February 23, 2024 | Friday | |
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April 2024 | D10 Como Community Council Board Elections - Come get to know us at our meetings before committing to a board term!
More D10 Events
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Know Your Como:
A Commitment to Como
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By Sonjie Johnson and Jeremiah Ellis
It started during a 2019 trip to New Orleans with his wife Acooa, and a directive from his grandmother to visit the National WWII Museum there. (She is a charter member.)
Jeremiah noticed an advertisement for the documentary – “Invisible Warriors,” a film about the work of African American women in industry/factories during the war, along with an exciting reimagining of the “We Can Do It” Rosie the Riveter picture. She was silver haired and Black. The filmmaker suggested uncovering the Minnesota contribution to the War. Intrigued and curious, Jeremiah came home to learn more, particularly how the Twin Cities Ordination Plant earned a national reputation for successful integration of African American women in various jobs in the plant. Read More...
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Como Neighborhood History Project Presents: Unveiling the Untold: Meet St. Paul's Black Rosies, WWII Heroes Who Made Munitions and History
Sat, Feb. 24, 10am-Noon @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
Go beyond the headlines and learn about unsung heroes of World War II: Saint Paul’s Black Rosies. Como neighbor Jeremiah Ellis takes you inside the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant, where African American women made bullets fly and shattered racial barriers. Their courage offers powerful lessons for our time. Discover their inspiring narratives, accentuated by pictures from their lives. Don't miss this chance to honor their legacies and learn from their resilience.
You can read more about Mr. Ellis’ work in this Star Tribune article from last year.
Questions: info@district10comopark.org
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Give Blood in Como
Wednesday, March 6, 9am-3pm @ Como Zoo
D10 Como Park partners with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the Zoo. Appointments are now available for our next event: Wednesday, March 6, 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!
DONOR PROMOTION: Give 3/1 to 3/24 for $10 e-gift card for pet supplies and chance at $3K gift card!
If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, you can sign-up for an opening on our volunteer schedule or email district10@district10comopark.org. The drives are split into two shifts of two volunteers each, 9am to Noon and Noon to 3pm. It’s light work and a great way to connect with another neighbor.
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D10 On-Demand
Through the miracle of modern technology, most of our Como community meeting presentation recordings are available to view on our website.
St. Paul Neighborhood STAR Grant – 2/20/2024
At this week's D10 Como Community Meeting we welcomed Ross Currier, Economic Development Principal Project Manager from the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development Department (PED), to give us an introduction and update on the city’s Neighborhood STAR Grant program. View the recording here on our website.
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Join the D10 Como Community Council Board in 2024
Here’s your chance to tackle that new year's resolution to get more involved: Several seats are up for election in April to the District 10 Como Community Council board.
It is highly recommended that you join us at some monthly meetings, which are always open to all community members, before making the decision to commit to a board position.
These positions serve two-year terms, through April 2025. To get on the ballot, fill out an application at District10ComoPark.org/Elections. That’s where you can also learn more about the roles and opportunities of board members. The filing deadline is Sunday April 1. The election ends April 15. If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.
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Winter Tour of Como Woodland
Sat. Feb. 24, 1-2:30pm @ Kilmer Fireplace (West of Como Pool Parking Lot) Free
Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom is hosting a winter nature tour. They'll meet at the Kilmer Fireplace (1151 Wynne Ave.) for a cup of hot chocolate and a 1.5 hour exploration of Como Woodland. Their hardy Como Woodland Advisors will give you a warm welcome and escort you through the outdoor classroom to discover the signs of and the survival strategies of Como Woodland's animals and plants during the winter months. Binoculars will be provided for birding.
Make sure you dress for the weather. This family-friendly event is offered at no cost.
Registration is appreciated so they can contact you of any changes due to weather.
The Kilmer Memorial Fireplace is located west (towards Beulah Lane) of the Como Pool. There is parking near the athletic fields.
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Register For Como Ball!
