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

The St. Paul Adventure Quest St. Paul

Flower Power Page 5

Page 8

Volume 54 | Number 8

Your Community News & Information Source

August 2020

A glimpse inside Cabin of Love West Side musicians find joy in their journey Tim Spitzack Editor

Primary election is Aug. 11 Tim Spitzack Editor

The 2020 election officially gets underway with the primary election on Aug. 11. Locally, ballots will feature races in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on down to municipal offices. Voters in the St. Paul Voice distribution area will cast votes for a representative in both the Minnesota Senate and U.S. Senate, as well as U.S. House of Representatives District 4. In the U.S. Senate, incumbent Tina Smith (DFL) has 11 challengers, including fellow DFLers Steve Carlson, Ahmad Hassan, Paula Overby and Christopher Lovell Seymore. Republican candidates include John L. Berman, Bob Carney Jr., Cynthia Gale, Jason Lewis and James Reibestein. Kevin O’Connor of the Legal Marijuana Now party and Oliver Steinberg of the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis party are also on the ballot. In U.S. House District 4, incumbent Betty McCollum (DFL) will face off against DFLers Reid Rossell, David Sandbeck, Tiffini Forslund and Alberder Gillespie, Republican Primary election / Page 10

Tara Guy Contributor

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Abraham Lincoln, March 1861

n April 2018, Julia Bloom stood before a crackling bonfire in her backyard, journal in hand. Hesitantly, she tore a page from the spine and gently placed it into the blaze, watching as it burned brightly then slowly dissolved into ash. In went another page chronicling a moment of her life. Then another, and another. In a flash, the written records of those times were gone forever. For her, the experience was freeing, a time of letting go and extinguishing old voices. Yet her mind still holds those memories and many more—some precious, some painful—and she uses them to touch the hearts of others. Bloom is a West Side-based singer-songwriter and one-half of the acoustic folk duo Cabin of Love that performs locally at coffee shops and breweries, the West Side Farmers’ Market, area churches, and any other place that offers them a stage. Her partner in music—and life— is husband Nathan Bloom, 47, a multi-instrumentalist who backs her insightful lyrics and smooth mellow voice using everything from the mandolin and harmonica

Cabin of Love / Page 2

New exhibit at Landmark Plaza promotes unity

Nathan and Julia Bloom

braham Lincoln’s evocative plea in his first inaugural address was for healing in a bitterly divided nation, where brother would soon turn on brother. For many, his haunting entreaty still resonates powerfully in these times of racial discord and unrest; it did with Dr. Nicole Mary Milligan of the Milligan Studio in St. Paul. “I kept hearing this lovely phrase, our ‘better angels’, so I set out to find the etymology and discovered Lincoln’s whole speech,” said Milligan during a recent visit at the artist’s home and studio on Selby Avenue. “I felt we really needed to hear these beautiful words again.” Those famous words are the inspiration for her recent project, “Better Angels,” which was installed at Landmark Plaza in mid-June. The display is composed of ethereal-looking arched hoops strung with thousands of blue and white angel-wing pinwheels that twirl in the breeze. Better Angels / Page 6

School districts face many challenges in preparing for opening day Tim Spitzack Editor

lasses in local public schools are scheduled to resume Sept. 8 and administrators at local school districts have been scrambling to prepare for that day. They’ve spent the summer planning for three different scenarios—in-person learning for all students, a hybrid model that includes strict social distancing and

capacity limits of 50 percent, and distance learning only—while knowing that whatever approach they use at the beginning of the year may not be the one in place by the end of the year. Administrators have also been surveying families, students and staff and will use their input in the final plans. In mid-June, the Minnesota Department of Education issued guidelines for the coming school year that all

public and charter school districts must meet. Each scenario includes having a COVID-19 program coordinator. The in-person and hybrid approaches include requirements for social distancing, cloth face coverings, protecting vulnerable populations of staff and students, hygiene practices, monitoring for illness and handling suspected or confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, transportation

and more. As of press time, a final recommendation had not been made. “We are working under the assumption that all three scenarios will be used at different times during the school year,” read a note on St. Paul Public Schools website in July. “Each of these scenarios requires unique planning, but the common approach to all is the belief that school will begin after Labor Day on Sept. 8 for

grades 1-12, and Sept. 10 for PreK and Kindergarten as planned.” Peter Olson Skog, superintendent for ISD 197 (West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/ Eagan) told his school board at its June 29 meeting that the hybrid model has been most difficult to plan for because it involves educating students in person and at home. “They (Minnesota Department of Education) made

it clear to us that changes could happen before we start, changes could happen while we’re going, changes could happen from school to school,” he said. Three hybrid options under consideration include having assigned groups of students attend school on alternating days, half days or one-week-on/one-weekoff. He also said planning Back to School / Page 4

P eople

Your community news and information source

Cabin of Love from page 1

to drums and shakers. Julia plays guitar and piano, and daughter Luthien, 16, sometimes lends her vocal and instrumental talents. Even 13-year-old son Silas gets in on the act by contributing a few lyrics. The couple also performs Americana originals with a group called the Foragers, joined by Tim Kephart of West St. Paul and Kirk Livesay of South St. Paul. Julia, 44, has penned more than 300 songs. She writes with compassion about the human experience. Her lyrics touch on many subjects, including her family, the death of a friend, wrestling with her faith, and other matters close to her heart. A few years ago, her already considerable body of work increased exponentially when she joined an international songwriter group that encourages lyricists to write one song a week, an exercise to help them hone their craft. Each week a new topic is posted at www.songaweek.org, and participants

connect online to offer advice and encouragement. The experience has helped Julia be more focused and make time for her art. She created a “music cave” in their basement and carves out a few hours twice a week to write songs, and several hours more to record them. Nathan, an industrial engineer by trade, contributes instrumentally and uses recording software to enhance the tracks. At age 10, Julia’s first live performance was in front of a congregation in Spring Valley, Minn. It was a big step for the self-described introvert, and it put her on a trajectory toward contemporary Christian music, which she since backed away from. She met Nathan while home in Owatonna on summer break from Bethel College, where she eventually earned a degree in music and vocal performance. They fell in love, partially due to their shared passion for music. Nathan is also from Owatonna and they

Photo by Luthien Bloom

met in a church her Dad was pastoring. After marrying in 1998, their first residence was a rented cabin on Medicine Lake, near Plymouth, Minn. There, Nathan recorded a tongue-in-cheek message on their answering machine which said, “You’ve

reached the little Cabin of Love, leave a message.” Callers loved it, so the young lovers parlayed the phrase into the name of their band. Their big break musically happened that same year when Christian author Jim Sheard discovered Julia’s

work and asked her to write a song to accompany his new book, “In His Grip: Foundations for Life and Golf.” He was so taken with her composition, “In His Grip,” that he and a partner offered to finance a full album, which was released that December.

However, Julia and Nathan quickly grew cold at the thought of how it might change their lives. They had dabbled enough in performing at Christian venues to understand that many who booked them wanted to control the types of songs they

Enroll Now! PreK-8 • Full day free Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Program • Dual Language Enrichment Program • Strong Literacy Program • String Program • Free After-School Programs & Before School Service • Mariachi Lessons and Folkloric Dance After-school Programs • Music, Art and Physical Ed Classes • Sports • Free Transportation • Strong Family Engagement • Free Summer School Program

Need more living space? We are here to help! Think about Refinancing. Refinancing can potentially lower your monthly mortgage payment, pay off your mortgage faster or get cash out for that project you’ve been planning.

Member FDIC

BankLocal. BankBetter. BankCherokee.

