Hey Neighbors!

This is very first issue of The 109 Online—your all-in-one spot for everything happening in 55109. From can’t-miss events and local gossip to the best eats, happy hours, and must-know neighborhood updates—we’ve got it all, served up fresh every week.

Think of us as your fun, slightly nosy (but always friendly) neighbor who knows what’s really going on around here.

We’re all about supporting locally owned businesses, celebrating community wins, and making sure you never miss a reason to say, “Dang, I’m glad I live here.”

So grab your coffee (or cocktail, we don’t judge), kick back, and dive in. The 109 is alive—and you’re part of it. 🙌

The Latest News Around 55109

Every town’s got its rumors, rants, and random “did you hear?” moments — and here is the spot where we spill the local tea ☕️ on stuff that actually matters (or at least makes you roll your eyes while waiting in line).

If people in the 109 are whispering, yelling, or Facebook-comment-warring about it… we’ll put it here.

We’re not your city council minutes (snooze), we’re your fun neighbor with the inside scoop.

So next time someone asks, “Did you hear what’s going on with…?”
You can just smirk and say, “Yeah, I read it in 109 Online.” 😉

School District 622 Goes Green (and Saves Green 💸)

So, turns out our local schools are are teaching us on how to go green.

Yep, District 622 is stacking up some seriously cool sustainability wins.

- Thanks to a $670,000 grant, schools like Carver, Justice Page, and Richardson Elementary are getting rooftop solar panels.

- Xcel’s Solar Rewards Program is bringing panels to 10 more schools in the next three years.

- Castle and Eagle Point are already cranking out their own clean energy. (Pretty wild, right?)

Why it matters: lower energy bills, cleaner air, hands-on science lessons for students, and yes—supporting local jobs.

🚌 Bye-Bye, Diesel. Hello, Electric!

- A $1.1 million grant is putting electric school buses on our streets.

- These beauties have zero emissions, cleaner air, and way less noise. (So no more roaring engines drowning out your morning coffee.)

♻️ Other Green Wins:

- LED lighting + smart sensors (no more lights left on in empty rooms).

- Electric Zambonis 🏒 (because even hockey should be eco-friendly).

- Pollinator gardens, water-saving kitchens, and even battery-powered vacuums.

💡 Big Picture:
District 622 is proving you can save money and save the planet—right here in Maplewood and North St. Paul. That’s something to be proud of, neighbors.

What’s Poppin’ This Weekend 🎉

The weekend’s creeping up fast, and we’ve scoped out all the spots where you actually want to be.

From family-friendly fun to adult night escapes, from Maplewood Mall to the libraries to downtown North St. Paul — we’ve got the lowdown so you don’t miss a beat.

Consider this your official “where to show up” guide. Grab your crew, your calendar, or just your sense of adventure… and get ready to make the weekend count.

Fall Round-Up Parade

When: Tonight from: 6pm-9pm

Where: Downtown N. St. Paul

Cost:  Free

The Fall Round-Up Parade is back! This North St. Paul tradition marches right down 7th Ave. through downtown, bringing the whole community together for a night of fun. Grab the family, come early, and check out our local shops before the parade rolls through!

Friday Fireworks & Touch a Truck

When: Friday from:  5pm-9pm

Where:  Hazelwood Park

Cost:  Free

Friday night at Hazelwood Park is gonna be awesome—free inflatables for the kids, touch-a-truck, games, food trucks, and then BOOM 💥 fireworks at 8pm! Totally free, just bring a chair and come hang out.

St. Pete's Inflatable Fest

When:  Friday at 5pm and Sunday at 11am

Where:  St. Pete's Church, N. St. Paul

Cost:  $5/wristband

Give the kids a chance to bounce!  From giant slides to the epic Jurassic Survivor challenge, there’s no shortage of fun for the little (and not-so-little) ones. Snag a $5 wristband and the kids can go wild with unlimited runs all day long. Festival fun = unlocked. 🦖✨

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Hungry? Thirsty? Or just in the mood to treat yourself because… well, why not? Welcome to Get Forked, your weekly pass to the best bites and sips in 55109.

Each week, we spotlight either:

• Plate of the Week — the dish you definitely want to Instagram before it disappears.

• Happy Hour of the Week — because half-off drinks and snacks are basically a community service.

From Maplewood munchies to North St. Paul Diners, we’ve tasted it, rated it, and are here to save you the FOMO.

Your stomach will thank you — your friends will thank you — and yes, your wallet will kind of thank you too.

Help Us Support Local Businesses

Let’s give a big shout-out to the folks who keep our neighborhood awesome — We are talking about the locally owned and operated businesses that make the 55109 hum.

Every week, we’ll highlight one standout business and slowly build a directory of local gems you can actually trust. No chains, no weird online reviews that might be fake — just the people down the street who care about their neighbors as much as their craft.

From remodelers to family-run shops, these are the businesses that make our community stronger, tastier, and a little more fun.

Keep an eye here — your next favorite place might just be one feature away.

Before you close this issue, we just want to say one thing: You Matter!

Whether you waved at someone on your street, shopped local, smiled at a stranger or even just stayed home — you’re what makes 55109 feel like home. Every little action counts, and this community wouldn’t be the same without you.

So keep being you. Keep showing up. Keep making this neighborhood the awesome place it is.

Because seriously… We appreciate you and glad you are here. ✌️

The Original Hamm's Brewery Water Tower.

Got news, an event, or a local biz worth shouting out? 🙌

Let us know! Email: the109online@gmail.com