May 20, 2022 | Friday

Capitol Improvement Budget Applications

The St. Paul District Councils have again been asked to help score the applications for the Capitol Improvement Budget (CIB) funding. This requires reviewing 36 applications for projects throughout the city and scoring them using a point system provided by the city.

You can view all of the applications and scoring guide here on the D10 website, including two submitted by D10 (Numbers 8 and 9). The city has added a form for community members to submit their own ranking. If you would like to share any feedback you have to help us score the projects, you can email district10@district10comopark.org. Scoring is due June 3.

May 26 Como Community Blood Drive Reservations

D10 Como Park is again partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the Zoo. Reservations are only available for the May 26 event at this time.

Upcoming Drive Dates:

• Thursday, May 26, 2022 – 9am-3pm
• Tuesday, August 2, 2022 – 9am-3pm

With the pandemic lingering and 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! 

We're in need of a couple more volunteers for both May 26 and August 2. It’s light work and a great way to connect with a neighbor. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.

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.

D10 Event: Pick Up & Party!

Saturday, June 4, 2-5pm @ Orchard Rec

The Como Community Council is hosting a Pick Up & Party event at Orchard Rec Center (875 W Orchard Ave). Whether you come with your neighbors or come to meet your neighbors, we would love to see you there!

We’ll kick off the event with a neighborhood clean up from Front to Como & Dale to the railroad tracks. Check in at the Rec Center between 2-3pm for supplies and the location to start your pick up. After the clean up, we’ll meet up back at the rec center for live music, snacks, kids crafts, yard games and more!

Everyone is invited to this free event!

If you’d like to help us keep hosting events like this, please consider a donation to our Neighborhood Events Fund or becoming a volunteer.

Get Involved: Como Neighborhood History Project

The D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee in happy to introduce the Como Neighborhood History Project. We're partnering with St. Kate's University to explore the history of our Como neighborhoods.

We'll be collecting stories from our neighbors that have lived here for most of their lives. We are more than the State Fair and Como Park! We are a neighborhood of shops, institutions and families. Let’s collect those stories together!

How You Can Get Involved:

• Dig through your old photos! Share pictures of our neighborhood from the past. We are especially looking for old pictures of businesses, street scenes, homes, or schools that used to be here and are now gone like Sugar Dave’s Drive-Inn at Como and Snelling!
• Help us find neighbors to interview! Suggest a family member, friend, or neighbor that has lived in the D10 community for most of their lives. Help us interview them or we can help with the interview to get their memories saved.
• Design a walking tour! Keep us healthy and fit while we are walking past interesting houses, pieces of art or cool institutions.
• Research and write a story! Help us research the many buildings, institutions, and past events that have shaped our community. Do you have old documents about the history of Como Elementary or Tilden School? Have a story about the old corner store or garden nursery business in your neighborhood, know a house that had interesting or famous folks living there, share them with us!

Reach out to history@district10comopark.org if you'd like to contribute or get involved!

Get Involved: Como Stewards

There are still 10 parcels in Como Park needing stewards - Could it be you?

Last year the D10 Environment Committee, in partnership with St. Paul Parks & Rec, invited individuals or groups to volunteer and give back and to help keep our regional treasure welcoming for everyone with the launch of the Como Stewards Program.

We invite you to consider signing up for one of the open areas of the park for the sophomore year of the program.

As a Como Park Steward, you will participate in ongoing clean up, special clean-up events, work with the city departments to report tree and natural damage, graffiti, safety, and other concerns. We ask for a minimum commitment of one-year with visits twice monthly.

Look at all available parcels on the Como Steward Program map. After you complete your registration, you will be contacted about parcel selection. 

D10 Owl Mascot Design Competition

Last year, our community voted on the Great Horned Owl as the District 10 mascot. This past month we asked the community to help us with a design for our Great Horned Owl mascot, and now it's time to vote for the winning submission!

You can vote for your favorite online or at our upcoming events through June 5. We will reveal the winning design at the Ice Cream Social on July 9th!

Ramsey County Master Gardener Plant Sale

Saturday, May 21, 9am-2pm

Ramsey County Master Gardeners are hosting their annual plant sale in-person, May 21 from 9am-2pm at Church of the Holy Childhood (1435 Midway Pkwy).

The sale features native plants, popular vegetables, including more than 50 varieties of tomatoes, 20 kinds of peppers, native plants, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, houseplants and excellent quality garden gloves and more. Funds raised support horticultural scholarships at the University of Minnesota and youth horticulture projects. 

Get Involved: Midway Parkway Garden Club

Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 5pm at Hamline & Midway

Summer is here so it is time to make Midway Parkway bloom. The current volunteer gardeners that have been maintaining the gardens are looking for some interested neighbors to help with planting and maintenance of this beautiful space. This is a great opportunity to help support your community and meet neighbors.  

Please join on Wednesday May 25 at 5:00pm at the corner of Hamline and Midway Parkway.  

They will be planting and cleaning up the North and South Gardens, and determining the gardening schedule for the summer.

If you’re interested in helping out, learning more or can’t make it on 5/25, please email to mollyfo.rourke@outlook.com and they will reach out!

Como Quest Fundraiser Coming to the Zoo

June 4 & 5 at Como Zoo

Como Friends’ is hosting a family-friendly fundraiser June 4 and 5 at the Zoo:

Grab your magnifying glass and put on your safari hat, because on June 4 and June 5, you can join Como Friends for Como Quest! This brand-new multi-generational fundraiser will send your team on a mission to explore the far corners of Como and unlock new knowledge about all your favorite plants and animals. 

