December 1, 2023 | Wednesday | | |
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Get Involved: Como Coat Drive | |
The Como Community Council is partnering with the International Institute of MN to help give New Minnesotans a warm welcome.
From December 1-20, we will be collecting new or GENTLY used and laundered COATS sizes S-L (small and medium especially), thick (not a light jacket or peacoat) at one of our drop off locations below:
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2023 Como Curb Cleanup REPORTING
Como Community Council partnered with Capitol Region Watershed District on this year's Como Curb Cleanup.
Thank you for participating in our 2023 curb-cleaning efforts, we had over 70 households sign up to participate and we loved seeing the signs out in the neighborhood! (Thanks to Mike Ireland for tirelessly delivering them!!). Now we need everyone to take just another minute to fill out our brief reporting form.
Did you participate in curb cleaning but didn't sign up? You can still report your efforts for our community totals!
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. Your efforts to reduce this nutrient flow has a huge impact!
Tracking results helps us a lot with supporting future efforts! Once we've collected the data we'll share the result in the D10 Newsletter a well on the D10 website.
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Join Us Next Week
D10 Community Meeting- 1st Wednesdays - Dec. 6, 7pm
Hybrid on Zoom and @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The first Wednesday of every month hosts our Environment and Neighborhood Relations committee topics for discussion and planning, as well as guest presentations related to those issues. Occasionally time-sensitive Land Use and Board/Organizational items are included on the agenda as well.
Next week we will host an introduction with Erin Foss, Program Director of Booth Brown House. We will also get an update from Alison Goetzman, volunteer coordinator of the Churchill Garden Club, discuss some upcoming initiatives, and share some regular updates. Join us!
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Talent Wanted
The Como Community Council is seeking PAID musical/entertainment acts for their 2024 community events that represent the growing diversity of our community. If you or someone you know is part of a historically underrepresented group (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Renters, Youth or Senior) and has an act you'd like us to consider, please contact organizer@district10comopark.org.
Saw a great act at another event? Send us a referral and we'll get in touch with them!
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Como Makers Wanted
The Como Community Council is looking for neighborhood makers who are interested in selling their goods at our upcoming Como Blizzard Breakfast (Sat, Feb. 3 10am-Noon). This event attracts over 200 community members and we're excited to support our local community makers!
Space is limited, so please contact organizer@district10comopark.org by January 1 if you're interested.
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D10 On-Demand
Through the miracle of modern technology, most of our Como community meeting presentation recordings are available to view on our website. You don't even have to have a rudimentary understanding of how satellite communications work!
St. Paul Snow-verview – 11/21/2023
Last week at our 1st Wednesday Community meeting we welcomed Lisa Hiebert, Coordinator, Public Information Officer & Marketing Manager, St. Paul Public Works to give us a Snow-verview of St. Paul snow plowing procedures. View the recording here on our website.
You'll also find links to a handful of helpful resources to reference when the next Snow Emergency strikes!
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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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Get Involved: Join The Como Woodland Advisory Committee!
The Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom is looking for 4-5 individuals to join their Advisory committee.
Advisory committee members work with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation staff to care for the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom, document the flora and fauna in the Woodland, and promote the Woodland by offering educational tours.
The Advisory committee meets roughly monthly throughout the year to take part in stewardship activities and plan educational events.
To express interest, please answer 2 short questions on this form and the committee will get
back to you.
Questions? Contact Britt Forsberg, brittmforsberg@gmail.com
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North End South Como Block Nurse Program
Our North End/South Como seniors are looking for individuals or companies to hire for snow removal. If you can help or know of someone (not too costly or volunteers)-young adults and teens are welcome to connect with Alaina. please reach out to Alaina Gail at 651-489-4067 or email alaina@nescbnp.org.
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Cookie Decorating and Cocoa
Sun. Dec. 17, 3-5pm @ Mt. Olive Lutheran (1460 Almond Ave)
Following up on their recent Bread Clinic event, Mount Olive Lutheran is inviting community members to come decorate Christmas Cookies and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa. FREE.
Find their Facebook event here.
Know of other community events happening in the neighborhood? Reach out to district10@district10comopark.org to get your info here in the newsletter.
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Operation Warm Toes
St. Paul Parks and Rec is also hosting Winter Gear Collection at all Rec Centers through December 8. They're accepting gently used:
- Boots
- Snow pants
- Coats
- Socks (new)
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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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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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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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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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
Saint Paul Regional Water reports elevated levels of lead in recent water testing
Saint Paul Regional Water System (SPRWS) found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes during its most recent sampling, June-September 2023.
SPRWS tested tap water samples from 105 homes within its service area and found 13 were above the federal action level for lead. Lead is rarely found in natural water sources. Homes built before 1946 may still have lead service lines that connect them to the public water system.
- SPRWS will hold a public meeting about the test results and lead prevention resources Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 5-7 p.m. at 1900 Rice St., Saint Paul, MN. Learn more.
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. The most common source of lead exposure is from deteriorated lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in homes built before 1978.
Ramsey County encourages residents to work with their healthcare providers to get their children screened for elevated blood lead levels – especially those most at risk for serious health problems. When pregnant women and children are diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels, the county works with families to identify sources of lead exposure and provides services to remediate and reduce risk to continued exposure.
SPRWS maintains a lead service line inventory where residents can look up their property to see if they have a lead service line and are eligible for a no cost replacement. SPRWS also offers free water testing to residents in its service area which includes Saint Paul and other Ramsey County communities.
Contact Saint Paul – Regional Water at 651-266-6350 for information on obtaining a water sample container for testing.
East Side Neighborhood Development Company is holding free lead testing clinics in December.
Learn more about lead at home.
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Ramsey County breaks ground on 30,530 square-foot new Environmental Service Center
Ramsey County marked an important milestone on our community's path toward a more sustainable future Nov. 14 with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Environmental Service Center.
The service center, to be built at 1700 Kent St. in Roseville, is part of Enhancing Environmental Health Services, a county initiative to redesign and add recycling and waste disposal services to better meet community needs.
Everything about the site has been designed to make recycling and waste reduction easier for county residents. The site will feature:
- A covered drive-through drop-off for household hazardous waste and electronic waste so residents can conveniently drop off waste year-round in all types of weather.
- A free product reuse room.
- Space for Fix-It Clinics and other environmental education and activities.
- Food scraps and general recycling drop-off.
Community members can watch the groundbreaking event on the county's YouTube channel or watch a virtual fly-over of the space by visiting the Environmental Service Center project page.
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Recycle Smart: Recycle holiday lights & cords at Saint Paul Public Libraries!
Through January 22, recycle your holiday lights and cords at any Saint Paul Public Library or Saint Paul Regional Water Services (1900 Rice). 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).
These low‐barrier spaces will be open every night from 6pm-9am.
Primary Overnight 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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What's Happening at the Fairgrounds? | |
Horse Crazy Holiday Market
DESCRIPTION
The Horse Crazy Holiday Market is a two-day, equine-inspired, free-spirited marketplace filled with more than 100 vendors, artisans, makers and exhibitors featuring goods, gifts and services for horse lovers and those who love horse lovers.
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS - Dec. 1 & 2
Friday: 12 - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION
Free public admission; $5 suggested donation
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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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