South St. Paul New business on Southview Blvd. Page 9
Moonshine on the Mississippi Page 6
Volume 13 | Number 9
Your Community News & Information Source
September 2016
A Business Magnet
Klein prevails in District 52 DFL primary
City’s first-ever economic development division manager begins
John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer
T
he Senate District 52 DFL primary pitted ISD 197 School Board member Matt Klein of Mendota Heights against South St. Paul City Council member Todd Podgorski. Both men sought to capture the Senate seat vacated by the late Jim Metzen, a South St. Paul native who served in the state legislature for 42 years. Metzen passed away in July. Klein, who won the DFL endorsement at the District Convention in March, garnered 3,678 votes (69 percent) to Podgorkski’s 1,636 (31 pecent). Klein, who will face Republican Mark Misukanis in the general election in November, was obviously pleased with the results. “We had a ‘get out the vote’ event on the eve of the primary that was attended by over 200 people, including Governor Dayton and Jim Metzen’s brother, Dave,” said Klein. “I was heartened and touched by the support of a united party that enabled us to carry all 28 precincts in the district. At the heart of my fall campaign will be the two issues that motivated me to run for the Senate: quality, affordable and accessible healthcare and making the education system in our state second to none.” While disappointed with the outcome of the primary, Podgorski has Election results / Page 5
Gina Dewink Contributor
W
City awards bid for work to recertify the levee Tim Spitzack Editor
T
he flow of money to recertify the South St. Paul levee has risen as rapidly as the river itself following a heavy summer rain. On July 25, the South St. Paul City Council unanimously approved $608,700 to do the final work needed to meet federal operational standards. John Sachi, who recently retired as city engineer, said it is imperative to get the work done this fall so businesses in the city’s industrial park are not adversely affected. If the levee
loses its certification, those businesses will not be able to get affordable flood insurance. The industrial park is home to the city’s two largest employers: Sportsman’s Guide and Waterous Company. The City received just two bids for the project, and both came with a degree of sticker shock. The lowest was $150,000 above original estimates. Contractor Lametti and Sons, Inc. was awarded the contract and will begin work in October to add a closure gate to one drainage pipe and realign underground piping Levee recertification / Page 5
hen Ryan Garcia began his new job as economic development division manager on Aug. 1 he had two specific goals: increase the city’s tax base and increase the city’s job space. “In simple terms, the aim of this position is to engage with the business and development community,” said Garcia. “This will result in a future for South St. Paul that builds upon a legacy of providing a diverse range of quality job opportunities, exceptional quality of life, and a range of high-quality housing options.” Garcia, who has a master’s degree in urban planning and 12 years’ experience in economic development, was selected from a talented pool of applicants. The search began April 7, was narrowed to five for interviews, and parsed to two candidates for second interviews. Garcia was offered the job in July and accepted the offer and the $85,245 annual salary that goes along with it. His hiring received a unanimous 7-0 vote of approval by the South St. Paul City Council. City Administrator Stephen King was one of the panelists who reviewed Garcia / Page 4
Packers look to build on their first Prep Bowl appearance John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer
T
he 2015 South St. Paul High School football team became the first in school history to advance to the Prep Bowl. Although the championship game failed to end in the storybook fashion that the Packer faithful had hoped, the team left behind an indelible imprint on the fabric of a proud tradition, a tradi-
tion that is in the midst of a run of epic proportions. “What we did in 2015 was establish a foundation for future success,” said quarterback Dan Pietruszewski, now a redshirt freshman on the University of Minnesota football team. “Those of us who have left the program hope the team can build on our accomplishments, take the next step and win a state championship.”
Last year’s squad compiled a 11-2 record and helped improved the Packers’ record over the past six seasons to a scintillating 5711. Their lone loss in the regular season was a 28-27 nail-biter at Park, when they failed to make a two-point conversion in the waning moments of the game. Included in their wins was a 28-21 road victory over St. Thomas Academy and state tournament triumphs over
Fridley and Rocori. “We graduated some kids who had an ideal blend of athleticism and leadership—Pietruszewski, Paxton Woods, Jordan Kieger, Austin Brandecker, Jesus Cortez and Dan Coan to name a few,” said Chad Sexauer, who is embarking on his 13th season as head coach. “That is becoming an annual occurrence around here.” Another annual tradi-
tion—the trek to Duluth for the U.M.D. Football Camp—took place in June. Nearly 80 aspiring athletes in grades 9-12 spent three days honing their skills with and against kids from two dozen other high schools. The team also participated in the Minnesota Vikings’ “7 on 7” tournament, held at Winter Park and Minnetonka High School later that month. The Packers won two of three tilts
against Fridley, Minneapolis Washburn and Rogers. When they were not outdoor doing drills, you were likely to find this fall’s candidates breaking a sweat in the school’s weight room. During the first week of August, more than 250 kids in grades 1-9 participated in the increasingly popular Packer Football Camp. For Football preview / Page 2
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Football preview from page 1 many youth it is an opportunity to get their first taste of the joy and expectations associated with Packer football. The fact that numerous varsity players take part in the instruction—unwittingly serving as role models—may be the program’s greatest selling point. For youngsters in South St. Paul, their football heroes are not necessarily those dressed in purple and gold, but rather in maroon and white, and they daydream about the day when their
time will come to compete on the grass at Ettinger Field. While Sexauer is very proud of the manner in which his 2015 squad competed, he is not one to spend much time looking back. Great coaches seldom do. His focus has clearly shifted to the road ahead. Despite the loss of a solid nucleus, he is confident that the 2016 Packers will have no shortage of quality talent. “Our JV team compiled
an eight and zero record last season and we have several upper classmen who got significant playing time and gained valuable experience,” said Sexauer. “Our kids are fully aware that hard work and preparation are the keys to playing winning football. They are eager to bear the fruits of their labor and they will get an opportunity starting September second.” Just days before the start of fall practice Sexauer said there were several starting positions still up for grabs and that some would not be determined until the end of the three-week training period leading up to the
opener at North. There are, however, several key players who are set and destined to become team leaders. The offensive line is one of those areas where several candidates are vying for playing time, but returning starters seniors Jacob Zarnke and Joey Smith, and junior tight end Nathan Brandecker are stalwarts and will play a pivotal role in the success of the ground game. The Packers lost their entire backfield to graduation and four candidates are likely to carry the load at running back: seniors Nathan Gallegos and Trevor Oberg and juniors Chase Bensen and
Angel Rodriguez. The battle to replace quarterback Pietruszewski, a two-year starter and AllConference selection, will likely narrow down to senior Ryan Duffy and junior Cade Sexauer. Both are exceptional athletes. Seniors Logan Pipes and Miles Williams will key the receiving corps. “We are a little thin on the offensive line, but Zarnke and Smith are great players and great leaders and we have several upper classmen who are preparing to step into the breach,” said Sexauer. “An effective running attack has always been the
key to our offensive success and we will go into the 2016 season with that same mindset.” While some might perceive the offensive line as a work in progress, Sexauer is confident that his defensive line will be one of the team’s strengths. Four seniors— Ben LaBrosse, Nathan Gobely, Levi Gustafson and Matt Marlow—will key the defense at the point of attack. “They aren’t as big as some of the defensive lines we’ve had in the past,” admitted Sexauer, “but all four of them are athletic and blessed with quickness.
