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Know Your Como: 1886 Como | |
By Matt Dahl
an excerpt from “1886 House,” a braided essay originally published in Red Earth MFA at Oklahoma City University
It was a search for a new home that brought most people to the United States, but their fight for a roof over their heads didn’t end when the tempest dropped them on our shores. Across the American landscape, clashes erupted where one people tried to start homes in places that millions already called home. Such is the story of the house my wife and I bought our first year of marriage, a house built in 1886 by Lake Como, back when some could probably remember the area as it once was: home to the Dakota.
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D10 Meeting Updates
D10's new meeting schedule kicks off next week, we hope you can join us in person or via Zoom for one or both meetings!
Environment Committee Meeting - Wednesday, August 3, 6pm
The D10 Environment committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we will be debriefing recent events, discussing final preparations for the August 13 Donate Good Stuff Eco Fair, and hearing updates about Lawns the Legumes, Tree Trek, and Como Curb Cleanup, in addition to some regular committee updates.
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1 Vacancy on D10 Board
Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has one vacancy to fill in our At-Large Senior (62+) Seat. To be considered for the board, submit a board member application.
Vacancies are appointed by the board, all appointed board seats are automatically included in the next annual election, and appointed board members may not serve as officers.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can reach out to D10 Como Park at district10@district10comopark.org.
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Lake Como Cleanup Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who participated in Tuesday's Lake Como Cleanup! The event narrowly avoided the rain and drew 21 people to the park to remove 70 pounds of trash from the lakeshore!
Thank you also to Dan Edgerton, Gordy Wrobel, Jennifer Victor-Larsen, and Mike Ireland who have all helped coordinate the 2022 cleanup events so far! Of course, the Lake Como Cleanups wouldn't be possible without financial support from the Capitol Region Watershed District!
Stay tuned for details on the next Lake Como Cleanup!
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Saint Paullinators Celebrate First Garden Installation
The Saint Paullinators volunteers, who have been working hard on the D10 Lawns to Legumes project, are excited that a Community Pollinator Garden was installed Wednesday at Orchard Rec Center (875 Orchard Ave).
If you live in the Orchard Rec area, the Saint Paullinators are still looking for a few volunteers to help water the new garden as the installation takes root! You can reach out to organizer@district10comopark.org if you're interested.
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National Night Out Coming Up August 2
Saint Paul's National Night Out is Tuesday, August 2. Gatherings can be large or small and can be simple or very planned. Get event ideas, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and details of contests at stpaul.gov/police/national-night-out.
You can find resources here on the city's website.
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Get Involved: Donate Good Stuff Eco Fair
Saturday, August 13, 9am-1pm at Como Picnic Pavilions
The Donate Good Stuff Eco Fair & 5k is quickly approaching! Learn and experience how to live a more environmentally friendly life with creative & interactive exhibits, and activities for all ages. This is a Zero Waste event!
Demos, mini-classes, hands-on learning, creative & interactive experiences for all:
- Reuse and up-cycle Ideas
- Up-cycled craft with MN Tool Library
- Donation Station for Bridging
- MN Pocket Pet Rescue ambassadors
- Garden seed ball project with MNSeed
- Make a climate pledge
- Fix-it clinic info
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- And more!
Volunteers needed! Donate Good Stuff is looking for creative volunteers to help make this zero waste event a success: Set up, take down, plan interactive booths, hydration station, and more. You can view and sign up for volunteer oportunties on the Donate Good Stuff Calendar Page (click over to August).
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Como Parks & Rec
Blooming St. Paul: If you would like to nominate a home in your area or learn more about the criteria they're looking for, click here to see the 2022 nomination form. The deadline for nominations is August 5th.
North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)
Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)
*Registration Required
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.
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Neighborhood Notes
Upcoming Applications/Renewals
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New An application for a sound level variance has been received from the Church of St. Bernard, for 80 dBA at no specified distance, to present amplified sound with use of a sound system for the Parish Festival event on August 21, 2022 at Como Picnic Pavilions (1199 Midway Pkwy). The variance is requested for the hours of 10:30am to 3:30pm with a soundcheck at 10am. Comments can be submitted in person, by email CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805.
