January 2010 Volume 7 Number 1
IN THIS ISSUE... People................................... Page News Briefs.. .......................... Page Community Columns.............. Page Sample St. Paul...................... Page Back in Time.. ........................ Page
State of Education in SSP
Keeper of the Ice: new manager at Wakota Arena Page 2
Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer
I
n 1983 a red alert was sounded about the state of education in the United States and South St. Paul was quick to respond. A report called “Nation At Risk” was released by the National Commission of Excellence in Education. In it, educators were warned that, “our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors” worldwide. The report charged schools with mediocrity and challenged them to make changes. It warned that in order for our country to function, “citizens must be able to reach some common understanding on complex issues, often on short notice and on the basis of conflicting or incomplete evidence.” Today, the United States is having to deal with the complexities of the economy, health care, and a vast array of other social, scientific and competitive market issues. Well-educated, analytical minds are in great demand. The South St. Paul Public School district was ahead of the times when it introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program in 1986, in which high school juniors and seniors study the same
Sample St. Paul Event Guide Page 7 Jóvenes de Salud Latino Packers was organized last year to promote healthy lifestyles among Latino students at South St. Paul High School. It is one of the latest examples of innovative programming in the district.
pre-university curriculum and take the same exams as students in 1,500 schools in 122 countries around the world. The district’s IB program is not limited to so-called “gifted” students. Rather, it sets high standards for all students. Schools across Minnesota have responded in the more than quartercentury since the report was released. In an analysis of 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, Minnesota fourth- and eighth-graders significantly outperformed their U.S. peers. Internationally in math, fourthgraders outperformed 29 nations, with four scoring higher. Eighth-graders scored higher than 44 nations, but five nations scored significantly higher. Minnesota students
rank among the highest in the nation on ACT scores. Data show a strong correlation between students engaged in rigorous high school curriculum and higher test scores. “While Minnesota leads the nation, the U.S. lags behind other countries in important educational indicators,” said Alice Seagren, state commissioner of education. “We must continue to increase expectations and rigor for all students, and grow the percentage of students who are college-ready if we are to compete in a competitive global economy.” The South St. Paul Public School district hit the international educational disparity head on by implementing changes in 2004 to bring its entire K-12 system under the IB curriculum. Last
year it became the first IB accredited K-12 district in the state, and the fourth in the nation. Coincidentally, The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers recently announced a joint state-led process to develop a common core of state standards in English language arts and math for grades K-12. These standards will be internationally benchmarked, aligned with college and work expectations and include rigorous content and performance standards. To push educators along, in 2001 the federal program, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), was implemented. It is designed to hold schools accountable for raising students’
State of Education / Page 5
Back in Time: SSP loses its major industry Page 8
2 3 6 7 8
P eople Keeper of the Ice
Your community news and information source
Wakota Arena names new manager Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer
A
major change is occurring at South St. Paul’s Wakota Ice Arena as Jason Dwelly takes over for retiring 20-year manager Rich Rakness, right in the thick of hockey season. Unfazed, and in fact appreciative for the opportunity to observe the dual indoor ice arena in action during its most hectic time of the year, Dwelly comes to South St. Paul with years of experience in sports center operation. Starting in 1994, he worked his way through Moorhead State College as a permanent, part-time building attendant at the Moorhead Sports Center. Dwelly, who hails from Jamestown, North Dakota, said he grew up playing pond hockey, despite basketball and wrestling being the most popular
sports in his home state. It was while working at the Moorhead Sports Center that he developed a passion for hockey. “Minnesota really rallies around youth teams and youth athletes. To see all the different levels was amazing,” he said. In 1998 he and his wife moved to the Twin Cites, where he began working full-time in ice arena maintenance at the Burnsville Ice Arena. After eight years, he moved to Cook Ice Arena in Coon Rapids as the assistant manager. Now at Wakota Ice Arena, he is impressed with the size of the complex as well as its history – home to hockey greats Doug Woog and Phil Housley. “It’s a very good size arena, and one of the oldest and most historic arenas in the state,” said Dwelly of the two regulation-sized ice sheets,
large concession stand area, meeting room and warming area overlooking both rinks. “It’s well-known throughout the state and one of the first enclosed arenas in the metro area. It has expanded and kept viable. It’s grown to meet the needs of the community.” The arena began as a single ice rink but in 1996 a second was added in response to an explosion of interest in hockey. Dwelly cites the beginning of girls’ hockey, adult women leagues and youth hockey in the ’90s as the reason for increased demand for ice time. He also pointed out that South St. Paul High School girls varsity hockey has a very successful history. As of press time, South St. Paul girls hockey was ranked #5 by the Pioneer Press; Emily Riebert, Riley Viner, Sam LaShomb and Emily
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Jason Dwelly is the new manager at Wakota Arena. He succeeds Rich Rakness, who retired from the position after 20 years. Engelmeier were ranked for scoring and Katie Felton for goaltending.
