The reopening of the Mounds Theater at 1029 Hudson Road is getting closer to reality. It’s been another busy couple of months for a theater that has been closed since 1967.  The second major clean up took place on March 30. Even after 4 large truckloads of material were removed in February and huge amounts of paper, bottles and cans were recycled, three gigantic dumpsters were filled up.  This removed most of the old, broken seats and remaining odds and end. While still not exactly empty, the building’s auditorium now resembles a theater much more than a warehouse.

As part of the Mounds Theater's restoration, the old lighted sign has been uncovered and restored to working condition.  This landmark sign had been covered over for years.  You can see it lit up every night from 9 to 10 pm.  Photo by Greg Cosimini.

Architects, engineers and surveyors have been hard at work refining the basic remodeling plans. A design review with a number of theatrical groups was held in April to discuss live theater aspects of the building such as the stage design, lighting, seat arrangement, theater support areas and theater organ requirements.    The Mounds Theater was also part of this year’s Dayton’s Bluff Home Tour in early May. Over 300 people from around the Twin Cities toured the building. They got to see displays on the theater’s history and plans for its future, visit the projection booth and balcony, take pictures with Thespian Snoopy, view one of six restored and operational Art Deco wall lights and generally soak in the ambience of the place. A number of old employees and patrons of the Mounds shared their memories of the theater.     The “Buy a Bulb” fundraiser was successful and over 220 light bulbs were installed in the exterior Mounds sign on May 4. Every socket still worked, although some required a little cleaning. With the installation of some fuses and the throwing of a few switches, the mechanical contactor began rotating again after 34 years and the letters M-O-U-N-D-S began twinkling just like in the old days. The sign is now on a timer and will be lit every night from about 9 to 10 p.m. until further notice or something quits working.    The Mounds Theater will play host to one last event before it has to close down completely for renovation work. On June 30 it will be part of the Moundstock 2001 event, being held there and in Indian Mounds Park as a fundraiser for the renovation project.

Moundstock 2001: A Theater Odyssey

   The Portage for Youth presents a new signature community event for Saint Paul’s East Side. The event, Moundstock 2001, will take place on June 30th, 2001 from noon to 10:30 p.m. in beautiful Indian Mounds Park on the bluffs overlooking downtown Saint Paul and the Mississippi River.
   Proceeds from this event will benefit the Mounds Theater Rehabilitation project. Once completed the Mounds Theater, at 1029 Hudson Road in St. Paul, will host a performing arts stage, music practice space for children and adults, a Science and Engineering Lab, office space, a theater pipe organ to
accompany silent films/plays and Saturday Movie Matinees.
   Moundstock 2001 is being coordinated by the Portage for Youth, a 501(c)3 organization, serving disadvantaged youth on St. Paul’s East Side. They are also coordinating the rehab of the Mounds Theater. The Portage has stepped forward to produce this event because it realizes that to create
positive changes for youth in this neighborhood, positive changes need to take place in the neighborhood itself.
   Sponsors of Moundstock 2001 are: The Portage for Youth, City of Saint Paul, Capital City Partnership, Brewbaker's Bar and Restaurant, eXperimental Intermedia Studio - Metro State University, Park Jeep Eagle - Burnsville, Dayton's Bluff District 4 Community Council, Western Bank, Heritage Bank, Donavan Cummings with Edina Realty, 3M, HealthEast Marian of St. Paul - Care Center & Assisted Living, TCF and Tierney Brothers Printing.
                 WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING AT MOUNDSTOCK 2001?
Live music from noon to 10:00 p.m. will include: 
12:00 - 1:00  Dean Weisser Band 
1:15 - 2:15    Rockin' Daddy and the Roughcuts 
2:30 - 3:30    Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants 
3:45 - 4:15    Songs of Hope 2001 
4:30 - 5:30    Deb Brown and Blonde Faith 
5:45 - 6:45    Mezure 46 
7:00 - 8:15    Moses Oakland Quartet 
8:30 - 10:00  Ross William Perry 
MC'S For The Day: 
  Mei Young - from the KQ92 Homegrown Show 
  Tou Ger Xiong - Hmong Cultural Consultant, Comedian, Storyteller, 
     Rap Artist and Actor 
  Moses Oakland from the Moses Oakland Quartet 
Other Activities at Mounds Park: 
  Arts and Crafts Booths, Food and Beverage Vendors, Beer Garden, Mehndi Body Tattooing -Temporary Henna Art, Songs of Hope 2001, Karate Demonstrations, 2002 Jeep Display, East Side Artsmobile, The Community Design Center - Flowers, Children's Game Area, Booths - Local Organizations, Tarot Card & Rune Stones Readings, Face Painting, Bird of Prey Display (Tentative), Raffles for GREAT prizes and more. 
At the Mounds Theater: 
                             The eXperimental interMedia Studio - Metro State University 
                                                       PRESENTS: 
                             "Specific Voices"- an interactive, electronic arts presentation 
                                   at the Mounds Theatre; part of Moundstock 2001. 
                         David Means, composer-performer, with Mehmet Serdar Guvenc and
                                                Mary Garvie, guest artists.
What Else:
Fireworks from The Taste of Minnesota can be seen from the park at 10:30 p.m. (There is no affiliation between The Taste of Minnesota and Moundstock 2001) 
   So please come out and support Moundstock 2001 and help become a part of history in the making, the restoration of a 1920s silent movie theater. Mark your calendars for June 30th, 2001. Tell your family and friends about Moundstock 2001.
   For updated information visit the Portage website at: www.theportage.org
   "IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO RAISE ONE THEATER"

