South St. Paul Voice Feb. 2024 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

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Volume 21 | Number 2

Flannel Fest returns Feb. 4 Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Your Community News & Information Source

February 2024

Grand opening of Kaposia Library set for Feb. 20

rab your favorite flannel shirt and get ready for some winter fun. South St. Paul’s Flannel Fest features everything from fluffy pancakes and homemade hotdishes to clouds of icy spray from skidding skaters. The celebration is hosted by the City of South St. Paul Parks and Recreation department and takes place Feb. 4-10. Information was accurate as of press time but is subject to change. Flapjacks and Flannels, 9-11:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 4. Visit Croatian Hall, 445 2nd Ave. S., for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage. $10 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds support Parks and Rec youth program scholarships. Flannel shirts are recommended. Flannel Fest Forager medallion hunt, Feb. 5-9. Clues will be released on the City’s Facebook page each day at noon or until the medallion is found. For more information, visit facebook.com/sspminnesota. Hotdish Showdown celebrates the state’s quintessential dish. It’s held Friday, Feb. 9 at Croatian Hall. Tasting and judging begins at 5 p.m., and top winners are announced at 7 p.m. Anyone may submit any type of hotdish for judging, which will be done through a secret ballot by attendees. Those entering the contest must use a 6-quart crockpot, bring Flannel Fest / Page 3

Lifelong learning in SSP Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Rafay Syed, senior information assistant for Dakota County Library, helps stock shelves at the new Kaposia Library in South St. Paul. Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

he long-awaited opening of the new county-owned Kaposia Library at the corner of 7th and Marie is nearly upon us. The grand opening is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20. It will feature a ribbon-cutting, remarks by local leaders, a performance by the South St. Paul High School choir and more. The 16,000-square-foot building boasts

many amenities including a large community meeting room, conference rooms equipped with audio-visual technology, study rooms, teen section, calming room near the children’s area, reading garden, bike racks, electric vehicle charging stations, exterior book drop and interior collage of South St. Paul’s history. The building is wheelchair accessible and its hours will be noon-8 p.m., Mon.-Wed., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. Kaposia Library / Page 4

f you’re looking to use the long, dark days of winter to learn how to paint, play an instrument or master a new language, you’re in luck. TriDistrict Community Education can help you learn those skills and many others. The entity is a partnership between South St. Paul Public Schools, ISD 197 and ISD 199, and offers dozens of lowcost adult enrichment classes ranging from cooking to exercise to creative arts. Classes are hosted in each community – South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights and Eagan – and new ones are always being added to the pipeline. So, whether you’re 16 or 60 or older and interested in learning or simply socializing, there’s likely a class for you. “People were excited to come back out and be part of everything and start to socialize again [after the pandemic],” said South St. Paul Community Education Facilitator Linda Jacobs-Buse. “It wasn’t a slow ride, we just kind of jumped back in, and we’re still growing with participants and instructors.” Jacobs-Buse said cooking classes are South St. Paul’s most popular offering. February’s lineup boasts the popular French Dinner cooking class, held at the high school, and Lovely Macarons, a class on Community Ed / Page 3

Minnesota Warriors turn hockey into healing Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

n late December, 20 disabled veterans took to the ice at the West St. Paul Ice Arena to face Two Rivers High School alumni in a charitable hockey game. The veterans are members of Minnesota Warriors Hockey, a South St. Paul-based nonprofit serving disabled

veterans from all branches of the military, including combat veterans. It was the organization’s first showcase in West St. Paul, and even though it was a one-sided loss for the veterans, the team captain said they had a good turnout and will do it again next year. “We got worked over pretty good, but it was a fun skate,” said Minnesota

Warriors team captain Kris Baker. “They [Two Rivers] said they were bringing in the alumni, so we were expecting some 30-year-olds, but I think the oldest person they brought out was, like, 21 and I think he was playing for the Gophers club team.” Baker is a lifelong South St. Paulite who grew up playing hockey at Doug Woog

Arena when it was still called Wakota Arena and only had one rink. He served in the Army for nearly 12 years and has been in the Army Reserves ever since. He has a bad ankle and foot as well as some psychological trauma from his military experience. He joined the Warriors team about three years ago to stay fit and improve his mental health.

“It’s literally my therapy for anything I’ve got going on in my life,” he said. “It’s not just hockey. For a lot of us this is a good reason to keep going…. I encourage anybody who’s interested and can qualify to please look us up and come see what we’re about. We’re a real open group of folks.” Warriors’ director of business operations James

Bracken served five years in the Navy and seven years in the Reserves before relocating from California to Minnesota and joining the organization about two years ago. He has issues with his hearing from his time in the service and is grateful to have made friends through the program since he has no family in the state.

