Barb Kucera honored as Working Class Hero

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Barb Kucera, editor of Workday Minnesota.org, was recently honored as a Working Class Hero, an award presented by the Jobs Now Coalition at its annual meeting. For Kucera, who usually covers events and takes the photos in her role as editor, the presentation took her by complete surprise. A native of Germantown, Wisconsin, Kucera has a passion for writing that goes all the way back to when she started up a family newspaper while still in grade school. Her interest in the world beyond, even as a child, is evidenced by her analysis of the 1968 presidential election in that little handwritten newspaper. Later she was editor of her high school newspaper. Continue Reading

Book note: The Great Minnesota Get-Together gets a great history

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For as long as I can remember, the State Fair has held a special charm for me. I remember getting all dressed up when I was very young—wearing my prettiest dress and riding the Snelling Avenue streetcar to get to the Fair. When our children were growing up, my husband and I made sure that we made it there every year. In fact, the Fair is still so special to me that in 2007, I went three times. I just couldn’t get it all in on one visit. Continue Reading

Teresa Ortiz receives Peacemaker Award

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Teresa Ortiz is a modest woman, who says she is still surprised that she received the Peacemaker of the Year Award from the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), a national organization that supports peacemaking. According to Don Christensen, coordinator of the Minnesota FOR, “Immigrants are among the most oppressed members of our society; Teresa Ortiz has dedicated much of her adult life, at the Resource Center of the Americas, and now at the Workers Interfaith Network, to compassionate advocacy for justice for immigrant workers and their families. Her life is a witness to solidarity with the marginalized.”
Christensen says the Minnesota FOR gives the award annually to an organization, group or individual in the community whose life “exemplifies the basic values and principles of the Fellowship of Reconciliation – Peace with Justice through Non-violence.” Ortiz received the award at the annual meeting of the local chapter of FOR held at Macalester Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul in November. Ortiz was born in Mexico City, and came to the United States in the 1970s. While living in southwest Minnesota, she attended South Dakota State University where she received a degree in elementary and secondary education. Continue Reading

Families Together making a difference in the lives of children and their families

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Tierra started preschool at Families Together when she was two years and seven months old. Her older brother was already in the program. During the ensuing years, Tierra maintained a 94% attendance, while coming to school from two different foster homes, from the homeless shelter for many weeks, as well as from many different apartments. When all else in Tierra’s life changed over and over, school did not. Tierra headed off to kindergarten this fall with a brand-new backpack full of school supplies and a first-day-of-school outfit from Families Together. Continue Reading

Fulbright Scholar returns to Washington Technology Magnet School after year in Czech Republic

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Shelly Bertrand teaches English Language Learners (ELL) at Washington Technology Magnet School located in the North End of Saint Paul. Her students are seventh and eighth graders and about half of them have been in the United States for a short time. At home, the students’ families do not speak English, and as a result the students speak and understand limited English, making it a bit difficult to communicate at times. After spending last school year in the Czech Republic on a Fulbright Scholarship, Bertrand has returned to Washington with a whole new understanding of what it is like for her students. Although she speaks Chinese, Bertrand found that her command of the Czech language was a bit lacking and didn’t always meets the Czechs’ expectations. Continue Reading

North End Resident writes English-Oromo-Amharic dictionary

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Askale Yigletu is one of the many immigrants who have settled in the North End neighborhood of Saint Paul in recent years. She arrived in America with her two daughters on September 7, 2001, four days before the terrorist attack on the United States. She says, “I was lucky that I came before September 11.” Some of her friends and relatives were scheduled to come to the United States shortly after she did, but their trips were canceled after September 11, and they had to remain in their homeland of Ethiopia. This article was originally printed in the North End News in October 2006. It is republished with the permission of the author. Continue Reading

This weekend: Saint Paul’s Fall 2007 Art Crawl

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More than 200 resident and guest artists will display their works at the 24th Saint Paul Art Crawl, which will be held October 12-14. The Art Crawl is a grassroots effort that has grown to become one of the largest events of its type in the Twin Cities. Art lovers of all ages are invited to come take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios and galleries in more than 22 buildings in Saint Paul neighborhoods. Art Crawl Hotline at 651-292-4373; website at www.artcrawl.org
Fine arts, crafts, music and performance, photography, printmaking, textile arts, painting, bookbinding, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, computer arts, ceramics, chocolates, and more will be available for visitors. Artists range from students at Creative Arts High School to the elderly. Continue Reading

After School Program at Washington – “It’s a Win, Win, Win Situation”

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When the school bell rings at the end of the day at Washington Technology Magnet School located in Saint Paul’s North End, more than half of the students stay at the school for an additional two hours to participate in the WINGS program. WINGS is a take-off on the Eagle, the Washington mascot. This year the school has been able to expand the WINGS program to four days a week with the help of a three-year 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. While WINGS offers a “second shift” to the students at Washington, it existed before Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman took office and implemented the Second Shift Initiative. Principal Mike McCollor says, “Philosophically, we’re the same thing (as the city’s Second Shift). Continue Reading

Saint Paul’s Oktoberfest celebrates heritage of North End community

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Autumn is a lovely time of the year and the Saint Paul Oktoberfest is the perfect celebration for families to come together and participate in a festival that honors the German heritage of the North End community. This year’s observance is on Saturday, October 13, and the hours are from Noon to 11 :00 p.m. Oktoberfest takes place on the Saint Bernard’s Parish Community grounds at Rice Street and Geranium Avenue. Whatever the weather, Oktoberfest participants can enjoy the festivities indoors, in a climate-controlled setting. Admission to the grounds is free with German foods and refreshments available for purchase. Bruce Larson, one of the founders of the Saint Paul Oktoberfest, emphasizes that the festival is “family-oriented” and the whole purpose of the event is to have a good time while honoring the heritage of a neighborhood. Continue Reading