Moundstock 2001 Volunteer Opportunities
  The Moundstock 2001 Festival on June 30th is fast approaching. We need volunteers to help in the following areas:
  1 person at each of the two vehicle gates from 8 a.m. until closing time -
    checking credentials for access.
  1 person to check in exhibitors and performers upon their arrival at the
     loading zone
  1 person to check in volunteers as they arrive at the coordination station
  4 people to assist with setup from 8 a.m. to noon
  2 people at an information station from noon until closing
  1 person patrolling the food area, keeping the trash collected
  2 people patrolling the artists’ area, keeping the trash collected
  1 person to bring messages to the stage from the command post
  4 people to assist with breakdown from closing time until finished
   So, from 8 a.m. until noon, we need 8 people continuously.  From noon until close we need 15 people continuously.  From close time until finished, we need 4 people.
   If becoming a volunteer at the Moundstock 2001 Festival at Mounds Park, on June 30th, is of interest to you, please give me a call at 772-8674 and ask for Raeann. Now is your chance, to get involved.  Many thanks.

DAYTON'S BLUFF "COOLEST COUPLE" CONTEST
   We are looking for a couple that would like to reign over the MOUNDSTOCK 2001 Festivities. Qualifications are: 1) Have lived in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood for over 10 years and 2) Are at least 30 years old.
   Do you think you are the "Coolest Couple in Dayton's Bluff", or do you know of a couple who you think is the "coolest"?  Then you need to come interview on June 15th at 7 p.m. at the Portage for Youth, 965 Fremont Avenue in St. Paul.
   Please give us a call at 651-772-8674 (The Portage for Youth) if you are interested in coming to an interview on June 15th at 7 p.m.

New Principal at Trinity Catholic School

      Mrs. Sandra Krekeler has been named as the new Principal of Trinity Catholic School beginning July 1, 2001.  Mrs. Krekeler has been in Education for over 28 years as Curriculum Leader in Special Education and with the Hearing Impaired.  Her teaching profession was in Cincinnati Public Schools and in Dakota County, MN.  Her
administration experience has been in the Minneapolis and Rockford IL area for the past nine years.
   Mrs. Krekeler is a communication specialist experienced in supervision
and special education.  In addition to presently being an instructor at
Northern Illinois University, she is an author and developer of educational programs including “Innovators”, a tutoring service for needy city students.
   Mrs. Krekeler holds her Education Specialist Degree from the University of St. Thomas and a Masters of Education Degree in Educational Administration & Communication Disorders as well as in Special Education, both received at the University of Cincinnati. Named “Archdiocesan Outstanding Principal of the Year” in 1999 by the National Catholic Education Association, Mrs. Krekeler has spearheaded a major curriculum project consistent with state graduation rules.
   Trinity Catholic School Board of Directors, staff, students and parent community welcome Mrs. Krekeler to their school.  Her motto is “Teach so others can learn. Learn as others teach me.” 

Trinity Catholic School News

Earth Day at Trinity
   Trinity Catholic School students were a part of the Sacred Heart Parish Earth Day Poster contest held recently. Congratulations to the winners:
   Grand Prize: Krystal Burdine, Gr. 5
   First Place Grade Winners: Carl Kron, Gr 1; Marais Wakem, Gr. 2; Delina Brown-Jackson, Gr. 4; Anasticia McAllister,Gr 5. 
   Second Place Grade Winners: Mitchell Brown, Gr. 1; Billy North, Gr. 2; Allie Freyberger; Gr. 4; Tara Wander, Gr. 5. 
   On April 21, in honor of Earth Day, the students of Grade 5 applied their service skills as they gathered litter from the schoolyard and theRecreation Center on Duluth and Case. The parents who helped organize and supervise are Linda Murnane and Patty Cusick. The student volunteers were Krystal Burdine, Morgan and Kyle Murnane, Kirsten Renstrom, Tara Wander, Kim Dyal, John, Justin, Jordan, Jimmy, Jessica and Jacob Cusick, Alex Felix, Jacob Wakem, Thomas Rodgers, Dominic Stanton and Jess Cardoza.
Trinity Registration
   Registration is now in process at Trinity Catholic School for the 2001-2002 year. Pre-School - Grade 8 openings are available. All day Kindergarten sessions are optional. Sessions for ages 3 and 4 are held twice and three times a week, respectively, for 2-1/2 hrs. For information call 651-776-2763.
Good Test News at Trinity
   Testing in schools has been under close scrutiny for some years in the St. Paul area. Trinity Catholic School in East St. Paul is proud to announce that scores for the 18 eighth graders tested this year were very positive.
   The Minnesota Basic Standards Test, given in all St. Paul public and private schools and a requirement for graduation from high school, indicate that Trinity Catholic School scored 100% on the Reading portion and 94% on the Math portion. One student, Adam Wander, had a perfect score on both tests.
   Trinity Catholic School wants to acknowledge and congratulate our teachers and students.

