November 11, 2022 | Friday | | |
 
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Know Your Como History:
Kunze Farm Part II
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By Darlene Kunze
Grandfather Oscar and father Willis share memories of the Kunze farm in this second part of the Kunze farm story.
Information is also from a newspaper clipping, interviews, and a personal account written by my father, Willis. In the newspaper on the occasion of Oscar’s 90th birthday (Pioneer Press, November 21,1968), he was interviewed at the Gibbs farm on Larpenteur and Cleveland where as a boy, his family visited the Gibbs family. He remembers the kids went to the kitchen and knit while the adults played 66, a German card game. He says that the boys and the girls all knit, if you wanted warm mittens or long socks, you had to knit them yourself. They stayed until midnight and then went home after having something to eat. Read More...
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Como Kindness: 2022 Thanksgiving Meals Fundraiser
The Como Community Council is once again working to make sure neighborhood seniors are supported this Thanksgiving. So, in partnership with the North End South Como Block Nurse Program, we have a goal of providing meals for 80 neighborhood seniors. How you can help is simple:
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Make a financial donation. Every $12 you contribute buys one Thanksgiving meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, a roll and, of course, dessert.
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Volunteer to deliver meals w/ Block Nurse Program. Reach out to Alaina Gall at alaina@necbnp.org or 651-489-4067.
Once the Block Nurse Program needs are met, funds will go towards Thanksgiving initiatives at the Lyngblomsten Senior Community. Additional funds will be donated to the Salvation Army's Booth Brown House Youth Shelter Program's Thanksgiving meals.
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Did you know that the Como Community Council's lake cleanups pulled 337 pounds of trash from our beautiful lake and surrounding paths this year? Or that our family-friendly events engaged over 2500 neighbors in 2022? As a Como resident, we exist for you. We're your vehicle for community engagement, the hub that keeps our neighborhood vibrant and connected. Think of us on Give to the Max Day, November 17th (or sooner!). Your donation helps us continue this good work, and because we are a volunteer-driven organization, we're able to stretch your contribution for maximum impact. We appreciate your consideration! | |
Como Community Blood Drive
D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host another community blood drive at the Zoo.
The Red Cross just opened the online reservations for the Wednesday, December 7 drive from 9am to 3pm.
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!
The December event marks the one-year anniversary of this partnership with the Zoo, we've collected 172 units of blood that the Red Cross tells us helps over 500 people! You can see our past results and learn how to volunteer at future drives here on our website.
Sorry, we know this is three donation posts in a row, 'tis the season of giving!
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D10 Meeting Updates
Land Use Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 15, 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 6p. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we will host Randy Newton, Traffic Engineer from St. Paul Public Works to help discuss Traffic Calming, what community members can do, and what the City's processes and limitations are. The 2023 committee budget is also on the agenda.
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D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, November 15, 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, appointing applicants to board vacancies, and discuss fundraising strategies.
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Save the Date: House History Training
Saturday, December 3 - 10-11am @ Como Streetcar Station
Have you ever wondered about the history of your home? The Como Neighborhood History Project team will be holding a “HOUSE HISTORY” training from 10–11am Saturday, December 3, 2022 in person at the Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy).
Please join us to learn some tips and techniques on doing your own research into the place that you live!
Treats will be provided from Abogados Café’.
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Como Boat Launch and Golf Course Parking lot
Good News/Bad News for both Como Golfers and Como Boaters.
The Como Golf Course parking lot reopened last week, but the course closed for the season on Monday.
The new, non-motorized boat launch, location south of the Como Lakeside Pavilion, is now open for carry-in use. Just in time for winter!
Related, the D10 office heard this week that much of the temporary erosion control fencing around the pavilion parking lot landscaping has served its purpose and been approved to be taken down by the contractor in the next few weeks. Expect the "logs" of straw covered in black fabric to remain through the winter for continued erosion control.
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Como Regional Park Trail Master Plan
The City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department is engaging community members to inform and develop an updated Trail Master Plan for Como Regional Park. The master plan will emphasize improving the connection between the trails within the park to Saint Paul's Grand Round trail network. The process will prioritize connections around Como Lake, Picnic Pavilions, McMurray Fields and Outdoor Classroom areas over those within the Zoo, Conservatory, or Golf Course areas.
