November 22, 2023 | Wednesday | |
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Happy Thanksgiving!
The D10 Como Community Council office will be closed Thursday and Friday so we'll all have to make due with a Wednesday newsletter and find our own way this weekend!
October-November | Como Curb Cleanup
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Know Your Como: Six Decades Strong
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By Sonjie Johnson
JO Thompson, Inc. has been in the Como Park flooring business for almost 60 years. The family first owned property on Robert St in the 1950s, then on University and Snelling in the 60s. In 1965, Jim Thompson, Sr., bought what is now Nelson’s Cheese Shop. Shortly thereafter, he purchased the property that is J.O Thompson Inc. flooring business, currently owned and managed by his son, Jim. Having worked in the shop at a very young age, Jim says that a multitude of businesses have come and gone over the years. Read more...
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Give Blood in Como
Wednesday, December 13, 9am-3pm @ Como Zoo
D10 Como Park partners with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the Zoo. Appointments are now availble for our next event: Wednesday, December 13, 9am-3pm. Space is limited, reservations required.
Please consider giving blood, with so many still working from home, workplace blood drives have all but vanished, these community drives make a huge impact!
DONOR PROMOTION: Give blood at our Dec. 13 events and get a $10 Amazon.com credit!
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Holiday Recycling and Garbage Collection Schedule - Thanksgiving Day
Please note the change in recycling and garbage collection for this holiday week. Thursday collection day for Thanksgiving Day will now be on Friday, November 24. The Friday collection day will now be on Saturday, November 25.
If your collection day does not fall on Thursday or Friday, there will be no change to your service. For more information visit stpaul.gov/garbage.
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State Fair Coat Drive Next Week
Get together with the fair in support of our neighbor across Snelling Avenue – the International Institute of Minnesota! They're collecting coats, hats and gloves for this nonprofit working to help immigrants and refugees make Minnesota their home.
Wish List:
- New or very gently used and laundered Minnesota-hardy winter coats – especially all children’s sizes, women’s sizes (except medium) and men’s sizes (except large)
- Store-bought hats and gloves, especially waterproof varieties in all sizes (please, no handmade items)
Drop Off Your Donations at the State Fairgrounds:
- Monday, Nov. 27 to Friday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Administration Building (1292 Cosgrove St., across from the Bandshell); look for the box inside the front door
- Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Admin Too Building (1312 Cosgrove St., the brick building just inside the main gate on Snelling Avenue)
Questions? Contact fairinfo@mnstatefair.org. Thank you for your generosity!
Can't make it next week? D10 will be holding it's own IIM Coat Drive throughout the neighborhood in December as well!
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Most recreation centers will be closed Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) and he day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), However, the following recreation centers listed will be open 11/24: Arlington Hills, Battle Creek, Frogtown, Highland Park, North Dale, and Oxford. All other centers are closed.
North Dale Rec Center (9am-9pm Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm Fri)
Ongoing Drop-In Programming
Northwest Como Rec Center (12:30-8pm Mon-Thu, 2-6pm Fri)
*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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Neighborhood Notes
Business License Renewals*:
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BP (623 Como Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal Jan. 20. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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Ted’s Recreation (1084 Larpenteur Ave): Liquor & Entertainment licenses are up for renewal Jan 31. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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Bole Ethiopian Cuisine (1341 Pascal St): Liquor, Wine, & Patio licenses are up for renewal Jan 7. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 4 City Council office: ward4@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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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
Join the Waste Reduction Advisory Committee
Ramsey County is updating the plan for 2024. They are recruiting community members to join the Waste Reduction Advisory Committee to provide feedback and ideas on how trash and recycling are managed in our county.
Learn more about the committee. If you are interested in joining, complete the application by Dec. 1, 2023 (deadline has been extended).
If you have any questions, please contact Nawal Ahmed (nawal.ahmed@ramseycounty.us).
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Reduce holiday food waste
Hosting for the holidays? Help reduce food waste by considering the following tips:
In addition to reducing your own food waste, consider the connection between wasted food and food insecurity. Get help finding or affording food.
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Recycle Smart: Recycle holiday lights & cords at Saint Paul Public Libraries!
