April 15, 2022 | Friday

D10 Meeting Update

D10 Annual Meeting and Election - Tuesday, April 19, 7pm

The D10 Board typically meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm. In April, this meeting is also our Annual Meeting and Elections. Voting for the election takes place prior to the meeting, you can find ballot and candidate information here on our 2022 Election Page. All D10 Como Park meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

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.

Como Garage Sale May 12-15

Planning a Sale? Sign up to get on our map Free

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.

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.

D10 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.

At this week's Environment Committee meeting, D10 Community Organizer Jessica Willman presented an overview and preliminary planning on the grant so far. You can view a recording of the presentation and always find the latest project updates on our website at www.District10ComoPark.org/L2L.

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 South Parking Lot Construction Begins April 18

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.

Como Zoo Seeking Artists to Paint Sparky the Sea Lion Statues

Applications Due April 24

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, with funding from The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, is commissioning 20 Sea Lion statues to be painted and distributed to high visibility locations around the Twin Cities.

PROJECT THEME: Ocean Conservation

APPLICATION AND STIPEND

The call is open to all painters from any experience level or background. They will have a warehouse location for painting as well as supplying paints.

Currently there's $500 stipend set aside for each statue (They're actively fundraising for a higher amount). Applications are due April 24.

ARTIST SELECTION

Proposals will be selected based on submission of work and unique perspective. Experience working with acrylic paints will be considered as well. Artists will be selected by an internal panel from both the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and Como Friends.

Dock & Paddle Music Calendar

Another sign of Spring! Nothing scheduled this weekend, luckily, but Dock & Paddle has begun populating their summer patio events calendar. You can start marking your calendar for May and thinking warm thoughts for Trevor McSpadden and Mary Cutrufello next weekend!

D10 Board Members Sarah Reuter and Maggie Zimmerman are hoping their Later Birds t-shirts arrive in time for the May 12 debut.

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.

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
• Mini Sports ages 4-7 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• 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*
• Badminton Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-10 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• Trapped: Engineers Escape Room Camp ages 9-14 - Week of June 21 - $138*
• New Multiplayer Minecraft: Mini-Game Builder ages 8-12 - Week of June 27 - $110*

*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

• 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.

Crime Prevention Unit Hosting Catalytic Converter Marking Event

The Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) is hosting another Auto Clinic, where residents can get their Catalytic Converters marked to help reduce theft. Registration required.

Allianz Field Parking Lot (400 Snelling Ave. N.)

Wednesday, May 4, 3:30-6:30pm

SPPD is planning to host several Auto Clinics over the summer, registrants will be notified of future events if the May event fills up.

LED Streetlights

Parts of the Como neighborhood have recently had their turn in the City's gradual conversion of streetlights to LED fixtures. In addition to having a different appearance, these fixtures offer a significant energy savings, 45-63% depending on the fixture.

In anticipation of your additional questions, the city has prepared an FAQ about the new lights that you can view in the link below.

Pothole Patrol

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

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.