MN Warriors / Page 2

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MN Warriors from page 1

“What’s great about it is there’s a lot of common ground already,” he said. “We already know much of what each other have been through based on brief overviews of what we did in the military, so you already feel familiar with everybody on some level, and that really helps to build those relationships.... Some of us are a little older and some a little younger, but you’ll find someone to fit in with, guaranteed.” To join Minnesota Warriors, veterans must be honorably or generally discharged and have a 10% Veteran’s Affairs disability rating or higher. All hockey team members are considered “standing” players – even if some are on prosthetic limbs – and they don’t use any special equipment or handicap rules. Teams operate out of Duluth, St. Cloud, and the Twin Cities metro area. The metro area has about 100 members across its three teams, which are divided by skill level. Baker said they’ve

had players who are firsttime skaters and some who have junior or semi-pro experience. Teams typically practice once or twice a week and members can attend as many or as few as they’d like. Exhibition games against local schools and hockey associations are held about once a month and consist of 20 Warrior players. Many of the events are fundraisers to pay for ice rental, equipment, travel expenses and more. The group has also received funds from the Minnesota Wild’s Split the Pot raffle event, the Hastings-based United Heroes League and Richfield-based Hendrickson Foundation. “We have self-appointed coaches and captains,” said Baker. “Any coaches who want to come help out, we’re more than happy to host them and let them put us through the ringer in practice.” The Warriors select its best players from across the state to compete nationally

‘The primary mission isn’t to build ultra-competitive teams,’ said Bracken. ‘It’s to get people out on the ice and get them in a group of supportive folks that all want to play hockey.’ against Warrior teams from other states. One of Baker’s best memories as a Warrior was his first tournament, the national championship in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he and his metro teammates beat Minnesota’s St. Cloud team in the semifinals to move onto the finals. Although they lost to a Michigan team that year, Baker led his team to gold last April when the event was held in St. Louis, Mo. He said that was also a very special moment. The upcoming national championship will be held in April in New Jersey. Warriors Hockey is sanctioned by USA Hockey and has programs in 23 states. Minnesota’s program was founded in 2010 by Andy Qualy and offices out of the former Cunningham’s sporting goods store on Thomp-

son Avenue in South St. Paul. USA Hockey also sanctions sled, blind, and special hockey teams. Qualy has since moved to Colorado. “The primary mission isn’t to build ultra-competitive teams,” said Bracken, the director of business operations. “It’s to get people out on the ice and get them in a group of supportive folks that all want to play hockey.” On Feb. 3, the Warriors will compete at Prairie Island Arena in Red Wing. In May, they will host Minnesota’s national tournament, the Hendrickson Foundation tournament at the Super Rink in Blaine. In the next 5-10 years, they hope to travel to a Nordic country and do some international exhibition games or tournaments there. For more information, visit mnwar-

Warriors’ director of business operations James Bracken, shown here, said the team competes locally in charity tournaments and nationally against other Warrior teams. riors.com. “We’re always looking for volunteers for various events we do to help us out,” said Bracken. “I can’t say enough how appreciative we are when people step up to do that because it does make a

big difference. It takes a lot of work and folks to maximize the value from our fundraising events and we’re aiming to grow in the future. We would love it if more folks from the local community would come out and help.”

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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 Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack John E. Ahlstrom

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Flannel Fest from page 1

their own extension cord, and have a label on their dish that includes their name and the address at which the

hotdish was prepared. Dakota County requires that all hotdishes that aren’t made in a commercial kitchen must

Community Ed from page 1

how to create the finicky cookie. Also slated are a new Paint and Sip class and a 4-week class entitled Power of Dream, which seeks to help people understand the meaning behind their dreams. Instructors have considerable experience in their fields and often teach in

several communities. JacobsBuse said new instructors are always approaching her and that she occasionally recruits people teaching in other communities to see if they’d like to come to South St. Paul. The cities collaborate so each can offer popular classes at different times of the year.

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be labeled this way: “This product is homemade and not subject to state inspection.” Babe’s Boot Hockey Tournament begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at Jefferson Park. Games will

be officiated, and the format depends on the number of teams that register. To register, email Colin at ctrudgeon@southstpaul.org. Registration is $100. For rules and more information, visit the City’s parks and recre-

ation Facebook page or visit southstpaul.org and search “flannel fest.” The event is free for spectators. Starlight Skate and Sled, 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at Jefferson Park. Zip down

the popular sledding hill, skate on the nearby ice rink, try your hand at a game of ice bowling and don’t forget to stop by the tent for some hot chocolate, courtesy of the police department.

