spv jan 2012

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• St. Paul parent information fair is Sat., Jan. 7• ISD 197 school choice fair is Mon., Jan. 9

Mary Diedrick HansenStaff Writer

School levies, consolida-tion of Catholic Schools

and the addition of iPads to the educational toolbox are just some of the steps taken recently by school districts in an effort to secure and use precious education funds in the most efficient way possible. Yet the chal-lenges continue.

Operating costs are ris-ing while state funding has been frozen, which has school districts struggling to find ways to meet their budgets and the expecta-tions of families in their districts. Schools are re-sorting to consolidation, cutting programs and staff, and in some cases taking on debt to deal with funding shortfalls. At the same time, schools are becoming more creative in designing curri-cula to benefit students and attract more students.

Competition among schools for students is in-tense. Since state dollars are assigned to each student attending a public school, and those funds follow the student to whichever pub-lic, public charter or mag-net school he or she attends, each new student seated in a classroom adds valuable revenue to the school.

Private schools are look-ing for more students as well. With declining con-tributions from supporting congregations, and tuition fees becoming unman-ageable for many families because of the recession, new students are needed to bridge the gap.

It can be a dizzying experi-ence for parents, trying to wade through the many choices for schools. Should they choose a private,

Parent information fairs help families navigate the many choices in education

School Choice / Page 6

Environmental activists named West Siders of the Year


The dynamic husband and wife team of Jon Kerr and Margaret “Grit” Youngquist have been honored

with the 2011 West Sider of the Year award. The award was presented at the West Side Community Organi-zation’s (WSCO) annual meeting on Dec. 1. WSCO board members Chuck Lentz and Barb Rose nominated the couple for their work in several areas, including the Friends of Lilydale Park, a subcommittee of WSCO’s Environmental Justice committee. Also cited was their recent work in forming a neighborhood group called Friends & Amigos of Baker Community Center (FAB). The group provides a forum for concerned neighbors living near Baker Community Center and Cherokee Heights Elementary for speaking up about city and school district budget cuts and the ramifications they may have on the center and the school.

“Jon and Grit,” the nomination form reads, “have been instrumental in inspiring, recruiting and leading volunteers to work on the various West Side projects they have taken on. The groups they have helped form…emphasize grassroots involvement, youth development, community building and collaboration.”

Youngquist and Kerr moved to the West Side from Minneapolis in 1993, and it was “like coming home,” said Kerr since many of their friends were already living in the neighborhood. They moved into a house a few blocks from Cherokee Heights and Baker Community Center and became involved with the West Side’s Youth Farm program, whose greenhouse operates out the el-ementary school. They also enjoyed the Parks and Recre-ation swimming program offered at the school’s indoor pool. When the Jane Addams School for Democracy

West Siders of the Year / Page 2


Hidden treasures are be-ing discovered at the

newest gift shop on Smith Avenue, Treasures By the View, 635 South Smith, St. Paul. Owner Shannon Bauer has filled much of her

store with one-of-a-kind items made by local artists.

The store is packed with a variety of items, including purses, jewelry, wind chimes and bird houses, some of the latter in creative shapes such as a gigantic egg or a cat with its mouth opened wide. It also features can-

dles, scented soaps, knitted hats, mittens and scarves, sports memorabilia, wall plaques with sayings like, “Laundry gathers here,” a wooden bench with “Har-ley Davidson” burned onto the lid and other unique items.

Bauer wanted to make

her gift shop “pocketbook friendly,” as well as fun, so prices range from $1 to $150.

“It’s a little community-based store,” said Bauer. “Local people with local tal-ent.”

The name of the store refers to its location, right

next to the Capital View Café. None of that is a co-incidence. The mother of four and a full-time wait-ress at Capital View, Bauer mentioned to the owners that she really wanted to try something different with her life, like starting a small business. She told them that

if the rental space connect-ed to the restaurant became available she would like to give her dream a try.

After StormSisters Spa-tique left to become a strictly online business, a

Hidden treasures on Smith AvenueTreasures by the View now open next to Capital View Café

Treasures by the View / Page 3

January 2012

Volume 46

Number 1

The St. Paul

- St. Paul Voice - January 2012

Your community news and information sourceP eople

The St. Paul Voice is published monthly and delivered to 16,500 homes and businesses in West St. Paul, the West Side, Mendota Heights, Lilydale & Sunfish Lake.

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The St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright St. Paul Voice 2012. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.

St. Paul Publishing Co.1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118

Phone: (651) 457-1177 [email protected]

Margaret “Grit” Youngquist and Jon Kerr with their award.

relocated to Baker Com-munity Center, Kerr, who is part of the school’s Span-ish speaking learning circle, started spending more time there. As frequent users of both places, the couple be-came aware of the threats posed by budget cuts hit-ting Parks and Recreation and the school, particularly the swimming pool.

“We wanted civic lead-ers to know how important these institutions are” said Kerr. “We had fun commu-nity events and tried to work with Parks and Recreation and the School District for positive solutions. We were preemptively proactive.”

The community has struggled for a couple of years to keep the pool open. Fundraisers, grants and an anonymous donor have

made it possible for the pool to remain open.

“It’s nice that we have been honored,” added Youngquist, “but it’s always been a collaborative part-nership. We have taken on the leadership role of creat-ing an opportunity for peo-ple to gather together, and then we work on keeping the plans moving forward.”

The couple has developed important relationships with elected officials, city workers and others, which has enabled successful lis-tening sessions to take place between decision makers and West Side residents. Youngquist said she and her husband pool their comple-mentary personality styles when working on neighbor-hood issues, and it makes them more effective.

“Jon is excellent at strate-gic thinking and planning and getting things done,” said Youngquist. “I like making connections and relationship-building. I nat-urally enjoy working with people.”

They also enjoy the great outdoors. Not long after they arrived on the West Side they discovered Lily-dale Park, a beautiful strip of untamed land snuggled up next to the Mississippi River just west of Harriet Island. At that time, it was a diamond in the rough that needed a little polishing.

In 1997, Youngquist and Kerr joined a small group of residents and formed Friends of Lilydale Park.

“You literally couldn’t get to it, except through Har-riet Island,” said Youngquist about the park back then. “There was a fence, and it was a dumping ground. It was so close to the city,

and yet you feel like you’re up in the north woods. It’s a beautiful thing to have a wild area in the heart of the city. We like to say that Lily-

dale is Harriet Island’s ‘wild sister,’ and that Harriet is more manicured.”

Kerr worked to develop a new vision and mission for

Lilydale Park. Funds were acquired for trails, signage and creating “Vento’s View,” in memory of the late Con-

West Siders of the Yearfrom page 1

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continued on next page

St. Paul Voice - January 2012 -

Your community news and information sourceP eople

Treasures by the View owner Shannon Bauer.

371 W. Baker St. St. Paul, 55107 (1/2 block East of Smith Ave.)www.cherokeeparkunited.org 651-227-4275

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At Cherokee Park United Church, we believe that in Christ we are called to enter a new humanity, free from the human barriers of race, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other basis by which our oneness in Christ is denied.

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carpet sales outfit moved in. When that didn’t work out, the restaurant owners of-fered Bauer the space and a chance she couldn’t pass up. A few other business oppor-tunities had come her way in the past but she passed them up because the tim-ing wasn’t right. Now she felt ready, and to have her own space connected to a high profile restaurant like Capital View where she was working seemed ideal.

“I thought, what would work well next door? (to the cafe)” said Bauer.

A gift shop came to mind because she likes to shop and enjoys finding good bargains. She needed some-thing easy to manage and something that would work around her full-time job at the restaurant. Capital View customers are help-ing her get the business off the ground, and having eight local artists supplying many of the treasures is also a plus.

“I am kind of crafty my-self so I can appreciate the work done by the crafters,” said Bauer.

One artist makes wooden benches with lids and signs. Another designs and paints three-foot tall wooden posts to look like letter carriers and members of the differ-ent branches of the mili-tary. A woman who lives behind the café checks with her teenage grandchildren on the latest fashions, then knits hats and mittens to match the latest fads. An-other local artist makes quilts and scarves. A friend of Bauer’s mother makes big, beaded jewelry.

Bauer looks for items that are unusual, but in style.

“Candles, believe it or

not, are popular with men,” said Bauer. She tests them out to make sure they are the long-lasting kind.

She also offers handmade rosaries and bracelet and earring sets.

“I spent the first few months getting a feel for what people want,” said Bauer. “The number of items in the shop is grow-ing, and the popular items are quickly replenished.”

The store is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed.-Fri., and 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat.-Sun. For more information, call 651-207-5426.

Treasures by the Viewfrom page 1

gressman Bruce Vento, an avid supporter of protecting the environment. The view is an overlook in Cherokee Park on a bluff high above the Mississippi River and Pickerel Lake. A hiking trail was built that leads down-

hill from the overlook into Lilydale Park, then winds its way past the ruins of a brick kiln once used by the Twin City Brick Company.

“The park is peaceful, un-tamed and multi-faceted,” said Youngquist. “It’s great for bird watching, and Pick-erel Lake is a fabulous asset

for kayakers and canoers. I ice skate there in the winter. There is not a single month of the year where you can-not find a handful of things to do in the park. We even have a monarch monitoring project going in conjunc-tion with the University of

Minnesota. Spring to Fall, a little crew finds milkweeds (wildflowers that provide habitat for monarch butter-flies), count monarch eggs, larva and document data.”

