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Mar. 18-24 | SPPL Read Brave Events
Tue, Mar. 19, 9am & 6pm | SPPD Western District Monthly Community Meetings @ 389 Hamline (6pm mtg will focus on copper wire theft)
Tue, Mar. 19, 7pm | D10 3rd Tue. Community Meeting Agenda
Wed. Mar. 20 10-11:30am | ExploraTots ages 3-5 @ Como Streetcar Station Free (registration req.)
Fri, Mar. 22 8:45-10am | Breakfast Circle @ International Institute of MN (1694 Como Ave.)
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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Join the D10 Como Community Council Board in 2024 |  | |
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.
Request a Ballot for the D10 Election
Ballots for the April election can be requested on our election page (ballots won't be created and sent until after the candidate filing period has passed). Community members 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 5.
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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Join Us Next Week
D10 Community Meeting- 3rd Tuesdays - Mar. 19, 7pm
Hybrid on Zoom and @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The third Tuesday of every month hosts our Land Use and Board/Organizational topics for discussion and planning, as well as guest presentations related to those issues. Occasionally time-sensitive Environment and Neighborhood Relations committee items are included on the agenda as well.
Next week we will host Tyrone Minor, owner of the F.I.T. Lab and upcoming Mali Center. We will also present our 2023 Como Honor Roll and discuss organizational business.
If you're interested in serving on the D10 Board, a great first step is to come join us at our meetings, open to everyone! You can also view an overview of responsibilities and find a board member application here.
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Save The Date: Como Garage Sale May 16-19
D10 Como Community Council is once again coordinating a community sale weekend from Thursday, May 16 to Sunday the 19. If you would like to be included in our map, please fill out the Como Community Sale Form with your information before May 10.
We will be promoting this effort in our Weekly Newsletter, Facebook, and flyering some local community spaces, directing people to find the map on this page: District10ComoPark.org/GarageSale. You can also download and print this flier PDF to post in your community spaces.
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Metro Transit Quarterly Service Change Extending Route 83
Attention Como transit riders, mall walkers, and teenagers (do they still love the mall?)
Starting Saturday, March 16, the Route 83 bus (which runs on Lexington - and Hamline West of Como Park) will get you all the way to Rosedale Center! The route was previously ending at Rosedale Target.
Just in time to catch the last of the Oscar movies or make good on your retirement goal to see where the bus goes! (If you were at this week's D10 Monthly Social you'd understand)
Want to ride for free? Adopt-A-Stop (or two) and get 10 free rides per month!
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Neighborhood Food Drive
Sun, Mar. 17 Noon-2pm @ Como Park Lutheran Church’s Parking Lot (corner of Hoyt Ave W & Hamline Ave N)
Como Park Lutheran Church is organizing a Neighborhood food drive for the MN FoodShare Campaign. The event will be held on March 17th from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. All donations will go to Keystone Community Service in St. Paul.
Minnesotans made a record-breaking 7.5 million visits to food shelves in 2023. Your support is greatly needed & appreciated!
Come help restock the local food shelves. Drop off your donations at CPLC’s parking lot.
NEEDED ITEMS:
- Peanut Butter
- Canned tuna (and other proteins)
- Soup
- Cereal
- Cooking/baking items—flour, sugar, and oil
- Culturally specific food—rice, fish sauce, bamboo shoots, vermicelli noodles
- *Cash/Check (payable to Keystone Community Services)
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Local author Bill Lindeke recently wrote about the copper theft, highlighting Como Park, for MinnPost. Read it here. | |
Egg Hunt and Holy Week at St. Timothy
St. Timothy Lutheran Church (1465 Victoria St. N.) will host an Easter Egg Hunt for Como families on Saturday, March 30 at 10:00am. The event will take place outside if weather allows, and move indoors if needed. Come and enjoy the fun! No RSVP is needed.
Join St. Timothy for Holy Week:
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Sun, Mar. 24 9:30am - Palm Sunday followed by Pancake Breakfast
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Thur, Mar. 28 2pm & 7pm - Maundy Thursday
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Fri, Mar. 29 7pm - Good Friday
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Sat, Mar. 30 10am - Easter Egg Hunt for Como families
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Sun, Mar. 31 - Easter Sunday, 9:00am traditional,10:30am contemporary
All services available on livestream. For more information visit www.sttimothylutheran.org.
