| Dayton's
Bluff District
Forum August
2006
Volume 19, No. 6 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Celebrate National Night Out With Your Neighbors Celebrate National Night Out on August 1, 2006 with your neighbors and friends. Some neighborhood groups and block clubs are planning to have a neighborhood barbecue, a potluck, an ice cream social, a band playing music, a volleyball game and any other activity that a group of neighbors can do together. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Join 30 million other people in more than 9,000 communities nation-wide in a variety of events and activities. Let’s make this year even bigger! Here is a list of some of the Dayton’s Bluff National Night Out events: * Mounds Park near Thorn and Frank - live music * 5th Street East between Mounds Blvd and Maria - food and entertainment * Margaret Street between Johnson Parkway and Atlantic - pot luck and meet the neighbors * Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Margaret and Forest - food, fun and entertainment * Mounds Park United Methodist Church at Earl and Euclid - food, games and fun * Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at Johnson Parkway and Margaret - food, games and fun * Margaret Recreation Center 1109 Margaret - food, fun, games and learn about the new playground. * Reaney between Forest and Cypress - fun and games * Swede Hollow Park at Greenbrier and Margaret - pot luck, The Exit Band and fun * 1330 Conway - food, music, fun and games * Margaret Street between Johnson Parkway and Atlantic - pot luck, fun and games Call Karin at 772-2075 for more information about National Night Out events.
By Carol Fink, Director JOY Preschool & Child Care At JOY Preschool & Child Care we thought it would be fitting to study a unit titled “Celebrate America” before the 4th of July. The children discussed the flag, patriotic songs, and the Pledge of Allegiance. While doing preparation on the lesson plans I thought it would be a great experience for the school-age children to write letters to the President of the United States. The children enjoyed writing the letters. They asked questions like: Do you like bunnies and hamsters? Did you have lots of friends as a little boy? What was your favorite game when you where little? Are there frogs, snakes, toads, reptiles and amphibians in Washington D.C.? The children are hoping to receive a letter in return from President Bush soon. The flag in the picture above was a cooperative art project for both the preschool and school-age children. They did a great job! JOY Preschool & Child Care is a Christian preschool and school-age child care center. We are sponsored by Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 655 Forest Street. We offer a safe and secure environment for the children in our community. The children work on a different curriculum theme every week.If you would like information on our child care center please contact Carol at (651) 771-6982. Be Your Own Boss Have you ever wanted to start your own business? Or, have you started one and are realizing that you need more education to make it successful? If so, sign up for the Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Entrepreneur Training and Support Program. This program helps start-up and young businesses on the East Side. All East Side entrepreneurs are welcome.
Class training lasts approximately 16 weeks and includes topics such as operations management, marketing, financial management, one to one assistance with creating a successful business, and preparing a business plan. Those who successfully complete the course and locate their businesses in target neighborhoods are eligible for ongoing business support services. Some of the businesses that people who took the course have started include graphics, photography, food service, restoration of wood furniture and works of art, custom floral design for weddings and events, and exterior and interior painting. The course is sponsored by the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council and the Neighborhood Development Center. There is a small registration fee based on a sliding fee scale. The next session will start in September and class size is limited. Please call Karin at 772-2075 for application. Dayton's Bluff Community Meeting The next Community Meeting is Thursday, August 3, 2006 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the meeting room at the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council, 798 East 7th Street at the corner of 7th and Margaret. The agenda will include updates on neighborhood issues and on the new Walk and Clean up initiative. The Dayton’s Bluff Community Council holds the Community Meeting monthly. It is designed to work with block clubs and neighborhood residents on problem properties, including criminal, nuisance behavior and code enforcement issues as well as other neighborhood issues, concerns, and improvements. All Dayton’s Bluff residents are welcome. If you need more information call Karin at 651-772-2075.. Flowerpots Bloom Again on
East 7th Street
By Susan Tieljen Science Fiction Movie
Festival Coming to the Mounds Theatre this August  of the 20th century. Each
movie will be shown at least twice over a period of three days to give
everyone a chance to view these great films the way they were meant to
be seen - on a large screen in their original 35mm formats with other