Page 2 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020

•

Academia Cesar Chavez (ACC) is a tuition-free community-based elementary charter school

Call 651-778-2940

•

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

Academia Cesar Chavez School admits students of any race, color, creed, religion or national or ethnic origin. Authorizer: University of St. Thomas. Dana Peterson, Director of Charter School Authorizing, 651-962-4372

1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul, MN 55119 • www.cesarchavezschool.com

• • • • • • • • •

P eople

Your community news and information source their souls. Of course, music augmented the meetings. It was a far different worship experience than Julia had as a child growing up in Owatonna, and her time at Mustard Seed affected both her life and her songwriting. In her blog (https://juliabloom.wordpress.com) she shares details of her strict fundamentalist upbringing, and how she continues to wrestle with issues in her faith journey. “For a long time I didn’t feel legitimate because I had missed out on so many of the experiences that were common to my generation’s growing-up years,” she wrote in one post. “I don’t have memories associated with the music and movies of my generation because I wasn’t allowed to listen to that music or go to theaters. I was married before I was even offered my first drink. The wildest oats I sowed was an all-[cis, straight] girls stripand-run through the woods in my college years. Once. I think we might have howled at the moon for extra tension release.” The way she was raised caused her to be “naive, shy, fearful” and a people-pleaser, but that has since changed. “Only in very recent years

have I learned that in most situations there just isn’t a list of expectations for me to check off. There’s nobody standing by with a clipboard grading me. I don’t have to perform in order to be deemed a real live human being. I just am. And so is everyone else. I’m nothing special, and I’m the only me there ever was or will be. And the same goes for you.” One of her songwriting techniques involves using the words and phrases of poets long gone. “It’s easy to completely ignore all the good work that’s come before us,” she said. “That’s partly why I enjoy setting old poems to music. It’s a little like sneaking vegetables into casseroles for picky kids. Another reason is because it helps me engage on a deeper level with a poem, because I’m reading and speaking and singing it over and over as I work out a rhythm and a melody. The words get to work on me more than when I just read them straight through.” She finds inspiration and copyright-free material at www.publicdomainreview. org, and also in the works of her favorite authors, who include H.G. Wells, G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien,

C.S. Lewis and T.S. Eliot. She is “a sucker for books by dead Englishmen with initials for names,” she said. Songwriters she admires include John Prine, Rich Mullins, Emmylou Harris, Mason Jennings, Leonard Cohen, Bill Mallonee and Pierce Pettis. Bloom’s songs are oftentimes influenced by events happening in the world around her but she tries not to be political or preachy in her lyrics. Sometimes, though, she can’t resist making a strong statement. Recently she has written about the unexpected outcomes of social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day. At 1 minute and 35 seconds, her song “White” is short, yet poignant: White tears are decorative White grief keeps its distance White guilt is optional White passion lacks persistence White promises are broken White skin is thick insulation And a most effective cushion To smother a human soul. In her May 29 blog about the song, she wrote, “In our

shared humanity, in our singular hearts and souls, we can untangle and break the horrific bonds of race. Not today, not all at once. And not if we don’t see it for what it is, and listen, and tell the truth.” The uncertainty of these times has also nudged her along in her own spiritual journey, which she continues to explore through her music. “I’m so thankful for my faith,” she confessed. “There was a time I was embarrassed by it. In my twenties I was idealistic, then got discouraged. I’m coming out of my jadedness.” “I really enjoy the wisdom that comes with age,” she added. “I feel happy that I’ve continued to place priority on what’s important to me.” When setting out from her sleepy hometown in Southern Minnesota, Julia’s road led her to the Twin Cities, to a bustling town in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, then back to the Twin Cities, landing in St. Paul. She is proud to call Minnesota home, but it took leaving the state for her to realize that. While living in

Colorado she missed our 10,000-plus lakes, our rivers, our prairies and woodlands. And, yes, she even missed our humid summers and frigid, snowy winters. Mostly, she pined for her “people” and the chance to raise her own children near her parents and other family members. She aptly captures her longing in “Places I’ve Lived, People I’ve Known.” Driving down the street with my out-of-state plates feeling newly out of place looking at the flowers in my old front yard and remembering my life lived in that space home is not a dead-end road the road home leads you back or leads you on Now the West Side is her home, where she and her family enjoy the many amenities of the neighborhood and its people, too. And when not at a music or family-related gig, Julia and Nathan continue to chip away at remodeling their 120-year-old house. Through it all, they keep their focus on their family, relationships and making beautiful music together in more ways than one.

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

Free e-filing with return preparation

Federal and all states | Individual and small business

Do You Have Tax Issues?

From returns to audits to appeals, we can help. We are licensed to practice before the IRS and work year-round to resolve issues.

Stevens Tax & Accounting, Inc. DBA EQUI-TAX

1870 East 50th St. Inver Grove Heights (Corner of Babcock Trail and 50th St. E.)

John Stevens, EA

www.equitax.net

Bookkeeping for small businesses Certified Quickbooks advisor

IRS problems | Estates, trusts, planning

performed, and they didn’t relish the thought of traveling the country on a music tour. Their minds were drifting toward starting a family of their own. “I had seen where Christian music was going,” said Julia during an interview at their West Side home. “I wasn’t free to write about what felt true to me.” Unbound by a contract, they let the project fizzle. Bloom has since come to realize that she doesn’t need a recording contract to validate her work. “The songwriting, that’s why I do it. It’s where poetry and music come together,” she said. “It’s the best way to express myself. It’s like therapy. Writing and being on a stage performing live are the two times I feel most myself.” Cabin of Love recorded its first album, “First Fruits,” in 1998, and their sophomore work “Thirty Nine” 16 years later. “Good things take time,” quipped Julia, who also has two solo projects: “A Human Called Woman” (2005) and “Halo in the Frost,” a holiday EP released in 2013. Drawing on her wealth of material, she plans to compile 10-12 of her favorite song-a-week creations into an album this year. Find their music at www.cabinoflove.com. The couple moved to the West Side in the fall of 2017 from Loveland, Col., where Julia worked as music director at a branch of Mustard Seed House Churches, a home-church congregational model of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members. There, people gathered to share a meal to satiate their appetites and receive biblical instruction to nurture

For a FREE consulation, call Call 651-773-5000

The St. Paul Voice is published monthly and delivered to 16,500 homes and businesses in St. Paul’s West Side, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Lilydale & Sunfish Lake. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Staff Writers: John E. Ahlstrom, Amy Johnson

Contributors: Roger Fuller, Tara Guy Ginny Contreras Sawyer Delivery: Independent Delivery Service

For questions regarding news or advertising, call 651-457-1177

ST. PAUL PUBLISHING COMPANY

1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 651-457-1177 | info@stpaulpublishing.com | www.stpaulpublishing.com The St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright St. Paul Voice 2020. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.

St. Paul City School District

Looking for a small, supportive school community? We're enrolling! Call 651-225-9177 or visit www.stpaulcityschool.org to learn more and schedule a tour

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

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

In Pain? We're here to help! Let the Back in Balance team help get you back on track to better health. We use the most advanced techniques to diagnose and treat a wide variety of injuries and ailments. Dr. Scott A. Mooring Owner & Clinic Director

Dr. Debby Jerikovsky

St. Paul Voice - August 2020 - Page 3

E ducation Back to School from page 1

for transportation has been one of the biggest challenges. Most buses hold about 70 students. To maintain a 6-foot social distance, capacity drops to around 15. ISD 197 has been doing all this while in the midst of construction projects at all of its schools. Olson Skog said that much of the work will wrap up in August and that the projects are still under budget. Work at Henry Sibley High School will be completed by Aug. 17 with the exception of the aquatics center. That project has been delayed because of an issue with the gutter around the pool. Completion is expected by Oct. 1. Work on the cafeterias at Friendly Hills and Heritage will conclude Aug. 14 and 21, respectively, and the parking lot and other exterior improvements at Pilot Knob Elementary will be completed by Aug. 7. Work at Mendota Elementary will be done by Aug. 7 as well—four months ahead of schedule—and Aug. 21 at Somerset Elementary.

