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Know Your Como: Dale & Larpenteur Renewal | |
By Sonjie Johnson
“You bought a gas station?” Whether it’s her family, friends, customers, or this writer, Amna Kiran often hears this comment. “D & L is my third one,” she replies, and goes on to tell the story of her somewhat unusual life.
A first-generation immigrant, Amna was born in Pakistan. After completing two master’s degrees, she immigrated to the U.S. when she was 27 years-old. Amna worked at gas stations/convenience stores to fund her third master’s degree from Hamline University. Over time, and in whatever neighborhood she worked, Amna became a manager. She realized that she had a gift for creating family and customer-oriented service. Read more...
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Join Us Next Week
D10 Como Social - Wednesday - Jan. 10, 6pm
@ Half-Time Rec (1013 Front Ave.)

The Como Community Council is putting down the gavel once a month for a social gathering. This agenda-free meet-up will vary in time and location, but will generally happen between our two monthly meetings on the second Wednesday each month. You will find the details here in the newsletter or on our website.
These events are open to all. They provide an opportunity for D10 regulars, veterans, and newcomers to get to know one another outside our formal meetings. No board business is conducted at these meet-ups.
Join us Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6pm at Half-Time Rec (1013 Front Ave.), our table(s) will be identified with the D10 logo marker adjacent to this text. Come say hi!
Questions? Email district10@district10comopark.org
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Sign Up: Plastic-Free Challenge
The Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort starting February 1 to reduce plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint.
Join the D10 Como Community Council team!!!
Or start your own team.
The challenge runs during the month of February 2024. Sign up opens on January 1.
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Save the Date: D10 Blizzard Breakfast
Sat, Feb. 3 10-Noon @ North Dale Rec (1414 St Albans)
Join us for the first Como Community Council event of 2024 - the COMO BLIZZARD BREAKFAST! Come to North Dale Rec Center on Saturday, February 3 from 10am-12pm for a FREE pancake breakfast (sponsored by Bethel Lutheran Church), live music, a Now Make Art activity for kids of all ages, local organizations, outdoor activities, bonfire/smores, and NEW this year - a LOCAL MAKER'S MARKET!
The market hosts local makers selling house plants, baked goods, jewelry, pottery, woodworking and more - visit our website to check out this year's booths!
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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 can feel in the loop when you show up to Half-Time Rec next week!
2023 Como Community Events Recap – 1/3/2024
At this week's D10 Como Community Meeting Jessica Willman, D10 Community Organizer, presented an overview of our 2023 Community events including their history, attendance, partner organizations, and other measurable details. View the recording here on our website.
2023 Churchill Gardens Recap - 12/6/2023
Last month we welcomed Alison Goetzman, Volunteer Coordinator for the Churchill Rain Gardens, to give us a recap of the volunteer efforts to maintain the gardens in 2023. View the recording here on our website.
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2024 Music Under Glass Lineup
Select Sundays & Wednesdays, Jan 7-Feb 7, 4:30-6:30pm @ Como Conservatory, Free!
Head to the tropical gardens and beat the “winter-blahs” as live, local musicians play blues, bluegrass, and ballads. The concerts are free and beer and wine will be available to purchase. No reservations required.
These concerts are standing room only. Because of fire code regulations, there are no chairs set-up. Could be a great place to try your cane-chair.
2024 Line-up:
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Sun, Jan. 7, 4:30-6:30pm – New Riverside Ramblers
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Sun, Jan. 14, 4:30-6:30pm – Nathan Griner w/ cellist Matthew Probst
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Wed, Jan. 17, 4:30-6:30pm – Roots-rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello
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Sun, Jan. 21, 4:30-6:30pm – The Bad Companions
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Wed, Jan. 24, 4:30-6:30pm – The Sudden Lovelys
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Wed, Jan. 31, 4:30-6:30pm – Mother Banjo
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Sun, Feb. 4, 4:30-6:30pm – Andrea Lyn
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Wed, Feb. 7, 4:30-6:30pm – Switchgrass
More info on the Zoo website
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Save the Date: Renter Rights Training
Thurs, Jan. 18 6-8pm @ HMC Community Room (1536 W. Minnehaha)
Our District Council neighbors to the Southwest at the D11 Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC) Renter Engagement Committee is hosting a training session with HOME Line on the MANY new Minnesota Tenant-Landlord Laws enacted during the 2023 State Legislative Session. These laws are going into effect on January 1, and we want renters to know their rights.
They're formally inviting renters from the Como community, because we're stronger together!
Join for an opportunity to meet fellow renters, learn about the laws that protect us, and discover future renter education and advocacy opportunities.
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Why Are The Street Lights Out or Dark? Wire Theft
We've all experienced how dark things have been lately, especially now that night comes so early.
Over the past couple weeks, St. Paul Public Works updated their Street Lighting webpage on the issue, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions that have been on many of our minds as we think up our own solutions to the issue, including:
- What is the City doing?
- Has the City explored solar options?
- Aluminum wiring?
- What can I do?
- How much has this issue cost the city?
We need the support of residents and businesses to stop street light wire theft!
Wire theft is not random, but often organized and coordinated with people even wearing vests and putting out cones. If you see anyone “working” on street lights during any time of the day or night and there is a not a City of Saint Paul vehicle near the site, please report the location and activity to the Saint Paul Police Department at 651-291-1111. Do not approach the “workers.”