Bluffing with Science
The science of  urban gardening
Part I: Flowers and Grass
by Greg Cosimini

   Now that you’ve mastered vegetable gardening thanks to last month’s column, it’s time to tackle flower gardens and lawns. Flowers are very easy.  Grass is basically impossible.
   Flowers can be divided into all sorts of categories. There are annuals that live for one year; biennials that live for two years but usually only bloom the second year; perennials that live almost forever (unless they were very expensive); and even plants that bloom only once every hundred years.  But those smell bad and aren’t native to Minnesota, so who cares?  Some flowers like full sun; others full shade; and, of course, some like something in between. Some flowers grow on long stems and are great for cutting and putting in vases; some have short stems; and others have no stems at all. Some flowers need rich, wet soil; others want sandy, dry soil; and others only grow in the dirt found in cracks in sidewalks and foundations. 
   This seems very confusing but it doesn’t have to be. Here is everything you need to know. Sunny: marigolds and nasturtiums (annual), tulips, daffodils and daylilies (perennial). Shady: impatiens (annual),
hostas, lily of the valley and ferns (perennial). Bad soil: crown vetch (annual, groundcover). These are all cheap and grow well in this area. Crown vetch is the purple flowering ground cover you see along the freeways.  Apparently MNDOT thinks they contrast nicely with the yellow flowers of their annual dandelion crop.
   For marigolds and nasturtiums you just throw the seeds on the ground, stomp them into the soil, add water and they grow. If the marigolds go to seed, they will plant themselves and show up next year. Marigolds also can withstand minor frosts and even look pretty good after a hard frost. Impatiens will freeze if you even give them a cold stare.
   The perennials I’ve listed need no attention at all. Tulips will eventually die out but the other ones will last a long time. They will keep spreading and multiplying with no help from you. You might want to divide them every 5 or 10 years if you’re up to it.
   Obviously there are many other kinds of flowers. Hollyhocks are old-fashioned flowers that have been in Dayton’s Bluff forever. I never planted any but they showed up one year and have been reseeding themselves for over 15 years. Lunaria, or money plants, are great that way too. I planted one packet of seeds 20 years ago and they still show up every spring. Even though both of these are biennials, they get out of sync pretty fast so eventually some plants are blooming every year.
   Grass is a different matter. If you want a beautiful golf course lawn, follow these simple steps. First, remove all sources of shade from your yard such as trees, bushes, garage and the upper stories of your house. Do the same to your neighbors’ yards. Then bring in loads of very rich soil.  Next buy very expensive seed or sod. Fertilize and put weed killer on it constantly. Give it at least an inch or two of water every week and mow it 2 to 3 times a week. See, it can be done. All it takes is lots of time and tons of money. Look at the suburbs. Grass grows so well in the ‘burbs that they don’t even bother putting in sidewalks. 
   But we aren’t going to do that on the Bluff are we? Here is the best way to proceed. Buy some perennial rye grass seed. Stay away from special northern grass seed. It costs more and turns brown as soon as the temperature hits 80, but will recover by October in time for the first snow. It is probably meant for areas north of Duluth. Use the same seed for shady or high traffic areas. You can buy special seed for these spots but it really won’t make any difference. Grass won’t grow there anyway.
   Plant the seed in early fall or mid-spring. Use common sense. Don’t bother if the ground is covered with snow. Keep the ground damp, not soggy, until the seed sprouts. Water until the grass is about 3-inches tall. After that, water whenever you feel like it or wait for rain.
   Mow the grass whenever the grass starts looking shaggy or there is nothing good on TV. Use a rotary push mower. It’s quiet, uses no energy (except yours) and requires almost no maintenance. Or buy a sheep and hope the city code inspectors don’t show up.
   What to do about weeds? Pull them, spray them or learn to live with them. If you go the spraying route, use a hand sprayer and treat weeds individually rather than covering the whole lawn. Once you remove weeds the first time, it doesn’t take much to keep them under control after that. Get a dandelion puller and take them out as they appear. 
   It doesn’t hurt to add an environmentally friendly fertilizer in the fall and maybe early in spring. But be warned, it just encourages the grass to grow and it will then require more water and mowing. It’s a vicious cycle.
   No matter what you do, some grass will die every year. So don’t knock yourself out over it. Rather than worrying about it, just buy a sack of grass seed and reseed the dead spots in fall or spring. It will probably take about 30 minutes and just think of the effort you’ve saved during the summer by not pampering your lawn.
   There are alternatives to grass such as cement, asphalt or artificial turf. But the city has rules that require a certain percentage of your lot consists of soil or a reasonable facsimile thereof. One popular trend is to replace grassy areas with flowers, vegetables prairie grasses or other native plants. Native plants are often mistaken for weeds. It’s all a matter of definition. The trick is to put a fence around them or at least put up a sign that states “These aren’t weeds, they just play them on TV.”  Another trick is to plant dandelion seeds in nice even rows and then tell everyone you are raising them for salad and winemaking just like your grandparents did. Some people might fall for that story.
   Our boulevards present a special problem. The solution is simple: dandelions, nature’s nearly indestructible plant and the city’s answer to what to plant in its parks and parkways. If there ever is a nuclear holocaust, the cockroaches won’t be the only things to survive. They’ll be munching on dandelions. The city does allow flowers to be planted on boulevards. I suggest something of the artificial variety.
   Now let’s put those green thumbs to work. Happy gardening.
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Bluffing with Science will appear at random times in the Forum.  It will attempt to relate topics in science and engineering to life in Dayton’s Bluff. That is the goal, not a guarantee.  Please send questions, comments or suggestions for future columns to the Dayton’s Bluff District Forum, Attention: Greg Cosimini, 798 E. 7th. St., St. Paul, MN 55106 or email me at greg_the_skeptic@angelfire.com.

