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Know Your Como History: Axel Emanuel Carlson 1380 Simpson Ave.
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By Laura Oyen
I ran across a picture the other day of a group of men standing outside of the Northern Pacific Como Shops. The picture was taken in 1913. For those of you who don’t know, the Como Shops were a part of the Northern Pacific Railway Company located in what is now the Energy Park area (Subdistrict 4) of the Como Neighborhood.
Written on the back of this picture was: “Axel E. Carlson in middle row, third from right”. I got to thinking about this group of men and I wondered about Axel. Who was he? Where did he live? How long did he work at Northern Pacific? I wondered if I could find out any information about him with all the technology we have at our finger tips these days. So, without wasting much time I started to dive into Ancestry.com to see what I could find. Read More...
KYC Correction: Last week's story about Pete and Oliver (AKA Sir-Bark-A-Lot) initially insinuated the pups were up for adoption, when in fact their owners remain quite happy with them. There are, however, adoption resources linked within the story.
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Request a Ballot for the D10 Election
Ballots for the April election can be requested on our election page (ballots won't be made available until after the candidate filing period has passed). Community members can vote from home: either online, or by returning a paper ballot through the mail.
The first step in voting is to request a ballot. To get your ballot, fill out a ballot request form. We’ll send ballots beginning Friday April 8.
Who is eligible to vote: Renters, homeowners, and other residents of District 10 who are at least 16 years old can vote. So can representatives from business, nonprofits, or other organizations with a physical presence in District 10.
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D10 Meeting Updates
Environment Committee Meeting - Wed., April 5, 6pm
Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The Environment Committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm. All D10 Como Park meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we will have a presentation on the U of M work on soil and urban pollutants from Emilie Snell-Rood, Associate Professor, U of M Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. We will also be going over plans for the Citywide Parks Cleanup Day (April 22) and tabling at the D10 Pick Up & Party event at Orchard Rec (May 13)
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Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting - Wed., April 5, 7:15pm
Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The Neighborhood Relations Committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:15pm. All D10 Como Park meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.
Next week we will check in on Pick Up and Party plans, D10 Volunteer T-Shirts, connecting with the Hmong International Freedom Festival, an April 15 Neighborhood History meetup, and the committee leadership. Now is a great time to jump into the conversation with us!
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Join In: History Chat in Como
Saturday April 15 - 10-Noon Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
Do you like to learn about neighborhood history? Are you researching your home?
Would you like to chat with others about what you are learning? Come share your stories!
Join Como Neighborhood History Project members on Saturday, April 15, to “Chat” about Como Neighborhood History.
Questions, contact us at history@district10comopark.org
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Join the D10 Como Community Council Board in 2023:
Filing Deadline is Sunday
The D10 Annual Election is coming up in April. Any community member in District 10, age 16 or older, is eligible to run. The board is made up of volunteers like you, elected by neighbors like you.
In 2021, the board made a change to designate board seats for renters, youth (16-24), and senior (62+). That change began to roll out in 2022 with a senior and renter seat (now filled), and continues with this April’s election with 1 renter seat and 1 youth seat on the ballot, in addition to seats for the 4 sub-districts and 3 at-large positions. If you fit these criteria, please consider running, we’re holding a seat for you! (Renters, youth, and seniors can hold other seats as well!)
All of our board and committee meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted in advance in this newsletter. We encourage you to come to some of our meetings and get to know us!
To get on the ballot, submit a board member application.
The filing deadline is Sunday April 2. The election results are announced at the April board meeting. You can view some basic information about the election here. 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.
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Como Lakeshore Project
You may have noticed some tree removal taking place around Lake Como last month, and crews out this week and next clearing the brush that was left.
Natural resources staff with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation teamed up with Capitol Region Watershed District and Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation staff to perform a sweep of invasive and undesirable small trees on the Lake Como lakeshore.
This work aligns with goals set in CRWD’s Como Lakeshore Management Plan, adopted in 2022. This work is being completed to protect existing native habitat, to improve park visitor experience, and to prepare the lakeshore for expanded and diversified native plantings. The majority of the small trees removed were saplings, and no trees over 6” in diameter were removed, so the visual impact of this work should be minimal.
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Get Involved: Volunteer at the Zoo and Conservatory
The Zoo and Conservatory dropped their reservations requirement this week and are also bringing back their Volunteer Visitor Greeter role. Serve as the first point of contact as guests arrive to the campus and the last friendly face they see as they are leaving. Volunteers in this role will answer general questions, solicit the assistance of Visitor Services staff as needed, thank visitors for any donations and create a warm and welcoming environment as people arrive (17 and older). Volunteer shifts are approximately three hours.
Join the volunteer team in just 2 easy steps:
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Como Zoo Summer Youth Program - June-August, grades 8-12. Application deadline is April 10.
2023 Summer Camp and Activity Registration opens April 3
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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Saint Paul Public Library offers free programs for kids during Spring Break
Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) invites kids and families to spend spring break, April 1-8 , at the library with free hands-on events and programs. From cooking with a chef to learning the art of clowning, the series of arts and cultural events for kids ages 7-12 will take place at 12 library locations across Saint Paul.
The events are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
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1-4 Unit Housing Study Heading to Planning Commission
The Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) held webinars this week about the next phase of the 1-4 Unit Housing Study. If you missed them, you can see a recording here on YouTube.
Ways to learn more about the 1-4 Unit Housing Study phase 2 amendments and share feedback with the Planning Commission:
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Declutter chemicals for a fresh start
Sprucing up your home should include properly cleaning out of unwanted chemicals. Don’t wait to declutter. Check for potentially hazardous items from under-the-sink, storage closets and garage. Keep what you would use in the next year and put everything else in a box to bring to one of Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste collection sites.
Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste collection sites are your one-stop drop-off for most products labeled caution, warning, danger or poison. Residents can bring automotive fluids, batteries (all types), cell phones, cleaners, fluorescent lights, paint, pesticides, propane tanks and more for free.
Ramsey County has a year-round collection site in Saint Paul and a mobile collection that moves to a different community each month from April through October. Find hours, directions and the full list of items accepted at RamseyRecycles.com/HHW. Or call the Ramsey County Recycling & Disposal hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279), answered 24/7.
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Pothole Patrol
You can report potholes in the following way, depending on whether they are on a city street, county road, or state highway:
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Chime In On Transit
St. Paul's Transportation Safety Action Plan
The City of Saint Paul is developing a Transportation Safety Action Plan to identify and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle crashes for everyone (pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers).
They invite community members to share thoughts on how to make Saint Paul safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers.
Survey and comment map close on April 15.
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Metro Transit's Network Now
Metro Transit is developing a five-year plan to ensure transit service best meets the needs of our region with Network Now.
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Recycling Containers for Events
Make your next gathering a green event! Reserve free recycling and food scraps containers to reduce waste. Containers come with bags and signage and collapse for easy transport. Containers are loaned to Ramsey County residents and organizations for any temporary event.
Find a Pickup Location
Containers can be borrowed from several cities and district councils. Email district10@district10comopark.org to borrow from our office in Como.
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What's Happening at the Fairgrounds? | |
GSTA Rod & Custom Spectacular Car Show
DESCRIPTION
65th Annual Rod & Custom Spectacular Car Show
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS - April 1 & 2
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults (16 and over): $18
Children (6-15): $7
Children (5 and younger): Free
Discount tickets available on GSTA website
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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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