The pandemic presents families with many challenges, including childcare options, alternative transportation methods for the various scenarios, and ways to support distance learning if that is required. This spring provided a test-run in that realm, and now is the time for families to reflect upon the biggest challenges they faced and what they can do differently to address them in the coming school year. When in-person classes resume monitoring student health will become the primary concern, and this is where schools need parental support. A student should not come to school if they have symptoms of the coronavirus, which include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Reinforcement of proper hygiene is also needed, reminding children to cover

Your community news and information source their cough, wash their hands often and stay six feet apart from others. For more information on St. Paul Public Schools, visit spps.org/reopen2020. For more information on ISD 197, visit www.isd197.org. As of press time, the number of people age 19 and under in Minnesota with COVID-19 was 5,891.

Sports return The Minnesota Department of Health approved sports to resume and provided schools with several recommendations, including a phased-in approach that began with practice for all sports and scrimmages for outdoor sports on June 24, and scrimmages for indoor sports on July 1. Games with neighboring schools could begin two weeks later, and games beyond the community by the end of July. Coaches and fans are asked to practice social distancing and wear a face covering at all times. Players are also encouraged to wear a face mask when possible, and maintain good hygiene, including not sharing water bottles, snacks or towels, and using dedicated personal equipment

Photo: Metro Creative Graphics

Parents should be prepared to support in-home learning this year. such as bats, mitts, rackets, etc. Also, it is recommended that the traditional handshake following a game be replaced with a non-contact gesture.

SROs are out St. Paul Public Schools will not have School Re-

source Officers (SROs) this year. At its June 23 meeting, the St. Paul School Board directed Superintendent Joe Gothard to tell the St. Paul Police Department that they will not use SROs for the 2020-21 school year. They also charged him with creating a district-wide safety plan with the help of a new

committee. Details will be presented at the Aug. 18 school board meeting. Officers from the St. Paul Police Department have served as SROs for nearly 30 years. They worked to enforce laws, improve school safety and establish positive relationships with students.

WANTED

Vintage Records, Turntables & Stereo Equipment

651-248-7274

Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY

Now Enrolling Grades 10-12 DCALS North is now enrolling grades 10-12.

FOR RENT

Small class sizes Engaging curriculum

Find your new home with us! We're

At Home Apartments

with locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApts.com for availability of an apartment or townhome.

Earn credits at an accelerated pace

Online and Independent Study Options Prepare for success after high school

Equal Housing Opportunity.

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

CHARTER

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

Page 4 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020

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

PAROCHIAL

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

For more information, contact Eric Van Brocklin at 651-423-8259 150 MARIE AVE. E., WEST ST. PAUL

Learn new skills. Make media. Share your story.

Become a member today. Visit us at spnn.org or 550 Vandalia St Suite 170 Saint Paul, MN 55114

E ducation

Your community news and information source

New principal at Humboldt High

West St. Paul Sings contest

Abdirizak Abdi has been named the new principal at Humboldt High School, the only environmental science magnet for grades 6-12 in the St. Paul Public Schools district. He succeeds Mike Sodomka, who served in that role since 2007 and is now working as an assistant principal at Farnsworth Aerospace Upper Campus, a grade 5-8 school in the district. Abdi has a bachelor of science in management and a master of science in educational leadership and administration from St. Cloud State University and experience as a teacher, behavior support interventionist and administrator. Most recently, he was associate principal for Irondale High School in Mounds View Public Schools. He also served as an assistant principal for Saint Cloud Apollo High School and as an assistant professor at St. Cloud State University.

The West St. Paul Optimist Club is hosting its 5th Annual West St. Paul Sings contest for amateur vocalists. It features two divisions—ages 13 to 20; ages 21 and older—and the winner of each division will advance to the state level competition of Minnesota Sings. The top three winners from each division will receive a cash prize: $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. For contest details, contact Chuck Spavin at 651-315-8444 or chuck. spavin@rbc.com.

GoFundMe help A GoFundMe page has been established for Guillermo Arriondo, who suffered head trauma in an automobile crash in Mendota Heights on July 7. Arriondo immigrated here from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to pursue love—his wife Donna—

and a career in architecture. He is currently self-employed and his family needs funds to help cover medical expenses and lost wages. The couple has three daughters: Ynez, Elena, and Solana. To dontate to the campaign, visit: https://gf.me/v/c/ qzbp/guillermo039s-recovery-fund/

Student notes Miami University dean’s list: Sarafina Schimek and Emily Schlinger Iowa State University dean’s list: Thomas Buell, Joshua Dorle, Andrew Groebe, Michael Lavigne, Samuel Stifter, Anna Erickson and Ashley Halpin. Graduates: Andrew Conway, bachelor of science, supply chain management; Michelle Friedmann, master of science, agricultural and biosystems engineering; Samuel Stifter, bachelor of science, software engineering, magna cum laude; and Ashley Halpin, bachelor of science,

{ THE FULLER FILES } Damage to the statue of Christopher Columbus at the State Capitol that was torn down by protesters on June 10 is estimated to be $157,000. The statue was installed in 1931 by the Minnesota Italian American Society to commemorate how Italian Americans helped build the United States. The drinking fountains at Mears Park will remain off the entire summer to help stop the spread of COVID-19. St. Paul Parks and Rec. have said they don’t have enough staff to insure proper sanitation. The stream at Mears Park and the fountain at Rice Park will also remain dry. Amtrak is reducing service on the Empire Builder route between St. Paul and Chicago to three trips a week beginning Oct. 1. Trains on the route now operate daily. The proposed 15-mile Rush Line bus rapid transit line project has received a $1.25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to study the impact the line would have on businesses and neighborhoods. The line would have 21 stations between downtown St. Paul and White Bear Lake. Construction could begin as early as 2024. Sean Kershaw has been named director of St. Paul Public Works. He succeeds Kathy Lantry, who retired.

