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Tue, May. 16, 9am & 6pm | SPPD Western District Monthly Community Meetings @ 389 Hamline
Tue, July 18, 6pm | D10 Land Use Committee Agenda
Tue, July 18, 7:15pm | D10 Board Meeting Agenda
Tues, July 18, 5-7pm | North End Neighborhood Seed Bomb Event @ 171 Front Ave
Sun, July 23, 10-Noon | Pop-up Gardening @ Churchill Gardens
Tues, July 25, 5-8pm | Lake Como Clean Up @ Como Park Pavillion
Tues, Aug 1 9am-3pm | Como Blood Drive @ Como Zoo
More D10 Events
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Annual Ice Cream Social &
Donation Drive TONIGHT
Friday, July 14, 5:30-8pm
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Join us TONIGHT for the Como Community Council Ice Cream Social, featuring free ice cream,(this year from local shop Dars Double Scoop), live music, donation drive, meet-and-greets with neighborhood organizations, and activities for kids. We're also expecting renowned Como food truck Angry Line Cook, so come hungry!
New this year – the Como Community Council will be collecting donations for the Booth Brown House Youth Shelter. The items below will be collected at the Booth Brown House table at the event, or can be dropped off at the shelter (1471 Como Ave) before or after the event
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We are collecting the following NEW items:
- Chapstick
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Deodorant
- Reusable Water Bottles
- Travel Size Lotions
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Bath Towels
- Detergent Pods
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Know Your Como: Now That's History
By Sonjie Johnson
It’s not every day that a Como Park resident finds a 450-million-year-old fossil in his backyard. But that’s what happened to Joel Alter a few years ago.
A retired, non-partisan researcher for the Minnesota Legislature, Joel has lived in Como Park for nearly 40 years. He was digging in a ravine behind his house in 2006 when he unearthed a large piece of limestone. When he picked it up, a section split apart and he saw what appeared to be a fossil. Read more...
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D10 Meeting Updates
Land Use Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 18, 6pm
Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we welcome guests Bob Hindel & John Notermann of the St. Paul Neighbors’ League to have a conversation about snowplowing and potholes. We'll also check in on Duke's Auto and share any updates from the State Fair Neighbors Safety Initiative meeting. Join us!
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D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, July 18, 7:15pm
Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The D10 Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:15pm. Meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week the board will consider action items from committees and discuss the Land Acknowledgement.
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Get Involved: Lake Como Cleanup - July 25
We're planning our next Como Lake Cleanup for Tuesday, July 25, 5-8pm. These events, in partnership with the Capitol Region Watershed District, focus on the shoreline and Lake Como 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 (by July 24) is encouraged, but not required, to help us plan and communicate if changes come up.
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Give Blood in Como
Tuesday, August 1st , 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 Tuesday, August 1st 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!
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The Music Man at the Pavillion
July 13-15, 21-22 @ 7pm
July 16 & 23 @ 1pm
Tickets are on sale now for The Rosetown Playhouse production of Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN. Seating at the shows at the Como Pavilion is general admission (no reserve seating). Doors will open at 6:15pm for first-come, first-served seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance or the day of the show.
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Sip & Dish with Como BNP
Thursday, July 20 | 2-4pm
Fireside Room - Como Park Lutheran Church
1376 Hoyt Ave.
This months event we will be celebrating all things "Americana" with fun and nostalgic party food - be ready to share fond 4th of July memories or traditions you have! We also will be talking about what needs may be out there for you that we may not know about. It'll be a good time of sharing, laughs, good food and reflection!
As always, please call the office at 651-642-1127 if you need a ride.
The Como Block Nurse Program is looking for volunteers of all types to help with driving, chore support, grocery delivery, dog walkers and more. Please call 651.642.1127 to volunteer!