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Your community news and information source from other coaches I think we have turned our natural grass field into a home field advantage.” Team assessment: The common refrain heard for decades regarding one of the Packers’ fiercest rivals, St. Thomas Academy, was: “The Cadets don’t rebuild, they reload.” We are starting to get that same feeling about the Sexauer era in South St. Paul. Despite a very competitive schedule, the Packers have reached a point where they go into every game with a legitimate chance to win—especially in the lovely “natural grass” confines of Ettinger Field.
The 2016 South St. Paul Packers football team. Gustafson and Marlow run track and Gobely is a pole vaulter. They are very agile and will get after it.” The linebacking corps will be led by senior Mesfin Teklu and juniors Ben Smith and Joe Marlow. The defensive secondary is another area of strength. All-Conference safety Ryan Duffy returns, and depending on how the quarterback position plays out he will share playing time with senior Lucas Laska. Threefourths of the Packer secondary will be the “Land of the Obergs.” Senior identical triplets Josh, Trevor and Zach are returning starters and exceptional talents. “All three of them are quality players and a joy to be around,” said Sexauer.
“I still struggle with telling them apart, but they have helped me out some by wearing different color shoes. I have already started stressing out at the thought of replacing them next season.” In addition to the triplets, another compelling story line is the sterling career being carved out by Duffy. In addition to football, he has already earned All-Conference honors in wrestling and baseball. As a junior, he started on the team that was runner-up in the Prep Bowl, finished runner-up in the 170-pound weight class in the state wrestling tournament and was instrumental in the baseball team’s best season in two decades. Duffy has accepted a schol-
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arship to join the pitching staff at the University of Minnesota. The Packers will play against the same eight schools they competed against last year. The teams they played at home last year will be away games this year, and vice-versa. Sexauer pointed out that three of the teams—the Packers, North and St. Thomas Academy—were state tournament participants last year. Simley, Henry Sibley and Hill-Murray have all been there in the past four years. “It’s a very competitive schedule,” he said. “Mahtomedi and St. Thomas are always solid and I think that Hastings and Hill-Murray are sleepers. Hastings is
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poised to make some noise and Hill has a new coach (former Viking Pete Bercich), a new stadium and a new artificial turf.” When asked if South St. Paul is going to get artificial turf, Sexauer said, “There was a time when I was hoping we could get that done but I have changed my mind. We are a team built to play in the elements, and from some of the comments I have heard
SCHEDULE (All games at 7 p.m.)
Sept. 2 at North Sept. 9 vs Park Sept. 16 at Simley Sept. 23 at Hastings Sept. 30 vs St. Thomas Academy (Homecoming) Oct. 7 at Tartan Oct. 14 vs Henry Sibley Oct. 19 vs Hill-Murray (Senior Night)
The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul. Publisher: Tim Spitzack Reporter: Mary Diedrick Hansen Advertising Manager: John E. Ahlstrom Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Contributors: Lois Glewwe Gina Dewink Bill Knight Home Delivery: Independent Delivery Service Bulk Delivery: SC Distribution 651-285-1119 St. Paul Publishing Co. 1643 So. Robert St. West St. Paul MN 55118 (651) 457-1177 www.stpaulpublishing.com
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Go Packers! Wishing our teams health and success this season. Have a great year! Proudly supporting all SSP students and athletes!
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E conomic Development
Garcia from page 1
resumes and conducted interviews. “We interviewed some candidates with real handson experience in a small town setting,” he said, “but South St. Paul is just different. This is not the development of raw land. This is land that was once industrial and polluted. Garcia has private and public sector training. He impressed us with his range of knowledge. He has training from UW-Milwaukee in redevelopment within an urban environment and he previously worked with the Metropolitan Council. He has a terrific combination of skills.”
‘I plan to do everything I can to capitalize on the city’s well-placed location and local pride and legacy as a great place to work and live,’ said Garcia.