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Thursday Morning “Tot Time” in Como
St. Timothy Lutheran Church (1465 Victoria Street N.) is also piloting a “Tot Time” for 0-5 year olds and their care-givers Thursdays in April 10:00-11:30am, with Circle Time at 11:15am. This is a free, non-religious event open to people of all backgrounds. Enter through the glass doors on Nevada Ave. A nut-free snack for kids and coffee for adults will be provided.
Questions? Email Pastor Liesl at pastorliesl@sttimothylutheran.org or call 651-489-0336.
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Monthly Blood Pressure Clinics
Love your heart! ComoConnects (Formerly Como Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program) offers four free/donation-based Blood Pressure Clinics each month.
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1st & 3rd Mondays 2-3:30pm at Arbor Pointe Apartments (635 Maryland Ave. W)
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2nd & 4th Mondays 2-3:30pm at Falcon Heights City Hall (2077 Larpenteur Ave. W.)
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1st & 3rd Wednesdays 10-11:30am at Hendrickson Apartments (1750 Larpenteur Ave. W.)
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Save the Date: Spring Seed Bee April 6
Sat. Apr. 6 10am-12:30pm @ Saint Paul Tool Library (1010 Dale St. N.)
Join us for "A Spring Seed Bee", the 3rd in the series of garden workshop events that are a collaboration of D10, the MN SEED Project, the Minnesota Tool Library (St. Paul), Lawns to Legumes, and the Saint Paullinators of South Como.
Stations will include:
- Soil Blocking
- Garden Tool Swap
- Seed Bomb Making
- Pollinator Resources
- Seed Library Share
- Paper Pots & Upcycled Containers
- Garden Buddies
To volunteer and share your garden enthusiasm sign up here.
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Save the Date: St. Paul Art Crawl
The St. Paul Art Collective's (SPAC) Spring Art Crawl is coming up April 12-28 throughout the city, including right here in Como! You can find the full list of venues being assembled here on SPAC's website.
Como Locales include:
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Art on the Porch Apr. 20-21, Noon-5pm (1410 Pascal St. N.)
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Front Avenue Pottery Apr. 26-28 (895 Front Ave.)
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Of Ink + Insight Apr. 27-28, Noon-6pm (1410 Pascal St. N.)
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Como Artists and Dance Apr. 27, Noon-6pm @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) Stay tuned for more details
Please let us know if we've missed anyone!
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Youth Summer Sports registration is open. Youth sports are FREE at all rec centers for 10U and up!
Camp Como is back: 2024 camp offerings are now listed on their website. Scholarships are available.
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!
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
Upcoming License Renewals
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Gabes by the Park (991 Lexington Pkwy): Liquor, Gambling, and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal on May 5. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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Essence Event Center (1217 Bandana Blvd): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal on May 6. 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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Saint Paul Parks and Rec System Plan
Parks and Rec has been working on a new system plan for the last couple years, using the City's Comprehensive Plan as a guide.
It's a long document, but much of the analysis and recommendations is summarized throughout with highlighted maps. Check it out here on the city website.
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Free Smart Thermostats for Businesses
Xcel Energy and Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) have just launched their 2024 Smart Thermostat replacement program in Saint Paul. The program provides businesses with free Smart Thermostats and installation to replace older manual and programmable thermostats.
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Saint Paul Neighborhoods Walkability Survey
Last summer, D14 Macalester Groveland Community Council conducted a small survey to learn about people's walking habits and experiences. This week, they launched the 2024 survey, and hope to get responses from across Saint Paul. We encourage all our neighbors to take the survey.
The survey is short and anonymous: https://forms.gle/8KNABpoDajoTBLwH7
The goal is to collect some basic information on walking behaviors and needs, as such data is rare for most cities, including ours. This year they ask about slips, falls and (near) crashes. They have taken a multi-year, iterative approach, and hope to have a 2025 version next year.
The survey is currently open until May 10.
