April 29, 2022 | Friday

Technical Difficulties: Over the past week our web/email host made a server change. It didn't go great. Our website was down for a few days and our email service was sporadic. If you reached out in the last week and didn't get a reply, we may not have seen your message. The problem appears to be fully resolved now. Please feel free to re-send and we'll do our best to get back to you. Apologies for any inconvenience.

D10 Meeting Updates

Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 5, 7pm

The D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee typically meets on the first Tuesday 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 this weekend's Celebrate Spring! event, finalizing details for Pick Up & Party! on June 4 at Orchard Rec, the Como Community Garage Sale, how the committee can support the May 21 Como Lake Clean-Up, and more!

Land Use Committee Meeting - Wednesday, April 6, 7pm

The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will host new State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla, SPPD Western District Commander Lego, and St. Paul Office of Neighborhood Safety Director Brooke Blakey for a State Fair Community Safety Conversation. 

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 9pm TONIGHT, April 29.

Lawns to Legumes: CRWD Tour

Wednesday, May 4 at 11:30am

Join our Lawns to Legumes volunteer group (The St. Paulinators of South Como) to meet and tour the Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD), 595 Aldine St, and to learn about rain gardens. Native flowers in rain gardens provide essential pollinator habitat. Rain gardens help and retain rainwater and snowmelt so the water is filtered and soaks into the earth -rather than into the storm sewer. In our area, rain gardens help control runoff into Como Lake. Learn more about what individual or public rain gardens might be possible for you, including financial assistance possibilities. 

The CRWD building itself uses green building principles, including stormwater management and energy-saving practices, to conserve natural resources and create a healthy workplace. The grounds also include a watershed learning center, a pocket park and interactive features.

Please contact southpaulinators@gmail.com for more information

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.

Get Involved: Como Lake Clean-Up - May 21

THANK YOU to everyone who showed up, rain and all, to last weekends Como Park Clean-Up event, we counted about 150 amazing volunteers, that's huge!

We're planning our first 2022 Como LAKE Clean-Up for Saturday, May 21, 9am-Noon. These events, in partnership with the Capitol Region Watershed District, focus on the shoreline and lake itself.

District 10 provides trash-grabbers, rakes, buckets, nets, trash bags, and nitrile gloves for those who need them. Or, feel free to provide your own gear. Registration (before May 20) is not required, but it helps us plan and communicate if changes come up.

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!

Cafesjian's Carousel Season Begins Sunday, May 1

Cafesjian’s Carousel opens for its 23rd season in Como Park this Sunday, May 1.

Hours May 1–Labor Day

• Monday 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. – 4 pm.
• Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Infants under age 1 ride free; tickets for all other riders are $3. Check their website for Free Days.

The historic carousel that graced the Minnesota State Fair for 75 years (and was in downtown St. Paul for a few years) has operated since 2000 in a $1.1 million pavilion just next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and the new Visitor Center at Como Park.

The carousel’s 68 horses and two chariots have been fully restored to the way they looked when new in 1914, and a fully restored band organ plays waltzes, marches and popular tunes. About 100,000 people ride the carousel each season.

The carousel is owned and operated by Our Fair Carousel, the non-profit community group that saved it from being auctioned to collectors in 1988. More volunteers are needed to operate the ride, assist riders, and sell tickets and merchandise. For information, call (651) 489-4628, email ourfaircarousel@outlook.com see www.ourfaircarousel.org.

Get Involved: Chelsea Heights Elementary Carnival Looking for Volunteers

May 13, 5-8pm at Chelsea Heights

Many hands make light work! Make a kid smile by helping with the Chelsea Heights Carnival. Shifts are 1.5 hours long, you can help out and still have time to enjoy the carnival with your family.

• Shift 1: 5:00-6:30
• Shift 2: 6:30-8:00

They invite you to sign up for your favorite station or game, but ask you to be flexible as well. Sometimes needs change during the carnival itself. You may be asked to move to a different game (during the same shift) if the need arises.

Questions? Email our volunteer coordinator, Jamie Proulx, at jamieproulx@mac.com.