Ryan Garcia Garcia is working in a city that some believe is still recovering from its own economic depression, which began more than 40 years ago following the demise of the once vibrant stockyards industry. The
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first blow came in 1969 when Swift and Company closed its doors, resulting in the loss of more than 4,000 jobs. A decade later, another powerhouse closed: Armour and Company. “Our city was designated as an economically depressed area by the United States Department of Commerce in the 70s,” said King. “The trauma wasn’t with the loss of buildings but rather the loss of the whole economic basis of the community—lost jobs, lost population and the physical transformation of the landscape.” The last of the stockyards closed in 2008, but even before then city officials were searching for a new identity to replace the city’s former image as “Cow Town.” The City Council, South St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority, the River Heights Chamber of Commerce, and Progress Plus (an economic development partnership between
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the City and Chamber) and the Legislature have worked together to help revitalize the city in recent years. The hiring of Garcia and the recent creation of the Economic Development Advisory Board—which acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council and Economic Development Authority—are the latest steps forward. Garcia was well aware of the city’s history and the challenges it faces. “I recognize the city’s unique assets, strengths and challenges,” he said. “South St. Paul has a history and identity as a center of employment and industry that has to be recognized and nurtured and evolved. It is a well-established, dynamic urban community here that is unlike virtually every other Twin Cities community that I’m familiar with. There are opportunities to supplement what’s here today with approaches to urban living, working, and development that are ‘rightsized’ for this community.” Garcia said South St. Paul
has several things working in its favor, including land for industrial development on a major freeway, its proximity to downtown St. Paul, Minneapolis and the international airport, and the ability to draw from a workforce of several hundred thousand. “I plan to do everything I can to capitalize on the city’s well-placed location and local pride and legacy as a great place to work and live,” he said. “My hope is to recreate and strengthen that legacy even more with my work serving the city.” Garcia will also work closely with existing businesses experiencing challenges that impact their growth. He will assist them in navigating processes to help them thrive, such as identifying financing for new equipment, finding skilled workers, identifying land for expansion or new operations, helping them understand city regulations, and many other issues. “South St. Paul is a really unique community,” said Garcia. “I am grateful for
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the faith that the organization has shown in bringing me on board. I have an understanding of what ‘sells’ our city. My passion is to continue to enhance the vitality of great, historic, urban places. My background in Wisconsin heavily emphasized working with small- to mid-size industrial communities and neighborhoods. I know how to address years of decline or neglect, and to identify opportunities to revitalize those places through partnerships, policy, programs and determination. I’m excited to bring that passion here to South St. Paul.” To learn more about business opportunities in South St. Paul, contact Garcia at 651-554-3278 or rgarcia@ sspmn.org, or visit Progress Plus at www.progressplusmn.org. There you can find information on available properties and building sites in South St. Paul, as well as demographics, workforce statistics, and financing and incentive programs. To stay abreast of future development, follow the Economic Development Advisory Board, which meets the third Tuesday of each month at South St. Paul City Hall.
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E conomic Development
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Levee recertification from page 1 near the Union Pacific railroad office. The projected completion date is Dec. 15. Mead & Hunt, an architectural and engineering firm, will be paid an additional
$79,000 to provide recertification services. Once final work is completed, the city will have spent $5.4 million on the project. It began six years
Primary results from page 1 no regrets about his decision to challenge Klein in the primary. “I congratulate Mr. Klein for the strong show of support that he received and wish him the best this November,” he said. “I also wish to thank my family, friends and all of those who voted for me. I thoroughly enjoyed door-knocking throughout the district and meeting so many wonderful people. While this path to the State Senate has been closed, I look forward to another opportunity that might allow me to serve in a greater capacity.”
The other primary election of note in South St. Paul was the City Council race that narrowed the field for the three open seats from seven candidates to six. Incumbents Lori Hansen and Bill Flatley were the leading vote getters. Joe Forester, Max Wallin, Warren Claflin and Steven Budke also earned spots on the November ballot. Ray Cracauer fell short with 206 votes. Eight aspiring candidates are seeking three open seats on the South St. Paul School Board: Patricia M. Bjorkland, Kathy Shank
ago when the levee was inspected and failed to meet federal standards. Fortunately, the City was able to secure a $300,000 grant last month through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to help offset the cost. The City previously received $2.4 million in
grants from the DNR for levy repair. The remaining funding has come from the city’s Storm Water Utility and Capital Improvement Program budgets. The City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teamed up to build the floodwall and earthen le-
Delsing, Joseph Gullerud, Nikki Lilaberte, Jeff McClellan, Heidi Satre, Janet White and Sarah Winslow Brewer (the lone incum-
bent). All eight will appear on the November ballot. Voters will be asked to vote for three.
vee in 1967. The levee was first maintained by the Corps but those duties were transferred to the City in the early 1980s. In recent years, the City has cleaned and realigned pipes, decommissioned seven gatewells, repaired the closure struc-
ture near Hardman Avenue, added rip-rap and made other shoreline improvements. It also built a new pumping station. The old station, located near the the Mississippi River boat ramp, will be demolished this fall.