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Ted’s Recreation (1084 Larpenteur): Liquor License is up for renewal Sept. 25. 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.
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Best Western (1010 Bandana Blvd): Liquor Licenses are up for renewal Sept. 1. 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.
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Elections and Voting
- The primary election is Tuesday, August 9.
- Absentee voting is June 24 - August 9, 2022, for the Minnesota state primary. Absentee ballots must be returned by August 9.
- Residents may register at in-person absentee voting locations or at their polling place on Election Day. Proof of residence is required.
- Visit the MN Secretary of State website to see if you are registered, how to register, who's eligible to vote, and more.
Also read more information on elections and voting on the Ramsey County website. Some of the info includes maps, redistricting, key dates, and how to vote if you are homeless, a student, fear for your safety, have a criminal record, or are under guardianship.
The League of Women Voters also has information and resources on voting and elections. Information on City, County, State, and National Officials, maps, find who represents you, and more.
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Office of Neighborhood Safety Seeking Members for New Community Council
St. Paul's new Office of Neighborhood Safety is inviting community members to apply to join the Neighborhood Safety Community Council (NSCC). As detailed in the city’s administrative code, this 15-member group will work with the Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety to develop an annual strategic plan that identifies, recommends and prioritizes public safety initiatives, establishes areas of focus, and monitors justice and violence prevention metrics and indicators. This work will also include reviewing and reporting on the effectiveness of activities and initiatives undertaken by the Office of Neighborhood Safety.
The NSCC will also make recommendations for grant-making activities related to enhancing neighborhood safety, including reviewing and evaluating funding proposals. The recent announcement of $4 million for grants reflects the resources the NSCC will work with the Office of Neighborhood Safety to allocate in support of neighborhood safety efforts across Saint Paul.
The NSCC will meet at least four times per year, with additional meetings taking place as often as necessary. The council also may establish areas of focus and create a task force to support each area of focus. Task force members can include a combination of NSCC members as well as other community members who are not current appointees and will be selected by the continuing members. Members of the NSCC as well as members of task forces will receive a stipend of $50.00 per meeting.
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Two New Grant Opportunities
BizRecycling is excited to announce the addition of
two new grant opportunities for businesses located in Ramsey and Washington counties, the Food Recovery Grant and Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant.
Food Recovery Grant
The Food Recovery Grant supports programs that recover surplus, edible food for distribution to people in need. The Food Recovery Grant is open to businesses (food donors, including food producers, distributors, grocers, and cafeterias), non-profit organizations, and college food shelves in Ramsey and Washington counties.
- Grant awards are up to a maximum of $20,000.
- Applications are due August 19, 2022.
For more information on eligible expenses and how to apply visit
recyclingandenergy.org/food-recovery-grants.
Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant
The Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant supports projects that prevent the creation of waste. One-time grants will be awarded to eligible businesses for expenses related to project planning, equipment, supplies, and capital improvements that result in the significant reduction of the amount of solid waste the business creates. Waste reduction projects can take many forms, including reusing source materials, bulk purchasing, packaging changes, technology enhancements or production redesign.
These grants are open to businesses, non-profit organizations, colleges and some k-12 schools in Ramsey and Washington counties.
- Grant awards are up to a maximum of $50,000. Applicants must contribute a 10% cash match.
- There will be two rounds of funding review in 2022. Applications are due August 19, 2022, or November 11, 2022.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit bizinnovationgrant.com.
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MnSEED 2022 Seed Saving Events
MnSEED is offering a series of seed saving events in 2022 that provide opportunities to collect, process, and learn about native plants & their seeds! Join MnSEED community in gathering locally adapted seeds from area native plants for purposes of sharing back through swaps, distributions and events. Learn seed saving practices to help ensure viable seeds that come true to plant type. Participants will learn from each other and have the opportunity to save seeds for themselves.