Summer Child Care on the Bluff

   Child care for 3 to 6 year old children is offered to residents with a busy summer work schedule. JOY Preschool and Childcare, located at Bethlehem Lutheran Church,  655 Forest Street, has openings for this summer and fall. This economical, multi- cultural, Christ-centered program offers a safe learning environment for your child. Open 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
   JOY is licensed and registered through the Minnesota Department of Human Services and provides breakfast, hot lunch and snacks throughout the day.  If you need registration information or have a question about the  preschool or child care, please call Wendy Ewald, Director, at 651-771-6982.
   Registration for the preschool program of JOY Preschool and Childcare at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 655 Forest Street, St. Paul, has openings for the fall. JOY has had over 30 years of experience, provides a safe environment, and multi-cultural, Christ- centered learning programs. 
   The center offers two, three and five day morning programs for 3 to 5 year old children, leading to preparation for admittance to kindergarten. A firm foundation provides children with the skills needed to meet the future. 
   Call today for information or an appointment with Wendy Ewald, Director, at 651-771- 6982.

Hmong Women’s Annual Peace Walk

   The Hmong Women’s Annual Peace Walk is happening again this year! You are invited to come join us for the 3rd Annual Hmong Women’s Peace walk to raise awareness about violence in the Hmong community.
   A volunteer planning group has been meeting since January to plan the walk, but we need your help. We are asking individuals to commit to walking with us from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on June 16th, 2001 from Mounds Park to Metro State University. Mounds Park is the site where a young Hmong woman was
killed last year in the presence of her child by a 15-year-old Hmong youth.
   It is a place that we will gather to remember what happened there. We will then walk to Metro State University’s Great Hall, where a program will be held. The program will include speakers as well as young people (K-12) reading poems they have created about peace and non-violence in our community.

Stop the Violence! Make Peace!
* Six children, ages 6-11 were strangled to death by their mother. September 1998
* A mother of eight in the presence of her 3-year old son was gunned down by her husband. February 2000
* Heu, who had an OFP against her husband, was found shot to death in her own home by her husband. Summer 2000
* Lor, a teen girl raped and killed by 3 young men and 2 female accomplices. September 1998
* In front of her child, a mother was shot by two acquaintances hired by the father of her child. November 2000
* A murder-suicide in Minneapolis with thirteen children left parentless. December 2000
* Xiong, a young man on his way to school was shot and killed in a drive by shooting. July 1999
  Are you enraged, TROUBLED, CONCERNED by the recent violent incidents that have occurred in the local Hmong community in the past few years? Then come to the:
3rd Annual HMONG PEACE WALK
Saturday, June 16th, 2001 
9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
   The walk will begin at Mounds Park and end at Metro State University’s Great Hall. There will be a program in the Great Hall where featured speakers will address the issues of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in our community.
   Students K-12 will be reading their original non-violence poetry!
   WE WELCOME EVERYBODY! WE STILL NEED MORE  VOLUNTEERS!
For more information, please call May Thao Yang at (651) 772-4788; Fax (651)772-4791; 
Email: wahl@usinternet.com
   Co-sponsored by: Women’s Association of Hmong and Lao (WAHL), MN Coalition
Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), Sexual Offense Services (SOS), Hmong Women’s Action Team (HWAT), St. Paul Police Department (SPPD), Metro State 
University (MSU), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and Speak Up Clean Up Crime (SUCUC).

SENIOR HOUSING PROJECTS ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Johnson Brothers Liquor Store, Old Mounds Park Hospital Campus Slated for Demolition
by Mike Bemis
 

Two new senior housing projects will give Eastsiders more options in caring for aged loved ones in the near future. Both currently in the planning stage, they are only blocks apart, one on either side of I-94 that cleaves the neighborhood in two.

The Johnson Brothers Liquor Store building will be demolished to make way for new senior citizen housing.  The building has been a fixture at Hudson Road and Johnson Parkway for decades.  Other structures on the block, including several homes, will also be removed for the project.  Photo by Greg Cosimini.

According to Jerry Frisch, the developer of the site of the long vacant Johnson Brothers Liquor Store, work will commence this fall on razing the white hulk sitting at 1165 Hudson Road. He said that this is contingent on receiving approval from the Metropolitan Council. Because there is contaminated soil present, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is also involved in the process. According to an official of that agency, there has been leakage from an underground storage tank. Mr. Frisch said that the MPCA gave its approval for a work permit on April 28.    Another potential stumbling block is that the old liquor store contains asbestos, which is a known health hazard. The cost of cleaning up the site will be a public/private partnership, with both Mr. Frisch and the City of St. Paul bearing a share of the expense.

Marian Center, formerly the Mounds Park Hospital, will be another site for new senior citizen housing.  The center is pictured here looking northeast from the corner of Earl and Thorn.  The main building at right will remain.  Two other buildings on this block, including the one at the left of this picture, will be demolished for the center's expansion.  Photo by Greg Cosimini.

