January 12, 2024 | Friday | |
Join Us Next Week
D10 Community Meeting- 3rd Tuesdays - Jan. 16, 7pm
Hybrid on Zoom and @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
The third Tuesday of every month hosts our Land Use and Board/Organizational topics for discussion and planning, as well as guest presentations related to those issues. Occasionally time-sensitive Environment and Neighborhood Relations committee items are included on the agenda as well.
Next week the board will review the results of the MRSA parking survey, consider support about pursuing new signage and funding related to Pedestrian Improvements near Como High School. The the board will hear our quarterly financial report and move forward on the 2023 Honor Roll process.
If you're interested in serving on the D10 Board, a great first step is to come join us at our meetings, open to everyone! You can also view an overview of responsibilities and find a board member application here.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our 3rd D10 Social at Half-Time Rec this week! Keep an eye on this space in the newsletter for details about the February social!
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Seed Swap at Como Streetcar Station
Sat, Jan. 27, 1-3pm @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)
D10 is partnering with the Como Seed Library and the Saint Paullinators of South Como for a Seed Swap on Saturday, January 27 from 1-3pm at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy). Drop ins are welcome and there is no minimum seed amount required. This swap is open to both new and seasoned gardeners and seed types: vegetables, flowers, native plants, herbs and more!
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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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Next Week: 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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2024 Music Under Glass Lineup
Select Sundays & Wednesdays thru 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. 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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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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Neighborhood Notes
Petition to Vacate Alley portion
- A petition has been made for the city to consider vacating the north half of an alley turn-around on the 1400 block of Albany Ave. You can view the notice (PDF) for more information about submitting a comment for the Jan. 24 Public Hearing.
Business License Renewals*:
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K & L Sales (1523 Como): Second Hand Dealer - Motor Vehicle License is up for renewal Mar. 29. 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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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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Meet the New SPPS School Board Members
Tue, Jan 23, 7-8pm on Zoom
The League of Women Voters St. Paul (LWVSP) is hosting an opportunity to hear from the newly elected School Board members, focusing on what their priorities and concerns will be as they take over their school board positions.
Guest speakers will be newly elected School Board Members Yusef Carrillo and Erica Valliant, both of whom have children currently attending SPPS locations. Topics covered will include budgets, staffing, libraries, and more as participants hear about the plans to continue to improve SPPS schools. Expect a robust conversation from those who will play a supporting role in helping a more precious resource -- our children -- flourish and excel in their schools.
Some of the issues they will be considering include:
- What will they be able to accomplish?
- How can the school board impact the diversity of the SPPS school faculties?
- How can class sizes be kept at a size to benefit students?
This will be a virtual event. Interested participants can register on Zoom.
The Zoom webinar will be closed captioned and also rebroadcast through SCCTV and SPNN.
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Saint Paul Bicycle Plan Public Hearing Feb. 2
Last year the City took community input on a draft Bicycle Plan. After reviewing the feedback, they've updated a December draft plan that will have a public hearing at the Planning Commission on February 2.
Between now and Feb 2, comments on the December 2023 version of the plan can be submitted in one of three ways:
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In-person on February 2, 2024 at the Planning Commission public hearing at 8:30am in Room 40 City Hall, 15 West Kellogg boulevard Saint Paul 55102
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By emailing bikes@stpaul.gov. Name and address must be included
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By U.S. Mail to Saint Paul Planning Commission, c/o Jimmy Shoemaker; 800 City Hall Annex; 25 West 4th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Name and address must be included
Following the February 2 Planning Commission public hearing, city staff will consider additional plan updates based on public comment. This updated version will go through Transportation Committee, Planning Commission once again, and finally to the City Council. These three dates have not yet been scheduled, but will be added to the Bike Plan Webpage once known.
Community members can review these documents or watch this video to learn more about the updates to the Bicycle Plan:
For more information, visit stpaul.gov/bikeplan.
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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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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? | |
Winter Antique Show
DESCRIPTION
100+ dealers exhibiting indoors at the Warner Coliseum. The dealers offer a unique blend of antique furniture and collectable items.
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS - Jan. 13 & 14
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ADMISSION
General: $10 ($9 with coupon)
Early Bird: $20 (Friday before show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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