St. Paul Voice August 2021 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

The St. Paul

The Strong Survive Page 10

Irish Fair returns to Harriet Island Page 8

Volume 55 | Number 8

Skatepark discussions underway

Your Community News & Information Source

August 2021

A Symbol of Healing and Hope

Mendota Heights names new city administrator

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

rea parks are likely to evolve in the next few years as cities in our distribution area are contemplating adding a trendy amenity that appeals primarily to youth and young adults. The cities of West St. Paul and Mendota Heights are considering building new skateparks and may even partner to create a regional facility. Skateparks feature obstacles that challenge the skills of inline skaters, skateboarders and bicyclists. Currently there’s only one skatepark in these communities. It’s located at Rogers Lake Park in Mendota Heights. It’s a simple skatepark with six obstacles built on a former tennis court. The City is now considering building a brand new skatepark on that site. West St. Paul’s Capital Improvement Plan calls for a new skatepark at the West St. Paul Sports Complex near Wentworth and Oakdale avenues. These plans represent a shift in public attitudes regarding skateparks, which have had a reputation for attracting undesirable crowds and illegal activities. However, research compiled over the past two decades shows that skateboarding is becoming a more widely recognized recreational sport, so much so that it has been added to the Olympics this year for the first time. The problem with community Skateparks / Page 4

Cheryl Jacobson Jake Spitzack Staff Writer Photo by Jake Spitzack

Tim Spitzack Editor

rtists Gustavo Lira and David Manzanares have been toiling under the hot summer sun in recent weeks to create a symbol of healing and hope on the side of La Clinica, 153 César Chávez St., St. Paul. The duo is creating a 31-by-34-foot mural on the building and plan to unveil it in August. A community celebration is expected but the date was not available as of press time. Updates will be posted on La Clinica’s social media sites. The mural’s design is heavily influenced by Latin American culture. Its center point is a tree of life, a symbol recognizable to cultures from around the world. Other images include hands that represent giving and sharing; a flower to represent the origin of herbal medicine and its influence on modern medi-

Back to School The new school year is just around the corner. Find out what’s happening at neighborhood schools.

cine; corn, pumpkins and beans to represent nutritional health; and ribbons braided with iconography from around the world. Lira is originally from Mexico City but has lived in Minnesota for more than 25 years. The Minneapolis resident has participated in numerous community art projects. Manzanares has been helping beautify public spaces with art for the last 15 years. In addition to the mural, the site will feature several large mosaic pots, each seven feet high and two feet wide. The pots are being created by Vicky Melchor, a native of Mexico City who has lived in Minnesota for several years. Each pot has a different theme suggested by community members. Themes include family, community and hope. Melchor’s son, who is autistic, designed one of the images. It features his hands making the form of a butterfly. Melchor has participated in many other public art projects around the Twin Cities.

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

rea administrators are optimistic that this school year will look closer to normal, with classes resuming in-person and at full capacity at all schools in our distribution area. However, some schools will still offer online learning, including St. Paul Public Schools, which has created a new online high school (www.spps. org/onlineschool).

endota Heights City Administrator Mark McNeil will pass the torch to his longtime assistant when he retires at the end of September. Cheryl Jacobson was formally offered the job on June 15 and will start October 1. She will become the City’s 10th city administrator. “I am so pleased that the City Council unanimously supported promoting our current assistant city administrator Cheryl Jacobson,” said Mayor Stephanie Levine. “She has built great working relationships and has earned the trust and respect of the staff and council, as well as the broader community. Cheryl is a highly qualified professional with the skills and experience that will ensure a smooth transition for the residents of Mendota Heights.” The City Council had a few options to find McNeil’s successor: promoting City manager / Page 5

Humboldt Secondary School

Humboldt High school, 30 Baker St. E., finished up the final touches of a 3-year construction project this summer. The project included building a new wing of classrooms, updating technology and renovating the performing arts rooms. The public is invited to tour the school on October 2 at an open house during homecoming week. For more details, visit www.spps. org/humboldt or call

651-293-8600. The school will be fully in-person this fall and projects an enrollment of more than 1,000 students. Riverview West Side School of Excellence

Riverview West Side School of Excellence, 160 Isabel St. E., has added a few new staff members, including a reading teacher, art specialist and social studies specialist. Enrollment is Back to School / Page 2

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Back to School from page 1

projected at 440 students, PreK-5th grade. Cherokee Heights Elementary

Cherokee Heights Elementary, 694 Charlton St. S., has added six new teachers and a counselor. The school updated lighting and security systems over the summer. Projected enrollment is 190 students in K-5th grade, and 40 pre-K students.

St. Paul City School

St. Paul City School district, which operates River’s Edge Academy High School, 188. W. Plato Blvd., on the West Side, is constructing a new facility at 215 University Ave. W., where its primary, middle and high schools will be consolidated beginning with the 2022-23 school year. The building will house Pre-K through 12th grade programming and feature adaptive classrooms

designed for small classes, a gymnasium, greenspace and more. Founded in 1998, the district serves 520 students and intentionally keeps class sizes small: 25 per class at the primary and middle school levels, and 20 per class at the high school. For more information, visit www.stpaulcityschool.org. St. Croix Lutheran Academy

St. Croix Lutheran, 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul, will be fully in-person this fall and offer an online option as well. The online pro-

gram is in partnership with Genesis Academy and will be different than what was offered last school year. Principal Richard Gibson plans to retire at the end of the coming school year. Nate Kallies, current middle school principal, will succeed him in the fall of 2022. Bradley Essig, middle school director, will become the middle school principal. New staff this year include Phil Bunkowske, activities director; Gabe Plocher, high school math teacher; Abby Plocher, middle school teacher; Jamee Kroll, band

director; Austin Eisenmann, assistant activities director and middle school math teacher; Kayla Eisenmann, English teacher; Maria Reese, middle school English teacher; and Ryan Plath, math teacher. St. Croix switched athletic conferences on July 1 and is now part of Skyline, which includes Concordia Academy, Saint Agnes, Maranatha Christian Academy, St. Croix Preparatory Academy, New Life Academy, Trinity at River Ridge, Cristo Rey Jesuit and Nova Classical Academy. St. Thomas Academy

The “Summer Splash” construction project concludes this fall at St. Thomas Academy, 949 Mendota Heights Rd., Mendota Heights. The $5.5 million project includes new classrooms and administrative offices, a courtyard and expansion of the main parking lot. The school also relocated the science and engineering labs to the middle school. Two long-time faculty members have retired: Chief Warrant Officer Paul Preblich, who taught leadership and coached the rifle

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team, and Dave Ziebarth, who taught history and was head football coach for many years. The school hired Greg May as the new athletics and activities director, and Khalid El-Amin as head basketball coach. El-Amin was an accomplished point guard in high school, college and the pros. Enrollment is projected to be around 600 this fall, a 5% increase from last year. Visitation

New staff at Visitation, 2455 Visitation Dr., Mendota Heights, include Jessica Hallin, director of Lower School; Mirella Maxwell Miller, director of Enrollment Management; and Kathleen West, English teacher at Upper School. St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists

St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, 16 5th St. W., St. Paul, has added staff members to assist with COVID-19 recovery and student recruitment and retention, and a new math teacher. It also has a new creative writing program. Local poet Michael Kleber-Diggs chairs the department.

Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY

SCHOOL We see, respect, and connect to CHOICE yourDIRECTORY story. We welcome you to be your most authentic self while ﬁnding those who share your passions, goals, and background. You’ll feel connected to and supported by a community of instructors, staff, and ENROLL SAINTPAUL.EDU students all helping toAT achieve your best.

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.

Registration for Fall Semester is now open. Go full-time or Visitevening www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for part-time. Day, and weekend course options are tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs. available. Create a schedule that works best for you.

Academia Cesar Chavez 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 | www.cesarchavezschool.com St. Paul City School PreK-12 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 | www.stpaulcityschool.org

CHARTER

Fall Semester starts Academia August Cesar Chavez 23! 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com St. Paul City School PreK-12 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org

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

ENROLL AT SAINTPAUL.EDU PAROCHIAL

St. Croix Lutheran Academy 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul Document available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by 651-455-1521 contacting 651.350.3008 or AccessResources@saintpaul.edu. Saint Paul College is Saint Paul College, www.stcroixlutheran.org an Equal Opportunity employer

Page 2 - St. Paul Voice - August 2021

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

COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES

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

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New era begins at ISD 197

High school has a new name and a new principal Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

his year’s senior class in ISD 197 will be the first to graduate from Two Rivers High School, the new name of the former Henry Sibley High School. The name was changed on June 21, after the school board voted 5-1 to drop the school’s namesake based on testimony from Minnesota Historical Society staff, members of the indigenous community, school alumnus, and residents of the district. Henry Sibley was a fur trader, military leader and eventually Minnesota’s first governor. The issue of his character resurfaced about a year ago when a graduate of the high school pointed out Sibley’s treatment of the Dakota during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Sibley’s actions contributed to the largest mass execution in U.S. history, when 38 Dakota men were hanged near Mankato

in December 1862. ISD 197 policy stipulates that when naming a district facility after a prominent person, the board must consider whether the person has demonstrated good character or made significant contributions or achievements. The current board deemed that Sibley fails the character test. The new name is a nod to the confluence of the Minnesota and the Mississippi rivers and is intended to symbolize unity. A naming committee presented five ideas that were shared with the community for feedback. The choices were derived mainly from the geographic and historical roots of the area. The other names were West Heights, Mni Sota, Hillside, and Ohoda, a Dakota word for respect. The committee asked the community to rank the names based on the following criteria: makes them proud, best reflects the community, reflects the committee’s stra-

tegic framework, and stands the test of time. After analyzing feedback from nearly 4,200 responses, the committee found that Two Rivers and West Heights were the top choices, and Hillside a close third. The first two received the highest committee support. All three names were presented to the school board for consideration. The school serves more than 1,400 students in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan area. Their nickname, the Warriors, will remain the same. It hasn’t been determined when signage will change. For more details, visit www.isd197.org or call 651-403-7100. Al Johnson was named principal of Two Rivers High School, effective July 1. He succeeds Ron Monson, who served as principal since 2014 and retired at the end of June. Johnson previously was principal at McKinley Area Learning Center in School District

742 in St. Cloud. Other administrative experience includes working as a site administrative manager for St. Paul Public Schools and as an integration specialist at Hopkins School. Johnson has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northwestern University in St. Paul with a focus in organization leadership. He has seven children and in his spare time enjoys

cooking, biking and playing the drums. ISD 197 schools have slightly changed start and end times. Elementary school hours are 7:45 a.m.2:15 p.m.; middle school, 8:45 a.m.-3:20 p.m.; and high school, 8:25 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. The first day of school for kindergarten and grades 5 and 9 is Wednesday, Sept. 8. All other grades will

start on Thursday, Sept. 9. This fall marks the end of a 3-year construction project funded by a May 2018 bond referendum. Improvements were made to the performing arts and music rooms, auditorium, indoor athletic areas, locker rooms, various classrooms, common areas, office spaces, laboratories, meeting rooms and more.

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C ommunity

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Skateparks from page 1

skateparks in the past has been location. Cities often built them in areas out of the public eye. According to the Skateboard Project, a nonprofit that helps communities create skateboard parks and secure grants, a skatepark should be in a central location with high foot traffic, rather than tucked away in the back area of a park. High foot traffic helps curb inappropriate behavior. Skateparks are a hub for all types of non-motorized equipment including bikes, scooters, inline skates and skateboards. While bystanders may think that the frenzy of movement is unorganized and dangerous, a culture of courtesy exists. People take turns using the rails, ramps and bowls, and intergenerational teaching happens naturally. Also, the sport is fairly inexpensive. After buying a set of wheels and protective gear, skating is free. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, skating is relatively safe compared to other

sports like basketball and football. The most common injuries are sprains, fractures and abrasions, usually resulting from irregular surfaces or poorly maintained features. The Public Skatepark Development Guide, a resource for planners, says skatepark designs and policies to mitigate risk vary widely from state to state. Some states require that all structures be less than 3-feet high, and some states require safety protection (elbow pads, knee pads, helmet and wrist guards), but others don’t have these stipulations. In most cases, liability for a city occurs only if its skatepark is not properly maintained. Additionally, cities may post “use at your own risk” signs, absolving them from liability. Today’s skateparks vary in scope and size. Surfaces and structures can be made from wood, steel and concrete. Some are made with prefabricated kits that are assembled on an existing concrete or asphalt slab, such

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Matt Carlson, 33, and Tim Carlson, 36, test their skills on the obstacles at Rogers Lake Skatepark in Mendota Heights. The brothers said most skateparks in the area are in a state of disarray and look forward to cities making investments to improve them. as a tennis court. Others are cast in concrete, which is the most popular material due to its optimal grip in all kinds of weather and for its design flexibility. Although concrete tends to be more expensive, it often saves money in the long run through reduced maintenance. According to the Skateboard Project, a 10,000 square-foot skatepark can support a community of 25,000

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and allow around 70 skaters to use it simultaneously. Cost is approximately $450,000 but varies widely based on amenities. A regional skatepark — at least 20,000 square-feet — can support a population of about 50,000 residents and accommodate 100 skaters at a time. “The skatepark [in West St. Paul] is still in its infancy stage,” said Dave Schletty, assistant manager for West St. Paul Parks and Recreation. “The project has been added to our Capital Improvement Plan for 2030. This is just a MR. LARRY FOR HIRE holding place and could be I do painting, repairs moved up if it progresses & cleaning of homes sooner or if some outside andis apartments funding secured. “I would sayWashing at this point Window anything is still a possibility,” Gutter Cleaning he added. “IfRepairs South St. Paul and and/or Mendota Insured Heights want 651-399-4304 to partner [with West

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St. Paul] and we can secure a nice funding source, I think a regional skatepark is not out of the question. We are still willing to look at all options at this point.” Mendota Heights Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence said that her city needs more time to decide. “My gut reaction right now is that each city would build their own smaller park,” she said. “We are going to be working with the City Council in the next few months to get direction on budget, which will be a huge driver.” Skateparks have evolved dramatically since the first one in the world — Surf City — opened in Tucson, Ariz., in 1965. One of the country’s newest and most elaborate parks — the 88,000-square-foot Lau-

ridsen skatepark in Des Moines, Iowa — opened this May and is already attracting people from across the country. It hosted an Olympic qualifying competition on opening weekend. Locally, the nearest skateparks are Front Skatepark, 485 Stinson Ave. W., Merriam Skatepark, 2000 Saint Anthony Ave., and Palace Skatepark, 781 Palace Ave., all in St. Paul; LexingtonDiffley Skatepark, near the athletic fields at 4201 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan; Inver Grove Heights Skatepark, 8175 Barbara Ave., and Rogers Lake in Mendota Heights. For more information on the local skateparks projects, contact your city’s park and recreation department. Call West St. Paul at 651-552-4150 and Mendota Heights at 651-452-1850.

