Last Friday, I had the fortune of watching The Federales' live perform at the KJ's hideaway. It was marvelous. The place was a surprise for me because I NEVER party in St. Paul, never. Since adopting Minneapolis as my place, I was indoctrinated to find St. Paul boring. Yuck, yuck, St. Paul. Nothing happens in St. Paul. Do people even live in St. Paul? People only work and sleep, work and sleep in St. Paul, repeat. To find such a music hub in St. Paul was an amazing surprise, so I decided that I have to write about it (and perhaps give St. Paul a new look). 

Suni Lee is the first American Hmong to become an Olympic gold medal winner. Raise your glasses and join me in chant. To celebrate her, Mwene Kajunju, a local artist from Liberia, painted a mural for the gold medal triumph. A fun piece of work to visit in St. Paul, Minnesota. The mural features Suni Lee in black and white colors with the exception of the golden medal that she holds and kisses with joy. "I made the country number one. I did it for my family, and to inspire all the little kids in my community." These are the words of Suni Lee honoring the legacy and future of the Hmong community in Minnesota, the second greatest settlement in the United States after California.