December 15, 2023 | Friday | | |
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Know Your Como: Church of Art Part I
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By Sonjie Johnson
“We want it,” Mike Zaccardi said, and pulled out his checkbook. It was 1993, and he was making a down payment on a renovated church without his wife’s pre-approval. “It was perfect.” He was right.
On the market for over a year, the owner of the former Babtist church sent out flyers to local photographers, in the hope that the church could become a home and studio. Serendipity, an ongoing theme in Mike’s life, brought the flyer to Mike’s mailbox at just the right time. Read More...
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Contribute to Como Coat Drive Before Wednesday!
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 are 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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Join Us Next Week
D10 Community Meeting- 3rd Tuesdays - Dec. 19, 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 consider an appointment to one of our board vacancies and approving our 2024 budget. It should be a shorter meeting than normal before we call it a year!
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 2nd D10 Social at Gabe's this week! Keep an eye on this space in the newsletter for details about the January social!
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Last Chance: 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!
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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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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MN SEED Seeds for Winter Sowing
As we approach the end of the year, MN SEED still has seeds from their 2021 & 2022 collections that they'd like to find good homes for. As residents of the Capital Region Watershed District they'd like to give you the first opportunity for these.
You can find the list of available seeds here and the order form here.
Options for getting these seeds include having MN SEED mail them to you for free within the Capitol Region Watershed District boundaries or picking up near Lake Como.
Quantities are limited to 5 packets per person. The form will close when they run out.
Here is a link to their favorite Winter Sowing Handout so you can plant these seeds over the winter and have optimal success. Let them know if you have any questions. Thanks for growing native plants and being part of the MN SEED Project!
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2024 Music Under Glass Lineup
Select Sundays & Wednesdays, Jan 7-Feb 7, 4:30-6:30pm @ Como Conservatory, Free!
The Zoo and Conservatory has released the schedule for their upcoming Music Under Glass series. Head to the tropical gardens and beat the “winter-blahs” as live, local musicians play blues, bluegrass, and ballads from 4:30-6:30pm on select Sundays and Wednesdays. 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:
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. Below is an excerpt from St. Paul Public Works webpage on the issue. Please help by reporting suspicious activity when you see it.
In the recent years the City of Saint Paul has experienced significant and reoccurring theft of the wire from street light fixtures both in City right of way and parks. While this issue is not unique for other cities and municipalities across the nation, Saint Paul has seen an increase in wire theft since early 2021.
If residents notice that the street lights are "on" during daytime hours, please know that this is intentional. The energized lights helps deter, but not prevent, wire theft.
City staff has put additional resources to repair and replace street lights that have been damaged due to wire theft, only to have the new wire stolen again within a matter of hours. More areas of Saint Paul remain dark as we cannot repair and replace the wire as fast as it is being stolen.
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
Ski & snowboard lesson registration now open
Registration for 2023-2024 ski and snowboard lessons is now open. Lessons begin Saturday, Jan. 6. Winter is approaching(?) so learn more about winter activities happening this year.
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
Business License Renewals*:
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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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Half-Time Rec (1013 Front Ave): Liquor, Gambling, & Entertainment licenses are up for renewal Feb 20. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@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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St. Paul Park Permit Lottery open through Dec. 20
Hoping to score that hotspot picnic pavilion for your 2024 birthday, anniversary, baby shower, cookout, reunion, meet-up, wedding, engagement, funeral, baptism, Van Halen listening party, Pokemon Go! raid, intervention, or other organized event?!
The 2024 park permit lottery is now open. Due to the high demand for certain dates and locations, the lottery system is used to give residents and businesses an equal opportunity to make reservations for in-demand picnic shelters and pavilions. All entries received by Dec. 20 at 4:30pm will be randomly sorted and further instructions will be provides to entrants.
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Winter Break at Your St. Paul Library
Saint Paul Public Libraries are offering kids and teens additional programming options during the upcoming winter break.
From Pokémon parties and epic Dungeons and Dragons quests to papier mâché, theater arts, and slime experiments—you will find hands-on activities that inspire creativity from Dec. 21-Jan. 7. Plus specialized college prep programs for teens.
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Ramsey County Environmental Resources
How to dispose of holiday wrapping
Packages, boxes, bags, cards - the holidays can be filled with single-use items. Make sure you know how to properly dispose of them.
Think reuse first: What can you use again instead of throwing away? Save bows, gift bags and tissue paper that can be reused. Think of creative ways to package gifts that don’t require new materials.
Holiday cards: Cards and envelopes made of only paper should be recycled. Cards with foil, glitter, ribbons or velvet are not recyclable and should be placed in the trash.
Cards that light up or play music do not belong in the trash because they contain batteries. Bring them to Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste collection site for free.
Wrapping paper: Put wrapping paper in the trash. Do not put it in your recycling bin because it does not sort easily at the recycling facility and may contain materials that cannot be recycled. Do not compost because wrapping paper can contain inks/dyes, plastic, foil and tape -- all of which harm the composting process.
Find disposal options for other items, including cardboard boxes, real and artificial trees and string lights on the county's A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide.
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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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Additional Cardboard Drop-off Site thru January 2
Recycle extra cardboard for free December 4 to January 2!
Buried in extra boxes from the holiday shopping madness? Recycle your cardboard by dropping it off at Saint Paul Police Precinct, Western District 389 Hamline Ave N.
ONLY cardboard is accepted. Year-round drop-off options are available for cardboard and household recyclables at 309 Como Ave.
For more information visit, www.stpaul.gov/holidayrecycling.
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Food Resources
View the flyer below for December food resources. It lists distribution events, meals, and discounted groceries. You can also visit the Ramsey County Food Resources website for information in several languages, and an interactive map of free or low-cost food options.
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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? | |
State Gymnastics Meet
LOCATION
Warner Coliseum
HOURS
Friday: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
ADMISSION
Children 0-4 years: Free
USA Gymnastics Members: $5
Seniors: $10
Adults: $15
Weekend Pass: $35
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Minnesota Merry Market at the State Fair | |
DESCRIPTION
A brand new holiday market featuring 70 local artists and vendors, food trucks, and fun for the whole family.
LOCATION
North End Event Center
HOURS
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADMISSION
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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