N ews Briefs Student notes Bethel University dean’s list: Annie Gydesen, Natalie St. John University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire dean’s list: Isabelle Parnell, Kathryn VanNatta, Benjamin Kirkwood, Kali Blaeser, Matthew Bachman, Holly Ball, Luca Ciletti, Bree Osborne St. Mary’s University of Minnesota - Graduates: Thomas Stang, business intelligence, analytics and finance, dean’s list; Kathryn Wohlberg, human services. Dean’s list: Justine Cobbett, Amanda Tuvey Normandale Community College - Corrina Jones was named to the dean’s list. Graduates: Amanat Kempainen, marketing; Pedro Madrigal, liberal education, with high honors; Kailee Rosario Ibarra, business marketing and management, with honors; Andrew Netherton, liberal education; Shirley Vue, business transfer pathway, with high honors University of Findlay dean’s list: Emilee Skadron University of Alabama dean’s list: Erik Iverson Marquette University dean’s list: Brian Gallagher,

Your community news and information source Mary Jurich, Nicole Tetzlaff, Adelaide Johanson University of Iowa graduates: Riley Sexton, juris doctor of law; Mariah Miller, Ph.D., physical therapy; Jacob Gerend, psychology; Nicole Tetzlaff, economics; Lauren Debertin, master’s, psychology; Adelaide Johanson, master’s, physician assistant studies University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates: Eric Burrell, mechanical engineering; Kristine Grams Klein, interior design St. Francis University graduate: Heather Nelson Benedictine College - Dean’s list: Thomas Wilkin, Marykatherine Kocourek, Cathryn Schneider, Mary Menke, Timothy Rosno. Dolores Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, cum laude Drake University: President’s list: Joe Barnard, Jack Libbesmeier.; dean’s list: Owen Finn University of Utah graduates: Joe Wassweiler, bachelor of science in design; Mathew Kortuem, bachelor of science in medical laboratory science College of the Holy Cross dean’s list: Aidan

McSweeney Miami University dean’s list: Emily Schlinger and Sarafina Schimek Wheaton College dean’s list: Joseph Gross Emerson College dean’s list: Chen Chen Rochester Institute of Technology dean’s list: Mac McCluskey University of WisconsinRiver Falls graduates: Noah Frank, bachelor of science in stage and screen arts; Christopher Ladas, bachelor of science in physics Millikin University dean’s list: Brigham Williams College of Charleston president’s list: Anne Underwood

Basketball camp Humboldt/OWL’s boys basketball program is offering a free basketball camp for boys entering 6th through 8th grade. The camp will be held 1-3 p.m., Aug. 2-5 at Humboldt High School, 30 Baker St., St. Paul. Participants will learn fundamental skills and enjoy contests and team competitions. To register, contact Augie Garcia at augie.garcia@ci.stpaul. mn.us or call the school at 651-744-5609.

Summer Spark St. Paul Public Library is hosting Summer Spark through August 31 for youth ages 18 and under. This summer learning and reading program features outdoor and virtual events, reading challenges and book giveaways. Activities include story strolls, Take and Make kits and performances by storytellers, jugglers, magicians and other performers. For details, visit www.sppl. org or call 651-266-7000.

Tutors needed AmeriCorps is seeking reading and math tutors for the coming school year. Tutors may work 35, 25 or 18 hours a week and will receive a stipend every two weeks plus extra money to pay for college tuition or student loans. Those age 55 or older may gift their education award to a family member. Many tutors also qualify for additional benefits such as free health insurance and childcare assistance. The application deadline is Aug. 11. Tutors may start in August, October or January. To apply, visit readingandmath. org or call 866-859-2825.

City manager from page 1 from within, conducting their own search or hiring a search firm to handle all or part of the process. The Council was reluctant do a search because of the high number of other cities in the metro area that are currently recruiting city managers. McNeil told the Council that competition for qualified candidates is tight because at least six other cities are also hiring. On June 9, the City learned that Jacobsen was interested in the position. She has been assistant city administrator for nearly five years and has full knowledge of city operations. She has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Winona State University and a master’s in public administration from Hamline University. City administrators serve as the chief administrative officer for the city and are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and implementing city policies. McNeil has held the position for more than six years. Previously, he was city administrator in Savage, Shakopee and Mason City, Iowa. “Mark McNeill has been a pleasure to work with, especially during this time of transition,” said Levine. “With 45 years of experience, he is not only a valued mentor and adviser, but demonstrates through his work ethic how to perform the highest quality public service. I am so grateful for Mark’s service to our city. While he will be missed, he is very deserving of a relaxing retirement.” For more information, visit www.mendotaheights.com or call 651-452-1850.

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St. Paul Parks Conservancy volunteer recognition The St. Paul Parks Conservancy recently recognized three individuals and one organization as park champions. Debby Smith was named Park Volunteer of the Year. Smith has planted and tended gardens at Como Park for 14 years, working more than 800 hours. She is one of more than 160 garden stewards who plant and care for 46 gardens within St. Paul parks. Khalique Rogers was named Changemaker. Working with the Trust for Public Land, St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the newly formed Friends of Midway Peace Park, Rogers brought together resources and neighborhood advocates to help create Midway Peace Park at 416 Griggs St., which opened on June 15.

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The park serves the Green Line light rail transit route, Gordon Parks High School, High School for the Recording Arts, and the Midway neighborhood. Priscilla Brewster received the Golden Shovel Award. Brewster was the first board chair of the St. Paul Parks Conservancy when it was founded in 2008. She led the group to define its mission of enhancing and expanding park and recreation opportunities in the city, and contributed to and helped raise more than $550,000 for the Conservancy’s first projects at Lilydale Park, which included a stone entrance sign, a stone-lined creek along Water Street to catch water runoff and mitigate flooding, and shoreline restoration. The St. Paul Garden Club was named Park Booster of the Year. The 100-member club has been instrumental in developing area parks and public gardens, most notably MERRIAM PARK

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Humboldt grads celebrate 75 th class reunion Ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 gathered at Jameson Irish Bar in West St. Paul on June 4 to celebrate their 75th class reunion. This is the last formal reunion for the class. However, members will continue to meet the first Friday of each June for an informal get-together. For more information, call Joe Zaine at 651-403-1505 or Bob Backlund at 952-249-2824. Attendees were (back row, from left) Bob Backlund, Tom Colbeth, Jerry Miller, Betty Manteufel Root, Delores Reimer Trombley, Joe Zaine, (front) Mary Claire Hughes Meyer, Red Cress Brown, Betty Lou Lindgren Rosas and Willa Mae Busse Munch.

