October 20, 2023 | Friday

Back-to-Back Pie Baking Champ

Thank you to the 15 bakers who participated in our 2nd Annual Como Pie Contest at the Harvest Festival. Over 100 community members voted on their favorite pie. It was a tight race but our winner was, for the second year in a row, Aksel, with his Apple Pie with a Twist! 

Our winner received a gift card for Hot Hands Pie & Biscuits, who also donated a sweatshirt for the winner. 

We look forward to hosting this event again next year - so start honing your favorite pie recipe in preparation!

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 Blockbuster Card.

Know Your Rights – 10/17/2023

This past week at our D10 Como Community Meeting we welcomed Sierra Cumberland, Coordinator, Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC), St. Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) and Joshua Clapp, Labor Standards Investigator, HREEO to share about St. Paul human rights resources. View the recording and find links to resources here on our website.

The Leaves Are A Comin: Como CURB Cleanup

Now 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! You can also represent with a cool Curb Cleanup Lawn Sign this year if you register!

Have you weighed in yet? Back to the 50's Parking Survey

The Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA), sponsor of MSRA BACK TO THE 50’S Weekend, is working with District 10 in learning the desires of residents as to parking in the neighborhood during the MSRA BACK TO THE 50’S Weekend.

We're offering a digital version of the survey you can participate-in and share with your neighbors. The questions are about making the street parking restrictions closer to those during the State Fair as well as gauging interest in lawn parking. It will take you less time to complete the survey than it did to read this!

Conny's Ending Season On a High Note

Como institution Conny's Creamy Cone is serving its final orders of the season this Saturday, Oct. 21. Next week the City Council will be honoring the 2023 St. Paul Business Award winners, including Conny's!

If you're able to come celebrate Conny's, the meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1pm (City Hall, 15 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN, Council Chambers – Room 300), with a reception afterward.

Businesses are selected for an award in several categories by past winners, based on nominations from the community. Read the full Press Release here.

Tricks, Treats...Trunks?

It's been a long time since your D10 Newsletterman donned a costume to roam the streets of St. Paul for candy, but with a 7-month-old rapidly growing up at home...I'm tuning in. There are trunks involved now?

Here are a few Halloween opportunities that have come across our Como-radar. Please feel free to share your favorites to include next week.

• Fri, Oct. 27, 6-8pm - Halloween Bonfire @ Northwest Como Rec (Hoyt & Hamline)
• Sat, Oct. 28, 2-5pm - Mt. Olive Trunk or Treat (1460 Almond Ave)
• Sat. Oct. 28, Noon-6pm - Trick or Treat Trail @ Gibbs Farm ($5-15, registration required)
• Sat, Oct. 28, 3-4:30pm - Trick or Treat w/ Raptors @ Raptor Center (1920 Fitch Ave, $5 donation, Registration required)
• Sat, Oct. 28, Noon-2pm - Safe Summer Nights Fall Festival @ Arlington Rec (1200 Payne Ave.)
• Tues, Oct. 31, 6-7:30pm - Fall Festival @ West Minnehaha Rec (685 Minnehaha)

Monthly Blood Pressure Clinics

Love your heart! ComoConnects (Formerly Como Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program) offers four free/donation-based Blood Pressure Clinics each month.

• 1st & 3rd Mondays from 2-3:30pm at Arbor Pointe Apartments (635 Maryland Ave. W)
• 2nd & 4th Mondays from 2-3:30pm at Falcon Heights City Hall (2077 Larpenteur Ave. W.)

Como Parks & Rec Programming

Now Hiring: Ski and Snowboard Instructors

If you are experienced in downhill skiing, snowboarding, or cross-country skiing and want to share your skills with the community, consider working at Como Park Ski Center this winter!

For more information, contact Amanda Smith at 651-266-6488, ParksWinterSki@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or visit stpaul.gov/ComoSki

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

• Tumbling Ages 5-6 - Oct 23-Dec 4 - $40*
• Clay Factory: Fall Mosaic ages 5-12 - Nov 10 - $40*
• Taekwondo Jr ages 6-8 - Mon & Weds in Nov. - $60*
• Taekwondo ages 9 & up - Mon & Weds in Nov. - $60*

Ongoing Drop-In Programming

• Little Picasso ages 1-5 - Bi-weekly Monday 10-11am Sept.-Dec. - Free
• Tot Time ages 0-5 - Mon & Weds 9am-Noon - Free
• Zumba ages 18+ - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm - $4
• Crochet/Knitting - Tuesdays 9:30-Noon Sept.-Dec. - Free
• Senior Day ages 50+ - Thursdays 10am-2pm - Free
• Senior Fitness ages 50+ - Tues & Thurs 9:30-10:30am - Free
• Senior Gamers ages 50+ - Tuesdays Noon-2pm - Free

