Remembering Richard Arlen of Broadband Development
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December 2013 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum Page 7 Dayton’s Bluff boy makes good in Hollywood: Rep. Sheldon Johnson receives Tekne Award from a MN House of Task Force. He also was the lead House Representatives release author of the bill establishing the Office Remembering Richard Arlen of Broadband Development. Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) MHTA is an innovation and techno- by Steve Trimble “I was crazy about flying as a kid. I was was presented with a 2013 Tekne Award logy association united in fueling Min- Forum historian in high school at St. Paul during the first for Public Service from the Minnesota nesota’s prosperity. It helps bring World War, and a bunch of us kids High Tech Association (MHTA) at its together the people of Minnesota’s tech- “Women turn to gaze at him, attrac- wanted to become fliers. The American annual ceremony Wednesday, Novem- nology ecosystem and leads the charge ted by the abundant hair that waves Air Force wouldn’t take us because we ber 6, 2013, at the Minneapolis Conven- in directing technology issues to Min- back from a good forehead, the fine fig- were only 16. But an RAF recruiter tion Center. nesota’s state capitol. MHTA is the only ure, the mannish attractiveness. Men came to town and we joined up.” So he Johnson was recognized as a long- membership organization that repres- like him for the square look in his eyes served in the Canadian Air Force during time champion of broadband and author ents Minnesota’s entire techno- and the sense of fresh air about him. It WWI, jockeying planes but not particip- of legislation that established the origin- logy-based economy. may be that he carries with him a part ating in fighting. al Minnesota High Speed Broadband of the skies in which he’s spent so much Arlen went to school in St. Paul, but of his life, for he was a flyer long before there is some question about where. Ac- he was an actor.” cording to one web site, he attended St. Thomas Academy, but his sister-in-law Market on the Bluff open This is how an old fan magazine de- told theSt. Paul Dispatch that he went to scribed the appeal of a movie actor Cretin. Two newspaper articles and an for “Small Business Saturday” named Richard Arlen, a former neigh- obituary state that he graduated from by Diane Michele May stumbled onto the Market and suppor- borhood resident who is almost un- Central High School, where he played special to the Forum ted it with their presence, kind words known today in Dayton’s Bluff. So who hockey and baseball. One source said of appreciation, and sales. A lot of re- was this man who used to live in our that he entered the University of Min- Between “Black Friday” and “Cyber turn customers found the “Market on area? nesota but left to go into the Canadian Monday” is “Small Business Sat- the Bluff” Facebook page helpful to Like many Air Force. A urday.” November 30 is a very import- tell them where the Market was going Hollywood local newspa- ant sales day for a small, determined to be at, who was the featured artist of figures, he per reported group of your neighbors who need you the week, and to see some photographs took on an as- that he went to to come support their businesses in the of some really cute kids. sumed name. St. Thomas a Dayton's Bluff Community Council And that brings us back to Small He was born short time be- Offices from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. But, Business Saturday. Come support these Sylvanus fore leaving let's start at the beginning... artisans and craftspeople going the ex- James Mat- for WWI. An- If you haven't noticed, there are tra mile to bring you homemade, loc- some noticeable gaps in retail spaces ally-produced goods. “Market on the timore, the other source th youngest of said he also on East 7 Street. Under the guidance Bluff” has vendors who make their five children went to col- of Tabitha DeRango, the Dayton's own jewelry, soap, lip gloss, lotion, of James and lege in Bluff Community Council formed wooden bowls, driftwood stands, pil- “Market On The Bluff” as part of the lowcases, Christmas stockings, cards, Mary Mat- Pennsylvania, th timore. His but it is un- Make it Happen on East 7 Street initi- fine-art prints, paintings, pies, muffins, friends called clear when. ative to promote business growth in sweetbreads, jams, jellies, honey, him Van. Following our neighborhood. The Market started sauerkraut, and relish to sell. We The 1899 the war, Arlen off with a bang when the city of