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{ THE FULLER FILES }

Deadline approaches for St. Paul mayoral race Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The St. Paul mayoral race officially kicks off on Aug. 10, the filing date when the slate of candidates challenging first-term Mayor Melvin Carter is established. Carter is a fourth-generation St. Paul resident who lives with his wife and children a few doors down from his childhood home in the Rondo neighborhood. Since taking office in 2018, his notable accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage, increasing the number of free programs in recreation centers, eliminating public library fines, reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expanding immigrant and refugee support resources and launching the Office of Financial Empowerment. Additionally, he started “CollegeBound St. Paul” in early 2020. This program provides a $50 college savings account for every child born in the city. Before his election in 2017, Carter served as a St. Paul City Council member, founding board chair of the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, director of the Minnesota Office of Early Learning and executive director of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and a master of public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The city of St. Paul uses ranked voting, which allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes on election day, November 2, votes will be reallocated on November 5. This means that the candidate with the least firstchoice votes is eliminated and that anyone who voted for them will have their votes reallocated to their second choice. This continues until a candidate receives at least 50% of the vote. The St. Paul School Board race, which will be on the other side of the ballot, will use the traditional voting method. For more information, visit www. ramseycounty.us/residents/elections-voting or call 651-266-8500.

The personal rail coach used by James J. Hill from 1900 to 1916 has been donated to the Minnesota Transportation Museum, 193 E. Pennsylvania Ave., St. Paul, by James J. Hill III, grandson of the railroad magnate. Hill used the 70-foot-long railcar when he owned the Great Northern Railway, now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway. The museum plans to restore the coach to its original condition. The Third Street bridge between Broadway in Lowertown and Mounds Boulevard will be replaced in late 2022. The $64 million project, which recently received a $52 million appropriation from the State of Minnesota, will take about two years to complete. When finished, the bridge will support the Gold Line bus rapid transit line between downtown St. Paul and Woodbury. The Midway Peace Park at University Avenue and Griggs Street is now open, featuring playgrounds, an open field, seating area, performance stage and basketball court. Approximately half of the $6 million project was funded from public sources and half from local foundations and corporations. The park is located on the Green Line light rail route. The St. Paul Saints will recognize the 2019 American Association championship team at CHS field on August 5, and the No. 5 jersey worn by Wayne Ter-

williger on August 6. Terwilliger was a major league infielder in the 1950s and later coached for the Minnesota Twins and the St. Paul Saints. He died in February. Lower Phalen Creek Project will hold a Pollinator Festival 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday Aug. 21, at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. The event will feature food trucks, bird walks, tours, entertainment, and educational material from about 20 organizations. Restoration events to remove invasive species will be held 5-7 p.m., Aug. 10 and 31. A transportation funding bill passed by the Legislature included $10 million for a second passenger train between St. Paul and Chicago. The $53.3 million capital portion of the project will also receive $6.5 million from Wisconsin, $5 million from Amtrak and $31.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration. Part of the money will be used for track and signal improvements in Winona and La Crescent. Amtrak’s Empire Builder has an eastbound train leaving St. Paul’s Union Depot at 8 a.m., and a westbound train arriving from Chicago around 10 p.m. The second train would likely leave at noon for the eastbound route, and the westbound train would arrive around 6 p.m. Service may start in 2024. Green and the Grain salad bar is occupying the first floor of the Great Northern Building, 180 E. 5th St.,

by Roger Fuller

formerly known as the US Trust Center. The restaurant has several locations in the Minneapolis skyway system. Penumbra Theatre has received a $5 million grant from MacKensie Scott, the former wife of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. Scott gave $2.7 billion to 286 organizations that serve diverse communities. Penumbra was founded 45 years ago by Lou Bellamy and showcases the exploration of the African American experience. The theater is now in the process of becoming the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing. The proposed 10-mile Gold Line bus rapid transit line has sparked nearby private development. In Oakdale, developments include Cornerstone Village, a 71-unit project at Helmo Avenue; a 150-unit apartment project at Greenway Avenue and Hudson Boulevard; and a 350,000-squarefoot building northwest of the Interstate 94/694 interchange. In Woodbury, the Woodbury 10 Theatre complex is scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a high density development.

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The James J. Hill Center on Rice Park is under new ownership. Mary Hill/ J. J. Hill Library Foundation sold the 44,000-square-foot building to Peter Remes of First and First Creative Real Estate, who will use it as an event center. The building opened in 1921 as the James J. Hill Reference Library. The name was changed to the James J. Hill Center in 2013 when the organization was undergoing financial problems. The center’s books, maps, manuscripts and art have been offered to local library groups. The St. Paul City Council voted 4-3 to rescind its residential tenant protection ordinance after U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson ruled that the ordinance was unconstitutional. The ordinance restricted the ability of landlords to use credit and criminal history to screen prospective tenants. It also required landlords to give a reason for not renewing a lease. Councilmembers Nelsie Yang, Mitra Jalali and Dai Thou opposed the council’s action.

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S ample St. Paul

Fitzgerald Theatre

10 E. Exchange St. St. Paul 612-338-8388 www.first-avenue.com

“Maks and Val” will perform Thursday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.50-$59.50.

Palace Theatre

17 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul www.first-avenue.com

“Last Podcast on the Left” will perform Thursday, Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul

www.parksquaretheatre.org

“St.

Paul

Sunlight,” a welcome back downtown performance series, is held through Sept. 23. Free. This month’s lineup includes: Ready Freddie: A Queen Experience, Aug. 5, 4:30 p.m.; Legacy Arts Group, Aug. 12, noon; The Champagne Drops, Aug. 12, 4:30 p.m.; MsArnise, Aug. 19, 4:30 p.m.; Victor Zupanc, Aug. 25, 4:30 p.m.; and TaikoArts Midwest, Aug. 26, noon. “Run Wild with Madagascar - A Musical Adventure Jr.” takes place July 27-Aug. 8, outside Park Square Theatre. Shows are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., July 27-30; noon and 4 p.m., July 31-Aug. 1; and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Aug. 7-8.

Summer

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

“Sinclair Lewis: 100 Years of Main Street.” Discover the legacy of Sinclair Lewis, an author from Minnesota whose literary works and social critiques of American life ring true today. “Extraordinary Women.” Learn about several extraordinary Minnesotan women who changed their communities. “Our Home: Native Minnesota.” View historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts, and learn how Minnesota’s Native communities have retained cultural practices, teach-

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The Irish Fair of Minnesota will be held Aug. 13-15 at Harriet Island. It will feature music, dance, sports, cultural displays and food. Daily passes are $20. For more information, visit www.irishfair.com. ings and values, and an essential connection to home.

lege students and $8 for children ages five to 17.

