January 26, 2024 | Friday | | |
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Know Your Como:
Every Day A Smile
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By Sonjie Johnson
That’s the way Tim Prescott enters his 5th grade classroom every morning at Como Park Elementary. He’s been feeling that way for 28 years, but it wasn’t a straight line from college to teaching.
Two weeks after he graduated from Mankato State University, Tim and his wife Mary were married. Tim’s degree was in Management and Marketing; Mary’s in nursing. Mary grew up in St. Paul and the couple initially lived in the Midway and East Side before buying a house in Como Park 20 years ago.” Read More...
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Saturday: Seed Swap at Como Streetcar Station
Sat, Jan. 27, 1-3pm @ Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) - It's National Seed Swap Day!
Join us for an epic seed trading session with your neighbors! Everyone is welcome from the newest and youngest of gardeners to experienced cultivators. All seed types are welcome: native plants, herbs, vegetables, annual flowers, perennials, and more*. There will also be snacks from Foxberry Bakehouse!
Here are a few guidelines for quick and easy seed sharing to get you started:
For ease of trading we recommend having seeds packaged ready to trade with the suggested following information available for each seed type:
- Common Name
- Scientific Name(if known)
- Date Collected (grown)
- Location
- Grower/ Collector
- Commercial or Locally Grown Seed
- Any other pertinent information/ seed story
- Picture of the plant/flower/fruit the seeds are from if you have one.
*Please no patented seed. Here is information on why.
Not sure about packaging? We will have envelopes and other packaging resources available to help you with your seed sharing or check out this link to a creative zero waste option.
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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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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 is open now! You might learn something!
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TC German Immersion Kaffeeklatsch
On Saturday, February 3rd, from 9:30 am - 11:30 am, the Twin Cities German Immersion School (1031 Como Ave) will be hosting a Prospective Family Kaffeeklatsch.
What is a Kaffeeklatsch? A Kaffeeklatsch is an event that TCGIS hosts frequently for current families to get to know each other in a casual setting. There is free coffee, pastries, and conversation. This event is dedicated to prospective families to give a taste of what it's like to be a part of their welcoming community.
They will have two tours: one at 10 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. The time before, in between, and after will be open in the cafeteria to enjoy coffee, pastries and there will be a craft for kids and parents to do as they please. In the cafeteria there will be administrators, board members, teachers and current parents present to answer questions that prospective families may have. RSVP here.
Please reach out to Paige Yurczyk at pyurczyk@tcgis.org with any questions.
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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:
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
ExploraTots (age 3-5) is returning to the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) 3rd Wednesdays this winter. Registration open for February 21 and March 20. Free
Youth Spring Sports registration for volleyball and futsal is open. 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.
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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Connect with new Ward 1 Councilmember Bowie
Tue, Jan. 30 5-7pm @ Rondo Community Library (461 Dale St. N.)
New Ward 1 City Councilmember Anika Bowie is hosting a Community Vision Board meeting at Rondo Community Library.
Meet the newly elected Councilmember and share your vision, suggestions, concerns and what you love about Ward 1 and the City of St. Paul.
Registration for this event is appreciated.
Questions? Contact the Ward 1 office with any questions: ward1@ci.stpaul.mn.us or 651-266-8610
Did you Know? D10's other new Ward 5 City Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim has a newsletter, find it here on the Ward 5 webpage, or schedule a Lake Lap!
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Share your input on Minnesota’s Capitol Mall
Planners and designers at the Capitol are requesting input from all
Minnesotans on how to make the Capitol Mall a welcoming place for
everyone. Your input will help shape the Capitol Mall Design Framework, a plan to design, guide, and manage the Minnesota State Capitol campus.
To learn more and provide input, visit
https://mncapitolmall.engage.sasaki.com/
Survey One is open now and will close midnight of February 3, 2024
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Be a part of making regional transportation investment decisions
How would you invest in regional transportation? As part of this round of the Regional Solicitation, the Metropolitan Council and the Transportation Advisory Board would like to know how you would distribute funding for transportation projects across multiple funding categories. Your responses will help inform the Transportation Advisory Board as it considers project selection this spring.
Use this tool to build your budget and learn more about the funding categories. The budget exercise will be open through Jan. 31.