others. He works with a staff of 30 seasonal workers to get it done. The South St. Paul hockey revenue from ice rental teams are not the only has the arena breaking groups using the arena. even. Sibley High School rents Dwelly emphasized it, along with other pri- that the arena sets aside vate organizations and time for public skating youth hockey leagues. It’s as well, and invites those Dwelly’s job to meet the who have never tried it to needs of those groups and visit soon. The arena offers skate rental for those who don’t have their own. NILLES “It’s at the public sesBuilders Inc. sions that we grow our Mn Lic# 4690 next batch of players. ADDITIONS They get hooked for life,” REMODELING said Dwelly. ROOFING His challenge is to CONCRETE modernize the arena GARAGES without disturbing the SIDING history of the building, 651-222-8701
which he acknowledged is “cherished,” and “near and dear to the community.” As the budget allows, he hopes to upgrade to higher efficiency motors and refrigeration and implement better conservation of resources. The rewards Dwelly enjoys from working in sports center management are being a part of the growth of the sport and watching as hockey Little Leaguers advance to college and then to the pros. “It’s really satisfying that they cut their teeth at my facility,” said Dwelly.
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425 S. Concord, South St. Paul • 651-455-6611 The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Reporter: Mary Diedrick Hansen Contributors: Lois Glewwe Masthead design by Nick Germano Advertising: Mario Polanco, Isaac Contreras Home Delivery: Independent Delivery Service Bulk Delivery: SC Distribution 651-285-1119
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1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 Phone: (651) 457-1177 sppc@stpaulpublishing.com www.stpaulpublishing.com The South St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright South St. Paul Voice 2009. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.
Page 2 - South St. Paul Voice - January 2010
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Come to the Year-round Indoor/Outdoor Market Downtown Saint Paul at the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market 290 E 5th Street, And across the street in Golden’s Deli Saturdays, 9am - 1pm To download valuable coupons, visit us at www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com. While there, click on “Receive E-mail Updates” to be among the first to know when new products arrive and to download more valuable coupons.
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N ews Briefs Library events
For more information on the following South St. Paul library events, call 651-554-3240 or visit www.southstpaul.org/ library. Hot Reads for Cold Nights – Registration begins Mon., Jan. 4, for this 8-week adult reading program. Visit the library for a registration packet filled with biscotti and drawing slips, and the chance to win calendars, mittens, a cookbook, gift certificates, tote bags and more. Book discussions – A video chat with Robert Alexander, author of “The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar,” will be held at 7 p.m., Jan. 14. There have been many conjectures about the disappearance of the Romanovs and their jewels following their exile by the Bolsheviks, and this book captures the events through the eyes of the royal family’s kitchen boy, Leonka. A discussion on this book
Back in Time / from page 8 suburbs. Just one year after the approval of the plan, Swift and Company closed its doors forever on Nov. 29, 1969. Armour had already begun reducing the number of shifts and it soon became clear that the changes that had been affecting the meatpacking industry since the 1948 national strike had suddenly come home. The question in the air, and the question
Your community news and information source will also take place at 1 p.m., Wed., Jan. 20. Information packets are available at the library or at www.southstpaul. org/library, under Adult Book Discussions. Free Internet and email classes – A basic Internet class is offered at 1 p.m., Mon., Jan. 11, and 11:30 a.m., Tues., Jan. 26. Registration is required. The library offers free Internet and email classes throughout the year that cover topics such as using search engines, home pages, URLs, free e-mail and more. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - The library will be closed Mon., Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Teen Book Club “Twilight,” by Stephenie Meyer, will be discussed at 4 p.m., Fri., Jan. 8. This club is for teens ages 12-18. Refreshments are provided. Junior Book Club - “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson, will be dis-
cussed at 4 p.m., Mon., Jan. 4. Children’s story times – Story times for children age birth through 6 are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The events include puppetry, props, poetry, music, learning and lots of great books. Read to Lulu – Children are invited to come to the library 6:30-7:30 p.m., Mondays to read to Lulu and her companion John McCaughtry. The duo is part of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) program. Lulu, a Rottweiler, has impressive credentials and a lovable personality. Read-to-Me Club – This book club for children who do not yet read begins January 11. Contact the library to register or for more information. Baby Read story time - A story time for infants 12 months and younger and their parents is offered at 6:30 p.m., Mon., Jan. 25. The event includes songs, rhymes,
faced by the Committee of 40, was “What would South St. Paul do without the meatpacking industry?” Next month’s article will talk about the
amazing community effort and the organizations that worked together to address that question.
