February 10, 2023 | Friday

Como Community Blood Drives

Wednesday, March 8, 9am-3pm @ Como Zoo

D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a community blood drive at the Zoo Wednesday, March 8, 9am-3pm. Space is limited, reservations required.

Please consider giving blood, with so many still working from home, workplace blood drives have all but vanished, these community drives make a huge impact!

Get Involved: We also have one sign-in table volunteer shift open for Noon-3pm on March 8.

Join the D10 Como Community Council in 2023

The D10 Annual Election is coming up in April. Any community member in District 10, age 16 or older, is eligible to run. The board is made up of volunteers like you, elected by neighbors like you.

In 2021, the board made a change to designate board seats for renters, youth (16-24), and senior (62+). That change began to roll out in 2022 with a senior and renter seat (now filled), and continues with this April’s election with 1 renter seat and 1 youth seat on the ballot. If you fit these criteria, please consider running, we’re holding a seat for you! (Renters, youth, and seniors can hold other seats as well!)

All of our board and committee meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted in advance in this newsletter. We encourage you to come to some of our meetings and get to know us! To get on the ballot, submit a board member application.

The filing deadline is Sunday April 2. The election results are announced at the April board meeting. You can view some basic information about the election here. 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.

3rd Wednesdays: ExploraTots @ Como Streetcar Station

An outdoor experience for young children (3-5yrs) and their adults Free*

St. Paul Parks and Rec Winter-Spring sessions are open for registration. This program takes place the third Wednesday of the month January-May in the morning.

ExploraTots begins with choice time activity stations on a theme, read a story together, venture out on a hike, then return for wrap-up and a take-home activity. In addition to connecting to nature and meeting new friends, your child will have the opportunity to practice skills that can improve school-readiness.

This program takes place mostly outside. Please dress for the weather! Children must be supervised by an accompanying adult. Siblings welcome.

Third Wednesdays, 10-11:30am | Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) | Ages 3-5 with adult | Free | *Pre-registration required:

• Wed, Feb. 15, 10-11:30am Free w/ registration
• Wed, Mar. 15, 10-11:30am Free w/ registration
• Wed, Apr. 19, 10-11:30am Free w/ registration
• Wed, May. 17, 10-11:30am Free w/ registration

Como Zoo offering Summer Youth Program

Como Zoo and Conservatory is once again offering the Nature Walk summer volunteer program for youth in grades 8 through 12. The program runs mid-June through mid-August, with some training in May.

The program that inspires youth to be stewards for wildlife. Youth will connect visitors to Como’s animals and plants to encourage appreciation and preservation of the natural world. Additionally, the Nature Walk program provides youth with valuable work experience and job skills and creates a gateway for potential future opportunities at Como and other conservation institutions.

The application and reference deadline for submission is April 10, 2023.

Winter Tour of Como Woodland

Saturday, Feb. 25, 1-2:30pm @ Kilmer Fireplace

Mark your calendar for this cool winter event. Meet us at the Kilmer Fireplace for a cup of hot chocolate and a 1.5 hour nature tour of Como Woodland. Hardy Como Woodland Advisors will give you a warm welcome and escort you through the outdoor classroom to discover the signs of and the survival strategies of Como Woodland's animals and plants during the winter months.

Como Parks & Rec Programming

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

• Parents Night Out ages 7-12 - Friday, Feb. 10, 6-9pm - $10*
• Musical Theatre Camp ages 10-14 - April 3-7, Noon-3pm - $170*
• Cribbage ages 18+ - Mondays thru May 22 - Free
• School Year Rec Check 1st-5th Grade - Weekdays thru June 14 - Free*
• New Adult Open Basketball ages 18+ - Sundays thru March - $3

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Movie Night - Raya and the Last Dragon - Friday, Feb. 10, 6:30-8pm - Free
• Artist Workshop ages 8-12 - Tuesdays starting Feb. 21 - $60*
• Artist Workshop ages 5-8 - Wednesdays starting Feb. 22 - $60*
• Color Me Happy ages 1.5-4 - Fridays in March - $70*
• Munchkin Tennis ages 5-7 - Wednesdays in March - Free
• Game On Art ages 5-12 - Tues & Weds in April - $85*

*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 License Renewals

• Como Golf Course & Clubhouse (1431 Lexington): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal on April 18. 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.

*While license renewal dates serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.

Energy Assistance Meeting

This coming Sunday, February 12, St. Paul 350 is co-sponsoring a community gathering in St. Paul for residents to learn about programs that offer energy bill assistance and discuss how we can work together to change the system. For the second year in a row, we're seeing huge cost increases to heat our homes in the winter. Many families are having to decide whether to pay their energy bills, or pay for food or medications.

