June 10, 2022 | Friday

Get Involved: Como Homo Hangout

Sunday, June 26 - 4-6pm @ Como Pavilion Lakeside (by the Ice Cream Stand and Boat Rentals)

The Como Community Council will be hosting the 2nd annual Como Homo Pride event at the Como Pavilion Lakeside.

Start planning your outfits because we’re having a pageant!

Categories include:

• Rainbow Everywhere! (best outfit utilizing the rainbow/rainbow flag)
• Trans Flag Fabulous (best outfit utilizing trans flag colors)
• Pride is a Riot (best protest outfit)
• Drag the House Down (best drag look)
• Big Gay Family (best family ensembles)
• Pet Pride (best pet outfit)

We will also have at least one activity to help out with socialization, AND an activity or two for the kids! Spread the word! Everyone is invited to this free event!

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 will be debriefing our May 21 Como Lake Clean-up and preparing for the June 28 Como Lake Clean-Up, and hearing an update about the Churchill Rain Garden maintenance planning, in addition to some regular committee updates.

2 Vacancies on D10 Board

Fill out an application to join the board

Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has two vacancies to fill:

• Subdistrict 3 Seat
• At-Large Senior (62+) Seat

To be considered for the board, submit a board member application.

Vacancies are appointed by the board, all appointed board seats are automatically included in the next annual election, and appointed board members may not serve as officers.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can reach out to D10 Como Park at district10@district10comopark.org.

Save The Date: D10 Ice Cream Social

Friday, July 8 - 5:30-8pm @ Como Streetcar Station

Every year, the D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee plans our Ice Cream Social, typically featuring free ice cream, live music, meet-and-greets with neighborhood organizations, and activities for children and families.

The event is at the Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park, 1224 Lexington Pkwy N. Because parking is limited, we encourage community members to walk, bike, roll, car-pool, or take public transportation. Bring your neighbors!

This event is still being planned. If you’re interested in helping plan or volunteering at this event you can fill out our volunteer interest form, come to our Neighborhood Relations Committee meetings (1st Tuesdays), or reach out to organizer@district10comopark.org.

Como Woodland is for the Birds – June Nature Tour

Saturday, June 18, 9:30AM to 11AM

The Como Woodland has long supported those birds that are just passing through on migration, those birds that stay for the breeding season, and those year-round resident birds that call this urban oasis home. Meet us at the Kilmer Fireplace to start this guided nature tour through the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) at 1221 Wynne Ave., Saint Paul, MN in Como Park (near the Como Regional Park Pool).

Como Woodland Advisors Joan McKearnan, professor of biology & environmental science, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Britt Forsberg, University of Minnesota Extension Educator will be your guides as they take you along the CWOC trails to learn about birds and their habitat. A limited number of binoculars will be available for you to use during this tour on a first come, first served basis.

Rain or shine, the tour will go on (except in the case of dangerous weather). Sign up for the tour at: https://tinyurl.com/cwocbirdtour. Reservations are not required, but your RSVP makes it possible to contact you in case of cancellation.

The CWOC has 17-acres with eight Minnesota plant communities and a trail system featuring 27 numbered posts with QR codes that correspond with the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom’s short guide; The full guidebook is online at: comowoodlandoutdoorclassroom.org.  

Groovin' In The Garden Back at Como Zoo & Conservatory

Como Zoo's FREE concert series returned to the conservatory lawn this week. You can take in live music from local artists every Wednesday through July 27 from 6-8pm.

2022 Line-up:

• June 15 Annie & The Bang Bang
• June 22 Porky’s Groove Machine
• June 29 Flamin’ Oh’s
• July 6 Craig Clark Blues Band
• July 13 Malamanya
• July 20 The April Fools
• July 27 Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir

The Zoo and Conservatory close at 6pm. These are outdoor concerts and reservations are not required.

*In case of rain, the concerts will be moved inside the Visitor Center.

June Como Bookmobile Stops

If you haven't seen it before, the Saint Paul Public Library system has a library on wheels (the size of a city bus) that comes to our neighborhood at scheduled times and places. You can browse the shelves and check out books like any library building, and even request books in the SPPL system to be delivered directly to the bookmobile for you to pick up.

• June 10 - Front Hi-Rise 1:30-2pm
• June 15 - Victoria & West Nevada 4:30-6:30pm (Across from St. Timothy Lutheran Church)
• This event includes a pop-up storytelling community event
• June 24 - Front Hi-Rise 1:30-2pm
• June 29 - Victoria & West Nevada 4:30-6:30pm
• June 30 - Chelsea Heights Elementary

Schedule variations may occur due to weather, road, and/or traffic conditions.