“We’re all individually planning classes for our own districts, but we all work in tandem,” said Jacobs-Buse. “We have the brochure [mailed to residents] three times a year.” TriDistrict Community Education in South St. Paul is housed at Central Square Community Center, the main hub for fitness and aquatic classes throughout the year. Aquatics and gymnastics programs have seen

a resurgence following the pandemic, and the Senior Center and Adult Basic Education classes at Central Square remain popular. TriDistrict Community Education also offers youth enrichment programs in each community. Classes

are offered in sports and recreation, health and safety, studying skills and more. Additionally, the organization offers before- and after-school care programming at elementary schools, and early childhood family

education for families with pre-K children. For more information, visit Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N., call 651-306-3632 or visit tridistrictce.org.

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For more information, call 651-451-1863 or visit www.sjvssp.org South St. Paul Voice - February 2024 - Page 3

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Kaposia Library from page 1

In the past weeks, library staff have been working hard to move equipment, technology, furniture, books

and other materials to the new library. Until the grand opening, customers can pick up holds and return items at

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Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N. A shelf in the lobby has items on hold and a large bin outside is for returns. Central Square’s lobby is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m., weekdays, and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays. Kaposia library will be led by branch manager Honora Greenwood Rodriguez. She was named director of the former city-owned library last July following the retirement of longtime library director Kathy Halgren, and her title shifted to branch manager at the start of the year when the County officially assumed ownership of the new library. Prior to being named director, she was the adult services librarian for 12 years. The City began developing a concept plan for the new library in September 2021 due to increasing costs to operate and maintain the former 11,800-square-foot library at 106 3rd St., which was built in 1927 and last renovated in 1964. In January 2022 the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the City’s schematic

design for the new library and agreed to build it as part of its county library system. The design was completed by Minneapolis-based BKV Architects in June 2022 and Donlar Construction completed construction in December 2023. A committee is being formed to develop a plan for what to do with the building that now houses the city-owned library, and it will seek proposals and feedback from the public. For more information, call City Hall at 651-554-3200 or visit southstpaul.org. The name of the new library is a nod to the village of the Kaposia band of the Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota), who lived along the Mississippi River near present-day Kaposia Landing, 800 Bryant Ave., in the 1830s and ’40s. Chief Little Crow V was the last to lead the band before it was forcibly relocated to the Lower Sioux Agency reservation on the Minnesota river, near present-day Morton, Minn, in the 1850s.

History of library service in SSP • The South St. Paul Library Commission was established in 1916 and immediately began planning and fundraising for the city’s first library. • The St. Paul Union Stockyards Company donated two lots for construction. • The South St. Paul City Council approved $2,500 to purchase books. Those books were originally housed at the South St. Paul High School and available to the public. • The first South St. Paul Library opened Dec. 1, 1922, in the Fitzgerald Building on Grand Avenue. The first patron was Dr. J. B. Lewis, and more than 500 patrons checked out books within the first two months. • J.M. Rice was hired as interim librarian, serving from opening day until January 1923. She was succeeded by the city’s first permanent librarian: Cornelia Plaister, who assumed duties in February 1923. • In 1926, the South St. Paul City Council approved a $25,000 bond to build a library on Third Avenue North. Dakota County pledged $7,500 toward the building fund, and the American Legion donated $500. • The Library Commission voted to name the library The American Legion Memorial Library. • Local contractor Anton Mleczko won the construction project, with a bid of $27,100. • The groundbreaking ceremony was on December 27, 1926. The cornerstone was installed on February 22, 1927, and construction was completed on August 7. • The library began its bookmobile in August 1961. • Overcrowding led to the construction of a 2-story wing, dedicated on April 25, 1965.

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N ews Briefs

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Submitted by Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency

Dakota County Library eliminates overdue fines Dakota County Library users are no longer fined for returning items late. The change was approved as part of the county’s 2024 operating budget and applies to all age groups. Anyone who was previously blocked from checking out items has been unblocked. Items are still expected to be returned by their due dates. Most items overdue by 42 days or more will be considered lost and the replacement cost will be billed to the account. In 2022, the library removed overdue fines for youth, which resulted in more children’s items being checked out, more youth receiving library cards and items being returned at a similar rate. Library staff anticipate a similar effect with the removal of adult overdue