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PRIMARY RESULTS Senate District 52 (DFL) Matt Klein - 3,678; 69 percent Todd Podgorski - 1,636; 31 percent
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R iver Connections
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Legends and Lore of the Upper Mississippi
Moonshine on the Mississippi: a ‘wet’ river in a ‘dry’ city Tim Spitzack Editor
F
rom the cockpit of my kayak, Pig’s Eye Island near South St. Paul looks impenetrable, a veritable Midwestern jungle tangled with silver maples, elms, willow saplings, smartweed, vines and a variety of other wetland sedges and vegetation. As I drift closer, I see a thin break in the brush where I can squeeze through a narrow tunnel of greenery. It leads me to the muddy shore of the island, whose interior is remarkably open and spacious, albeit littered with pale, naked driftwood from recent floods. Viewing the clearing, it’s easy to see how islands like this once
concealed the moonshine stills of one of the largest illicit liquor operations in the Northwest. Drawing upon exhaustive research for his book “John Dillinger Slept Here: A Crooks’ Tour of Crime and Corruption in St. Paul, 1920-1936,” author Paul Maccabee chronicled how severe the situation became in St. Paul after Congress ratified the 18th Amendment on Jan. 16, 1920, making it illegal to produce, transport or sell alcohol. By 1922, then-St. Paul Police Chief Michael Gebhardt estimated three-fourths of the citizens of St. Paul were distilling moonshine or making wine. The thick, bushy islands
QUALITY CARE. STYLISH COMFORT. Image from the Minnesota Historical Society
Moonshine stills were concealed on islands in the Mississippi River in shacks such as this one. near South St. Paul were popular sites for making moonshine, a term first used in Britain in reference
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to any activity done late at night. Moonshine is most commonly made by grinding corn or rye into meal
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and soaking it in hot water in a copper still. Malt and yeast are added, which starts the fermentation process, and the “mash” is heated until the alcohol steam is condensed to liquid. During Prohibition, federal agents were employed to scour the city and surrounding woodlands to root out moonshine operators. It was hazardous duty and the exchange of gunfire was common, yet the Gmen were committed to the task. An article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Oct. 20, 1921, revealed just how busy the agents were and how dangerous their task could be. During a Wednesday evening raid that week, agent
Joseph (Two Gun) Alberts, assisted by officers from the South St. Paul Police Department and a Dakota County deputy sheriff, exchanged gunfire with moonshiners in Inver Grove Township, about two miles southwest of South St. Paul. In a heroic act seemingly straight from a scene of a gangster flick, Alberts shot a pistol from the hand of one moonshiner and single-handedly disarmed two others. The paper reported that 15 shots were fired during the tussle. When the smoke cleared, the men were arrested, the stills were confiscated and 1,200 gallons of mash was destroyed. A raid on two river islands the day before was
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Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2016
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R iver Connections even more successful. Agents were well aware that moonshining occurred there but may have been leery to investigate because the underground reportedly issued a warning that agents should “avoid the islands or they would be bumped off.” That Tuesday, two agents hopped in a motorboat and sped to Island No. 1, near present-day Pig’s Eye Island. The whine of the engine announced their arrival, which apparently gave the island’s occupants time to retreat. When the agents arrived, they looked south and saw the distant specs of two men with rifles making their way downstream in rowboats. The agents began nosing
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around and soon discovered a well-trodden path leading to a camp and an underground hovel covered with thick foliage. Upon closer inspection, they found the concrete bases for three large stills, 936 gallons of mash and an artesian well that supplied the water. The stills, however, were missing. It can be assumed they were traveling away in the rowboats. The agents motored several miles downstream to Island No. 9, where they found a similar underground shack, a 60-gallon still and nine 52-gallon barrels of corn mash. The agents confiscated the still and dumped all of the mash into the river. The com-
bined operation was believed to be one of the largest moonshine distilleries in the Northwest, responsible for the nearly 150 gallons of moonshine flowing into the Twin Cities daily. In case you’re wondering, it’s still illegal for citizens to produce or sell hard liquor in Minnesota. In fact, it’s a felony with a maximum penalty of $10,000 and 12 month’s jail time. One can get a license, though, to produce it in quantities large and small. The first requirement under Minnesota Statute 340A.301 is that you must be “of good moral character and repute.” The statute doesn’t make it clear how that is determined, or who is respon-
Affordable Living Seniors (50 & Older)
sible for passing judgment. Furthermore, you must be at least 21 years-old and have no felony convictions or violations of federal, state or local liquor laws within five years of the license application date. Licenses are good for one year and start at $150 for brewers who manufacture fewer than 2,000 barrels of malt liquor in a year. Home brewers are allowed to make beer and wine for use by family and friends, but they may not sell it.
Prohibition lingered from January 1920 to December 1933, when the 21st Amendment was ratified. That illustrious era will be forever linked to Minnesota because of the work of Minnesotan Andrew John Volstead, a Republican who served in the United States House of Representatives
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from 1903 to 1923. He introduced the Prohibition Act in 1919 while serving as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Act is commonly referred to as the Volstead Act. For a fictional account of the river raid, visit www. timspitzack.com.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Polish National Alliance Lodge 1033
622 1st Ave. S., South St. Paul
651-451-7258
PULL TABS License #02824-008
Meat raffles & food and drink specials during all Vikings games HAPPY HOUR 2 for $5 domestic beers & rail drinks
4-6 p.m daily and after all South St. Paul Packer varsity football games Tues-Wed 6-11 pm, Thurs. 4 pm-12 p.m., Fri. 4 pm-1 am, Sat. Noon-1 am, Sun. Noon-11 pm
Now accepting applications for 1-bedroom incomebased apartments. Our buildings are updated, quiet and in a great neighborhood. • Utilities paid • Elevators • Controlled entries • On bus line
• Pet friendly • On site laundry • Close to shopping
• Resident activities • Beauty salon • Views of the river
For more details, call Edie at 651-554-3270
South St. Paul HRA
SOCIAL SERVICES: Residential Program Coordinator Looking to take the next step in your healthcare career? Now Hiring: Residential Program Coordinators in the St. Paul area, including Oakdale, Roseville and Lauderdale.
Starting Wage $15
Responsibilities: • Coordinate residential services • Facilitate family/community support • Staff scheduling • Individual support and care Paid Training, Benefits, 401(K), and internal growth opportunities!
Apply online at www.dungarvin.com (requisition #16-0249)
AA/EOE
Donate Winter Clothes to Those in Need WHERE: Burnsville Farmers’ Market Mary Mother of the Church 3333 Cliff Road WHEN: Thursday, September 15 12 — 5pm
It’s Canning Season at these Markets in Your Area: South Saint Paul*
12th Ave & Southview Blvd Wednesdays, 2 – 6pm
Burnsville*
3333 Cliff Road
Thursdays, 2 – 6pm
Inver Grove Heights 8055 Barbara Avenue Sundays, 8am – 1pm Veterans Memorial Community Center *Accepts EBT
StPaulFarmersMarket.com South St. Paul Voice - September 2016 - Page 7
S ample St. Paul
Your community news and information source son, 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, in the F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. $20.
