light refreshments and more. Each child receives a free book. Watercolor bird painting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, April 27. Create a basic sketch of your favorite feathered friends to guide your painting. Discover various watercolor techniques to add color, structure, 3D shape and texture. Registration required.

English classes South Suburban Adult Basic Education offers free classes at West Heights Area Learning Center, 150 Marie Ave. E., West St. Paul, to help people age 17 and older learn English and improve literacy skills. To register or receive more information, call 651- 306-3632.

Flag disposal American Legion Challenger Post 521 has a collection box in the vestibule at the West St. Paul Municipal Center, 1616 Humboldt Ave., for American flags that are torn, frayed or discolored. For more information on flag disposal or on the Challenger Post, call George at 651-335-7763.

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South St. Paul HRA The Church of St. John Vianney wishes you a most blessed Easter full of joy! Please join us for prayer and reflection on this most sacred weekend.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 pm Holy Thursday - April 9 Mass of the Last Supper, 5:30 p.m. Good Friday - April 10 Stations of the Cross, 4 p.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion, 5 p.m. Holy Saturday - April 11 Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday - April 12 Mass at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

St. John Vianney Church

840 - 19th Ave. N., South Saint Paul 651-451-1863 | www.sjvssp.org St. Paul Voice - April 2020 - Page 13

C ommunity

Your community news and information source Nancy Brady President

Meet LaShaya, who works at Beaningful Coffee in the Osborn370 building in downtown St. Paul. Here she is sharing her experience with Beaningful and Neighborhood House. “Beaningful means a lot to me and I wanted to let you know why it’s such a special place.

“Just a mile and a half from Beaningful is an organization called Neighborhood House. They’ve been around for more than 120 years working to help families during times of transition or need, just like my family. When I was nine years old, I went to Neighborhood House for youth classes. As

Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO

I got older, I earned a certificate in IT and volunteered in their food market and daycare. “You’re probably wondering what Neighborhood House has to do with Beaningful. Good question! Beaningful is actually part of Neighborhood House. It’s called a social enterprise, which is the technical term for an organization that works to benefit society. Beaningful’s employees are also enrolled in Neighborhood House adult education programs, and we’re gaining real-world experience in leadership, business operations, product development, customer service and inter

personal communication. For me, this is a step toward reaching my dream of owning my own restaurant. “At first I was scared to get a job using a cash register. I was really, really nervous. But I learned it all and I’m so proud of myself. And now I’m one step closer to my dream. “If you haven’t visited Beaningful before, I hope you’ll try it. Mochas are my favorite drink, but I’d be happy to make you whatever you’d like. We also make fresh food each day, like parfaits, sandwiches, salads and soups, for those days you want to treat yourself. I hope you’ll stop in and say hello.”

Growing up in small town Minnesota, I was fortunate that I could walk to most anywhere I needed to go. We lived across the street from the high school and most activities I was involved in took place there or nearby. I worked for my dad at a local convenience store less than five blocks from home and could always walk to work. Even visiting friends in the area did not require

