spv jan 2011

Options InEducation

Pollo Campero launches itsfirst Minnesota restaurant in West St. Paul5

West Side native heads upSt. Paul Safety and InspectionPage 2

Sample St. PaulEvent GuidePage 13

Mary Diedrich HansenStaff Writer

Not long ago, school choice was as simple

as locating the nearest school within walking distance of home. Subjects were essentially the same

at each school, and a high school di-ploma guaranteed a livable wage job. Not anymore. With technology trans-

forming the way the world operates, and nations around the world beginning to out-perform American students in math and sci-

ence, schools are under pressure from corpo-rate America and the government to raise the

rigor of education. If they don’t, the U.S. econ-omy has the potential to suffer when those high-

paying math and science jobs go to better-educated workers in other countries.

School Choice / Page 6

January 2011

Volume 45

Number 1

The St. Paul

- St. Paul Voice - January 2011

Mary Diedrick HansenStaff Writer

So, you’re fed up with the duct tape job your

neighbor did on the bro-ken window and front door of his house. You’ve had it with the over-grown grass and weeds that rise up like a jungle each summer in the va-cant lot across the street. What about the guy down the street running a pseudo-demolition der-by mechanics shop out of his garage and the roar of engines that can be heard three blocks away?

When talking and pleading don’t change the bad behavior of nearby property owners, it’s time to call in the big guns: the guys and gals from the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspection (DSI).

In November, Ricardo Cervantes took over as director for retiring Bob Kessler. It’s a challenging

time to come on board. In 2007, three depart-ments — Fire Code and certificate of occupancy, Housing and Code en-forcement, and Licens-ing and Inspection — all merged under one um-brella to become DSI.

Cervantes’ unconven-tional road to this po-sition gave him some unique strengths and produced in him skills in business and systems analysis, management, and a thorough knowl-edge of housing code and construction.

Cervantes graduated from St. Paul’s Macales-ter College in 1981 with a degree in Sociology. A recession was raging , though, and he couldn’t find a job in his field so he took a position as a cabinet maker with the Urban Coalition in Min-neapolis. Cervantes had enjoyed woodworking class at Harding High School so he thought

he would like the job of making custom designed doors and windows for a weatherization program. On the job, he installed doors, windows and in-sulation, and through an apprenticeship program he learned about build-ing regulations and code.

He was eventually hired by the city of Minneapo-lis as a housing code in-spector, where he honed his management skills as he advanced to supervi-sor in Housing Divisions.

Problem proper-ties? Cervantes knows all about them. He was asked to organize a Min-neapolis Problems Prop-erty Unit. The key to effectiveness, he learned, was getting the people who could enact changes to the table. He recruited a city attorney, police of-ficer, one lead inspector and two housing code in-spectors.

“I marshaled the re-sources necessary to iden-

tify and strategically put a plan together for each property and measure the results,” said Cervantes.

Now he intends to do this in St. Paul.

“If drugs, prostitution, weapons and nuisance are occurring, we notify

the landlord or property owner and they are put in a certain category and monitored. We educate first, and then use tools or consequences to change behavior. The second in-cident leads to a second letter requiring a plan.

We go down a checklist and it revolves around good records. It requires a partnership with citi-zens and police officers.” Communication is key. The core value for Cer-vantes is accountability.

“But,” he cautioned,

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West Side native heads up St. Paul Safety and Inspection

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Ricardo Cervantes took over as DSI director in November. He succeeds Bob Kessler, who has retired.

St. Paul Voice - January 2011 -


“this will not develop over night.”

“The current organiza-tion is very broad with many systems in place,” said Cervantes. “Differ-ent departments have dif-ferent cultures and stan-dards of operation. Over the past three years some progress has been in integration, but we need to continue. I will thoughtfully put a strat-egy together to determine which areas are strong and don’t need attention and which areas need fo-cus.”

His goal is to have that done by the end of De-cember, and then imple-ment standards of op-eration that will lead to improved services and better coordination when dealing with problem

properties.Complicating matters

is the current budget crunch.

“With Local Govern-ment Aid being cut, we will need to establish a priority system in order to provide the best ser-vices,” said Cervantes. “I’m a realist. I won’t su-garcoat things. We may look at cuts across the board. We need to pre-pare ourselves for that and evaluate. We need a contingency plan, and make it in the light of day with clear thinking. I want to be transparent so there are no surprises.”

The priorities that guide Cervantes are pro-viding citizens with safe commercial and resi-dential properties, and health and livability.

“Safety issues will get top priority,” explained Cervantes. “Cutting the grass drops.”

Cervantes has a heart for St. Paul since this is where he was born and raised. His roots are on the West Side. His family lived on State Street on the Flats until the flood of 1961 led to the tearing down of the Flats neigh-borhood, forcing his fam-ily to relocate to the Ma-ria Avenue neighborhood of Mounds Park. Dur-ing this time his father passed away, leaving his Spanish-speaking mother to raise seven children by herself.

“She would sew, bake and make doilies,” re-called Cervantes. “All the kids contributed to the household the best they

could.”Despite the dire eco-

nomic circumstances, Cervantes, the youngest of the seven, recalled a safe, full childhood and a very close family.

“Sometimes these situations bring a fam-ily closer. Mother was an excellent leader. It was always family first,” he said.

After graduating from Harding High School in 1977, he followed the path of all six of his older siblings by attending and graduating from Macal-ester College.

First steps on the job

Cervantes plans to meet with neighborhood groups to explain the work of DSI, and point out that DSI is just one piece of the puzzle in dealing with problem properties. The depart-ment operates within cer-tain parameters, and to effect change, good doc-umentation must occur. Cervantes plans to ag-

gressively pursue vacant properties and would ap-preciate help from resi-dents in locating them since, with a limited staff, it is difficult to pa-trol every neighborhood in the city.

“We need to work to-gether and be in commu-nication,” said Cervantes. “Some areas are more sta-ble than others. Some ar-eas are overwhelmed. We need to commend those citizens who step up. It’s all about community. We all want the same result; to identify buildings that need attention.”

Surprisingly, Cervantes reports that the number of complaints is actu-ally down in the city. He attributes this to the Bostrom Law, which was passed in 2007 just ahead of the housing crisis. The law is designed to improve housing stock by setting financial stan-dards for those wanting to buy and rehab proper-ty. If a prospective buyer is unable to show they can financially rehab a

home to code and com-pletion, there is no sale. The law went into full effect in 2008, and virtu-ally stopped the revolving door of get-rich-quick schemes and slumlords, he said. Honest inves-tors are identified and no permits are issued un-less licensed contractors work on the home or the owner can demonstrate adequate housing con-struction knowledge.

What would it take for a house to be torn down?

“Teardowns happen when a property is va-cant and is deemed too far gone to recoup rehab dollars,” said Cervantes. “It’s a cleansing process. When properties are no longer managed or main-tained, it’s best to get rid of blighted and unsafe housing and allow for new development. It’s all about making steady progress toward a worthy good.”

‘With Local Government Aid being cut, we will need to establish a priority system in order to provide the best services,’ said Cervantes. ‘Safety issues will get top priority. Cutting the grass drops.’

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Mary Diedrick HansenStaff Writer

If you follow Mendota Heights city politics

you are likely familiar with Sandra Krebsbach, the city’s new mayor. Krebsbach, a well-sea-soned 18-year Mendota Heights City council member, was elected to the city’s top post in No-vember. Her predecessor, John Huber, decided not to seek a fourth two-year term.

What you might not know about her is that she has made Mendota Heights home for 30 years. She still goes fish-ing with her dad. She plays golf, loves the Guthrie Theatre and is an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota Gophers. She enjoys cheering on her favorite teams and con-siders herself a cheerlead-

er of sorts for the city, as well.

She got her first in-kling of what it’s like to be involved in city gov-ernment in 1986, when she interviewed to be on the city’s Planning Com-mission.

“I was a young mom with a one-and-one-half-year-old,” she recalled. “The key question Bob Lockwood, the mayor at that time, asked was, ‘Can you make a deci-sion that will cost you a friendship?’ What he was getting at was that you need to do what is right for the city. Most people understand that. They see how I make a decision and know that I have the best interest of the city in mind.”

Her commitment to community service comes from her grandparents and great-grandparents she said.

“In addition to farm-ing, they helped build a church and school in Glencoe, Minn.,” said Krebsbach. “You really learn to make the most of the time you have, and build a sustainable com-munity and keep it going forward.”

She was born in Glen-coe, moved to Rich-field, Minn., where she attended St. Richard’s grade school, then moved back to Glencoe, where she graduated from high school. That’s also where she met her future hus-band, Norbert (Nob) Krebsbach. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Edu-cational Policy and Ad-ministration from the University of Minnesota. and had a 17-year career in higher education, in-cluding a director posi-tion at the University of Minnesota-Rochester and dean of St. Paul Col-

lege. She currently works with adult education and development at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville. She and her husband have two adult daughters who were raised and edu-cated at public and pri-vate schools in Mendota Heights.