There is a NEW baseball and softball program starting this spring - right here in Como! - and they are looking for neighborhood kids to join the fun! Como Ball is a nonprofit youth baseball and softball association with the mission of returning quality and affordable youth baseball and softball to the Como Park, Hamline-Midway, North End, St Anthony Park, and Frogtown neighborhoods. There will be an in-house league for kids aged 7-12 as well as travel teams for older kids. The season will run from mid-May thru July, with specific schedules coming soon. Check out the great article about Como Ball that was in the Pioneer Press!
Visit www.comoball.com to learn more and register today!
DONATIONS ACCEPTED: Don't have young kids but still want to support the program? Donations will go toward purchasing equipment and providing scholarships for families, so that finances are not a barrier to kids playing ball. Click here to donate!
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: If you're a local business owner, please join the growing list of sponsors by emailing comoball23@gmail.com. We love community support!
QUESTIONS? Contact comoball23@gmail.com
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Parks is now seeking 2024 Music in the Parks performers applications are now open for summer 2024 Music in the Parks performers at Mears Park and Como Lakeside Pavilion. Visit the Music in the Parks webpage for more information and to apply.
Camp Como is back: 2024 camp offerings are now listed on their website. Scholarships are available. Registration opened February 20.
Find the latest on the Rec Center Ice Rinks (They're likely closed for the season)
Como Park Ski Center is CLOSED for the Season
North Dale Rec Center (9am-9pm Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm Fri)
Ongoing Drop-In Programming
Northwest Como Rec Center (2-9pm Mon-Thu, 2-6pm Fri)
*Registration Required
D10 finds this info here in the Parks and Rec registration system, you can often find events further in advance than we have room here in the newsletter for!
Now seeking a concession vendor for Saint Paul aquatics facilities
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is seeking proposals from vendors to manage concession operations at four aquatics facilities: Como Regional Park Pool, Highland Park Aquatic Center, and Phalen Beach. Proposals for will be accepted through February 9, 2024 at 3pm.
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
New License Applications:
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Al's Garage LLC (997 Front Ave. - Former Duke's Location): A new Class N license application for Auto Repair has been shared with D10. Anyone with input can email the Como Community Council or contact the Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) at 651-266-8989, or email DSI-Licensing@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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El Aguila (1552 Como Ave.) A new Class N license application for Liquor License - On Sale/Sunday Liquor Sales has been shared with D10. Anyone with input can email the Como Community Council or contact the Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) at 651-266-8989, or email DSI-Licensing@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Business License Renewals*:
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Como Golf Course & Clubhouse (1431 Lexington): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal on April 18. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
*While license notifications serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.
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Why Are The Street Lights Out or Dark? Wire Theft
We've all experienced how dark things have been lately, especially now that night comes so early.
St. Paul Public Works has a Street Lighting webpage on the issue, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions that have been on many of our minds as we think up our own solutions to the issue.
We need the support of residents and businesses to stop street light wire theft!
Wire theft is not random, but often organized and coordinated with people even wearing vests and putting out cones. If you see anyone “working” on street lights during any time of the day or night and there is a not a City of Saint Paul vehicle near the site, please report the location and activity to the Saint Paul Police Department at 651-291-1111. Do not approach the “workers.”
To report any street lights that are out or damaged, please report the location through the online form.
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League of Women Voters of St. Paul Presents
"Where Does Your Child Go to School?"
A Discussion about Minnesota Charter Schools
Tue, Feb. 27 7-8pm Online
The League of Women Voters St. Paul (LWVSP) is hosting “Where Does Your Child Go to School? A Discussion about Minnesota Charter Schools." This panel discussion will be an opportunity to explore the public charter school system, and it will provide context to some of the news about Minnesota charter schools in the past several months. The program will be held online on Tuesday, February 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Panel participants for the program include:
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Jon Schroeder, a recent Senior Fellow with Education Evolving (EE), who will relate how the concept of public schools began, and his role in the legislation
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Carrie Bakken, one of the first teachers at the chartered Avalon School in St. Paul
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Tony Simmons, Executive Director at the High School for Recording Arts
This will be a virtual event. Interested participants can register on Zoom.