true fans. The five movies are:Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) - Restored version distributed by Kino The War of the Worlds (1953) - The original film version produced by George Pal Forbidden Planet (1956) - With Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon and Robby the Robot Planet of the Apes (1968) - The original film version starring Charlton Heston Alien (1979) - When Director Ridley Scott showed us that “In space no one can hear you scream” These are real movies being shown in a real movie theatre. And of course there will be a fully stocked concession stand selling popcorn (with real butter), candy and beverages. This is the real deal - no video or imitation toppings allowed. All tickets are $8.00 at the door. A separate ticket is needed for each movie. Advance sale discount single and multiple movie tickets will be available on our website and at the Mounds Theatre. Availibility of tickets at the door will depend on the number of advance tickets sold. Festival Schedule
Friday August
18
5:00 p.m. The War of the Worlds (1953) 6:50 p.m. Alien (1979) 9:15 p.m. Metropolis (1927) Saturday August 19 12:00 p.m. The War of the Worlds (1953) 1:50 p.m. Planet of the Apes (1968) 4:10 p.m. Forbidden Planet (1956) 7:00 p.m. Metropolis (1927) 9:30 p.m. Alien (1979) Sunday August 20 12:30 p.m. Forbidden Planet (1956) 2:35 p.m. Metropolis (1927) 5:00 p.m. Planet of the Apes (1968) “Alien” is rated R. All other films are suitable for a general audience. Visit www.moundstheatre.org or call 651-772-2253 for more information. The Mounds Theatre is located at 1029 Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 This movie festival is a fundraiser for the Portage for Youth. Lower Dayton's Bluff Block
Club This month’s meeting will be on Monday July 31st. The owner of Euclid Flats, 234-238 Bates Avenue, has been invited to come and discuss his building with neighbors from the surrounding area. Next month’s meeting will be held on Monday August 28th. Rec Center Activities and Events: August - September Dayton's Bluff Community Recreation Center The Fall Program will be out in August! (Sept.-Dec. 2006
Events & Activities) Stop by the center to pick up your copy
or visit us on line at www.ci.stpaul.mn/depts/parks New beginning
this Fall – On-line registration for parks and recreation classes,
trips & sports. Dayton's Bluff Good
Neighbor Walking Club
I am always happy to learn about neighbors making improvements to Dayton’s Bluff neighborhoods. I recently received an email from a neighbor in the Conway and Bates area: “I like reading your paper and the way that it highlights the more positive aspects of Dayton’s Bluff. I had a story idea so I decided to pass it along. I have been watching the progress of a problem property in my area and the change has been nothing short of miraculous. The property is located at 696 Conway. A few years back the property was nothing but trouble and I am sure that police records can verify that. It was nothing but drugs and prostitutes and the police were there daily. Someone purchased the home, got rid of the residents and as such most of the problems went away too. However, this person took it one step further. The building has been completely renovated yet remains historically correct. It is now one of the nicest looking homes in my area. I don’t know the owner but it would be nice to do a story on him/her to show our appreciation as residents of Dayton’s Bluff. They took a property that no one wanted and put a lot of money into it. All of this while the criminals and drug dealers still run the streets, even right next door. It is a good feeling to know that people are still willing to invest in my area. It gives me hope. The story inspired me, perhaps others could also be inspired”. I emailed back wondering who is the owner. “I don’t know who the new owner is. I see the same guy and girl working on it all the time but haven’t really talked to them. I stopped once and told them that they were doing a great job but never inquired as to if they are the owners. They have been working on it over the past 2-3 years and appear to be a 2 person crew. But I don’t know if they are the owners or just workers. After getting this email I looked on the front door at the rental registration….”. Now we have a name. Before long I had an address and phone number. I called and left a message. Within ten minutes I got a call back. The owner said he bought the duplex, which is in the Dayton’s Bluff Historic District, in 2002 because he liked the architecture and historic character of the house. He was impressed by the increasing number of restored houses and the amount of work people put into their homes in Dayton’s Bluff. As a landlord he has had some very good tenants and a few bad tenants. When he bought the house he had six people, five dogs and he is not sure how many cats living in the one bedroom apartment, and drug dealing in the other unit. He got rid of them. He has a property management company manage the property and he only rents to people that he wouldn’t mind living next to himself. Recently he has totally updated the apartments including new appliances, new carpet and fresh paint. He wants to improve his property and made it the best it can be to increase the property value, which is good for all property owners. He worked with the Heritage Preservation Commission on what was the best