Kershaw was vice president of the Wilder Foundation Center for Communities and former executive director of the Citizens League. Tim Marx has retired as CEO of Catholic Charities after serving nine years. During his tenure, he oversaw construction of the $100 million Dorothy Day Place, which offers emergency and transitional shelter and other housing services. His successor will be named by the end of the year. The Ordway Center for Performing Arts is looking for a new president and CEO. After just four years in that role, Jamie Grant has resigned for a similar gig with the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif. The Ordway Board of Directors credits Grant with increasing original theatrical and concert programming and strengthening relationships with the Arts Partnership, a collaboration between the Ordway, Minnesota Opera, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club. A national search is underway to find his successor. Christine Sagstetter, Ordway’s CFO for 27 years, will serve as interim president. Grant will assist with the transition through Aug. 31. Absentee voting for the Aug. 11 primary will be easier now because ballots must

biology, summa cum laude Gustavus Adolphus College dean’s list: Christopher Bolin, Madeline McDermott, Elizabeth Whitcomb, Amanda Hoffman and Harrison Wold College of Charleston president’s list: Anne Underwood University of WisconsinRiver Falls dean’s list: Dalton Allen, Mary Fallon, Noah Frank, Anne Ganzer, Matthew Keith, James Kinzer, Nicholas Kronschnabel, Emily Tschida and Julie Whittaker. Graduates: Eric Anderson, bachelor of science, health & human performance; Matthew Keith, bachelor of science, health & human performance; Julie Whittaker, bachelor of science, business administration University of WisconsinEau Claire dean’s list: Kali Blaeser and Bree Osborne University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates: Anna Johnson, bachelor of science,

supply chain management; Heidi Johnson, bachelor of science, applied science; Stephanie Mathison, bachelor of science, apparel design and development; and Mason Taylor, bachelor of science, golf enterprise management Northern Michigan University dean’s list: Michael Cudahy Wartburg College dean’s list: Jordon Schletty Marquette University dean’s list: Clare Griffin, Amy Titus, Brian Gallagher, Mary Jurich and Nicole Tetzlaff Gonzaga University dean’s list: Margaret Conners. President’s list: Grace Redpath Saint Anselm College dean’s list: Erin Meyers University of MinnesotaDuluth dean’s list: Mark Iwen, Carter Henry, Owen Stotts, Riley Altier Hamline University dean’s list: Alex Aguirre,

Zoe Lamps, Michael Clausen and Jose Meza-Ortiz. Minnesota State University-Mankato dean’s list: Louisa Hall, Gabriel Miller, Virginia Franco-Omana and David Shubat St. Mary’s University of Minnesota graduates: John Stang, Sarah Zastrow and Steven Reamer Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduate: Rachael Trainor, medical administrative assistant Drake University: Andrew Larson earned a bachelor of science in business, information systems, president’s list; Jack Libbesmeier, president’s list St. Cloud State University: Jamie Herridge earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, summa cum laude, dean’s list; Elizabeth O’Connell, dean’s list Bemidji State University dean’s list: Taryn Marascuilo

by Roger Fuller

no longer be witnessed by a registered voter or notary public. Ballots postmarked on election day will be accepted if they arrive within two days of the election. Previously, ballots had to arrive by election day. St. Paul Downtown Alliance is proposing a Downtown Improvement District to improve cleanliness, safety, and the overall vitality of downtown St. Paul. The district, bounded by Cedar, Sixth, Jackson and 7th St., includes many cultural and entertainment venues. The first phase of the plan includes a “fusion center,” where police, the sheriff’s department, Metro Transit, private security firms and social service agencies can share information. The second phase includes increased street and gutter cleaning and graffiti removal; pop-up music and art programming; and street ambassadors who will offer help to visitors. The $600,000 projected annual cost would be paid by commercial property owners, the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County. If at least 25% of downtown building owners approve the plan, a public meeting will be held. If 35% reject it, the idea will be dropped. The district would be managed by a governing board and an advisory board.

Photo by Visit Roseville

Downtown resident Wendy McCarty is one of 20 artists who decorated a 7-foot-tall rose statue for Visit Roseville’s public art project Roseville in Bloom–a celebration of 20 Roses in 2020. The statues were built by TivoliToo, the same company that created the statues for the “Peanuts on Parade” project in St. Paul, which celebrated characters of the famed comic strip by Charles Schulz. The roses are featured in outdoor public spaces throughout Roseville through Oct. 31. The theme of McCarty’s rose is “Flower Power.” This is a different medium than she normally uses. Most of her work is portrait, figure and still life, as well as plein-air painting. Her rose is on display at 2027 Rice St. To view all locations, visit www.rosevilleinbloom.com.

St. Paul Voice - August 2020 - Page 5

A rts & Culture Better Angels

Your community news and information source

from page 1

Visitors can walk under and through the arches, which the artist calls a cloud tunnel. Seen from a distance, the coloration on the banks of pinwheels gives a soft impression of angel wings blending into blue sky. “We worked with the Milligan Studio last summer on the ‘UpLift’ exhibition in that same space,” said Joe Spencer, president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. “That was a really nice addition to downtown. We were delighted to partner with the Rice Park Association and Landmark Center in sponsoring the ‘Better Angels’ piece this year, especially now.” His comment refers to the nationwide calls for racial justice following the death of George Floyd. Milligan a lifelong, onagain-off-again Selby Avenue resident, is one half of the art practice of The Milligan Studio; the other half is her husband Alan Milligan, a native of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The auxiliary studio support team includes their ever-present

canine collaborators Heaney and Berkeley. Though they have called their St. Paul studio home for five years, they also maintain a studio in Belfast and have strong European ties, having spent much time abroad. Alan is a sculptor of considerable renown, perhaps best known for his work, the “Samuel Beckett Chess Set,” an exhibit of 32 individual bronze sculptures based on characters found in Beckett’s literature. The traveling collection has been exhibited in Belfast and Dublin, and in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. Nicole, also a trained studio artist, may be better known professionally as critically acclaimed novelist N.M. Kelby (her pen name), most notably as the author of the New York Times bestseller “In the Company of Angels.” “Before we met, Alan worked primarily in bronze, creating traditional sculpture, while I did more avantgarde theatrical installations at places like the Heart of the

Beast, Open Eye and Mabou Mines theaters,” said Nicole. “I like big, colorful, kinetic art, whereas Alan’s work was serious sculpture, in the classical style. When we started working together, it made for an interesting synergy.” Alan humorously explained their process. “She’ll get an idea, fall in love with it, then it’s up to me to design it,” he said, pointing to last summer’s “UpLift” project that consisted of dozens of small, colorful hot air balloon replicas floating above the pavement. “She wanted the balloons suspended. I said, “Suspended from what? You remember about gravity, right? What’ll I use, a skyhook?’” Eventually the balloons were suspended from a pergola, achieving the floating impression Nicole had envisioned. The couple met in 2015 when each was an artist in residence at Annaghmakerrig, a communal artists’ residence in County Monaghan, Ireland. Annaghmakerrig is the ancestral home of Tyrone Guthrie, the famed theatrical director who founded Minneapolis’s Guthrie Theater. “I had just written a book

Milligan adding the colorful pinwheels to the exhibit. called ‘The Pink Suit,’” said Nicole. “I’d been offered a bursary (fully funded stay) and had been there about six weeks when Alan showed up. We ended up chatting and really hit it off.” From that chance meeting flowered not only a love affair but a vibrant working relationship. Over the next five years the couple developed and refined an art practice

that has produced an impressive resumé of commissioned works of private and public art in the United States and Europe. Locally, the studio’s art can be seen across the Twin Cities and throughout greater Minnesota. Unfortunately, some projects have been sidelined because of the pandemic, including commissions for the Venice Biennale, as well as

workshops they were scheduled to teach this summer. They also had to temporarily close their studio’s retail space, which offers smaller hand-fired clay sculptures and replicas, along with merchandise such as Irish cashmere. “We had a really huge year lined up but Alan got quite ill first, and then I did, and things ground to a halt,” said

Caring Community, Global Education

Gunther in the SCLA

chemistry lab, 2018

What makes you passionate about St. Croix? I love reaching out to some of the fantastic faculty members that went above and beyond to not only care about my academic success, but also cared about me as a person. Gunther Grinde

ACADEMY

2018 alumnus Gunther Grinde is studying biochemistry and math at the University of Nebraska and currently helps run coronavirus testing for the State of Nebraska. Because of his work as a Chemistry TA and his research experience at the university, he qualified for the position. Read more at StCroixLutheran.org

Grades 6-12. Schedule a tour! (651) 455-1521 1200 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118

