June 26, 2025 Damian Goebel 1 min read Public Art, Raspberry Island

Raspberry Island Welcomes Colorful, Whimsical Alebrijes for the Summer

Raspberry Island welcomed 16 new inhabitants last month when Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island moved in. The new exhibit, which

June 25, 2025 Highland District Council 1 min read Highland District Council

Highland District Council July 2025

Engagement Committee seeking members We’re seeking volunteers to join our Community Engagement Committee. The committee is responsible for programs, spaces,

June 11, 2025 Keystone Community Services 2 min read Keystone Community Services

Take Advantage of Keystone’s Free Summer Day Camp

Sessions start on June 16. The Community Kids Program K-10 youth build successful futures all year long. During the summer

May 30, 2025 Damian Goebel 2 min read Grand Avenue

Grand Old Day Kicks Off Summer in St. Paul

Since 1973, Grand Old Day has been the “unofficial kickoff to summer” on the first Sunday in June. This year’s

Sandcastle Early Learning Center, located at 749 Juno Ave., closed abruptly on May 9 after serving the community for 42 years. Photo Credit Damian Goebel

May 30, 2025 Damian Goebel 5 min read Sandcastles

Sandcastle Abruptly Closes its Doors after 42 Years

Parents and teachers at Sandcastle Early Learning Center were shocked on May 1 to learn that the school, which had

Gymnasts Landyn (above), Amari (top right) and Jas (bottom right) compete in Crete, NE at Sokol Western District Competition. Photo Credit Elisha May Jacobsen.

May 30, 2025 Community Reporter 2 min read C.S.P.S. Hall, Sokol Minnesota

More Than Cartwheels and Handstands: Sokol Gymnastics

Over the weekend of April 4-6, seven gymnasts from Sokol Minnesota Gymnastics traveled to Crete, Nebraska to participate in a meet with other Western District Sokol Gymnastics programs. The Western District Competition is held once annually and is the only gymnastics meet the Sokol Minnesota team competes in, making it a highlight of the year for the gymnasts. Team members Amari, Norah, Maeve, Shae, Laura, Jas, and Landyn took home individual medal placements, and some even performed a “special number,” a team dance with tumbling throughout the choreography.

May 30, 2025 Tim Johnson 3 min read Building Community, Columns

Paying Attention

The moral of the story was pay attention. At least, that was what my dad suggested as the take away lesson. It was hard to argue with that conclusion. I was at a home town basketball game. I had a front row seat, a great spot to watch the game. The ball slamming me in the face caught me totally off guard. My broken glasses lay on the ground. All eyes turned toward me to see if I was OK. I was caught between shock, embarrassment and the sharp stinging on my face. As my dad later that night rightly observed, when you are sitting in the front row, it might be a good idea to pay attention to the game rather than chatting it up with your friends. You never know when an errant pass might be coming your way.