Sunday, February 12 | 2-4pm.

Neighborhood House, Room 212

179 Robie St E.

Event agenda:

• Welcome and Community Meal
• Help with Energy Bills Discussion
• Conversation about Our Energy System
• Resource Tabling

The meal is free and children are welcome!

SPPL's Read Brave Celebrating 10 years in 2023

Read. Talk. Act.

Read Brave is Saint Paul Public Library’s citywide, intergenerational reading initiative that centers the power of books to ignite empathy and help us think of big ideas to move Saint Paul forward. Read Brave connects readers of all ages to one another through one theme, five books and their authors, book-based events, and a call to action. This year's theme is mental health, and events will run from March 1 through March 15.

• Find the Books
• Check out the Tool Kit
• Browse Events

Youth and City Job Opportunities

Right Track Applications Open

Right Track provides paid summer internships for young people ages 14-21 from Saint Paul. Youth can

• Develop their employment skills.
• Build their network.
• Earn money.

For more about Right Track stpaul.gov/parks-and-recreation/right-track/.

Applications are open until February 28. Go to righttrack.stpaul.gov to apply.

City Job Postings

The City of Saint Paul has several recent job postings.

• Community Reparations Commission Staff and District Council System Liaison
• Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Coordinator
• Assistant City Engineer
• After-School Instructor

View all job postings, details, and how to apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stpaul

Get Involved: SPPS Weekend Meal Program

Every Meal's Weekend Meal Program serving St Paul Schools could use weekly help right now. Every Meal is seeking food distribution volunteers who could dedicate 1-2 hours per week for the rest of the school year. Could this be you or someone you know?

Every week during the school year, hundreds of volunteers show up at more than 400 partner schools throughout Minnesota to place food bags in children's backpacks as part of Every Meal's Weekend Meal Program. These volunteers have a hands-on, direct impact on children living with food insecurity by consistently and reliably distributing food every week. 

Karen Culture Presentation

February 17, 11am-12:30pm, Online

Interested in learning more about Karen culture? Join the Karen Organization of Minnesota for a Karen Culture Presentation online every other month! During this presentation, participants with learn about the Karen history, culture, and resettlement in the U.S. Come with open ears and any questions. Suggested donation of $5. Donate here

RSVP via Eventbrite

Chime In: All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan

Ramsey County is developing a long-range All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan that will guide transportation projects throughout the county. The goal of the process is to identify transportation needs throughout the county and work collaboratively to plan to address those needs. 

They are currently in the first phase of the planning effort and are seeking input on how people currently travel and how the transportation system can better support their needs within the county.

All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan - Phase 1 Survey (surveymonkey.com).

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Recycling Ambassador Program

Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm March 14-April 18 via Zoom

Ramsey Recycles invites you to become a Recycling Ambassador to inspire your community to reduce waste and recycle better. Join their six-week training then use your knowledge as a Recycling Ambassador and volunteer 20 hours annually to encourage others to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Workshop Topics:

• Waste systems in Ramsey County
• Yard waste, food waste, and composting
• Climate change
• Environmental Justice
• Household hazardous waste
• General Recycling

Participants will receive a $100 gift card stipend upon completion of all six workshops.

Opportunities to Connect with SPPD

The Saint Paul Police Department has upcoming and ongoing opportunities for community members to connect and get helpful crime prevention tips.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

• Feb 22, 6pm: Virtual Burglary Prevention-  Learn about lighting, landscaping, window protection, security systems, windows and more to protect your home. Register to attend.

Patrol District Community Meetings: Each patrol district holds monthly community meetings. The meetings are open to all community members. Commanders use the meetings as an opportunity to talk about crime stats, give updates on trends or cases, have guest presenters, and listen to resident concerns. It is a way to find out what is happening and to let Commanders know what you are most concerned about.

• Western District (Como's District) - 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9:30am & 6:30pm @ West District (389 Hamline Ave N. - Near Target)
• Central District - 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30pm at 1021 Marion (Rice Rec. Center)
• East District - 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9:30am and 6:30pm At Eastern District (722 Payne Ave)

Recycle Smart: Keep plastic bags out of your cart

Recycle Smart, do your part to keep plastic bags and plastic wrap out of your @CityofSaintPaul recycling cart! These items tangle in equipment at recycling facilities. Choose reusable options or take items to a participating business for recycling. Find drop-off locations at PlasticFilmRecycling.org.

What's Happening at the Fairgrounds?