In 1978, as a young married couple, the Krebsbachs moved from St. Paul to build a new home in Mendota Heights. She recalled how, when crossing the bridge from St. Paul into Mendota Heights, “you

could draw a breath.” As a member of the

Planning Commission she wanted that feeling to pervade the nearly 50 percent of undeveloped land in the city. Over the years she has worked with many city council mem-bers and two mayors in developing the residen-tial, commercial and in-dustrial spaces in the city, and voted on all decisions on zoning, development, green space, services, low taxes and infrastructure.

“We wanted to cre-ate an environment that people would want to live

in,” she said. “It should be a timeless suburb with lots of recreation, forests and a nice down-town. Over the years ev-ery neighborhood blends into each other. The city has become more treed. Everyone has quality el-ements like ponds, trails or vistas near their prop-erty. We never lost sight of who we were.”

However, that wasn’t always easy. She recalled how big box stores were continually sending pro-posals to the City for permission to locate at the intersection of Dodd


‘The city is in great shape. We’re self-sustaining, accepting no Local Government Aid from the State,’ said Krebsbach. ‘We’ve been fiscally responsible. You don’t get into things you can’t afford. We’ve kept ourselves lean. We want to remain a vi-brant city that is open, with a responsive government.’

New leadership in Mendota Heights

Krebsbach makes transition from council to mayor’s office

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Your community news and information sourceP eopleRoad and Hwy 110. But council members had a premier quality “village” concept in mind for the area. Krebsbach is very pleased with the smaller, varied retail, services and offices at the Village at Mendota Heights and the upgraded Mendota Plaza, both located at an inter-section that could have been dominated by un-distinguished megastores.

She considers the growth in Dakota County as the most im-mediate threat to Men-dota Heights. Pressure

is mounting to create a north/south corridor to move increasing traffic from St. Paul to the outer suburbs. Delaware Ave-nue in Mendota Heights, which has the feel of a country road through the woods, has been bandied about as that corridor, but Krebsbach would rather see Robert Street upgraded and used for that purpose. She men-tioned other issues as well.

“We need to get a rental policy in place for those wanting to rent

rather than buy,” said Krebsbach. “We need to be vigilant about air-port noise, and actually market ourselves to the proximity we have to the airport. It’s (Mendota Heights) a great loca-tion for corporate and regional offices. We have to look at what resources we have and how we can use them to move into the future.”

Krebsbach also serves on Dakota County’s High Performance Partner-ship (HiPP) of Dakota County, which identifies

collaborative opportuni-ties to enhance service delivery and reduce costs. The consolidated 911 dispatch system is one of its accomplishments. She served on the Airport Zoning Board, which changed the zoning to create the north/south runway that diverted sig-nificant noise away from Mendota Heights. She has continued to serve as the first alternate to the Noise Oversight Com-mittee to be available as needed. She is also an alternate on the Dakota

Communication Center Board, which coordinates the dispatch center and other public safety mea-sures.

How does she manage to juggle so many things?

“I’ve always been good at it,” she said. “I also have a great spouse who has a great perspective. Nob is my man on the street…. I also work with a fantastic council where everybody takes on some-thing. I never knew I’d be involved this long. I have been part of 18 budgets.

“The city is in great shape,” she added. “We’re self-sustaining, accepting no Local Government Aid from the State. We’ve been fiscally responsible. You don’t get into things you can’t afford. We’ve kept ourselves lean. We want to remain a vibrant city that is open, with a responsive government. We will continue to look for ways to engage people and get the next genera-tion involved.”

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Adding to the academic pressure are skyrocketing operating costs to run schools, at a time when the State budget is deal-ing with a significant deficit. State funding for schools has been frozen at levels from two years ago, despite rising in-flation and health care benefits for teachers. In order to meet greater academic goals, schools need to stay current with technology, which means regularly replacing obso-lete equipment, an oper-ating cost not seen even 10 years ago.

Schools are resorting to cutting programs and staff and in some cases taking on debt to deal with operating deficits. Competition among schools for students is in-tense. Since state dollars are assigned to each stu-dent attending a public school, and those funds

follow them to whichever public, public charter or magnet school they at-tend, each new body seated in a classroom adds valuable revenue to the school.

Private schools need students as well. With declining contributions from supporting congre-gations and tuition fees becoming unmanageable for many families be-cause of the Recession, new students are needed to bridge the gap.

It can be a dizzying ex-perience for parents, try-ing to wade through the many choices for schools. Should they choose a pri-vate, public, charter or magnet school? Should they home school or choose an online or alter-native school? A personal philosophy about educa-tion and teaching values, along with location, aca-demic needs, and tuition (for a private or parochial school) should be among

the factors used in mak-ing your decision.

Here are some help-ful tips in making your decision, followed by a brief description of each school operating within

the St. Paul Voice read-ership area. Parents can meet with representatives from several schools at the 2011 Parent Informa-

tion Fair, held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 8, at St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. The event is free. ISD 197 is also

Your community news and information sourceE ducation

School Choicefrom page 1

Photo by Marina Castillo

Henry Sibley High School recently formed a Latino parent outreach group called Si Se Puede Continuar, (Yes, You Can Continue). The school received a grant from the Office of Higher Edu-cation to start the group because of its high graduation rates for Latinos and the success of two student programs, ESL and ALMAS. The goal of the program is to increase post-secondary enrollment for Latino students, increase participation in Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses, and reduce barriers to postsecondary education. A meeting on scholar-ships will be held at the school Jan. 13. For more information, call 651-403-7100.

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Learn about the great options available for yourchild from early childhood through high school!

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CHOOSE SCHOOL DISTRICT 197SCHOOL CHOICE FAIR AND OPEN HOUSEMonday, January 10, 2011, 5:00-7:30pm

Henry Sibley High School1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights

Showcase/Open House - Thursday, February 17, 6 p.m. All are welcome. Merci!

Help expand your child’s educational and global horizons by considering enrollment in L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School of the Saint Paul Public Schools, located at 1363 Bush Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55106. We offer tours to prospective families Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Please call us to register for a tour at 651-221-1480.

We rank extremely high in state and national standardized tests. We offer a rigorous curriculum plus the gift of a second relevant language—French! We have a solid enrichment and gifted services program. Our school has consistently scored in the upper ranges on standardized and criterion reference tests.

Check out the exciting educational opportunities for your children at L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School!

We are a Minnesota School of Excellence!

Deacon Klemme, Bon-nie Solos and John Til-lander of the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area School Dis-trict 197 have been named 2010 TIES Ex-ceptional Teachers. They were chosen by their su-perintendents for the award, which recognizes teachers who incorporate technology in their class-room. Klemme is a fifth grade teacher at Heritage

Middle School, Solos is a third grade teacher at Somerset Elementary, and Tillander is a Special Services teacher at Henry Sibley High School. Each teacher is featured in the TIES Exceptional Teach-ers publication and re-ceived a certificate.

Introduction to instruments

Independent School District (ISD) 197 has a new program that in-troduces fourth graders to different musical in-struments. The goal of

the Introduction to In-struments program is to help students identify an instrument they enjoy before making a decision for band or orchestra, and before making a financial investment in an instru-ment. For 30 minutes once a week, students are able to have a hands-on experience with a vari-ety of band and orchestra instruments, including the flute, clarinet, saxo-phone, oboe, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba, violin, vi-ola, cello, bass and guitar.

ISD197 awards and new program


Your community news and information sourceE ducationhosting a school choice fair. The event takes place 5-7:30 p.m., Mon., Jan. 10, at Henry Sibley High School, 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights.

Choosing a schoolIt takes time and “leg-

work” to search out schools that meet the academic and teaching style needs of your child. Before you begin, deter-mine if the location of the school is a feasible distance for your fam-ily. Then compile a list of questions and call the school office for an appointment with the principal and to tour the school and classrooms. While there, ask ques-tions and observe the environment. Impor-tant points that a school should address include:

• Its educational phi-losophy or mission

• Its approach toward student discipline and safety

• How it encourages and monitors students’ progress

• Library resources • Use of technology

to support teaching and learning

• Extracurricular op-portunities

• Busing for students • Policy to support

students with academic, social or emotional dif-ficulties

• Strategies used to teach students who are not fluent in English

• Professional devel-opment opportunities for teachers.

For even more infor-mation, observe details such as:

• Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowl-edgeable, asking ques-tions to keep the students engaged?

• Does the principal seem confident and inter-ested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?

• How do students be-have on the school cam-pus?

• How well are the fa-cilities maintained?

• Most private/paro-

chial schools do not have the same budget as public schools. They may have more amenities, or fewer. Be sure the basics are in place and well-main-tained.

• Discuss tuition for private/parochial schools. If you are not a member of the church af-filiated with the school, tuition rates are normally higher than those paid by church members.

• Confer with parents who have students at-tending the school.

You should sense from your school visit and from the parents you have talked to that your child will not only re-ceive a good education, but will also be develop-mentally nurtured.