On the Town Fitzgerald Theater
10 E. Exchange St. St. Paul 651-290-1200 www/fitzgeraldtheater. publicradio.org
National Geographic Live!, 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8. The first of a four-part speaker series that showcases the world through the eyes of explorers, filmmakers and photographers. This segment is Photography Without Borders with photojournalist Annie Griffiths. $15-$55. Beth Hart concert, 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. $32.50-$41.
History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-259-3000 www.mnhs.org “Gridiron Glory,” Sept. 24-Jan. 15, 2017. This traveling exhibit produced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame features more than 200 rare football artifacts, photos and audio/visual presentations, including historic film footage of the Minnesota Vikings. There is an additional charge of $20 for adults and $10 for children for this special exhibit. Ongoing exhibits include “Then Now Wow,” “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: The Depression, The War, The Boom,” “Grainland,”
“Open House: If These Walls Could Talk,” and “Weather Permitting.” Museum tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $6 for children ages 5-17. The center offers free admission on Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.
Landmark Center
75 W. 5th St., St. Paul 651-292-3225 www.landmarkcenter.org
Flying Foot Forum will perform “Passing Through Pig’s Eye,” a roving percussive dance performance centered on St. Paul history, Sept. 1-4 and 7-11. $20-$28. Red House Live concert featuring Dean Magraw, Butch Thompson and Prudence John-
Mid-AutumnMoonfest, 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18. Celebrate Southeast Asian heritage through crafts, music and dance performances, food and a lantern parade and traditional Lion Dance through Rice Park. Free. Trial reenactment, 7 p.m., Sept. 22-24. This production explores the lives of John Dillinger’s many girlfriends and the role they played in his life and crime in St. Paul. $5.
Ordway Center 345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222 www.ordway.org
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: Patricia Kopatchinskaja Plays Prokeofiev, Sept. 9-11. $15$53. Schubert’s Death and the Maiden with Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Sept. 16-17. $15-$53. Broadway Songbook: Rebels on Broadway, Sept. 23-30. $37-$42.
Minnesota Opera: Romeo & Juliet, Sept. 24Oct. 2. $23-$200.
Park Square Theatre
20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul 651-291-7005 www.parksquaretheatre.org
Flying Foot Forum will perform “Passing Through Pig’s Eye,” a roving percussive dance performance centered on St. Paul history, Sept. 1-4 and 7-11. $28. “The Liar,” Sept. 9-Oct. 2. Cliton can’t tell a lie, but his master Dorante can’t tell the truth. Dorante is in hot pursuit of one woman, but thinks she is another, which leads to amazing mix-ups and breathtakingly intricate lies. $37-$60. “The Realistic Joneses,” Sept. 23-Oct. 16. Meet Bob and Jennifer and their new neighbors, John and Pony, two suburban couples who have even more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to intertwine,
the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities. $27-$60.
Science Museum of Minnesota 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444 www.smm.org
“Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs” is presented through Sept 5. View 20 mummies from ancient Peru and Egypt and explore how modern technology has revealed intricate details about the lives and customs of these ancient people. “National Parks Adventure” is featured in the Omnitheatre through Oct. 13. This film takes viewers on an off-trail adventure through some of America’s most legendary parks. Museum tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Omnitheater tickets are $8 and $7 respectively. There is an extra $11 charge for adults and $5 for children and seniors to view the “Mummies” exhibit.
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Screening and Media Mixer Event Join us on Saturday, September 17, 2016 for a free event at SPNN as we celebrate the accomplishments of our Doc U artists. Over the last several weeks first time documentarians have learned storytelling, camera work, lighting and editing to create their first short documentaries. The media mixer starts at 1:30 with light refreshments; documentaries screen at 2PM followed by a Q & A.
SEPTEMBER 4TH AND 5TH, 2016 1657 RICE STREET, ST. PAUL, MN 55117 FOR STORE HOURS PLEASE VISIT WWW.MYTHRIFTSTORES.COM
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Page 8 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2016
N ews Briefs
Your community news and information source
M & H Computer opens on Southview Blvd. Jefferson Elementary School bricks available
On Monday, July 25, the South St. Paul Board of Education approved the bid for the demolition of the former Jefferson Elementary School building. The demolition will be completed by Sept. 15, and beginning Sept. 15 bricks from the building will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. To get a brick, visit the South St. Paul Public Schools District office at 104 Fifth Ave. S. For more information, call 651-457-9465. Jefferson Elementary School served students in preschool through grade six from 1954 to 1983. Presently, there are no redevelopment plans for the site.
Highground Memorial fundraiser Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 639 of South St. Paul is seeking monetary and merchandise donations for its annual fundraiser, held this year 1:30-5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15 at Bugg’s Place, 925 N. Concord, South St. Paul. The event will feature food, games, a silent auction, pull tabs and more. To donate cash or merchandise, contact John at 651-7695242, lynch0319@gmail. com. Proceeds will go to the Highground Memorial, which serves all veterans and their families (www. thehighground.org).
Community garden harvest Gardeners with plots at the community garden on Verderosa Avenue are reminded to remove all produce, stakes and other gardening materials by Oct. 30. After that date, the City will plow the gardens for the season. For more information, call 651-306-3690.
Free GED prep classes South Suburban Adult Basic Education offers free
classes to help people age 17 and older learn English and prepare for the GED test. Classes are offered at various times and locations. Free childcare is available for some classes. To enroll or receive more information, call 651-457-9441 or visit South Suburban Adult Basic Education at 517 Marie Ave., South St. Paul.
Kim Ashford, president of the Germanic Genealogy Society and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, will discuss the differences between sharing information online and the benefits of using software and online resources together. For more information, call 651-4525926.