The Zoom webinar will be closed captioned and also rebroadcast through program partners.
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Workshops hosted by the St. Paul Police Department
Wednesday, February 28 at 6 p.m.: Burglary Prevention
Learn about lighting, landscaping, window protection, security systems, windows and more to protect your home
Wednesday, March 27 at 6p.m.: Personal Safety
Learn about situational awareness at home, in the car, at work and in the community.
Register here for these virtual classes.
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Public meetings for the Highway 36 study from Roseville to Maplewood scheduled in March
The community is invited to attend public meetings hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to learn about potential ideas for improvements along Highway 36 from Roseville to Maplewood.
The first meeting will be held in person at the Rosedale Center on the Lower Level near Entrance B, on Saturday, March 2 from 10am-1pm, 1595 Highway 36, Roseville. Attendees will have an opportunity to review ideas for improvements and share feedback with the study team. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees can arrive and leave at any time.
The second meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, March 7 from noon-2pm on Zoom. A link to register for the virtual meeting is available on the study webpage. The virtual meeting will include a presentation, facilitated discussion and a question-and-answer session.
If members of the public are unable to attend the meetings, they can provide feedback using an online survey.
Information about upcoming construction on Highway 36 between I-35W and Edgerton Street this year will also be available at these meetings.
MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to ADArequest@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
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Application for Summer 2024 youth internships is Now Open
Applications accepted through February 29, 2024.
The City's Right Track program offers internship opportunities for St. Paul youth ages 14-21 who live in a cost-burdened household or have a barrier to employment. In the summer of 2022, Right Track provided over 704 young people from Saint Paul with a summer internship or online professional development opportunity. Right Track has two primary summer employment programs, YJ1 and YJ2.
LINK TO YOUTH APPLICATION: City of Saint Paul - RightTrack
A couple of eligibility reminders:
- Youth in Saint Paul 14-21 (must be 14 by June 1, 2024, and not older than 21 by August 16, 2024)
- NEW for 2024: Limited spaces available for youth who live in Suburban Ramsey County (outside of Saint Paul).
- Youth should be able to work individually and as part of a team.
- Additional Eligibility Requirements can be found here Program Eligibility Requirements
They are also seeking additional employers and businesses to host a Right Track intern!
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Monday, March 11: Mayor Carter to Deliver 2024 State of Our City Address
On Monday, March 11, Mayor Carter will deliver the 2024 State of Our City address at the Xcel Energy Center. The 2024 State of Our City address is free and open to the public.
WHAT: Mayor Carter’s 2024 State of Our City address
WHEN: Monday, March 11, 2024 at Noon.
WHERE:
Xcel Energy Center, Gate 1 Entrance
199 W Kellogg Blvd
St Paul, MN 55102
The event will be held just beyond the Gate 1 entrance. Free parking will be provided from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Parking Ramp.
The address will also be live streamed online on the City of Saint Paul Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofsaintpaul.
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2024 STAR grant applications open Friday, April 5
Save the date! The 2024 grant applications for the City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood STAR and Cultural STAR programs will open on Friday, April 5.
Neighborhood STAR grants fund capital projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods and Cultural STAR grants support arts and cultural organizations and events in Saint Paul.
Online applications for both programs will be due Wednesday, May 15 at 4 p.m.
Visit the program websites for more information on this year’s STAR programs. The 2024 guidelines and information on application workshops will be available in March.
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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
Free electronics recycling for Ramsey County residents
Ramsey County residents looking to get rid of computers, televisions, cell phones and other electronics now have a free and easy way to recycle them. Ramsey County has partnered with Repowered to refurbish or recycle unwanted electronics, keeping toxic metals like lead, mercury and cadmium out of the environment.