way to improve the outside of the house. He decided to put a handy board type siding on the house and painted the trim to enhance the historic character of the house. Near the end of the conversation he asked how he could get involved and I told him about our monthly Dayton’s Bluff Community Meeting and he put it on his calendar and said he will try to make it. There are stories like this all over Dayton’s Bluff. I would like to hear about more of them. Call me at 651-772-2075 if you have a story to tell. What Does the Future Hold for the History of Dayton's Bluff? By Steve TrimbleFor the last year or so we have been printing a series that outlined the history of Dayton’s Bluff from its origins to the present day. Since it has concluded, we weren’t sure what readers who like the history articles would want to see next. For this issue we have included a somewhat new history feature we are calling “Dayton’s Bluff Then and Now.” As you see, it shows an old photo that is paired with a current photo taken from the same perspective along with some information on the site. Hope you like it. So what do you readers want? In-depth treatments of specific events or people? Heritage walking tours that you can take in the summer or fall? Centennial houses or general information on historic homes of Dayton’s Bluff? How about a series of articles— some that would hopefully be sent in by you—on “Growing up in Dayton’s Bluff?” Or are you tired of having so much space taken up by history articles? Please let the Forum know. Call Karin at 651-772-2075 or email her at KarinDuPaul@comcast.net with your ideas. By Steve Trimble Schornstein Grocery and Saloon
Located at 707 Wilson, this two-and-a half story structure was built in 1884 by William Schornstein, a German who arrived in Minnesota in 1873 and came to St. Paul in 1880. He had experience as a bartender in the old country and decided to open a tavern, renting a storefront near the corner of today’s Plum and old Hudson Road. The area was filled with many fellow Germans and the enterprise flourished, so much that he was able to start erecting a store of his own. Unfortunately, in May of 1884 it burned to the ground due to a fire that spread from a nearby barn. He immediately started rebuilding and the current structure was completed in the fall of that year. Schornstein hired German-born August Gauger as the architect of this brick building. The first floor was used for a combination grocery and saloon. The family lived on the second floor and there was a meeting place on the third floor for events and parties. A smaller connected structure on the west housed a harness shop run by a relative. Schornstein retired in 1910. His son carried on the popular business until a year or two after his father died in 1920. The grocery store itself lasted until the 1940s under various owners. The structure is considered to be one of the finest examples of French second Empire architecture in the Twin Cities. Some of the original detailing has disappeared and a balcony removed. The front entrance was altered, but the signature mansard roof remains intact. It was and is one of the local landmarks of Dayton’s Bluff. Mounds Park Sanitary Bakery
You may have passed by the small red brick building at 1039 Hudson Road. It is the former home of several bakeries and is now used as a site for storage. But the space behind the boarded up windows has quite a story to tell. The bakery was originally started in 1906 in the basement of Earl Street Drugs, just east of today’s location. In 1912, as business was expanding, a man named Tom Basta and two partners bought land and constructed a new home for their business. They decided on a name that would assure patrons that anything produced there was to be trusted. They chose “Mounds Park Sanitary Bakery.” It was the start of a very successful enterprise. In 1949 Basta, then the sole owner, sold the business to John Kurka, his brother-in law. He ran it for a little over a decade and then sold it to Ted Heroff, originally from the West Seventh area, who had been working there as a young man. The bakery, which by this time had been renamed Basta’s, now become Heroff’s Bakery. Heroff was to be the last man to run the enterprise. The bakery had a positive reputation throughout the East Side and many a resident came there for the fresh bread and tasty pastries. Supreme Court justice Warren Burger always dropped in on his visits from Washington to get his favorite jelly Bismarks. When he was interviewed in the early 1980s, Heroff was the only baker left of many that used to ply their trade here. He traced the drop in patronage to two events. The biggest was the freeway’s destruction of businesses, houses and drive by traffic. Another was the closing of the nearby Mounds Park Elementary School. Nonetheless, he continued on the job through the 1980s. You can pick up recycling bins at 798 East 7th Street at
the corner of 7th and Margaret. Call 651-772-2075 to be sure someone is
in the office. Volunteers Needed for this
Newspaper Call Karin at 651-772-2075
Amazing Grace Assembly of God 463 Maria St. Paul, MN 55106 651-776-7210 1 block North of Metropolitan State University Sun 9:00 am – Worship service Sun 10:15 am - Education for all ages Fellowship following Worship Handicapped accessible ALL ARE WELCOME!
Mounds Park United
Methodist Worship times are subject to
change. Please call ahead to confirm.