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books and handouts. It is held in cooperation with the ECFE program. Parents may register at the library or through ECFE.
Free workplace English classes
South Suburban Adult Basic Education (ABE) is offering Workplace English classes to adults ages 18 and up who want to enter the workforce and wish to learn English language and job search skills. The classes are free and are open to residents of the West St. PaulMendota Heights-Eagan, South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights school districts. The Workplace English classes will help students improve their English fluency, expand workplace vocabulary, improve reading and writing skills, practice filling out employmentrelated forms, learn basic computer skills, conduct career research and practice interviewing skills. Students are able to at-
tend classes at a variety of times and locations throughout the West St. Paul, South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights area. To enroll or to get more information, call 651-457-9441. ABE, a program of Northern Dakota County TriDistrict Commu-
nity Education, offers free GED preparation courses, basic literacy and math classes and English classes for adults. For more information or to enroll in any of the other classes ABE offers, call 651-457-9441 or e-mail abe@sspps.org.
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South St. Paul Voice - January 2010 - Page 3
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N ews Briefs South St. Paul Garden Club programs
Your community news and information source
The South St. Paul Garden Club will hold a meeting at 7 p.m., Jan, 4, at VFW Post #295, 111 S. Concord, South St. Paul. Registration and sign-ups begin at 6:45 p.m., and refreshments will be served. The speaker is nationally renowned gardener, speaker and au-
thor Don Engebretson of Deephaven, Minn. Engebretson is a field editor, writer and garden scout for Better Homes and Gardens magazine. He writes a column for Northern Gardener magazine and is a contributor to Midwest Living, Garden Deck & Landscape, The Seattle Times, and numerous other publications. From 1999 to 2006 he was the garden
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Community Celebration Handyman Tues., Jan. 12 Mr. Larry 6:30-8 p.m.for Hire
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& cleaning of homes 188 W. Plato Blvd. St. Paul and apartments Adjacent to Harriet Island Roof Repairs
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V.F.W. POST 295
editor and monthly col- Award, Engebretson is umnist for Mpls.St.Paul a six-time winner of the Magazine, a position Garden Writers Assohe had to give up when ciation’s national Garden his summer landscap- Globe Award for exceling business morphed lence in garden writing, into a thriving business. has published four books Engebretson appeared on on gardening and landHGTV for four seasons scape design, and is a as the gardening expert University of Minnesota on “TIPical MaryEllen,” Extension Service Master and has been the on-cam- Gardener. In summer, he era landscaping expert on operates Renegade GarPBS TV’s HOMETIME dener Landscaping in program. He is a featured Minneapolis, specializing speaker at home and in residential landscape garden shows across the renovation and custom Academy United States.River's Edgestonework. Aprenda la experiencia In addition to aa través 1999 de Membership to the Minnesota Newspaper South St. Paul Garden Gratis,Award Escuela Charter Publishers and de a Secundaria Club is $10 per year Currículo riguroso, ambiental, basado en estándares 2000 Minnesota Maga- but meetings are open de campo at no zine Publishers Silver Trabajo to non-members semanalmente charge. For more inforInstruccíon Práctica mation, call Lois Glewwe Handyman Celebración at 651-457-3403. de comunidad Mr. Larry for Hire 12 de enero Floats 6:30-8and p.m.Flicks at I do painting, repairs Central Se sirva laSquare cena & cleaning of homes The Central Square 188 W. Plato Blvd. St. Paul and apartments Community Center Adjacent to Harriet Island Roof Repairs (CSCC), 100-7th Ave. South St. Paul, will www.riversedgeacademy.orgN., • 651-651-234-0150 651-399-4304 offer a Floats and Flicks Gutter Cleaning event 6-8 p.m. Jan. 22, and Repairs
Feb. 12 and 26, and Mar. 12 and 26. These events are for all ages and feature swimming while watching a big screen movie. Cost is $3.25, or free for CSCC members.