When not busy with neighborhood activities, Youngquist works as the

adolescent health and healthy youth develop-ment coordinator for St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health. Kerr is the administrative direc-tor of a small nonprofit called Inter-Faith Services to Latin America. The non

profit’s mission is to partner with communities in Latin America through health, education and construc-tion programs. Kerr makes several trips each year to monitor the progress the nonprofit is making in the communities it serves.

continued from page 2


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John E. AhlstromStaff Writer

In late August, I paid a visit to the office of Carl Lemke, St. Croix Lutheran High School’s athletic direc-tor and head football coach. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare a preview article about his squad for the impending football sea-son. Lemke summed up his feelings on that day with a remark that, in hindsight, proved to be an understate-ment of gargantuan propor-tions: “We have a very posi-tive outlook on the season,” he said.

Four months later, I re-turned to Lemke’s office to reflect on a magical season that culminated with the Class AAA State Champion-ship. Midway through the discussion, we were joined by the three remarkable young men who formed the Crusader backfield: quarter-back Matt Olson and run-ning backs Jackson Goplien and Wesley Tucker.

There was a good deal to reflect upon, starting with some prodigious numbers. St. Croix’s unblemished

14-0 record was fashioned with a dominance that is unique in Minnesota prep football history. The Cru-

saders amassed a state record 6,869 yards in total offense, 413 more than Cretin Der-ham Hall accumulated in

2000. They also established state records for rushing at-tempts (687) and rushing yards (5,708) while record-

ing 73 rushing touchdowns to their opponents’ nine. Their 652 points scored are second all-time (667, Tri-ton, 2006).

Goplien, Tucker and Ol-son — sounds a bit like a CPA firm, and it just may be some day — but during the 2011 football season it was simply the most dynamic prep backfield between International Falls and Pipestone. By season’s end, these three compiled off-the-chart statistics. Goplien rushed 199 times for 2,023 yards; Tucker 186 times for 1,890 yards. Each averaged 10.2 yards per carry. Olson chipped in with 671 yards rushing and passed for an additional 1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The three of them admit-ted to a quiet confidence entering the season, but they did not imagine all of this.

“We joked about winning it all,” said Olson, “but we knew it wasn’t likely to hap-pen.”

St Croix’s crusade ends in triumph

St. Croix Lutheran High School’s 2011 football season was simply amazing. The Crusaders amassed a state record 6,869 yards in total offense. They also established state records for rushing attempts (687) and rushing yards (5,708) while recording 73 rushing touchdowns to their opponents’ nine. Their 652 points scored are second all-time.

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Tucker contends that the 40-27 victory over De La Salle in their third game of the season was a watershed game.

“They had defeated us twice last year and they have dominated the Tri-Metro Conference,” he said. “When we won that game, we thought we could run the table in the conference, but all of the other teams out there were still a total unknown.”

The Crusaders did indeed run the table in the confer-ence and proceeded to out-score their three sectional opponents, St. Paul Acad-emy, Minnehaha Academy and St. Anthony Village, 168-19 (that is not a mis-print) to advance to the state tournament. It was at this point, as Tucker point-ed out, that the team would have an opportunity to measure itself against “the unknown.”

First up was undefeated perennial football power Plainview-Elgin-Milville. It was a monumental struggle

from start to finish. The lead changed hands on four occasions and was tied at 22 when Tucker scored on a three-yard burst with 6:36 left in the game. Olson’s pass to Cody Sticha for the two-point conversion was successful and the Crusad-ers prevailed, 30-22.

“It was during the Plain-view game that we learned what a special unit our of-fensive line had become,” said Lemke. “Plainview was a lot bigger than we were along the defensive front. We have great backs, but even great backs need a crease, and our line was up to the task.” The kids in the trenches that paved the way for the state rushing record include tight ends Zach Tietz and Nick Kiecker, tackles Eric Montgomery and Andrew Wyss, guards Nate Lassonde and Trever Koester and center Braden Fischer.

Next up was a trip to the Metrodome to face Provi-dence Academy in the state semi-finals. Olson recalled

the excitement of “running out of the tunnel just like the pros.”

What I recall is the drama of the zaniest first quarter of football I have witnessed in my half-century of fol-lowing prep sports. For the first 12 minutes it was not a football game, it was a track meet. The score at the end of the first quarter was St. Croix 30, Providence 29. Each team scored on its first four possessions and there were six plays in excess of 48 yards. The Crusaders ac-cumulated 344 yards of of-fense in one quarter. Things calmed down after that. Providence did not score another point and St. Croix coasted into the champion-ship game with a 58-29 vic-tory.

By this time, the support for the team, according to Lemke, was “simply over-whelming.” The hallways were abuzz with Crusader fever. Students, siblings, parents, faculty, alumni and friends joined in the frenzy.

“People I didn’t even

know were approaching me and wishing me good luck,” said Goplien.

The championship game versus Fairmont unfolded at noon, Sat., Nov. 26. No championship game in any of the six classes was as riveting as this one. It was a marvelous game; a nail-biter from beginning to end. Each team scored five touchdowns and neither team led at any point in the game by more than eight points

The contrast in the of-fensive approach could not have been more pro-nounced – St. Croix by land and Fairmont by air. True to form, four of the Fairmont touchdowns came on pass plays from quarterback Ben Kain to his favorite target, Bryce Holm. Four of the St. Croix touchdowns came on the ground (Tucker, Olson and Goplien twice). Fair-mont passed for 338 yards; St. Croix rushed for 353 yards.

Fairmont scored an im-probable touchdown with

eight seconds to play to make it 34-32. Not until Matt Olson batted away Kain’s pass on the two-point conversion attempt did it become clear that the championship hardware would find a permanent home in the Crusader tro-phy case. More poignantly,

the joy and reward associ-ated with earning that tro-phy will, no doubt, dwell in the hearts and minds of the kids on the St. Croix football roster for the rest of their lives.

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Your community news and information sourceE ducation

public, charter or magnet school? Should they home school or choose an online or alternative school? A personal philosophy about education and teaching val-ues, along with location, academic needs, and tuition (for a private or parochial school) are among the fac-tors used in making the de-cision.

Here are some helpful tips in making your decision, followed by a brief descrip-tion of each school within

The St. Paul Voice reader-ship area. Parents may meet with representatives from many schools at the St. Paul Public Schools 2012 Par-ent Information Fair, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 7, at St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. The event is free and offers about 100 booths, includ-ing public, private, parochi-al and charter schools. ISD 197 is also hosting a school choice fair. The event takes place 5-7:30 p.m., Mon., Jan. 9, at Henry Sibley High School, 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights.

Choosing a school

It takes time and “leg-work” to search out schools that meet the academic and teaching style needs of your child. Before you begin, de-termine if the location of the school is a feasible dis-tance for your family. Then compile a list of questions and call the school office for an appointment with the principal and to tour the school and classrooms. While there, ask questions and observe the environ-ment. Important points that a school should address in-clude:

• Its educational philoso-phy or mission

• Its approach toward stu-dent discipline and safety

• How it encourages and monitors students’ progress

• Library resources • Use of technology to

support teaching and learn-ing

• Extracurricular oppor-tunities

• Busing for students • Policy to support stu-

dents with academic, social or emotional difficulties

• Strategies used to teach students who are not fluent in English

• Professional develop-ment opportunities for teachers.

For even more informa-tion, observe details such as:

• Do teachers seem en-thusiastic and knowledge-able, asking questions to keep the students engaged?

• Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?

• How do students be-have on the school campus?

• How well are the facili-ties maintained?

• Most private and paro-chial schools do not have the same budget as public schools. They may have more amenities, or fewer. Be sure the basics are in place and well-maintained.

• Discuss tuition for pri-vate/parochial schools. If you are not a member of the church affiliated with the school, tuition rates are normally higher than those paid by church members.

• Confer with parents who have students attend-ing the school.

You should sense from your school visit and from the parents you have talked to that your child will not only receive a good educa-tion, but will also be devel-opmentally nurtured. Vis-iting as least three schools provides a broader range of options and a basis for comparison before making a decision.

Questions to ask of charter schools:

• Why was this school created?

• What teaching method-ology does it embrace?

• Does the school have a specific focus?

• How is academic prog-ress measured according to its charter requirements?

• When was the school established and how long is it into its charter?

• Has it shown academic progress?

• How many students are enrolled?

• Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to an-other location in the near future?

• Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?

• How does the school select its teachers? Are the teachers certified?

School Choicefrom page 1

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651-776-5151 www.cpa.charter.k12.mn.us471 Magnolia Ave. E., St. Paul, MN 55130

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PRESCHOOL TO KINDERGARTENServing children ages 33 months to 6 years

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For more information: www.mvmontessori.org, [email protected],

651-450-6693MVMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin.


Your community news and information sourceE ducationParochial schools

A parochial school is usually controlled and supported by a local church congregation, which is the financial back-bone of the school, along with tuition.

A regional synod or diocese designs a philosophy, goals, curriculum (including religious studies), teacher devel-opment programs, code of conduct, school calendar and grading policies. Schools usually can modify policies re-garding tuition and the hiring of staff and teachers. They may even adopt the local public schools’ yearly calendar, for convenience in sharing busses, for example.

Most parochial schools are straightforward about reli-gion being an integral part of the school’s philosophy, and that all children will attend religion class.

St. Thomas Academy (7-12) 949 Mendota Heights Rd.

Mendota Heights, MN 55120 651-454-4570

St. Thomas Academy, founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, is a Catholic, all-male, college-preparatory, military day school for students in grades 7-12. For 125 years, the community of faculty, parents and alumni has prepared young men in an environment influenced by Catholic values to succeed in college and life.