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Groovin’ In The Garden Free Summer Music Series
6-8pm Wednesdays thru July 26 @ Como Conservatory Free
Como Zoo and Conservatory invites you to pack a picnic and dancing shoes, spread out a blanket, and join the FREE outdoor concerts & activities in front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Wednesdays in June and July from 6pm–8pm. Hotdogs, ice cream treats, beer and wine will be available to purchase.
These are outdoor concerts in front of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The Zoo grounds and Conservatory close at 6pm.
**If it rains, the concert will move inside the Visitor Center Porch next to the Water Gardens.
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SPPS Summer Meals Program in Como
Saint Paul Public Schools is providing free summer meals at no cost to kids 18 and under, or those over 18 with disability enrolled in a school program.
The nutrition services' food truck will serve meals Monday through Friday from 4:30-6pm at the McMurray Fields/Como Pool parking lot through August 18.
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Bombus Among Us and Other Insects
Wednesday, July 26 from 5 to 6:30pm
Kilmer Memorial Fireplace (just west of the Como Pool) 1151 Wynne Ave. St. Paul MN 55108
Join us for a Bumble bee and insect tour of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. This free 1.5 hour educational outing starts at the Kilmer Fireplace. Bumble bees, the Teddy bears of the insect world, will be our main focus. However, any insects that cross our path will be of interest. The Bumble bee observations will be added to the 5th Annual Backyard Bumble Bee Count (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/backyard-bumble-bee-count ). University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Britt Forsberg will be our expert guide for this outing. Your RSVP will help us prepare for the tour: SignUpGenius. This tour is sponsored by the Como Woodland Advisory Committee volunteers.
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Get Involved With Churchill Gardens! All Are Welcome!
Please join the Churchill Gardens garden stewards to keep Churchill Gardens beautiful! We will have monthly group weed events now through October. Come when you can! There’s no commitment necessary to stay the full session or to come each time. We’d love to see you there!
When and Where
- Every 2nd Monday of the month from 5pm-7pm at Churchill Gardens
- At the intersection of Van Slyke Ave and Churchill St, south of Como Lake
- Mark your calendars for August 14 | September 11 | October 9
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PLUS! A pop-up event Sunday, July 23 10am-12pm - Bring your garden shears!
The Fine Print
Please come ready to bend, stoop and walk on sometimes uneven terrain. Trowels and some gloves will be available for people to use. You’re welcome to bring your own. Attendees will need to sign a consent and liability waiver when they arrive, and wear a hi-vis vest if available. People under the age of 18 need to be with an adult. Please bring your own water.
Questions?
Contact Alison Goetzman at alison.goetzman@gmail.com
Follow Churchill Gardens on Facebook
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Get Involved: Midway Parkway Gardens
All are Welcome! All days! All Locations!
Please join us this summer for planting, weeding and community building.
Location: Hamline and Midway Parkway
Location: Arona and Midway Parkway
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
End-of-Summer Camps at Como Zoo & Conservatory
Discounted rates are available for members of Como Friends.
North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)
Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)
*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.
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Neighborhood Notes
Upcoming License Renewals*
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Best Western (1010 Bandana Blvd): Liquor licenses are up for renewal Sept. 1. 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.
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Ted’s Recreation (1084 Larpenteur Ave): Liquor license is up for renewal Sept. 25. 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.
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2023 Cultural and Neighborhood STAR Applications Now Open
The Cultural STAR program provides grants for arts and cultural programming and organizations within the City of Saint Paul. The Neighborhood STAR program awards grants for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods.
The Saint Paul City Council recently adopted guideline changes for both STAR programs to provide a more consistent program schedule and increase accessibility to grant funds while also accounting for a permanent decrease in the amount of annual funding.
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Willow Reserve Event
Sat, July 22, 9-11am @ Willow Reserve (1260 Arundel St)
Capitol Region Watershed District and Urban Bird Collective are hosting bird and plant ID tours Saturday, July 22, 9-11am. Join to learn more about the birds and plants found at Willow Reserve in Saint Paul's North End neighborhood.