Federal funds to meet regional transportation needs
The Regional Solicitation is one way the Metropolitan Council prioritizes and invests in all forms of transportation. Whether for existing infrastructure or new improvements, projects focus on outcomes like moving more people more effectively, managing congestion, and improving air quality.
Awarding federal funds across the region
The Regional Solicitation happens once every two years and awards about $250 million in federal funds.
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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
Opioid Response Initiative Presentation on Jan. 30
Join Ramsey County for a virtual Public Health Presents about the Opioid Response Initiative on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 4 - 5 p.m.
Learn about the partnerships and programs that make up the Opioid Response Initiative. The Initiative is funded in part by Minnesota’s settlement with opioid companies.
Presenters from Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health include:
- Sara Hollie, Director
- Ryan Rasmussen, Health Educator
- Sia Xiong, Planning Manager
- Gabriel McNeal, Interim Healthy Communities Division Manager
During the presentation, you will:
- Learn more about the Opioid Response Initiative commitments and partnership.
- Understand new and existing opioid-related programs and initiatives.
- Receive information on the Opioid Response Initiative’s next steps.
- This free presentation will include time for questions and discussion.
Learn more and join the presentation at: ramseycounty.us/PHpresents
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Recycling is no fairytale in the Twin Cities
Do you wonder what really happens to recyclables when they leave your home? The metro counties are teaming up to assure you that recycling is no myth. It’s real and it works here.
Minnesota is home to many recycling facilities that collect, sort, process and manufacture items made from the bottles, boxes and other containers you put in your recycling cart every day. When you put the right items in your recycling cart, they become new products, locally and regionally.
Glass bottles and jars are sorted by color in Saint Paul. Clear glass is sent to Shakopee to make bottles for drinks, pickles, salad dressing and more.
Plastic milk and laundry detergent jugs are made into durable decking, fencing and landscaping products in Paynesville, and plastic drink bottles and produce containers are made into new plastic bottles in Wisconsin and Ohio.
Recycled paper and cardboard are made into cereal and cracker boxes in Saint Paul.
Recycled food cans are made into new products like wire, and parts for cars and appliances in the Midwest.
Local efforts to recycle and reduce waste save energy, protect resources and support about 78,000 jobs in the state. Annually, the Twin Cities metro area recycles an average of 900,000 tons of paper and cardboard, metal, glass and plastic – that’s the weight of about four large cruise ships!
You can be proud that recycling works in Minnesota.
Learn more at RecyclingExists.com.
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Application for Summer 2024 youth internships is Now Open
Applications accepted through February 29, 2024.
The City's Right Track program offers internship opportunities for St. Paul youth ages 14-21 who live in a cost-burdened household or have a barrier to employment. In the summer of 2022, Right Track provided over 704 young people from Saint Paul with a summer internship or online professional development opportunity. Right Track has two primary summer employment programs, YJ1 and YJ2.
LINK TO YOUTH APPLICATION: City of Saint Paul - RightTrack
A couple of eligibility reminders:
- Youth in Saint Paul 14-21 (must be 14 by June 1, 2024, and not older than 21 by August 16, 2024)
- NEW for 2024: Limited spaces available for youth who live in Suburban Ramsey County (outside of Saint Paul).
- Youth should be able to work individually and as part of a team.
- Additional Eligibility Requirements can be found here Program Eligibility Requirements
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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. You can also find extreme cold and winter weather safety information here.
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What's Happening At The Fairgrounds? | |
Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition | |
DESCRIPTION
Organized by the Saint Paul Vulcans, Vulcan Snow Park takes place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Come play in the snow and enjoy amazing snow sculptures!
HOURS
Competition:
Jan. 26 - 28: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jan. 28: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (winners announced at 1 p.m.)
Snow Sculpture Viewing:
Jan. 39 - Feb. 5: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
ADMISSION
Free
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St. Paul Winter Carnival Fire & Ice Run/Walk | |
DESCRIPTION
Join us for a beautiful run or walk past the Vulcan Snow Park and a wintry Minnesota State Fairground. All proceeds from this event benefit the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, proud producer of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
LOCATION
North End Event Center
HOURS
8-9 a.m.: Registration
8:45 a.m.: Kid’s Run
9:00 a.m.: 5K (1 loop) and 10K (2 loops) (3 loops) and 20K (4 loops)
9:05 a.m.: No K Start
ADMISSION
Please see website for pricing.
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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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