Again another warm weather season has past without me checking off all the things on my fun times check list. OK, I did experience Minnesota Fringe Festival, and heard some live music but it wasn’t enough. Next year as soon as the sweaters come off, I am going to learn to kayak and run a 5K (let’s not get too ambitious with a marathon). There will be more rooftop festivities in my future and the art of grilling fish will be mastered. I will sit on a patio and finish a book which is not related to work or classes or learning how the opposite sex thinks (really, I should give up on this one). Finally, I will laugh more with my friends and family since it seems an easier task when your feet aren’t cold.

And this weekend? My last fling with the summer will include a trip to the St. Paul Farmer’s Market to grab my pumpkins and apple cider. I might even order a turkey. I won’t make the same mistake with autumn that I made with its predecessor and squander the season.

The cafe menu is extensive and creative, featuring homemade soups and fresh salads, gourmet paninis and classic breakfast specials served all day every day. Sandwiches are made to order on bread that was baked in-house – in fact, all of the breakfast pastries, even the croissants, are made from scratch by the staff every morning. You won’t find that at a chain restaurant! Make sure to try the quiche – there’s a couple varieties to choose from every day. Cupcake’s menu is vegetarian-friendly, too.

You can order cupcakes to go, and the cafe also does catering for events and weddings. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path for that special day, why not look at wedding cupcakes instead of the traditional cake? It’s bound to make your wedding one to be remembered! Contact Alicia for a tasting…you won’t regret it.

If you’re in the MidCity neighborhood, stop by and treat yourself to a Cupcake. Why not?

Photo courtesy of Mykl Roventine.

On that note, I am excited about our neighborhood starting a new tradition of MidCity Fest.  Although I can’t predict how the event will evolve in years to come, this inaugural year the focus will be on the live music, art and the local neighborhood businesses.  This is our chance for residents to embrace the summer in a familiar setting and to socialize with family and friends, both old and new.  So, leave your car at home and walk on over to the MidCity Fest.  Oh and don’t forget to pick up a bottle of wine from Sharrett’s Liquors and some sandwiches from Caribe, options you don’t find at any other festival.

For more details and the music line up, check out http://www.facebook.com/midcity.fest#!/midcityfestival?ref=ts

The Co-op has been operating in its current incarnation and location since 1990, but was originally formed in 1972 as a nonprofit store called St. Anthony Park Foods. Hampden Park Co-op has been undergoing an extensive renovation to better serve its members, including purchasing the historic building in which it is located and expanding to offer more space to its customers. Besides offering an excellent array of produce, meats, dairy and other staples, the co-op also offers unique articles, tips, recipes and resources on their website.  Their newsletter is full of useful information and even more recipes, all featuring products carried by the co-op. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for the inside scoop on upcoming events and news.

If you’re interested in visiting this piece of the University-Raymond district’s past and see how they’re moving into the future, stop by at 928 Raymond Avenue, or give them a call at651-646-6686 for hours and directions. 

Volunteers are also needed to help with the Dog Wash and to help in other areas such as ticket taking, set-up and clean-up. Volunteers will get a free hot dog and drink at the food stand and a whole lot of puppy love and people appreciation. Also needed are old towels and “doggie bags,” which can be dropped off at 2202 Blake by Friday, August 13.

For more information, contact Renee Bergeron at renee.bergeron@gmail.com or at 651-646-3732, or visit the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department.

Photo courtesy of Vagabond Shutterbug.

Sláinte!

Photo courtesy of the trail.

Just down the street is the fantastic Caffe Biaggio, a rustic Italian eatery with a modern edge. Located in the Specialty Building in the heart of University Avenue, Caffe Biaggio is serving up classic Italian eats. Drawing inspiration from all over Italy, and certainly not skimping on the all-Italian wine list, Caffe Biaggio is a definite University Avenue favorite.

Next on our food tour is the Finnish Bistro. Another unique local establishment, the bistro leans heavily on traditional Scandinavian fare, but doesn’t shy away from all-American classics such as omelets and Cobb salads. But what really sets the Finnish Bistro apart are the pastries. With inspiration coming from all over the globe, you can’t pass up an opportunity to sample some of their spectacular creations – they won’t disappoint!

There are many other establishments in the University area that are worth checking out. And with  many of them so close to home why not take a walk and indulge a little tonight – enjoy the summer air, and let someone else do the cooking. You might be surprised at what you will find in your own neighborhood. Bon appetit!

Photo courtesy of ~MVI~ (sleepless in QC).

“The Heritage Preservation Commission protects structures and buildings historically or architecturally significant to Saint Paul through local designation for heritage preservation.  Before requesting such designation from City Council, the HPC surveys the history and architecture of a particular building or district and then evaluates the significance  of the building(s) to the heritage of Saint Paul.  The HPC also comments on the nomination of buildings and districts to the National Register of Historic Places.

The University-Raymond Commercial Historic District was first identified in the context study St. Paul Transportation Corridors: 1857 to 1950 which examined the impact of various modes of transportation in helping to form and define the city, and the impact of transportation lines on the built environment of Saint Paul.

The University-Raymond Commercial Historic District is significant as the commercial core of the Saint Paul Midway, which developed in the early twentieth century as the city’s largest industrial area and a national transportation center. Nearly all of the properties in the district are related to some aspect of the activities of the railroad lines between the Twin Cities or the early years of the trucking industry.

The twenty-two buildings classified as “contributing” (35 total) within the University- Raymond Commercial Historic District, most of them with high exterior integrity, reflect the evolution of the area from the railroad era to the development of the interstate highway system.

Among the thirty-five buildings in the University-Raymond Commercial Historic District are excellent examples of early twentieth-century factory, warehouse, office, and store buildings designed by leading Twin Cities architects. At least ten architectural firms are represented. They include Minneapolis architects Bertrand and Chamberlin, Charles Ferron, and Lang, Raugland, and Lewis; and Saint Paul architects Buechner and Orth, Ellerbe and Round, Kenneth Fullerton, Clarence H. Johnston, J. Walter Stevens, and Toltz, King and Day. Their work in the district embodies the development of warehouse, factory and mercantile building design over the fifty-year period between 1891 and 1941.”

Raymond University Historic Map

For more information regarding the Historical District or the buildings of interest, contact the St. Anthony Park Community Council.

Participants will visit five sites on foot as the gardeners share their experiences and dispense wisdom for aspiring rain gardeners.  Rain gardens are growing in popularity as an attractive, low-maintenance landscape alternative that helps protect and restore water quality. They are designed and planted to capture rain water so it can penetrate into the soil. This reduces the storm water runoff that takes pollutants from the air, yards and streets and carries them into lakes, rivers and wetlands.

If you’re interested in learning more about Rain Gardens visit BlueThumb.org -  their website is an excellent resource for information, tips and tricks on getting started with your own project.

For more information on the tour contact the St. Anthony Park Community Council or call 651-649-5992.

Photo courtesy of Rev Stan.