Other exhibits include: “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Then Now Wow” and “Weather Permitting.”

Landmark Center

The Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thurs.-Sun. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and col-

75 W. 5th St., St. Paul 651-292-3225

www.landmarkcenter.org

“ Fo l l ow i n g the Thread” exhibit continues through Aug. 29. View art from the Truly Unruly Fiber Art Collec-

tive, a group of fiber artists whose art incorporates traditional and modern quilting stitchery with unique fabric treatments. Mu s i c Fro m t h e Porch is held July 28 and Aug. 4, noon-1 p.m., at the Landmark Center’s Market Street entry. Feel free to bring lunch and a lawn chair. A limited

S ample St. Paul number of chairs will be provided. Free. Free guided walking tours. The Rice Park tour circles one of St. Paul’s most iconic parks and observes the surrounding buildings that gave the park its central role in city events and celebrations. The tour is held at 10 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, through Aug. 18. It departs from the Landmark Center at 75 5th St. W. The Great River tour travels along the Mississippi, highlighting buildings and locations that helped make St. Paul the city it is today. This tour is held at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, through Aug. 25. It departs from Upper Landing Park at Shephard Road and Chestnut Street. Advanced registration is required for both tours. For more information, visit www.landmarkcenter.org or call 651-2923276.

Your community news and information source

Children’s Museum

10 7th St. W., St. Paul 651-225-6000 www.mcm.org

“Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice.” Learn about dinosaurs and the habitats they once roamed. Other exhibits and activities include The Scramble, The Studio, Creativity Jam, Sprouts, Backyard, Our World, Forces at Play, Super Awesome Adventures, Imaginopolis and the Tip Top Terrace. Tickets are $14.95. 40 th anniversary block party, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday Aug. 14.

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

Current exhibitions are only on view from outside the Pioneer Endicott building, installed in the windows on Robert and 4th streets and

in the Ecolab entrance in the skyway. The featured exhibit is “Many Waters: A Minnesota Biennial,” through Oct. 2. The exhibit examines ways artists across the state are engaging with water.

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

Artists At Pine Needles Gallery, through Sept. 6. Artists tell stories of Minnesota’s changing landscapes, share their views with scientists to inspire new ways of thinking, and connect with local communities who share the same environment. Cardboard City, through Sept. 6. Participants may build projects using cardboard and simple tools. NASA Earth Observatory Gallery, through Sept. 6. View photographs of Earth’s environments and atmosphere and find out how our planet continues to change and shift.

Skin: Living Armor, Evo l v i n g Id e n t i t y , through August. Interactive displays explore the properties of skin and examine the meaning of skin color. Omnitheater films include “Oceans: Our Blue Planet,” and “Volcanoes: Fires of Creation.” Tickets are $9.95, with discounts for children and seniors. Museum tickets are $19.95, with discounts for children and seniors.

Xcel Center

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

www.xcelenergycenter.com

Daryl Hall & John Oates will perform at 7 p.m., Aug. 30. Tickets start at $26.50.

Outdoor Music and Movies St. Paul’s Parks and Recreation department is hosting free outdoor concerts and movies in the parks. Movies begin 15 minutes after sunset.

Some sites offer pre-show activities. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring food and a blanket or lawn chair. For more information, visit www.stpaul.gov or call 651-292-6508. Movies: “Raya and the Last Dragon,” July 29 at the Linwood Recreation Center, 860 St. Clair Ave.; “Up,” July 30 at the West Minnehaha Recreation Center, 685 Minnehaha Ave. W.; “RoboDog,” Aug. 3 at the Duluth & Case Recreation Center, 1020 Duluth St.; “The War with Grandpa,” Aug. 5 at the Highland Pool House, 1333 Montreal Ave.; “The Croods: A New Age,” Aug. 12 at the Merriam Park Recreation Center, 2000 St. Anthony Ave.; “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Aug. 13 at the Langford Park Recreation Center, 30 Langford Park; “Tom and Jerry (2021),” Aug. 19 at Sibley Manor, 1300 Maynard Dr. W.; “Beat Street,” Aug. 20 at the Arlington Hills Com-

munity Center, 1200 Payne Ave.; and “The Sandlot (1993),” Aug. 27 at the Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 Griggs St. S. Concerts at Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Pkwy. N.: Opera on the Lake presents Operetta Under the Stars, 7:30 p.m., July 28-30; The 1 st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 1; Twin Cities Show Chorus, 7 p.m., Aug. 3; Minnesota State Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 4, 11 and 18; Prior Lake WindJammer Concert Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 5; Choir-aoke with Kith+Kin, 7 p.m., Aug. 6; Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 8; River City Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m., Aug. 9; Red Rock Swing Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 12; Rich Lewis Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 14; Como Pops, 3 p.m., Aug. 15; Moonlight Serenaders Big Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 15; Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m., Aug. 17; The Last

Events / Page 11

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The Strong Survive Meet Rod Kaats, who helped the Ordway Center and its artists survive the pandemic

Tara Guy Flaherty Contributor

brought the welcome June news that the Ordway

Center for the Performing Arts will resume performances in September. It will also relaunch its flagship series Broadway@the Ordway later this fall with “Fiddler on the Roof.” The unprecedented 500-day absence of Broadway performances at the Ordway will end this November when sweet, melancholy notes rise from the fiddler on his perch.

Last year, when marquee lights went dark across America, theater lovers everywhere acutely felt the loss, but none more than those who live and breathe theater, like Rod Kaats, the Ordway’s producing artistic director and curator of the theater’s vaunted Broadway series. “I was absolutely bereft when the theaters closed,” said Kaats. Outweighing his own grief, however, was his deep concern for the artists. Kaats, a warm, friendly man with high energy and a ready

laugh, shared his concern on a recent Sunday evening at the Ordway, in between rehearsing the cabaret cast, dodging raindrops and emceeing the evening’s “Live at the Loading Dock” performance. “I was very worried about the artists’ survival, their very livelihood,” he said. “I was lucky. I kept my job. I knew I’d be fine but I needed to do everything I could to support all of those who suddenly couldn’t work at their craft.” Kaats reveres theatrical artists, characterizing them

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who has 40 years of experience making theater around the world. “We were in a blizzard of unknowns, like we were running around in a maze with no exit.” Last fall he devised two innovative platforms to showcase and support artists. First was the “Meet the Artists” online series that has continued into this summer.

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Kaats and various co-hosts conduct hour-long live discussions with performers to bring viewers inside the Broadway@the Ordway experience. Laughter and tears from both host and guests flow on occasion, as they talk theater and share triumphs and tragedies. In developing the format, Kaats worked with Leanna Keyes, owner

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of Transcend Streaming. “I enjoyed working with Rod,” said Keyes. “He wanted us to look at the artist as a whole. I loved hearing artists in natural conversation, and that was a direction deliberately chosen by Rod. It’s unusual, and very smart. Some of the artists even said that they forgot that it was a stream…all due to Rod’s skill as a conversationalist and a producer.” The series developed simultaneously with “Live at the Loading Dock Cabaret,” an idea Diane Nixa, the Ordway’s vice president of advancement, dreamed up after recognizing the outdoor performance potential of the Ordway’s loading dock. Nixa dragged Kaats outside to show him the 2-tiered outdoor “stage” possibility, and he immediately saw its potential. Kaats seems to operate in a rare, ego-free zone, and he enthusiastically welcomes new ideas and suggestions.

