June 17, 2022 | Friday

D10 Meeting Updates

D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, June 21, 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 welcome St. Paul District Council Coordinator Cat Beltmann to hear about her 2022 Work Plan and Goals, discuss appointment of sub-district 3 board applicants, and more.

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.

Get Involved: Churchill Rain Garden Community Gardening Event

Saturday, June 18 - 9am-Noon @ Churchill Community Gardens (Intersection of Horton Ave, N. Churchill St, and Van Slyke Ave.)

The Churchill Gardens reside on Churchill and Horton are infiltration gardens designed to filter water before going into Como Lake. Our dedicated long-term garden steward, Sandra Peterson, is moving away and neighbors Bonnie Youngquist and Joan Hyman have stepped up to the plate and have been doing an amazing job preparing for this event.

Join us for fun opportunities to meet your neighbors and get some exercise gardening.

Our ability to purchase plants is based on annual volunteer hours for a Maintenance Grant from the Capitol Region Watershed District.. These plants serve as a filter to help keep the lake clean.

We have a couple Ramsey County Master Gardeners joining us, lead Master Gardener Angela Hawkins and intern Amelia Boulware. Bring water and your favorite gardening tool if you're able, we'll have some supplies on hand, and donuts! See you there!

Get Involved: Como Homo Hangout

Sunday, June 26 - 4-6pm @ Como Pavilion Lakeside (by the Ice Cream Stand and Boat Rentals)

The Como Community Council will be hosting the 2nd annual Como Homo Pride event at the Como Pavilion Lakeside.

Start planning your outfits because we’re having a pageant!

Categories include:

• Rainbow Everywhere! (best outfit utilizing the rainbow/rainbow flag)
• Trans Flag Fabulous (best outfit utilizing trans flag colors)
• Pride is a Riot (best protest outfit)
• Drag the House Down (best drag look)
• Big Gay Family (best family ensembles)
• Pet Pride (best pet outfit)

We will also have at least one activity to help out with socialization, AND an activity or two for the kids! Spread the word! Everyone is invited to this free event!

Get Involved: Como Lake Clean-Up

Tuesday, June 28 - 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.

Save The Date: D10 Ice Cream Social

Friday, July 8 - 5:30-8pm @ Como Streetcar Station

Every year, the D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee plans our Ice Cream Social, typically featuring free ice cream, live music, meet-and-greets with neighborhood organizations, and activities for children and families.

The event is at the Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park, 1224 Lexington Pkwy N. Because parking is limited, we encourage community members to walk, bike, roll, car-pool, or take public transportation. Bring your neighbors!

This event is still being planned. If you’re interested in helping plan or volunteering at this event you can fill out our volunteer interest form, come to our Neighborhood Relations Committee meetings (1st Tuesdays), or reach out to organizer@district10comopark.org.

Como Woodland is for the Birds – June Nature Tour

Saturday, June 18, 9:30AM to 11AM

The Como Woodland has long supported those birds that are just passing through on migration, those birds that stay for the breeding season, and those year-round resident birds that call this urban oasis home. Meet us at the Kilmer Fireplace to start this guided nature tour through the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) at 1221 Wynne Ave., Saint Paul, MN in Como Park (near the Como Regional Park Pool).

Como Woodland Advisors Joan McKearnan, professor of biology & environmental science, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Britt Forsberg, University of Minnesota Extension Educator will be your guides as they take you along the CWOC trails to learn about birds and their habitat. A limited number of binoculars will be available for you to use during this tour on a first come, first served basis.

Rain or shine, the tour will go on (except in the case of dangerous weather). Sign up for the tour at: https://tinyurl.com/cwocbirdtour. Reservations are not required, but your RSVP makes it possible to contact you in case of cancellation.

The CWOC has 17-acres with eight Minnesota plant communities and a trail system featuring 27 numbered posts with QR codes that correspond with the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom’s short guide; The full guidebook is online at: comowoodlandoutdoorclassroom.org.  

Abogados Café Open!

 Abogados Cafe at 1053 Dale St., finished their build-out and surprised us this week with a grand opening of their storefront for to-go coffee!

The proprietors, husband and wife Inti & Ofelia, operate the existing Ceiba Fôrte Law Firm in the upper level of the building and are excited to finally move forward with this new endeavor that further showcases their Honduran heritage.

Como Project Among Finalists in Preliminary CIB Rankings

The city's Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Committee has scored the 2022 project proposals, and include one of D10's submissions among the finalists. You can see all the projects here on the D10 Website, the preliminary finalists are numbers 36, 30, 28, 5, 8 (Como Project), and 2.

But, the recommendations are not yet finalized, there will be a public hearing on the committee's initial ranking on Thursday, June 23 at the George Latimer Central Library (4th floor) from 3:30-5:30pm (or until last speaker). 