StCroixLutheran.org/USA

Page 6 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020

Thi nk Before you toss www.da kotacounty.us, Search recycli ng

A rts & Culture Nicole. The couple suspects each had COVID-19, but testing wasn’t readily available at the time so the diagnosis remains unconfirmed. Above all, the artists’ ethos centers on the furtherance of peace, unity, empathy, kindness and justice. A recent installation on Lake Street reflected this philosophy, as well as their love of community. It featured a series of illuminated curraghs (ancient Irish fishing boats) skinned with hundreds of photographs of area business owners and residents who joined in the project. The exhibit was a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his famous statement, “We all came in

Your community news and information source

on different ships but we’re all in the same boat now.” Their art blends the spiritual and transcendent with the tangible and tactile: earth, sky, wind and water. This mingling of the earthly and ethereal is fused— through grueling construction—into art that is at once powerful and profound, fanciful and magical. “We always begin with the simple beauty of light and air,” said Alan. Nicole added: “What we create together is sanctuary, breathing room, spiritual spaces where people feel like they can breathe. We’re trying to make lyrical statements that hopefully give people a sense

Viki n g Ex t e riors

Siding Soffit Fascia Roofs Windows Doors C a l l u s ! 6 5 1 - 2 5 6 - 1 0 6 1 Gutters

of belonging and make the world a better place, for a little while.” Amy Mino, executive director of the Landmark Center, believes they accomplished that with the “Better Angels” exhibit. “The Landmark Center is proud to sponsor their creative, inspirational work of art that is beautiful, whimsical and yet thought-provoking,” she said. “We hope it inspires people to find the angel within and dream big.” “Better Angels” will be on exhibit at Landmark Plaza through September. For

more information on the artists, visit www.themilliganstudio.com.

Live music at Landmark Plaza The Landmark Center is hosting free outdoor lunchtime concerts every Wednesday at noon at Landmark Plaza, 75 Fifth St. W. The line-up includes Joey Ryan on Aug. 5, Kashimana on Aug. 12, Dan Newton “Daddy Squeeze” on Aug. 19 and Martin Devaney on Aug. 26. For more information, visit www.landmarkcenter.org.

Since 1962

Securing your future

has never been more important.

901 N. Concord, South St. Paul www.vikingexteriors.com

BC# 003773

New for 2020-2021 Every student gets a Chromebook!

Now Enrolling 6th & 9th grades College Prep for ALL Students through a commitment to Social Justice, Leadership and Academics AVID, Advanced Placement, U of MN CIS, French Immersion, Orchestra, Competitive Sports, Band, Theater and More

fall semester starts

Our credits transfer to over 350 colleges annually.

Our fall schedule is available in safe, flexible learning formats.

200+

AUGUST 24

Saint Paul College offers one of the lowest tuition costs anywhere, and many financial assistance options make it even more affordable!

TWIN CITIES ACADEMY www.twincitiesacademy.org

courses offered online

Saint Paul College, A member of Minnesota State

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting the Director of Access & Disability Resources at 651.846.1547 or AccessResources@saintpaul.edu. Saint Paul College is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator and a member of Minnesota State.

St. Paul Voice - August 2020 - Page 7

A rts & Culture

The Urban Explorer Exploring our regional amenities Ginny Contreras Sawyer Contributor

Adventure Quest St. Paul I grew up in West Central Minnesota in a very small town, and when I was a kid, coming to the Twin Cities was a pretty big deal. One of my favorite field trips was in the sixth grade when we visited the State Capitol. I was awed by the sheer size of the building and its ornate interior, and the name Cass Gilbert became forever ingrained in my brain. Although I now live a mere 12 minutes from 75 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. I never think to go there. With COVID-19 keeping us closer to home this summer, I’ve been reminded that we St. Paulites have so many amenities nearby. Initially, my family and I found solace in places like Crosby Farm Regional Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park, but eventually my daughter started to complain about all our nature-focused outings. It was time to spice things up a little. “How about a walk but with things to find, like a scavenger hunt?” I suggested one day, filling in details of Urban Adventure Quest-St. Paul. She seemed on board

with that. Urban Adventure Quest is a family-run company that has been around since 2011. Inspired by the TV show “The Amazing Race” and a love for travel, the Walker family decided to create their own “amazing race” in cities across the U.S. They began with 12 locations and have since expanded to 72 different cities, including St. Paul. I used my smartphone to create an account, paid the $49 fee and received a code to gain immediate access to our 16-question adventure scavenger hunt. I was curious to see what kind of questions they would come up with for our city. The first one featured the two statues at the base of the stairs to the Capitol building: one of Knute Nelson and the other of John Nelson Johnson. I was embarrassed to admit that I had no idea who these two guys were, although I knew they must have been important to have earned such a prominent position. Luckily, the question didn’t require prior knowledge. Instead, it guided us to learn about the men by reading the plaques. We also needed to do some

Your community news and information source keen visual observation and counting, and learned a bit of Minnesota history in the process. We were off to a great start. The rest of the questions were just as cleverly designed. They were challenging without being impossible, and required us to interact with our surroundings. One of our favorites was at the “story stones” monument, a 2015 addition to the Capitol grounds. We wandered among 87 different sized rocks—all etched with excerpts from personal letters between Minnesota soldiers and their families spanning from the Civil War to modern times—looking for information needed to answer the question. In the end, the thrill wasn’t in answering the question but rather in the emotional stories we discovered. We also found that none of the questions was simple trivia. Almost all required multiple steps of intelligence-gathering. For example, one question had us examine a map of Minnesota that was engraved into the ground. With the provided hints, we located names of counties that fit into a crossword puzzle template. Afterward, we took certain letters from our answers and rearranged them to spell a word. At the Gold Star Table, we matched constellations to pictures provided in the quiz, then added up the total number of stars. At the Monument to the Living, we solved riddles by looking at

This artwork of Minnesota counties provides clues in the game. the larger than life soldier statue and finding letters, which we rearranged to form another word. Many of the questions required us to use a kind of cipher, almost like cracking a secret code. Unless my memory fails me, there seem to be many more monuments and memorials than when I visited the grounds as a child. I noticed a Special Forces in Laos Memorial, honoring the Hmong soldiers who had fought in the secret war in Laos from 1961 to 1975; the Roy Wilkins Memorial,

representing his 46 years of leadership with the NAACP; and a stone and porcelain mural dedicated to Minnesota workers who lost their lives in the workplace. There was also one missing: the statue of Christopher Columbus facing the Supreme Court building. That monument was toppled by protesters this summer. Although the hunt spanned only a one-mile distance between the Capitol and the Cathedral of St. Paul, we spent a good twoand-a-half hours leisurely

answering the questions. In the end, we achieved a total of 460 points and received a message saying we had placed second on the leaderboard for recent St. Paul scavenger hunters. We were quite proud of ourselves until I went to the actual leader board on the website and saw that we were second out of three teams. No matter. We still accomplished our overarching objective, and for one glorious morning we had forgotten all about the pandemic and felt like tourists in our own city.