The electronics collection site is located at:
Repowered
860 Vandalia Street
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm
Second and fourth Saturday: 9am-1pm
Items accepted
All data from electronics is destroyed physically or electronically wiped by Repowered.
- Cameras, camcorders and accessories, including chargers and memory cards.
- Cell phones and accessories, including chargers, adapters and headphones.
- Computers and accessories, including monitors, laptops, tablets, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers and scanners.
- Televisions and accessories, including VCRs, DVRs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and cable boxes.
See items not accepted for disposal options for other electronic items.
Learn more about Ramsey County’s electronics recycling program and check which items are accepted at ramseycounty.us/Electronics or call 651-633-EASY (3279), answered 24/7.
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Recycling is no fairytale in the Twin Cities
Do you wonder what really happens to recyclables when they leave your home? The metro counties are teaming up to assure you that recycling is no myth. It’s real and it works here.
Minnesota is home to many recycling facilities that collect, sort, process and manufacture items made from the bottles, boxes and other containers you put in your recycling cart every day. When you put the right items in your recycling cart, they become new products, locally and regionally.
Glass bottles and jars are sorted by color in Saint Paul. Clear glass is sent to Shakopee to make bottles for drinks, pickles, salad dressing and more.
Plastic milk and laundry detergent jugs are made into durable decking, fencing and landscaping products in Paynesville, and plastic drink bottles and produce containers are made into new plastic bottles in Wisconsin and Ohio.
Recycled paper and cardboard are made into cereal and cracker boxes in Saint Paul.
Recycled food cans are made into new products like wire, and parts for cars and appliances in the Midwest.
Local efforts to recycle and reduce waste save energy, protect resources and support about 78,000 jobs in the state. Annually, the Twin Cities metro area recycles an average of 900,000 tons of paper and cardboard, metal, glass and plastic – that’s the weight of about four large cruise ships!
You can be proud that recycling works in Minnesota.
Learn more at RecyclingExists.com.
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Keep Hazardous items out of your cart
Keep household hazardous items out of your recycling and garbage carts. Throwing dangerous items in recycling and garbage carts can both injure workers and harm our environment. These items must be disposed of safely and properly. Find locations for correct disposal at www.RamseyRecycles.com/AtoZ.
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Warming Space Locations and Hours
Ramsey County has opened winter warming spaces in Saint Paul for residents who are experiencing homelessness. Through the end of March 2024, the following locations will be open every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. On Jan. 1, the Saint Paul Opportunity Center warming space closed for the season.
Central Baptist Church
420 N. Roy St.
For families and youth ages 14-24
Saint Paul-Reformation Lutheran
100 N Oxford St.
For women only
Phalen Activity Center
1530 Phalen Drive
For men only
Union Gospel Mission
435 University Ave. E.
For adult men only
The free shuttle service will run from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Ramsey County housing services and support staff will also be answering calls and emails from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to help refer people to available warming spaces or extra shelter beds. You can also find extreme cold and winter weather safety information here.
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What's Happening At The Fairgrounds? | |
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DESCRIPTION
Winter Beer Dabbler, the Midwest's biggest and best winter beer festival, will make its return to the Fairgrounds on February 24, 2024. Enjoy food trucks, music, and more all while tasting unlimited samples of craft beer and cider from across the U.S.
HOURS - Sat, Feb. 24
3-6:30 p.m. (early access begins at 2 p.m.)
ADMISSION
General Admission: $55 + fees
Early Access: $75 + fees
Designated Driver: $20 + fees
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The Minnesota State Fair employs nearly 80 year-round full-time staff members and approximately 150 seasonal and 1,750 fair-time staff members. Working at the Minnesota State Fair is an opportunity to be part of welcoming guests to celebrate the best Minnesota has to offer in our state’s most storied end-of-summer tradition. Benefits include free fair admission, valuable work experience, making great friends and so much more. Learn more about the opportunities.
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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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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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