Convent of the Visitation School (K-6) and (all female 7–12)2455 Visitation Dr.

Mendota Heights, MN 55120651-683-1700

Within a Catholic environment, the Visitation Sisters, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees, with the support of parents and students, are committed to the formation of students in faith, worship, moral and social responsi-bility, to a supportive learning environment, a challenging

academic program, and a college preparatory curriculum. They are also committed to student development through the arts, athletics and co-curricular activities and the promotion of leadership, self-confidence, social interac-tion, and personal fulfillment. Co-education is offered in grades K-6. All-female education is offered in grades 7-12.

St. Croix Lutheran High School and Middle School (6-12)

1200 Oakdale Ave.West St. Paul, MN 55118

651-455-1521 Students at St. Croix Lutheran Schools are taught critical

thinking skills within the context of a Christian education. The private parochial college preparatory school is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Students throughout the metro area, southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin are enrolled in grades 6-12. In ad-dition, of the 420-plus enrolled students, 75 are interna-tional students from eight different countries who stay in on-site dormitories. A variety of extra-curricular activities is offered along with a challenging curriculum that includes college prep Advanced Placement courses.

Crown of Life Lutheran School (Pre-K–8)115 Crusader Ave. W.

West St. Paul, MN 55118651-451-3832

Crown of Life Lutheran School offers its 150 Pre-K through grade 8 students a foundation for lifelong Chris-tian education. Affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), the school has a computer lab, athletic programs, Super K (extended day for Kindergarten and M/W/F Pre-K class) after-school care for students in Super K through 8th grade. Scholarship and loan programs are available.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School (Pre-K–8)1138 Seminole Ave.

West St. Paul MN 55118651-457-8550

St. Joseph’s Elementary School serves 566 Pre-K through grade 8 students. It is a ministry of St. Joseph’s Parish and is committed to faith formation and spiritual growth through daily prayer, classroom instruction, Sacramental prepara-tion, retreat experiences and service opportunities. The school offers a challenging, comprehensive curriculum and extracurricular activities, and is committed to inspiring stu-dents to recognize and develop their full potential in an in-clusive environment. Extra support is provided for learners with special needs and talents.

St. Michael and St. Matthew Catholic Schools (K-8)337 E. Hurley St.

West St. Paul, MN 55118651-457-2510

St. Michael’s has been providing Catholic education since 1884, and will continue to do so in the 2012-2013 school year but under a new name, which has not yet been revealed. The school is merging with St. Matthew’s Cath-olic school from St. Paul’s West Side. The school will be located at the Hurley Street address. The merger is part of an archdiocese restructure of schools. The newly merged schools will continue to provide students with a program of opportunities for academics, Catholic worship, prayer and service. They will strive to create a safe and secure Christian environment that accepts, nurtures and challenges each child to reach their full potential. The schools’ philosophy is that each student is a unique person involved in a lifelong process of growth in faith, personal development and learn-ing. Students of different faiths who believe in the values and discipline of Catholic teaching are welcome. No fam-ily is turned away for tuition reasons; financial assistance is available.

Educating the Leaders of TomorrowTwo SchoolS...one Goal

Middle School High SchoolWhile other schools are cutting classes at the expense of your son’s education, we work hard to make sure we will continue to offer the following educational experiences:• Science labs• Mathematics options• Theology• World languages • Co-curricular athletics and activities, including: - Math Team - Quiz Bowl • Fine Arts, including: - Band, Theatre & Choir - Painting & Drawing - Computer Graphics

We excel at preparing your son to be prepared for the challenges of college and life.

STA students traditionally score higher on the ACT and SAT tests than state and national averages.

Our curriculum, programs and activities are geared toward educating and inspiring young men, while nuturing their faith formation and moral values.

The school’s military/leadership discipline prepares graduates to be ethical leaders in their future academic, personal and professional lives.

More than $2.2 million in financial assistance is available.STA is a Catholic, college preparatory, military/leadership school for young men grades 7-12.

Cadets.com 651.683.1515

S a i n t t h o m a S a c a d e m y

Open House

January 8

Program begins at 1:00 p.m.

Call 651-683-1700 or visit our website at www.visitation.net

Not for School, but for Life

Experience the Visitation Spirit by spending a day with us or attending an Open House.

• Upper School (All-girls in grades 9 -12)

on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

• Lower School (Coed Montessori Preschool - grade 5)


• Middle School (Coed grade 6, all-girls grades 7- 8)


Coed Montessori PK - grade 6; all-girls, college preparatory grades 7-12

• Grades 9-12 • Individual Attention and Help• A Safe, Caring High School • Authorized by Audubon Center of the North Woods• Our Graduates attend the U of MN, Hamline, Art Institute International, and More! • Recording Studio Opportunities

60 E. Marie Ave., Suite 220, W. St. Paul, MN 55118 651-457-7427

www.academic-arts.org

Academic Arts High School:an Arts-Focused, Tuition-Free, Public Education!

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Academic Arts High School:an Arts-Focused, Tuition-Free, Public Education!


Your community news and information sourceE ducationPublic Schools/Charter Schools

Charter schools fill a niche between private and public schools. Although funded with public money (except for their buildings), they are an alternative to regular public schools. Instead of being accountable to the many regu-lations applied to traditional public schools, they are ac-countable for academic results and for upholding their charter. A private group can get a charter approved to run their own school. They have independence to try new forms of teaching, new experiments and use methods they believe will best reach their students. If academic perfor-mance lags behind comparable public schools, the charter is pulled and the school is closed.

BlueSky Online Charter School (7-12)Sponsor: Novation Education Opportunities

33 Wentworth Ave. E., Suite 300West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118

651-642-0888BlueSky Online School, one of Minnesota’s first virtual

schools, has spent the last year defending itself against ac-cusations by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) that its students were not meeting state gradua-tion requirements. In late November, claims made by the MDE were disputed in court. The MDE has 90 days to respond to the court’s ruling. BlueSky students in grades 7-12 come from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. All have reasons for needing the flexibility and personal-ized attention of an online education. With access to learn-ing resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, students are free to work during their most productive learning hours, conveniently from home or any location that has Internet access. Students, staff and parents work together to select a program that works best for each individual’s learning style, skill level, grade level and credit requirements.

General John Vessey Jr. Leadership School (9–12)Sponsor: Concordia University

33 E. Wentworth, Suite 100West St. Paul, MN 55118

651-776-8786“Vessey” opened in 2004 with a mission to take a small

classroom setting and use it to instill discipline and leader-ship in its students. The school is named after Minneapo-lis native and four-star general John Vessey Jr., who also served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cur-rently, 113 students in grades 9-12 attend the school and learn from a curriculum based on programs, including the Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps. In addition to the small class size, the school offers a comprehensive visual arts program, student support services and post-secondary opportunities. A transitions program assists students in developing the interest, knowledge and skills necessary to transition successfully out of high school and into adult life. Cadets are placed in leadership roles at the school to help prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow.

Academic Arts High School (9–12)Sponsor: Audubon Center of the North Wood

60 Marie Ave. E.West St. Paul, MN

651-457-7427Academic Arts High School is a grade 9-12 alternative

charter school committed to project-based learning. For many students, the traditional public school setting is diffi-cult to fit into and sometimes limits the student’s potential. Project-based learning enables students to design a curricu-lum that best suits their needs while completing skills that fulfill standards required for graduation. Each student has an advisor and belongs to an advisory team of no more than 20 students. Advisors work with students to develop customized learning plans, beginning with identifying per-sonal goals, interests, areas of strengths and weakness, and post-secondary career and life plans.

River’s Edge Academy

(9-12)Sponsor: Audubon Society

of the North Wood188 West Plato Blvd.St. Paul, MN 55107

651-234-0150The mission of River’s

Edge Academy (REA) is to prepare urban high school students for further educa-tion and careers by using rigorous academics, inno-vative projects and an in-terdisciplinary Mississippi River-focused curriculum. By providing a small learn-ing community for stu-dents, and applying the philosophies and guiding principles of the Expedi-tionary Learning Outward Bound model, REA edu-cates students to become environmentally responsi-ble, socially conscious, and scholastically prepared for college and active commu-nity life.

Open World Learning Community (6-12)65 E. Kellogg Blvd.St. Paul, MN 55101

651-293-8670www.open.spps.org

Open World Learn-ing Community (OWL) was founded by parents and community members. For 40 years it has offered a small learning environ-ment that nurtures every student’s full potential in

creative ways. Since 2009, OWL has been part of the na-tional network of Expeditionary Learning (EL) Schools. EL schools promote rigorous and engaging curriculum; active, inquiry-based pedagogy; and a school culture that demands and teaches compassion and good citizenship. EL schools are based on the Outward Bound model, which starts with the belief that students learn best through ex-perience. OWL offer rigorous courses, including Advanced Placement and PSEO and has a 100 percent college ac-ceptance rate among its graduates. It is a city-wide magnet, offering transportation to all St. Paul residents.

Magnet Schools

Magnet schools are different from private/parochial and charter schools in that they remain part of the pub-lic school administrative system. What distinguishes them from other public schools is that they usually have alterna-tive modes of instruction and usually a focus that is taught in all classes within the curriculum. In Independent School District 197, for example, Garlough Elementary has an en-vironmental focus, while Moreland Elementary is focused on Arts and Health Sciences.