On the other side of the freeway, at 200 Earl Street, is the Marian Center, known to long time residents as the former Mounds Park Hospital. Vicki Tobroxen, Director of Assisted Living Development, states that except for the original hospital building, the entire block will be cleared. An old nurses dormitory, a one-story garage, a maintenance shop and a commercial building will come down to make way for a $10 million project. With its planned completion in the fall of 2002, there will be 127 apartments: 52 of these will be assisted living units, meaning that residents will receive two meals a day and receive help such as light housekeeping. There will also be 75 congregate housing units for more independent seniors. All residents will have access to nursing staff to attend to their health related needs.    While HealthEast will be the manager of this new property, the owner will be Governmental and Educational Assistance Corporation, a non-profit organization.

Good Neighbor Clean Up

     The Good Neighbor Clean Up was an overwhelming success.  In  the two Good Neighbor target areas eight 30-yard dumpsters were filled within an hour.  About 80 tires were hauled off to Tires Plus on Maryland.  The Dayton’s Bluff District 4 Community Council, and the City of Saint Paul have formed a partnership to clean up the target areas in Dayton’s Bluff. 
The target areas are: 
  -Between Mounds Blvd., Forest, Hudson Road, and East 7th Street. 
  -Between Johnson Pkwy, the railroad tracks, Earl, and East Minnehaha. 
   This program serves as a kind of early warning system that gives residents a heads up to code problems, before the code enforcement officials are involved.  If you would like to get involved in this program call Karin at 772-2075. 
   The annual Fall Neighborhood Clean Up for everyone in Dayton’s Bluff will be held on September 15th.   More information will be available soon.

Ticks and Lyme Disease 

Dear Amber,
Now that summer is here and the ticks are out, can you tell me what Lyme Disease is? 
Thank you,
Lorraine.

   Well Lorraine, actually I can speak first hand about Lyme Disease. My mother had it, about 2 years ago, but caught it in time. 
   Lyme disease is an illness caused by a spirochete bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to animals and man through the bite of infected ticks. The disease is reported world wide and throughout the US.  The states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey account for the majority of cases in the US. However cases are reported from all geographic regions of the country.
   Ixodes dammini is responsible for most of the bases of Lyme Disease in the northeastern US. These ticks are found in grass (including lawns) and in brushy, shrubby and woodland sites, even on warm winter days. They prefer areas where some moisture is present. The tick has three life stages: larva, nymph and adult. Each stage takes a single blood meal. They feed on a variety of warm-blooded animals including man, dogs, cats, horses and cows. The bite is painless so most victims do not know they have been bitten. The nymphal stage appears to be responsible for most Lyme disease cases. Both the larval stage (about the size of a grain of sand) and nymphal stage (about the size of a poppy seed) attach to a variety of small mammals, but prefer the white-footed mouse, the main reservoir of the Lyme disease bacteria. The adult ticks (about the size of a sesame seed) prefer to feed on white-tailed deer. The entire life cycle requires three separate hosts and takes about two years to complete.
   In about 50% of the cases a characteristic rash or lesion called erythema migrans is seen. It begins a few days to a few weeks after the bite of an infected tick. The rash generally looks like an expanding red ring. It is often described as looking like a bull’s-eye with alternating light and dark rings. However, it can vary from a reddish blotchy appearance to red throughout and can be confused with poison ivy, a spider or insect bite or ringworm. At about the same time that the rash develops, flu-like symptoms may appear with headache, sore throat, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, fatigue and general malaise. Some people develop the flu-like illness without getting a rash.
   Seek prompt medical attention if any of these symptoms appear, especially after being bitten by a tick or visiting an area where Lyme Disease is common. If possible document the presence of the rash by taking a picture because it may disappear before a physician can see it. A picture in this case is worth 10,000 words.
   Lyme Disease is treated with antibiotics. Timely treatment increases chances of recovery and may lessen the severity of any later symptoms in both animals and man. Your physician will recommend the most effective treatment. Treatment for later stages is more difficult, often requiring extended and repeated courses of antibiotic therapy.
   When outdoors, several precautions can minimize your chances of being bitten:
 * Tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants.
 * Wear light colored clothing.
 * Inspect clothes often for ticks.
 * Apply repellents according to label instructions.
 * Upon returning home remove clothing and wash or put it in the dryer for 30 minutes to kill any ticks.
 * Inspect children at least once daily for ticks.
 * When hiking stay in the middle of trails. Do not bushwhack.
 * Clear brush from around your  premises and keep grassy areas mown.
 * Avoid plantings that especially attract deer and other animals.
 * Limit watering of lawns
 * Judicious use of environmental  insecticides to kill ticks may be necessary in some areas.

If you have a question that you would like answered, please write me at:

Dayton’s Bluff District Forum
Attn. Ask Amber
798 East 7th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
Or e-mail your question to: askamber1@hotmail.com
————————————
All answers given herein are solely the opinion of the writer and not the Dayton's Bluff District Forum nor the writers or advertisers or the people and businesses included in the column.  Amber's answers will be
researched in depth and are accurate as opinion, but not neccesarily fact.

We All Need To Pick Up Trash

   At a recent Block Club meeting the question came up how do we deal with litter.  One woman said when she goes out for a walk she takes a plastic bag along and picks up trash.  Another woman, and then another said, “I do that too.” 
    I have learned that it takes less energy to pick up litter than to fuss about it.   Everyone should get in the habit to pick up litter and throw it away.  People are less likely to drop trash in an area that is free of litter.  Let’s make Dayton’s Bluff a neat and clean community.  For more information call Karin at 772-2075.

