April 8, 2022 | Friday

Vote In Our April Elections

Request a Ballot for the Election

Ballots for the April 19 election can be requested on our election page as well. Community members vote from home: either online, or by returning a paper ballot through the mail.

The first step in voting is to request a ballot. To get your ballot, fill out a ballot request form. We've already mailed the paper ballots out and will begin sending out online ballot access later today.

Who is eligible to vote: Renters, homeowners, and other residents of District 10 who are at least 16 years old can vote. So can representatives from business, nonprofits, or other organizations with a physical presence in District 10.

Como Garage Sale May 12-15

D10 Como Community Council is once again coordinating a community sale weekend from Thursday, May 12 to Sunday the 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.

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.

D10 Meeting Update

Environment Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 12, 7pm

The D10 Environment Committee typically meets on the second 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 hear an update from D10 Community Organizer Jessica Willman about the Lawns to Legumes grant D10 recently received for Sub-District 4 to be a demonstration neighborhood with several new boulevard rain gardens and pollinator friendly spaces. We will also be making final preparations for the Apr 23 Como Park clean-up in addition to some regular committee updates.

D10 Awarded Lawns to Legumes Grant

We are excited to announce that the Como Community Council was awarded the Lawns to Legume Demonstration Neighborhood Grant through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)! A group of community members linked to the Environment Committee proposed a plan for pollinator habitats throughout the Como Sub-district 4 Community. The neighborhood between Como Ave, Front Ave, Lexington Pkwy and the railroad tracks will receive up to 5 boulevard gardens, 4 bee lawns, a community pollinator garden, and a pocket prairie.

Through this grant, we will be hosting community meetings to educate neighbors on pollinator habitat installation, pesticide-free maintenance, and how to get involved in the grant work that will be done between May 2022 and May 2023. These meetings will be open to the public and all may participate. Those who live within the demonstration neighborhood boundaries will be eligible to apply to be a site for the Lawn to Legume installations.

Funding is provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) and is targeted in priority areas to benefit the rusty-patched bumblebee and other at-risk species. Stay tuned to our website and newsletter to find out more about the community meetings or to participate in planning and implementation. (Or attend next Tuesday's Environment Committee meeting!)

Get Involved: Annual Regional Parks Spring Cleanup on April 23

D10 Como Park is co-hosting the Como Park portion of the city’s Regional Parks Clean-up Day.

When: Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 9am-11:30am

What: Individuals and groups of all ages come together to pick up litter that has recently become exposed due to the melting snow.

How: Participating is easy! Register online, then drop by the pavilion around 9am on April 24 to check in and pick up bags and gloves.

Where (Como Park): Look for our table near the Como Lake Pavilion to sign-in and pick-up some supplies.

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.

Como Stewards Program Entering Second Year

Last year the D10 Environment Committee, in partnership with St. Paul Parks & Rec, invited individuals or groups to volunteer and give back and to help keep our regional treasure welcoming for everyone with the launch of the Como Stewards Program.

With Spring approaching, we invite you to consider signing up for one of the open areas of the park for the sophomore year of the program.

As a Como Park Steward, you will participate in ongoing clean up, special clean-up events, work with the city departments to report tree and natural damage, graffiti, safety, and other concerns. We ask for a minimum commitment of one-year with visits twice monthly.

Look at all available parcels on the Como Steward Program map. After you complete your registration, you will be contacted about parcel selection. 

D10 Owl Mascot Design Competition

Last year, our community voted on the Great Horned Owl as the District 10 mascot and now we’re looking to the community to help create the mascot’s design!

We know the Como community is up for the challenge to design an owl mascot to use during events and on promotional materials (and swag?!). Submit designs below by April 17th. Community members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite online or at any of our upcoming events. We will reveal the winning design at the Ice Cream Social on July 9th!

Como Pavilion and Golf Course Parking Lots Receive Site Plan Approval

This past week the Como Pavilion and Golf Course Parking Lot renovation plans got their final stamp of approval from the city Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI). This means that construction can begin soon.

The South parking lot will be completed first and the North lot work won't begin until the South lot is complete. The exact timing is dependent on the weather, but they're hoping to break ground on the South lot in Mid-April and to be starting on the North lot by early June.

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.

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.

Calling All Gardeners: Wild Ones

By Sonjie Johnson

“Healing the earth, one yard at a time.” The quote comes from Joe Crowe, who is a member of Wild Ones, a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the “benefits of preserving and restoring biodiversity of our native plant communities, beginning in our own yards and gardens.” Along with a network of other volunteers, Joe works to preserve and restore native plants in various parts of Como Park.

Read More...

