November 12, 2021 | Friday

Give to the Max Day, Nov. 18

Our volunteers organize neighborhood events, work to maintain a safe and vibrant neighborhood, enhance our natural and built environments, welcome new neighbors, and shape decisions that affect our quality of life. We keep our neighborhood up to date with accurate, timely information, and provide a trusted, open forum to tackle concerns.

This year D10 has had over 60 public meetings and 20 community events and has nearly 1800 community members subscribed to this weekly newsletter! Your financial support helps make what we do possible and successful.

What is Give to the Max Day? 

Give to the Max Day is Minnesota’s giving holiday, an online give-a-thon supporting Minnesota nonprofits and schools. This year's Give to the Max Day will be held on Thursday, November 18th. But why wait? You can get started today with early giving!

German Immersion School Girl Scouts Pitch in at Rain Gardens

In October, District 10 put out a call for help with maintaining the Churchill Rain Gardens (Horton Ave & Van Slyke Ave). Some neighbors have been helping keep the weeds at bay since the newest version of the gardens were established with a Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) Grant in 2016, but their numbers have dwindled in recent years while the work has not.

The Girl Scout Troops from Twin Cities German Immersion School answered the call in force. Neighboring gardeners, with help from CRWD, led over 20 scouts in weeding, harvesting and planting seeds, and raking—learning all about how rain gardens work along the way. Thanks to our wonderful community volunteers!

Volunteering at Lyngblomsten Campus

At the November 4, 2021 Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting we heard from Shelli Beck, Director of Volunteer Services at Lyngblomsten to discuss opportunities for community members to volunteer with Lyngblomsten’s senior residents. View Shelli’s presentation and community Q&A in the link below.

Volunteers (must be fully vaccinated) help enhance the lives of the older adults they serve at the Lynblomsten campus (1415 Almond Ave). There are opportunities that include helping in their small in-house café, pushing residents in wheelchairs to and from activities or in-house appointments, visiting with a resident, playing games, cards, or putting together puzzles.

Children's (5-11) Vaccine Clinic at Como Zoo

Children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and Minnesota is ready. The state has mobilized a diverse network of providers across Minnesota to administer COVID-19 shots

The State of MN & Como Park Zoo and Conservatory are hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for kids 5-11 at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on Sunday, November 21 from 11-4pm. Parent/guardian must be present. All kids 5-11 welcome.

Como Community Blood Drives

Thursday, December 16, 10 a.m - 4 p.m.

D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a community blood drive at the Zoo Thursday, December 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Space is limited, reservations required.

With the pandemic lingering and so many still working from home, workplace blood drives have all but vanished, affecting the Red Cross reserve levels. Community blood drives are the perfect opportunity to take a break from the home office or start a fall trip to the zoo! If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.

Local Licenses up for Renewals

Bole Ethiopian Cuisine - The liquor licenses for this restaurant at 1341 Pascal St. N. are up for renewal on Jan. 7. Anyone with concerns should email District 10 or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali.

Ted's Recreation - The liquor licenses for this bar at 1084 Larpenteur Ave. W. are up for renewal on Jan. 3. Anyone with concerns should email District 10 or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen.

Best Western - The liquor license for this hotel at 1010 Bandana Blvd. W. are up for renewal on Jan. 3. Anyone with concerns should email District 10 or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali.

Saint Paul Public Library will be open more hours starting November 13 

Starting November 13, Saint Paul Public Library will increase the number of hours it is open to the public. Many locations across Saint Paul will have more weekend and Monday hours, with 12 of 13 library locations now open at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings. The focus on adding weekend hours across the city is based upon feedback from library users. 

Hamline Midway & St. Anthony Park Hours:

• Monday and Wednesday: noon to 8 p.m. 
• Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Sunday: Closed 

Holiday Safety Tips from St. Paul Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit

As we move into a season of giving, online shopping and storing higher value gifts in our homes can create opportunities for thieves and burglars. The St. Paul Police Department put together a list of safety tips to keep in mind over the next few months.

For example, here's some package delivery tips:

• Schedule deliveries for times when you’re at home.
• If you can’t be home when deliveries are made, make arrangements to have your parcels delivered to a neighbor.
• If you or your neighbors observe any delivery person doing anything that appears to be suspicious, ask to see their identification or call the police.

St. Paul Public School Sustainability Survey

Saint Paul Public Schools is looking for community input for a Sustainability Engagement Survey. SPPS is currently taking steps towards increasing energy conservation and efficiency. Energy use and many sustainability issues are tied closely to climate change, and they recognize this is important to our community. 

It should take fewer than 10 minutes to complete this survey. Your responses will be used to help define what sustainability topics are important to SPPS.

Ski & Snowboard Lesson Registration Open

Registration for downhill skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding lessons and clinics opens Monday, November 8. The hill will open for early season hours on Dec. 11, weather and snow conditions permitting. The annual ski swap will be held on Nov. 13 from 10am-3pm in the Como Park Ski Center Chalet. For more information on our ski and snowboard program, visit the Como Park Ski Center webpage.

St. Paul Accepting 2021 Business Awards Nominees

Show your favorite Saint Paul business some love and nominate them for a 2021 Business Award. The Awards recognize local businesses that provide critical services, contribute to the City's community, invest in their employees and are committed to Saint Paul's values of equity and diversity.

Winners are selected in 4 unique categories: Good Neighbor Award, Traditions Award, People’s Choice Award, and New Kid on the Block Award. Visit stpaul.gov/business-awards for more information and to nominate a business today! Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 3, 2021.

Bring Your Pumpkins & Fall Decorations to a Yard Waste Site

After all the raking, leaf blowing and fall decorating, bring these common fall yard waste items to Ramsey County’s yard waste collection sites for free:

• Put pumpkins, corn stalks and hay bales in the leaf pile. No string, ribbon, candles, paint or other decorations.
• Bring leaves to the yard waste sites. Remember to take bags, even biodegradable bags, back with you after you dump your leaves in the pile.
• While you’re there, drop off your food scraps too!

Don’t forget to plan ahead! Check the hours and locations and consider these tips for avoiding long waits at the yard waste sites.

While we're on the subject, a friendly reminder that the Beulah Ln Food Scraps Recycling site does NOT accept leaves, yard waste, or pumpkins.