Outdoor ice skating rinks and walking trails
The city of South St. Paul operates six outdoor ice skating rinks. Harmon Rink at Spruce Street and Henry Avenue has a hockey rink and indoor warming facility. Rinks with both hockey and pleasure skating and a warming facility are Lorraine Rink at 3rd Ave. S. and 7th St. S., Jefferson Rink at 21st Avenue North and Southview Boulevard, and Bromley Rink at 22nd Avenue North and Bromley. Locations with pleasure skating are Spruce Rink at 7th Avenue South and Spruce Street, and Seidls Rink at 4th Avenue South and 14th. Spruce and Seidls
do not have warming facilities. Warminghouse hours are 4:30-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:308:30 p.m. Friday, noon8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1-6 p.m., Sunday. Special hours apply on Dec. 28-30, noon-8:30 p.m., Dec. 31, noon-6 p.m., Jan. 1, noon-8:30 p.m., Jan. 18, noon-8 p.m., and Feb. 15, noon-8 p.m. Rinks will be maintained through Feb. 21. Snow will be removed on the following trails for walker/joggers: the 4.5-mile River Trail, with parking at the Municipal Service Center at 400 E. Richmond St. and Simons Ravine trailhead at 1308 N. Concord St., the 1.6-mile trail loop at Kaposia Landing near Concord Street North and Bryant Avenue, and the ½-mile trail loop at McMorrow Field near South Street and Henry Avenue.
South St. Paul • 651-455-1505 www.vfwpost295.org
Live Music in January January 1 ....................................................................Iron Horse January 2 ..............................................................Hillbilly Mafia January 8 ....................................... Rockin Hollywoods, $5 cover January 9 ..............................................Killer Hayseeds, $5 cover January 15 ...........................................................Fire Rose Band January 16 .......................................... Chain Lightning, $5 cover January 19 .............................River City Jazz Orchestra, 7-10 pm January 22 .................................................................Dixie Hicks January 23 .......................................The Mason Dixons, $5 cover January 29 .................................Jonah and the Whales, $5 cover January 30 ...........................................................The Big Twang
Food & Drink Specials Sundays - Beer, drink & food specials during the Vikings games; Open mic and jam session 6-10 pm , open until 10 pm; Commanders & Color Guard Breakfast, second and fourth Sunday each month, 8 am-1 pm. Free food for Viking games. Mon - Fri - Happy hour, 4-6 pm Mon - Texas Hold 'em at 7 p.m. Free to play. $100 cash 1st place; Chicken wing night, 5-9 pm, 5 for $2, no take-outs Tues - $1.50 Burger Night; 2nd Tuesday Turtle Lake Casino Trip, 9 am, $5, get two free drinks upon return from casino NEW - Fourth Tuesday of each month is Comedy Nite, featuring Dennis Carney & his comedy troupe, 7:30-9 p.m., Free Wed - Bar and Mega Bingo, 7 pm start Wed & Thur - 7" Coney Night, 2 for $5, biggest & tastiest Thurs - Karaoke, 8-close; Ladies Night, $2 drinks and beers for the ladies, 9-close Fri - open until 2 am Sat - Mega Tacos $3 and meat raffle,noon-4 pm, open until 2 am Sun - Build your own Bloodys @ Happy Hour prices, 10-2 pm., open until 10 p.m. Burger Kitchen - open Mon-Sat, 4-10 pm Hall rental & special packages available for fundraisers. Page 4 - South St. Paul Voice - January 2010
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100 - 7th Ave. N. 306-3690 • Jodee Paape & Associates, LLC 100 BridgePoint Dr.,Ste. 120 455-4621 • Ries Electric 777 N. Concord 451-2238 • Mayor Beth Baumann • James P. Leary, Jr. Certified Public Accountant
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New doctor joins Midwest Dental
Dr. Tessie Thompson has joined Dr. Warren Zenk at Midwest Dental, 820 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul. Thompson, who grew up in West St. Paul, received her D.D.S. from the University Of Minnesota School of Dentistry and has worked in Midwest Dental’s Faribault location since 2008. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association and Minnesota Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. For more information, call at 651455-2297.
E ducation State of Education / from page 1 test scores by monitoring 33 sub-groups of students for performance. Loss of federal funding is at stake for schools with low test scores. Educators are feeling the heat to produce higher test scores, sometimes at the expense of using teaching methods they believe will better educate their students. Recent budget projections for 2011 show a $1.5 billion loss in state revenue due to lower sales and income taxes. Will the state education budget be spared when the governor starts slashing dollars to balance the budget? Educators are not holding their breath, yet many are wondering how will they be able to meet the demands set by NCLB with less dollars.