• Visiting as least three schools provides a broader range of options and a basis for compari-son before making a deci-sion.

Parochial schoolsA parochial school is

usually controlled and

supported by a local church congregation, which is the financial backbone of the school, along with tuition.

A regional synod or diocese designs a philos-ophy, goals, curriculum (including religious stud-ies), teacher development programs, code of con-duct, school calendar and grading policies. Schools usually can modify poli-cies regarding tuition and the hiring of staff and teachers. They may even adopt the local public schools’ yearly calendar, for convenience in shar-ing busses, for example.

Most parochial schools are straightforward about religion being an integral part of the school’s phi-losophy, and that all chil-dren will attend religion class.

Saint Thomas Academy (7–12) 949 Mendota Heights Rd., Mendota Heights, MN 55120 (651) 454-4570

Saint Thomas Acad-

emy, founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, is a Catholic, all-male, college-preparatory, mili-tary day school for stu-dents in grades 7-12. For 125 years, the commu-nity of faculty, parents and alumni has prepared young men in an envi-ronment influenced by Catholic values to suc-ceed in college and life.

Convent of the Visi-tation School (K–6) and (all female 7–12) 2455 Visitation Dr., Mendota Heights, MN 55120(651) 683-1700Within a Catholic envi-ronment, the Visitation Sisters, faculty, staff, ad-ministrators and trust-ees, with the support of parents and students, are committed to the forma-tion of students in faith, worship, moral and social responsibility, to a sup-portive learning envi-ronment, a challenging academic program, and a college preparatory cur-riculum. They are also

committed to student development through the arts, athletics and co-cur-ricular activities and the promotion of leadership, self-confidence, social interaction, and personal fulfillment. Co-educa-tion is offered in grades K-6. All-female education is offered in grades 7-12.

St. Croix Lutheran High School and Middle School (6–12)1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 455-1521

Students at St. Croix Lutheran Schools are taught critical thinking skills within the context of a Christian education. The private parochial col-lege preparatory school is affiliated with the Wis-consin Evangelical Lu-theran Synod (WELS). Students in grades 6-12 come from throughout the metro area, southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. In addition, of the 475 enrolled stu-

continued on page 9

Discover the DifferenceDiscover the Difference

1138 Seminole AvenueWest St. Paul, MN 55118

St. Joseph’s Catholic SchoolA Parish Community in West St. Paul

Preschool - Grade 8

651-457-8550www. stjosephwsp.org

Preschool Information SessionsJanuary 25, 7:00 p.m. or January 30, 12:30 p.m.

Call 651-789-8300 for more information.

Kindergarten Information Session February 7, 7:00 p.m.

Call 651-457-8550 for more information.

All School Open House: Preschool-Grade 8January 30, 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. and February 2, 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Join Us for More Information

Spring semester begins January 10, and getting started is easy with SmartSTART Orientation at Inver Hills.

Complete your application, registration and orientation all in one visit—with experienced staff available to help you each step of the way.

Whether your goal is to complete generals and transfer, or to finish a career-oriented program and get to work, SmartSTART will get you started on the path to success!

Students are strongly encouraged to complete an assessment test prior to orientation.

Visit www.inverhills.edu/smartstart for dates and times.

A good start to a great education

Inver Hills is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.


If you have a child who is a few years away

from entering college, it pays to learn as much as you can about the op-tions and to ensure that your college-bound son or daughter ends up at a school that is both ap-propriate and affordable.

Here are some areas to consider.

• Get the facts. If you have some money put away for college or in-vested in a 529 college fund, you’ll want to get an idea of how those sav-ings stack up against po-tential tuition and what

level of financial aid you can count on. There are many resources available on the web, but you can start with the financial aid calculator at http://www.finaid.org/. To get the clearest picture of what’s in store, do the calculations used by both private and public insti-tutions.

• Apply to a wide range of schools. Some schools have more schol-arship money than oth-ers. In fact, some of the financial aid packages available at the nation’s most elite universities are among the best in the country. As a result, par-ents of a top-tier student should not automatically rule out top-tier col-leges. However, thanks to fierce competition among applicants, par-ents should encourage even the brightest of chil-dren to apply to several institutions, including a few “safety” schools that

might be able to offer your child a scholarship.

• Stay informed. Don’t rule out financial aid and scholarships, even if you think your income may be too high. Complete the FAFSA — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — because it is used by many schools as the primary basis for determining merit schol-arships.

• Borrow wisely. In-creasingly prudent lend-ers make finding a pri-vate loan more difficult than ever. Your best bet may be federal loans giv-en directly to students, which are not only easier to qualify for, but come with a much friendlier interest rate. There are also federal loans for parents, so be sure to do your homework.

• Think outside the box. Creativity is a key asset when planning for college. If loans, schol-arships and savings still

come up short, consider some alternative routes to the same destination. For example, consider the transfer option. If there is a good community or

junior college near home, your child could start there and then transfer to a four-year college or university.


Who will createtomorrow’s cuisines?With a focused education designed to prepare

you for the creative world, it could be you.

There’s never been a better opportunity to cook up something completely new. Starting with a new you. Whether your love of

food translates to a future ruling the kitchen or running the restaurant, your transformation from food fanatic to culinary professional begins in our collaborative environment. Here,

you’ll learn everything from the basics to the latest international tastes as you prepare for the career you’ve always wanted.

WINTER QUARTER STARTS JANUARY 10THCALL NOW!

Create.aii.edu/minneapolis1-800-316-5181

We offer bachelor’s, associate’s, and certificate programs in:Baking & Pastry / Culinary Arts (associate’s and certificate)

Culinary Management / Hospitality Management (bachelor’s)

15 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Saving for college when it’s just around the corner

An Award-Winning PreK-12 Public Charter SchoolCelebrating 16 Years of Success!

2007 National Charter School of the Year2003 National School of Character

• Rigorous Academics• Peace Education and Ethics, Taught and Modeled Daily• Music, Art & Choir• Grades 7-12 Sports• All Day Kindergarten• 3- and 5-Day Preschool• Small Class Sizes• College in the Schools & PSEO• Admission Possible Program• Tuition-Free

Educating the whole person ~ mind, body and will ~for wholeness and fullness of l ife for all.

Join us for these special events:Feb. 1: High School 2nd semester starts, accepting new students in 9 – 12Feb. 24: 2011/2012 Application DeadlineMay 26: Annual Meeting & Spring Concert

Public Tours: Each Wednesday, 9:30 am Call: 651-776-5151

2010 America’s Best High School*

Come see for yourself!

Community of Peace Academy471 Magnolia Ave. E.

St. Paul, MN 55130651-776-5151

www.cpa.charter.k12.mn.us

*U.S. News & World Report



dents, 75 are internation-al students from 11 dif-ferent countries who stay in on-site dormitories. A variety of extra-curricu-lar activities are offered along with a challenging curriculum that includes college prep Advanced Placement courses.

Crown of Life Lutheran School (Pre-K–8), 115 Cru-sader Ave. W. , West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 451-3832

Crown of Life Lutheran School serves 175 Pre-K through grade 8 students with a foundation for lifelong Christian educa-tion. Affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), the school has a com-puter lab, athletic pro-grams, Super K (extend-ed day for Kindergarten and M/W/F Pre-K class) after-school care for stu-dents in Super K through

8th grade. Scholarship and loan programs are available.

St. Joseph’s Catho-lic School (Pre-K–8)1138 Seminole Ave. West St. Paul MN 55118(651) 457-8550

St. Joseph’s Elementary School serves 679 Pre-K through grade 8 students. It is a ministry of St. Jo-seph’s Parish and is com-mitted to faith forma-tion and spiritual growth through daily prayer, classroom instruction, Sacramental preparation, retreat experiences and service opportunities. The school offers a chal-lenging, comprehensive curriculum and extracur-ricular activities, and is committed to inspiring students to recognize and develop their full poten-tial while maintaining a sense of belonging. Ex-tra support is provided for learners with special needs and talents.

St. Michael Catholic School (K–8)337 E. Hurley St., West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 457-2510

Providing Catholic Education since 1884, St. Michael Elementary School serves 104 K-8 students. Its purpose is to provide a program of academic excellence and opportunities for Catho-lic worship, prayer and service. The St. Michael staff strives to create a safe and secure Christian environment that ac-cepts, nurtures and chal-lenges each child to reach their full potential. They believe that each student is a unique person in-volved in a lifelong pro-cess of growth in faith, personal development and learning.

St. Matthew’s Catholic School (K–8), 494 Humboldt Ave., St. Paul, MN 55107(651) 224-6912.

St. Matthew’s has de-

veloped a school environ-ment based on Catholic values, and is committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, ap-preciation for diversity, and instilling a sense of responsibility for each child’s place in the world. The student body of 200 in grades K-8 is small and diverse. St. Matthew’s is committed to staying small to enable each child the opportunity to lead, serve, explore and devel-op their talents. A smaller enrollment allows bond-ing to develop between teachers, students and families. Students of dif-ferent faiths who believe in the values and disci-pline of Catholic teach-ing are also welcome. No family is turned away for tuition reasons; financial assistance is available. The school also offers Extended Day and Day Care.