To report any street lights that are out or damaged, please report the location through the online form.
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Youth Spring Sports registration for volleyball and futsal is open. You can register online, in-person, or over the phone by calling any recreation center. Registration is free for ages 9 and up! Please note that fees apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U.
Find the latest on the Rec Center Ice Rinks.
Reminder, Parks and Rec is using a new registration system. All users will have to create a new account in the new system.
North Dale Rec Center (9am-9pm Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm Fri)
Ongoing Drop-In Programming
Northwest Como Rec Center (2-9pm Mon-Thu, 2-6pm Fri)
*Registration Required
D10 finds this info here in the Parks and Rec registration system, you can often find events further in advance than we have room here in the newsletter for!
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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Holiday Tree Collection Jan 2-15
One live holiday tree is included in the Citywide Collection program between January 2-15 each year. You do not need to call your hauler to schedule collection during this time period. Place your tree next to your garbage cart on your regular collection day.
Artificial trees and live trees exceeding 6' and 20 pounds are not included, but may qualify for a bulky item pick-up or be collected for an additional fee if all bulky items have been used for the year. Contact your hauler for more information and to schedule pick-up.
Prepare your Tree for Collection
- Remove all decorations and the tree stand. Holiday lights can be recycled at local Saint Paul public libraries November 28, 2022 - January 20, 2023: location list.
- Place the tree next to the garbage cart. Do not place upright in the snow or lean against your cart. Make sure the tree is not obstructing your carts.
- Limit 1 seasonal tree per household (1 tree per unit for multi-unit properties).
You can also bring your holiday tree to a Ramsey County yard waste site for free. Click here to view collection site hours and locations.
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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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Tips for Better Snow and Ice Management from CRWD
The Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) offers some tips for managing the snow and ice we may or may not see next week.
Colder weather brings slippery walkways and parking lots. While salt reduces ice and can help keep us safe, it harms pets and wildlife, pollutes groundwater, lakes and the Mississippi River, and damages buildings, cars, landscaping and roadways.
Melting snow and ice carries salt into storm drains that empty into lakes, streams, and wetlands. Once the salt is dissolved in water, there is no practical way to remove it. There is no environmentally safe option for de-icer. All de-icing products cause pollution, even those labeled “eco-friendly.” Just one teaspoon of salt contaminates five gallons of water!
Check out their blog post for tips on managing snow and ice.
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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide
Use this guide to learn how to properly recycle or dispose of many items.
BizRecycling
BizRecycling helps businesses, non-profits, schools, apartment buildings and institutions in Ramsey and Washington counties reduce waste and recycle better.
Deconstruction Grants
Many building materials can be reused instead of being sent to a landfill. Residential properties can get up to $5,000 to support deconstruction projects. Learn more.
Gardening and landscaping
Learn more about eco-friendly gardening and landscaping from a Ramsey County Master Gardener.
Parks and Recreation
Explore what Ramsey County has to offer for parks, trails and recreational activities year round.
Radon
Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas. Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health. Ramsey County offers $2 radon tests to residents. Learn more.
Recycling containers for events
Reserve free recycling and food scraps containers to help reduce waste at your next event. Containers are loaned to Ramsey County residents and organizations for any temporary event. Find a pickup location. (Including the D10 Office)
Soil and Water Conservation
The Soil & Water Conservation Division maintains and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County. Learn what programs are taking place in your neighborhood.
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Provide input on the Met Council 2050 Water Policy Plan
The Metropolitan Council is updating the current Water Policy Plan as part of the region’s long range plan, Imagine 2050. The plan outlines water supply, water resources, and wastewater policies to align local and regional water priorities. It also sets guidelines and expectations about our regional wastewater system, and helps the region plan for future water needs.
Over the past two years, Met Council staff and others in Environmental Services have been writing research papers that investigate current and future water concerns, and offer recommendations for the metro region. These six papers are located on our Water Policy Plan Research web pages. These papers are an important step in this planning cycle, creating another opportunity to engage with stakeholders, like you, to provide insight to the 2050 Water Policy Plan authoring team as they begin to write policy.
They are asking for feedback on these papers through the survey link within each section of the Water Policy Plan Research web pages.
To stay up to date with the planning process and learn about opportunities to provide input, visit the 2050 Water Policy Plan Update web page.
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Changes to warming space locations and hours
Ramsey County has opened winter warming spaces in Saint Paul for residents who are experiencing homelessness. Through the end of March 2024, the following locations will be open every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. On Jan. 1, the Saint Paul Opportunity Center warming space closed for the season.
Central Baptist Church
420 N. Roy St.
For families and youth ages 14-24
Newell Park Building
900 Fairview Ave. N.
For women only
Phalen Activity Center
1530 Phalen Drive
For men only
Union Gospel Mission
435 University Ave. E.
For adult men only
The free shuttle service will run from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Ramsey County housing services and support staff will also be answering calls and emails from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to help refer people to available warming spaces or extra shelter beds.
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What's Happening at the Fairgrounds? | |
2024 Ironmaiden and Ironman Invitational
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS - Sat. Jan. 6
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults: $20
Seniors: $10
Children (6-18): $10
Children (5 & under): Free
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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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