Collaborative efforts
To counteract the fickle nature of government
Your community news and information source finance, schools have begun to rely greatly on collaboration between nonprofits and commercial businesses in moving students forward. The South St. Paul School district is tackling early childhood education with its tuition-free, all-day kindergarten, preparing children to hit the road running when they take on the basics of education as first graders. With the start of Jóvenes de Salud, which translates into youth health advocates, the district is wrapping its arms around a growing population of Latino students. Carmen Robles, who served as an aide to former Gov. Arne Carlson, and who now works with the Association for NonSmokers-Minnesota, organized the after-school enrichment program that caters to the needs of Latino students. The program assists students in civic and social acclimation and encourages healthier attitudes toward
drinking and smoking. It is also proving effective in raising the graduation rate of Latinos, since to be a part of Jóvenes, students must get to school on time. To curb costs, the district works with District 917 in Rosemount, with vocational and special needs education and legal services. To best meet the needs of its students while avoiding duplication of costs, Superintendent Patty Heminover and school board members have been meeting with their counterparts from ISD 199, Inver Grove Heights and ISD 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) to discuss possible collaborations in transportation, gifted and talented programs and special education.
Funding for the future
In spite of challenging economic times, residents of South St.
Paul have rallied around their schools by renewing a much-needed tenyear technology levy and learning levy. Despite the lack of additional state funding, the state has added more requirements for graduation. By 2015 students will be required to take algebra by eighth grade and second-year algebra and chemistry or physics in order to graduate from high school. The added coursework was in response to a 2006 plea from the United States National Academies to correct the declining state of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the U.S. The
strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation’s ability to sustain itself. One of the National Academies’ recommendations was to strengthen the skills of instructors through additional training in science, math and technology. The state responded by opening nine Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academies. The centers are designed to improve math and science instruction and student learning so students
are prepared to meet the new standards. An imaginative and interactive website, www. getSTEM-mn.com, has been launched as a tool for educators to request resources or opportunities that connect their STEM-related coursework to college or career possibilities. Likewise, getSTEM gives businesses an easy way to work with local educators to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce to succeed in STEM-related fields.
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C ommunity Columns
Your community news and information source
ball Clinic to town, hosted a Central Square Fun Night for 7th and 8th graders, hosted the Annual Kaposia Days Food Drive, linked with Luther Memorial Church and brought a Battle of the Bands to South St. Paul, helped organize the annual Park and River Beautification Project, brought a portable mini-golf course to town, hosted Under the Stars family swim parties at Northview Pool, filled Backpacks for youth in the community, hosted the 2nd annual community scavenger hunt, hosted the golf course at On the Road Again, hosted the 2nd annual teen movie night, helped with the Family Movies in the Park, sponsored a Halloween party for 5th and 6th graders, assisted the South St. Paul Lions at the annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens, co-sponsored Skate with Santa, organized the annual tree lighting and mitten and hat drive for Neighbors, Inc., and presented 10 Red Wagon Awards to community members and organizations. As for “involving more youth,” each month youth are joining the task force, having fun and telling their Mayor’s Youth Task Force reviews 2009 friends to join. Were we successful in making South resolutions and asks, ‘How did we do?’ St. Paul a better place to live, work and play? We Deb Griffith, Community Affairs Liaison think so. What do you think? So, 2010 is upon us. What is the Task Force’s resohe Task Force took a look at the 2009 group’s reslution this year? We will continue making South St. olution and asked ourselves, “How did we do?” Paul a better place to live, work and play, and we will The 2009 Resolution was: The South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force’s resolution will involve more be doing it by “Going Green.” In March, the task force will host a Town Hall meetSouth St. Paul youth in creating community ownering on how South St. Paul can “go green.” The youth ship by developing and assisting at community events are excited and have many great ideas. We will conand activities, identifying concerns and coming up tinue to offer new and fun activities and events in the with solutions to make South St. Paul a better place community and are committed to working with the to live, work and play.” youth to make South St. Paul a better place to live How did we do? Let’s look back and see. work or play. The Task Force brought the Minnesota Twins Base-
T
In addition to the Task Force’s resolutions, we asked task force members for their New Year’s resolutions, and received a variety of answers. Here are just a few: Mayor Baumann: To find more things for kids to do that are not destructive and find a more cost-effective way to run the city of South St. Paul. Holly: Make good choices . Paxton: Help our community “go green.” Brandonn: Help out more often and help the community “go green.” Alice: To get more homework in and on time. Meg: To be nicer to my sister. Nicholas: Get better at playing the trumpet. Kelly: Involve positive and productive people in 2010. It’s easier to stay positive if you surround yourself with similar thinking people. People who are creative are great to be around, and they get a lot done. Cole: To try as hard as he can and to keep persevering when tasks are difficult. Marilyn: To encourage youth to become involved in their community by participating in ongoing community events. Deb: To remain positive through these challenging economic times. If you are a resident, business or organization that can offer ideas or suggestions, resources or assistance in planning or sponsoring an event or activity, the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force would like to hear from you. Contact Deb Griffith with your ideas or questions at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@ southstpaul.org. Make supporting the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force your 2010 resolution!