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Halloween Bonfire - Oct. 27, 6-8pm - Free
• IlluminART ages 5-12 - Mondays in Nov. - $65*
• Munchkin Tennis Ages 5-7 - Tuesdays in Nov - Free*
• Red Ballers Tennis Ages 8-11 - Tuesdays in Nov - Free*
• Taekwondo Jr ages 6-8 - Tues & Thurs in Nov. - $60*
• Taekwondo ages 9 & up - Tues & Thurs in Nov. - $60*
• Teen Night ages 12-16 - Nov. 10 - Free*

*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

New License Application:

• Kitty’s Corner 3 (626 W. Larpenteur Ave. - D & L Location): A new Class N license application for Gas Station, Tobacco Shop, Malt Off Sale has been shared with D10. Anyone with input can email the Como Community Council or contact the Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) at 651-266-8989, or email DSI-Licensing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. New Owner, Amna Kiran, is planning to attend the Nov. 1 D10 Community Meeting.

*While license notifications serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.

Rolling Stones drop new album, Hackney Diamonds, today and D10 Newsletter staff reached out to Environment committee co-chair, Como Cleanup czar, and D10 Rock & Roll Correspondent Mike Ireland for a reaction:

"I love the Stones. My peak love was from Beggars Banquet to Some Girls. Before that range is too soft for my tastes. After Some Girls, the good songs are offset by too many I don’t connect with. But as musicians, no era or album is outside of my appreciation. I especially love Richard’s sloppy, raw, bluesy style making him one of my favorite guitarists. Interesting to see how this album sounds without Watts."

Saint Paul Begins Annual Residential Fall Sweep

Saint Paul Public Works began its annual fall residential street sweeping operations on Monday, Oct. 16. City crews will sweep approximately 530 miles of residential streets throughout the city. Weather permitting, the street sweeping operation is expected to take approximately six weeks.

Public Works receives feedback from residents about its street sweeping operation every year – many noting the fall sweep operations begin before a majority of the leaves have fallen. There are many factors that impact when they start their sweep, but foremost is that they have a very short window between when leaves begin to fall and when the first snow or freeze may occur.

Weather, time, and budget permitting, Public Works may sometimes circle back to streets swept early in the process to clean up as much of the organic matter as possible. The second pass begins only after they are able to successfully complete the first round of all streets. Crews do not post “no parking” signs for the second pass through.

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. City ordinances do not allow anyone to put anything in the streets. 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 recommended practice year-round)
• Adopt A Drain. Residents can help protect our waterways by adopting a storm drain (or two) in the neighborhood, and keeping it free of debris, snow, and ice in the coming months. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/adoptadrain.

About Street Sweeping

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.

SPPD Virtual Workshops

October is national crime prevention month and the Saint Paul Police Department is offering opportunities to attend virtual workshops on a variety of topics.

• Oct. 23, 6-7pm - Fraud and Identity Theft - Learn what data is stolen, how they steal it, how to protect your data, and current scams.
• Oct. 24, 6-7pm - Burglary Prevention - Learn about proper lighting, landscaping, door/window security, and camera/security systems
• Oct. 30, 6-7pm - Personal Safety - Learn about situational awareness at home, in the car, at work, and in the community.

Registration for all of the workshops can be found here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/09b21d6ff6a14623a2d0678197257e40

Car Seat Checkup Event

Is your child in the right car seat? Is it installed correctly? Other questions?

SPPD is also partnering with HealthPartners to how a Car Seat Checkup Event. They have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who will make sure you're child is safe and secure in the car.

Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 4-8pm

St. Paul Police West District Station

389 Hamline Ave. N.

Appointments Required. Email: carseatinfo@healthpartners.com or call: 651-254-3654

SPPS Budget Engagement Sessions

SPPS students, families, staff and community members are invited to attend on of the public engagement sessions that will take place between Oct. 17-25. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

In addition to providing a basic understanding of district/school budgeting, feedback gathered from these sessions will be used to inform future district budget decisions.

The meetings will take place from 5:30pm-8pm at the following locations:

• October 23, 2023 - American Indian Magnet School (1075 Third St E.)
• October 25, 2023 - Como Park Senior High School (740 Rose Ave. W)

These meetings will be conducted in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Karen.

Additional languages are available by request only: Amharic, Arabic, ASL, French, Oromo, Swahili, Tigrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese.

While registration is not required, it is strongly encouraged.

To register, please visit spps.org/budget-engagement.