We also encourage you to speak to a homeownership advisor who can offer guidance based on your situation. Advisors can guide you through the homebuying process, give you tips to improve your credit score, and much more. Financial counseling helps you understand your credit, reduce your debt, and create a budget and savings plan. To learn more about available resources on homebuying, visit mnhousing.gov and search “Homebuyer Education.” Ready to make a move? Our network of participating lenders can answer questions about our programs, program eligibility and which one may work best for you. To find a Minnesota Housing participating lender, visit mnhousing.gov and search “Directory.” Volunteer Make sure to let the lender know you In Your are interested in a Minnesota Housing loan program. Wherever you are Community on your homeownership journey, our Lutheran Social Service of programs and resources could help you MN is seeks volunteers get in the front door. age 55 or over in your In connection with Single Family Diarea to provide companvision loan programs, Minnesota Housionship to older adults or ing does not make or arrange loans. It is mentor school-age neither an originator nor creditor and Shop is Frame Now OpenVolunteers children. not affiliated with any lender. The terms commit to regular weekly CLIP & SAVE of any mortgage finance transactions hours for a tax-free conducted in connection with these prostipend and mileage grams, including important information Your Next reimbursement. Contact such as loan fees, the annual percentage Framing Project us at 888.205.3770, or rate (APR), repayment conditions, discloAmericorpsSeniors@ Over 30 years of custom picture framing experience sures, and any other materials which are lssmn.org for more inforrequired to be provided to the404 consumer Southview Blvd., South St. Paul mation and to make an 651-340-0314 • (c) 651-353-5021 are the responsibility of the lender.

school board member contact information, visit sspps.

Meeting dates The South St. Paul City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month in the council chambers at City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N. For agendas and city council member contact information, visit southstpaul.org or call 651554-3284. The Special School District 6 School Board meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month. For agendas and

The South St. Paul Lions Club meets at 7:15 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month (September - May). For more information, visit ssplions.org. South St. Paul Southwest Lioness-Lions Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, 1203 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul. This group of women serves the community through fundraising and volunteering.

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here’s no doubt about it, buying a home is a worthwhile investment, but it can also be a challenge getting in the door. That’s why Minnesota Housing is here. We work with a network of lenders across the state to help homebuyers get the mortgage financing and down payment and closing cost loans they need. If you think you make too much to qualify for a Minnesota Housing program, you may be surprised. Depending on your household size and where you live, you can earn up to $142,800 and still be eligible for a Minnesota Housing first-time homebuyer program. Has anyone ever told you that you need to put 20% down to buy a home? This is not necessarily true. In fact, some mortgages require as little as 3% down. Also, Minnesota Housing has down payment and closing cost loan assistance programs for those who qualify. This spring, Minnesota Housing is launching a new down payment program for first-generation homebuyers. The First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program will offer additional down payment and closing cost assistance loans. If you and your parent or legal guardian have never owned a home or lost a home due to foreclosure, you may qualify for this special program. If you are not a first-generation homebuyer or make more than $142,800 a year, Minnesota Housing may still have programs for you. Visit mnhousing.gov to learn about all of Minnesota Housing’s loan programs. Homebuyer education - First-time homebuyers must take a homebuyer education class before using a Minnesota Housing program. Classes are available at little or no cost. You’ll learn about the entire homebuying process, from financial planning to purchasing a home to what to expect as a new homeowner. Even people who’ve owned a home before say they find these classes valuable.

fines. For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us/ library, search fine free.

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S ample St. Paul

Fitzgerald Theatre

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

“Criminal” live podcast is presented at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9. Tickets start at $35.

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

Wild Kratts: Creature Power is a new exhibit featured Feb. 3-May 12. Explore the secret lives of animals in habitats around the planet and go on a mission to foil a villain’s nefarious plans. Other exhibits and activities include “The Scramble,” “The Studio,” “Creativity Jam,” “Sprouts,” “Our World,” “Forces at Play,” “Shipwreck Adventures” and “Imaginopolis.” Tickets are $14.95. Admission is free the first Sunday of each month; reserva-

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tions are required and tickets are limited. The next free date is Feb. 4.

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

“Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow” is a new exhibit featured Feb. 3-June 9. It follows Black advancement from the end of the Civil War through World War I and features art, artifacts and photographs highlighting Black resilience and resistance in that time. “The Life & Art of Charles M. Schulz” is featured through June 9. Explore Schulz’s roots in Minnesota and his role as the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip and its beloved cast of characters. “Our Home: Native Minnesota” features historic and contemporary photographs, maps, and artifacts that show how Minnesota’s native communities have retained cultural practices,

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

“Handprints,” through Feb. 18. A powerful and vibrant autobiographical story written and performed by one of the Twin Cities’ most renowned theater artists, Greta Oglesby, based on her book, “Mama ’n ’Nem, Handprints on My Life.” Tickets start at $25, with discounts for students.