Historic
Saint Paul Helps Historic Dayton's Bluff Stay Historic
By Paul Singh Home and business owners in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood possess a unique asset: the historic and architectural character of their buildings. Yet property owners who cherish the historic character of their buildings may lack the financial resources or technical knowledge to preserve this asset for future generations. For that reason, a program designed to assist property owners make home repairs in a historically sensitive manner has been inaugurated in Dayton’s Bluff. Historic Saint Paul, a non-profit organization that works to celebrate the cultural heritage of Saint Paul through the conservation of neighborhoods, business districts and local landmarks, recently completed the five-year pilot phase of the Restore Saint Paul loan program (RSP) in the Dayton’s Bluff and Payne-Phalen neighborhoods. Through RSP, property owners obtain a low-interest, deferred-payment loan, design guidance and project management services to assist with façade improvement projects. Typical improvements to residential properties include re-siding, painting, replacing windows and doors and porch restorations. Common renovations to commercial buildings include creating welcoming entrances, reopening windows, updating signage and installing lights or awnings. Any building in Dayton’s Bluff built before 1965 is eligible to receive a loan. All of the renovations financed through the program reflect the historic character of the building. Additionally, the improvements are visible from the street. This ensures that the renovations highlight the unique character of the neighborhood and enhance the vitality of the streetscape. RSP loan recipients match the RSP funds on a dollar-to-dollar basis. Thus, the loans awarded through the program leverage additional investment in properties in the neighborhood. The impact of the loan program can be felt throughout Dayton’s Bluff. Since 2001, 19 homeowners have participated in the loan program. Four business owners along East 7th Street are currently in the process of renovating their storefronts. The RSP loan program has devoted $150,000 in Dayton’s Bluff and leveraged an additional $410,000 for historic restoration projects. For every dollar loaned, nearly three additional dollars were invested by property owners. However, the results of the loan program have been more than just dollars spent. A walk through the neighborhood reveals clusters of homes that have undergone highly visible historic restorations. The 19 RSP projects have spurred other property owners in the surrounding area to undertake their own façade improvements. Bob Roscoe, an architect and historic preservation consultant with Design for Preservation observed, “Month by month there is steady improvement; someone new is renovating their house and they’re doing it right.” Ericka Schneekloth, a Dayton’s Bluff homeowner, summed up her experience with the loan program: “Renovating an older home has always been a dream of mine and Historic Saint Paul has helped me actualize my dream. I am grateful that they provided me design assistance, architectural resources, knowledge of the historic renovation process, support in dealing with contractors, an interest-free loan and helped me help St. Paul!” While the pilot phase of the RSP loan program has concluded, the program will continue in Dayton’s Bluff thanks to the support of City Councilmember Kathy Lantry. Lantry recently earmarked $50,000 in Neighborhood Investments Funds (NIF) to the RSP loan program. According to Lantry, “NIF are about leveraging dollars to have an impact in the neighborhood. I can’t think of a better program to do that. The matching funds generated by RSP ensure accountability and are an easy way to show progress.” Funding RSP also accomplishes some of the Councilmember’s goals for the neighborhood. “It is important to take care of the housing stock in the ward… upgrading the exterior is an invaluable asset.” Lantry credits Historic Saint Paul with making historic preservation easy to do. “The program shows that preservation isn’t hard; there is technical and financial support available.” In addition to the NIF funds, Historic Saint Paul has secured future funding of the RSP loan program through the City of Saint Paul Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization Program, the Community Improvement Budget and the Preservation Development Initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic Saint Paul will continue to offer low-interest loans in Dayton’s Bluff and Payne-Phalen and will soon expand the program into the Thomas-Dale (Frogtown) neighborhood. Interested property owners should contact Historic Saint Paul at 651-222-3049.