“My producing mantra is, ‘it doesn’t need to be my great idea, I just need to recognize a great idea,’” he said. The loading dock was a great idea, resulting in an engaging, socially distanced cabaret that showcases music from upcoming productions. One might expect a Broadway producer plucked out of Manhattan and deposited in St. Paul to be rocked with culture shock, but that didn’t happen to Kaats. His seamless adjustment following his arrival in February 2018 may have resulted, in part, from his rather nomadic childhood. A military brat, he moved with his family around the world while his father served in the U.S. Air Force. “By the time I was 10 years old, I had lived in 17 different places,” said Kaats, who was born in Guam. “It was kind of insane, but it taught me resilience.” In addition to being an Air

Force pilot, Kaats’ father was also a psychotherapist, as was his mother. “They taught me to always express my feelings, to always be direct and honest,” he said. His straightforward approach can come off as a bit intense, he said, especially to those expecting Minnesota Nice. But always being the new kid in town, having to find and make new friends and lean into the unknown, has translated into an easy fluidity and a willingness to embrace change with zest. “My wandering childhood did leave me a little rootless, but that’s how I found my real home – in the theatre,” said Kaats. He was first smitten by the footlights and greasepaint at the tender age of five and credits his mother with recognizing and nurturing the instant spark. “She was so wise,” he said. “She was like a weird combination of Buddha and the Good Witch.”

When asked what he was doing before accepting the Ordway position more than three years ago, Kaats replied with a happy grin, “I was searching for the Ordway!” He honed his triple-threat skillset of directing, producing and presenting while at the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre in Nyack, New York, where he worked until the aftershock of the 9/11 attacks forced the theater to close. “I’ve been sort of looking for that job ever since, but artistic director jobs turn over very infrequently, so it’s been a long wait,” he said. Kaats, who lives with his partner Louis Sacco in Custom House in Lowertown, and also maintains an apartment in Manhattan, serves as a conduit between the robust New York and Minnesota theater scenes. He has the dual goal of bringing Broadway shows here for Minnesotans to enjoy, while at the same time developing

unique theater here that can be taken to Broadway and on tour. “There is an incredible pool of acting talent in the Twin Cities,” said Kaats. “The acting is so good here you can’t really discern between the Twin Cities and the New York City actors.” But it’s not just the actors that impress Kaats. “The musicians here are also unbelievably good,” he added. “Often when they’re doing an orchestra read, I walk through thinking, ‘Obviously this has already been rehearsed.’ But it hasn’t. The level of musicianship here is also extremely high.” Kaats should be an excellent judge of quality. He has experienced theater in 17 different countries and produced it himself on four continents. When Broadway@ the Ordway reopens this fall, Kaats will be happiest seeing audiences and performers

connect again after the long separation. “I believe that performers are healers,” he said. “When the lights go down and the connection happens between strangers, we are unified. There was a study done where they put heart monitors on people who were watching theater together and their heart rates synchronized…. What does that tell you about theater, when we’re all gathered in a dark room and our hearts beat together? There’s something so deep, so primal, in coming together to share in a story being told. I believe it’s essential for our species. It might even save us. There’s that thing that happens, the drinking from the well together. We’re not separating ourselves. We’re doing this together.” The Ordway’s performance calendar can be found at https://ordway.org/ events/.

Events

26. For more information, visit www.lowertownsounds.com.

hosting “Rock What You Got” 5-7 p.m., Sundays through Aug. 22. This series features female comics and local musical artists. Admission is free. They are also hosting movies at dusk. Movies include: “Batman – The Original,” July 29; “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” Aug. 5; “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971), Aug. 12; and “Kindergarten Cop,” Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.kegandcase. com/events.

Nights organization to offer free hot dogs and hamburgers, beverages and outdoor activities at parks and recreation centers throughout the city. Events are 5-7 p.m., every Thursday through Aug. 12. This month’s events are Aug. 5 at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St. E., and Aug. 12 at the Conway Recreation Center, 2090 Conway St. For more information, visit www.stpaul.gov or call 651-266-5485.

The city of Mendota Heights is hosting its annual Parks Celebration August 13-15. Events take place at Mendakota Park unless noted. Food trucks, 4-8 p.m. on Friday, followed by Rockin’ Hollywoods band, 7-8:30 p.m. Community Coffee Con-

nection from 8-9:30 a.m. on Saturday at City Hall. Inflatables, petting zoo and rock wall, 11a.m.-2 p.m., followed by a magic show, 6-7 p.m. Pickelball tournament 8-11 a.m. on Sunday at Marie Park. Community Bike Ride, 3-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Waltz Annual Summer Show ($40 at the door), 6 p.m., Aug 21; The Fairlines Doo Wop A Cappella Group, 7 p.m., Aug. 23; Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 27; The Riff Rangers, 7 p.m., Aug. 28; Bavarian Musikmeisters, 7 p.m., Aug. 29; Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, 7 p.m., Aug. 30; and Brio Brass, 7 p.m., Aug. 31. Mears Park concerts, 221 5th St. E. Shows are from noon-1 p.m. Westwind Swing Band, July 28; Hailey James Music, Aug. 3; Samantha Grimes, Aug. 4; J-Mo On the Beat, Aug. 10; TBD, Aug. 11; The Stevens Family Band, Aug. 17; Tommerdal, Aug. 18.

Lowertown Sounds will present free concerts at 6 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 26 in Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are invited to bring blankets and chairs. Performances include Salsa del Soul, July 29; Jeff Arundel, Aug. 5; Dan Israel and the Cultivators, Aug. 12; The New Standards, Aug. 19; and Heiruspecs, Aug.

Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest. “Bernard Allison Group” and the “Kendra Glenn Band” will perform a free outdoor concert 5:30-9 p.m., Aug. 14 at Dual Citizen Brewing, 725 Raymond Ave. For more information, visit www.lowertownbluesfestival.com. Keg and Case Market, 928 7th St W., is

The St. Paul Jazz and Blues concert series continues through August. Concerts are held 4:30-6 p.m., Wednesdays, and 12:30-2 p.m., Sundays, at Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. For more information, visit www.growstpl.com. Fitness in the Park: The City of St. Paul is offering free fitness classes at various parks. For more information, visit www. stpaul.gov/fitnessintheparks. The City of West St. Paul is offering “Boot Camp” from 5:45-6:45 p.m., Aug. 3 at the West St. Paul Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave. Ages 16+. For more information, visit www.wspmn. gov/rec or call 651-5524100. Safe Summer Nights. The St. Paul Police Department is collaborating with the Safe Summer

The Summer Beer Dabbler, takes place 5:30-9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 28 at CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul. Sample the brews of more than 130 craft breweries while listening to live music. Food and other activities will be featured throughout the day. For more information, visit www.thebeer dabbler.com. The Germanic-American Institute, 301 Summit Ave., St. Paul, is hosting a European Specialty Beer tasting event 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6. Participants can sample eight hard-to-find craft beers from Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Tickets are $50; includes eight beer samples and a meat and cheese platter. For more information, visit www.gaimn.org or call 651-222-7027.