We’re here to help

Discover how we can assist you or your loved one by calling: 651-364-6872 MOVE-IN SPECIAL: Move in by August 31, 2020 and receive half-off your first month’s rent.* *some restrictions apply

Accepting Elderly and CADI Waivers Assisted Living | Memory Care 514 Humboldt Avenue, St. Paul | CerenitySeniorCare.org

Page 8 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020 016-053 St Paul Voice Ad_JULY2020 v4.indd 2

6/11/20 3:56 PM

S ports

Your community news and information source

West Side Boosters, Henry Sibley alumnus lands coaching job at UWRF John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

n Father’s Day in 2001, my ten-year-old daughter Katie presented me with a homemade card. She used a lot of superlatives that I probably didn’t deserve, but the most memorable line was, “Thank you, Dad, for putting a ball in my hands. My life would be empty without sports!” Mine, too. And nothing has been more fun for her mother and me than attending literally hundreds of her games. When a thought-provoking press release from the University of WisconsinRiver Falls (UWRF) recently showed up on my email account with the news that Katie had been hired as an assistant coach of the women’s basketball team, I took notice. I forwarded the press release to our editor, Tim Spitzack, who is an alumnus of that esteemed institution and he responded by suggesting that I write a column to chronicle our shared basketball journey. After carefully pondering the idea for four or five seconds, I gave him a thumb’s up. Katie’s athletic career is deeply rooted with the West Side Boosters, a sports organization on the West Side that has sponsored youth athletics for more than a half century. Her first exposure with the Boosters came in the spring of 1998 when, as a seven-year-old, she reported to her first softball practice. Her coach was the legendary Catalina Adamez Smith, a true pioneer in the growth of girls athletics on the West Side. I recall that “Coach Cathy” lined up the girls along the baseline and asked them to take off their gloves. She taught them how to catch a pop up, saying “Catch it softly with some ‘give’ in the same manner you would attempt to catch an egg without breaking it.” In the batters box, she demonstrated how to transfer their weight from back leg to front during the swing. “Squish the bug” with your front foot, she would often remind them. Katie would continue to play softball at every level through her graduation from high school in 2009. One of her close friends on her first softball team was Brooke Alsides. In the fall of 1999 her father, Dino Alsides, invited Katie to tryout for the third grade co-

Katie Ahlstrom ed basketball team. Another Booster legend, Don Luna, was the head coach and Dino was his assistant. For Katie, basketball was an instant love. She and Brooke were the only two girls on their team and both held their own during the weekly inhouse league games played in the old El Rio Vista gym. Later that same season, Dino organized an all-girls third grade team that included Katie and Brooke. That team stayed mostly intact and represented the West Side Boosters through Katie’s eighth grade year. It was near the end of that first season that Dino coerced me to be his assistant coach. I’d like to think I played a significant role in guiding the girls—as sixth graders—to a state title with a nail-biting 22-20 victory over Farmington. “I have such fond memories of the years I played sports with the Boosters,” Katie said. “Don Luna, Coach Cathy and Dino–and even you, Dad–were very instrumental in my growth as an athlete and as a person and I nurtured friendships with teammates that I hold dear to this day.” When Katie was five years old, we started attending Henry Sibley hockey games to watch her cousin Andrea Henjum. Almost immediately, it became Katie’s dream to follow in her footsteps and attend Henry Sibley High School. She fulfilled that dream when she enrolled as a ninth grader in the fall of 2005. Not surprisingly, she tried out for the basketball team. She became a starter on the JV team but also dressed for varsity games. In the first game of the season at Como Park, the Warriors were in complete control of the game and Coach Harry Jenness inserted his three freshmen with two minutes to go. A teammate fired a pass to Katie, who was alone under the bucket, and she scored

her first two varsity points. Katie would start every varsity game as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was selected by her teammates as the team MVP in each of those seasons and earned All-Conference honors as a junior and senior. The Warriors never finished over .500 during her tenure, but that did nothing to thwart her work ethic on and off the court or lessen her love for the game. Early in her junior year at Sibley she let it be known to her parents that she intended to play college basketball. She was recruited by three colleges in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)—Gustavus, Macalester and Augsburg— but Augsburg sealed the deal when Coach Jennifer Britz ended her team visit with a promise: “I have a #10 jersey waiting for you in the locker room.” That wasn’t quite true. Katie didn’t get her #10 jersey until she was a sophomore. As an Auggie, she played in 91 games over four years, and perhaps more telling about her relevance to the basketball program and the esteem of her teammates was that she served as a team captain her final three seasons. Early on in her basketball career, I felt compelled to apologize to her for the fact that the traits she inherited from me sadly included my “Swedish speed.” That doesn’t mean that she wasn’t a wonderful basketball player (because she was), but it did preclude her from starring in a D-I program. Katie’s strengths included a picture perfect three-point shot, a quality free throw shooter and a knack for outsmarting her opponent on the court. And not once in her basketball career—from third grade to her senior season at Augsburg—did she ever sass back at a coach. Her photo belongs next to “coachable” in the basketball dictionary. Katie’s name doesn’t dominate the Augsburg record book, but it appears in a few categories. She ranks 13th in career free throw percentage (75.7), second in single season three-point percentage (45.7) and second in threepoint percentage in a single game (6-7, 85.7). She still loves to compete and plays in a few senior leagues. Her coaching career began in the spring of 2013 when Nathan McGuire, her coach at Sibley her senior season,

invited her to coach Woodbury’s seventh grade AAU team and serve as a volunteer assistant for the varsity. When McGuire was hired as the head coach at Minneapolis South in 2015, Katie was hired as his fulltime assistant. Over the course of four seasons, South compiled a 79-33 record, won four Minneapolis City Conference titles and advanced to the Section 6AAAA championship game in 2017-18 (losing to eventual state champion Hopkins). That same season, Katie coached the JV team to the Twin Cities Championship. Katie applied for an assistant coach opening at the University of WisconsinRiver Falls in 2019 but did not get the job. But when an opening emerged this

off-season, Coach Blake DuDonis contacted her and it did not take long for the two to come to an amicable agreement. “We are always looking for ways to improve our program and the addition of Katie to our staff absolutely does that,” said DuDonis in the press release. “Her success as a high school coach has proven that she is more than ready to make this jump. Our team is going to love her energy and her passion and I can’t wait to get her on campus with everyone. This is an exciting day for our program.”

In response, Katie said, “I am extremely honored and grateful to be joining the staff at UWRF. Coaching at the collegiate level is truly a dream come true and I want to thank Coach DuDonis for giving me this amazing opportunity. I love the direction in which this program is heading and I can’t wait to be a part of the Falcon family.” And Katie’s mother and I can’t wait to make the trek to River Falls, find a safe spot in the bleachers and cheer our new favorite team on to victory. Go Falcons!

Unbox Your Potential

Interested in a fast-paced job with career advancement opportunities? Join the FedEx Ground team as a package handler.

Package Handlers: $16-$18.50 to start

We reach the market you need to reach. Our newspaper group reaches over 37,500 homes and businesses in the St. Paul area, as well as the Hispanic market of the Twin Cities. To advertise, call 651-457-1177. www.stpaulpublishing.com

• Multiple pay increases within the first six months of employment • Tuition reimbursement program Weekend & • Career advancement opportunities Overnight Shifts Available! • Weekly paycheck/direct deposit • Must be at least 18 years of age • Must be able to load, unload and sort packages, as well as perform other related duties Full-time & flexible schedules available in some locations.

For more information, please visit GroundWarehouseJobs.fedex.com FedEx Ground is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer (Minorities/ Females/Disability/Veterans) committed to a diverse workforce.

Dry cleaning orders of $15 or more

$3.00 Off

Cleaning done on site

651-457-2909

984 So. Smith Ave. - West St. Paul (Smith at Dodd Rd.)

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7-7, Sat 8-4.

P O SH

Southview Animal Hospital 2000 S. Robert St. West St. Paul

www.SouthviewAnimalHospital.com

651.455.2258

Please present coupon with incoming order. Not valid with other offers. Expires 8/31/20.

