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Como Garage Sale Next Week!
Thursday, May 12 through Sunday, May 15, Various times
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D10 Como Community Council is once again coordinating a community sale weekend for Thursday, May 12 to Sunday, May 15. We have almost 40 sales registered!
You can view Sale Map on our website, including details about days and hours and details about what each sale has to offer! Start making your plans to go shopping right here in the neighborhood starting Thursday!
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D10 Meeting Updates
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 are planning to hear from State Representative Athena Hollins, evaluate and debrief our recent events, finalize planning for our May 21 Como Lake Clean-Up, in addition to some regular committee updates.
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CURA Offering Neighborhood Board Representation Training
Wednesday, May 11, 5:30-8:30pm on Zoom
The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the U of M is offering Board Representation Leadership Training for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The training values recruiting and supporting people to join their local neighborhood board to create change in their community and to transform the injustice of not having diverse voices and leadership in neighborhood groups.
The Board Representation Leadership Training for Black, Indigenous and People of Color offers:
- Community Organizing 101
- The Power of YOUR Narrative / Story
- Neighborhood Association / District Council Board Basics
- Asking questions about neighborhood associations and district council from a former director of both bodies
- Relationship building with other board members and leaders of color
Questions? Email Malik Holt-Shabazz or call 612-624-2300.
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Celebrate Spring Thank You!!
A big thank you to all the volunteers, community organizations, JROTC students and local businesses that made our Celebrate Spring event a success. This event was a first time partnership with the North Dale Parks and Rec staff and we had a blast working together to create a spring celebration in the community.
Despite the rain, we were able to gather local organizations for an outdoor/garden themed fair. Our kids seed planting project was a success thanks to donations from Kerns, EggPlant, and the Como Seed Library. The Como Friends & the Canine Coach generously donated gift cards and other goodies for our drawing!
We look forward to more partnerships and events like these in the coming months. Our next gathering will be our Pick Up and Party Event at Orchard Rec Center on June 4th. If your organization or business would be interested in partnering with our events, please contact organizer@district10comopark.org.
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Get Involved: Como Lake Clean-Up - May 21
The Como Community Council, in partnership with the Capital Region Watershed District, is planning an in-person lake clean-up on Saturday, May 21 beginning at 9am. Get together with others in the community to clean trash from the lake surface or shoreline. We’ll meet near the dock on the lower level lake side of the Como Pavilion to pick up tools, supplies, and have refreshments.
You are welcome to borrow tools (grabbers, rakes, buckets, nets) while our supplies last. We’ll also have plenty of disposable supplies (trash bags, nitrile gloves) for you to use. Or feel free to provide your own gear.
While not a requirement, registering ahead of time helps us plan refreshments and communicate changes. Please register before May 2.
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May 26 Como Community Blood Drive Reservations
D10 Como Park is again partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the Zoo. Reservations are only available for the May 26 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!
We're still looking for a couple check-in table volunteers for the Noon to 3pm shift at the August 2 drive. It’s light work and a great way to connect with a neighbor. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.
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Como Zoo and Conservatory is Blooming This Weekend
Como Zoo & Conservatory has a great line up for the warm weather this weekend.
Summer Flower Show
May 7 through October 2, 2022
Tropical annuals and a glowing color palette of warm season annuals will fill the Sunken Garden. Hibiscus ‘Imperial Dragon’, dark red verbena, orange begonias, red salvia, tangerine impatiens, striped tiki torch petunias, and canna are among the many flowers featured in the longest running flower show of the year.
Mother’s Day Bonsai Show
May 7 & 8, 10am-6pm
Mother’s Day weekend marks the return of the Minnesota Bonsai Society Show, an extravaganza of elegantly trained trees arranged throughout the Visitor Center. If you’ve been wondering what it takes to grow your own, don’t miss the Mother’s Day Bonsai Show, which will feature dozens of privately-owned trees all trained by members of the Minnesota Bonsai Society. Members will be on hand all weekend to answer your questions about everything from taking care of Bonsai, to which trees work the best.
The SPIRE Sparky Show Returns!
May 7 - 11:20am and 2:30pm
After a four-year break, Sparky the sea lion is ready to make her big debut in Como Harbor. The SPIRE Sparky Show will launch on May 7 with a program at 11:20 a.m. followed by the inaugural show at 11:30 a.m. The SPIRE Sparky Show will continue daily at 11:30 & 2:30.
Now Hiring at Garden Safari Gifts
The gift shop at the zoo is also looking for more staff! Apply to join the sales team at Como Friends’ Garden Safari Gifts, where all proceeds support the plants, animals and free admission nearly two million annual visitors appreciate. Garden Safari Gifts is expanding its staff and seeking qualified, conservation-minded candidates for a Sales Supervisor and Sales Associate positions. Check out their Employment Opportunities page to learn more about how to apply.