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Rice Park concerts, 109 4th St. W. Shows are from noon-1 p.m. Trevor McSpadden, Aug. 2; Happy Apocalypse, Aug. 9 and 16.

Union Depot is hosting drive-in movies in Lot D, located near Kellogg boulevard. Shows are “Moana,” 8:30 p.m., Aug. 27; and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” time TBD, Sept. 24. Each event features a chance to win a thematic prize basket. Concessions will be available. Tickets are $15 per vehicle. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.uniondepot.org/depotdrivein. Union Depot is also hosting a traveling photography exhibit through Aug. 31. “After Promontory: 150 Years of Transcontinental Railroading” features more than 60 historic photos of the transcontinental railroad expansion. For more information, visit uniondepot.org/photographyexhibit or railphoto-art.org/exhibits/afterpromontory.

Free e-filing with return preparation

from page 9

For a FREE consulation, call Call 651-773-5000 St. Paul Voice - August 2021 - Page 11

C ommunity

Your community news and information source Nancy Brady President

Distributing free fresh produce Throughout the year, Neighborhood House hosts Fresh Produce Pickup events where families can get free fresh fruit and vegetables. During the summer, these events are held outside at three locations in St. Paul.

Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO

As we enter into the final month of summer and begin looking to fall and a new school year, I find myself reflecting on the previous school year, when my daughter had entered kindergarten and my son was a fifth-grader. At some point during the year, they had the following conversation: “I can’t believe we get to stay at home and use an iPad for school,” said my daughter.

In March 2020, Neighborhood House staff adapted to the pandemic to safely meet the needs of the community. We restructured our program to allow for curbside pickup and walk-ups. Working with the City of St. Paul, we obtained permits and designed traffic control procedures to organize the line of cars waiting for produce. We also had our volunteer sorters and stockers wear masks and use new sanitizing protocols. In many ways, the unexpected changes have actually been beneficial to participants. For example, before the pandemic, participants had to carry the produce to their cars, which created accessibility issues for those who couldn’t lift heavy weight. Now, with the curbside pickup option, participants simply wait in their car while staff and volunteers load their vehicle, making the event more accessible. It has also cut down on the time it takes, so participants can get their food and get back to their day more quickly. Since Neighbor-

hood House doesn’t limit the number of times someone can visit a Fresh Produce Pickup event throughout the month, participants have been picking up produce for those who cannot attend in person. Families can get free fresh produce at the Wellstone Center, John A. Johnson Elementary School, and Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School. For more details, visit neighb.org/freshproducepickups or call 651-789-2500. Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul - Aug. 11, 25; Sept. 8, 22; Oct. 13. Pickup 1-2:30 p.m. John A. Johnson Elementary School, 740 York Ave., St. Paul - Aug. 17; Sept 21. Pickup 3-4:30 p.m. Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School, 262 Bates Ave., St. Paul - Aug. 10; Sept. 14; Oct. 12. Pickup 3- 4:30 p.m. Interested in supporting a Fresh Produce Pickup event? Visit www.neighb.org/volunteer to sign up for a shift or www.neighb.org to make a donation.

“You know, this isn’t the way it usually is,” my son replied. “What do you mean? This is great.” “Well, we don’t normally get so much screen time.” “Stop it!” she cried, running to her room, iPad in hand. Needless to say, my daughter did not like big brother telling her that school wouldn’t always involve staying home and having screen time. One of the lessons from our recent experience is that we can come up with options in addition to the status quo. Some of those options may even prove to be better than the status quo. As we begin to open up at Neighbors and define the “new normal,” we will have options. The pandemic allowed us to add new ways to access our hunger relief program. While we believe it is important for people to have the opportunity to choose their own food in person, we also recognize that curbside pick-up, delivery and satellite food shelves work really well for some folks. That is why we will continue to offer these options moving forward. We also recognize that allowing participants to make an appointment is much more respectful of their time. No lon-

ger will a single parent with children have to rush to get here by nine o’clock only to sit and wait their turn to be seen. Now, by calling ahead (and hopefully soon by using an online portal), one may request an appointment for food and other services. We have also made using our Clothes Closet Thrift Store more convenient. As many of you know, our Clothes Closet offers low prices on gently used items. It is also one of our programs that supports our neighbors in need by providing free essential items. Formerly, we required participants to use a one-time gift certificate all in one visit. Now, because of upgraded technology, we offer gift cards, so instead of having to use all the funds at once, a participant may use a portion now and the rest during a future visit. This offers flexibility and a better experience for the shopper. As schools reopen, they are doing so with more flexibility for students and families. While some, like my son, may like the traditional way, others, like my daughter, may enjoy new ways of learning. At Neighbors, we feel the same way. By giving people options on how to engage with our programs and services, we are providing a more inclusive and respectful experience. That is how we continue to provide opportunities for our neighbors to thrive.

WOW! That’s interesting...

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Contact Tim at 651-457-1177 or tim@stpaulpublishing.com You're invited to our

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6:30 p.m. Saint James Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis St. West St. Paul Bring lawn chairs or a blanket

Local musicians • Ice cream treats & bottled water Connect with your neighbors and have fun with us as we thank the Lord for helping us get through the pandemic!

First 21 neighborhood families receive a welcome gift bag. Kids get a special bag of fun items, too!

Family Vacation V Bible School V Sunday, August 8 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

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Resources and state funding to assist Minnesotans in pandemic recovery State Sen. Sandy Pappas

he 2021 legislative session and ensuing special session were particularly challenging. Just as it changed the way all Minnesotans live their lives, COVID-19 forced us to make significant changes to our standard procedures and norms at the Minnesota Senate. Fortunately, our state government was able to work with our partners in the federal government and at the local level to take on the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the economic disruption that came with it. The State of Minnesota is equipped with the resources it needs to assist working Minnesotans as our state undergoes the economic recovery effort following the successful rollout of coronavirus vaccines. Now more than ever, Minnesotans have resources available to them to help recover from pandemic-related job loss,

economic hardship, and difficulty paying bills or rent. Right now, Minnesotans who are behind on rent or struggling to pay their utility bills can go to www. renthelpmn.org to apply for assistance to catch up on their payments. Incomequalifying households can also go to www.mn.gov to apply for Minnesota’s energy assistance program, which provides direct relief to renters and homeowners to cover heating costs and furnace repairs. For those in need of emergency food support, there are also additional SNAP benefits avail-

able at www.mn.gov to help families purchase food with a monthly pre-loaded debit card. For working families, the federal Child Tax Credit program will begin sending direct cash payments to parents to help pay for costs associated with raising children. Additionally, MNSure has opened a special enrollment period and expansion for summer 2021. Minnesotans whose incomes were previously too high to receive tax credits, or who felt their health insurance plan options were otherwise unaffordable the last time they checked out MNSsure, should take another look at www.mnsure.org to see if they qualify for tax credits to lower the cost of their health insurance. Finally, if you have not yet received a vaccine and you wish to be vaccinated, you can use Minnesota’s online vaccine connector to find a vaccination clinic near you. In addition to the vast

economic resources made available by the federal government, the Minnesota Legislature recently passed a state budget that includes notable provisions that will improve life for working Minnesotans. We maintained the Market Bucks program, which empowers SNAP-eligible Minnesotans with additional financial assistance to purchase nutritious foods at farmers’ markets across the state. In addition, we also boosted funding for schools and buses to provide students and schools with the resources they need to boost educational opportunities that were unavailable during pandemic remote learning.