Garlough Environmental Magnet School (K-4)1740 Charlton St.

West St. Paul, MN 55118651-403-8100

Environmental learning is at the core of this school, which uses nature-based experiences to support and en-hance children’s intellectual, social, emotional and physi-cal development. To gain respect and appreciation for the natural world, students explore nature in Garlough Woods and at the nearby 320-acre Dodge Nature Cen-ter. Through “Journey North,” a free online education-al service, students share their field observations with classmates across North America. Students participate in scientific observation and data collection, then de-velop hands-on projects to build reading, math, science and technology skills. The curriculum includes Span-ish instruction, music and extensive use of technology.

Moreland Academy: Arts and Health Sciences Magnet (K-4)

217 W. Moreland Ave.West St. Paul, MN 55118

651-403-8000Moreland combines energy and creativity to boost aca-

demic achievement for all students. Art of all kinds — vi-sual arts, music, theater, dance — and a focus on healthy living provide students with tools for learning. An indoor running track and rock wall encourage healthy movement. A partnership with the YMCA leads to special family events. After-school program offerings provide additional opportunities to experience the arts. The curriculum in-cludes Spanish instruction and extensive use of technology.

Heritage E-STEM Middle School (5-8)121 W. Butler Ave.

West St. Paul, MN 55118651-403-7400

E-STEM stands for Environmental-Science, Technol-ogy, Engineering and Math, and is used throughout the school to create inquisitive learners, problem-solvers and environmental stewards. Students visit Dodge Nature Cen-ter, document their findings, graph and analyze their data and use computers to professionally present their reports. Art and music are offered all four years.

District 197 Public Schools

Somerset Heights Elementary (K-4)1355 Dodd Rd.

Mendota Heights, MN 55118651-403-8200

The mission of Somerset is to challenge students to reach their full academic potential within a positive, safe and dy-namic learning environment. Its cornerstone is a rigorous student-centered academic program that has enabled stu-dents to continually score well above state averages in read-ing and math. The curriculum includes Spanish instruc-tion, music and extensive use of technology. Staff, parents

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Your community news and information sourceE ducationand community volunteers share their expertise in a variety of after-school enrichment classes, including Continental Math, Fitness Club, Boys Book Club, Fusion Lab, Lego League and more.

Mendota Elementary (K-4)1979 Summit Lane, Mendota Heights, MN 55118

651-403-8000Mendota Elementary focuses on academics, with stu-

dents regularly achieving exceptional test scores. The goals are to promote lifelong learning, recognize individuality and provide challenging experiences while linking learning to real life through practical applications and opportunities for discovery. The classroom approach is to help students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The school provides Spanish language instruction, music and extensive use of technology. Opportunities include Annual Project Fair, Technology Fair, Talent Show and extensive after-school programs.

Friendly Hills Middle School (5-8)701 Mendota Heights Rd., Mendota Heights, MN 55120

651-403-7600Friendly Hills emphasizes integrating technology, the

arts and rigorous academics to develop students’ skills to achieve academic goals and become lifelong learners. Teaching strategies target individual learning styles to en-hance course content and promote students’ critical think-ing skills. All students participate in community service projects. Art, band, choir and orchestra are offered. Extra-curricular activities include arts, academics, leadership, ath-letics and enrichment, before and after school.

Henry Sibley High School (9–12)1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights, MN 55118

651-403-7100Henry Sibley High School offers a diverse student popu-

lation and a nurturing environment of civility, pride and respect that encourages personal growth, self-worth and confidence. It strives to achieve and maintain academic rigor by basing academic progress on individual potential. Regular academic progress assessments are done to moni-tor each student. Clear expectations and academic goals are articulated, and teachers work with each student’s individ-ual needs and learning style. The school offers more than 150 courses, including fine arts, Advanced Placement, and opportunities to take college-level courses, as well as more than 50 clubs, sports teams, service activities and academic organizations.

St. Paul Independent School District 625

Cherokee Heights Elementary (Pre-K–6)694 Charlton St., St. Paul, MN 55107

651-293-8610Cherokee Heights Elementary offers a Spanish bilin-

gual program option in grades K-2. The school has a fully equipped technology production studio where students

produce a live daily news show and original studio pro-ductions. The school offers band and violin lessons, and has an indoor pool that allows students to take American Red Cross swimming classes. All students spend time in the eMac computer lab developing technology skills, and students get one-on-one help in reading and math from volunteer tutors, if needed. School uniforms help create a respectful and orderly school climate. The school’s Re-sponsive Classroom program helps students and staff build positive behaviors in the classroom and throughout the school. After-school learning time is extended through the Area Learning Center (ALC).

Riverview Elementary (K–6 Dual Immersion program) 271 E. Belvidere St., St. Paul, MN 55107

651-293-8665The Dual Language Immersion program prepares the

small population of 271 English-dominant and Spanish-dominant speaking students to be fluent in reading, writ-ing, listening and speaking in academic and social settings of both Spanish and English literacy by the end of sixth grade. All educational activities at Riverview are designed around a standards-based curriculum. The Project for Aca-demic Excellence is integrated throughout the instruction-al day. All grade levels are involved in Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. Each day, a full hour is devoted to math. River-view features all-day kindergarten, uniforms and addition-al support staff to address the needs of students and their families.

Humboldt Secondary School (7–12)30 E. Baker St., St. Paul, MN 55107

651-293-8600 Humboldt offers a comprehensive curriculum to prepare

students for post-secondary education and the workforce. A strong advisory program in grades 7-11, career explora-tion, community involvement and the opportunity to take Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses are offered. English Language Learners benefit from a compre-hensive curriculum with bi-lingual educators. Graphic arts, tech prep, automotive, on-the-job-training/careers and business entrepreneur-ship are areas of focus. An Army Junior Reserve Offi-cer Training Corps program focused on self-discipline, citizenship, leadership and academic studies is offered. An Area Learning Center program and tutoring is offered after school. The school also provides extra-curricular activities, such as band, choir, athletics, adapted sports, diversity clubs, Friendship Club and more.

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• Focused academic curriculum for K-6th

• Full day free Kindergarten program• Daily language development in Spanish and English• Gifted and Talented program• Free After School Program & Before School Service• Mariachi lessons and Folkloric Dance after school program• Special Education services• Music and Physical Ed classes• Breakfast free for all students, daily lunch free or reduced price for qualified students• Transportation provided to students within St. Paul and surrounding suburbs• Strong family engagement and community collaborations

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A Global Focus with Small-School AttentionHighland Park Elementary International Primary Years Program offers:

Highland Park ElementaryInternational Baccalaureate Primary Years Program1700 Saunders Ave., St. Paul | 651-293-8770Visit highlandel.spps.org for more information

Call 651-293-8770 to schedule a Wed. morning or Thurs. afternoon tour!

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Your community news and information sourceS ample St. Paul

On the TownChildren’s Museum10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul651-225-6000www.mcm.org

“Rainforest Adventure” is presented through Jan. 8. This mulit-sensory expedi-tion introduces visitors to tropical rainforests around the world, highlights the challenges facing these unique ecological wonders and suggests ways that peo-ple can make a difference.

“Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Fa-vorites” is featured through Feb. 5. This exhibit brings children and adults into the world of seven beloved picture books. From the gardens of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” to the urban snowscape of “The Snowy Day” and the tropical island of “Chicka Chicka Boom

Boom,” Storyland engages visitors in early literature adventures.

Tickets are $8.95. Explore the museum free of charge 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the third Sun-day of each month.

History Center345 W. Kellogg Blvd.St. Paul651-259-3000www.mnhs.org

“1968” is presented through Feb. 20. The year 1968 was a year of extremes: of comedy and tragedy, of love and hate, of a president stepping down and a leader being gunned down, of violence on the front lines and on the home front, of graceful athletes and pow-erful protests, and of the promise of law and order. In one single year America saw it all and the highlights

of that year are featured in this exhibit.

Museum tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, and $5 for children ages 6-17. The center offers free admission on Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.

History Theatre30 E. Tenth St., St. Paul651-292-4323www.historytheatre.com

“1968: The Year That Rocked the World” is presented Jan. 21-Feb. 19. The History Theatre brings some of the most explosive events and personalities of 1968 to the stage: the war in Vietnam, the assassina-tions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Rob-ert Kennedy, the Mexico Olympics, Lyndon B. John-son and Hubert H. Hum-phrey, the election of Rich-

ard Nixon, and even the Apollo 8 mission broadcast on Christmas Eve. These events are surrounded by the unforgettable music of the era and pop culture that entertained and reflected on a world in chaos. Tick-ets are $34-$38 for adults; discounts for seniors and children.

Sample Night Live, a sampling of local produc-tions, is featured at the History Theatre at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each

month, except February. The format features 12 acts per night, including theater, film, dance, improv, visual arts, folk and opera. The next performance is Jan. 4. Tickets are $20.

Landmark Center75 W. 5th St., St. Paulwww.landmarkcenter.org

Minnesota Boychoir will perform its annual Winter Holiday Concert at 1 and 3:30 p.m., Sun., Jan. 8.

Ballet Tuesdays – St. Paul City Ballet offers a free ballet program at noon on the second Tuesday of the month. For more informa-tion, call 651-690-1588.

Courtroom Concert - The Schubert Club hosts a free Courtroom Concert se-ries at noon each Thursday in January. This month’s concerts will highlight the Shostakovich Quartet Cy-cle. For more information, call 651-292-3267.

“Ragtime The Musical” opens Jan. 20 at Park Square Theatre.