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Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - January 2010
Jennifer L. Gale, president Progress Plus elects chairman
Progress Plus, a 20 year-old public-private economic development partnership serving South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights, has
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP PCL Construction Services, Inc. is seeking an Engineering or Construction Management student to fill a full-time internship opportunity during the summer of 2010. Position details & application can be found online at www.pcl.com Job ID # 1530 No phone calls or walk-ins please. PCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
elected Paul Nelson as chairman of its board of directors for 2010. Nelson is in business development with Shaw-Lundquist Associates, one of M&E the most respected genCOORDINATOR eral contractors in the PCL Construction Midwest. Services, Inc. is seekHeadquartered in Eaing a full-time M&E gan, the 35-year-old Coordinator to workfirm general contracting from our Burnsville, MN is the largest minorityoffice. Travel required. owned contractor in the Degree in Engineering Midwest and the largest or Construction Management required & 7-10 yearsNILLES experience preferred. Builders Inc. Position details & apMn Lic# 4690 plication can be found ADDITIONS online at www.pcl.com REMODELING Job ID # 1642. ROOFING No phone calls or CONCRETE walk-ins please. GARAGES
SIDING PCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V 651-222-8701 www.nillesbuilders.com
Asian-owned contractor in the nation. Shaw-Lundquist provides general construction, construction management at risk, agency construction management and designbuild construction services. The firm was started in 1974 by Fred Shaw (Hsiao) and the company has grown to over $75 million in revenue in fiscal year 2008. The firm also built many of the most visible “green” buildings in the metro area. Shaw-Lundquist is the general contractor for the city of Inver Grove Heights’ Public Safety Public building and City Hall renovation. Nelson has been on the Progress Plus Board for Dea two years. He is a past chairman of the Ramsey County Workforce In- Publ vestment Board and is active in many other organizations. The Progress Plus Board welcoms Nelson and thanks outgoing chairman David Langer, Client S owner of Langer Real Estate Services, Inc. For (for a more details on Progress P Plus, call 651-451-2266 or visit www.progressThis ma plus.org. Paul Pu
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copied, written c St. Paul
S ample St. Paul
Your community news and information source
Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Neighbors, Inc. Recently, I overheard a conversation just outside my office. I tried to By John Kemp ignore it, but heard just Executive Director of enough to get the gist of Neighbors, Inc. what was being said. Later that day I went to a meeting and was given a piece of paper from the host of the meeting. It was a letter she found taped to her front door when she left for work. She asked me if it was legitimate. The letter read, in part, “With my dad’s help, I am doing a neighborhood food drive to benefit Neighbors, Inc. in South St. Paul, to help those in need of a little extra help this time of year.” The letter went on to say that she and her dad would be back the next day to pick up any bags of food or personal care items that were left on the porch. It was signed, Lacie Estes. Instantly, I remembered the conversation outside my office that afternoon, so I was able to respond, “Yes, this is legitimate. And what makes this remarkable is that Lacie is just seven years old.” That weekend, Lacie and her dad brought in nearly 700 pounds of food, and a couple of weeks later they brought in another load of more than 500 pounds. I expect that they will bring in more. I had the privilege of meeting Lacie and she seemed a bit embarrassed by all the attention but it was obvious that, at only seven years old, she already has a deep passion for people in need. Her father said her actions were sparked after she and her mother drove past the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. After seeing all the people waiting in line for a hot meal or a place to sleep, she knew she knew she had to do something to help people in need. After a discussion with her parents, she decided on the food drive for Neighbors so she could help people in her own community have food for their families. It’s not all that unusual for a person, or a group of people, to hold a food drive for Neighbors — about 80-85 percent of all the food we give out each year is donated — but it is a bit unusual for a food drive to be organized by a seven-year-old. It’s even more unusual when that young person’s family has been a client of Neighbors. You see, Lacie understands need from a first-hand perspective. Her father lost his job three years ago, and despite an almost constant effort to find employment, he has only been able to work about 10 weeks in the last three years. Times have not been easy in the Estes household, and yet Lacie responds to that by reaching out to help others who are having an even tougher time than her family. When I met Lacie I must admit that I was a bit in awe of her. This tiny mite of a girl with a heart so big it can’t be measured, did more for others in a couple of weeks than most of us do in a year, or perhaps a lifetime. And I was embarrassed because as much as I like to think I care about and work to help others, this little girl set a new standard, and she set the bar high. The result is if someone asked Lacie, “What have you done today to help someone else?” she’d have a good answer. If I was asked that same question, would I have as good an answer? Would you?
