April 22, 2022 | Friday

D10 Welcomes Four New Board Members And New Officers

The D10 Board held its annual meeting an election this week. We're excited to welcome new board members Lizzy Cantley (Subdistrict 3 Seat), Jeremy Rappaport (At-Large Renter Seat), Abby Gold, and Mark Machacek (At-Large Seats)! Incumbent board members Alex McLane (Subdistrict 1), Dan Edgerton (Subdistrict 2), and Ben Kowalsky-Grahek (Subdistrict 4) were also re-elected for another 2-year term.

New officers were also appointed by the board for 1-year terms. Jenne Nelson, who served as Secretary this past year, is the new board Chair. Dan Edgerton was appointed Vice Chair, Matt Keliher was appointed Treasurer, and Chad Smith is serving as Interim Secretary.

Our outgoing officers Chair Jill Henricksen and Vice Chair Ben Kowalsky-Grahek are continuing on the board in other roles. Outgoing Treasurer Mike Ireland ended his third term on the D10 board with a tearful speech and a promise of continued support for some of the many hats he's worn over the last six years. Thank you all for your leadership and service through the last year and beyond! Bravo Zulu!

Know Your Como: Speaking of Race

Como neighbor to co-host upcoming public TV show on race

By Jeanne Steele

“It’s important to call it out,” asserts a promo now airing on TPT – Twin Cities Public Television. “We need everyone’s perspective — to come together.”

The speaker is Rahel Nardos, MD, a friend of Tseganesh Selameab, MD, a Como neighbor, mother, spouse, and doctor. The ‘it’ Dr. Nardos refers to is race. The show, “Speaking of Race,” is a co-production of TPT and the Center for the Art of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Selameab will co-host the show with Jon Hallberg, MD, a mentor who for years has been talking about medical issues on public radio. The show’s first airing will be at 9 p.m., April 29.

Lawns to Legumes: Cross "Pollination" with Hamline-Midway Planners Next Wednesday

Come learn more about Pollinators, Rain Gardens and boulevard gardens! Meet D10's Lawns to Legumes grant neighbors who are planning The Bee Line: an urban pollinator corridor in the Hamline-Midway area. They will share how they serve pollinators and will tell us about their rain gardens, big and small. 

Wednesday, April 27th @ 1 pm on Zoom.

Please email jawegscheid@gmail.com to receive the meeting link. Details will be emailed prior to the meeting.

Como Garage Sale May 12-15

Planning a Sale? Sign up to get on our map Free

D10 Como Community Council is once again coordinating a community sale weekend for Thursday, May 12 to Sunday, May 15. If you would like to be included in our map, please fill out the Como Community Sale Form with your information before May 5. You can check out examples of the 12 sales already submitted on the map on our website.

We will be promoting this effort in our Weekly Newsletter, Facebook, and flyering some local community spaces, directing people to find the map on this page, District10ComoPark.org/GarageSale. You can also download and print this flier PDF to post in your community spaces.

Celebrate Spring! At North Dale Rec Center - April 30, 10:30-Noon

Come and Celebrate Spring at the North Dale Recreation Center (1414 St. Albans St. N). The Como Community Council is partnering with Parks and Recreation for a morning of fun that any outdoor enthusiast (even the smallest) can enjoy.

There’s something for everyone – a garden/outdoor-themed resource fair, kids crafts and seed planting, light refreshments, games and a gently used clothing drive to help kick off your spring cleaning goals. You can share the event on Facebook.

D10 Owl Mascot Design Competition

Last year, our community voted on the Great Horned Owl as the District 10 mascot. This past month we asked the community to help us with a design for our Great Horned Owl mascot, and now it's time to vote for the winning submission!

You can vote for your favorite online or at our upcoming events through June 5. We will reveal the winning design at the Ice Cream Social on July 9th!

Party for the Planet, Back In Person at the Zoo

After a two-year hiatus, Como Zoo and Conservatory is inviting everyone to celebrate “Party for the Planet” in person again on April 23 and 24, 10am-4pm.