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Your community news and information sourceS ample St. PaulFitzgerald Theatre10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul651-290-1200http://fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org/

Country music artist Aaron Lewis of Staind will perform a solo and acous-tic concert at 7:30 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 5. Tickets are $32.50-$55.

“A Prairie Home Com-panion” returns to The Fitzgerald Theater for a run of six winter shows. Perfor-mances are offered at 4:45 p.m., Jan. 14, 21 and 28. Join Garrison Keillor and the whole Prairie Home gang for two hours of live radio fun. Tickets are $32-$48.

Martin Sexton will per-form at 7:30 p.m., Sun., Jan. 22. Tickets are $29-$31.

Ordway Center 345 Washington St.St. Paul651-224-4222www.ordway.org

“Broadway Songbook: The Words and Music of Contemporary Broad-way” is presented Jan. 20-22. This new series features a dynamic mix of composer life stories, discussion of what made their work ex-traordinary, and perfor-mances by an ensemble of renowned artists from the Twin Cities musical theater, jazz and cabaret scenes. The performance features the songs of Billy Joel, Elton John, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Schwartz and oth-ers. Tickets are $20.

Park Square Theatre20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul651-291-7005www.parksquaretheatre.org

“Ragtime The Musical” is presented Jan. 20-Feb. 19. It’s 1906 and the air is filled with syncopated new music. A WASP family liv-ing the good life, a Jewish artist bent on achieving suc-cess, and a handsome black piano man courting the woman he loves find their lives colliding against the backdrop of “the American Century.” Tickets are $38-$68.

Science Museum of Minnesota120 W. Kellogg Blvd.St. Paul651-221-9444www.smm.org

“Nature Unleashed: In-side Natural Disasters” is presented through Jan. 8. From earthquakes and vol-canoes to hurricanes and tornadoes, nature’s forces have shaped our planet. Throughout history, these catastrophic phenomena have affected people around the world. This exhibit re-veals the causes of these nat-ural disasters and explains how people cope and adapt in the aftermath, and how science is helping to better predict, respond to and pre-pare for future events.

Omnifest 2012 is pre-sented Jan. 6-Feb. 17 and features the following five films shown daily in the Omnitheater:

“Shackleton’s Antarctic

Adventure” - In 1914, 28 men were stranded at the bottom of the world. One courageous hero led them to safety. “Shackleton’s Ant-arctic Adventure” tells the gripping story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew, who were stranded in the pack ice of the Antarctic’s Weddell Sea during their attempt to reach the South Pole. This is an incredible story of endurance, team-work and triumph.

“Journey Into Amaz-ing Caves” - Omnitheater viewers will join two cou-rageous women who make their living exploring in the most unforgiving places in search of an understanding of life that exists there. On a quest to find extremeo-philes – unique microor-ganisms that thrive under extreme conditions – they venture deep into the ice caves of Greenland, the un-derwater caves of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the rocky caves of the Grand Canyon.

“Search for the Great Sharks” - Viewers will embark on a global expe-dition in search of a better understanding of some of the world’s most mysteri-ous predators. “Search for the Great Sharks” will bring viewers up close to blue sharks, whale sharks and the notorious great white shark so that they may experi-ence the magnificence and strength of these frighten-ing and powerful animals.

“Wolves” - Wolves have held a nearly mythical place in the human conscious-ness for hundreds of years.

Through unparalleled na-ture photography and im-pressive historical footage, this film will immerse view-ers in the lives of wolves in their natural habitat. They’ll sit in the middle of the pack as it prowls, howls, hunts, and plays, and discover the power, the vulnerability, and the spirit of these nearly mythic creatures.

“Amazon” - Viewers will take a giant-screen tour the Amazon region, from its source high in the Andes through the rain forests of South America. They’ll see its remarkably diverse wildlife, meet the Zoë, the most recently-contacted in-digenous tribe in the Ama-zon rain forest, and hear the captivating story of two “medicine men” from vastly different worlds who share a common quest – to find the medicinal qualities of the Amazon’s native plants.

Museum tickets are $11 for adults and $8.50 for children and seniors. Om-nitheater tickets are $8 and $7 respectively.

Music at the Black Dog

The Zack Harris quartet will present a jazz concert 8-10 p.m., Wed., Jan. 4, at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince St., St. Paul. Dean Magraw and Dava Seru will perform at 7 p.m., Tues., Jan. 3. Willie Murphy will play blues on the piano on Fri., Jan. 13.

The Beer Dabbler will hold a pre-party 6-9 p.m., Wed., Jan. 11. The party is a promotion for the Beer

Dabbler on Jan. 28 at the Farmers Market.

Lowry Lab performance

Winter Warm Up will be presented at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in January at the Lowry Lab Theatre at Fifth and St. Pe-ter. The programs will have a variety of drama, comedy and burlesque. For more information, visit www.the-atrespaceproject.org.

‘Guys and Dolls’ at St. Paul Prep

St. Paul Preparatory School will present a junior version of “Guys and Dolls” at 7 p.m., Jan. 12 and 13, at the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St., St. Paul. The show is based on the origi-nal musical, with music by Frank Loesser and stories by Damon Runyon.

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Your community news and information sourceN ews BriefsCommunity Calendar

• The Optimist Club - The Optimist Club of West St. Paul meets 5-6 p.m., the first and third Wednes-day of each month at West Side Lanes, 1625 South Robert St., West St. Paul. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more in-formation, contact Cheryl Bergstrom at [email protected] or 651-450-7391.

• Veterans’ meetings - The Riverview-West St. Paul VFW Post 4462 hosts monthly meetings at 1 p.m., the first Wednesday of each

month at the West St. Paul Armory. For more informa-tion, call 651-437-4481. American Legion Post 521 also hosts monthly meet-ings at the Armory. Meeting times are 7 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month.

• Rotary Club - The West St. Paul/Mendo-ta Heights Rotary Club hosts a weekly meeting at 7:30 a.m., Wednesdays, at Southview Country Club, 239 E. Mendota Road, West St. Paul. Each meet-ing features breakfast and a guest speaker. For more information, visit www.ro-tarywspmh.org.

• Kiwanis Club - The Kiwanis Club of West St. Paul hosts a weekly meeting at noon, Tuesdays, at West Side Lanes, 1625 S. Rob-ert St., West St. Paul. Each meeting features lunch and a guest speaker.

• Chamber of Com-merce - The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Com-merce, which serves West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Rosemount and Farmington, hosts a month-ly meeting called “The Buzz,” at 7:30 a.m., the first Thursday of each month, at the Northern Dakota County Service Center in

West St. Paul. Each meet-ing features networking, a guest speaker and refresh-ments. For more informa-tion, call 651-452-9872 or visit www.dcrchamber.com.

• Homework Center at Riverview Library - The Student Homework and Activity Center at the Riverview Library, 1 East George St., St. Paul, is open 3-7 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 12:30-4 p.m., Satur-days. Volunteer tutors are available. The center in-cludes computers, printers, reference books and school

supplies. For more informa-tion, call 651-292-6626.

• Free workplace Eng-lish classes - South Subur-ban Adult Basic Education (ABE) offers Workplace English classes to adults ages 18 and older who want to enter the workforce and wish to improve their Eng-lish language and job search skills. The classes are free and open to residents of ISD 197. To enroll or re-ceive more information, call 651-457-9441.

Volunteer opportunities

• Ramsey County Com-munity Human Services has volunteer opportunities for people age 18 and older. For more information, con-tact 651-266-4090 or [email protected].

• Minnesota Literacy Council - Volunteers are needed to tutor adult learn-ers, assist in an adult class-room and teach basic Eng-lish and GED classes. For more information, contact Allison at 651-645-2277, ext 219, or [email protected].

• St. Paul Public Schools - Volunteers are needed to tutor elementary stu-dents in the St. Paul Pub-lic schools in reading and math. Under the guidance of a classroom teacher, vol-unteers assist students one-on-one or in small groups. For more information, contact Connie at 612-617-7807 or [email protected]. Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible for free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Vol-unteer Program (RSVP), sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.

• The Minnesota Read-ing Corps is seeking read-ing tutors. The program provides free, one-on-one tutoring to children age three through third grade. Minnesota Reading Corps members receive a living stipend, reimbursement for college (up to $5,350) and health insurance (for full-time members). For more information or to apply, visit www.MinnesotaRead-ingCorps.org or call 1-866-859-2825.

• Neighbors, Inc., a so-cial service agency serving Northern Dakota County, has a number of volunteer opportunities to assist local residents. For more infor-mation, contact 651-306-2145 or [email protected].

• Volunteers of America is looking for volunteers age 55 and over to assist children who are struggling with homework and read-ing. Time commitment ranges from 3 to 12 hours a week. To volunteer or re-ceive more information, contact Gil Zamora at 651-470-7416.

• DARTS, a nonprofit organization in West St. Paul, has several volunteer opportunities to assist fami-lies and individuals with transportation and in-home services. Especially needed are volunteers to help older homeowners remove snow from their sidewalks and driveways. For more infor-mation, contact 651-455-1560 or visit www.dart1.org.

• St. Paul Senior Chore Service is looking for senior clients age 60 and over, as well as volunteers to help these clients with basic home projects. For more information, call 651-649-5984.

HHW collection Ramsey County’s house-

hold hazardous waste col-lection site at Bay West, lo-cated near the State Capitol at 5 Empire Dr. in St. Paul, is open year-round. Drop-off is free for residents of Ramsey, Washington, Da-kota, Hennepin, Anoka and Carver counties with a pho-to I.D. For hours of opera-tion and more information, call the Ramsey County Re-cycling & Disposal Hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279) or visit www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph.