Community Preschool
Help seniors with fall projects
The South St. Paul Community Preschool program is accepting registrations at the Early Learning office, 1541 5th Ave. S., for preschool classes that start in September. Community Preschool is for children who will be age three or four by Sept. 1. Classes are available mornings and afternoons at Kaposia Education Center and Lincoln Center. To register or for more information visit www.ssppreschool.tridistrictce.org or call 651-457-9418.
Growing your Family Tree Dakota County Genealogical Society is hosting a free program at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul. Presenter
DARTS is seeking volunteers to help older homeowners with fall clean-up and outdoor chores. For more information, contact Barb Tiggemann at 651-234-2254, barb.tiggemann@darts1.org or visit www.dartsconnects.org.
Adult fitness classes at CSCC Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul, offers a variety of fitness classes geared toward people age 55 and older, including water fitness classes, yoga, a Senior Circuit class, as well as Silver and Fit classes. For more information, call 651306-3690.
School Choice Directory Academia Cesar Chavez 1800 Ames Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com St. Paul Preparatory School 380 Jackson St., Ste. 100 651-288-4606 www.stpaulprep.org
St. Croix Lutheran 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul 651-455-1521 www.stcroixlutheran.org St. Paul City School PreK-8 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org
Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice.html for a link to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs.
The M & H team: (left to right) David Haga, David Moyer, Candace Okeson and Mark Roberts. The former Capital City ComputerFixx at 1115 Southview Blvd. in South St. Paul has changed hands and is now M & H Computer Repair. It is owned by business partners David Moyer and David Haga, who opened their first location in North St. Paul in November 2013. Haga had been a silent partner until June 1. Prior to that, he worked as a technician for Stephen Gaertner at Capital City ComputerFixx in South St. Paul. Gaertner still owns five other Capital City ComputerFixx locations. The nearest one is at 999 S. Smith Ave. in West St. Paul. M & H offers a full range of services for desktop and laptop computers, including diagnosis, optimization, virus removal, data back-up and recovery, operating system and software installation, full repair services and computer sales. For more information, call 651-457-4708 or visit www.mandhcomputerrepair.com.
Working Together! Working together to get things done: Good Jobs Great Schools Government Reform Your opinion matters! Please feel free to contact me anytime: 651.451.1189 or rick@votehansen.com Rick Hansen represents citizens in West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Mendota, Mendota Heights and Lilydale. DFL, Labor & Business Endorsed
Rick Hansen
State Representative • District 52A PAID ADVERTISEMENT Prepared and paid for by People for Hansen, 1007 15th Avenue N., South St. Paul MN 55075
South St. Paul Voice - September 2016 - Page 9
C ommunity
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Neighbors, Inc. By John Kemp Executive Director
M
y family and I moved to Minnesota in late 1980. We bought a home in West St. Paul and I worked at American Hoist and Derrick Co. At that time my wife did not drive and our daughter was about 10 months old, and both needed to attend multiple medical appointments over a fairly long period of time. I struggled with how to tell my new employer that I had to take a few hours off fairly frequently to transport them to and from medical appointments. I didn’t think it would likely to go over very well. Fortunately, our next door neighbor told us about and organization they had heard of through their church— named Neighbors—that could arrange transportation for
SEASONAL WORKERS NEEDED! People needed full- or part-time to assemble and decorate Christmas wreaths from early October through early December. No experience necessary! Q Starting salary: $9.50/hour DAY U AMEand E S ! Calls applications accepted A ERVIC S 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 651-457-4441. L I TSEMI WhyDRIVERS Great Y Garage Door?
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S Valid Class A license with clean driving Value I A+ rated by BBB record required. Route starts and stops in N Super Service Award Inver Grove Heights daily. Great for new WE REPAIR... C 16' x 7’ Raised Panel or • Springs drivers• Gears or retired drivers looking for some E Carriage, Installed Pricing!! • Cables extra income. Call Tim at 651-457-4441. 00 Non-Insulated
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$685 Insulated with $78500 Vinyl Backer 2" Thick Insulated $98500 Full Steel Front and Steel Back Door removal & recycling extra. Exp. 9/30/16.
West St. Paul 454-4522 www.GreatGarageDoor.com 1875 50th(651) St. E., Inver Grove Heights
Q U A L I T Y S I N C E
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209 164
Total Lawn Maintenance Large or Small S Landscaping ProjectsE
R Office: 651-207-5396 V Super Cell: Quiet 612-328-6893 $ 00 I BeltSince 1/21984 hp / Major Credit Cards Accepted C Exp. 9/30/16. www.kernlawnservice.com E ST. LANDSCAPING PAUL (651) 486-0000
295
2 Springs Replaced 2 Cables Replaced
A+ rated by BBB Super Service Award • Springs • Gears • Cables • Tracks • Photo eyes • Transmitters • Door adjustments • Key Pads • Circuit Board
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Page 10 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2016
the number of volunteer drivers we have available. Unfortunately, we have just about reached our capacity with the number of drivers in our program. I know first-hand just how vital this program is to people with limited transportation options. I, along with all my colleagues at Neighbors, am determined to make sure we are able to say yes to anyone who calls for help. But to do this, we need your help. We desperately need drivers to keep up with the high demand. Our program is extremely volunteer-friendly. You can pick and choose the rides you provide, so this volunteer opportunity always meets your schedule. You will keep a log of the dates, times and miles driven and submit the information to our program coordinator each month, and be reimbursed by check each month. If you’ve ever thought you would like to volunteer to help others in your community, this is a very easy way to do so. It’s also a very sociable way to volunteer; some very interesting conversations are held during these rides, and some long-lasting friendships have been formed over the years. The gratitude universally expressed by those served always sends our drivers home after their service with a smile on their face and a warm glow in their hearts. If this sounds like something you are interested in doing, contact Dylan McDonough at 651-306-2133, dylan@ neighborsmn.org, or Jenny Saunier at 651-306-2143, jenny@neighborsmn.org. We’ll be grateful for your service, and, more importantly, you will be a godsend to the people you serve.