Cooking in the Bluff 
    by Shiela Johnstone

 For this edition I have chosen Diabetic and Low Fat ideas.

Chicken Caesar Pasta
This is one of my favorites!
Ingredients: 
1 pound pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) bottle Caesar salad dressing
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried and shredded
1 large tomato, chopped
Directions: 
  1) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  2)Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, pepper and salt. Cook about 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove skillet from heat.
  3) In a bowl, mix together salad dressing, vinegar and cheese. Toss together chicken, lettuce, and dressing mixture. Place in large serving bowl, and sprinkle with tomato. Garnish with croutons and Parmesan curls, if desired.

Nutrition at a glance: 
Calories  402 
Protein  35g 
Total Fat 7g 
Sodium 306mg 
Cholesterol 66mg 
Carbohydrates 50g 
Fiber 3g

Cooking Tip: Spray pan with cooking spray before boiling pasta water to keep noodles from sticking.

Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients:
1 cantaloupe, (*see note)
1 cup strawberries, cut in halves
1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
1 apple, cored and sliced
1 banana, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
  1) Quarter the cantaloupe (* Scoop out seeds and cut the flesh away from the rind.) Cut the flesh in chunks and discard the seeds and rind.
  2) Thread cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, apple and banana alternately onto skewers.
  3) Dip in lemon juice to prevent discoloring.

Nutrition at a glance:
Calories 50
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 mg
Cholesterol 0 mg 
Sodium 10 mg
Carbohydrates 13 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 11 g
Protein 1 g
Vitamin A 40 %
Vitamin C 60 %
Calcium 2 %
Iron 2 %

Cooking Tip: It is actually easier to make melon balls than it is to dice or cube the melons. (This is a great job for youngsters.) Use green honeydew melon balls, whole red strawberries and canned pineapple for minimal cutting. To make things easier on yourself, start out with enough kabobs for presentation, but then provide the skewers and prepared fruit so guests can make their own.

Did you know?
 Melons, squash, and cucumbers, all of which ripen while lying on the ground, can be exposed to salmonella and ecoli bacteria. As a precaution, they should be washed with soap and hot water, then rinsed before proceeding with any recipe. This applies even if you are only using the flesh of the melon (or squash or cucumber); the mere act of cutting through the rind is enough to bring harmful bacteria in contact with the flesh.

   If you have comments, suggestions, a special recipe that you would like to share, or you are looking for a special recipe, feel free to contact me through the Dayton’s Bluff Forum.

Write to: 
Shiela Johnstone 
Dayton's Bluff District Forum 
P.O. Box 600511 
St. Paul, MN 55106 

Email: shiela@qwest.net 
Or call: 651-772-2075 (Dayton's Bluff Community Council Office) 

Till next time, bon appetite. 

Seniors Treated To Mirth And Music
by Linda Murname
 

Intermediate and Advanced Bands from Trinity Catholic School, located at 835 East Fifth Street, performed at the Wilder/Health East nursing home on May 9.  The students performed numerous songs consisting of marching tunes and classical pieces.  The bands took turns playing and on some pieces they performed as a single group.

Band members from Trinity Cathlic School entertain residents at the Health East nursing home on East 7th Street.  Photo by Linda Murnane.

After the recital, the children visited with the seniors while sharing juice and cookies.  The students also brought along homemade Mother’s Day cards that were designed by the kindergarten, first and second graders, which seemed to delight their audience.  The children also visited with the nursing home’s furred and feathered friends: cats, dogs and birds.      It was a sharing experience all will remember for a long time to come.

Getting to Know Dayton’s Bluff Businesses
by Shaun Murphy

   The Dayton’s Bluff District Forum has a role to play in improving the relationship between its businesses and its residents. Most people would characterize this relationship as having desperate room for improvement. 
   At least this is the impression I received as a newcomer when I attended a public comment meeting last summer. There, residents of Sixth Street squared off with business owners on Arcade, discussing the controversy surrounding the blocked intersection of these two streets.

Gopher Rambler and a barber shop now house Roger's Print Shop, one of the many businesses readily available to serve Dayton's Bluff Residents. This photo was dated December 5, 1961. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

