January 21, 2022 | Friday | | |
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More Community Engagement Opportunities Coming For Hamline Midway Library Transformation | |
While the Como neighborhood doesn't technically have a Saint Paul Public Library in its boundaries, there are a few close enough to consider ours and one of them is the Hamline Midway branch on Minnehaha east of Snelling.
Hamline Midway is one of three branches that SPPL is proposing for renovation and the only of those that has secured funding to do so thus far. In the coming months, the Library intends to seek feedback on what features community members are looking for from the library that could be addressed in the transformation.
We will post updates here, but SPPL also has launched a newsletter specifically for updates on the planning and community engagement opportunities around the facilities changes.
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D10 Meeting Updates
Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting - Tuesday, February 1, 7pm
The D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee typically meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we will be making final preparations for the Feb 12-13 Donation Drive, solidifying plans for a March 5 event at North Dale Rec, and hearing updates about Know Your Como and various other committee plans. Join us if you want to help make our events better!
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Land Use Special Time/Engagement Event - Thursday, February 10, 6:30-8pm
The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month, but instead of meeting next week, our Land Use Committee will be co-hosting a virtual community engagement session with the Hamline Midway Coalition, the North End Neighborhood Organization, and the City Planning & Economic Development Staff about Phase 2 of the 1-4 Unit Housing Study on February 10 at 6:30-8pm.
Join us to learn more about the 1-4 Unit Housing Study and share your ideas on neighborhood-scale housing types and potential opportunities for the City to add more housing.
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D10 Como Park Hosting Winter Weather Donation Drive
February 12 & 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
D10 Como Community Council is hosting a donation drive to help the unsheltered community this winter. We will be set up in the parking lot of the Como Historic Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) on Saturday and Sunday, February 12 & 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We will be collecting NEW:
Donations will go to Minnesota Community Care and its partner organizations.
Want to get involved? Community members are welcome to volunteer during our drive to help collect, sort or deliver items. We also welcome financial donations to the Neighborhood Relations Committee so that we can continue to run this and other community events!
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Join the D10 Como Community Council Board in 2022
Here’s your chance to tackle that new year's resolution to get more involved: Eight seats on our board are up for election in April.
Any community member in District 10, age 16 or older, is eligible to run. The board is volunteers like you, elected by neighbors like you.
The board recently made a change to designate board seats for renters, youth (16-24), and senior (62+). That change begins roll out in 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)
Board seats up for election in April:
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One representative each from the neighborhood's FOUR sub-districts (map)
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Two representatives from the neighborhood at-large
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One representative from the neighborhood at-large who is a renter
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One representative from the neighborhood at-large who is a youth (age 16-24)
These positions serve two-year terms, through April 2024. To get on the ballot, submit a board member application.
The filing deadline is Sunday April 3. The election is April 19. You can view some basic information about being a board member 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.
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Como Community Blood Drive
D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a series of community blood drives at the Zoo. Reservations are only available for the March 1 event at this time.
Upcoming Drive Dates:
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 trip to the zoo!
If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org. (No more volunteers needed for March 1)
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"Slow Show" on Frozen Como Lake
Saturday, February 5, 1pm & 2pm
A part of next week's Great Northern Festival, Dancer/choreographer Dimitri Chamblas’ Slow Show is a 20-minute intensive, collective dance whose movements are minute, precise, and concentrated—inspired by principal roots of trance, exultation, telepathy, and unconscious memories. In this iteration, 50 local participants will respond to their immediate environment on a frozen Como Lake, revealing the strength and vivacity of subtle movements with real-time sound accompaniment made of samples, live electronics, and guitar by artist Eddie Ruscha.
Please note: Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged during the performance.
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Explore the Nature of Winter at the Como Woodland
Saturday, February 12, 3-4:30pm
Come to learn about the nature of winter at the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. Go on a scavenger hunt searching for animal tracks, learning to identify prairie plants and trees from clues left behind in the fall, and looking for winter birds – and then finish up with s’mores.
Como Woodland Advisors Joan McKearnan, professor of biology & environmental science, Anoka-Ramsey College; Britt Forsberg, University of Minnesota Extension Educator; Teri Heyer, Program Specialist-Urban Connections, US Forest Service; and Lisa Held, Environmental Educator will lead a winter learning adventure.
Start your adventure at the Kilmer Fireplace in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom at 1221 Wynne Ave., Saint Paul, MN in Como Park (just west of the Como Regional Park Pool).
Registration is not required, but it will help CWOC plan (and have enough snacks!) and allow them to contact you if plans change due to weather. Update will also be posted on the CWOC Facebook Page.
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Como Parks & Rec Update
Como Park Ski Center: The hill at Como Park Ski Center is open for the season. For ticket and rental rates, hours, and other details visit the Como Park Ski Center webpage.
North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans) - PDF Flyer
Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline) - PDF Flyer
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 in the catalog, they do not qualify for Fee Assistance credits.
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Neighborhood Notes
- Congrats to the Como Park Senior High Boys Swim Team for being the 2022 Conference Champions! According to the school's Facebook post, this feat was last achieved in 1991!