Seed harvesting events will involve identifying natives, checking to be sure seeds are mature, collecting seed heads, and properly documenting the collected plants. We will also cover seed storage practices, and preview how seed cleaning is done. Register for your spot here: https://northerngardener.org/mn-seed-project/
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Hamline Midway Library Nominated for National Register
A nomination has been submitted to the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to add the Hamline Midway Library (1558 Minnehaha Ave) to the National Register. The nomination is on the August 1 HPC Agenda.
You can view the full nomination here. The Library is planning to oppose the nomination and pursue existing plans to build a new facility (more info).
Written Testimony: Anyone may submit a written (email is acceptable) testimony/comment to
the HPC. To be accepted the testimony/comment must include your full name, address and be
written to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Testimony/comments may be sent to the HPC
via email askHPC@stpaul.gov. Written testimony/comments will be accepted until Friday, 5pm
prior to meeting.
Public Testimony at the Hearing: Anyone may speak at the HPC public hearing. Speakers must
state their full name and address before addressing the commission. Speakers have 2 minutes to
address the commission. Speakers may only focus on the HPC review of the proposed project.
Speakers may not use visual aids or transfer their time to other speakers. Contact HP staff to be
added to the speakers list.
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D1 SECO Seeking Executive Director
Southeast Community Organization (SECO) is one of the City of Saint Paul’s 17 district councils. SECO represents the southeast area of the city, a community of about 23,500 residents, and encompasses four neighborhoods: Battle Creek, Highwood, Conway, and Eastview. SECO is seeking a new Executive Director to move their work forward.
Pay rate: $45,000-52,000/year depending on experience, skills and abilities. Position is salaried and exempt. ED is expected to work 32-hours a week, (some Executive Directors do not work Fridays), which can fluctuate due to SECO board and committee nighttime meetings, community meetings/events, etc. Benefits include 12-paid holidays, paid-time-off, a flexible schedule, and a hybrid work environment (for someone who may wish to work from home some of the time). A $300/month stipend for health benefits, a stipend for cell phone use and home internet will be available as well.
See full position description (PDF)
Send a resume and a letter or email outlining your interest in the position to SECOBoard@southeastside.org. Find out more about SECO on their website.
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
Fairgrounds Access For Walking & Biking | |
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are open to the public year-round (with the exception of special events; subject to change):
- Larpenteur Avenue and Underwood Street (open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only)
- Gate 3 at Snelling and Hoyt avenues (open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only)
- Gate 5 at Snelling Avenue and Midway Parkway (open to vehicle traffic)
- Gate 7 off Como Avenue (open to vehicle traffic)
- Gate 14 off Como Avenue (open to vehicle traffic)
- West Dan Patch Avenue on the west side of the fairgrounds (open to vehicle traffic)
- Check out a map
Please comply with posted parking and traffic signs, including speed limits. Note: Practice driving is not permitted on the fairgrounds.
They also ask that your inner “Minnesota Nice” guides you as you use the fairgrounds to walk or bike.
- Fair staff takes extra care to make sure the grounds remain beautiful, so please help keep the fairgrounds in tip-top shape by cleaning up after yourself and your pet.
- All dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Things to note:
- The fairgrounds are open between approximately 6am & 11pm daily (wi/ the exception of special events).
- None of the buildings are open to the public, except the restroom just south of Gate 5 at the Admin Too building.
- Pedestrians and bikers have the right of way.
- Thank you for respecting walkers and bikers, the fairgrounds and its buildings and property. If you have questions or comments, please email fairinfo@mnstatefair.org.
Upcoming Closures
The fairgrounds will be closed Aug. 8-Sept. 9 due to fairgrounds events and the 2022 Minnesota State Fair.
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MN State Fair Talent Contest Auditions
July 25-31
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DESCRIPTION
Auditions are free to watch and open to the public. Bring a picnic to make an evening of it, or stop by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation Snack Shack for a treat!
LOCATION
Bandshell
HOURS
Auditions begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
ADMISSION
Free to the public
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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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