Every morning my wife and I get up at five to get our morning exercise while walking our dog Tess. Everyday we feel fortunate to live in Dayton’s Bluff. It’s a wonderful time of the day. The birds are waking up and filling the air with their songs. You may be lucky enough to see a deer or two wandering around the area, hear the gobble of a turkey, see a Pileated woodpecker, a raccoon, an eagle fly overhead, or a fox. Yes, we have seen or heard all of these animals and birds. The fragrance of lilacs, milkweed and wildflowers in the prairie area, the wet mossy woods, and the smell of the nearby rail yard often greet you in the morning.. From the sounds of nature to the aromas of the outdoors, it is not easy for the natural environment to be green. It always upsets us to see our neighborhood being used by individuals who feel the land is their garbage can. We have come across everything including personal waste, food wrappers, stoves, dishwashers, sofas, and wood scraps left along the roadside. It’s always a challenge to keep our very courious dog from getting into trouble because of the garbage left behind. People also seem to feel that the land is theirs to do with as they feel with no thought given to what they are hurting. There are those who feel if a newly planted tree is in their way, they can just break off a branch so the view of the river can be seen. There are others who feel the need to put graffiti on the sides of buildings. But there are many things we who live in the Dayton’s Bluff and Indian Mounds Park area can do to help make it easier to be and remain green. How about helping out when there is a park cleanup day? Pick up some trash. Help remove weeds or other invasive plants. Maybe the most important thing that can be done by all of us who like to be out and about in our neighborhood is to take that few extra steps to put that trash into a garbage can. Don’t abuse the park by using it as your personal dump. It would be nice if we all could take the time and just do a few little things to help out along the way. My wife and I have just started to volunteer with the Green Space committee (they meet once a month) of the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council. We want to do what we can to work with the city parks to keep the bluff looking beautiful and green. Since I moved here eleven years ago, one of the things that has kept me here is the dedication of Saint Paul to maintain and increase natural habitats and parkways throughout the city. Sue grew up on the Great Plains of Nebraska. She loved the wide-open spaces and the sky that seemed to go on forever, unbroken by trees or buildings. But upon moving to Saint Paul over five years ago, she has come to love the green spaces, the woods, and the abundant wildlife that can be seen in the middle of the city. Residents of Dayton’s Bluff, if we all do just a little, so much can be accomplished to keep our neighborhood green. Celebratilng
a Hero - Benito Juarez A volunteer
editor is needed for this paper. Pagemaker experience is a
plus. Call Karin at 651-772-2075.
Greetings from SPPD Eastern District. Recently I attended a block club meeting and heard some disturbing news. I was told some Dayton’s Bluff residents aren’t calling the police to report criminal activity. I was told that the reason citizens aren’t calling the police was that they believe there wasn’t anything the police could do and that the person did not want to waste the officer’s time. If you have witnessed a crime or been a victim of a crime and feel we may not be able to help, you may be correct. Even though we may not be able to catch the criminal or immediately solve a problem, it is important to call us. Each time a person calls the police, a tracking number is generated. These numbers are used to determine staffing levels and the deployment of police resources. So whether we can help or not it is important to call the police and please remember, you are not wasting our time. I was asked at a meeting why police dispatchers, which we call tele-communicators, ask so many questions. It is the tele-communicators job to get as much information as possible for emergency responders. If tele-communicators don’t ask enough questions or the right questions, a responder’s life may be in danger. When responders arrive they need as much information as possible to assess the dangers and help those who need help. Not only can the tele-communicator be held responsible for not getting the necessary information, they will also have to live with their mistakes that put responders in danger. I have noticed attendance at neighborhood meetings has increased. Between police efforts and the help of the community, one more disorderly house was recently dealt with. When citizens take an active role in their neighborhoods, it makes our community a safer place to live. I passed by this house one week later and found neighborhood children playing in their yards again. Community involvement works, get active in your neighborhood block club. If you don’t have one, contact Karin DuPaul at 651-772-2075 or me at jamie.sipes@ci.stpaul.mn.us for help in starting a new club. You can reach your Dayton’s Bluff Beat Officers Chris Byrnes and Jamie Sipes at 651-341-7637 between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. Finally, it is a beautiful summer, get out and meet your neighbors and always remember to treat each other with respect. Officer Jamie Sipes East District Tour 3 651-341-7637 Mrs.
Jilk Always Had Higher Hopes for Her Little Friends Here are a couple funny stories about Mrs. Patti Jilk, recently retired teacher at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School. Both of my children went to Dayton’s Bluff school and had Mrs. Patti Jilk for kindergarten. I was crying when I brought the oldest, Glen, nicknamed “Bug” to her. She consoled me and said to me. “Just wait till you have to send him to Junior High”. A few weeks later when I was putting Glen to bed he said, “Mom, there’s three I never want to do: 1. I never want to go in the Army 2. I never want to get married. 3. He began crying, I never want to go to Junior High. Glen “Bug” is 30 years old, just got married and has been an elementary teacher for six years. When Becky had Mrs. Jilk she had three life dreams she wanted to fulfill: 1. To be a 7-11 worker. 2. To wash all the hair at Cost Cutter. 3. To be a waitress at the Frogtown Diner. Patti Jilk had higher hopes for her little “friends”. They were always her friends – never anything less. She told them they could be whatever they wanted to be but she expected them to be great happy people who go to college. Becky and many of her classmates have grown into very productive educated adults with college degrees. Thanks Mrs. Jilk Colleen Blomgren
The Summer Saved by Email - and Moms By Mary Petrie
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