Como’s annual Earth Day and conservation celebration is a full weekend of family activities, crafts and interpretive opportunities to learn more about the Earth’s amazing animals and plants, and what we can do to protect them.

Reservations are still required at Como Zoo & Conservatory.

Design Direction Open House at Hamline Midway Library April 23

Saturday, April 23, 3-5pm

Drop in to the community open house to review updated building design concepts and provide feedback for a transformed Hamline Midway library.  

At the open house, you can learn more about what has been heard so far from community input and surveys; review and provide feedback on the updated building design concepts that respond to that community input and the community-informed vision for libraries in Saint Paul; and learn more about the high-level costs associated with each concept.

City administration will share a decision on direction for the library in May. After the design direction has been determined, the community engagement and schematic design process will continue, with more opportunities to provide feedback for decisions such as the look and feel of the libraries’ spaces, furniture, and more. 

This event is for all ages. 

Can’t attend in-person? Concepts and information from the meeting, as well as a form to provide additional feedback, will be posted online at www.sppl.org/transforming-libraries from April 25–April 29.

Twin Cities German Immersion School Invites Community to Transfer of Memory Exhibit

The Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS), a public K-8 charter school in D10 and the largest German immersion school in the United States, is hosting a series of events in commemoration of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

From April 15-May 13 TCGIS will host the exhibit Transfer of Memory in the school atrium. This exhibit by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is a series of beautiful, full-color portraits of Minnesota Holocaust survivors set in their own homes, with brief life sketches. As described on the exhibit website, these life-affirming images are a powerful reminder of “the value of freedom and the enduring human spirit.” 

On Wednesday evening, April 27, 6-8pm, TCGIS will host a special family-friendly evening in connection with the exhibit. The event is appropriate for all ages and open to the public.

On Sunday, May 1st, 4-6pm the Transfer of Memory exhibit will be open to the public a second time at Twin Cities German Immersion School, 1031 Como Avenue, St Paul, MN. There will not be a program; community members are invited to view the exhibit independently.

Como Lake Storm Sewer Maintenance Next Week

The Saint Paul Department of Public Works-Sewer Utility has contracted with American Environmental to perform routine storm sewer cleaning and inspection activities near Como Lake.

Work is anticipated to begin Monday April 25. Pending weather conditions, work is projected to be complete by Friday April 29.

Public impacts are short term, and will involve intermittent lane closures on Nagasaki Road and pedestrian paths around the Lake.

A more extensive closure of E. Como Lake Drive will occur Tuesday April 26 to Friday April 29.

Como Pavilion South Parking Lot Construction Schedule

(Same as last week)

The construction schedule is weather dependent, but the City hopes to have the South Parking Lot complete by early June. They are working on a plan for opening the lot for Memorial Day weekend. The parking lot will be closed while it is under construction, though pedestrian paths will be kept open for much of the time around the site as long as they can ensure safe pedestrian movement. 

Following completion of the south parking lot, the north parking lot will be closed for reconstruction and reopened in early July (weather pending). Pedestrian paths may have detours signed if pathways are impacted by construction to keep pedestrians safe.

Lastly, the golf course parking lot will begin construction on September 6, just after Labor Day. It will be fully closed while it is under construction. The city is working with the contractor to complete the parking lot construction before the end of 2022, though it will continue to be weather dependent.

The city will continue updating the project page on their website as the construction dates solidify. The final plans were presented to the D10 Land Use Committee back in October, you can watch the recording here on our website.

