July 15, 2022 | Friday

D10 Meeting Updates

D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, July 19, 7pm Hybrid on Zoom AND at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)

The D10 Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7pm. Meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion. We're welcoming folks to join us in person as well as via zoom, we've tested the technology but please bear with us if hiccups occur!

Next week the board will get a mid-year update on the D10 Engagement Plan from our Community Organizer, Jessica Willman.

1 Vacancy on D10 Board

Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has one vacancy to fill in our 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: Como Lake Clean-Up

Tuesday, July 26 - 6-9pm @ Como Pavilion Lakeside (by the Ice Cream Stand and Boat Rentals)

The Como Community Council, in partnership with the Capital Region Watershed District, plans multiple Como Lake clean-up events each year. Volunteers gather with others in the community to clean trash from the lake surface or shoreline. We’ll meet at 6pm near the dock on the lower level lake side of the Pavilion to pick up tools, supplies, and have a refreshment.

District 10 provides trash-grabbers, rakes, buckets, nets, trash bags, and nitrile gloves for those who need them. Or, feel free to provide your own gear. Registration is not required, but it helps us plan and communicate if changes come up.

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 August 2 drive.

Upcoming Drive Dates:

• Tuesday, August 2, 2022 – 9am-3pm 

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 August 2 from Noon to 3pm, you can reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.

Get Involved: Lyngblomsten Looking for Volunteer Drivers

Interested in helping older adults stay active in the community? Lyngblomsten Senior Housing (1415 Almond Ave) is looking for volunteers to drive their residents to fun outings using their new 13-passenger purple bus. Destinations include grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and social events.

As a volunteer bus driver, you will:

• Help individuals enter and exit the bus. This may include using a wheelchair lift.
• Drive to the desired location and pick up at the designated time
• Provide a relaxing and comfortable ride to passengers

Requirements:

• Complete a DHS background screen including fingerprinting (required for working with vulnerable individuals).
• Wear a mask and be fully vaccinated for COVID.

No special license is required, and Lyngblomsten will pay for the DOT physical. They will provide training for use of the bus, including the wheelchair lift. If you're interested, you can email to mjagolino@lyngblomsten.org or call 651-632-5499.

Immediate Enrollment Opportunities at Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps

The Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center (1480 Snelling Ave) has announced open enrollment and immediate openings for in-person instruction and career training in the nation’s leading industries, including healthcare, construction, hospitality, business administration, transportation, and light manufacturing..

Job Corps is the nation’s largest career training and education program for young people ages 16 through 24 from low-income households. The program provides hands-on training, on-campus housing, meals, health care and job search assistance at no cost to those who qualify.

To maintain safety protocols related to COVID-19, many Job Corps centers have operated under restricted enrollment due to the residential aspect of the program. The decision to reopen Hubert H. Humphrey to new students lifts the remaining restrictions on enrollment and restores the center to pre-pandemic admission standards.

“Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve faced and overcome extraordinary challenges to enable Job Corps’ students to pursue their career training,” said National Director of Job Corps Rachel Torres. “The goal has always been to return to full, in-person center operations as quickly and safely as possible. Our students need Job Corps, and the workforce needs our students.”

Job Corps is free for students who meet the eligibility requirements, and students can apply and enroll at any time. Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center trains students as certified nursing assistants, painters, carpenters, office workers, culinary specialists, and in sign and display and transportation careers. For more information about Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center, or to begin the enrollment process, visit https://huberthhumphrey.jobcorps.gov/ or call 800-733-JOBS (5627).

Administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and established in 1964, Job Corps has 121 centers located in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center is the only center located in Minnesota.

Learn more about Job Corps.

Como Park/Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program Seeking Volunteer/Service Coordinator

The Como Park/Flacon Heights Block Nurse Program (BNP) is hiring a Volunteer/Service Coordinator. This position is primarily responsible for arranging services for neighborhood seniors and organizations/agencies/facilities BNP partners with. They must be responsive to the always changing availability of volunteers, needs of clients and services available from other agencies. 

• Meet with neighborhood groups and individuals for the purpose of recruiting volunteers, locating seniors needing services and/or families needing caregiver support.
• Help clients access services and programs CP/FH LAH/BNP offers, as well as those of other agencies and sources. 
• Organize, implement, monitor and evaluate all volunteer activities associated with CP/FH LAHBNP. 

For a full job description, please visit comobnp.org.

• 20 hours/week
• Salary DOQ
• PTO Benefits

Send letter of interest or resume to: Director@comobnp.org or mail to: 

Como Park Block Nurse Program

Attn: Lisa Kane

1376 Hoyt Avenue West

St. Paul, MN. 55108

Como Parks & Rec

Northwest Como Rec (1550 N. Hamline) has cancelled it's campout for Friday, July 15, but they invite you still come and enjoy their Movie and Bonfire fun! Bonfire and activities begin at 7pm, the movie, Sing 2, start around 9pm. More details here.