Public Schools/Charter Schools

Charter schools fill a niche between private

and public schools. Al-though funded with pub-lic money (except for their facilities), they are an alternative to regular public schools. Instead of being accountable to the many regulations ap-plied to traditional pub-lic schools, they are ac-countable for academic results and for upholding their charter. A private group can get a charter approved to run their own school. They have independence to try new forms of teaching, new experiments and find what they believe is the best way to reach their students. If academic performance lags be-hind comparable public schools, then the charter is pulled and the school is closed.

Questions to ask specifically of charter schools:

• Why was this school created?

• What teaching meth-odology does it embrace?

• Does the school have

a specific focus? • How is academic

progress measured ac-cording to its charter re-quirements?

• When was the school established and how long is it into its charter?

• Has it shown academ-ic progress?

• How are students en-rolled?

• Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to an-other location in the near future?

• Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?

• How does the school select its teachers? Are the teachers certified?

BlueSky Online Charter School (7-12), Sponsor, Novation Education Opportunities 33 Wentworth Ave. E., Suite 300, West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118(651) 642-0888

BlueSky Online School

continued from page 7

Educating the Leaders of TomorrowTwo SchoolS...one Goal

Middle School High SchoolWhile other schools are cutting classes at the expense of your son’s education, we have worked hard to make sure we will continue to offer your son the following educational experiences:• Science labs• Mathematics options• Theology• World languages (Latin, French and Spanish)• Co-curricular athletics and activities, including: - Math Team - Quiz Bowl - Chess Team• Fine Arts, including: - Band, Theatre & Choir - Painting & Drawing - Computer Graphics

We excel at preparing your son to be prepared for the challenges of college and life.

STA students traditionally score higher on the ACT and SAT tests than state and national averages.

Research shows that boys and girls learn differently. Our curriculum, programs and activities are geared toward educating and inspiring young men, while nuturing their faith formation and moral values.

The school’s military/leadership discipline prepares graduates to be ethical leaders in their future academic, personal andprofessional lives.

More than $2 million in financial assistance is available.STA is a Catholic, college preparatory, military/leadership school for young men grades 7-12.

Cadets.com 651.683.1515

S a i n t t h o m a S a c a d e m y

Open House

January 9

Program at 1:00 p.m.

Open Houses: Wednesday, Jan. 19th for current HS enrollment

Tuesday, Jan. 25th for all levels for 2011-2011 6:30-8:00pm

651-523-7170 www.cybervillageacademy.org [email protected]

768 Hamline Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55116

Inspiring Young Minds

International Baccalaureate World School

Middle Years Program

Serving Grades 3-12 Age & Ability Placement Small Classes Challenging Curriculum PSEO prep HS program Supportive Learning Community

A Powerful Fusion of On-Campus & Distance Learning

continued on page 10


Multicultural Indigenous Academy133 East 7th Street, 4th Floor

Saint Paul, MN 55101www.miacademy.org

MIA is a Minnesota Transitions Charter SchoolServing Students Ages 16+ • Hablamos su idioma

Enroll Today!

651.222.4900

GrAduATE F A S T E r

C u l T u r A l H E r i T A G E E m p H A S i S

S m A l l l E A r n i n G CommuniTy

is one of Minnesota’s first virtual schools, serving 591 students in grades 7-12. Students, staff and parents work together to select a program that works best for each in-dividual’s learning style, skill level, grade level and credit requirements. BlueSky students come from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. All have reasons for needing the flexibility and per-sonalized attention of an online education. With access to learning re-sources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, students are free to work during their most productive learning hours, conveniently from home or any location that has Internet access.

General John Vessey Jr. Leader-ship School (9–12), Sponsor, Concordia University, 33 E. Wentworth, Suite 100, West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 776-8786

“Vessey” opened in 2004 with a mission to take a small classroom setting and use it to in-still discipline and lead-ership in its students. The school is named af-ter Minneapolis native and four-star general John Vessey Jr., who also served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Currently, 116 stu-dents in grades 9-12 at-tend the school and learn from a curriculum based on programs such as the Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps. In ad-dition to the small class size, the school offers a comprehensive visual arts program, student sup-port services and post-secondary opportunities. A transitions program as-sists students in develop-ing the interest, knowl-edge and skills necessary to transition successfully out of high school and into adult life. Cadets are placed in leadership roles at the school to help prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow.

Academic Arts High School (7–12), Spon-sor, Audubon Center of the North Wood 60 Marie Ave. E.,West St. Paul, MN(651) 457-7427

Academic Arts High School is a grade 7-12 alternative charter school committed to project-based learning. It cur-rently serves 83 middle school and high school students. For many stu-dents, the traditional public school setting is difficult to fit into and sometimes limits the student’s potential. Project-based learning enables students to de-sign a curriculum that best suits their needs while completing skills that fulfill standards re-quired for graduation. Each student has an ad-visor and belongs to an advisory team of no more than 20 students. Advi-sors work with students to develop customized learning plans, beginning with identifying personal goals, interests, areas of

strength and weakness, and post-secondary ca-reer and life plans.

River’s Edge Academy, Spon-sor, (9-12), Sponsor, Audubon Society of the North Wood188 West Plato Blvd.St. Paul, MN 55107(651) 234-0150

The mission of River’s Edge Academy (REA) is to prepare urban high school students for fur-ther education and ca-reers, by using rigorous academics, innovative projects and an interdis-ciplinary river-focused curriculum. By provid-ing a small learning com-munity for students, and applying the philosophies and guiding principles of the Expeditionary Learn-ing Outward Bound model, REA educates students to become envi-ronmentally responsible, socially conscious, and scholastically prepared for college and active community life.

Magnet SchoolsMagnet schools are dif-

ferent from private/paro-chial and charter schools in that they remain part of the public school ad-ministrative system. What distinguishes them from other public schools is that magnets usually have alternative modes of instruction and usu-ally a focus that is taught in all classes within the curriculum. In Indepen-dent School District 197 for example, Garlough Elementary has an envi-ronmental focus, while Moreland Elementary is focused on Arts and Health Sciences.

Garlough Environmental Magnet School (K-4)1740 Charlton St., West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 403-8100

Environmental learn-ing is at the core of this school, which uses na-ture-based experiences to support and enhance children’s intellectual,

social, emotional and physical development. Students explore nature in Garlough Woods and at the 320-acre Dodge Nature Center to gain respect and appreciation for the natural world. Through “Journey North,” a free online edu-cational service, students share their field obser-vations with classmates across North America. Students participate in scientific observation and data collection, then de-velop hands-on projects to build reading, math, science and technology skills. The curriculum includes Spanish instruc-tion, music and exten-sive use of technology.

Moreland Academy: Arts and Health Sci-ences Magnet (K-4)217 W. Moreland Ave., West St. Paul, MN 55118(651) 403-8000Moreland combines en-ergy and creativity to boost academic achieve-

Your community news and information sourceE ducationcontinued from page 9

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Your community news and information sourceE ducationment for all students. Art of all kinds — vi-sual arts, music, theater, dance — and a focus on healthy living provide students with tools for learning. An indoor run-ning track and rock wall encourage healthy move-ment. A partnership with the YMCA leads to spe-cial family events. After-school program offerings provide additional op-portunities to experi-ence the arts. The cur-riculum includes Spanish instruction and exten-sive use of technology.

Somerset Heights Elementary (K-4)1355 Dodd Rd.,Mendota Heights, MN 55118(651) 403-8200

The mission of Som-erset is to challenge stu-dents to reach their full academic potential with-in a positive, safe and dynamic learning envi-ronment. Its cornerstone is a rigorous student-cen-tered academic program that has enabled students to continually score well above state averages in reading and math. The curriculum includes Spanish instruction, mu-sic and extensive use of technology. Staff,

parents and community volunteers share their expertise in a variety of after-school enrichment classes, including Con-tinental Math, Fitness Club, Boys Book Club, Fusion Lab, Lego League and more.

Mendota Elementary (K-4)1979 Summit Lane,Mendota Heights, MN 55118(651) 403-8000

Mendota Elementary focuses on academics, with students regularly achieving exceptional test scores. The goals are to promote lifelong learning, recognize in-dividuality and provide challenging experiences while linking learning to real life through practi-cal applications and op-portunities for discovery. The classroom approach is to help students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The school provides Span-ish language instruction, music and extensive use of technology. Oppor-tunities include Annual Project Fair, Technology Fair, Talent Show and ex-tensive after-school pro-grams.

Cherokee Heights Elementary (Pre-K–6), 694 Charlton St., St. Paul, MN 55107(651) 293-8610

Cherokee Heights El-ementary offers a Spanish bilingual program option in grades K-2. The school has a fully equipped tech-nology production studio where students produce a live daily news show and original studio pro-ductions. The school has an indoor pool allowing students to take Ameri-can Red Cross swim-ming classes, and offers band and violin lessons. All classes spend time in the eMac computer lab developing technology skills, and students get one-on-one help in read-ing and math from vol-unteer tutors, if needed. School uniforms help create a respectful and orderly school climate. The school’s Responsive Classroom program helps students and staff build positive behaviors in the classroom and through-out the school. After-school learning time is extended through the Area Learning Center (ALC).