Featuring a collaborative, curiosity-driven treasure hunt created for the GooseChase smartphone app, family-friendly games and crafts, and fabulous silent auction items, Como Quest provides a fun experience for all.

Ideal for elementary and middle school aged children. Teams composed of grandparents, parents, and kids all equally enjoy the experience.

Tickets for groups of 4-6 start at $100. Kids 3 and under are free and not counted in the number of players on a team.

Save The Date:  Como Art Fair

Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10am-2pm at Como Pavilion

The annual Como Fest Art Fair is back!

Mark your calendar to check out great local artisans on Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10am-2pm under the stone pavilion by beautiful Como Lake (1360 Lexington Parkway N in Como Park). 

There will also live music & food/refreshments by Dock & Paddle (for purchase on the patio).

Are you an artist ready to sell your creations? Contact AndreaLynn Hamlin: alpj1448@gmail.com

Come for the Art Fair, and stay for the day in Como Park!! You can enjoy water sports on Como Lake, explore Como Zoo and the gorgeous Marjorie McNeely Conservatory . 

We can’t wait to see you at the Como Fest Art Fair!!

Como Parks & Rec

Parks and Rec has released it's 2022 Movies In the Parks Schedule, starting in July, and 2022 Fitness in the Parks beginning June 1.

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

• STEAM Camp ages 7-11 - Week of June 20 - $210*
• 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 Camps 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

• 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.
• 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.

Keystone Free Farmer’s Market

Friday May 20, 10am-12pm at Allianz Field

This will be a free drive-through event. Each household will receive 5-7 kinds of fruits and vegetables.

All are welcome! This event is open to anyone in need. Please sign up for quick service and to help us manage traffic.

This is the first of several Free Farmer’s Market events that Keystone will host this year. You can find the dates and locations on Keystone's website.

Keystone offers support and connection for people in our community. Please share this event information with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Discounted Backyard Compost Bins Available

Pick-up June 15 in Maplewood

The Recycling Association of Minnesota will partner with Ramsey County to offer a second round of compost bin sales with a pick-up in Maplewood on June 15. The compost bins are $76, plus tax.

Ramsey County residents can get an additional $20 off. Order online at RecycleMinnesota.org and enter promo code “Ramsey” to receive the discounted price or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a Ramsey County resident. 

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.

Residential Transit Pass for Renters

Residential Pass is a deeply discounted unlimited use transit pass designed specifically for multifamily developments of 10 units or more. Through this unique program, properties that purchase one pass per unit in a building will be eligible to purchase the transit passes for $14 per month/pass, which is an 88% discount from the full price of $120 per month for each pass.

This program must go through the property owner/management. If you're a renter you can share this link with your property manager and encourage them to sign up! https://www.metrotransit.org/residential-pass

Upcoming Crime Prevention Unit Events

Block Leaders Virtual Meet-Up

Monday, May 23rd at 6pm

Open to block leaders or interested community members. There will be two guest presenters for the evening:

• The Dispute Resolution Center discussing their programs around mediation and community healing. "At SPPD we encourage residents to explore using services to resolve neighbor disputes that do not rise to the need of police intervention. We also recognize that many blocks in our community have suffered from community violence and services to work with residents to heal is critical." 
• Ramsey County Emergency Communications will present on how 911 currently operates including call priorities, staffing, and what services they dispatch. They will also provide information on the work of the 9-1-1 Appropriate Responses Initiative.

Virtual Netsmartz Workshop

Wednesday, May 25 at 6pm 

Presentation for parents about protecting your children online. As kids spend more time online; parents need to be aware that safety issues for children online. This is the first offering of this workshop.

City Selects New Directors for Department of Safety & Inspections and Parks & Recreation

This week the city appointed two longtime city leaders with more than three decades of service to Saint Paul as new department directors. Andy Rodriguez will serve as the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department Director and Angie Wiese will serve as the Department of Safety and Inspections Director.

ABOUT ANDY RODRIGUEZ 

Andy Rodriguez has served in the City of Saint Paul’s Parks and Recreation Department since 2005. In his 17 years with the City, he has served in an array of program and management positions, including recreation program supervisor overseeing nine community recreation facilities, and volunteer coordinator for more than 2000 Parks volunteers annually. Since 2019, he has served as Recreation Services Manager, overseeing Saint Paul’s recreation center system which includes 26 recreation centers.  

Growing up in Saint Paul, he engaged extensively in City Parks and Recreation programs, relying heavily on recreation centers, park spaces, programs, and program workers as a source of support and guidance. Andy is a proud graduate of Saint Paul Central High School, and has a Bachelor's degree in Metro Urban Studies from Augsburg University.  

As Director of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Andy Rodriguez will provide strategic leadership and management for the City's Parks and Recreation system. He will begin serving as Director of the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department on June 4, 2022. Learn more about the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department here. 

ABOUT ANGIE WIESE  

For nearly 17 years, Angie Wiese has been championing the health and safety of the City of Saint Paul’s residents and our built environment through regulation, education, and collaborative engagement. She’s served as interim director, Fire Safety Manager, and Fire Protection Engineer, including work handling public information for the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). 

Since joining DSI in 2005, she has coordinated complex projects with building officials, architects, property owners and contractors to secure a high level of safety and customer satisfaction through data-driven decision making and leveraging the talent of DSI staff to find creative solutions while maintaining a deep and vital commitment to equity.   

She also served as president of the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota for eight years and has served as a board member of the International Code Council since 2018. She has a Master of Arts in Public Administration at Hamline University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University (IN).  

As Director of DSI, Angie Wiese will direct and manage the activities of the City concerning health and sanitation, animal control, housing safety and code compliance, license and permit administration, and environmental issues. Learn more about the Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections here.