“Beauty and the Beast” is presented through Jan. 3, at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. This Disney classic tells the tale of a hideous beast that is transformed into an enchanted prince through the power of a young woman’s love. Experience the joy in an enchanted new production created just for the Ordway. See Belle and all your favorite characters come to life onstage. Tickets are $27-$75. For more information, call the box office at 651-224-4222.
History Theatre “Sister Kenny’s Children” is presented Jan. 23-Feb. 14, at the History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. This new play is a powerful retelling of how Sister Elizabeth Kenny battled adversity to make her ground-breaking therapies the standard in polio treatment. Tickets are $25-$30 for adults, $22-$28 for seniors and $10 for children. For more information, call the box office at 651-2924323.
Children’s Museum
“Out on a Limb” is presented through Jan. 24, at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, 10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul. Visitors may explore the natural world in this original, interactive exhibition that encourages them to hear the sounds of the forest, use leaves to make beautiful art, and build big and little structures from bark and limbs. The exhibits also provide practice with the physical
skills of climbing and balancing. Tickets are $8.95. For more information, call 651-225-6000.
Xcel Energy Center
Country music star Brad Paisley, with special guests Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 16, at the Xcel Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Tickets are $39.75-$59.75 “The World’s Toughest Rodeo” is presented Jan. 29-30, featuring bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc and barrel racing exhibitions, and more. Randy Houser will perform Saturday night for the “Party On The Dirt,” following the rodeo. Tickets are $17-$80 for adults and half price for children age 12 and under.
Photo by Scott Pakudaitis
“Sister Kenny’s Children” is presented Jan. 23-Feb. 14, at the History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul.
manity of the passengers and crew through passenger stories, amazingly detailed room re-creations, and authentic artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic, all Park Square in one of the largest exhibiTheatre tions the Science Museum “Rock ’n’ Roll” is pre- has ever hosted. Featured in sented Jan. 15-Feb. 7, at the Omnitheater is “TitanPark Square Theatre, 20 W. ica.” This giant screen film 7th Place, St. Paul. Span- allows you to take a journey ning two countries and to the bottom of the North three generations, the music Atlantic to explore the faof revolution, protest, lib- mous shipwreck. See stuneration and emotional sur- ning images of the Titanic vival proves that love, and as she now lies on the ocean rock ’n’ roll, remain. Tick- floor contrasted with exets are $36-$40 for adults, quisitely-preserved archival $31-$35 for seniors, and photographs of the ship in $15 for age 30 and under. all her splendor. Hear movFor more information, call ing commentary from Eva 651-291-7005. Hart who, as a seven-yearold girl, survived the tragic Science Museum night but lost her father. of Minnesota Omnifest 2010, a giant “Titanic: The Artifact screen film festival, is preExhibition” is presented sented Jan. 29-Mar. 11, at at the Science Museum the Omnitheater. The feathrough Jan. 3. This compel- tured films are “Africa’s Eleling exhibition takes visitors phant Kingdom,” “Into the back in time to 1912 and Deep,” “Van Gogh: Brush tells a story of tremendous with Genius,” “The Greathuman drama. It brings to est Places,” and “Ski to the life the heroism and hu- Max.” Tickets are $8 for
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
PCL Construction Services, Inc. is seeking an Engineering or Construction Management student to fill a full-time internship opportunity during the summer of 2010.
adults and $7 for children. Museum tickets are $23 for adults and $18 for seniors ages 60 and older and children ages 4-12, or $29 and $24 respectively with admission to “Titanica.” The Science Museum is located at 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. For more information, visit www. smm.org, or call 651221-9444.