much effort from a transpor- Dakota County. Neighbors’ We always have more retation perspective. transportation program pro- quests for rides than we can I got my first car in high vides rides for a number of provide, so we need more school and have owned one reasons, including medical, volunteer drivers. Drivers ever since. Even so, at vari- dental and mental health ap- receive training and are elious points in my life I have pointments. Our volunteer gible to be reimbursed for lived in larger cities where drivers transport people to the miles driven. To learn bus and light rail were a Dakota County offices and more about becoming a reliable option. I have com- healthy food locations. volunteer driver, visit www. muted on bike, and for one We are able to provide this neighborsmn.org and click job where a shower was service because of a grant on volunteer, or call 651readily available, would put from Dakota County and 272-1133. on my running shoes and the generosity of volunteer Reliable and affordable backpack and run to work. drivers, who use their own transportation unlocks acThroughout my life, I have vehicles to provide curb- cess to many opportunities, been fortunate to have access to-curb service. They drive including medical appointto reliable transportation or passengers to their appointments and other services, have not needed a mode of ments, wait for them and work, school and more. It’s transportation besides my take them home again. Last easy to take it for granted own two feet. year Neighbors provided when you have transportaMany of our neighbors 1,136 rides. tion readily available. I am Sacramentyou of Reconciliation arePlease not so fortunate when it If you or someone grateful for the volunteers join us for prayer Wednesday, Aprilwho 1, 6:30 pm it possible for comes to reliable and affordknow needs this service, remake and reflection on this Holy Thursday April 9 able transportation. That is quest a ride by calling 651- many of our neighbors to sacred weekend. Mass of the Last 5:30the p.m.transportation whymost Neighbors and other 306-2143. Please contact usSupper, receive Friday -they Aprilneed. 10 The need persists. organizations offer volun- at least one week Good in advance Stations ofFor the Cross, 4 p.m. teer drivers throughout of 1 the appointment. Please consider becoming a SPV-MM_Apr2020V-Eng.qxp_Layout Celebrationcall of the Passion, 5driver p.m. and help more information, 651-Lord's volunteer Holy Saturday - April 11 opportunities for 272-1133 or email info@ us unlock neighborsmn.org.Easter Vigil, 7:30 evenp.m. more people today. Easter Sunday - April 12 Mass at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

LaShaya at Beaningful Coffee

The Church of St. John Vianney wishes you a most blessed Easter full of joy!

EVERY FRIDAY THROUGH APRIL 3

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

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Stations of the Cross Fridays at 3:30 pm WEEKLY MASSES: Tues.-Fri. 7:30 am, Sat. 5 pm, Sun. 8:15 & 10:30 am

For more information, call 651-451-1863 or visit www.sjvssp.org Page 14 - St. Paul Voice - April 2020

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Postscript

Raising the Roof

he roof fell in on the church I had been attending for only couple of weeks. As I have not always been a regular churchgoer, I thought this was kind of an over-the-top response to my unexpected appearance in church. The collapse was quite serious as it turned out. Several roof joists snapped, and the rest were badly compromised. We were not permitted to return to the sanctuary, so services had to be held in the basement, which was not directly underneath. The roof came down in January—of last year—and we are still in the basement. “What’s our word for the year?” one of the church’s two pastors would ask at the start of every service. “Flexibility!” the congregation would reply, in unison. The first few weeks were a bit disorienting. The basement is long and narrow, so it was hard to know how to

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set up the folding chairs. One arrangement was tried the first week but when we arrived the second week, the chairs were in an entirely new set-up. Older parishioners would enter the room and stand for several long moments, surveying the landscape to get their bearings. When the formation of the building committee was announced, there were plenty of eager volunteers. The thing about church committees is that they almost

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always involve one of three things: cooking something, visiting very sick people or asking people for money. No one actually likes going to the hospital or asking for money and, for me anyway, going to battle with an insurance company beats making a tuna noodle casserole any day of the week. As the months went by, I began to worry that this committee was, perhaps, having just a little too much fun. They spent months going back and forth with the insurance adjustors, and the commit-

tee chairman became a minor celebrity. Each week he’d announce who’d won the latest round and folks would cheer as if it were some new competitive sport. Apparently, we are now getting close. The project grew, as projects like this almost always do. The pews needed refinishing and the radiators an upgrade. The lighting was pretty badly damaged when the roof dropped down like the underside of a boat. “I think we’ll be in for Easter!” the chairman an-

nounced. That will be sixteen months after the collapse, and far longer, I am sure, than anyone imagined it would be. Last Sunday on my way out, I looked at the pews lined up in the narthex with a new coat of stain and brand-new cushions on them. It’s going to be nice, no question. But I wondered if I would be the only one to feel a little nostalgic for our year of flexibility. I wondered if joining this new church would have been as rich an experience if I’d

been comfortably sitting in a pew the whole time. Every week we’ve had to move and adapt to change. Every week the church has faced the challenge of how to fit everyone in and accomplish its many other functions the other six days of the week. Every week the congregation has had to work together in ways they never have before. While I’m certainly not wishing for the roof to fall in on anyone, I’m not sure it’s been such a bad thing. Till next time.

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FREE Local Shuttle and Same Day Service on Most Repairs! Page 16 - St. Paul Voice - April 2020