Seedling Stewards Needed

Julia Brokaw, Entomology PhD candidate in the UMN Bee Lab program and South Como neighbor is sharing her prairie plant starts in the community. They need to be stewarded until they are ready for planting as part of the plant material for the St Paullinators’ project.

It’s a relatively easy fun commitment. Here are the details:

If you have space ideally on a patio, deck or table away from soil contact to avoid invasive pests or rodents with 6-12 hours of sunlight exposure and time to water the plant starts or make sure they are watered regularly this is for you.

If you’d like to know more and want to help steward these seedlings to successful plant starts please contact Dawn Lamm at dlamm@comoseedlibrary.org.

Como Parks & Rec

Como Pool opens for the summer swimming season tomorrow(June 11)! Phalen Beach and all Splash pads begin regular hours this weekend as well.

The Saint Paul Saints are sponsoring "Play Ball" Spotlight games this weekend at North Dale Rec Center. They're hosting a 15u baseball game and a 10u softball game along with announcers, activities, and Mudonna the Saints' mascot. The Free event is on Saturday, June 11 from 10am-Noon on the North Dale ball fields.

North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)

• StarEye Camp ages 8-12 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• Volleyball Camp ages 13-17 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• Jr Engineering Camp: Crazy Gears and Wheels ages 6-9 - Week of July 11 - $100*
• Basketball Stars Girls Camp ages 11-14 - Week of July 11 - Free*
• Super Mario Game Coding Camp ages 9-12 - Week of July 11 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Badminton Camp ages 9-13 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-9 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• Multiplayer Minecraft: Mini-Game Builder ages 8-11 - Week of June 27 - $110*
• 3D Printing & CAD Camp ages 11-14 - Week of June 27 - $120*
• StarEye Art Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 11 - $50*

*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 License Renewals

• 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.
• 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.

Saint Paul Public Library offers free summer long reading, learning fun for kids and teens

Summer Spark learning activities and events from June 1 through August 31 for ages 0-18. 

Saint Paul Public Library invites kids and teens to make the Library their destination for summer fun. Summer Spark, the Library's summer learning and reading program, encourages kids and teens to stay active and read for fun all summer long with hands-on exploration, reading challenges, performances, and free books.  

To get started, kids and teens can stop in at any library location to pick up their Summer Spark Reading and Activity Log and pick out a free book to keep. Readers set their own reading and learning goals, and library staff are there to help.

The Library is hosting Summer Spark kick-off parties at most branches on Saturday, June 11 from 1-4pm, including St. Anthony Park, Hamline Midway, and Rice Street libraries!

2022 Citywide Drop-off Events

For over 20 years, the City has partnered with local district councils to organize annual Citywide Recycling Drop-off Events. Residents can properly dispose of large items and recycle materials not collected in the residential collection program. For information, visit stpaul.gov/drop-offs. This year, there will be two events:

• June 18 - Harding High School (1540 E 6th St)
• September 17 - State Fairgrounds

All events will accept the following for a small fee:

• Mattresses
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Tires

All events will accept the following for free:

• Confidential papers for shredding
• Cardboard (large, flattened)
• Scrap metal

A postcard with more details was recently mailed to Saint Paul households. 

Volunteer for Drop-off events

Volunteers receive a voucher to dispose of one load of acceptable items, as well as food and drink during their shifts! The June event is organized by the D1 Southeast Community Organization., and the September event is organized here at D10, email info@district10comopark.org if you're interested in volunteering. 

HomeHelpMN Accepting Applications for Mortgage Assistance

The HomeHelpMN program began accepting applications for assistance this week. The application period will be open through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, but homeowners should not wait to apply.

HomeHelpMN provides assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage or other eligible housing-related expenses due to effects of the pandemic. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $35,000 in assistance for past-due expenses.

Funds for the program are limited, and need is expected to be high. If applications received during the application period exceed available funding, applicants may be put on a wait list. Homeowners should submit their applications as soon as possible after the application period begins.

For more information about the program, including who is eligible to apply and what expenses are eligible, visit HomeHelpMN.org or call 1-800-388-3226. The Call Center is open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The website is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. The call center supports these languages and more – when you call you’ll be prompted to select a language.

Save The Date: Pride Party for Seniors

The Como Park Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program would like to invite you to a first ever LGBT Senior Pride Gathering on June 16 at 5pm at Phalen Pavilion (East Side). 

This event is for all people. If you're an ally, elder or part of the LGBT community and want to celebrate Pride with us, this is the place for you. 

The space is accessible and there will be a free meal provided by the Eggroll Queen and a wide assortment of nonalcoholic beverages.

For more information, call: 651-642-1127