Como Parks & Rec

North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)

• Celebrate Spring Event - Sat, April 30, 10:30am-Noon - Free
• Play Date Art ages 2-5 - Tues, May 3, 6-7pm - $20*
• Mini Sports ages 4-7 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• STEAM Camp ages 7-12 - Week of June 20 - $210*
• New StarEye Camp ages 8-13 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• New Volleyball Camp ages 13-18 - Week of June 27 - $50*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Basic Fishing Fundamentals ages 7-12 - Week of April 25 - $25*
• Badminton Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-10 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• Trapped: Engineers Escape Room Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 21 - $138*
• Multiplayer Minecraft: Mini-Game Builder ages 8-12 - Week of June 27 - $110*
• New 3D Printing & CAD Camp ages 11-15 - Week of June 27 - $120*

*Registration Required

Summer Camp & Activity Registration Now Open

St. Paul Parks & Rec Fee Assistance Program

The City of Saint Paul operates a special program that helps families pay for Parks & Recreation youth classes and activities. Fee Assistance can be requested by families who meet program requirements when registering for youth activities. To be eligible for the program, youth must live in Saint Paul, be 18 years old or younger, and qualify for free and reduced lunches.

Fee Assistance can be used toward most recreational sports or activities offered by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. To view the online catalog of all available activities offered, click here.

Neighborhood Notes

Upcoming Sound Variance

• An application for a sound level variance has been received by the City for the 40th Hmong International Freedom Festival aka Hmong J4th Soccer Tournament, to be held Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd from 8 am- 8 pm with a soundcheck on Friday, July 1 from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The event will be located at 1155 Jessamine Ave W (McMurray Field). Further details concerning this event will be forthcoming.

Upcoming License Renewals

• Gabe's by The Park (991 Lexington Pkwy): Liquor, Entertainment, and Gambling licenses are up for renewal May 5. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• The Essence Event Center (1217 Bandana Blvd): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal May 6. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 Lexington Pkwy): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal June 4. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

New Ramsey County Park Rules In Effect

On April 8, 2022, the updated Ramsey County park ordinance went into effect. Ramsey County Parks & Recreation operates all parks and facilities under an ordinance that all park users must follow. The ordinance is designed to ensure a safe experience for park users and the general public.

The ordinance (park rules) was adopted in 1992 and last amended in 2007. The revision's intention is to make the rules more equitable, fair and modern allowing for greater access to resources and decriminalizing minor infractions like walking on a ski trail or picnicking in the wrong spot.

Key changes include:

• New park hours: 5am–11pm
• Regional trails open 24/7 for travel.
• Allowing adaptive recreation options for those with disabilities.
• Expanded snowshoe access in parks.
• Changed misdemeanor penalties (maximum of a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail) to administrative citations ($50-300).

Spring Street Sweeping 

The City of Saint Paul sweeps all residential streets each spring and fall to keep them clean, and to prevent pollution from getting into our lakes, streams and rivers through the storm sewer system. Rainwater carries debris such as trash, leaves, and soil to storm drains. From there, it flows untreated to the nearest waterway and eventually the Mississippi River. 

You can help protect our waterways in between city sweeps by adopting a storm drain. By keeping storm drains free of debris, you help protect the environment, prevent flooding and have a cleaner neighborhood. Sign up to adopt a drain near you at adopt-a-drain.org/

Follow the link below to learn more about the City's residential street sweeping and check the interactive map to find out when your streets will be swept.

Upcoming Crime Prevention Unit Events

Virtual Identity Theft and Fraud Workshop

Wednesday, April 27th at 6 pm. 

The workshop provides info on what and how information is stolen, how information is used, common scams, and what to do if you are a victim. 

Catalytic Converter Marking Auto Clinic

Wednesday, May 4, 3:30-6:30pm

The Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) is hosting another Auto Clinic at Allianz Field Parking Lot (400 Snelling Ave. N.), where residents can get their Catalytic Converters marked to help reduce theft. Registration required.

SPPD is planning to host several Auto Clinics over the summer, registrants will be notified of future events if the May event fills up.

Pothole Patrol

You can report potholes in the following ways, depending on whether they are on a city street, county road, or state highway:

• City of Saint Paul: Email potholes@ci.stpaul.mn.us
• Or call 651-266-9700. 
• Ramsey County: Online or by calling 651-266-7100
• Minnesota Department of Transportation: Online