Riverview Elementa-ry (K–6 Dual Immer-sion program) 271 E. Belvidere St., St. Paul, MN 55107(651) 293-8665

The Dual Language Immersion program prepares the small pop-ulation of 271 Eng-lish-dominant and Span-ish-dominant speaking students to be fluent in reading, writing, lis-tening and speaking in academic and social set-tings of both Spanish and English literacy by the end of sixth grade. All educational activities at Riverview are designed around a standards-based curriculum. The Project for Academic Excellence is integrated throughout the instructional day. All grade levels are involved in Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. Each day, a full hour is devoted to math. Riverview features all-day kindergarten,

uniforms and additional support staff to address the needs of students and their families.

Friendly Hills Middle School (5–8)701 Mendota Heights Rd., Mendota Heights, MN 55120(651) 403-7600

Friendly Hills empha-sizes integrating technol-ogy, the arts and rigorous academics to develop stu-dents’ skills to achieve ac-ademic goals and become lifelong learners. Teach-ing strategies target indi-vidual learning styles to enhance course content and promote students’ critical thinking skills. All students participate in community service projects. Art, band, choir and orchestra are offered. Extra-curricular activities include arts, academics, leadership, athletics and enrichment, before and after school.

Heritage E-STEM Middle School (5-8)121 W. Butler Ave., West St. Paul, MN 55118(651)403-7400

E-STEM stands for Environmental-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and is used throughout the school to create inquisitive learn-ers, problem-solvers and environmental stewards. Students visit Dodge Na-ture Center, document their findings, graph and analyze their data and use computers to profession-ally present their reports. Art and music are offered all four years.

Humboldt Second-ary School (7–12)30 E. Baker St.,St. Paul, MN 55107 (651) 293-8600

Humboldt offers a comprehensive curricu-lum to prepare students for post-secondary edu-

Adams Spanish Immersion Magnet is a K-6 elementary school that provides children with an opportunity to be fluent in a second language. Adams' students are surrounded by Spanish all day long and learn to speak and comprehend the language much as a child learns to speak for the first time. Our school is a place where families and staff value the importance of language and the opportunities that are gained by learn-ing another language. It is a magical place where dedicated staff and involved parents nurture young minds and hearts. Come visit us!

For more information, call Principal Elizabeth Heffernan at 651-298-1595

615 South Chatsworth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Being bilingual nourishes the children who will nourish the world!

Visit our booth at the St. Paul Schools Parent Information Fair on January 8

Call today for information! 651-451-1498375 Marie Ave. E. West St. Paul (easy access from Hwys. 52, 110, 35E, 494)

I’ll be ready to read before kindergarten!

Peaceful Heights Montessori Preschool & Child Care

www.peacefulheightsmontessori.com

Infants (6 weeks to 15 months) Toddlers (16 to 32 months)Preschool and Kindergarten (33 months to 6 years)

Latch Key (ages 6 to 8) before- and after-schoolSchool hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

We partner with county assistance programs

Open house every second Monday of the month

4-5:30 p.m.Please visit to learn about our new financial programs helping families

use Montessori education.

$100 Off First Month!

Open house Jan. 10, 4-5:30 p.m.

continued on page 12



cation and the workforce. Through a strong advi-sory program in grades 7-11, career exploration, community involvement and the opportunity to take Advanced Place-ment and College in the Schools courses is of-

fered. English Language Learners benefit from a comprehensive cur-riculum with bilingual educators. Graphic arts, tech prep, automotive, on-the-job-training/ca-reers and business entre-preneurship are areas of focus. An Army Junior Reserve Officer Train-ing Corps program fo-cused on self-discipline,

citizenship, leadership and academic studies is offered. An Area Learn-ing Center program and tutoring is offered after school. The school also provides extra-curricular activities, such as band, choir, athletics, adapted sports, diversity clubs, Friendship Club, and more.

Henry Sibley High School (9–12)1897 Delaware Ave.,Mendota Heights, MN 55118(651) 403-7100

Henry Sibley High School offers a diverse student population and a nurturing environment of civility, pride and respect that encourages personal growth, self-worth and

confidence. It strives to achieve and maintain academic rigor by bas-ing academic progress on individual potential. Regular academic prog-ress assessments are done to monitor each student. Clear expectations and academic goals are articu-lated, and teachers work with each student’s indi-vidual needs and learning

style. The school offers over 150 courses, includ-ing fine arts, Advanced Placement, and opportu-nities to take college-lev-el courses, as well as more than 50 clubs, sports teams, service activities and academic organiza-tions

Shopping for a new school? Discover the many options at the St. Paul Parent Information Fair

Parents shopping for a new school can learn about the many choices available to them at the 2011 Parent Information Fair, held 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 8, at St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kel-logg Blvd. The event is free.

All St. Paul public schools, as well as many char-ter, private and parochial schools, will be repre-sented. The fair will also offer information on ear-ly childhood education, English language learner programs, services for gifted students, special edu-cation services and more. Families may receive in-dividual help from St. Paul Schools Student Place-ment Center staff regarding the school choice process and completing an application. Interpret-ers will be available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Khmer (Cambodian), Laotian, Oro-

mo, Amharic and American Sign Language.The St. Paul Schools application deadline for

grades 7-12 is Feb. 28, and the deadline for ele-mentary schools is March 4. A school choice cata-log is available at www.spps.org.

Open enrollment - Under Minnesota state law, families may transfer their child to another pub-lic school for any reason, such as finding a school with a particular educational focus or teaching method, or simply for convenience, such as be-ing closer to their home or daycare. In addition, families may enroll students in advanced and spe-cialized courses not available through their school, as well as in advanced placement opportunities through colleges and universities.

For more than two decades, making quality health care accessible to everyone has been our goal. Bridging the language gap, developing culturally respectful approaches to care, and fostering innovative services and partnerships across communities are just a few of the ways we’re working to achieve that goal. When it comes to your health, we always start with you.

Twenty-fi ve years ago we startedwith one thing in mind:

H2456 H2407 PMAP MnCare 071206_2 (071206) IAucare.org

UC334_YOU_La_Voz_ad.indd 1 8/18/09 3:53:21 PM

continued from page11

SPP is an NCA accredited, private college preparatory school enrolling students from around the world in grades 9 through 12. Our students have the unique opportunity to prepare themselves for future success through quality academics and personal interaction with world cultures. Scholarships and financial aid available.

Now recruiting students and host families!

A World-Class Education

St. Paul Preparatory School380 Jackson St., Suite 100, St. Paul

651-288-4610 • www.StPaulPrep.org

Open Houses: Feb. 3, 6-8 pm, Mar. 15, 6-8 pm

Small plastics company for saleOperate full or part time. Move to your

area. 563-872-4671.


Your community news and information sourceS ample St. PaulOrdway Center for Performing Arts

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is presented through Jan. 2. This An-drew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice production tells the story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one very colorful garment. American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov ap-pears as Joseph. Joining the performers onstage are 40 Twin Cities-area school children. Tickets are $27-$81.

Grammy Award-win-ner Angélique Kidjo will be in concert 7:30 p.m., Fri., Jan. 21. Kidjo cross-pollinates the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influ-ences from Europe and Latin America. She shares her very own brand of rhythmic Afro-funk and pop from the four cor-ners of the globe. Tickets are $15-$25. The Ord-way Center is located at 345 Washington St., St. Paul. For more informa-tion, call 651-224-4222 or visit www.ordway.org.

Xcel Energy CenterRascal Flatts, with

special guests Luke Bryan and Chris Young, will present their “Nothing Like This Tour” at 7:30 p.m., Fri., Jan. 21. Tick-ets are $25-$69.75.

Linkin Park, with spe-cial guests Pendulum and Does It Offend You, Yeah?, will perform at 7 p.m., Fri., Jan. 28. Tick-ets are $42.50-$72.50. For more information, call 651-726-8240 or vis-it www.xcelenergycenter.com.

Children’s Museum“Living in Space” is

presented through Jan. 2. This interactive exhibit is inspired by the Inter-national Space Station, the largest international aerospace project ever, and teaches participants about the everyday ac-tivities of astronauts.

“Japan and Nature: Spirits of the Seasons” is presented through Jan. 23. This exhibit shows the similarities and dif-ferences of each season

of the year in Japan and Minnesota. Tickets are $8.95. The museum is located at 10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul. For more in-formation, call 651-225-6000.

History Center“Chocolate: The Ex-

hibition” is presented through Jan. 2. Immerse yourself in the story of chocolate by exploring the plant, the products and the culture of choco-late through the lenses of science, history and pop-ular culture. The exhibit features experiments and hands-on activities, as well as Mayan, Aztec and 17th-century European artifacts.

