|
 
|
 | |
Como neighbors all do our best to help each other and Fairgoers alike. The past year, neighbors near the fair have been getting a little more organized and invite other neighbors to sign up for the daily state fair neighborhood update. The group is also meeting at the public garden at Midway Pkwy & Arona St. at 9am each morning during the Fair.
This will be a place to share issues and trouble spots in the neighborhood as well as upcoming fair-related stuff to help is plan our days. It will include a daily update from the fair and law enforcement. People are welcome to share anything of interest to include in it.
Also, if you want to be included in the emergency neighborhood alert. It connects people so there is a way to share real-time information when there are incidents of significant harm or danger like shootings or other violence.
For either, send an email to katebmccreight@gmail.com, and copy jennifer@larsentag.com, and thehubboe@aol.com
(The daily email will come from one of these emails)
Say hi to the Community Ambassadors - they will be out in our neighborhood from 5 pm - midnight every day of the Fair. They're easily identifiable by their bright green t-shirts.
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. The Como Neighbors Safety Initiative group has helped add some safety tips to our guide, and is also offering opportunities to volunteer or get added to their email list during the fair.
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 ahead.
Falcon Heights Readers: You can view Falcon Height's special State Fair Parking Restrictions here on the City's website.
| | |
Save The Date: D10 Harvest Festival
September 10, 3-5pm at Tilden Park - Free Event!
As the summer winds down we invite you to save the date for the D10 Como Community Council Harvest Festival. Join us on September 10 at Tilden Park from 3-5pm for demonstrations, pie tasting, carnival games, crafts, bookmobile, magic show and more! This year's demonstrations have an urban sustainability theme including composting, backyard chicken care, fermentation, & gardening for pollinators. Thanks to Lyngblomsten and Holden House for partnering and sponsoring this event!
If you'd like to help make this event a success, help us pass out flyers in the neighborhood or volunteer at the event, or sign up for the pie baking contest!
| |
Get Involved: Volunteer at the Citywide Drop-off @ Fairgrounds
Saturday, September 17, 8am-1pm, Fairgrounds
Volunteers get a voucher for a free drop-off! Sign up for a shift on our Volunteer Registration Form! We especially need people for the 2nd shift (10am-1pm).
St. Paul Public Works Department partners with district councils to organize annual citywide drop-off events for residents to properly dispose of large refuse items and recyclable materials not collected via the residential recycling program. District 10 helps coordinate the event held annually at the State Fairgrounds.
Senior Pick-Up
As part of our coordination, we facilitate at-home pick-ups for qualifying items for community seniors. *If you are a senior in the Como area and would like your items picked up from your home, email district10@district10comopark.org no later than Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Everything must be outside in front of your house by 8am Saturday, Sept 17, 2022. Rates apply.
| |
Como Community Blood Drive
D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a series of community blood drives at the Zoo. Reservations are now available for the October 18 drive.
Upcoming Drive Dates:
With 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!
If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, we still have one shift available on October 18 from Noon to 3pm, you can sign up for a shift here.
| |
Get Involved: Harvest Festival Pie Contest
Calling all pie baking enthusiasts! The Como Community Council will be hosting a pie contest at the Harvest Festival on September 10th at Tilden Park. We're looking for Como neighbors to enter the contest. Community members will be tasting the pies at the event and voting on their favorites. Winners in the sweet and savory categories will get a gift card to Hot Hands Pies! Fill out the form to enter your pie - if you have questions, contact organizer@district10comopark.org.
| |
Community Garden Honored for Blooming St. Paul
The Como Community Garden has once again been named an honoree in the City's Blooming Saint Paul program. The nomination reads:
"This nomination is to honor all the gardeners in the [Como] community garden. I love the combination of edible plants and flowers and the variety of designs. Thank you for helping pollinators and beautifying the city."
If you have or know of another Como garden that has been included in Blooming Saint Paul that you would like mentioned in our newsletter, please send details and a photo to info@district10comopark.org.
| |
City Stepping Up at Como Streetcar Station
Just in time to compliment all the work that's gone into the beautiful flowerbeds at the Historic Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy), a city contractor is scheduled to pour concrete for new steps on the Streetcar patio sometime today (8/26). The stairs will likely remain blocked until after Labor Day, but in the meantime the patio remains accessible from the ramps on both sides. D10 Vice Chair Dan Edgerton is looking forward to walking his dogs up and down the new stairs to test them out.
| |
Como Friends’ Como Quest
September 17 & 18, 9-11:30am - $100 for a team of 4
A benefit for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Como Friends’ Como Quest is a wild exploration designed for multigenerational fun, as kids and adults work together to unlock conservation clues, collect rewards, and uncover exciting new secrets about animals, plants and the planet we share. With an interactive smartphone app and an adventurous spirit, your team of treasure hunters will dig deep into Como’s amazing animal and plant collections, while supporting the best care possible for the animals and plants and free admission that is so important to our community.
| |
Como Parks & Rec Programming
New dog parks (outside Como): The new Uŋčà Makhá Park and Lilydale Regional Park off-leash dog parks are now open. Please note: with the exception of off-leash dog parks, dogs must be effectively restrained on a leash no longer than six feet in Saint Paul. Please do not allow dog to run off leash in other fenced in areas, such as tennis courts, golf courses, or ice rinks.