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Get Involved: Chelsea Heights Elementary Looking for Volunteers
May 13, 5-8pm at Chelsea Heights
Many hands make light work! Make a kid smile by helping with upcoming Chelsea Heights Elementary events!
Questions? Email volunteer coordinator, Jamie Proulx, at jamieproulx@mac.com.
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Como Pavilion South Parking Lot Construction Schedule
NEW: A trail closure along the west lakeshore of Como Lake will occur May 9-13. Please follow the detours.
(Same as last week)
The construction schedule is weather dependent, but the City hopes to have the South Parking Lot complete by early June. They are working on a plan for opening the lot for Memorial Day weekend. The parking lot will be closed while it is under construction, though pedestrian paths will be kept open for much of the time around the site as long as they can ensure safe pedestrian movement.
Following completion of the south parking lot, the north parking lot will be closed for reconstruction and reopened in early July (weather pending). Pedestrian paths may have detours signed if pathways are impacted by construction to keep pedestrians safe.
Lastly, the golf course parking lot will begin construction on September 6, just after Labor Day. It will be fully closed while it is under construction. The city is working with the contractor to complete the parking lot construction before the end of 2022, though it will continue to be weather dependent.
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.
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Como Parks & Rec
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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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.
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D&L Food and Gas (626 Larpenteur Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal July 28. 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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Como Zoo & Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Dr.): Liquor license is up for renewal July 28. 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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2022 Homeless Needs Assessment Community Survey
Heading Home Ramsey (HHR) is the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Continuum of Care that plans services for people experiencing homelessness.
Every two years, HHR is federally mandated to conduct a needs assessment of our homeless service response system to determine what services are working well and identify gaps in services to further support our community members who are facing housing instability or homelessness.
HHR is asking for community participation in their 2022 Needs Assessment. The recommendations they received from Ramsey County residents and business stakeholders in the 2020 needs assessment helped support decisions to develop an outreach program for families experiencing homelessness, increase emergency shelter capacity, develop daytime shelters (or drop-in centers) to further support community members experiencing homelessness, and support advocacy efforts to preserve exiting affordable housing and develop new affordable housing options.
Homelessness impacts everyone in our community. This is a survey that asks about your perceptions of homelessness and your recommendations for how we, as a community, can best improve our response to homelessness.
The Ramsey County Resident & Business Stakeholder Survey is open through May 20, 2022. The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
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Ramsey County Advisory Committees
Established in 1979, the Citizens Advisory Council advises Social Services, Financial Assistance Services, and Health and Wellness Administration and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on policy decisions related to services delivered by County departments.
The Citizens Advisory Council includes several committees that advise on specific services or topics:
All committee meetings are open to the public.
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Upcoming Crime Prevention Unit Events
Block Leaders Virtual Meet-Up
Monday, May 23rd at 6pm
Open to block leaders or interested community members. There will be two guest presenters for the evening:
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The Dispute Resolution Center discussing their programs around mediation and community healing. "At SPPD we encourage residents to explore using services to resolve neighbor disputes that do not rise to the need of police intervention. We also recognize that many blocks in our community have suffered from community violence and services to work with residents to heal is critical."
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Ramsey County Emergency Communications will present on how 911 currently operates including call priorities, staffing, and what services they dispatch. They will also provide information on the work of the 9-1-1 Appropriate Responses Initiative.
Virtual Netsmartz Workshop
Wednesday, May 25 at 6pm
Presentation for parents about protecting your children online. As kids spend more time online; parents need to be aware that safety issues for children online. This is the first offering of this workshop.
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Community Members Invited to Shape 2023 City Budget
The city is hosting a series of 5 virtual community conversations this spring to engage community members in shaping the 2023 city budget.
Led by the Office of Financial Services, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, the 5 virtual community conversations will be held on Microsoft Teams. The sessions will be free, and open to the public. Community members interested in participating can register here.
- Saturday, May 7 – 10-11 a.m.
- Thursday, May 12 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 19 – 9-10 a.m.
- Tuesday, May 24 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 2 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
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Pothole Patrol
You can report potholes in the following ways, depending on whether they are on a city street, county road, or state highway:
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
Friends School Plant Sale
May 6-8
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DESCRIPTION
This event is the largest fundraising plant sale in the United States! The sale features over one million plants in about 2,300 varieties. On Mother's Day, all plants are 1/3 off.
LOCATION
Grandstand
HOURS
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
ADMISSION
Free
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Model Railroad Show and Sale
Saturday, May 7
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DESCRIPTION
Over 200 tables of new & used trains, toys, models, tools and many other hobby or collectable items.
LOCATION
Education Building
HOURS
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults (8+): $6
Children (7 & under): Free
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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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