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

Courtroom concerts. The following are free and held noon-1 p.m. on Thursdays: Isles Ensemble, Feb. 8; Gao Hong and friends, Feb. 15, ANCIA Saxophone Quartet, Feb. 22; and Third Coast Percussion, Feb. 29. Urban Expedition: Aus-

Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo returns to the Xcel Center Feb. 2-3. tralia and New Zealand, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11; France, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25. Enjoy authentic music, food, dance and crafts. Free. Ballet Tuesday, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13. Ballet Co.Laboratory performs excerpts from their repertoire. Free. Mosaic Festival: Dance and Music of World Cultures, noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18. $4-6. Martisor-Romanian Spring Traditions and Crafts, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25. Free. KidsJam: Third Coast Percussion, 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 29. Learn about other cultures through music, dance and interactive activities. Geared toward ages 5-12. Free but registration is required.

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

“Hazel Belvo: For Love,” a new exhibit in the Nancy and John Lindahl Gallery, features more than 60 pieces from Hazel Belvo’s 70-year career as an artist. It is on display 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, through May 24. “Currents” is a group exhibit on display through Feb. 25 in the Securian Gallery. It features works from artists with disabilities. “El Vaiven,” is a new installation in the skyway windows above Robert Street and in Skyway 28 over Wabasha Street at 4th Street in downtown St. Paul. Created by Zamara Cuyún, it’s a dreamscape based on

a real Mayan landscape in Guatemala. It features a series of characters including Gucumatz the feathered serpent and Ixchel the moon goddess. “Off the Deep End,” a digital mural printed on vinyl, is on display in the Jackson Street skyway bridge between 4th and 5th streets through Mar. 15. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

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

Minnesota Opera presents Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” through Feb. 4. When young villager Nemo-

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teachings and values. Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Then Now Wow,” “Grainland” and “Weather Permitting.” Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages five to 17.

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Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - February 2024

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S ample St. Paul rino’s dream of winning the beautiful Adina’s heart is on the rocks, he turns to a traveling purveyor of patent medicines and California citrus in search of a love potion. After drinking every last drop of an unusually zesty “elixir,” Nemorino feels his luck might just turn around. From $25. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts: Haydn’s “Midday” Symphony, 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2; Alina Ibragimova plays Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 9, and 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10; and Haydn’s Salomon Symphony: “What Makes it Great” with Artistic Partner Rob Kapilow, 7 p.m., Feb. 16-17. Tickets for all concerts start at $12. Shruthi Rajasekar: Parivaar - A Celebration of Community as Family, 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18. $36. Jamecia Bennett and Friends, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23. From $32. Leanne Morgan, 7 p.m., Feb. 24, and 4 p.m., Feb. 25. From $51. Cantus and Canadian

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Brass, 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25. From $38.

Palace Theatre 17 7th Place W. St. Paul 612-338-8388 first-avenue.com

Sebastian Bach, 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24. From $59.

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Place St. Paul 651-291-7005 parksquaretheatre.org

Broadway Songbook: Broadway in Love, Feb. 16-18. This concert features songs from popular musicals such as “South Pacific,” “Show Boat,” “Rent,” “Wicked” and more. $40.

RiverCentre

175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651- 265-4800 rivercentre.org

Minnesota Roller Derby, 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3. From $16. Twin Cities Bridal Show, noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25. Shop dozens of wed-

ding service providers. Tickets are sold in three time blocks: noon-2 p.m., 1-3 p.m., and 2-4 p.m. $15.

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

“Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed” is on display through Sept. 4. Presented in English and Spanish, it features more than 200 authentic artifacts, hands-on activities, lifelike simulations and more. Entomology pinning workshop, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Feb. 9-17. Learn how to scientifically pin and prepare your lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) specimen for display. Ages 18 and older. Tickets start at $93 and include museum admission. Virtual Reality Transporter, through December 2026. Use the VRT to hurtle through the cosmos at fantastic speeds, scuba dive into prehistoric seas, and join the astronauts of Apollo 11 as they moonwalk for the first

time. $9.95. Omnitheater films. Tickets are $9.95. Free for children ages 3 and under. “Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope,” through Feb. 29. Follow the world’s most famous living ethologist as she inspires people to make a difference in the world around them. “Asteroid Hunters,” through April 7. Meet the engineers and scientists fighting to protect Earth from this cosmic danger. “Stellar Tours: A Star is Born,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wed.-Fri., and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sat.-Sun. Follow the life cycle of a star using the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system. “Recombination,” 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. The

film features the work of fractal artist Julius Horsthuis and seven of his favorite musicians. Sensory Friendly Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can experience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota. Admission is free for personal care attendants when visiting with a client. Museum tickets are $29.95 for ages 18+ and $19.95 for ages 4-17.