   In addition to the central issues of vehicular flow and pedestrian safety, several side comments were made. At one point, a resident stood up and cried, “There’s no store worth shopping at on your street anyway!”, and a business owner shouted the retort, “That’s because you never visit us!”
  While these comments made me cringe, I walked away from the meeting knowing that they contained at least a grain of truth. As a resident, how often had I patronized our local businesses, even if they did not supply all of my everyday needs? From that day forward, I decided to make it a point to
shop locally whenever possible.
   Through the following months, I visited several shops. I had keys made at the hardware store on Arcade. I found a lifejacket for my new canoe at the thrift store on 7th. I purchased a mirror at an antique store on Payne. I shopped for gifts for my students at Jolly Tyme Favors, which is also on Payne.
   Then, this past February, I accepted the position of advertising salesperson for the Forum. Before I knew it, I was on a mission to visit each and every business within and nearby Dayton’s Bluff. I would never have been prepared for the sheer number of people and businesses I would encounter.
   On my first day I met Shirley, whose business has been an institution on Arcade Street for 47 years. Her store, The Arcade Shade Shop, specializes in window shades that last a lifetime. A window blind from Target would go through nine lives before one of Shirley’s would retire.
   Soon after, I ran across Eunice, who recently opened The Gardenshop on Maryland with her daughter, Cheryl. I learned that these brave entrepreneurs had filled a niche that had been empty on the entire East Side for years-a store that is both gift shop and garden center.
   I have found such extremes and everything in between. Maria, who runs The Lily of the Valley Vietnamese Restaurant, has been on 7th Street for 13 years. Jim, who has a car repair shop on Point Douglas Road, has been open for less than one. Joel, who operates a karate school with his wife, has taught at 7th and Eichenwald for nearly three decades.
   Did you also know that we have a bakery on 3rd Street? A pizza delivery kitchen on Hudson? A travel agency on Arcade? A copy shop, lumber store, and dry cleaners on 7th? A climbing gym south of Rainbow Foods? A grocery store on Earl Street? Accountants, pharmacists, lawyers, barbers, and dog groomers? All within our neighborhood? I promise-we have it all!
   It is simply not true that East Siders have to drive to far away strip malls, or neighborhoods on the other side of St. Paul to do all of our
shopping. Nor is it true that we fail to visit our local businesses. Just look at the ads within these pages. We would not have new or veteran entrepreneurs if Dayton’s Bluff did not have services and products that customers were willing to buy.
   The volunteers who run the Forum are committed to connecting you to the neighborhood’s businesses. We will run advertisements. We will publish business briefs. We hope to compile a business directory for your use. But much of the rest is up to you. This newspaper is meant to be a forum for your ideas and experiences.
   Have you always wanted to open a bookstore and wondered if the neighborhood would support it? Is your fledgling business in need of patronage? Have you always wanted to let everyone know about your favorite hidden business? Have you always wished someone else would open a watch repair shop or a sporting goods store?
   Well then, here is your chance to send in your opinions, suggestions, and stories. Do not be timid! Jot out a short note, or fill up a reporter’s notebook. Take pictures, or paint us one with words. Remember, the Forum is ”The Voice of the Community.” Make yours heard!

Home Tour Sells Homes

   Hundreds of people attended the 2001 Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Home Tour on May 5th and 6th.  Visitors were fascinated by the variety of housing, great people and scenic vistas in Dayton’s Bluff. 
   Two homes on the Home Tour that were for sale were sold during the tour.  Many people from all over the Twin Cities area come to the Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Home Tour each year.  We are already looking for homes to be on next year’s Home Tour.  For more information call Karin at 772-2075.

National Night Out
America’s Night Out Against Crime

   Join your neighbors on August 7, 2001 and celebrate National Night Out. Some neighborhood groups and block clubs are planning to have a neighborhood barbecue, a fish fry, and/or a soft ball game.  There are many things a group of neighbors can do.  Be creative!
   The idea is to get out and spend the evening getting to know your neighbors.  National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.  Join 30 million other people in more than 9,000 communities nation-wide in a variety of events and activities.  Let’s make this year even bigger!  Call Karin at 772-2075 for more information or if you want an event in your neighborhood.

Faces and Places - St. Paul’s East Side
By Michelle Donovan Gant

    With a click of my finger I am able to still see, for a moment, a vibrant image. The vision in my eye is captured and stored in the film forever. That is the magic of photography.
   This past winter and spring I was fortunate to be a part of a group of three Metropolitan State University students who participated in a Photo Documentation Project that featured the East Side of St. Paul. The two other students were Vangeline Ortega and Jason Gruber. Our general goal was to document the moods and spirit of the East Side, through our camera lens, and create a final photo documentary project that would be worthy of representing the richness and diversity of the people we met and the places we visited.
 

“Robert: restoring a historical home at 636 Bates Avenue.”                    Photo by Michelle Donovan Gant.  MDG©2001.

“Indian Mound - Mounds Park.”  Photo by Michelle Donovan Gant.  MDG©2001.

“Resident of Health East’s Marian Center.”  Photo by Michelle Donovan Gant. MDG©2001

Notices

Joy Child Care On The Eastside
    Many parents have been asking for child care that is close to home with convenient drop off  before and after work. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 655 Forest Street, offers children the opportunity to spend less time on the streets and more time with your family. Come and visit us for an economical and safe learning experience for your preschool child age 3-5 years. We offer a year around child care with a preschool component taught from a Christian perspective. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are licensed and registered with the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services.
   For more information on child care on the east side of St. Paul, please call Wendy Ewald at Behlehem Lutheran JOY Preschool Child Care (651) 771-6982; or email  BethStPaulLCMS@juno.com

 “A Poet…Distills amazing sense From ordinary Meanings –"
                                                                                                    -Emily Dickinson
Become Charged with Life at the free library events celebrating the poetry and letters of Emily Dickinson.
  May 1 – June 15
 Exhibit:  Emily Dickinson’s letters  and rare 19th century books.
 Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
  "Charged with Life", based on the intimate correspondence between Emily Dickinson and her friend Thomas Wentworth Higginson, will be presented on May 5.  Composed by Elizabeth Dickinson, "Charged with Life" reveals the complicated relationship between the unknown poet and the prominent national editor using their own words.