Photography exhibit

A 26-piece photo exhibit by James Robins is featured at Jerabek’s New Bohemian coffee shop and bakery dur-ing January. The exhibit fea-tures “Essential Saint Paul” with a focus on the West Side, as well as “Immense Personalities” portraits, and “Diverse Landscapes” from around the world. A resi-dent of the West Side, Rob-ins is a semi-professional photographer with more than three decades of expe-rience dating to his years as a journalist in Minnesota and North Dakota. This is his first public exhibition. Jerabek’s New Bohemian is located at 63 W. Winifred St., St. Paul. For more in-formation about the exhib-it, contact Robins at [email protected]. Located on Highway

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Your community news and information sourceN ews BriefsNew housing manager at Cerenity Residence – Humboldt

Courtney Blomquist is the new housing manager of Cerenity Residence – Hum-boldt, an assisted living and memory care community at 514 Humboldt Ave., St. Paul. Blomquist has held various positions at Ceren-ity Senior Care, includ-ing interim administrator and assistant administrator of a Cerenity care center. A licensed administrator, Blomquist completed the long-term care manage-ment program at the Uni-versity of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She earned a bach-elor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Minnesota State University, Winona. For more information on Cerenity, visit www.Cereni-tySeniorCare.org.

Two District 197 teachers named TIES Exceptional Teachers

Craig Roble and Lin-da Zurn of Independent School District 197 have been named 2011 TIES Exceptional Teachers. They were nominated by their principals for the award,

which recognizes teachers who creatively use technol-ogy in the classroom to en-hance learning.

Roble, a seventh and eighth grade social stud-ies teacher at Heritage E-STEM Magnet School in West St. Paul, created iBooks over the summer that his students could ac-cess on their iPads, and uses Twitter and the Schoology website to communicate assignments and upcom-ing events with parents, and provide study tools and assessments for students. Zurn, FACS teacher at Henry Sibley High School, piloted Henry Sibley’s first online hybrid class, in which students learn in the classroom three days a week and complete activities and tests online the other two days of the school week.

District 197 teacher pay for performance program

Following an overwhelm-ingly supportive vote by Independent School Dis-trict (ISD) 197 teachers, the ISD 197 School Board unanimously approved an Alternative Teacher Profes-sional Pay System (ATPPS) for the 2012-13 school year.

The plan, often referred to

as Q-Comp, was approved by the Minnesota Depart-ment of Education last year and includes a system of advancement options for teachers, professional devel-opment, teacher evaluation, performance pay and an alternative salary schedule. One of the key components of the plan includes hiring district teachers as instruc-tional peer coaches to serve as mentors, evaluators and coaches for their colleagues. ATPPS will be supported by state aid. Starting with the 2013-14 school year, financial support will also be able to be levied by the school board.

West Side Health receives grant to conduct health study

UCare has awarded a $74,884 grant to West Side Community Health Servic-es, Inc. and SoLaHmo (So-mali, Latino, and Hmong Partnership for Health and Wellness) to conduct a study on the lifestyle behav-iors of Hmong, Latino and Somali families with chil-dren ages 3-12 in St. Paul. The assessment will exam-ine beliefs, behaviors and perceived barriers to healthy eating and physical activity, as well as the communities’

needs and desire to prevent obesity. For more informa-tion, call 651-222-1816.

Gateway Bank promotions

Gateway Bank in Men-dota Heights has promoted Laura Mikkelsen to senior credit analyst, Kim Ked-rowski to operations officer and Britt Geiger to market-ing/personal banking offi-cer.

Mikkelsen has been at the bank since 2006, work-ing in its operations and lending departments. She is a 2006 graduate of the University of St. Thomas. Kedrowski has been with the bank since 2006 in the operations department. She is a 2005 graduate of Metro State University. Geiger has been at the bank since 2005, working in deposit operations. She is also in charge of marketing, pro-viding leadership and direc-tion for the growth of the bank. She is a 2004 gradu-ate of the University of St. Thomas.

Gateway Bank is located in the Village at Mendota Heights, near Highway 110 and Dodd Road. For more information, visit www.gateway-banking.com.

Sunfish Lake resident Anne Pabst, the co-director of college counseling at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, re-ceived the John B. Muir Editor Award from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) for making the most significant contribution to NACAC’s Journal of College Admission during the past year. Pabst, a former English teacher, was recognized for her article “The Search for Sustainable Girls,” published in the journal’s Fall 2010 issue.

Is it whiplash or just a stiff neck?If you've been in an accident and

have whiplash, you will often feel pain and stiffness in your neck or back for the first few days. The pain and stiffness will disappear but may return several days later. Other symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, pain in the arms, legs, feet and hands, blurred vision, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, vertigo, numbness and tingling in the jaw or face.

Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck that occurs from a sudden jerking or “whip-ping” of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and the ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion. Whiplash often occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly in a car crash or is struck from behind. A seat belt will keep a person’s body from being thrown forward, but the head may snap forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury in the neck. In addition to car accidents, whiplash can be caused by sports injuries, roller coasters and other amusement park rides, or being punched or shaken.

Chiropractic care works on correcting complica-tions and relieving pain associated with whiplash injuries. To see if chiropractic may be able to help you, call 651-455-5264 today for a complimentary consultation.

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Erbert and Gerbert’s to open in US Bank building

Erbert and Gerbert’s res-taurant is scheduled to move in to the former Tea Garden space on the skyway level of the US Bank building, next to Anderson’s Cleaners and St. Marie convenience store. The L-shape design of the store enables patrons to enter the shop from two separate entrances. There is also an Erbert and Gerbert’s at Fourth and Wabasha.

Dorothy Day Center expands

Dorothy Day Center in downtown St. Paul is ex-panding its facility to han-dle 50 more people, bring-ing total capacity to 250 per night. The center, which

cares for the homeless, de-cided to expand because several nights last summer it was not able to serve all of the people seeking help. According to the U.S. Cen-sus, one out of ten people in Minnesota lives below the poverty line, which is $22,050 for a family of four and $10,380 for a single adult. The center is located at 183 Old 6th St. W.

New exhibit at Cathedral Museum

A new exhibit entitled “The Archbishop and the Architect” has opened at the Cathedral Museum at the St. Paul Cathedral. It com-memorates the time in the early 1900s when Archbish-op John Ireland and archi-tect Emmanuel Masqueray developed plans to build the

cathedral. Masqueray also designed the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

Christos reopens

Christos Greek restaurant in the Union Depot has reopened. It was closed for five months during renova-tion of the building, which is being restored to a transit facility for busses, light rail transit, commuter rail, Am-trak and high speed trains. The improvements includ-ed repainting the 52-foot-high ceiling.

Master Plan open for public comment

The approval process for the proposed Great River Passage master plan is ex-pected to last through the summer, according to Don Ganje, project manager.

The plan is intended to transform the 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront in St. Paul. It was released to the public in December and is

open to public comment. It will be submitted to the neighborhood district coun-cils, the St. Paul Planning Commission, Parks Com-mission and City Council. Plans include improving the Watergate Marina, locating a pool on a barge, and cre-ating a promenade on the West Publishing site.

Bistro plans fall through

Plans to establish a Shanghai Bistro in Lower-town have been dropped. The cost of converting the space at Sixth and Wall to a restaurant was too great, according to Henry Chan, who operates Shanghai Bis-tros in Woodbury, Hudson and Eau Claire, Wis.

Jackson Ramp reopens

The Jackson Ramp has re-opened to serve contract and daily motorists. Crowe Construction renovated the ramp and replaced steel and concrete to satisfy the safety concerns that caused the city to close the ramp a few years ago. The ramp is

attached to the Pioneer/En-dicott buildings, which are scheduled to be converted from office and retail space to residential uses. The ramp capacity is about 400.

Amanda’s Deli expands menu

Amanda’s Deli is expand-ing its Mexican selections under its new owner, Alya Zhaivoronok. She is serving chicken burritos and en-chiladas, in addition to ta-cos, which were introduced under the previous owner. Amanda’s is located on the first floor of the First Bank building.

First Friday social at Wild Tymes

The next First Friday so-cial will be held 4-6 p.m., Jan. 6, at the Wild Tymes bar and restaurant at Sev-enth Place and St. Peter. Capitol River Council/Dis-trict sponsors these month-ly events to help downtown residents become better ac-quainted.

Sinfonia concertPianist Andrew Staupe is

the featured performer at the Winter Concert Series of the Minnesota Sinfonia,

held at 7 p.m., Fri., Jan. 6, at Founder’s Hall at Metro State University. He will play Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor by Mozart. Other selections include Concertino by Unseth and Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.

Beer DabblerThe St. Paul Winter Car-

nival Beer Dabbler has been moved from Mears Park to the Farmers Market to ac-commodate a larger crowd. The event is held 4-8 p.m., Jan. 28. Visitors may sam-ple products from 60 to 80 craft and microbreweries. Proceeds will go to several local charities and non-profits.

Wild Tymes under new ownership

Wild Tymes Bar and Res-taurant at Seventh Place and St. Peter has new own-ers. Palace of St. Paul LLC, which owns the Palace The-atre and Seventh Place Resi-dence, in which the restau-rant is located, now owns and operates Wild Tymes. The new owners plan to up-grade the televisions, carpet and bathrooms. An expand-ed menu is also expected.