Camelot Cleaners, 984 So. Smith West St. Paul • 651-457-2909

Support the businesses that support our community

Jerry’s Service Center

40+ Years of Quality Car Care!

459 S. Robert St. St. Paul 651.222.2943

St. Paul Voice

Your community news and advertising source since 1966

1643 S. Robert St. West St. Paul 651.457.1177

St. Paul Voice - August 2020 - Page 9

E lection 2020 Primary election from page 1

challengers Sia Lo and Gene Rechtzigel, and Susan Sindt of the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis party. State Senate Seat 65 Incumbent Sandy Pappas (DFL) will face Laverne McCartney Knighton (DFL) and Paul Holmgren (R). West St. Paul mayoral race - Incumbent Dave Napier will face three challengers: Jonathan Diamond, Kimetha (KaeJae) Johnson and Jeramie Torkelson.

Meet the candidates (appear in alphabetical order)

State Senate Seat 65 (includes Downtown and the West Side) Paul Holmgren (R) Education: accounting degree, St. Paul College Political experience: Past candidate for state representative and St. Paul City Council Occupation: Accountant, tax preparer, co-owner of St. Paul Tax Services Candidate statement: “It is time to change who votes for us in the state senate. I am willing to serve the people of Senate District 65, to protect their rights as

free people. The government should not tell her citizens where to live, where to work, or restrict each person’s ability to earn a living.” Learn more: Call 651401-2156 Laverne McCartney Knighton (DFL) - Did not respond to repeated requests for information

Your community news and information source versity. Political experience: Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984; served three terms. Elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990; now in her ninth term. Occupation: Executive director of the St. Paul-based nonprofit Forward Global Women, which promotes peace efforts by women leaders in the Middle East and North Africa. Candidate statement: “As your state senator, I am committed to using my experience and knowledge of the legislative process to make a difference not just for residents of our senate district, but for all Minnesotans. With your input I will work to re-vision public safety and work to implement meaningful and effective reforms; vigorously attack the opportunity gaps that exist for diverse communities in education, employment and housing; help small businesses recover from both closures because of COVID-19 and damage that occurred during the civil unrest.” Learn more: www.sandypappas.com, sandypappas65@gmail.com, 651227-6032

West St. Paul mayoral race

Sandy Pappas (DFL) Education: bachelor of arts from Metropolitan State University; masters of public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government-Harvard Uni-

Jonathan Diamond Education: business/hospitality degree from Madison Area Technical College Political experience: First time candidate Occupation: Interstate resorts and hotels; customer service Candidate statement: “Working to make West

HANDYMAN Join the fun...

HANDYMAN

Insurance

I do painting, Historic Caverepairs Tours

I do painting, repairs & cleaning of homes and apartments

Down in History Tours

We're Back!

MR. LARRY FOR HIRE & cleaning of homes 40-minute and apartments guided tour Window Washing Every Saturday Gutter Cleaning 10 & 11 a.m. and Repairs

Insured

Saint Paul 651-399-4304 Gangster Tours 2-hour narrated bus tour Every Saturday noon For other tours & events check out our calendar at

www.wabashastreetcaves.com

651-292-1220 We rent for private events 215 Wabasha Street So. Saint Paul, MN 55107

St. Paul a great city, getting and keeping small businesses, keep our citizens safe. Working with all city departments and having an open-door policy for residents to ask questions and bring concerns about any and all issues.” Learn more: jonnysaab28@gmail.com

MR. LARRY FOR HIRE

Window Washing Gutter Cleaning and Repairs

Insured

651-399-4304

STATE FARM

Stremski Agency 1560 Livingston Ave., Suite 101, West St. Paul

Home, Auto, Business, Financial Services 651-457-6348

Kimetha (KaeJae) Johnson Education: Alum of New Brookwood Labor College, St. Paul; AFL-CIO Organizing Institute, Washington D.C.; Regina V. Polk School, Labor Leadership Conference, Champaign, Ill. Studied business administration, specializing in human resources at DeVry

Insurance

MERRIAM PARK

FREE

STATE FARM BIDS PAINTING Stremski Agency Now booking

1560 Livingston Ave., exterior jobs LIC. St. Paul BOND.

Call Ed. 651.224.3660 Suite 101, West www.mppainting.com

INS.

Hogar Automóvil ROGERS MASONRY Seguro de Since Vida 1976 Quality brickwork & tuck pointing of buildings, stone foundations 651-457-6348 and chimneys licensed, bonded, insured

“Ours is a Service of Sincerity” Since 1927

Ken B. Peterson Owner-Director

Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation 612 So. Smith Ave.

651-222-3220 www.johnsonpeterson.com

Page 10 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020

LAWN SERVICE “Lo nuestro

es un servicio de sinceridad”

Total Lawn DesdeMaintenance 1927 Large or Small Ken B. Peterson Landscaping Projects Owner-Director

Office: 651-207-5396

Johnson-Peterson Cell: 612-328-6893 Casa Funeria y Cremación

Since 1984 / Major Credit Cards Accepted

612 So. Smith Ave.

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

Branch and Bough Tree Service and Landscape Care

Tree Care

Rope and Saddle Climbing Specialists

651.222.4538

andy@branchandbough.com www.branchandbough.com Fully Licensed and Insured ISA Certified Arborists

Call for a Free Estimate Today!

Landscaping

www.kernlawnservice.com

Landscape Design and Installation

www.johnsonpeterson.com LANDSCAPING

Arboriculture Rooted in Excellence Committed to Sustainable Landscapes

651-222-3220

University-Illinois. Occupation: Internal organizer, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota; Unit president, USW 726321 Political experience: Founder of Residents of Color Collective in West St. Paul; lead community organizer for Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC) in Milwaukee, Wis.; community organizer for the Fight for $15 in Chicago, Ill.; deputy campaign manager for Concern Citizens in Chicago, Ill; campaign manager for Gabriel Gomez for Wisconsin State Assembly, District 21 Candidate statement: “As the first Black candidate to run for office in West St. Paul history, I bring a new and long overdue perspective to city leadership and city oversight. I am running for mayor to build a West St. Paul that’s culturally aware, inclusive, and determined to break down systemic discrimination of all kinds. My candidacy is also about creating deeper relationships among residents and a strong sense of shared community. As a city, we can engage all our communities, especially those whose voices have gone unheard for so long, and work together to plan our future, create solutions and share resources.” Learn more: www.kaejaeforwsp.com

Dave Napier Education: Inver Hills Community College, St. Paul Technical College, Henry Sibley High School Occupation: Manager, Minneapolis St. Paul Plumbing Heating Air-St. Paul Political experience: Mayor of City of West St. Paul (2019-present); West St. Paul Mayor Pro-Tem (2016-2018), West St. Paul Ward 3 council member Ward 3 (2013-2018) Candidate Statement: “It has been an absolute honor to serve the people of West St. Paul as their mayor for

the past year and a half. My lifelong engagement in our community and almost eight years on the City Council has prepared me to lead the City for a second term. If re-elected in November, I will lead with experience, operational knowledge, and passion for our community. I will continue to involve our residents and develop strategic initiatives through neighborhood listening sessions. While declaring two States of Emergency in my first term, I realize how important it is to attend Emergency Response Training. Together we will work through the challenges of the pandemic. I will continue to work with local businesses to limit the impact on their daily operations. Learn more: www.napierformayor.com; admin@ napierformayor.com Jeramie Torkelson - Did not respond to repeated requests for information In addition to these races and the presidential election, the general election on Nov. 3 will include: Minnesota Senate District 52 - Incumbent Matt Klein (DFL) will face Republican challenger Tomas Settell. District 54 – Incumbent Karla Bigham (DFL) will face Republican candidate Leilani Holmstadt. Minnesota House of Representatives District 52A – Incumbent Rick Hansen (DFL) will face Republican challenger Mariah de la Paz. District 54A – Incumbent Anne Claflin (DFL) will face Republican challenger Keith Franke. West St. Paul City Council - Ward 1: incumbent Bob Pace will face Julie Eastman; Ward 2: incumbent Anthony J. Fernandez will face Robyn Gulley; Ward 3: incumbent Lisa Eng-Sarne will face former West St. Paul Mayor David Meisinger. City of Mendota Heights - Mayor Neil Garlock and Council members Jay Miller and Joel Paper are up for reelection, but as of press time no candidates had filed. The filing deadline is in midAugust. Visit www.sos.state. mn.us/elections-voting for links to candidate websites, as well as information on voter registration, absentee voting, how to find your polling place, and to see a sample ballot.