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.
| |
Neighborhood Notes
Upcoming Applications/Renewals
-
New An application for a sound level variance has been received from the Down Syndrome Association of MN, for 90 dBA at no specified distance, to present amplified sound with use of a sound system for the Step Up Walk event on September 25, 2022 at Como Picnic Pavilions (1199 Midway Pkwy). The variance is requested for the hours of 10am to 3pm with a soundcheck at 9am. Comments can be submitted in person, or before Noon Sept. 6 by email CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805.
-
New An application for a sound level variance has been received from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, for 80 dBA at no specified distance, to present amplified sound with use of a sound system for the Twin Cities Out of the Darkness Walk event on September 18, 2022 at Como Picnic Pavilions (1199 Midway Pkwy). The variance is requested for the hours of 8am to 2pm. Comments can be submitted in person, or before Noon Sept. 6 by email CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805.
-
New Vistabule Teardrop has submitted an application for a Motor Vehicle Dealer - New Vehicle License for 1455 Energy Park Dr. Anyone with input can email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Representatives from Vistabule are planning to attend the Sept. 20 D10 Land Use committee meeting to introduce themselves and answer questions.
-
New Duke's Car & Towing (977 Front): Auto Repair Garage License is up for renewal Oct. 19. 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.
-
Ted’s Recreation (1084 Larpenteur): 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.
-
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 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
*While license renewals serve as timely reminders, feedback on a business license can be reported at any time.
| |
Recycling Resources
Some items, like plastic bags, wrap can't be picked up in our curbside bins. But, you can take some of these items to local retail stores where they collect plastic grocery bags for recycling. Any package that you see with the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label can be recycled this way.
You can see examples of common items and find drop-off locations on these sites:
Thanks to Como community member Julie Ann Wegscheid for sharing these resources for the newsletter.
| |
New Library Survey for Interior Design Elements
Saint Paul Public Library's work to refine design features for the three buildings being redesigned continues. They're now offering an opportunity to provide your input on the interior design elements of each library to inform library designs that they will share with the community this fall. This includes furnishings, children's activities, and art elements. Take Survey #3 now.
| |
Submit your nominations for the 6th annual Saint Paul Business Awards
The City is accepting online nominations through September 28, 2022, and applications from businesses through October 5, 2022.
The Business Awards program recognizes local businesses that provide critical services, contribute to the City's community, invest in their employees and are committed to Saint Paul's values of equity and diversity. The awards began in 2015 as part of the City’s Open for Business initiative and have recognized 28 businesses thus far.
| |
Save The Date: Budget Public Hearing - Sept. 20
5:30pm at Como Lakeside Pavilion
The City Council is planning another public hearing on the Mayor’s Proposed budget. It will be on Tuesday September 20th at Como Lakeside Pavilion @5:30pm.
| |
What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
|
If you're headed to the Fair be sure to stop by and get a malt from the North Suburban Kiwanis' Malt Shop and be sure to THANK THEM for their support of the Como Community Council Ice Cream Social! The Malt Shop at the Fair is the club's primary funding source for their work in the community and we all know how much the Fair numbers have been down these past couple years!
While you're enjoying your malt you can head next door to the 4-H building and find Sheila Mullen's 3rd place (out of 93!!!) Peanut Butter Cookies! (Sheila is D10 Executive Director Shevek McKee's mother) Please send any PB Cookie selfies or other local Fair winner shout-outs to cookies@district10comopark.org.
| |
State Fair Grandstand Fireworks Schedule | |
|
Below is a schedule of estimated times for the nightly fireworks display during the 12 days of the State Fair.
For the 2022 Grandstand Concert Series, they have moved up most of the show start times to 7pm (from 7:30pm). This change was made in part to have an earlier time for fireworks, which immediately follow the Grandstand concert. Note: not all shows will end earlier. In addition, if there are weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances, these fireworks times may change or be delayed.
On Labor Day, they will have a 4pm show instead of a night-time performance. The fireworks will take place at 9pm to close the Fair.
-
Thurs. Aug. 25 - Alice In Chains and Breaking Benjamin @ 5:30pm - Fireworks: 10:55pm
-
Fri. Aug. 26 - Counting Crows w/ The Wallflowers @ 7pm - Fireworks: 10pm
-
Sat. Aug. 27 - Portugal. The Man and Manchester Orchestra @ 7pm - Fireworks: 10:55pm
-
Sun. Aug. 28 - Pitbull w/ Iggy Azalea @ 7pm - Fireworks: 10:50pm
-
Mon. Aug. 29 - The Beach Boys and The Temptations @ 7pm - Fireworks: 11pm
-
Tues. Aug. 30 - Comedian Jim Gaffigan @ 7pm - Fireworks: 8:45pm
-
Wed. Aug. 31 - Florida Georgia Line w/ Bailey Zimmerman @ 7pm - Fireworks: 9:30pm
-
Thurs. Sept. 1 - REO Speedwagon & Styx w/ Levon @ 7pm - Fireworks: 10:55pm
-
Fri. Sept. 2 - Zac Brown Band w/ Robert Randolph Band @ 7pm - Fireworks: 9:45pm
-
Sat. Sept. 3 - Diana Ross w/ Naturally 7 @ 7pm - Fireworks: 9:20pm
-
Sun. Sept. 4 - MSF Amateur Talent Contest Finals @ 7:30pm - Fireworks: 10:30pm
-
Mon. Sept. 5 - Free Kids Day Fun Fest - FREE (No Ticket Required) - Fireworks: 9pm
| |
Have something you'd like us to consider sharing in our newsletter? Email us at district10@district10comopark.org | |  |
|
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!
| | | | | |