Starting November 27, recycle your holiday lights and cords at any Saint Paul Public Library or Saint Paul Regional Water Services (1900 Rice) through January 22, 2024. Look for the "Holiday Light Recycling” drop off bin.
Accepted items: Holiday lights, electric cords, telephone cords.
Prohibited items: Cord adaptors, battery packs, plastic rope lights, CFL lights.
Holiday lights and cords cannot be put in your city recycling cart. For more details, visit http://stpaul.gov/recyclingholidaylights.
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Ramsey County Housing Stability
2023‐2024 Cold Weather Plan for Unsheltered Residents
Ramsey County Housing Stability will operate warming spaces every night this winter from Nov. 15-Mar. 31 to supplement existing shelter beds, and will provide referral and transportation to and from these warming spaces.
These spaces will provide seating, blankets, light snacks and beverages (such as coffee and cocoa), and warming supplies (such as mittens and hats).
NEW: These low‐barrier spaces will be open every night from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 A.M.
Primary Warming Spaces
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Single Adults
St. Paul Opportunity Center
422 Dorothy Day Place
St. Paul, MN 55102
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Families & Youth ages 14‐24
Central Baptist Church
420 N. Roy St.
St. Paul, MN 55104
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Overflow Warming Spaces (as needed) | |
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Single Adults
Phalen Activity Center
1530 Phalen Dr.
St. Paul, MN 55106
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Families & Youth ages 14‐24
Newell Park Building
900 Fairview Ave N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
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Transportation
- Van transportation loops will operate every night from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 A.M.
- One loop will include the adult warming spaces, Listening House, Safe Space, and Regions Hospital.
- A second loop will provide transportation for families and youth to those warming spaces.
Staff Contact Information
- Referral staff will be on duty from 5:00 P.M. – 1:00 A.M. to refer people to open shelter beds and warming spaces.
- Contact referral staff at 651‐266‐1050 or ColdWeatherReferrals@co.ramsey.mn.us.
- Family shelter staff can be reached 7:00 A.M. – 5:15 P.M. at chs.fas.shelterteam@co.ramsey.mn.us. After 5:15, people can contact the cold weather referral line or go directly to a Warming Space.
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Truth in Taxation Public hearing Dec. 5
The city has scheduled the annual "Truth in Taxation": Public hearing on the city's proposed 2024 budget and tax levy, Wednesday Dec. 5, 6pm at City Hall.
City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and materials submitted by Noon of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council.
Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to
CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us or by voicemail at 651-266-6805. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers, and by telephone by registering to speak by noon on the day before the meeting. The registration link is located on the City Council website at www.stpaul.gov/council or https://forms.office.com/g/TD3xN7WHy5.
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Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging 2023 Summit
Wed, Dec. 6, 9am- 2pm @ Eagan Community Center
Join a network of key leaders across our state’s aging sector to learn from a powerful diverse elder’s panel and share at a community forum focused on what lies ahead in the next Legislative Session. Be part of dynamic conversations spanning experiences of older adults from diverse communities and the shared policy work ahead in the 2024 Legislative Session. Learn about how you can inform a new 10-year multi-sector plan for an age-friendly Minnesota, a Legislative Task Force on Aging report, and a bold initiative to reframe aging throughout this powerful program. Register now!
More information and to sign up: Engage Summit
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging Website
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St. Paul Sound Level Variance Proposal
The Saint Paul Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) is hoping to improve the review and approval process for amplified sound at events. (See informational flyer for details)
Given the proposed process will involve an ordinance amendment, DSI will finalize amendment language and forward to the City Council. The expected City Council Public Hearing will be on December 6, 2023.
For questions or to submit comments, contact DSI Deputy Director Dan Niziolek at dan.niziolek@ci.stpaul.mn.us or 651-266-9108
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Upcoming Public Hearing on 2024-25 Ramsey County Budget
Residents, businesses and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed 2024-25 budget and property tax levy. The first public hearing was on Sept. 19. The second public hearing will be held on Dec. 6 at the Maplewood Community Center.
Learn more and sign up to speak at the public hearing at ramseycounty.us/PublicHearings.
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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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