C ommunity

Your community news and information source Nancy Brady President

Students experiencing poverty face education inequality Children from families experiencing poverty have faced challenges with technology and internet access, making virtual learning during the pandemic difficult. These children already experience educational inequality, which negatively impacts their development and education and leads to an achievement gap. With the addition of the pandemic, experts fear that students will fall further behind and the education gap across the country will grow. Virtual learning is not equitable - Because families experiencing poverty don’t have disposable income, many don’t

Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO

As we enter the final month of summer, our attention turns to a new academic year. Like the end of the previous year, this school year will undoubtedly be unprecedented due to the pandemic, as well as the reckoning with institutionalized racism. The social unrest created by these crises has affected our sense of community. As a father of students, I witnessed the challenges our schools, teachers, students and administrators have faced during this crisis. For each child and family, the experience is undoubtedly as

unique as they are. The one commonality is they are all missing the connection that comes from being in a classroom together. Learning lessons from teachers is essential and so are the life lessons learned by interacting with others. Sharing the common experience of growing and learning together helps to form the whole student. Similar to the education system, Neighbors does not solely distribute food, much like the schools do not just teach reading. We serve people in a holistic way. During the pandemic, the biggest challenge before us is not

own computers, tablets, or pay for broadband internet access. Instead they rely on smartphones and mobile data for their technology needs. But schoolwork, including video chatting and downloading assignments, can be difficult to accomplish on a phone. Schools eventually delivered hotspots to those without internet access. Unfortunately, those hotspots were not always powerful enough for digital learning, especially when multiple students in a home were trying to go online at the same time. In addition, not all students are part of the St. Paul Public School system, so they weren’t eligible for tablets or hotspot rentals. The education gap could get worse - Minnesota has one of the worst education achievement gaps, with disparities across both socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity. Only 37 percent of students from families earning low incomes are proficient in math and reading compared with 68 percent of their peers from higher-income families. Only 30 percent of Black students are at grade level compared to 65 percent of white students. Furthermore, Minnesota has racial and ethnic disparities in poverty, meaning that Black, indigenous and people of color experience poverty at greater numbers than white people. Nearly 30 percent of Black and indigenous Minnesotans live in poverty compared to just

over 7 percent of white people. Experts fear that the academic disruption and lack of access to online tools during the pandemic will increase education disparities among children. Making virtual education more equitable - With the help of Comcast, we at Neighborhood House made sure our participants could access free or low-cost high-speed internet. The Rotary International Foundation and the St. Paul Rotary Foundation provided us with a tablet lending library so students could continue their classes online. Then we transitioned our in-person programming to online and began delivering weekly educational activity kits to students. These, along with regular digital learning opportunities, are designed to get students back on track. If students have questions, they can visit their teacher over a video call. Students need your help - To provide an equitable education to students, we need your help. There are new costs and materials associated with online learning that we weren’t able to plan for this year, and students are facing a greater possibility of falling behind. We need donations to provide educational activities and materials for students in the St. Paul area. To make a donation, visit www.neighb.org.

the ability to feed people. It is maintaining the sense of community that binds us together. Neighbors exists to support a connected community where people in need can receive many forms of assistance from their neighbors, and thrive together. While food is necessary for life, connection is what makes life more meaningful. As we grapple with the pandemic, economic fallout and the ongoing need to address diversity, equity and inclusion, food support will continue to be a major focus of our work. However, our mission—stating we will provide opportunities for our neighbors to thrive by connecting volunteers to people in need—tells a more nuanced story of why we exist. For food shelves and schools to be most successful, they need to be able to provide a sense of connectedness with those they serve. Their participants need to commune together to be

to thrive. In the meantime, we must adhere to the latest best practices to keep one another healthy. In so doing, we show respect toward each other and we create the best opportunity to regain connectedness as neighbors and to thrive as a community. All of us at Neighbors

Join our Tribe... Support Your Community Newspaper!

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

St. Paul Voice • Downtown St. Paul Voice South St. Paul Voice • La Voz Latina

fully nourished. The lack of nourishment we are all experiencing (both figuratively and literally) is challenging our communities. I look forward to the day when we can safely discontinue the practice of social distancing and embrace one another as fellow travelers bound together by a common desire

wish to thank everyone who works for our local schools. As you prepare for a new and unprecedented academic year, know that you are more essential than ever. May the coming year bring good health and many opportunities for you and your students to thrive.

MAKE MONEY MAKING A DIFFERENCE Bring this ad and receive an extra $5 on your first donation

Donate plasma and earn up to $400 per month*

CSL Plasma 572 University Ave. W. St. Paul MN 55103

651-780-7225 CSLPlasma.com

Applicable for eligible, qualified new donors. Fees vary by weight and location. New donors must bring photo ID, proof of address and Social Security number.

NOW HIRING: Resident Assistants, Nursing Assistants, Culinary Servers To apply, visit bhshealth.org/jobs EEO/Vet Friendly

Flexible Scheduling | Growth Opportunities | Meaningful Work St. Paul Voice - August 2020 - Page 11

SELF SERVICE SAVES! 1 EVERY DAY 50¢ EVERY TUESDAY $

Low cost powerful vacs, too!

At these prices you can wash daily for the price of one drive-thru wash!

Big Splash Car Wash

351 Robert St. S. St. Paul

2 Convenient Locations!

1407 Robert St. S. West St. Paul

Wash With Us & Your Car Will Sparkle Like the Sun!

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

651-221-0026

• • • •

Quality bp gasoline Full-service auto repair ASE Master Technicians 36 month or 36,000 mile warrantly on all repairs • Convenience store

542 Robert St. N., St. Paul | www.downtownbp.com | Mon-Fri. 7 am-8 pm, Sat. 8 am-4 pm, Sun. 9 am-4 pm

GASOLINE

10¢ off per gallon (maximum 30 gallons)

Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

$20 OFF

Any Service over $100 Most vehicles. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

GASOLINE

10¢ off per gallon (maximum 30 gallons)

Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

FREE computer scan for store codes Most vehicles. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

OIL CHANGE $1999 or $4999

Synthetic blend

Full Synthetic Most vehicles. Up to 6 quarts of oil, standard filter and chassis lube. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

ANY SERVICE 10% off

(maximum savings $100.) Most vehicles. Not valid with other offers. Limit one coupon per visit. Offer expires 8/31/20. Downtown bp, 542 Robert St. N., St. Paul 651-221-0026

FREE Local Shuttle and Same Day Service on Most Repairs! Page 12 - St. Paul Voice - August 2020