Como Parks & Rec

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

• Celebrate Spring Event - Sat, April 30, 10:30am-Noon - Free
• Pickleball Lessons Intermediate - Tuesdays starting May 3, 1-2pm - $40*
• Play Date Art ages 2-5 - Tues, May 3, 6-7pm - $20*
• Teen Video Game Night ages 12-18 - Wednesdays thru May 25 - Free
• New Mini Sports ages 4-7 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• New STEAM Camp ages 7-12 - Week of June 20 - $210*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Parents Night Out ages 6-11 - April 22, 6-9pm - $10*
• Basic Fishing Fundamentals ages 7-12 - Week of April 25 - $25*
• New Badminton Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• New Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-10 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• New Trapped: Engineers Escape Room Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 21 - $138*

*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.

Note: Although adult programs are also listed, they do not qualify for Fee Assistance credits.

Neighborhood Notes

Upcoming License Renewals

• Como Golf Course & Club House: Liquor & Entertainment licenses are up for renewal April 18. 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.
• 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.

444 Maryland Avenue Community Meeting

Our neighbors at the North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO) will be hosting an April 12th Community Building meeting to hold a conversation with neighbors and Saint Paul Police Central District regarding the recent shootings at the 444 Maryland establishment and in the neighborhood. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM and everyone is welcome to attend.

If you have questions you can connect with NENO at 651-488-4485 or email ed@nenostpaul.org.

Foster the Family Mom's Support Group in Hamline-Midway

Foster the Family Mom's Support Groups offer encouragement and resources to face the unique joys and challenges of foster care and adoption. This group meets monthly in St. Paul (1536 W. Minnehaha Ave) on the 3rd Wednesday from 6:30-8pm to discuss topics such as attachment, trauma, birth families, and the realities of foster care/adoption. 

Find out more on the group's Facebook Page or email fosterthefamilytwincities@gmail.com. Childcare is available!

SPFE Climate Action Forum

Over the last year, the Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) Climate Action Team has been working within the Saint Paul Public School (SPPS) community to try to push SPPS toward becoming a leader in the fight for climate justice. One area they have been exploring is the issue of transportation (in SPPS and beyond) and how that is a significant factor in addressing climate change locally and globally. One of their goals this year is to start the conversation around how we can create a cleaner and more equitable transportation system throughout the SPPS community. In pursuit of this goal, they will be hosting a virtual climate action forum called, “Climate, Transportation and SPPS” April 13, 6-7:30pm on zoom.  

To attend the event, please register at the following link. tinyurl.com/SPFEClimateForum Once you are registered, you will have a Zoom link sent to you the day of the event. If you have any questions about the event you can email Tom Lucy at telucy73@gmail.com.

Tom Lucy is a regular contributor to the D10 Environment Committee meetings and initiatives.

Pothole Patrol

Potholes are turning many local streets into slalom courses. You can report potholes in the following way, 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

Reporting Damages from Potholes

If you believe your vehicle was damaged due to a pothole, you can submit a claim form to the City of Saint Paul at stpaul.gov/departments/city-clerk/claims.

Please note that for claims the City must have received prior notice of the pothole/street defect and then failed to correct the defect in a reasonable period of time based on the available crews. 

Dirt No Longer Accepted at Ramsey County Yard Waste Sites

Due to the threat of jumping worms, the county is no longer accepting dirt or sod at any of their yard waste sites. Refer to the A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide for other disposal options, or call 651-633-EASY (3279).

Jumping worms are invasive and destructive worms that can quickly degrade soils, kill garden plants and damage lawns. They look similar to nightcrawlers and other earthworms except that they wiggle intensely when disturbed and can appear to be jumping. If your soil appears granular like coffee grounds, you likely have jumping worms and should report the invasive species.

Last year the D10 Environment Committee hosted Ryan Hueffmeier, a researcher in the University of Minnesota’s Jumping Worm’s Project to learn more about the threats Jumping Worms pose. You can watch the presentation here on our website.

Cultural STAR Applications

Now Open

The Cultural STAR program provides loans and grants for arts and cultural programs and organizations within the City of Saint Paul.

Applications are now open for the first of two funding rounds for 2022. Completed Round One applications must be submitted by Friday, April 29 at 4 p.m.

To be eligible for Round One, the special project, capital project or organizational development activity must take place between August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

• Special Project grants are made to groups wishing to offer quality arts activities, in any discipline, within the geographic boundaries of the City of Saint Paul. Grant requests may include costs for artists and other personnel, postage, supplies, printing, travel and other expenses necessary to carry out the project. Food and beverage are not allowable expenses and the City will not reimburse expenses related to insurance coverage.

• Capital Project loans and grants are for acquiring or upgrading physical assets such as buildings and equipment. Such activities must have the potential for significant or long-term impact and the expenditures must be depreciable.

• Organizational Development grants are for projects designed to strengthen the management, administration, or operations of the recipient organization. Such activities must advance the mission of your group, and have the potential for significant or long-term impact. The intent of the program is to challenge the organization, infuse new thinking, develop new systems, or strengthen existing systems to further the group’s growth and development.