This free, family-friendly event includes:
- Guided birding tours with the Urban Bird Collective
- Plant identification walks with Capitol Region Watershed District
Parking is located on the side streets of Arundel and Virginia Street.
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2023 Saint Paul Business Award Nominations Open
Community members, residents, employees, and business-owners are invited to visit stpaul.gov/bizawards to nominate, apply, explore past winners, and gain insight into the categories and criteria for submitting nominations or applications for the award.
The 2023 Business Awards nomination period is from July 3rd through August 23rd. Applications and nominations are open to all type of businesses. A Selection Committee made up of past award recipients will decide on the winners.
Award Categories:
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Alice O'Brien Award - Honoring a woman-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment
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Good Neighbor Award - Honoring a business that shows a dedication to improving the community.
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Traditions Award - Honoring a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least 20 years.
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People’s Choice Award - Honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents.
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New Kid on the Block Award - Honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years.
Nominations must be submitted no later than August 23, 2023, by Noon. Find more information and nominate a business at stpaul.gov/bizawards.
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Summer Spark
Saint Paul Public Library offers free reading, learning fun for kids and teens through August 31 including hands-on exploration, reading challenges, and free books.
See the Summer Spark webpage SPPL.org/Summer/ for Suggested book titles, a calendar of events and performances, and more information.
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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
Participate in Plastic Free July
Join the global movement to reduce your plastic usage this month! Plastic Free July provides ideas, articles, videos and other resources to help you learn more about single-use plastics and their damage to your health and the environment. Each participant makes a pledge to decrease their plastic usage.
Pledges some Environmental Health staff are making this month include:
- “Stop buying produce in plastic. Instead, I can wake up earlier on Saturdays and go to the farmers market with reusable produce bags!”
- “I won’t shop online this month to reduce the amount of plastic shipping packaging I receive.”
- “I will bring my own cup when getting coffee while out and about.”
What actions can you take to reduce plastic in your life?
Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge
About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home.
By taking the Stop Food Waste Challenge and committing to actions that reduce wasted food, we can save money, fight climate change, provide for our families, and improve our cooking skills.
The challenge goes from August 1 through August 31. Join the challenge now at stopfoodwaste.ecochallenge.org
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What's Happening at the Fairgrounds? | |
Prelude to Fair-time Neighborhooding
Como neighbors all do our best to help each other and Fairgoers alike. The past couple years, neighbors near the fair have been getting more organized, the Como Neighbors Safety Initiative. Last year they implemented a daily email update during the fair, coordinated with the community ambassadors and law enforcement, and organized volunteer shifts for trash cleanup and being present to help confused people.
The group has started holding planning meetings for the 2023 fair. you can sign up here for their communications, including the daily fair-time updates. You can also sign up to volunteer here.
The City has a special “Parking Overlay District”, (mostly between Snelling and Hamline) during the fair which allows, and regulates, things like yard parking, street vending, and merchandise peddling. D10 Como Community Council has a “Neighbor’s Guide” to these special rules and regulations, including detailed maps of the overlay district, and who to call to report violations.
We understand that enforcement of these ordinances is far from perfect, but if we can increase understanding of the rules amongst the community it may help us have a stronger footing for getting through these hectic few weeks each year.
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Fairgrounds Pedestrian Access
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. See a map. Please comply with posted parking and traffic signs, including speed limits.
- Fair staff takes extra care to make sure the historic grounds remain beautiful, so please help keep the fairgrounds nice by cleaning up after yourself and your pet.
- All dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Things to note:
- The fairgrounds are open to walkers and bikers between 6 a.m. and sunset daily.
- None of the buildings are open to the public, with the exception of the restroom just south of Gate 5 at the Admin Too building.
- Pedestrians and bikers have the right of way.
Thank you for respecting other walkers and bikers, the fairgrounds and its buildings and property. If you have questions or comments, please email fairinfo@mnstatefair.org.
Upcoming Closures
July 20-23 the Minnesota State Fairgrounds will be closed due to non-fair events.
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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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