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Proposed 2024-25 Consolidated Plan - Annual Action Plan Review and Public Hearing
The community is invited to provide input to the City of Saint Paul on the draft 2024 Annual Action Plan during a public comment period from March 1 – April 1, 2024.
The plan describes the use of federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding received by the City for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Solutions Grant programs totaling nearly $10 million in annual investments.
Comments can be provided via email, mail, voicemail, or at an in-person public hearing at Rondo Community Library on Wednesday, March 13 from 3 - 4 p.m. More information is available in the official notice below and at stpaul.gov/conplan.
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Workshops hosted by the St. Paul Police Department
Wednesday, March 27 at 6p.m.: Personal Safety
Learn about situational awareness at home, in the car, at work and in the community.
Wednesday, April 24 at 6 p.m.: Fraud and Identity Theft
Register here for these virtual classes.
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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
NEW - Free Mattress Recycling
Ramsey County is partnering with the City of Saint Paul, and Second Chance Recycling to offer mattress and box spring recycling collection to residents. Saint Paul residents and property managers can now request a curbside pick-up of mattresses, box springs, or metal bed frames at no additional cost.
There are two ways to schedule a mattress recycling pick-up, depending on what type of property you live in.
For more information about the mattress recycling collection program, please visit stpaul.gov/mattressrecycling.
Disposing of Shredded Documents
Ramsey County residents can shred confidential documents and recycle shredded paper at the Washington County Environmental Center for free. Shredded paper can also be put in the trash.
Shredded paper is not accepted in household recycling or food scraps collection.
Do you have a question about recycling and disposal and can’t find the answer in the A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide? Call the County Recycling & Disposal hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279) or send Ramsey County Environmental Health a message.
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Yes, metal food and beverage cans and trays get recycled!
Put these in your Saint Paul Recycling cart. It takes 90% less energy to make a new can from an old, recycled aluminum than from raw materials!
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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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More Community Resources
Tax Help
Prepare + Prosper offers free tax preparation, financial coaching, and helps people obtain banking access. Tax preparation is done by IRS-certified volunteers. Go to https://prepareandprosper.org/ to find details including what documents you need and to schedule a tax appointment, and locations and times.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance with several preparation options now through April 15. Tax-Aide locator is live and on-site Tax-Aide service will open in early February. Tax assistance is available by appointment and might be offered on a walk-in basis depending on the location. Access to the different types of taxpayer assistance varies in each locality. Visit the website aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.
Transit Assistance
The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to make public transit more affordable for people with lower incomes. TAP provides a year-long reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card. Customers can use a bus or train for just $1 per ride, even during rush hour, with a 2½ hour transfer. Signing up for the program is quick and easy. Do it straight from your computer or phone by uploading one of the pre-approved documents listed at https://www.metrotransit.org/tap-riders along with a copy of your I.D. They will mail you a Go-To Card with a full year of discounted rides.
For questions or translation help, call 612-373-3333.
Vehicle Repair Assistance
Heading Home Ramsey has provided some options for vehicle repair assistance for some people. For example, the car issue is preventing them from getting to work, which is preventing them from paying rent. If you are currently receiving assistance you may want to check with the organization or group assisting you to see if they have additional options.
See details: Vehicle Repair Assistance
Help with Energy Bills
Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program helps to pay those energy and water bills. You may apply online or in person. For more details go to the State of Minnesota website https://energy-assistance.web.commerce.state.mn.us/ or the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties (CAPRW) website at https://caprw.org/services/energy-assistance.html. The CAPRW site lists the St. Paul location, hours, and phone number to call for questions
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What's Happening At The Fairgrounds? | |
Saint Paul Osman Shrine Circus
DESCRIPTION
The annual 3-ring Shrine Circus returns to the State Fairgrounds in 2024 for their 100th anniversary. Their traditional circus features animals, aerialists, clowns, and other great attractions all at family friendly prices.
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS - March 21-23
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
ADMISSION
Reserved Seating: $20-$95
Children (2 years old & younger): Free
Visit website to view available discounts.
Tickets may be purchased online, at 1-800-8-CIRCUS or at the door.
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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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