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SOUTH ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOW ENROLLING FOR 2024-25

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Kaposia Library Grand Opening

Tuesday, Feb. 20 5–7 p.m. Ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m. Explore the new library:

• Interactive children’s area • Meeting and study rooms • Calming room for sensory needs • Quiet zone with fireplace and artwork

BUILDING LEADERS AND RAISING STUDENT VOICES A Place Where... • Students and Families are seen, heard, and valued • Learning environments are fun, engaging, challenging, and supportive • Personalized learning, programs, and services are provided for all ages • Lifelong learning opportunities are offered from birth through adult

Free commemorative items while supplies last. Kaposia Library, 131 Seventh Ave. N, South St. Paul

Passionate Learners Positively Changing Our World www.sspps.org Schedule a tour today, 651-457-9400 104 5th Ave S, South St. Paul MN, 55075

South St. Paul Voice - February 2024 - Page 7

Page 8 - South St. Paul Voice - February 2024

C ommunity

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Celebrating Dakota County’s legacy: a vision for 2024 As the newly elected chair of the Dakota County Board for 2024, I’m profoundly honored to serve in a year that marks a significant milestone: the 175th anniversary of Dakota County’s founding in 1849. Anniversaries, especially significant ones, offer a chance to reflect on our past, learn from it, and chart an even more successful course forward. Dakota County’s heritage predates its formal establishment by centuries and this heritage continues to influence our course to this day. Our very name comes from the Dakota people, who have deep roots here, spanning a millennium. Dakota means “friends” or “allies” and the word from which it is derived, “wódakota,” signifies an approach rooted in respect and responsibility, humility and honor, courtesy and compassion. Directly or indirectly,

Joe Atkins

Dakota County Commissioner

knowingly or unknowingly, these principles of wódakota have long made Dakota County work. We will remain steadfastly centered around these values in 2024. Wódakota means that we will respect and honor our residents and taxpayers by continuing to provide and enhance exceptional services at an exceptional value. It means that our extraordinary employees – the backbone of our operations – will continue to drive this excellence in service delivery through courtesy, responsiveness and compassion. It means that as county commissioners we

Neighbors, Inc. Dawn Wambeke President & CEO

The impact of relationships and family on Neighbors, Inc.’s mission is immeasurable. Relationships with the community are at the heart of our mission as we strive to provide highdignity stability services including hunger relief, a Clothes Closet Thrift Store, resource and referral, Holiday Gift Program, and most recently our financial empowerment services that help lift families out of poverty. Our organization was founded by local churches and dedicated volunteers who were committed to families in our community. From this strong foundation emerged a nonprofit that today serves nearly 65,000 individuals annually and is supported by 17 staff, a 15-member board of directors and hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers allow Neighbors to achieve our mission every day. Our volunteers build relationships with our

community members and lift the spirits of those in need, while greatly expanding our capacity to improve lives. Volunteers connect to Neighbors through relationships: relationships with their families, their neighbors, their houses of worship, their schools and beyond. Neighbors is fortunate to have built longlasting relationships with our volunteers, including some who have volunteered for 20 years or more. Last year alone, Neighbors was supported by 609 volunteers who provided 21,758 hours of service. Our staff are highly connected in our communities and are a trusted ally that families rely on daily. Neighbors is a pillar of support and unity in our community and is well known as a place people turn to for help. Our staff provide person-centered services and focus on meeting immediate needs while empowering

will value and work with our frontline partners – our city officials, school board members, legislators, community organizations, and volunteers – to efficiently deliver topnotch service. For those who prefer more concrete terms, here are some specific examples. A budget that delivers exceptional value. Over the past six years, Dakota County is the only county in the U.S. to have earned the nation’s top county awards for public safety (2018), public health (2020) and infrastructure (2023), while simultaneously being home to the lowest county property taxes per capita of any of Minnesota’s 87 counties and being debtfree. Expect continued fiscal responsibility and excellent service delivery for 2024. Community services that work. In 2024, Dakota County’s grant-funded Crisis and Recovery Center will be built at our Northern Service Center in West St. Paul, providing a crucial resource for individuals and families navi

gating mental health crises. We will also provide a better bridge from homelessness to housing stability, and a new grant-funded substanceabuse team will focus on prevention, saving lives and money by getting ahead of addiction. Elections that ensure accuracy. Our elections officials will coordinate multiple elections in 2024, including the presidential election, prioritizing security and efficiency. Libraries that enhance accessibility. Dakota County’s libraries get more visits per capita than any other metro county’s libraries, with two million visitors checking out over five million materials in the last year alone. This will only increase with the opening of our 10th branch, the Kaposia Library in South St. Paul, on February 20. Kaposia will offer significantly improved services and accessibility, with half the funding for its construction coming from outside grants. Parks, trails and pedestrian safety. The final segments

