We are a volunteer-run organization dedicated to improving the lives, businesses, and environment of Saint Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhoods.
About us
Meet our team of dedicated volunteers committed to advancing equity and enhancing the quality of life for Dayton's Bluff residents through partnerships and community engagement. Learn more about our Board of Directors by selecting the link below.
Nate Barber
Nate is a local busybody. He works in communications for the State of Minnesota, runs the Mounds Park Community Garden and occasionally volunteers as a bartender at the local Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He loves the active and connected community of Dayton’s Bluff and the many annual get-togethers and celebrations like the Mound’s Park Progressive Dinner, 4th of July and Halloween parades, block parties in the summertime, and events at Mounds Park Community Garden.
Nate joined the DBCC to learn more about the goings-on in Dayton’s Bluff and find ways to contribute. He likes finding new ways to help grow the neighborhood and connect people with information they can use to get involved.
His favorite places to eat on the east side are Brunson’s pub for the best fish and chips in Saint Paul and Taqueria Paisanos for the quesabirria tacos and pozole soup.
Michaelene Colestock
Michealene is a local small business owner who believes in the importance of being actively involved in community organizations.
Having grown up on the East Side, she has a deep appreciation for the rich history and vibrant culture that Dayton's Bluff offers.
Her favorite spot to eat on the East Side is the Little Oven!
Melia Sailiata
Melia (she/her) currently works in food styling and media with nearly twenty years of experience in the food and service industry. Over the years, she has done everything from behind-the-scenes creative work to managing coffee shops. She is passionately invested in good food, warm spaces, and strong community connections.
Melia is especially interested in helping strengthen local resources around food and housing and supporting neighbors in looking out for one another. She moved to the East Side with her sister in the spring of 2023 and has loved getting to know the area ever since.
Melia also enjoys board games, Pokémon Go, gardening, making jewelry, and taking community art classes across the metro area. She has a twenty-plus-year-old cat named Koko and is frequently running around with her sister Kiri and their two pups, Mālosi & Peaches.
Melia is looking forward to being more involved in Dayton’s Bluff, learning from others, and contributing to the neighborhood in meaningful ways.
Jorge Sosa
Jorge loves the down-to-earth, friendly people of Dayton's Bluff, as well as the stunning views of downtown Saint Paul and the easy access to walking trails.
Inspired by a friend, Becky Masterman, Jorge joined the Dayton's Bluff Community Council as a way to get involved in the community and has been grateful ever since.
When it comes to dining, Jorge’s favorite spot on the East Side is the cozy and welcoming Swede Hollow Cafe.
Brian Racine
Brian describes Dayton’s Bluff as the sweet spot of St. Paul—a neighborhood where nature meets the city, and where a rich blend of cultures creates a unique and welcoming community.
He’s compared Dayton’s Bluff to the Hollywood Hills: a peaceful place to call home with easy access to all the beauty Minnesota has to offer.
Driven by a long-standing care for the neighborhood, Brian joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council to turn that passion into action. For him, service and education are the bridge to building stronger communities—and both are at the heart of the DBCC’s mission.
When it’s time to unwind, you’ll likely find him at his favorite local spot, Brunson’s Pub.
Peter Rachleff
Peter Rachleff has spent the last forty-five years exploring the intersections of race and class in the development of the United States, from our economy, politics, and popular culture to the emergence and evolution of social movements for progressive change. These concerns have driven his research, writing, teaching, and activism.
In 1981, Peter earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Pittsburgh, writing his dissertation about the development of the working class in Richmond, Virginia, from 1865 to 1890. This became the basis for his book, “Black Labor in Richmond, Virginia, 1865-1890,“ which was published in 1984.
From 1982 to 2012, Peter taught labor, immigration, and African American history at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and, in 2014, with his partner Beth Cleary, co-founded the East Side Freedom Library with the mission to "inspire solidarity, work for justice, and advocate for equity for all.” Peter and Beth have lived in Dayton's Bluff for 26 years.
Kirisitina (Kiri) Sailiata
Kiri (she/her) is a Sāmoan educator, researcher, feminist activist, and aspiring visual artist.
As part of DBCC, Kiri strives to build good relationships as a newcomer to this community and this place. She believes in the radical power of intentional presence as well as practices of care and reciprocity in these times of accelerated crisis. She is also keen to learn more about local governance systems.
In her downtime, Kiri enjoys spending time with her family, thrifting, learning how to use power tools for diy projects, trying new cafes and eateries, and cheering on the Lynx. She is typically found out and about on a sidequest with her sister, Melia, and their two pups, Mālosi & Peaches.
After a lifetime of frequent moves, she feels especially fortunate and grateful to put down roots on the East Side and to be a part of this vibrant community.
Michael Yang
Michael joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council to help ensure the Asian community has a voice in local decision-making.
He loves the neighborhood’s rich diversity of cultures, businesses, and people.
You’ll often find him enjoying a morning meal at Swede Hollow Café—and advocating for a great pho spot near 7th Street and Minnehaha or Hope Street.
Amanda Musachio
Amanda is the principal at Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus and couldn’t be more proud to represent the students and families that we serve. Her favorite thing about Dayton's Bluff is the children! They are caring, hardworking and imaginative!
She joined the DBCC because she cares about creating a community that Dayton's Bluff students can be proud to be part of.
Her favorite east side restaurant is Ho Ho Gourmet! Her family loves the wings!
Carrie Obry
Carrie was first drawn to Dayton’s Bluff by its beautiful old homes and sweeping views of the city. What made her stay, though, was the vibrant, grassroots spirit of the people who live here.
She believes deeply in the power of community and sees volunteering on the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council as a meaningful way to help shape a stronger, more connected neighborhood—especially during a time when both our community and nation face big challenges.
When she’s not at a council meeting, you’ll likely find her enjoying a bowl of pho at I Heart Pho before picking up groceries at Golden Harvest.
Kate Pearce
Kate has lived in the Mounds Park corner of Dayton’s Bluff since 2017, with her teenage son and two cats.
Being involved with the community has always been important as well as fulfilling. She likes to believe in the amazing potential of a community when everyone is invested and involved.
During the day, Kate works from home as a fundraising consultant. You can also find her weeding her flower garden, jogging the trails around Wic̣aḣapi, socializing at the Eagle’s Club, or hosting gatherings as often as possible in her backyard.
Eric Foster
Eric Foster joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council in November 2024 to help support the progress and solutions the community is striving for.
What he loves most about Dayton’s Bluff is the people—the area is diverse, yet neighbors share common goals, interests, and concerns, creating a true sense of community.
When he’s not engaged in local initiatives, you can find him enjoying a meal at his favorite East Side spot, Yoerg Brewing Company.
Eric Zidlicky
For Eric, the best part of living in Dayton’s Bluff is the strong sense of community and belonging—something he’s found to be deeper and more genuine here than in many other neighborhoods he’s called home.
He joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council to give back and help make the neighborhood he loves an even better place for everyone. (Five stars—highly recommended!)
When he’s not volunteering, you might find him dining at his favorite local spot, Tongue in Cheek, or grabbing a bite at Obb’s.
Where is Dayton’s Bluff?
Dayton's Bluff is a historic neighborhood on the East Side of Saint Paul, Minnesota, situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, just east of downtown.
It's known for its diverse residents, beautiful historic homes, diverse food scene, and proximity to parks like Indian Mounds Park and the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, with major highways (I-94, I-35E) providing easy access.
Newsletter signup
Dayton’s Bluff Community Council
804 Margaret Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
651.772.2075 (voice)
info@daytonsbluff.org