River Heights Chamber hosts 2nd Annual Craft Crawl
F ESTI REE MAT ES!
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people who needed this kind of assistance. We found the number, called, and for the next three years nearly all of our family’s appointments were made possible through the help of Neighbors, Inc. Needless to say, we were deeply indebted to this organization. Now, 36 years later, Neighbors is still providing rides for people in Northern Dakota County to attend medical and dental appointments. All rides are provided by volunteers who use their own automobiles. They pick up people at their front door, transport them to their appointment, make sure they get safely inside, wait for them to finish and take them back home. A grant from Dakota County (made available for as long as this program has been in existence) enables us to reimburse the drivers on a per-mile basis. During recent years we have seen a change in the nature of many of the appointments. There has been a large increase in the number of people undergoing kidney dialysis. Most people undergoing dialysis have three appointments a week, every week for the rest of their lives. We have also seen a large increase in the number of people receiving radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. These treatments also require multiple appointments over a fairly compressed period of time. As you can imagine, the growth in the number of people needing transportation for these treatments, coupled with a general increase in the number of people needing to attend all kinds of other medical appointments, has caused our transportation program to expand quite rapidly. Our ability to serve people through this program is limited by
295
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The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second annual Chamber Craft Crawl 5:30-11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23. The evening starts with happy hour food and games at Jersey’s Bar & Grill in Inver Grove Heights. Participants then travel by motor coach to Norseman Distillery, Insight Brewing and Lake Monster Brewing Company. The event is open to anyone age 21 and older. Tickets are $65 ($50 without drink tokens). An RSVP is required. If you are interested in attending, being a sponsor, donating a good or service to the auction, or bidding in the online auction, visit www.riverheights.com or call 651-451-2266. The online auction is held September 12-23. Check out all the great items and bid, bid, bid! A special thanks to our sponsors: Town Square Television, Allrounder Remodeling, Dakota Electric Association, Deerwood Bank, Frattalone Dawnway, LLLP, Wakota FedFARMBremer Bank-South St. Paul, Key ComeralSTATE Credit Union, Stremski Agency munity Bank-Inver Grove Heights and Protouch Painting, Inc. 1560 Livingston Ave.,
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A Challenging Education for a Diverse Population
Encourage your child to read over the summer!
ENROLL NOW FOR THIS FALL!
Call 651-225-9177 to arrange a tour.
St. Paul City School Pre-K-5: 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul Grades 6-8: 643 Virginia St., St. Paul www.stpaulcityschool.org
Why Choose St. Paul City School?
• Free public charter school • Grades Pre-K - 8 • STEM science programs grades 3-8 • All day kindergarten • Small class sizes (25 students or fewer) • Free busing in St. Paul • Free breakfast & lunch available • Special education services • English language learning services • Multi-lingual staff & teachers • Respectful, safe environment • Emphasis on character education
C ommunity
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S
outh St. Paul youth will be heading back to school in just a few days. Some will return to a familiar setting, others to a new location. We wish all students a great start to the school year. Task force members have had a busy summer hanging out with classmates and friends while volunteering at a variety of community events and activities. We helped the Mayor and City Council hand out candy at the Kaposia Days parade, hosted the Water Balloon Dodge Ball Tournament and Swimming Under the Stars, one of our favorite events.
L I B R A R Y
E V E N T S Call 651-554-3240 or visit www.southstpaul.org/library
Book discussions - September’s title is “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett. This sprawling epic takes readers through the turmoil surrounding the building of a cathedral in a fictional English town
during the 12th century. Characters face war, famine, power struggles and the machinations of the church. Discussions are held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, and 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14. Information packets are
Lebanese Festival! September 9 - 11, 2016
Visit our website for complete details
www.HolyFamilyEvents.org
Live Music on Sun. Raffles & Games Baked Goods & Gifts Arghile/Hookah Lounge
Lebanese Cuisine Belly Dancing Beer & Wine
NEW! Saturday Evening Event
Holy Family Maronite Church
1960 Lexington Ave. S. at Hwy 110
Northview Pool was the place to be on Wednesday evenings. This was the eighth season for Swimming Under the Stars, and it was another good year for the program that provides a place for pre-teens/teens to get together and catch up. This year we added taste-testing of a variety of tasty treats. It was a hit and something the youth looked forward to each week. We even tried some mystery tastetesting and discovered that pickle flavored potato chips were liked by youth, but not so much by adults. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the pool parties. We had many first-time participants who said they really liked that the task force offered this opportunity…especially on the really hot evenings. Thanks to the lifeguard staff that kept patrons safe, and to all of the task force members and their parents who volunteered at the parties. A special thank you to Mayor Beth Baumann and council members Rothecker, Flatley and Niederkorn, who volunteered at the parties and connected with youth. A very special thank you goes to the neighborhood for putting up with us when the music and fun got a little too loud. We heard from a few neighbors who said they didn’t mind the music because they enjoyed seeing and hearing the youth having fun. All proceeds from Swimming Under the Stars will support our 2016 We Day Global Project. In September, task force members will attend We Day at the Xcel Energy Center along with 18,000 other youth from around the state. We Day is an educational event and a movement of young people leading local and global change. To be part of the event, each youth organization must complete a local and global project. Earlier this year, the task force led the charge with the Community-wide Food Drive, in which the goal was 55,075 (our zip code) pounds of non-perishable items. With your help, we shattered that goal by collecting more
than 70,000 pounds. New this year, task force members teamed up with Friendship Farms and the South St. Paul Farmers’ Market to teach children more about vegetables through a veggie scavenger hunt, guess the veggies game and a veggie walk. In addition, two clinics were offered to teach mini chefs how to make pesto and salsa. On average, the task force worked with 20-25 youth each week, and 35 during the cooking clinics. It was a blast and members had a great time working with the mini chefs. The task force also partnered with Minnesota Music Factory to host South St. Paul Sings, and will be sending two representatives to the regional Minnesota Sings competition in September. Over the past month, task force members spent many afternoons collecting, sorting and filling 200 backpacks for students in need in the South St. Paul Schools. Thanks to the community for donating supplies and backpacks to the campaign. You rock! Finally, our members celebrated our successes with a pizza party. The evening included a scavenger hunt and ended with throwing 1,000 water balloons at each other. It was a blast! So what’s on tap this fall? We will host the Community Scavenger Hunt and some Halloween parties and will help at the Great Halloween Get Together and with community skates at Doug Woog Arena. If you are interested in joining us, we invite you to attend one of our meetings, held Saturday mornings. It is a great time of the year to join because we will be planning events, activities and campaigns for the year, and we are always looking for new ideas. For more information or to join the task force, visit www.southstpaul.org and click on Mayor’s Youth Task Force, or contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison, at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul.org.