St. proudly serve Organo Gold Coffee, Dual City became a Paul won the “Better Block” grant and Tea, and Hot Chocolate. Blue Book lists swimming in- partitioned off Margaret Street to have There will be something for every- the Mattimore structor at the our very own open-air Farmer's Market one on November 30 from 12:00 noon family address St. Paul Ath- on Thursday nights last summer. The to 4:00 pm. Three dollars will get you as 927 Hast- letic Club attendance for the Better Block event either a hand-produced card, an indi- ings Avenue. where he was was staggering. and the excitement in vidual-serving of pie, or a few veget- Today, the also on the the air was palpable. ables. Five dollars will get you some street is clubs hockey As the market scaled back for au- jelly, soap, or a few cups of coffee. tumn and moved inside the Com- Come and find out what eight or ten known as Minnesota Historical Society team. He also Hudson Road. worked as a munity Council office building, the dollars might buy! Your neighbors sure The fact that they were listed in the lifeguard and handyman at Wildwood vendors appreciate the many people would appreciate it. volume suggests that their family was Amusement Park in White Bear. who went looking for or accidentally somewhat prosperous. His father was a Arlen went to Los Angeles intending claim agent for the streetcar company to work in the oil fields, but ended up and later became an attorney. One issue with a job as a motorcycle messenger at CENTROMEX SUPERMERCADO of a newspaper reported that the family a film laboratory. One day while making 816 East 7th Street participated in a gathering at St. John’s a delivery, he crashed into the gates of Catholic Church in Dayton’s Bluff, so Paramount Pictures. The studio provided OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 8:00 AM TO 8:00 PM they may have been members. prompt medical attention and, impressed Celebrate our 10th anniversary in November! Their family name sometimes showed by the handsome young stranger, gave 10% off in credit on purchases up to $30. Please come in and ask for specials. up in the social pages of the St. Paul him a small contract in 1925. Globe. In 1902, Mrs. Mattimore hosted Arlen soon rose to credited roles. His a meeting of the New Century Club at big break came when he was cast as a $1 off your next purchase with coupon her home. September of that year, the pilot in Wings, an award-winning 1927 en su próxima compra newspaper reported that the Mattimore film. As the 1930s progressed, Arlen THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE – GRACIAS POR SU COMPRA family had returned to Hastings Avenue saw his standing in Hollywood slip, so after summering in Newport. he freelanced at various studios. He was At some point, the Mattimore family a competent performer always, at his seems to have moved to the White Bear best playing a tough, cynical hero with a area. In 1930, New Movie Magazine dash of humor. printed an interview with Arlen. “Some- He often returned to home to visit his Ever think, “Someone should do something...”? body gave me a bicycle and I thought I parents, who moved to 1854 Goodrich. You ARE someone...in Dayton's Bluff. ought to use it somehow to make money, He always considered this city to be so I got a newspaper route,” Arlen told home, once saying “my heart starts beat- them. “That was when I was eight years ing faster when I get close to St. Paul.” Join us at our Community Council meetings. All are open to the public old. I lived at Manitou Island and every According to one source, he spent sever- and held at the Community Council office at 798 East 7th Street. morning I rose at 5:30 and supplied 165 al weeks a year with his elderly mother. houses with papers. My salary was eight He continued to get small parts, Board of Directors: Vacant Building Committee: dollars a month. And the next winter I sometimes on early television, until his 3rd Monday each month, 7:00 pm 3rd Thursday each month, 6:30 pm got a snow route. That means that I had death in 1976 from the growing effects Land Use Committee: Greenspace Committee: a certain number of houses which I kept of emphysema. Richard Arlen has a star 1st Monday each month, 7:00 pm 3rd Monday each month, 6:00 pm cleared from snow, and from these I got on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but Equity Committee: Ask about our Marketing, Arts and five dollars per winter each.” nothing here in his home town. Perhaps st But different pieces of information someone who reads this article will help 1 Tuesday each month, 6:30 pm Cultures, and Outreach Committees.