Nov 14th, 2011: Lowertown Reading Jam: J. Otis Powell! presents “Duende and the Sound of Soul”
October 2, 2011
The Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to announce the first of its 2011-2012 series of acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams, celebrating the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. The November 14th presentation of the eclectic series, curated by J. Otis Powell, features readings by eight spoken word performers living in Minnesota—Louis Alemayehu, e.g. bailey, Andrea Jenkins, Tom Kanthak, Leah Nelson, Alexs Pate, Katherine Pehrson and J. Otis Powell. The "Duende and the Sound of Sound" Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented on Monday, November 14th, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. The Jams will continue on the second Monday of each month through July.
Saint Paul Almanac Readings, coming to a coffee bar near you…
September 14, 2011
The Saint Paul Almanac Readings series takes place from September to November, in coffee bars around the city, featuring writers who were published in the 2012 Saint Paul Almanac reading their poems and stories. Venues include Ginkgo Coffeehouse, Fresh Grounds, Polly’s Coffee Cove, Cahoots Coffee Bar, Common Good Books, Grumpy Steve’s, Mad Hatter Coffee Cafe and Teahouse, The EDGE Coffee House, Jerabek’s New Bohemian Coffeehouse and Bakery, Amore Coffee, and Groundswell Coffee.
College Park
August 14, 2011
My favorite place in Saint Paul is College Park. It’s my favorite place because it’s practically my backyard, where I can go every day, whenever I want. I can play tennis, basketball, football, and a bunch of other really fun sports.
2012 Almanac book release events in September: Fundraiser (8th) & Party (15th)
August 12, 2011
FUNDRAISER: Thursday, Sept. 8, 6:30-8 p.m., AZ Gallery, 308 Prince Street, Lowertown. Readers: Poet Laureate Carol Connolly, Nimo Farah, Kofi Bobby Hickman and Patrick Coleman. Free book, hors d'oeuvres, wine. Help build our literary campfire! Suggested contributions: Match $50, Log $100, Flame $250, Smore $500. BOOK RELEASE PARTY: Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. at Black Dog Cafe, Clouds in Water Zen Center, and AZ Gallery, 308 Prince Street, Lowertown. Free. Readers: Poet Laureate Carol Connolly, Kofi Bobby Hickman, Patrick Coleman with Molly Culligan, Michael Teffera, Saymoukda Vongsa, Sharon M. Day, and Louis Alemayehu.
2012 edition of Saint Paul Almanac to launch in September
August 3, 2011
This September will see the launch of the 2012 Saint Paul Almanac—the well-seasoned sixth edition of the indispensable guide book to Minnesota’s capital city and Saint Paul’s unique and eclectic community storytelling hub of record! This year, the 416-page, 180+ photo 2012 Saint Paul Almanac is available in full color for the first time and—another first—includes gorgeous, hand-drawn, poster-size, pull-out maps of Saint Paul! An experiment in democratic publishing, the 2012 Almanac brought together a multigenerational team of 18 volunteer community editors to blind select from 400 submissions the 129 stories, poems, and recipes chosen to appear in the coming edition.
University Ave
July 15, 2011
“Pho all the way around,” The leather jacket boy says While the girls compare nail polish...
July 11th, 2011 Lowertown Reading Jam: Tata Diego Slams Again!
June 27, 2011
Diego Vázquez Jr., the founder of SlamMN, will host a slam competition for the first time in ten years on Monday, July 11, 2011 as the final Lowertown Reading Jam of the 2010–2011 season. Join friends and fans of the Saint Paul Almanac from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street (across the street from the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market), and slam in any genre with Poetry Slam rules (3-minute limit per round). Open to the first 15 slammers to sign up at the door (sign-up sheet opens at 7:00 p.m.). First Prize $150; Second Prize $75; Third Prize $50; and of course – all slammers receive applause and recognition!
From the Saint Paul Almanac: Remembering Deborah Torraine
June 13, 2011
It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you that Deborah Torraine died last Friday night at United Hospital during emergency heart surgery. Deborah had volunteered for the Saint Paul Almanac as a community editor, hosted slams and reading events, authored short stories for publication and, in March 2011, took on a new role as Director of Community Engagement. Deborah will be dearly missed. She was an incredible force for good in the world.
Another Crossing
June 4, 2011
Vera’s death was just last December, and I am missing her on this May evening, as our forty-third anniversary approaches. I need time and space by myself, to think. A view of the Mississippi River twisting and turning sharply, as I am right now, would set the tone. A drink and something good to eat would be nice—a martini, a very good steak, a favorite after-dinner drink.
School Bus Bullies, Superheroes, and Why I Remember the Kitchen
May 31, 2011
They say every school has a bully. I don’t know if that’s true, but our school has a bully. A big, mean kid with a bowl cut and a scar running down his cheek. He rides my bus to and from school every day. Every day, the loud voice of the backseat tyrant is heard over all the others. Laughter is silenced with a flick of his wrist. His name is Joe. No last name, just Joe. On this warm afternoon in late May, Joe is picking on Andrew, calling him names, slapping him with the sharp metal edge of a ruler (a particularly nasty and popular weapon of bullies), pulling his hair. I say, “Cut it out,” and the bully’s eyes turn to me.
My Mother’s Garden
May 31, 2011
Her garden, growing on Germain Street, needed just as much as a baby, every bit of her attention, love, and care. We moved so many times. The house on Germain was the fourth we moved into, but not the last. The backyard of this house was a bit narrow and long and even had a little hill that led to a small woodsy area. Almost every day from spring until early fall, my mother came home to her garden ready to care for it. She threw on her black short-sleeved shirt, navy blue shorts, size five black Old Navy sandals, and a pair of yellow rubber gloves.