September 3, 2021 | Friday | |
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Sat-Sun - Last Days of Como Pool Season
Details in email
The State Fair
Is here, ready or not. Special City Ordinance Guide shared below
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Final Weekend of the Season for Como Regional Park Pool | |
Weather permitting, this weekend is the last opportunity to get over to the Como Regional Park Pool for the season, which ends September 6.
The Highland Aquatic Center will offer one additional week of late-season hours from September 7-12.
The extended Highland late-season hours effectively bridge the St. Paul swimming gap before the Great River Water Park finally reopens on Monday, September 13.
Note: Due to late season lifeguard shortages, daily scheduled and amenities may fluctuate to ensure they remain in compliance with pool safety requirements.
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News From Your Neighborhood | |
Former Ol' Mexico Space Gets Update
Although technically across the street from D10, some community members have inquired with the D10 office about the construction happening at the storefront at 1754 Lexington Parkway.
A representative from Atlas Commercial, who manages the property, told us that the distinctive Ol' Mexico façade was being altered to match the rest of the retail strip in order to make it more broadly appealing for potential tenants. There is not currently a tenant lined up for the space.
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Citywide Drop-Off - Sept. 18 | |
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Saturday, September 18 from 8am–1pm at the MN State Fairgrounds
Enter from Eastbound Larpenteur Ave W
Accepted Items (has changed from previous years):
- Electronics
- $5 - Electronics without screens (VCRs/DVD players, printers, etc.)
- $10 - Items with screens (TVs, monitors, tablets, etc.)
- $25 - TVs over 60"
- Appliances
- $10 - General Appliances (microwaves, dehumidifiers, dryers, washers, water heaters, etc.)
- $20 - Air Conditioners
- Mattresses and box springs
- $5 - each
- Items Accepted at No Charge:
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Confidential Papers for Shredding
- Items Accepted for Donation
- Non-perishable foods
*If you are a senior in the Como area and would like your items picked up from your home, email district10@district10comopark.org no later than Monday, Sept. 13. Everything must be outside in front of your house by 8am Saturday, Sept 18. Above rates apply.
We are looking for volunteers to help us run the September 18 Citywide Drop-Off event at the State Fairgrounds. The event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there are two volunteer shifts (7:30 a.m.-11 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.).
Volunteers also get a voucher for a free drop-off. If you have any questions about volunteering, please email district10@district10comopark.org.
| Reminder: As part of the regular Citywide Coordinated Garbage Program (1-4-unit residential properties), residents can dispose of 2-3 bulky items each year. This includes electronics, appliances, mattresses, and many other items. Visit stpaul.gov/bulky for more information. | |
2021 Como Lake Walking Tour
Monday, September 20 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Experts Britta Belden and Bob Fossum from Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) will lead an educational program along Como Lake’s walking path that highlights the lake’s history, its dynamic urban ecosystem, and the water quality issues facing it. They will also provide an in-depth overview of projects aimed at improving Como Lake (both past and future) including shoreline restoration efforts, aquatic plant control, fishery management, and major in-lake and watershed phosphorus reduction projects.
Come with your questions and enjoy a fall evening at Como Lake!
The tour will meet on the patio at Como Lakeside Pavilion by the Como Lake Boat Docks and follow the walking path to the south end fishing dock (~0.6 miles). Following the tour, participants are welcome to finish the loop around the lake or retrace their steps back to the Pavilion.
Please register below or by calling CRWD at (651) 644-8888. There is a limit of 20 people per tour. Sign-up will be open until capacity is reached. Due to COVID-19, social distancing is recommended to all tour participants.
The tour will be weather dependent. An event cancellation will be sent out via email the day of the tour if storms are expected.
Book early, the September 9 tour is already fully booked!
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News From Your District 10 Community Council | |
District 10 Welcomes Right Track Plus Intern Abdirahman Ali
In August, D10 applied jointly with D12 St. Anthony Park to the Right Track Plus program that Ramsey County & Saint Paul partner on. Abdirahman started in mid-August and is with us through Thanksgiving.
Abdirahman is majoring in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota. He lives in the Rondo neighborhood near the library and grew up in St. Paul. He enjoys gaming, reading books, and is excited to meet everyone and work in the Como/St. Anthony Park communities!
He will be joining as many of the District Council meetings as possible in the next few weeks to see what each group is working on. He's been an amazing asset so far working to complete the District 10 renter database and now helping work on a new website.
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D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 7 | 7pm on Zoom
The Neighborhood Relations Committee typically meets on the first Tuesday of every month. All D10 Como Park meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
This month we will be discussing the Neighborhood Relation Committee's plans for fall engagement opportunities and events. Agenda subject to change.
Any community member who wants to join the discussion can register to receive the Zoom link.
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News From The City And Region | |
Support Afghan Refugees
The International Institute of Minnesota, which happens to be based right here in District 10, is a refugee resettlement agency that's raising funds for newly arrived Afghans.
Fifty percent of every donation covers the direct costs of resettlement including rent payments, deposit, and other needed supplies. The remaining fifty percent goes toward supporting new immigrants in Minnesota with the expenses of searching for housing, registering for school, lining up health insurance, looking for employment, and working on immigration papers.