of nearly 60 miles of greenways that began 30 years ago in South St. Paul and West St. Paul will finally be finished later this year, providing pedestrians and bicyclists safer travel between South St. Paul and West St. Paul to Hastings and Burnsville. Public safety protection. In 2024, Dakota County will continue to run the county jail; we will collaborate with local cities on Dakota911 as well as our Electronic Crimes Unit, SWAT, and Drug Task Force; and we will continue to handle all felony prosecutions for every city and town in Dakota County. We will also continue to pair up social workers with West St. Paul and South St. Paul police to help respond to calls involving mental health, improving safety for all involved. Putting more service in service centers. Continued innovation, with more convenient services like license plate tab kiosks and digitized property records for enhanced accessibility and

individuals to move toward self-sufficiency. Those serving on our board of directors are also highly connected in our communities and bring a broad range of expertise and a strong network of relationships to strengthen and broaden the impact of our mission. Through their relationships, they connect us with other nonprofits, donors, businesses, experts, future board members, and countless connections to ensure that Neighbors achieves our strategic goals and mission. Neighbors is extremely fortunate to have an invaluable community of donors. We strive to build and maintain strong and trusting relationships with individual donors, businesses, foundations and government. Our supporters are essential for Neighbors’ sustainability, effectiveness and impact. They allow us to achieve our mission and ensure we meet the critical needs of the families we serve. We are truly grateful for the generosity of our donors. They inspire us every day to strive for greater impact. Local nonprofit and government human services agencies bring another critical element of relationships to Neighbors. We are fortunate to have a strong network of Dakota County

nonprofits that offer complementary missions, expertise and resources. Through collaboration, Neighbors can offer more holistic and comprehensive services to our community and avoid duplication or gaps in service delivery. As a nonprofit, we cherish and rely on our relationships with our volunteers, board, staff, donors and community partners to achieve our mission and ensure that families receive the critical services

that are vital to their wellbeing. On behalf of Neighbors, Inc., I thank all who help us achieve our mission. You are invaluable to our work, and you make a positive and lasting impact in the communities we are honored to serve. As always, I’d love to connect. You may reach me at dawn@neighborsmn. org, 651-272-1135 or just stop by. Stay connected with our latest updates by visiting neighborsmn.org.

ease of use will continue to be the hallmark of our service centers in 2024. Sustainable operations. New turbines at the County’s 123-year-old Byllesby Dam will double the dam’s electricity production in 2024, yielding $1 million a year in revenue, and making us the only county in the country that generates more electricity than it uses. Other grantfunded energy and conservation projects will save the County more than $8 million over the next 20 years while reducing greenhouse gases by 4.57 million pounds annually. Transportation safety. Optimizing safety for both motorists and pedestrians is the focus of more than a dozen projects that will improve county highways, bridges and crucial intersections across the county in 2024. I welcome input on how we can make Dakota County an even better place in 2024 and for generations to come. I can be reached at 651438-4430 or Joe.Atkins@ co.dakota.mn.us.

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Serving Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Baked and/or fried wild Alaskan pollock, baked potato, vegetable, cole slaw, roll and dessert. Grilled cheese or spaghetti available as non-fish option. Beer, wine and pop available for purchase Adult meal $15 fish / $13 non-fish. Cash, check or card. Children’s meals at reduced price Dine-in: enter at Door 5 at the rear of the church Curbside-to-go line off Humboldt Ave. onto Robie St. For more information, visit st-matts.org

St. Matthew’s Social Hall, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul South St. Paul Voice - February 2024 - Page 9

C ommunity

Your community news and information source Valagrams are back The South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force will be delivering CommUNITY Grams for Valentine’s Day again this year. This will be the fourth Valentine’s Day that task force members have helped spread joy – and chocolate hearts – throughout the community. What is a SSP CommUNITY Gram/Valagram? It’s an opportunity to share a positive, heartfelt message with family members and friends living in South St. Paul, along with a tasty treat. The Valagram form is available at www.southstpaul.org

(on the event calendar page), at South St. Paul City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N., or by contacting Deb Griffith at 651554-3230 or deb.griffith@ southstpaul.org. Once the form is completed and returned to City Hall, task force members will create a Valagram for you and place it in a Valentine’s bag with some fun and tasty treats. On Saturday, Feb. 10, task force members will deliver the Valagrams to the recipients’ doors. Valagrams can be sent to friends, family members, coworkers, the elderly neighbor down the block or

anyone else. The message of encouragement can be up to 100 words. Valagrams are a great way to share good news or to wish someone a great day or a Happy Valentine’s Day. The recipient must live in South St. Paul. Valagrams have been the most popular CommUNITY gram. During the year, task force members also deliver Boo Grams for Halloween and Jingle Grams at Christmas. CommUNITY Grams can also be sent throughout the year for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or to anyone who needs cheering up or

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recognition for an accomplishment. Cost is $6 each or $10 for two. The deadline is Thursday, Feb. 8. Proceeds support community activities hosted by the task force, including the Kaposia Days Children’s parade, Disco BINGO, Fill the Backpack campaign, the Great Halloween Get Together and the SSP Annual Food Drive for Neighbors, Inc. For more information on the SSP CommUNITY Gram program or the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force, contact Deb Griffith, Community Affairs, at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul.org.