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K&L Sales: The second-hand dealer’s license for this used-car lot at Como and Arona is up for renewal on March 29. 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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Domestic Violence Support & Resources
No one ever thinks that they will fall victim to domestic abuse until it happens. That is why it is so important to be able to find support and assistance quickly. One of our board members gathered these resources to share in this week's newsletter.
Note: many of these websites have "quick exit" links and instructions on how to clear the site from your browser history.
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MSP Cyber Seed Crawl 2022: National Seed Swap Day Edition
Saturday, January 29, 8am-1pm on Facebook
Join fellow Twin City gardeners and growers for another distanced seed swap! This time it is the National Seed Swap Day edition and all seed categories are accepted: vegetables, herbs, natives, perennials, annuals and more. This is the 5th Cyber Seed Crawl event that has been offered for Minneapolis and St. Paul gardeners since 2020, and continues to be an engaging, economical and covid-safe way to augment your seed collection. We return to Facebook for the National Seed Swap Day Edition to allow for interaction and engagement with fellow gardeners as we discuss seeds, our favorite varieties and get questions answered. We hope you participate; Receiving free seeds in the mail or on your doorstep is just the antidote for the doldrums of winter!
For more information and instructions on how to participate please read the Facebook Event details.
This swap is organized by Como Community Seed Library, garden activist Stephanie Hankerson, Minnesota State Horticulture Society community programs director and urban farmer Courtney Tchida, and Hothouse Horticulture owner Anna McLafferty.
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Affordable Connectivity Program
The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program helps connect your home to the internet. Comcast Internet Essentials offers low-cost, high-speed home Internet for $9.95 per month + tax. Qualifying households can get it for $0/month (FREE) with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Households may qualify if they’re eligible for public assistance programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, National School Lunch Program, SNAP, Medicaid and Housing Assistance.
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Public hearing for revised Ramsey County park ordinance Feb. 8
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the revised Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Ordinance on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m.
The ordinance revision process aims to:
- Respond to long-standing community feedback about park access.
- View the ordinance through a racial equity lens.
- Modernize the ordinance and address contemporary park issues.
Changes were made to result in an ordinance that is:
- Equitable.
- Consistent and streamlined.
- Promotes greater enjoyment of the parks.
- Ensures user safety.
- Protects park facilities, property and natural resources.
View proposed ordinance and hearing details.
The board will review public comment and testimony at the Feb. 8 meeting. If you wish to speak, register in advance by completing the comment registration form or by contacting the Chief Clerk’s Office at 651-266-8014.
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Green Ramsey - Need to know / Nice to know
Need to know: All types of batteries are accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites for free and safe disposal. Batteries thrown in the trash or recycling can catch fire and be hazardous to people and property. Learn more
Nice to know: Much of the woody material (e.g., branches and shrubs) collected at Ramsey County’s yard waste sites is sent to District Energy in Saint Paul, where it is used as fuel to generate electricity. Learn more
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County Now Offering COVID Tests at Frogtown Community Center
Saint Paul now has an additional option for free, easily accessible COVID-19 testing. Testing is now being offered at Frogtown Commnity Center (230 Como Ave) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-6pm.
Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health will offer self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests, by appointment only, for nearby residents and anyone regardless of where they live. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in which individuals spit into a tube is the most accurate way to detect the COVID-19 virus. Appointments are available at ramseycounty.us/testing for anyone age 2 and up at the testing site the county expects to operate until March. 3.
Public Health staff and volunteers at the Frogtown site will help individuals sign-in online to the testing lab’s website (Vault Health) and then gather the self-administer saliva tests for expedited delivery for processing. The Frogtown site test results will be provided by Vault Health through their regular options for notification. Public Health will not have that information.
In addition to the new Frogtown testing site, there are several other free testing sites operated by the State of Minnesota and a new federal testing site at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Additionally, the federal government will now mail out up to four free COVID-19 test kits per household which can be ordered online at covidtests.gov.
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
MN State Snow Sculpting Competition
Friday, January 28-Sunday, February 6
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DESCRIPTION
Organized by the Saint Paul Vulcans, Vulcan Snow Park takes place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Come play in the snow and enjoy amazing snow sculptures!
LOCATION
Kidway Lot
HOURS
Competition:
Jan. 28 - 29: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jan. 30: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (winners announced at 1 p.m.)
Snow Sculpture Viewing:
Jan. 31 - Feb. 6: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or until they collapse)
ADMISSION
Free
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St. Paul Winter Carnival Fire & Ice Run/Walk
Sunday, January 30
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DESCRIPTION
The in-person NoK, 5K and 10K PLUS a NEW Kid’s Run will be held on Sunday, January 30th, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Join us for a beautiful run or walk past the Vulcan Snow Park and a wintry Minnesota State Fairground.
HOURS - Sat, Jan 30
Registration: 8 - 9 a.m.
Kid's Run: 8:45 a.m.
5K and 10K: 9 a.m.
NoK: 9:05 a.m.
ADMISSION
Kid’s Run: $20.00
5K or 10K: $60.00
NoK (Pay to not run): $50.00
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Free COVID Testing Options
Free COVID Vaccine Options
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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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