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Register for Fall Parks & Rec Adult & Senior Activities
There are plenty of activities available from St. Paul Parks & Recreation to keep you busy as the weather changes this fall. There are both online and in-person options available. Click below to view the attached document and sign-up information.
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MnSEED Fall 2021 Seed Collection Events
MnSEED is hosting a series of seed saving drop-in events in Fall 2021 that offer opportunities to collect, process, and learn about native plants and their seeds! Join the Como Community Seed Library, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, and the St. Paul Seed Circle as we gather locally adapted seeds from native plants for purposes of sharing back to our Twin City communities through swaps, distributions and events. Learn seed saving practices to help ensure viable seeds that come true to plant type. Participants will be encouraged to teach and learn from each other and have the opportunity to gather seed for themselves.
Seed harvesting events will involve identifying natives, ensuring seeds are mature, collecting inflorescences in paper envelopes and properly documenting the collected plants. We will also cover seed storage practices and preview how seed cleaning is done.
Seed Cleaning events will involve hands-on learning of how to separate seeds from other dried plant material. A number of techniques will be shown that can be applied to a variety of types of seed. Useful tools and techniques to accomplish seed cleaning will be available and demonstrated. Seed storage practices, and seed viability testing methods will be incorporated into the event program.
| | (Free for MN SEED Participants use the discount code: MNSEED) | | |
Request your absentee ballot for the Nov. 2 general election
Ramsey County voters may vote by using an absentee ballot in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 2. All voters can vote absentee in Minnesota.
Absentee voting for the general election begins Friday, Sept. 17. If you’d like to vote by mail, you can request your ballot and it will be sent to you later this month. You can also vote in person at Ramsey County’s Elections Office in Saint Paul beginning Sept. 17.
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Transit Rides are $1 in September & October
Metro Transit wants to say thank you to those who have been riding, reintroduce those who have been away for a while, and welcome those who are new to the community and transit system. They are offering $1 rides* for the months of September and October.
* 50¢ rides for:
- Seniors (65+)
- Youth (6-12 years of age)
- Medicare card holders
- Limited mobility customers
- TAP card holders
NOTE: Discount does not apply to fares for Metro Mobility, Transit Link or State Fair Express buses.
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Saint Paul Bike Plan Update
City staff are set to begin updating the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan. Over the next several months, staff will be working with the community and stakeholders to identify:
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Gaps in the planned bike network. This network, first identified in 2015, is used by City staff to construct bike lanes and paths. Are there changes we should make to this network?
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Future priorities to make biking more accessible and comfortable. City staff and partners have made progress on a downtown network of bike facilities (Capital City Bikeway) as well as a network connecting our parks (Saint Paul Grand Round). What should the City focus on next?
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Where and how the City should plan for separate bike lanes and shared use paths. Constructing streets with space separating people biking and people driving creates a more comfortable bike network for people of all ages and abilities. The City has many examples of bike lanes and shared use paths, but community members have asked for more.
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Garden Q&A Online Helpline
Ramsey County Master Gardeners are hosting a Zoom Garden Q&A every Wednesday and Saturday from noon-1pm through Sept. 29.
Are your tomatoes looking less than stellar this summer? Is something bugging your garden or do you have a plant you can't identify?
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Let's Talk Transportation
This fun, story-based transportation trivia game with colorful comics where you can tell MnDOT about your transportation experiences—and needs for the future.
The deadline has been extended to hear from more Minnesotans. Please share and visit before September 10!
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
COVID Community Vaccination Clinic at the Fair | |
Free vaccinations are available at the Minnesota State Fair! No identification or insurance necessary. $100 gift cards being given for vaccinations.
Details
The Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health and Homeland Health are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible State Fair goers.
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North End Event Center (north of Murphy Avenue).
- Open daily: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Labor Day).
- Pfizer (age 12 and up - two doses).
- Johnson & Johnson (age 18 and up - one dose).
- Walk-ins or appointments welcome.
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Technically, the State Fairgrounds are not in Como (or even in Saint Paul). But they are across the street, literally. As a result, they have a huge impact on our neighborhood.
During the 12 days of the State Fair, the neighborhood is packed with cars, pedestrians, and shuttle buses. We've assembled a guide to help neighbors understand the rules about things like Yard Parking, Street Vendors, Peddlers, and who to contact if you have problems or want a permit.
We understand that enforcement of these ordinances is far from perfect, but if we can increase understanding of the rules amongst the community it may help us have a stronger footing for getting through these hectic few weeks ahead.
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The Best Blueberry Bread In Minnesota!
If you head to the fair this weekend, be sure to make it over to the Creative Activities and Annex building and spot D10 Executive Director's mother's (Sheila Mullen) 1st place blueberry bread!
The great Minnesota Get Together opened on August 26 and is running through Labor Day, September 6.
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Have something you'd like us to consider sharing in our newsletter? Email us at district10@district10comopark.org | | |
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Support Community Engagement
Do you appreciate the work D10 Como Park does in the community? Consider supporting D10's work by making a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!
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