“Minnesota on the Map,” a traveling exhibit featuring 23 reproduc-tion maps and atlases, is presented through Jan. 9. The exhibit features an 1863 map by Louis Hen-nepin of the upper Mis-sissippi Valley, a video station with commentary by local historians, a bin of laminated maps that allows for an up-close look at Minnesota geog-raphy and history, and an oversized jigsaw puzzle map of the state.

“The Value of One Life” is presented Jan. 15-April 10. This ex-hibit highlights portraits of eight people who sur-vived life-altering events and went on to lead in-spiring lives.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, and $5 for children ages 6-17. The center offers free ad-mission on Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. For more informa-tion, call 651-259-3000 or visit www.mnhs.org.

Science Museum“Geometry Play-

ground” is presented through Jan. 9. This ex-hibit will have partici-pants climbing, building, drawing and playing to teach the ways in which mathematical principles affect how we move, see and fit things together in the world around us.

Omnifest 2011 - Om-nifest features five new films showing daily in the Omnitheater Jan. 7-Feb. 17. Shows include:

“Hubble,” “Old Man and the Sea,” “Sea Monsters,” “Wild Safari” and “Trop-ical Rain Forest.”

Museum tickets are $11 for adults and $8.50 for children ages 4-12 and seniors age 60 and older, or $17 and $14.50 respectively with admis-sion to the Omnithe-ater. Omnitheater tickets alone are $8/$7. The Sci-ence Museum is located at 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. For more information, visit www.smm.org, or call 651-221-9444.

Park Square Theatre

“2 Pianos, 4 Hands” is featured through Jan. 2. Ted and Richard are piano whiz kids with stars in their eyes. Work-ing toward their dream, they begin to realize the difference between “very good” and “great.” Two very talented men fill the stage with everyone from pushy parents to eccen-tric teachers. And yes, they do play those pianos – everything from Bach to Jerry Lee Lewis. Tick-ets are $20-$60.

“The Odyssey” is pre-sented Jan. 14.-Feb. 6. Legendary warrior Odys-seus fights tides, beasts and his own arrogance — often with no weapon ex-cept his passion. But it’s not just his adventure: his wife fights the urge

to give up on the world, and his teenage son wres-tles with the journey to adulthood.

Tickets are $20-$60, and $15 for ages 30 and under. A $5 discount is

offered for people age 62 and older. The theater is located in the Historic Hamm Building, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul. For more information, call 651-291-7005.

Artists’ QuarterThe Artists’ Quarter,

located in the Historic Hamm Building at Sev-enth Place and St. Peter in downtown St. Paul, offers live entertainment throughout the month, including jazz bands, po-etry nights and the popu-lar B-3 organ night, held at 9 p.m. every Tuesday. For a complete schedule of events, call 651-292-1359 or visit www.artist-squarter.com.

Sinfonia concertViolinist Gary Levin-

son will appear with the Minnesota Sinfonia at its winter concert, held at 7 p.m., Fri., Jan. 7 at Metro State University. Levinson, associate con-certmaster with the Dal-las Symphony, will play Concerto for Violin No. 5 by Henri Vieuxtemps. The Sinfonia will also perform “Once Upon a Time” by Edward Green and Symphony in C by Georges Bizet.

“The Old Man and the Sea” is featured in Ominfest 2011 at the Omni-theatre, located in the Science Museum. The Academy Award-winning film depicts Ernest Hemingway’s tale of a fisherman’s duel in stunning hand-painted imagery. The film also includes a short live-action bio of the author.

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Sibley Class of ’86 reunion

The Henry Sibley Class of 1986 reunion committee is seeking contact information for its classmates. If you are a 1986 Sibley gradu-ate, or if you know of information on one of its graduate, email your information to [email protected].

Free workplace English classes

South Suburban Adult Basic Education (ABE) offers Workplace Eng-lish classes to adults ages 18 and older who want to enter the workforce and wish to improve their English language and job search skills. The classes are free and open to residents of ISD 197. To enroll or receive more information, call 651-457-9441.

Programs at Baker Community Center

The Baker Commu-nity Center, 209 W. Page St., St. Paul, offers a number of free and low cost programs for youth and adults each Monday through Feb. 7, with the exception of Jan. 17. Adult and fam-ily swim is offered at the Cherokee Heights Pool 6-7 p.m., Jan. 3 and 10; youth swim is from 7-8 p.m. Cost is $3. Pro-grams for adults include introduction to comput-ers, writing for begin-ning English speakers, citizenship prep classes, arts and crafts, Spanish dialogue circle, green-house gardening and Zumba dance. Programs for youth include school readiness classes, home-work help and teen tech crew. For more informa-tion, call the center at 651-209-3519.

Ladies Morning Out

Women of all ages are invited to participate in the Ladies Morning Out program 9:30-11 a.m. each Thursday, begin-ning Feb. 4, at River-view Baptist Church, 14 E. Moreland, West St. Paul. The program will include coffee, fel-lowship, discussion top-ics and Bible study on

Peter I and Peter II and “David and the Psalms.” Childcare is available for pre-school aged chil-dren. For more informa-tion, call the church at 651-457-0234 or visit www.riverviewbaptist.net.

Community Calendar

• The Optimist Club - The Optimist Club of West St. Paul, which has been serving the youth of West St. Paul and surrounding com-munities since 1971, meets 5-6 p.m., the first and third Wednesday of each month at West Side Lanes, 1625 South Rob-ert St., West St. Paul. Visitors and new mem-bers are welcome. For more information, con-tact Cheryl Bergstrom at [email protected] or 651-450-7391.

• Veterans’ meet-ings - The Riverview-West St. Paul VFW Post 4462 hosts monthly meetings at 7 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month, at the West St. Paul Armory. For more information, call 651-437-4481. American Le-gion Post 521 also hosts monthly meetings at the Armory. Meeting times are 7 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month.

• Rotary Club - The West St. Paul/Mendota Heights Rotary Club hosts a weekly meeting at 7:30 a.m., Wednesdays, at Southview Country Club, 239 E. Mendota Road, West St. Paul. Each meeting features break-fast and a guest speaker. For more information, visit www.rotarywspmh.org.

• Kiwanis Club - The Kiwanis Club of West St. Paul hosts a weekly meet-ing at noon, Tuesdays, at Southview Country Club, 239 E. Mendota Road, West St. Paul. Each meeting features lunch and a guest speaker.

• Chamber of Com-merce - The Dakota County Regional Cham-ber of Commerce, which serves West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Rosemount and Farm-ington, hosts a monthly meeting called “The Buzz,” at 7:30 a.m., the

first Thursday of each month, at the North-ern Dakota County Ser-vice Center in West St. Paul. Each meeting fea-tures networking, a guest speaker and refreshments. For more information, call 651-452-9872 or vis-it www.dcrchamber.com.

Volunteer opportunities

• Ramsey County Community Human Services has volunteer opportunities for peo-ple age 18 and older. For more information, contact 651-266-4090 or [email protected].

• Minnesota Literacy Council - Volunteers are needed to tutor adult learners, assist in an adult classroom and teach basic English and GED classes. For more information, contact Allison at 651-645-2277, ext 219, or [email protected].

• St. Paul Public Schools - Volunteers are needed to tutor elemen-tary students in the St. Paul Public schools in reading and math. Under the guidance of a class-room teacher, volunteers assist students one-on-one or in small groups. For more information, contact Connie at 612-617-7807 or e-mail [email protected]. Vol-unteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insur-ance, mileage reimburse-ment and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Pro-gram (RSVP), sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.

• The Minnesota Reading Corps is seek-ing reading tutors for the 2010/2011 school year. The program pro-vides free, one-on-one tutoring to children age three through third grade. Minnesota Read-ing Corps members re-ceive a living stipend, reimbursement for col-lege (up to $5,350) and health insurance (for full-time members). For more information or to apply, visit www.Minne-sotaReadingCorps.org or call 1-866-859-2825.

• Neighbors, Inc., a social service agency

serving Northern Dakota County, has a number of volunteer opportuni-ties to assist local resi-dents. For more informa-tion, contact [email protected] or call 651-306-2145.

• Volunteers of Amer-ica is looking for volun-teers age 55 and over to assist children who are struggling with home-work and reading. Time commitment ranges from 3-12 hours a week. To volunteer or receive more information, contact Gil Zamora at 651-470-7416.

HHW collection Ramsey County’s

household hazardous waste collection site at Bay West, located near the State Capitol at 5 Empire Dr. in St. Paul, is open year-round. Drop-off is free for residents of Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Hennepin, Ano-ka and Carver counties with a photo I.D. For hours of operation and more information, call the Ramsey County Re-

cycling & Disposal Ho-tline at 651-633-EASY (3279) or visit www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph.

Flag disposalAmerican Legion Chal-

lenger Post 521 has a collection box in the vestibule at the West St. Paul Municipal Center, 1616 Humboldt Ave., for American flags that are torn, frayed or discol-ored. For more informa-tion on flag disposal or on the Challenger Post, call John Ertel at 651-457-5597.