Early Voting Is Open

Ramsey County voters may vote before Election Day at a county absentee voting location, regardless of their home address. Ballots do not need to be requested in advance.

2023 in-person absentee voting locations and hours

Ramsey County Elections - Plato Building

• Sep. 22 - Nov. 3 - Weekdays: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 4: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 6: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Arlington Hills Community Center

Frogtown Community Center

Ramsey County Library - Roseville

• Oct. 20 - Nov. 3 - Weekdays: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 4: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 6: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Election Day - Tuesday, November 7

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Be sure to look up your polling place in advance - it may have changed since you last voted.

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting on Election Day Info

Ramsey County Environmental Resources

Public Health Presents: COVID, RSV and Flu on Oct. 25

Ramsey County Public Health is hosting a virtual Public Health Presents about COVID, RSV and Flu on Wednesday, October 25 from 4 - 5 p.m.

Learn more about the updated vaccine, the recent spike in COVID-19 nationally and other common respiratory diseases this time of year.

Presenters:

• Dr. Lynne Ogawa, Medical Director, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health
• Laura Andersen, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division Manager, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health

During the presentation, you will: 

• Learn more about the newest COVID-19 variant and how to protect yourself.
• Receive the latest information on the new RSV vaccine.
• Learn more about syndromic surveillance for respiratory illnesses here in MN.

This free presentation will include time for questions and discussion.

Learn more and join the presentation at: ramseycounty.us/PHpresents

For more information or to submit questions, contact the Racial and Health Equity Leadership team at RHELT@ramseycounty.us.

Public Health Presents provides education and information about programs and services offered by Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health. Presentations are free and open to everyone. 

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.

Fall Yard Waste Disposal

This fall, drop off your leaves, small branches, grass clippings at a Ramsey County yard waste site for free. Yard waste items cannot be dropped off at the food scraps (organics) sites. For a list of yard waste site hours and locations, visit www.RamseyRecycles.com/yardwaste. 

Saint Paul Updates Zoning Code to Support Greater Housing Density

This week the City Council passed zoning changes recommended from the Planning Department's 1-to-4 Unit Housing Study Phase 2. The D10 Land Use committee participated in engagement for the study back in February of 2022, you can view the recording here on our website.

ABOUT THE ZONING CHANGES 

• Create new residential zoning districts H1 and H2: to replace the existing, single-family-only R1, R2, R3, R4 districts, other low-density RT1-RT2 districts, and some lower-density Planned Development (PD) districts. The standards for these districts and the semirural single-family only RL district are also revised. Both districts allow for a variety of neighborhood-scale housing options including but not limited to duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), townhomes. 
• Update regulations for accessory dwelling units: to increase the allowable size and number allowed per lot (up to two ADUs per single family home). 
• Add density bonus options: for ownership housing affordable to households earning 80% of area median income (AMI) or rental housing at 60% AMI; or for retaining an existing home; or for family-sized (three or more bedroom) units. 
• Incentivize keeping existing homes: with the above density bonus options as well as greater flexibility to add two attached ADUs if the single-family home is existing. 
• Update the cluster development ordinance: for greater flexibility in 1-4 unit housing development and lot layouts in exchange for an open space requirement. 
• Create more and updated design standards: including some that are tweaked from the popular traditional neighborhood (T) zoning district design standards. 
• Create new options for lot splits: including revisions to flag-shaped lots and the introduction of “back lots” and “reverse-flag lots” for more housing options.  

ABOUT THE 1 TO 4 UNIT HOUSING STUDY 

Saint Paul’s Zoning Code controls how much housing can be built in certain parts of the city. These requirements make it difficult to build enough new housing to fix Saint Paul’s current housing shortage. 

City Council Resolution 18-1204 and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan call for studying ways to allow more neighborhood-scale housing in all areas of Saint Paul. To accomplish this goal, the City of Saint Paul initiated the 1-4 Unit Housing Study. 

Minnesota Beef Expo

DESCRIPTION

The Minnesota Beef Expo is one of the premier beef industry events in the Midwest welcoming nearly 5,000 participants and visitors each year. Join us for a weekend packed with youth events, educational opportunities, a high-quality sale and more.

LOCATION - Oct. 19-22 Schedule on Site

Warner Coliseum & Livestock Complex

ADMISSION

Free public admission

Junkin' Market Days

DESCRIPTION

Junkin’ Market Days is an event featuring local vendors as well as vendors from several different states. At the market, you can purchase boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more! Junkin!

LOCATION

Progress Center

HOURS - Oct. 20-21

Friday: 4-8 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADMISSION

$5