October 21, 2022 | Friday | | |
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2022 Como Thanksgiving Meals Fundraiser | |
The Como Community Council is once again working to make sure neighborhood seniors are supported this Thanksgiving. So, in partnership with the North End South Como Block Nurse Program, we have a goal of providing meals for 80 neighborhood seniors. How you can help is simple:
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Make a financial donation. Every $12 you contribute buys one Thanksgiving meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, a roll and, of course, dessert.
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Volunteer to deliver meals w/ Block Nurse Program. Reach out to Alaina Gall at alaina@necbnp.org or 651-489-4067.
Once the Block Nurse Program needs are met, funds will go towards Thanksgiving initiatives at the Lyngblomsten Senior Community. Additional funds will be donated to the Salvation Army's Booth Brown House Youth Shelter Program's Thanksgiving meals.
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Voting Open for 2022 Como Halloween Decoration Competition
We've got 16 homes registered in this year's contest. Now it's time to bundle up and take a stroll around the neighborhood before deciding who's earned YOUR vote for best decorations in the 2022 Halloween Decor Competition!
The map is now available here on our website, voting will be open through November 1!
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2022 Como CURB Cleanup Underway!
October 1 through November 30, in front of your own home!
Como Community Council is again teamed up with the Capitol Region Watershed District for the Como Curb Cleanup. When it rains, leaves on streets release nutrients into the water that flows into storm drains and the lake. There it becomes food for invasive algae. Join 100+ neighbors in sweeping your curb once a week this fall to help keep Lake Como clean with this surprisingly effective effort.
Signing up to be an official participant helps us track results and helps (a lot) to support future efforts! It's not too late to join the effort!
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D10 Subdistrict 1 and At-Large Board Vacancies
Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has two vacancies to fill: an At-Large and a Subdistrict 1 Seat (View subdistrict map). 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 view info on our website or reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.
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Give to the Max day is coming up on November 17, 2022!
We are the only non-profit organization working exclusively to make the Como Park Neighborhood a great place to live, work, learn and play. Since 1977, we’ve been proud to foster citizen participation in government and community decisions in our neighborhood. But we can’t do it without you! Donate today!
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Get Involved: Help Mulch Churchill Gardens This Weekend!
Sat, Oct 22 1pm-4pm and Sun, Oct 23 1pm-4pm
Hi Neighbors! Are you looking to beautify part of the Como neighborhood? Join the Churchill Garden Stewards to put on the finishing touches on Churchill Gardens this season.
WHAT :: We need some volunteers to help mulch the gardens. There are two sections- the West and East Basins- which are on either side of Van Slyke Ave.
WHERE :: Churchill Gardens at the intersection of Horton Ave and Van Slyke Ave.
Street parking is available. On the 3A and close to the 83 bus lines.
WHEN :: Sat, Oct 22 1pm-4pm and Sun, Oct 23 1pm-4pm
Volunteers should bring their own water, gardening gloves and pitch fork if you have one.
Whether it’s for an hour or the whole time, help is appreciated! This weekend will have beautiful weather for being in the gardens. Hope to see you there!
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Grand Round Nodes Under Construction Around Lake Como
You may have noticed two Grand Round "nodes" being installed around the lake, one near the Schiffman fountain and the other on the East side at Wheelock and East Como Blvd.
Each node will share a similar design elements to those previously constructed, like the one at Como Ave. and Hamline Ave, including lighting and bicycle repair stations.
In August, St. Paul Parks and Rec Landscape Architect David Ronzani shared plans for the installation with the D10 Land Use committee, you can watch the recorded presentation here
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Como Regional Park Trail Master Plan
The City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department is engaging community members to inform and develop an updated Trail Master Plan for Como Regional Park. The master plan will emphasize improving the connection between the trails within the park to Saint Paul's Grand Round trail network. The process will prioritize connections around Como Lake, Picnic Pavilions, McMurray Fields and Outdoor Classroom areas over those within the Zoo, Conservatory, or Golf Course areas.
On the City's site you can:
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Use the Map to drop pins, share photos and leave comments on areas of the park you'd like to see improved, or places you like the most.
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Take the Survey to share how you use the park and how you would prioritize improvements to it.
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Post Comments and photos to the community Ideas Board to get the conversation going with other Como Regional Park visitors.
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Neighborhood Notes
Upcoming Applications/Renewals
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Carter’s BP (623 Como): Gas Station License is up for renewal Dec. 29. 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.
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Speedway (950 Lexington): Gas Station and Malt Off-Sale Licenses are up for renewal Dec. 1. 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.
*While license renewal dates serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.
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Fall Street Sweeping
This week St. Paul Public Works began its 2022 Fall street sweeping efforts. City crews are sweeping approximately 530 miles of residential streets throughout the City. Weather permitting, the street sweeping operation is expected to take approximately four to six weeks.
“Every year we get complaints from residents about their neighbors who are raking leaves into the street,” said Sean Kershaw, Director of Saint Paul Public Works. “Please spread the word that putting anything into the street is illegal and counterproductive to keeping unwanted material from going into and polluting our lakes and river.”
Saint Paul Public Works reminds businesses and residents what they should do to help the citywide sweeping efforts:
- Do not push any materials, including leaves, grass, or debris into the street. Please properly bag and dispose of any leaves, dirt, and grass clippings. Residents can take materials to Ramsey County compost sites, use their yard waste services, or if the resident is part of the Citywide Garbage Service, they can put out compostable yard waste bags with their garbage service to be collected at $3 per bag.