Home Tour nominations

The 2011 Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour is seeking homeowners and home improvement pro-fessionals to be featured on the tour, held April 30 and May 1. Nominations and applications are due Sat., Jan. 15. Minneapo-lis Neighborhood Revi-talization Program (NRP) manages the tour. For more information, con-tact Margo Ashmore at 612-867-4874 or link@

nrp.org. The application can be downloaded from www.MSPHomeTour.com under “nominate.”

Student notesJordan Deininger and

Christopher Rodriguez of West St. Paul gradu-ated from Mankato State Unvivesity.

Holy Family Maronite events

Holy Family Maronite Church, 1960 Lexington Ave., Mendota Heights, is hosting a Mexican din-ner 5-8 p.m., Sat., Jan. 8, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun., Jan. 9. The meal includes chips and salsa, tacos, enchalidas, beans and rice and dessert. For reservations and more in-formation, call Kathy at 457-4141.

The church is also hosting its annual Leba-nese Mezze event 6-9 p.m., Sat., Jan. 15. This fundraising event fea-tures food and dancing. Cost is $75/person. To order tickets, call 651-291-1116.

Your community news and information sourceN ews Briefs

Grit Youngquist of the West Side has received the 21st annual Bet-ty Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award, which recognizes leadership and achieve-ments in promoting good health for mothers, children and youth.

For more than 21 years, Youngquist has served as the ado-lescent health and healthy youth development coordinator for St. Paul–Ramsey County Public Health. She is actively involved in advocacy at the community and statewide levels, volunteers with many youth-focused organiza-tions, and has served on the board of directors for a youth pregnan-

cy prevention organization and a community clinic. She is also the co-developer of the Wakanheza Project, an initiative of St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health. Wakanheza, which means “child” or “sacred being” in Dakota, helps agencies create more welcoming environments for children, young people and families, and encour-ages “peaceful parenting.” In ad-dition, Youngquist has worked as an adjunct instructor and student mentor in the Division of Epide-miology and Community Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

West Sider receives maternal and child health award


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Pollo Campero launches its first Minnesota restaurant in West St. PaulPollo Campero is mak-

ing its first appear-ance in Minnesota with the opening of its new West St. Paul restaurant, located at 1572 S. Robert St. The company, which specializes in Latin chick-en entrees, was founded in Central America in 1971 and opened the first restaurant in the United States in 2002. Today, Pollo Campero serves more than 85 mil-lion customers each year at more than 300 restau-rants in 12 countries.

Pollo Campero boasts food that is prepared fresh each day. Fried chicken is hand-breaded in sea-soned flour and pressure-cooked without trans-fats. Grilled chicken features the taste of lime and orange juices, red bell peppers, and a spe-

cial blend of Latin herbs and spices. Side dishes include a mix of Latin and traditional American dishes, including Camp-ero beans, Campero rice, black beans and white rice, yuca fries, sweet plantains, cole slaw, French fries and mashed potatoes. Customers may choose from soft drinks, iced tea or specialty Latin drinks, such as horchata, a sweet, milky beverage made with rice and cin-namon, and tamarindo, a sweet and tart chilled treat.

“We are excited to bring Pollo Campero to West St. Paul,” said Luis Guti-errez, president of Palm Food, the franchisee that owns the new location. “For people from Central America, Campero allows them to revisit some of

their favorite childhood memories, but we want to expand our customer base much further, in-troducing all of St. Paul to an entirely new way of enjoying chicken, with the incredible flavors and unique sides that make Campero special.”

Luis Gutierrez and his brother, general manager Carlos Gutierrez, grew up in El Salvador, where Pollo Campero operates as quick-service restau-rants. Their company already serves the local Latino American com-munity through a grocery store and check cashing outlet.

“Minnesota is a fan-tastic state, and we’re thrilled to open our first restaurant here,” said Ro-berto Denegri, Campero USA president and chief

operating officer. “We’re confident that Minneso-tans will enjoy this new quick-service alternative, the incomparable taste of our chicken, and the fast, friendly and clean at-mosphere that has made Pollo Campero famous around the globe.”

For more information, visit www.campero.com.

Pollo Campero opened Dec. 14 at 1572 S. Robert St., West St. Paul.

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Your community news and information sourceR iver Connections

Tim SpitzackEditor

While most artists are hunkered in-

side their warm studios this time of year, land-scape artist Joshua Cun-ningham is out trudging through snowdrifts along the banks of the Missis-sippi River. As the north-ern wind stings his face and ice crystals accumu-late on his beard, he scans the horizon for the right scene that he can transfer to canvas, thus preserving the beauty of the river cloaked in winter.

Cunningham, a plein air painter, enjoys being out in nature with his brushes, oils and canvas to soak in its splendor, breathe in its inspiration, and experience the magic of the moment when the light splashes across a landscape he intends to paint. He paints on loca-

tion year around, but also works from his studio in his St. Paul home, where he lives with his wife Shannon and their chil-dren, Greta and William.

“I have found the chal-lenge of painting outside to have awakened and clarified why I paint,” said Cunningham, 36. “Plein air paintings done on location in the winter have a different feel than those in the summer. The paint is stiffer and you can pile the white as you try to capture the snow. In the summer the paint is more fluid so they have a different tactual quality. The light in the winter is also very dif-ferent. The lower sun offers shorter windows of working time, but in those windows the light can be pretty dramatic, with long raking shadows and the myriad of colors bouncing around in the

snow.” The Mississippi River

is one of Cunninghan’s favorite subjects. One of his recent creations, “Blue Shadows and Bare Branches,” depicts bar-ren trees along the fro-zen Mississippi River and punctuates his desire to capture nuances of a landscape that inspire him.

“The unique growth of each silhouetted tree trunk divides the sky like the architecture of a stained glass window, holding a mosaic of light, air and ice,” said Cun-ningham of the painting. “When lost to the beauty of winter transfigured by the light, one doesn’t feel the cold so much as the sun.”

The painting is fea-tured through Jan. 15 in a new exhibit at Grand

Frozen in TimeSt. Paul artist captures the simple beauty of the Mississippi River in wintertime

ABOVE: “Blue Shadows and Bare Branches” is featured through Jan. 15 in a new exhibit at Grand Hill Gallery, 333 Grand Ave., Suite 101, St. Paul.RIGHT: Cunning-ham has painted in a number of locales throughout the United States, includ-ing the Great Lakes.

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Hill Gallery, 333 Grand Ave., Suite 101, St. Paul. The exhibit includes 30 paintings he has created in the Mississippi River Valley and other locales, including the prairie of Western Minnesota, the Great Lakes and the Great Northwest.

Doug Nielsen, owner of Grand Hill Gallery, is excited to have Cunning-ham back for another exhibit. This summer he was featured in a show along with fellow artist Richard Abraham, also a landscape painter.

“I am an admirer of his work,” said Nielsen, who met Cunningham last year during the St. Paul Art Crawl. “This show has a number of interest-ing scenes. He had a re-ally successful show (this summer) and a number of pieces sold.” For this show, his paintings are priced between $500 and $3,000, with most under $1,000. Nearly half of the paintings are scenes along the Mississippi River.

“So many paintings are of the river because I love roaming around the river valley,” said Cunning-ham. “It is a place I enjoy being.”

His love affair with the landscape of the Missis-sippi River valley began several years ago when a fellow artist invited him on a painting excursion near Lake Pepin, on the Wisconsin side. It was a cold, wet and windy day in April and Cunning-ham was woefully under-dressed to paint outside.

“It was miserable,” he laughed, recalling the day. “I wasn’t dressed warm enough. I hadn’t painted enough to jus-tify such a road trip to

go find a worthy subject matter. I was so new to it that I was barely worthy of attempting a painting of a tree in my backyard, let alone the wonder that waits around the bends of those rural river roads. But there I was, hunkered down, chilled to the bone, making a terrible painting, eating a cold sandwich with a great big grin on my face. For whatever reason, my life hadn’t brought me down that magical road. I fell in love with all the little winding roads and views and rolling fields.”

Raised along with his four brothers in rural Isanti, Minn., Cunning-ham was drawn to art at an early age but it took on even greater impor-tance for him following the death of his young-est brother, Ryan, who was killed in a car ac-cident. Painting became an outlet for him and a way to heal from his pain and find direction for his own life. The tragic event also inspired him to pur-sue his own dreams more vigorously. However, his career path has been a winding road. He stud-ied art at St. Cloud State University, St. John’s University and the Ate-lier Art School in Minne-apolis, but chose to quit those schools prior to getting a degree. Instead, he sought out and stud-ied under other accom-plished artists in the Twin Cities, including Mark Balma, Jeff Hurinenko and Joe Paquet. Thanks to a supportive wife and success in his field, Cun-ningham is able to pur-sue his art full-time. He paints two to three times a week and promotes his work through gallery

shows and other market-ing efforts. He said he is featured in about nine shows a year and sells

paintings every month.“I make my life as an

artist, a husband and a father,” he said. “My wife’s unwavering sup-port makes it possible to do what I do.”