Your community news and information sourceT he Fuller Files by Roger Fuller

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT ................Carbone's Pizza in West St. Paul has two pizza coupons.

EDUCATION ......................................Laurel Music Studio in West St. Paul offers one free music lesson on (acoustic or electric) guitar, violin,voice or piano. HEALTHCARE ....................................Simply Grounded Therapeutic Massage in West St. Paul offers $12 off a massage service with Heather.

School Choice DirectoryBilingual Childcare Education Center18 months to age 101514 Englewood Ave., St. Paul651-644-2405www.bilingualchildcaremn.com

Academic Arts High School60 E. Marie Ave., West St. Paul651-457-7427www.academic-arts.org

Community of Peace Academy K-12471 E. Magnolia Ave., St. Paul651-776-5151www.cpa.charter.k12.mn.us

St. Paul City School PreK-8260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul651-225-9177www.stpaulcityschool.org

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice.html for a link to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose

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Your community news and information sourceN ews Briefs

1030 University Avenue West Saint Paul, MN 55104 www.hubbs.spps.org

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Carbone's Pizza in West St. Paul has two pizza coupons.

EDUCATION ......................................Laurel Music Studio in West St. Paul offers one free music lesson on (acoustic or electric) guitar, violin,voice or piano. HEALTHCARE ....................................Simply Grounded Therapeutic Massage in West St. Paul offers $12 off a massage service with Heather.

School Choice DirectoryBilingual Childcare Education Center18 months to age 101514 Englewood Ave., St. Paul651-644-2405www.bilingualchildcaremn.com

Academic Arts High School60 E. Marie Ave., West St. Paul651-457-7427www.academic-arts.org

Community of Peace Academy K-12471 E. Magnolia Ave., St. Paul651-776-5151www.cpa.charter.k12.mn.us

St. Paul City School PreK-8260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul651-225-9177www.stpaulcityschool.org

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice.html for a link to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose

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Access these special offers at www.stpaulpublishing.com/marketplace.html

DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS, PAVERS & ASPHALT


CONTRACTORS

Nilles Builders, Inc.651-222-8701www.nillesbuilders.com

Superior Remodeling651-434-5291superiorhomeremodel-ingllc@gmail.comwww.shr-mn.com

LANDSCAPING AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN


IMPROVEMENT& REMODELING SERVICES

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/contractors.html for website links to view the craftsmanship

of these fine contractors.

Acupuncture$15-$40

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Johnson-PetersonFuneral Home & Cremation

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Johnson-PetersonCasa Funeria y Cremación

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Ken B. PetersonOwner-Director

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Branch and Bough Tree Service & Landscape Care

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Optimist Club essay contest

The Optimist Club of West St. Paul is accept-ing submissions through Jan. 27 for the Optimist International Essay Con-test. Students under age 18 may submit an essay on the topic: “How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Com-munity.” The club’s winning essay will be sent to the Optimist District contest, where it will be judged with other winning essays sub-mitted by Optimist clubs in North Dakota, South Da-kota, Manitoba and Min-nesota. The district winner

will receive a $2,500 college scholarship. All Optimist district winners are entered into the international-level judging, and one first-place winner will be awarded an engraved plaque and rec-ognition in The Optimist magazine.

“I’m delighted that our club is offering the oppor-tunity for local students to write about how their posi-tive outlook benefits their community,” said Club President Cheryl Berg-strom. “We Optimists want to encourage students and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. The essay contest gives them

an opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue a possible scholarship.”

For more information on submitting an essay, contact Cheryl Bergstrom at [email protected]. The Optimist Club of West St. Paul has served West St. Paul and surrounding com-munities since 1971. Other club projects include the ISD 197 Spelling Bee, an oratorical contest, Skates for Kids, Learn to Bowl, and Operation Thank You. The club meets 5-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at West Side Lanes.

St. Joespeh’s School donates $1K to Toys for Tots

Over 50 sixth grade stu-dents at St. Joseph’s School in West St. Paul raised $1,015 for Toys for Tots by selling over 2,000 candy canes during school. Each sixth grade family donated two or more boxes of candy canes to supply the effort, ensuring all funds raised would be used to purchase toys for the Toys for Tots program. The toys were part of a special procession dur-ing school Mass on Dec. 16,

and then were taken to the Tiny Tots program center.

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks volunteers

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for men, especially Latinos, to become men-tors for St. Paul boys aged 7-12. Volunteers are asked to commit just takes a few hours a month. To volun-teer, contact Jean Setley at 651-789-2479 or visit www.bigstwincities.org.

Free throws for food

The Humboldt High School girls’ basketball team recently donated over $1,000 to the Neighbor-hood House Food Bank. The players raised money by soliciting pledges for a free throw competition. Partici-pating players shot 100 free throws and received a do-nation for each free throw they made. The check was presented to Neighborhood House representative at the Humboldt versus St. Paul Academy game.


West Sider hosts art show at Cherokee Park United

Collected works of Ernesto ‘Neto’ Ybarra are pre-sented Jan. 14-Mar. 30, at Cherokee Park United Church, 371 W. Baker St., St. Paul. An opening re-ception is held 6:30-9 p.m., Sat., Jan. 14.

Ybarra was born on the West Side and grew up with a strong connection to his Mexican heritage. After traveling through Mexico with local hip-hop group Los Nativos, he returned with an apprecia-tion for the bright colors and the traditional appeal of the Mexican culture. Inspired by Mayan codices and everyday scenes, Ybarra’s latest paintings take on an ancient essence while still incorporating modern subject matter. Through his art, he attempts to cap-ture the colors of Mexico and speak of Mesoamerica and the continuing ideals of Mexican cultures and indigenous peoples of the Americas. He continues to live, paint and work on the West Side.

Your community news and information sourceN ews Briefs

Sibley grads open Zamboni’s RestaurantJohn E. Ahlstrom

Staff Writer

Kyle Walker and Greg Awada, who developed a friendship 25 years ago while students at Henry Sibley High School in West St. Paul, recently purchased the 7th Street Pizzeria at 184 W. Seventh St., and renamed it Zamboni’s. The business is nestled between the Eagle Street Grille and Ticket King, across the street from the Xcel Center.

Walker eventually settled in Page, Arizona, where he presided over a successful kayak and tour business on Lake Powell, a man-made lake that many consider one of the scenic treasures in America. After attending school in Boston, Awada

settled in Minnesota and was drawn to the restaurant and hospitality business, an entrepreneurial pursuit that has been a part of his fam-ily since his grandfather, George Awada, purchased the Harp Bar in 1954. The family operated Awada’s Restaurant from 1973 until it closed in 2006.

Walker returned to Min-nesota a year ago to “start the next phase of my life,” and his partnership with Awada in this new business adventure came together rather naturally.

The restaurant space has undergone a thorough renovation. The floors have been restored to their prop-er elegance, beautiful brick walls have been exposed and, with the acquisition

of a beer and wine license, a new bar has been added.

“We also added a couple of TVs,” said Awada. “Our intent was to create a pleas-ant dining environment ac-centuated by great food and a fine selection of local beers and inexpensive wine.”

Not surprisingly, the menu contains a host of pizza options, but that is merely a starting point. Other featured items in-clude chicken wings, ribs, spaghetti, seven-layer lasa-gna, four cheese ravioli, an assortment of salads, hoa-gies, burgers and, according to Awada, “the best Philly steak and gyro in both towns.”

As for the origin of the Zamboni name, Awada detailed a convoluted story

about a long-lost Italian cousin named Maria Zam-boni who corresponded with his Grandmother Rose. The truthfulness of that tale has not been authenticated. Awada concluded: “Being so close to the Xcel Center and the Minnesota Wild, we thought the name is not only an appropriate tribute to Maria, but a smart busi-ness ploy.”

Zamboni’s opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Free delivery ser-vice is available until 3 p.m. The website, www.zambo-nipizza.com, features a full menu, assorted coupons and access to a convenient on-line ordering system. For more information, call 651-225-2999.

AZ Gallery is hosting a huge art show featuring 48 artists. This exhibit is all downtown, in more ways than one. To be included, the artists had to live, work or have studio space in

downtown St. Paul.“Group shows by lo-

cal artists have been done in the past, but none this large,” said Todd Peterson, the gallery’s vice president. “We tried to include every artist that qualified. We are very happy with the sub-missions.”

The gallery is located in the Northern Warehouse Artists Co-op at 308 Prince St., just down the block from Mears Park, which is lit up like a fairyland for the winter season. AZ is oper-ated by a collaboration of eight artists. This is the first such show it has hosted.

The artwork on display includes sculpture by Jesse McNally, designs by Mel Tudisco, Peterson’s use of the crayon medium, digi-tal photography, wood working and glass. The ex-

hibition will be on display through Jan. 15, when it will be replaced with a Win-ter Carnival exhibit of art-work of students from local elementary schools.

Peterson formerly had a small gallery in Northeast Minneapolis but when he learned of the AZ Gal-lery artist collaborative in St. Paul, he jumped at the chance to become part of it. Lowertown is considered a leading center for the arts and has long had the larg-est concentration of work-ing artists of any city in the Midwest. It is widely acknowledged that the large and growing community adds significantly to the cultural and artistic wealth of St. Paul.

Since its inception in 1997, AZ Gallery has been dedicated to providing its

artist-members with op-portunities to exhibit high-quality, imaginative artistic creations.