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Sale 139588, Conveyance 2022-0041: For Sale by bid MnDOT owned property, 2,963 sf vacant of land located on W Middleton Ave. and May St., St Paul, Ramsey County. To be sold by sealed bid on 2/6/2024 at 2:00 at Central Office, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul. Bid Form, http://www.dot.state.mn.us/row/propsales. html . Info LandSales.MN.DOT@state.mn.us

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Luther Memorial Church

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

315 15th Ave. N. 651-451-2400 luther-memorial.com •

Catholic church 749 6th Ave. S. 651-455-1302 holytrinitysspmn.org •

St. Augustine’s Catholic Church

Clark Memorial United Church

408 3rd St. N. 651-455-1302 holytrinitysspmn.org •

779 15th Ave. N. 651-451-7278 clarkgraceucc.org •

First Presbyterian 535 20th Ave. N. 651-451-6223 fpcssp.org •

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox church 357 2nd Ave. S. 651-451-0775 www.stsavamn.org •

Woodbury Lutheran Wakota Ridge Campus

255 W. Douglas St. 651-739-5144 woodburylutheran.org •

South St. Paul Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist 140 6th Ave. N. 651-455-0777 •

Grace Lutheran Church 149 8th Ave. S. 651-451-1035 grace-ssp.org

Saint John Vianney Catholic Church 789 17th Ave. N. 651-451-1863 info@sjvssp.org •

Worship Guide

Sf. Stefan Romanian Orthodox Church 350 5th Ave. N. 651-451-3462 sfantulstefan.org •

St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church 501 6th Ave. S. 651-455-8947 stmarymn.org

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St. Paul Voice, La Voz Latina, Downtown St. Paul Voice, South St. Paul Voice South St. Paul Voice - February 2024 - Page 11

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Postscript

Making Progress “Perfection is the enemy of progress,” according to Winston Churchill. We’re in the time of year when we try to do too much, change too quickly. Already expectations are lowering, and reality is setting in. The sky is gray, the temperatures cold, and I am coming to grips with the fact that I cannot eat toffee every day. (At least, not a lot of toffee every day.)

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

It’s the late-January new year letdown. More people die this time of year than on average. I imagine they make it through the holidays, finish off the toffee, take down the tree, look out at the gray weather, decide the New Year is not looking significantly better than the previous one and give up the effort to keep on living. I spoke with my grouchy friend yesterday. This is the same grouchy friend who has cursed my cheerfulness in the past – and is a source of unflagging pessimism – so I should have known what

was coming. He says there is no cause for rejoicing in the new year. He says the days are growing longer, and that means intolerable heat is around the corner. He says any promises he makes to himself will be broken. “I gave up goals and dreams in the summer of 1971,” he says. He thinks I am a fool. I think he’s right. And I believe this may be one of my best qualities. Because the older I get, the less seriously I take myself. I used to obsess over not looking my best, walking around with spinach in my teeth or

toilet paper on my shoe or a tag hanging out the back of my shirt. I used to beat myself up (usually hours later, while doing the dishes or trying to fall asleep) for some dumb thing I said – something that someone could have taken the wrong way. “Ack!” I’d yell aloud while washing my vegetable steamer. “Why did I say that!” Accepting that I’m foolish removes this burden. If I don’t take myself too seriously, I can’t expect anyone else to either. If I accept that I am imperfect and just treat myself with love, I can hope folks will follow suit. I might wonder (as I did last night), what I am doing in the kitchen at one o’clock in the morning eating the last of my sister’s homemade toffee. “Should I really be doing this?” I might ask myself. But now I answer, “Who wants to know?” And there is silence. It turns out that no one cares if I stay up too late eat-

ing toffee. There is no editorial committee reviewing my statements from the previous day, informing me of how they might have been more clever or less embarrassing. As a result, I feel a lot more free. I can make that phone call, not knowing what I will say until I say it. I can have a conversation with a stranger – not caring so much about what they think of me but letting them know that I am interested in them. But the key to all of this – to any of this – is action. I have to forgive my gaffes and blunders in advance and do something rather than nothing. I have to do something if I am to make any progress at all. Today, I am doing situps. I can only do a few. My form is terrible. I cannot see how this will ever make me stronger. But I’m doing them anyway. And, while it’s much too early to tell, it’s possible that I’m making progress. Till next time.

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Page 12 - South St. Paul Voice - February 2024

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