Group Collaborating to Reopen Historic Walnut Street Stairway

Rethos, the St. Paul Parks Conservancy, and the West 7th/Fort Road Federation, in collaboration with the City of St. Paul, are embarking on a fundraising…
Minnesota Author Writes New Novel With a West 7th Setting

Pete Gallagher, a West End native and now a Shoreview resident, recently released his new novel “Backwashed.” The novel is a murder mystery set in…
The Last Time I Saw Mr. Positive

The last time I saw Carl Bentson, he was laying on his back on his front steps. Eyes closed, glassy, kitty–wampus. His head on the…
Viengchan Oriental Market Opens In Former Cooper’s Site

The long-awaited return of a neighborhood grocery store to West 7th finally came when Viengchan Oriental Market opened its doors on December 18 at the…
Plastic In Land and Air

In part six of her series on plastics, Julie Borgerding July talks about the prevalence of plastics in everything we touch, from in our homes…
West 7th Artist Designs 2025 Winter Carnival Buttons

Heather Friedli, owner of Friedli Gallery 943 West 7th, was chosen this year’s St. Paul Winter Carnival buttons. Her designs were unveiled at a ceremony…
In Memoriam: Carl “Mr. Positive” Bentson

Carl “Mr. Positive” Bentson passed away on December 18. He was 62 Years old. A lifelong West 7th resident, Bentson was known as “Mr. Positive”…
God Bless Carl Bentson

There is a hole in the heart of West 7th Street now. Carl Bentson, 62, has died. He was a friend of many of us…
A 1950s Gentleman-Type Doctor Exchange

I asked real estate sale guru-friend Steve Sprafka if he had any famous clients or notable sales recently. “Eric Clapton bought two 1969 Fender twin…