You can pre-register to testify here. Please feel free to invite neighbors and other supporters of projects to the hearing. Individuals will be called to speak based on order of sign-up. Pre-registration is not required.

The CIB Committee will release a letter to Mayor Carter with its final recommendations for funding no later than June 30.

Groovin' In The Garden Back at Como Zoo & Conservatory

Como Zoo's FREE concert series returned to the conservatory lawn this week. You can take in live music from local artists every Wednesday through July 27 from 6-8pm.

2022 Line-up:

• June 22 Porky’s Groove Machine
• June 29 Flamin’ Oh’s
• July 6 Craig Clark Blues Band
• July 13 Malamanya
• July 20 The April Fools
• July 27 Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir

The Zoo and Conservatory close at 6pm. These are outdoor concerts and reservations are not required.

*In case of rain, the concerts will be moved inside the Visitor Center.

Zoo Welcomes "Aurora"

After a voting process, Como Zoo has announced that name Aurora is now bestowed onto their new female zebra. The name is a nod to Minnesota's women-led and community-owned pre-professional women's soccer team.

Como’s current herd now consists of Ulysses, Thelma, Minnie, and Aurora.

Aurora was born to Minnie on May 24th. Ulysses sired the foal. Aurora is Minnie’s fourth offspring. Como’s zebras are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding population.

Como Parks & Rec

Registration is open for Youth Fall Sports, including Soccer, Flag Football, 7v7 Passing League Football, and Lacrosse. For more details and to register visit stpaul.gov/youthsports.

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

• 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 Girls Camp ages 11-14 - Week of July 11 - Free*
• Super Mario Game Coding Camp ages 9-12 - Week of July 11 - $110*
• New Rocket Builder Design Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 25 - $99*
• New Musical Theatre Camp ages 9-14 - Week of August 8 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• 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*
• New Minecraft Masterpiece Art ages 8-11 - Week of July 29 - $36*
• New Drone Instruction Basics for Beginners ages 11-15 - Week of August 15 - $115*

*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

• 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.

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.

D10 Como Park is planning to host DSI Deputy Director Dan Niziolek at our July 6 Land Use Committee meeting to give an overview and answer questions. If you're not able to attend you're welcome to send feedback to district10@district10comopark.org.

2022 Citywide Drop-off Events

For over 20 years, the City has partnered with local district councils to organize annual Citywide Recycling Drop-off Events. Residents can properly dispose of large items and recycle materials not collected in the residential collection program. For information, visit stpaul.gov/drop-offs. This year, there will be two events:

• June 18 - Harding High School (1540 E 6th St)
• September 17 - State Fairgrounds

All events will accept the following for a small fee:

• Mattresses
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Tires

All events will accept the following for free:

• Confidential papers for shredding
• Cardboard (large, flattened)
• Scrap metal

A postcard with more details was recently mailed to Saint Paul households. 

Volunteer for Drop-off events

Volunteers receive a voucher to dispose of one load of acceptable items, as well as food and drink during their shifts! The June event is organized by the D1 Southeast Community Organization., and the September event is organized here at D10, email info@district10comopark.org if you're interested in volunteering. 

SPPD Western District Monthly Community Meetings

The St. Paul Police Department Western District's monthly community meetings will be held next Tuesday, June 21 at 9:30am & 6:30pm at the Western District office (389 N. Hamline Ave.).

Juvenile crime has been a frequent discussion topic at recent meetings and SPPD is inviting representatives from Ramsey County to the 6:30pm meeting, including Commissioner Toni Carter, to share how juvenile crime is being processed by the county.

Transforming Libraries Survey #2

Directions have been determined for Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview libraries, Saint Paul Public Library is looking for community specific input on the interior and exterior design elements of each library.

What do you want to see at your library? Take this five-minute survey to provide feedback that will inform the future designs of three library buildings: Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview.

The survey closes June 30.

Mac-Grove Fest Seeking Local Artist/Crafters for Sept. 10 Event

Makers Market Registration: D14 Macalester-Groveland Community Council invites you to participate as an artist or crafter at this fun-filled day that features a great line-up of performances, good eats, and free activities for all ages. The makers market will be separate from the business marketplace and will be an opportunity for local artists/crafters to showcase and sell their work. 

Food Resources in Ramsey County

Ramsey County Food Resources Website

• Info on SNAP and WIC, and other programs specific to various audiences (children under 18, anyone who is low income, immigrants/refugees, specific cultures, etc)
• PDF Versions: English, Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Somali, Oromo
• Food Resources Map
• This is interactive, people can put in their home address and find what’s near them. We will be adding more free summer options to it soon, as well. This includes food shelves, free meal sites, farmers markets, etc.

Urban Ag website

• Classes, information and resources, and information about growing/etc.