CAMP WILD! 
Summer Day Camp For Boys and Girls

   Camp Fire USA, Minnesota Council is offering ten weeks of day camping at Wilder Recreation Center (958 Jessie Street) in Saint Paul.  Sessions will begin the week of June 18 and go through the week of August 20.  Boys and Girls entering grades one through six have the opportunity to choose from exciting weeks of adventures.  Each week is packed with games, crafts, stories and more focusing on a weekly theme.  To request a CAMP WILD brochure, contact Camp Fire Boys and Girls at 651-632-9181.

Visit Lyman Dayton's Grave Site 

   The Dayton’s Bluff Community Council purchased a tombstone in 1994 to mark the gravesite of Lyman Dayton, founder of Dayton’s Bluff.  Lyman Dayton was born on August 25, 1810, in Southington, Connecticut.  He founded and established Dayton’s Bluff in l853. Dayton actually died in Chicago on October 20, 1865, and his body was laid to rest on the Bluff (between 5th and 4th Streets) where Mounds Boulevard now runs. 
   His remains were moved once again on June 16, 1869 to Oakland Cemetery to an unmarked grave. For directions to the gravesite, stop at the cemetery office. Staff will direct you. The cemetery office is located at 927 Jackson. The grave site is located near Sylvan Street between Front Avenue and Hatch Avenue, but it is advisable to get a map.

Bookmobile In Dayton's Bluff

MONDAYS
(June 4 & 18, July 2, 16 & 30, August 13)
 Dayton’s Bluff Playground
 Conway & Maple
 2:30 – 3:30

 Mound’s Park Methodist
 Euclid & Earl
 3:45 – 4:45

 Margaret Playground
 Margaret & Frank (1300  Wilson)
 5:00 – 6:30

WEDNESDAYS
(June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22)
 First Lutheran
 463 Maria
 9:30 – 10:00

Large print books, picture books and videos are available.   Not all books are available, nor are there reference materals.  They will be able to answer simple questions.

Dayton’s Bluff 1st Annual Neighborhood Sale

July 20, 2001 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
July 21, 2001 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
   You can commit some or all of the time in your garage or yard.  Contact Traci at 771-5834 if you are interested or for more information.

EVENTS AT MARGARET RECREATION CENTER 
1109 Margaret Street 
St. Paul, MN 55106 
(651) 298-5719 

Rec Check Club 
Rec Check is a free after school recreation service with a check-in component for children in grades 1-6. Registration is required and space is limited. Monday through Friday 3-6 p.m. Free 
Free Play
During regular building hours, we have many games and equipment which may be checked out for your enjoyment. Items include: table games, balls, ping-pong, tennis equipment, cards, etc. 
Teen Night 
The first Friday night of every month will be just for Margaret teens. School I.D.must be shown, ages 13-17. A variety of activities will be offered, including basketball 
Block Club 
All neighborhood residents are invited to meet with other community members to discuss crime and other neighborhood issues. Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 
Margaret Booster Club 
This group specializes in fund raising, community events, assisting with programs and team sports. Parents and residents are welcome to join. Meetings are the 2nd  Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Margaret Ree. Center. 

Good Neighbor Code Enforcement 
Volunteers Needed
Call Karin at 772-2075

Advertise in the Dayton's Bluff District Forum
Call Karin at 772-2075

Take a Hike 
     Dayton's Bluff Take a Hike on the first Saturday of every month meet at 10:30 AM in Indian Mounds Park at Earl Street and Mounds Blvd. We will hike from Mounds Park through Swede Hollow Park and then walk the length of the Bruce Vento Recreational Trail (formerly the Phalen Creek Recreational Trail) to its end, near Phalen Park. Along the way we will share stories and learn some local history of the area. The hike is about 6 miles with some moderately rough terrain. Near Johnson Parkway and Maryland, transportation will be available to return to Mounds Park or you may hike back if you wish.
     Join recreational trail supporters and explore this recreational trail. The paved trail runs from East 7th Street and Payne Avenue through Swede Hollow to Phalen Park. Dayton's Bluff Take a Hike started in December of 1990 and over the years hundreds of people have attended these events. For more information, call 776-0550. 

Free Acting Classes for Adults
Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center
800 Conway Street
651-793-3885
Tuesday nights at 6:00 p.m.
Join us. It's fun!

Off-Leash Dog Area Task Force Meetings
The Saint Paul Parks Commission established the Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA) Task Force to provide feedback to the Commission on how successfully the report, “Recommendations on the Establishment of Off-Leash Dog Areas in Saint Paul,” is being implemented.  The Task Force has established a meeting schedule for the year 2001.  All meetings are open to the public and comments will be taken at every meeting.

MOMS Club
     Ever feel like you're the only mother who stays home? You are not alone! Come meet other at home mothers at the MOMS Club. 
     The MOMS Club is a national nonprofit organization with hundreds of chapters across the country. We are just for the at-home mother of today! 
     Local chapters have monthly meetings with speakers and discussions, park play days, holiday family parties, outings for mothers and their children, and activity groups like playgroups, arts n' crafts, a monthly MOMS Night Out, and babysitting co-ops. We also do service projects to help needy children. 
     Our activities are during the day, when mothers-at-home need support, and mothers may bring their children with them to our activities.
     For more information about our chapter call Tracie Lemke at 651-771- 5834.