available at the library and on the Adult Book Discussion Groups page at www. southstpaul.org/library. Saturday schedule - The library will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 10. Tangle the Day Away, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19. Use easy-to-learn Zentangle to create a beautiful mosaic on tiles. Registration is required. iPad Basics, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28. Learn the basics of using an iPad, including navigation, apps and basic troubleshooting. Attendees should bring their own iPad and Apple ID. Registration is required. Rock, Rattle and Rhyme, 6:15 p.m., Mon-
Stop by to help create some art to brighten up the teen space. Ages 11-16. Homeschool Meetup, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14. Looking to connect with other homeschooling families in the area? Want to bounce questions or experiences off other parents? Looking for ideas or materials to enrich
day, Sept. 12, 19, 26, and 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 21, 28. Rhymes, songs, sign language, books and play time that teach early literacy and socialization skills to children age three and younger. ECFE staff will provide child development information and weigh babies. Family Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, Sept., 13, 20 and 27. These events feature books, rhymes, songs, movement and art activities. Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!, 10:15-11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13. Hear stories, songs and get a “driving lesson” from the Story Man from England. Ages 2-8 Teen Space Art, 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13.
your studies? Come support each other. Families are welcome to attend together. Beyond the Book, 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 22. Children and caregivers will be encouraged to explore and create using themes and ideas during a shared reading time. Ages 3-8. Registration is required.
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Call 651-773-5000 today for an appointment! South St. Paul Voice - September 2016 - Page 11
B ack in Time Historic corner remains lively today Lois Glewwe Contributor
T
he southwest corner of 7th and Marie avenues in South St. Paul has been a prime commercial location since 1925, when brothers Adam, John and Nick Bartl purchased the original Bethesda Lutheran Chapel on the site and later built Bartl Bros. Hardware and Sheet Metal. The original store burned down in 1941 but was rebuilt and opened that May. In 1947, the brothers dissolved their partnership and Nick Bartl, his son Joe and sons-in-law Bob Gross and Bill Healy, took over. Nick died in 1948, and in 1960, the roofing and sheet metal portion of the business was sold and the building was enlarged to include sporting goods. In 1966, Joe took over the business, along with his sons Bob and Paul. Hundreds of South St. Paul residents still recall shopping at Bartl’s, where
the aisles were packed with bins of screws, bolts, nuts and other metal parts, seasonal displays of shovels and lawnmowers, every possible kind of glue and tape, and electrical equipment, batteries and unusual parts for small motors and other appliances. Stopping by Bartl’s during the icy winter months to have one’s skates sharpened was a regular occurrence. All year long, many local kids wandered the tightly spaced aisles to study the latest basketballs, footballs, golf equipment, softball gloves, bats, tennis rackets, badminton nets and roller skates. My own dad went to Bartl’s a lot and I remember that I always thought Dad must be pretty important because everyone in the store always knew his name. I didn’t realize that the Bartls made a point of knowing everyone’s name; that was one of the many things that kept shoppers coming back. Bartl’s closed in 1975,
and a year later Ronald Mergens opened Ronald’s Men’s Wear at that prime corner location. Mergens originally owned a men’s store at 909 Southview Blvd. called Mr. Ron’s. He and his partner Eugene “Gene” Rossi worked there with Gene’s brother, Bob Rossi, who designed the building across the street from Ron’s original location. After the partners closed the menswear business, Ron moved to the 7th and Marie location, and Gene took over the new building, with plans of turning it into a restaurant. At that point, the sale of alcoholic beverages, either in stores or restaurants, was not permitted anywhere north or to the west of Third Avenue North. Gene went door-to-door to convince his neighbors that his establishment would not be a saloon, but rather a fine dining establishment. The elegant supper club opened successfully in 1976 with white linen tablecloths, uni-
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formed servers and full bar service. In 1980 Rita and Jim Jaworski bought the Bartl’s building and opened Rita’s on Marie, a beauty salon that remains today. They were on the west side of the building. Ron’s Men’s Wear remained open until 1982. After that, Mary D Ann’s Ceramics, owned by Mary Ann Swanson, took over the property. About that same time, Geri (Snip) Lick Kluender, Susan Grannis O’ Brien, Sandy Bowen Otto and Kathie O’Brien Fleming opened the Paperback Peddler in the west end of the building. People could bring in used paperbacks and receive credit toward their next purchase. Angelo’s Pizza moved into the corner spot in 1986 and ran its restaurant there for several years. The Sunlight Café is there today. It opened in November 2009, marking 91 years of bustling business enterprises on the site.
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235 Liberty Place, South St. Paul $199,900
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817 Park Lane, South St. Paul $359,400
Photos courtesy of Reinhold O. Werner and Fred Grant
The southwest corner of 7th and Marie avenues has been the site of a local business since Bartl’s Hardware opened there in 1925. From top: Bartl’s, 1925-1975; Ronald’s Menswear, 1976-1982; Mary D Ann’s Ceramics, 1982-1986.
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