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

• Nomination Walk, Blooming St Paul Showcase, all ages - July 25, 6-7:30pm - Free
• Jr Toylab ages 5-9 - Week of August 1 - $138*
• New Taekwondo ages 9-21 - Week of August 1 - $60*
• Musical Theatre Camp ages 9-14 - Week of August 8 - $110*
• New Flag Football Camp ages 8-12 - Week of August 15 - $104*
• SUMMERFEST all ages - August 18, 5-7pm - Fundraiser for North Dale Booster Club

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Minecraft Masterpiece Art ages 8-11 - Week of July 29 - $36*
• Drone Instruction Basics for Beginners ages 11-15 - Week of August 15 - $115*
• Strategy Game Buffet Camp ages 6-10 - Week of August 15 - $89*
• Basketball Camp ages 7-12 - Week of August 15 - $104*
• New End of Summer Art Bash ages 4-9 - August 19, Noon-3pm - $36*

*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

• 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.
• New 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.
• New 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.

Hamline Midway Library Nominated for National Register

A nomination has been submitted to the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to add the Hamline Midway Library (1558 Minnehaha Ave) to the National Register. The nomination is on the August 1 HPC Agenda.

You can view the full nomination here. The Library is planning to oppose the nomination and pursue existing plans to build a new facility (more info).

Written Testimony: Anyone may submit a written (email is acceptable) testimony/comment to

the HPC. To be accepted the testimony/comment must include your full name, address and be

written to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Testimony/comments may be sent to the HPC

via email askHPC@stpaul.gov. Written testimony/comments will be accepted until Friday, 5pm

prior to meeting.

Public Testimony at the Hearing: Anyone may speak at the HPC public hearing. Speakers must

state their full name and address before addressing the commission. Speakers have 2 minutes to

address the commission. Speakers may only focus on the HPC review of the proposed project.

Speakers may not use visual aids or transfer their time to other speakers. Contact HP staff to be

added to the speakers list.

Transforming Libraries: Design Workshops July 18-21

Monday, July 18, 5-6:30 p.m.

Riverview | 1 E. George St.

Tuesday, July 19, 5-6:30 p.m. 

Hamline Midway | 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Thursday, July 21, 5-6:30 p.m. 

Hayden Heights | 1456 White Bear Ave.

Saint Paul Public Library is inviting community members to hear what they’ve learned through community Survey #2 and see updated design renderings, floorplans, and specifics for library spaces that reflect community feedback. 

LSE Architects will lead attendees through a visual design exercise to continue discussions on the interior and exterior design of the library, including a focus on the look and feel of individual areas in the library.

Please register for the full 90-minute, in-person workshop.

If you can’t attend, information shared at the workshop will be available online by July 23. Another opportunity for input will be available through Survey #3.

Eureka Recycling Launches New Video

Eureka Recycling has released a new video showing their process from start to finish that provides insight into how recycling is processed. I could watch those mechanical sorters all day! Watch the Video

See it for yourself!

To get an even closer look, Eureka offers public and corporate in-person and virtual tours.

Learn what can be recycled in Saint Paul by clicking this link

Donate diapers to the Mothers First diaper bank

Diapers can cost $70-80 per baby each month. One in three families struggles to afford this. Mothers First is creating a diaper bank to fill Ramsey County families’ urgent need for diapers through donations from the community.

Did you know?

Babies who remain too long in a soiled diaper are exposed to potential health risks.

Diaper needs are a hidden consequence of poverty and lack of resources.

Most childcare centers, even free and subsidized facilities, require parents to provide a day's supply of disposable diapers.

Many parents cannot go to work or school if they cannot leave their babies at childcare.

Drop off diaper donations - through Aug. 27

Mothers First Diaper Bank

1919 University Ave. W, Suite 112

Saint Paul, MN 55104

Sizes needed: 

• Premie - Size 5
• Pull ups, 3T-6T

Questions? Email ssd.mothersfirst@ramseycounty.us or Call: 651-266-4111

St. Paul DSI Proposing Changes for Class N Licensing Process

The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) is proposing changes to Class N Licensing in St. Paul. Class N Licenses are most commonly associated with Liquor sales and Auto Repair, but cover a variety of other businesses as well. 

The changes are intended to simplify and streamline the process for new businesses while still giving time for community notification and engagement. This includes shortening the process time after applications are submitted, but requiring notification to District Councils prior to submitting the application. Certain license types are also being removed from the notification process. You can read more about the proposed changes and Business Licensing in the links below.

What's going on at the Fairgrounds?