On the City's site you can:
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Use the Map to drop pins, share photos and leave comments on areas of the park you'd like to see improved, or places you like the most.
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Take the Survey to share how you use the park and how you would prioritize improvements to it.
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Post Comments and photos to the community Ideas Board to get the conversation going with other Como Regional Park visitors.
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
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 Applications/Renewals
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Ted's Recreation (1084 Larpenteur): Liquor Licenses are up for renewal Jan. 31. 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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Bole Ethiopian Cuisine (1341 Pascal Como): Liquor Licenses are up for renewal Jan. 7. 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.
*While license renewal dates serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.
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St. Paul PHA Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opening
The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list from Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 8:00am through Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:59pm.
- This is an online-only offering; no applications will be taken on site.
- From all applications received during this period, 2,000 applicant households will be selected for placement on the waiting list through a random drawing.
- Applications will be randomly sorted.
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View the public notice in Hmong.
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View the public notice in Somali.
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View the public notice in Spanish.
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View the public notice in English.
Click here to view the Frequently Asked Questions about the waiting list opening.
Applicants can apply at: www.waitlistcheck.com/STPAUL
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Fix-It Clinics return
This fall, Ramsey County's Fix-It Clinics are returning after a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Ramsey County Library - Maplewood.
At Fix-It Clinics, residents bring in small household appliances, clothing, electronics and more to receive free guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and fix items.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 (10:30am-1:30pm)
Ramsey County Library - Maplewood
3025 Southlawn Dr.
Maplewood, MN 55109
Learn how Fix-It Clinics work.
Find more dates and locations for upcoming Fix-It Clinics at RamseyRecycles.com/FixItClinics.
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Pumpkins go in the Leaf Pile
If you’re clearing the stoop after Halloween, don’t throw pumpkins in the trash.
Bring pumpkins -- without candles, paint, glitter or other decorations -- to a yard waste collection site.
Place them in the leaf pile (not in the food scraps collection bins).
Holiday Lights
Starting to decorate for the holidays and finding string lights that no longer work?
String lights that do not have LED bulbs can be placed in the trash. However, LED string lights cannot go in the trash because they contain printed circuit boards and are considered hazardous. Bring LED string lights to a household hazardous waste collection site for free disposal. Never put any string lights in your household recycling bin.
Consider donating string lights in good, working condition to thrift stores.
Do you have a question about recycling and disposal and can’t find the answer in Ramsey County's A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide? Call their Recycling & Disposal hotline at 651-633-3279 or send a message.
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Public Input on Xcel Energy Rate Increase Request
Xcel Energy has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to approve an increase to electric rates over a three-year period beginning January 2022. The MPUC may either approve or deny the requested changes and may approve a lesser or greater increase than was requested. The MPUC will likely make its decision in the second quarter of 2023.
The requested increase for 2022 is about 12.2 percent, with an additional 4.8 percent for 2023, and an additional 4.2 percent for 2024.
Public comments can be made in writing through January 6, 2023 at 4:30 PM.
Leave a Public Comment to the PUC Online
Or email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us
For this issue reference Docket #21-630
For more details on the hearings, proposed rates, and comment options: xcelenergy.com/rates_and_regulations/filings/rate_increase_notice
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Free Electronics Recycling Available for Ramsey County Residents
Ramsey County residents looking to get rid of laptops, televisions, cell phones or other electronics (e-waste) now have a free and easy way to recycle them. Used and old electronics are the fastest-growing waste in the country and often contain toxic metals like lead, mercury and cadmium. Ramsey County Environmental Health is partnering with Repowered (formerly Tech Dump) to reuse or refurbish unwanted electronics, and to keep toxic metals out of the environment.
The electronics collection site is located at:
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Repowered - 860 Vandalia Street, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Hours:
- Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
- And 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 9am-1pm.
Put your unwanted electronics in a labeled box that is easily accessible in your vehicle. Follow signs and staff directions when you arrive. All data from electronics dropped off at the e-waste site will be destroyed physically or electronically wiped.
Learn more in the link below or call Ramsey County’s Recycling and Disposal hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279), answered 24/7.
No business e-waste. Businesses can visit https://getrepowered.org/ for options.
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
Girls on the Run 5k
DESCRIPTION
Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths while building a sense of connection in a team setting. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment.
HOURS
9 a.m. - Noon
ADMISSION
$35 until November 12th
$40 on race day
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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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