Finally, Minnesota passed notable tax reforms to conform with recent federal tax changes. The changes will affect many taxpayers, but especially the more than 500,000 who received unemployment in 2020 and may be due refunds. Taxpayers do not need to take any action right now, but they should consider visiting www.revenue.state.mn.us to sign up for the Department of Revenue’s email alerts on the issue. In Minnesota, those who received unemployment benefits during 2020 will not need to pay income taxes on any unemployment benefits at or below $10,000, which includes

the vast majority of those who enrolled in unemployment. As we embark on our collective effort to rebuild Minnesota’s economy out of the ashes of the coronavirus pandemic, our state is equipped with the resources, the public sector leadership, and the skills necessary to pull through and build a state that’s better than ever. If you need help applying for any of these pandemicrelated assistance programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office by emailing sen.sandy.pappas@senate.mn or calling 651-2961802. Help is here and we are here to help you access it.

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Postscript

Time to Spare “Do you have time for this?” my husband Peter asked. Peter almost never questions what I’m doing unless I’m doing something particularly stupid. Yesterday I had a meeting on Zoom. I figured I could finish my work, take my walk early, then run downtown and get my errands done all in time for my meeting. “Sure!” I assured him. Peter looked skeptical. “MayBranch and Bough Tree Service and Landscape Care

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be I’ll skip the stop at the hardware store,” I added, to pacify him.

But the hardware store was on the way as I went from the library to the grocery store, so I dashed in, got my paint roller and potting soil, and dashed back out. “Plenty of time!” I assured myself as I hit the grocery store, chose two graduation cards in record time, and grabbed wrapping paper, ribbon and a bunch of flowers. It wasn’t until then that I noticed there were people standing in the aisles. Why are people standing in the aisles? I wondered. But I continued my high-speed chase and picked out two bags of grapes and six Hon-

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eycrisp apples. Only when I had gathered everything from the four corners of the store did it dawn on me what those people were doing, standing in the aisles. They were waiting to check out. “What?!” I said aloud, outraged. “It’s always like this at 4:30,” a smiling fellow, standing in the seemingly endless line, said to me when he saw my face. “Half an hour earlier, there’s no one in the store.” Apparently, I had never been in the store at exactly 4:30 before. “But...I don’t have time for this!” I said to no one who cared or could do anything about it.

I raced to return my items to the four corners of the store, zipped out to my car, and made it to my Zoom meeting in the nick of time. The meeting was about the benefits of meditation. The speaker began by discussing how meditation can alleviate stress. The irony was not wasted on me. I used to judge how well I had spent my time by how many items I had checked off my “to do” list. If I arrived somewhere five minutes early, I figured there was something I could have done with those five minutes and then arrived on time — or maybe just a minute or two late, since everyone else

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would be late anyway. I felt gratified when I beat the clock, skidded in at the last possible moment, got more done than seemed possible. I used to think that when I was bathed in adrenaline, I was the most alive. Now I think it’s OK to have time to spare. I’ve realized that it’s only in those times when I don’t need to hurry that I notice what is going on around me. Unexpected ideas occur. I see funny things. I have time to talk to people I meet. I take the time to stop and listen. I learn things. None of this happens when I am racing across the store in an effort to set the world record for the speediest purchase of a greeting card. Manufactured emergencies are not the real thing. If the need arises to run from a predator, I’m pretty sure I’ll still be able to do it. Purchasing wrapping paper should not rely on survival instincts. “The store was crazy!” I told Peter. But really, it was I who was crazy. Today I’ll go back to get my apples. I will make my selection carefully. I will have time to spare. Till next time. Carrie

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Richard "Tiger" Schmitt, CPA (Highway 62 & Dodd Road)

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Page 14 - St. Paul Voice - August 2021

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Homebuyer education courses: first time, next time, anytime Tana Douville Housing program specialist at Minnesota Housing

uying a home is a very personal and individual process, and not everyone approaches it the same way. There are many factors to consider when the time comes to jump into one of the biggest financial decisions most will make in their lives. It can be overwhelming: Where do I start? How much money should I save for down payment and closing costs? Is my credit good enough? Should I buy now or wait? Maybe you’re buying your first home, or it’s been a while since you’ve ventured into the housing market. Even if you know a thing or two about the homebuying process, homebuyer education courses and housing counseling can provide additional information and tools to help you become better prepared in today’s highly competitive market.

A homebuyer education course is a class you can take to better understand what’s involved in finding, buying and owning a home. In Minnesota, numerous courses are available to homebuyers, including some conducted in Spanish and Hmong. Some providers also offer individual counseling sessions. Things you may learn include: budgeting, costs and how much you can afford; understanding credit; learning about housing industry professionals, such as real estate agents, mortgage lenders, home inspectors and others.

The steps of the mortgage process While homebuyer classes aren’t always required, some loans, like those offered by Minnesota Housing, require borrowers to complete education for specific programs for first-time and repeat homebuyers. In addition, these programs provide eligible borrowers the oppor-

tunity to apply for affordable rates with as little as 3% down and interest-free down payment and closing cost loan options up to $17,000. You don’t have to invest a significant amount of time or money to get a big return on your education investment. Most classes are typically eight hours and take place in a single day. Depending on your learning style, you can select classroom environments, interactive virtual spaces or online courses that you can take at your own pace. Costs vary, but on average expect to pay between $40 and $75. The time to take a class is when you are starting to think about buying a home, not when you’re about ready to pick up the keys. Many homebuyers who have taken the classes say they wish they had taken them sooner because what they learned could have helped them navigate the process more easily, and in some cases helped

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them make better decisions. When looking for a course, make sure to select one that has been approved for the program you are using. For advice and guidance, check out the Minnesota Homeownership Center, a nonprofit that provides unbiased information about all things

homeownership (www.hocmn.org/). Minnesota Housing’s participating lenders are another great resource to help you understand the mortgage process and which loan is right for you (www. mnhousing.gov). Well-informed buyers need every tool at their dis-

posal to participate in one of the most exciting and competitive housing markets Minnesota has seen in many years. Homebuyer education should be one of the first tools you reach for as you work your way toward successful homeownership.

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In connection with the Single Family Division loan programs, Minnesota Housing is neither an originator of loans nor a creditor and is not affiliated with any Lender. To find out if you are eligible, or to apply for a loan, please contact a participating Lender.

St. Paul Voice - August 2021 - Page 15

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