Minnesota History Center “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” is presented through July 4, at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, and $5 for children ages 6-17. Free admission on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. For more information, call 651-259-3000 or visit www.mnhs.org.
M&E COORDINATOR PCL Construction Services, Inc. is seeking a full-time M & E Coordinator to work from our Burnsville, MN office. Travel required. Degree in Engineering or Construction Management required & 7-10 years experience preferred.
Position details & application can be found online at www.pcl.com Job ID # 1530 No phone calls or walk-ins please.
Position details & application can be found online at www.pcl.com Job ID # 1642. No phone calls or walk-ins please.
PCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
PCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
South St. Paul Voice - January 2010 - Page 7
B ack in Time
Your community news and information source
South St. Paul loses its major industry Lois Glewwe Contributor
O
n any given Friday afternoon in 1962, Concord Street in South St. Paul was filled with throngs of workers headed to one or more of the dozens of taverns for a drink after a long week in the meatpacking plants. Pay day also brought women and children to Concord Street to visit the butcher, the baker, the hardware store, the shoe store, and possibly the furniture store or the bank. Automobiles crawled along the strip, barely moving, as bumper-to-bumper traffic prevented anyone from making much progress. Concord Street was widened and the streetcar tracks and cables were removed in 1953. New streetlights illuminated
the downtown area, but as the years passed, many felt that the bright lights only showed how much the city needed to do to create a modern, shiny shopping district that would attract customers from across the metro area. As West St. Paul’s Robert Street filled with new fast food restaurants and retail outlets, South St. Paul was showing its age. The old boarding houses, storefronts, taverns, restaurants and other businesses along Concord were literally piled on top of each other — one shop in the basement, another on the street and two or more in the floors above. No uniform design requirements or building codes were enforced. Clapboard structures leaned precariously against their sturdier
brick neighbors. Rickety floors, broken stairways and leaky roofs were the result of nearly 80 years of unplanned development that took place since the city’s earliest businesses set up shop in the 1880s. It’s difficult to imagine in today’s more genderand race-equal world, but in 1962 the situation was addressed by a group of 40 white men. The Committee of 40, as they were known, was officially named the Community Redevelopment Committee and was headed by attorney and former state legislator Arthur Gillen. The group’s purpose was to make a comprehensive study of the business district. Also on the committee were Steve Alencich, Maurice Barnes, Joseph Bartl, Irving Beaudoin,
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By 1968, South St. Paul civic leaders had been working for five years to create a modernization plan for the downtown area. One year after the plan was approved by the City Council, Swift and Company closed its operations in the city and rumors that Armour was also reducing operations spread rapidly. Losing the largest employers in town meant that plans for creating a modern shopping district that could compete with West St. Paul’s Robert Street spiraled into difficulty.
Louis Briguet, James Canine, Norris Carnes, Bob Carter, Sr., Joseph Chalupa, Jr., Noel Dike, Richard Eggert, James Finson, Vance Grannis, Sr., Bob Hansen, George Heuer, Stan Krinsky, Gunnar Kronholm, Edward Kuntz, Elwood Lastine, Sid Linneroth, John Blomquist, Bob McCreight, Gust Mikutowski, Howard Milbert, H.H. Milstein, Ed Rasmussen, Jerry Sexton, Bernie Skiba, R. Lloyd Smith, Cliff Spainhower, Elmer Stassen, Thomas Steichen, Paul Thuet, Jr., John Todd, Gordon Trepp, B.D. Varing, Richard Werner and Henry Wertheimer. The group represented nearly every business, industry and service group in town.
After five years of planning, the City Council accepted the committee’s first plan for the redevelopment of the city on Nov. 25, 1968. Phil Woog was the mayor and the city council included Bruce Baumann, James P. Cosgrove, Myron Grant, Frank Mega, Jim Metzen, Charles Michelson and Mike Verderosa. The Concord Street Urban Renewal Project would soon begin. The planners recognized that the city’s economic and employment base, which had been centered in the meatpacking industry since 1895, was at risk, as the national packing plant industry changed. Still, the plants of the community’s largest employers bustled with activity and
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everyone believed that the industry would continue to be the foundation of the community for years to come. The overall objective of the redevelopment plan focused on moving the railroad tracks to the riverfront so that the traffic pattern could be moved off of the old, narrow Concord Street, and demolishing the old structures that prevented expansion of modern new businesses. New businesses or facilities for old businesses were intended to improve the diversity and strength of the shopping district and create a revitalized community that could compete effectively with surrounding
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