Cunningham credits much of his early success to the St. Paul Art Crawl.

“The Art Crawl has been my touchstone,” he said. “The exposure has been so great. You have three days to talk to peo-ple who are in the mood to look for art.”

His painting, “Along the Line,” a railroad scene in St. Paul along the riv-er, won the St. Paul Art

Crawl Poster competition this fall and was featured on the promotional post-er to publicize the semi-annual event. The paint-ing was acquired by the

Cafesjian Center for the Arts. To view his work, visit www.joshuacun-ningham.com.

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‘It was miserable,’ he laughed, recalling the day. ‘I wasn’t dressed warm enough. I hadn’t painted enough to justify such a road trip to go find a worthy subject matter...But there I was, hunkered down, chilled to the bone, making a terrible painting, eating a cold sandwich with a great big grin on my face.’


With the cold weath-er upon us we are

spending more and more time at home. A small investment of your time and money can make your home more secure and reduce your chances of being a victim of bur-glary, assault or vandal-ism. Ask yourself this: If you’re locked out of your home, can you still get in? Can you get in through an unlocked window in the back, or use the spare key under the door-mat? If you can break into your home, so can burglars. Winter is the perfect time to focus on

home safety. These small safety tips could make for a big investment in your home security and family safety.

Check the doors• Almost half of all resi-

dential burglaries involve a thief walking in an unlocked door or enter-ing through an unlocked window. Locks aren’t very effective on doors that are flimsy or weak. Al-ways lock your doors.

• Make sure all exterior doors and frames are sol-id wood or metal. Doors should fit tightly in their frames with the hinges on

the inside of the door.• Install a peephole or

wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside with-out opening the door. Door chains are not se-cure enough to ward off intruders. If someone is in need of help, offer to call for him or her while they wait outside.

Check the locks• Make sure every ex-

ternal door has at least a 1-inch bolt to protect against picking, drilling or other forms of forced physical entry.

• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially approved locks. You can also use a broomstick or wooden dowel in the track of the door to pro-tect against intruders. Insert a pin in the hole drilled in the sliding door frame that goes through the fixed frame to pre-vent anyone from lifting the door off the track.

• Secure windows on all levels, especially basement windows. You should also secure double hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a down-ward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and part way through the outside sash.

• Don’t hide keys under doormats, in the mailbox or in planters or flower boxes. Give an extra key to a family member or trusted neighbor.

Burglars can take more than your property

• Burglars generally do not want to run into their victims, but if they are startled or surprised by someone coming home, someone may get hurt.

• If you see a ripped screen, broken window or open door, do not go inside. Call the police from a cell phone out-side or from a neighbor’s

house. • If you hear noise in

the night that sounds like an intruder breaking in or rumbling around, call the police immedi-ately and wait for them to come and assist you. Do not leave unless it is completely safe for you to do so. Lock yourself in a room. If the intruder enters the room you are in pretend you are asleep.

• If you purchase a fire-arm for protection care-fully weigh the positives and negatives. If you own a gun, learn how to use it safely. Also, make sure your gun is locked and stored away from chil-dren.

Check the outsideHere are some things

you can do to discourage burglars from selecting your home as their next target:

• Light porches, door-ways and yards in the back and in the front.

Consider installing mo-tion detectors or timers on your exterior lights.

• Make sure your house number is clearly dis-played. In the event of an emergency, police and other emergency vehicles need to be able to find your address.

• Keep your yard well-maintained. Put away all ladders and tools inside a locked garage or storage unit to prevent burglars from using them to enter your home.

• Local police are avail-able to come to your home and do a free safety inspection on the outside of your home. Contact your local police depart-ment to schedule an in-spection. For more infor-mation, contact the West Side Safe Neighborhood Council at [email protected] or 651-298-9727.

Participants of all ages, cultures and back-

grounds enter Neigh-borhood House with a personal goal or need in mind. Whether they seek assistance in the Food Shelf or want to further educate themselves with-in our Adult Education program, their persever-ance and success are the inspiration of Neighbor-hood House.

Cherrica Moutry, a Neighborhood House GED student, is a shin-ing example of that per-severance leading to a better life. She is the mother of four children, works full-time as a per-

sonal attendant at a local nursing home and at-tends at least 12 hours of classes per week, as well as independently study-ing outside the classroom in her efforts to receive a GED.

Cherrica’s past was not an easy one, to say the least. It was a constant daily struggle. She was raised in a broken family in Chicago and at the age of 13 was forced to look after her injured mother for the next 13 years of her life. She dropped out of school and became a single mother. She was kidnapped and left for dead and was also a vic-

tim of domestic violence. Despite all of her dev-

astating hardships and struggles, Cherrica found the drive to educate her-self and start a new life for her family. Because of the years of taking care of her mother, she was inspired to work in the healthcare industry. Adult Education Instruc-tor Nancy Meyer says “Cherrica’s drive and commitment is inspir-ing. Not only is she self-motivated to constantly improve her studies, she has the determination to improve the lives of her family and herself. She al-most never misses a class and her test scores have increased dramatically since she started classes at Neighborhood House eight months ago.”

Cherrica’s efforts led to her receiving the Lu-cille Fisher ABE Award from the Minnesota As-sociation for Continuing

Adult Education, due not only to her success in the classroom but the attitude she maintains in order to succeed. After her remarkable recovery from a life of struggle and heartache, Cherrica built a lifestyle of education and family, reconstruct-ing the life she wanted for herself.

”I owe it to myself and my children to get the education I need to achieve my dream of be-ing a nurse,” she said. “Neighborhood House is vital in my efforts to achieve that dream.”

Cherrica is a model of inspiration, persever-ance and hard work that makes us at Neighbor-hood House proud to be able to help her and oth-ers like her in their ef-forts to build a better life for their families.

Inspired by Cherrica’s story? Want to meet more people like Cherrica?

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Friday. To find out more, contact Adam Thomp-son at 651-789-2503 or [email protected].

Cherrica Moutry

Your community news and information sourceC ommunity Columns

Winter Safety Checklist


C ommunity Columns

By Elena Gaarder, WSCO executive director

The New Year pro-vides each of us an

opportunity to reflect on the previous year and re-focus for the year ahead. At WSCO, 2010 was a time of transition, with changes in leadership providing the opportuni-ty to establish a new stra-tegic direction and reaf-firm our commitment to fully engaging the com-munity.

As we move into 2011, there are many exciting opportunities for West Siders to engage in to help shape the future of the neighborhood. In January, WSCO will be-gin the important work of developing a new West Side (District 3) Plan. The plan will incorporate elements of other plans pertaining to the area, including the Smith Av-enue Revitalization Small Area Plan, which was re-cently approved by the Smith Avenue Task Force, the West Side Flats Mas-ter Plan, and the Robert/Chavez Small Area Plan, which is being spear-headed by the Riverview Economic Development Association. More impor-tantly, however, WSCO will focus on building relationships with resi-dents and stakeholders to identify a shared commu-nity vision and to create tangible goals, objectives and strategies so that the West Side Plan is a “working” document and not something that sits on a shelf collecting dust. Please keep your eyes and ears open for ways to par-ticipate in this effort.

In January, WSCO will appoint residents to the city of St. Paul’s 2011 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Task Force. If you are interested in serving on the Commu-

nity Facilities, Streets and Utilities or Residen-tial and Economic Devel-opment Task Force and can commit to meeting once a week, 4:30-6:30 p.m., from late February through late April, please email [email protected] or call us at 651-293-1708.

Other important meet-ings and events happen-ing in January include:

January 10 - A public hearing on the St. Paul Parks and Recreation System Plan will be held 6:30-8 p.m. at the Phalen Park Golf Course, 1615 Phalen Dr., St. Paul. Please consider attend-ing the meeting to ex-press your support for the Baker Center. Staff members from WSCO, the Jane Adams School/Center for Democracy and Cherokee Heights Elementary School are working with the Parks and Recreation Depart-ment to clarify what the future holds for the Baker Center. The public hear-ing is an opportunity for the community’s voice to be heard by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

January 3 and 10 - Thanks to the efforts of a few committed indi-viduals, the Cherokee Heights Pool will have Open Swim on Jan. 3 and 10, 6-8 p.m. The cost is $3 per person. For more details, contact the Baker Center at 651-209-3519.

January 13 - WS-CO’s Environmental Justice Committee will meet 6:30-8 p.m. at the WSCO office, 127 W. Winifred St. The Com-mittee is currently mov-ing full speed ahead on a number of Urban Gar-dening related projects.

January 18 - WS-CO’s Building and Land Use Committee will meet 6:30-8 p.m. at the WSCO office, 127 W. Winifred St., to discuss

historic preservation.January 27 - WSCO’s

Riverfront and Develop-ment Committee will meet 6:30-8 p.m. at the NeDA office, 481 Wa-basha St., to discuss the Great River Parks Master Plan and the West Side Flats housing develop-ment.

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