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 is hosting 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 Sunday, May 1st, 4-6pm the Transfer of Memory exhibit will be open to the public 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 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
• Mini Sports ages 4-6 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• STEAM Camp ages 7-11 - Week of June 20 - $210*
• StarEye Camp ages 8-12 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• Volleyball Camp ages 13-17 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• New Jr Engineering Camp: Crazy Gears and Wheels ages 6-9 - Week of July 11 - $100*
• New Basketball Stars Camps ages 11-14 - Week of July 11 - Free*
• New Super Mario Game Coding Camp ages 9-12 - Week of July 11 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Badminton Camp ages 9-13 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-9 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• Trapped: Engineers Escape Room Camp ages 9-13 - Week of June 21 - $138*
• Multiplayer Minecraft: Mini-Game Builder ages 8-11 - Week of June 27 - $110*
• 3D Printing & CAD Camp ages 11-14 - Week of June 27 - $120*
• New StarEye Art Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 11 - $50*

*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.

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.

Upcoming Crime Prevention Unit Events

National Drug Take Back Day in partnership with Opus

Saturday, April 30th from 10–2pm at Cub Foods Midway (1440 University) Get rid of those prescriptions that sat around thru the pandemic. More info...

Block Leaders Virtual Meet-Up

Monday, May 23rd at 6pm

Open to block leaders or interested community members. There will be two guest presenters for the evening:

• The Dispute Resolution Center discussing their programs around mediation and community healing. "At SPPD we encourage residents to explore using services to resolve neighbor disputes that do not rise to the need of police intervention. We also recognize that many blocks in our community have suffered from community violence and services to work with residents to heal is critical." 
• Ramsey County Emergency Communications will present on how 911 currently operates including call priorities, staffing, and what services they dispatch. They will also provide information on the work of the 9-1-1 Appropriate Responses Initiative.

Virtual Netsmartz Workshop

Wednesday, May 25 at 6pm 

Presentation for parents about protecting your children online. As kids spend more time online; parents need to be aware that safety issues for children online. This is the first offering of this workshop.

Community Members Invited to Shape 2023 City Budget

The city is hosting a series of 5 virtual community conversations this spring to engage community members in shaping the 2023 city budget.

Led by the Office of Financial Services, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, the 5 virtual community conversations will be held on Microsoft Teams. The sessions will be free, and open to the public. Community members interested in participating can register here.   

• Saturday, May 7 – 10-11 a.m. 
• Thursday, May 12 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. 
• Tuesday, May 19 – 9-10 a.m. 
• Tuesday, May 24 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, June 2 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Ramsey County Discontinuing Food Scraps Starter Kits

There are a limited number of food scraps starter kits still available at Ramsey County yard waste sites. Once those run out, Ramsey County will no longer provide countertop food scraps caddies (starter kits) as they prepare to launch the food scraps pickup program in 2023. Compostable bags are still available at all food scraps drop-off sites. If you already have a countertop caddy at home, continue using it. Otherwise, any other container can be used for food scraps collection.

Coming in 2023: Food scraps pickup program

You’ll soon have a new way to recycle food scraps from home! Ramsey and Washington counties are working together to bring a food scraps pickup service to all residents, with rollout beginning late 2022 into 2023.  

This new program is part of a larger system for managing food scraps. County food scraps drop-off sites will remain in operation, and some people may prefer to compost food scraps in their backyards. Do what works best for you! 

Refer a friend before May 15th and get an Adopt-a-Drain tote bag!

The Adopt-a-Drain program has a goal of 10,000 participants. You can help by recruiting a friend (or two) to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood. They’ve found that people are most receptive to hearing about the program from their friends and neighbor. 

For each new adopter that names you as their referrer when they sign up between now and May 15th, both you and the new adopter will receive a free Adopt-a-Drain canvas tote bag*—perfect for showing off your dedication to the environment!

*While supplies last; no purchase necessary.

City Pre-Applications for DEED Redevelopment Grants Due Friday May 20, 2022

The City of Saint Paul pre-application period has opened for the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Redevelopment Grant program.

The DEED Redevelopment Grant Program assists projects with impediments to redeveloping land into a more productive use. Sites are eligible when there is a redevelopment plan but a financial gap due to costs related to demolition, outdated infrastructure, or contamination remediation requirements.

Grant funding is available for demolition, interior environmental abatement, public infrastructure improvements, environmental infrastructure, or geotechnical soil correction. The applicant pays for at least 50% of the eligible redevelopment costs as a local match. Eligible redevelopment costs incurred up to 12 months prior to the application due date may be included as local match, but cannot be reimbursed.

DEED prioritizes applications based on contamination remediation needs in conjunction with redevelopment, contributions from tax increment financing, impact on affordable housing, proximity to transit, multimodal transportation plan incorporation, and advancements made within the green economy.

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