“We currently have eight members bringing various artistic styles and mediums to our great space,” said Peterson. “Gallery mem-bers show their work year-round. Additionally, we invite guest artists during Spring and Fall Art Crawls, and host other juried shows throughout the year.”

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Your community news and information sourceR iver Connections

Reflections from the

RiverfrontTim Spitzack

Editor

Same bench, same time, new musings

Editor’s note: this is the sec-ond in a 12-part series where I am spending 30 minutes in the same place along the Missis-sippi River each month to con-template life in our river town.

December 2, 201112:30 p.m.31 degrees F

Sunny, cold breeze

The scene at Harriet Is-land Regional Park to-

day is much different than last month. The leaves have all disappeared, leaving the

trees looking naked, twiggy and gnarled. Gone too are the hordes of people that walk, run or bike in the park. Today, there is virtu-ally no one around. From the parking lot I notice that the great lawn is filled with over 150 Canada geese. One lone walker on the nearby trail veers off course to get close to the gaggle. They eye him suspiciously and waddle away en masse. As I make my way to my bench, I approach the geese as well and laugh as they squeak at me and warn each other that potential danger is near. I must seem non-threatening, however, because most of the geese merely scurry away. Only a few took flight, flying about a hundred yards or so before landing on the frigid river.

The river is still flowing freely and not even a hint of ice has formed at its edges. We had the second snowfall of the season this week — less than one inch — and the ground is crusted with its icy remains. It’s the same ice that has accumulated on my front steps. The first snowfalls of the season can be hazardous because they

often melt quickly and turn to ice before the day is over. I’ve noticed that the “Min-nesota Shuffle” has once again replaced our strong, confident gaits of warmer months.

Last year we received more than 89 inches of snow in the Twin Cities, which is the fourth highest amount since record keep-ing began in 1871. Michelle Margraf, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, says to brace for more of the same this year. Predictions call for above normal pre-cipitation and below nor-mal temperatures. This jibes with the forecast in the Old Farmers’ Almanac, which warns of another cold, snowy winter.

Snow is usually welcomed by most this time of year because it enhances our hol-iday spirit. Earlier this week I visited Rice Park to see the 65-foot tall Christmas tree. I had read about how the tree trunk was inserted into a hole and then was sur-rounded by wedges of lum-ber to hold it in place. I had to see it for myself and was amazed at how snuggly the

lumber filled the hole and how securely it held the tree in place.

It’s my daughter’s birth-day today and I think of her as she passes from her teens into her twenties. She is in college at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and I find it strangely comforting that the same river I’m look-ing at flows by her adopted town. I toss a birthday wish into the river and hope it finds her happy.

To my right, I catch a glimpse of movement in the Pilot House suite of the Covington Inn, one of the few floating bed and break-fast establishments in the nation. I’m sure owner Liz Miller is thrilled to have a guest in the off-season. Last winter was challenging for her. Twice she awoke to fro-zen pipes and was forced to cancel reservations, result-ing in a loss of income dur-ing her slowest time of the year. The Pilot House is sur-rounded by windows, and I’m sure its current resident is toasty warm. There is not a cloud in the sky to filter out the bright sunshine.

On my way to the park I passed by some mainte-

nance men wrestling with a large sheet of plastic. They use the plastic to cover some of the 22 boats of the live- aboarders that stay at the St. Paul Yacht Club year-round. I wonder how those residents cope with winter living in such close quarters.

The shipping season on the Mississippi is now over. On Nov. 24, the MV Char-lie G was the last commer-cial tow to pass through Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings. The river is now much quieter. Soon more snow will fall and frigid temps will form a cake of ice on the river. It’s interest-ing to think about how each snowflake that floats down becomes part of the river, and to ponder where it will end up. Will it wash ashore in Red Wing? St. Louis? Or will it make it all the way to the Gulf of Mexico where it will cool the toes of some tourist on a beach in Mexico? I’d like to think the latter will happen, but that’s because I’m cold now. My fingers are numb, as is my bottom from sitting on this hard metal bench.

My time is up. I’m off to find a bowl of soup.

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Celebrating the new year, and the old one, at Neighborhood House

As I begin another new year at Neighborhood House, I find myself looking back on the year which has just passed. Although we faced our share of challenges in 2011, Neigh-borhood House was also honored for many successes. It is so rewarding to take a moment to remember our triumphs, which makes me confident that Neighborhood House will continue to be an asset to the St. Paul community in the years ahead.

Last year, Neighborhood House was awarded the PEGA-SUS trophy, given by the Minnesota Department of Edu-cation and the Literacy Action Network in recognition of the outstanding quality of our Adult Education program. Adult Education helps multicultural and multilingual stu-dents develop the skills they need to live, work and sup-port their families in the United States. From instruction in English language, to GED preparation, to computer skills,

we focus on helping learners overcome barriers to finding and keeping stable employment, housing, higher education and healthcare — all critical steps on the path toward self-reliance. The PEGASUS Award is given to a community-based organization only once every five years, and it honors Neighborhood House as the best Adult Education program in Minnesota. I could not be more proud of our wonder-ful staff and volunteers, as well as the dedicated students here at Neighborhood House. Everyone involved in the program contributes to its success.

We were also recognized for our excellent financial prac-tices in 2011, something we take seriously at all times, but especially during this economic downturn. The Charities Review Council awarded its “Meets All Standards” seal to Neighborhood House, indicating that our agency meets all 16 Accountability Standards in four critical areas: Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity and Fundrais-ing. The purpose of the Accountability Standards is to “strengthen nonprofits’ commitment to accountable prac-tices and provide meaningful information to the public in order to advance more informed philanthropy.” These are tough times for everyone, and it is essential that our donors can make their gifts to Neighborhood House with abso-lute confidence that it will make a positive impact in our community, that it will be used ethically, and that we will stretch every dollar as far as we possibly can.

At its 2011 Honors Gala in November, the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Neighborhood House’s value to the community with the Deubener Small Business Award in the nonprofit category. This award recognizes

growth, excellence, risk, diversity, innovation and the com-munity partnerships, which have always been a crucial part of the success and longevity of Neighborhood House. Our focus on building social partnerships – intentional, mutu-ally beneficial relationships with local businesses – helps ensure a tangible impact on the lives of all community resi-dents to achieve shared goals. Bailey Nurseries’ support of our community gardens and Nash Finch’s work with our English Language Learning students are just two examples of these successful partnerships.

Our successes are yours as well. Neighborhood House has been an integral part of the St. Paul community since 1897, and today we continue our comprehensive work in basic needs, adult and family education, youth leadership and community building to help our participants develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Neighbor-hood House is consistently recognized for effectiveness in programming, excellent financial practices and value to the community. We have been helping immigrants, refugees and low-income individuals on the West Side for over 114 years and I, for one, am looking forward to doing so for many years to come.

If you are already a supporter of Neighborhood House, thank you! Whether you give money as a donor or time as a volunteer, you make a valuable difference in the lives of the 14,000 people we serve each year. If you are not, consider getting involved with Neighborhood House in 2012. For more information, visit www.neighb.org. Happy new year!

Your community news and information sourceC ommunity Organizations

West Side Community Plan updateFor the past year, WSCO has been working to cre-

ate a 10-year Comprehensive Plan for the West Side that will become a formal addendum to the city of St. Paul’s Comprehensive Plan. An extensive community engage-ment process has been underway, including nine com-munity workshops that were held this summer. Support-

ed by extensive community organizing, the workshops included the participation of a diverse sample of West Side communities, including homeowners and renters, members of ethnic and cultural communities, and es-tablished as well as recent arrivals to the neighborhood. A total of 90 residents participated in the Community Vi-sioning Workshops, with an additional 35 residents taking part in the visioning activities conducted in conjunction with WSCO’s National Night Out activities. Residents provided more than 500 written comments and recom-mendations for “key strategies” to guide the vision of a thriving, successful and sustainable community.

A number of themes emerged through the planning pro-cess, including:

• A Sustainable Community - Support for efforts to achieve a sustainable community, including energy and food production, preservation of green and natural spaces, and economic development.

• A Vital Small Business Community - Desire for great-er diversity/types of local businesses to serve all levels of the economic scale, including businesses that serve all ethnic communities, especially new arrivals.

• A Connected Community - Improved connectiv-ity for walking, biking and transit modes, both for access throughout the West Side and for connection to regional networks.

• A Community with Housing Options - Options for housing that meet the needs of all age and income groups.

• A Prepared and Educated Community - Support for efforts to create high quality schools and training pro-grams, including serving existing populations and drawing new residents to the area.

• A Welcoming Community for New Immigrants - In-creased availability of Hmong-language and more broadly, culturally appropriate health and community services.

• A Healthy Community - Focus on neighborhood im-provement through a community health lens.

• A Safe and Comfortable Neighborhood - Focus on prevention, intervention and relationships to address real and perceived crime and safety issues.

The themes emerging translated into specific objectives and strategies that were complied into a draft plan, which was introduced to community members at the WSCO An-nual Meeting on Dec. 1.

The next step in the process involves seeking input on the draft plan, making changes based on the input, and hold-ing a community meeting to get neighborhood support. A final plan will then be forwarded to the Planning Commis-sion and City Council for approval. Visit www.wsco.org to review and provide input on the draft plan or call the WSCO office at 651-293-1708 to request a copy.

Speaking of the WSCO office, after more than a decade, the organization is moving to a new location on Jan. 1. Our new home is located at 1 Water St., Suite 260. Please stop by and check out our new space.

Elena Gaarderexecutive director

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