- Move vehicles and follow all posted “No Parking” signs. The City will post temporary “No Parking” signs 24 hours in advance of sweeping operations. Vehicles parked in areas with “No Parking” signs could be ticketed and towed.
- Do not put garbage or recycling carts in the street. Please make sure carts are only placed on the boulevard, not the street. (This is advised all the time, not just during sweeping)
- Adopt A Drain. Residents can help protect our waterways by adopting a storm drain (or two) in their neighborhood, and keeping it free of debris, snow, and ice in the coming months. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/adoptadrain
There are many factors that impact why they start our operations when they do, but foremost is that there is a very short window between when leaves begin to fall and when the first snow or freeze may occur. There is no perfect science to determine the optimal start time for sweeping, but Public Works says that experience has shown that starting earlier helps ensure all streets in Saint Paul are swept.
Street sweeping is an important City service that removes garbage and organic debris, such as leaves, dirt, and grass clippings from entering our storm sewer system. This helps protect the City’s system, as well as prevents excess debris from getting into and polluting our streams, lakes, and river.
Saint Paul Public Works sweeps all 530 miles of residential streets twice a year, once in the spring and another in the fall. Approximately 340 miles of arterial (main) streets are typically swept six to eight times each year between April and October.
For more information, including a map and schedule about Saint Paul’s street sweeping operations, visit www.stpaul.gov/sweep.
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Nominate a CRWD Watershed Steward
Calling all clean water fans!
Capitol Region Watershed District is accepting nominations for the 2022 Watershed Steward Awards, also affectionately known as the Stewies, to honor individuals and organizations that exemplify watershed stewardship through activities or projects that show a commitment to help protect, manage and improve our lakes and the Mississippi River.
To nominate an individual or organization, please complete the Watershed Steward Nomination Form linked below. All nominations are due by November 11, 2022.
Save the date! The Recognition and Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
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Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule started October 1
Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is a state law that protects residential utility customers from having electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. Eligible residential energy customers are protected from service disconnection if the disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heating source.
You are eligible for CWR protection even if you rent – the electricity or gas must be the primary heat source and the utility account must be in your name.
You and your utility must agree to a payment plan that is reasonable for your household. You can set up a CWR payment plan any time during the CWR season.
https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/shut-off-protection/
Call your natural gas, electric, municipal utility or electric cooperative for more information, or contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at consumer.puc@state.mn.us or 651-296-0406, 1-800-657-3782.
Help in Paying Your Utility Bill
You may be eligible for help in paying your utility bill during the Cold Weather Rule season, October 1 to April 30.
- Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help pay your natural gas and electric home heating bill. Contact the EAP team for assistance to apply, 1-800-657-3710.
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County Human Services departments may assist with cash, emergency, food, housing, and medical assistance.
- The Salvation Army HeatShare provides emergency utility assistance. 1-800-842-7279.
- United Way 2-1-1 is a service that can help you find local resources. Dial 2-1-1 to be connected.
Minnesota natural gas and electric utilities may also have programs to help low income customers cover their utility bills.
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Gas Affordability Program (GAP). If you receive Energy Assistance, you may qualify for GAP. Contact your natural gas company for information.
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Low Income Electric Rate Discount. If you receive Energy Assistance, you may qualify help with your electric bill. Contact your electric company for information.
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Absentee Voting Open for General Election
Anyone eligible to vote in Ramsey County may cast their absentee ballot – either in person or by mail – before the general election on Nov. 8. Voters can cast their ballot from Sept. 23 through Nov. 7.
Sample ballots are available at mnvotes.org.
Vote in person
Beginning Sept. 23, in-person absentee voting is available at two locations. Eligible voters may visit either location, regardless of their home address. Locations include:
Beginning Nov. 1, four additional locations will offer in-person absentee voting:
In alignment with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, Hmong interpreter election judges will be available at in-person voting locations in 2022. Sample ballots will also be available in Hmong at mnvotes.org.
Vote by mail
Voters can visit ramseycounty.us/VoteByMail to request a ballot. A ballot will be mailed to the voter along with a pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope for returning their completed ballot materials. Voters can track the status of their absentee ballot through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online ballot tracker.
Ballots returned by mail must be received by the Ramsey County Elections Office by Nov. 8 per state guidelines to be accepted.
Voters may also return their ballot in person at the Ramsey County Elections Office or the Ramsey County Library in Roseville. All ballots must be returned inside the building to designated staff who will verify the voter information is complete. Ballots placed in any outdoor document drop boxes or payment boxes will not be accepted.
Voter registration
Residents may register at the in-person absentee voting locations or at their polling place on Election Day. Proof of residence is required. A list of approved documentation and sample ballots are available at mnvotes.org.
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Recycle Smart
Propane tanks, helium tanks, and other pressurized cylinders should never be put in City of Saint Paul recycling carts!
It is illegal and they are extremely dangerous for sorting staff. Do your part by properly disposing of propane tanks at the Ramsey County Hazardous Waste Collection site for free.
stpaul.gov/public-works/recycling/accepted-materials
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What's going on at the Fairgrounds? | |
Minnesota Beef Expo
Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 20-23, 2022
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Location: Warner Coliseum, Cattle Barn and Livestock Area
Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Anticipated attendance: 900 cattle; 5,000 people over the four days
Gate 14 on Como Avenue and Canfield Street will be exclusive Beef Expo participants
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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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