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Fri, Nov. 22 5:30-8pm | Como High Fall Festival Fundraiser @ Como High School Cafeteria Details Below
Sat, Nov. 23, 9am-2pm | The Como Snowsports Booster Club Annual Ski Sale & Fundraiser @ the Como Park Ski Center.
October-November | Como CURB Cleanup @ Your Boulevard
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Sun & Wed in Jan/Feb | Music Under Glass Series Returns to Conservatory Just Announced
More D10 Events
The D10 Office will be closed Nov. 28 & 29 for Thanksgiving 🦃. Expect an abridged newsletter on Wednesday.
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Help Cross the Finish Line: 2024 Thanksgiving Meals Fundraiser
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The Como Community Council is once again working to support isolated neighborhood seniors this Thanksgiving. So, in partnership with the North End Area Seniors (Formerly North End Area Seniors South Como Block Nurse Program), we have a goal of providing meals for 100 neighborhood seniors. How you can help is simple:
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Make a financial donation. Every $12 you contribute buys one Thanksgiving meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, a roll and, of course, dessert.
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Less than $400 to meet their $2000 goal! They have appreciated all of the new volunteers who have reached out to cover their Thanksgiving needs!
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Gave to the Max: D10 Como Community Council
GiveMN’s Give to the Max day was yesterday, Nov. 21.
Thank you so much to everyone who gave this week.
Your donation helps us continue this good work, and because we are a volunteer-driven organization, we're able to stretch your contribution for maximum impact. We appreciate your consideration!
It's never too late, D10 accepts donations through GiveMN all year. If you aren't able to contribute financially to our community work, we've also compiled a Volunteer HUB with local opportunities to give your time at D10 events and initiatives as well as opportunities like helping neighborhood seniors, community gardening, or volunteering in Como Park and our Rec Centers!
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Give Blood in Como
Wed, Dec. 18, 9am-3pm @ Como Zoo
D10 Como Park partners with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host community blood drives at the Zoo. Appointments are now available for our next event: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9am-3pm. Space is limited, reservations required.
Please consider giving blood, with so many working from home, workplace blood drives have all but vanished, these community drives make a huge impact!
DONOR PROMOTION: Come give blood in December and get a NEW long sleeved Red Cross T shirt, (ltd. qty.)
If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, you can sign-up for an opening on our volunteer schedule. Now updated with 2025 Dates. The drives are split into two shifts of two volunteers each, 9am to Noon and Noon to 3pm. It’s light work and a great way to connect with another neighbor.
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Last Chance: Join the 2024 Como CURB Cleanup
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 that fuels algae overgrowth.
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 if you register!
Ready for a full year commitment to your storm drain? Adopt-a-Drain.org is the place to go.
After Thanksgiving, we'll share details about the critical next step: Reporting your effort!
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Tonight: Como High School Fall Festival Fundraiser
Fri, Nov. 22 5:30-8pm @ Como High School Cafeteria
Como High School is hosting their annual Fall Festival, a fundraiser open to community members that includes:
- Pumpkin Painting
- Pumpkin Bowling
- Face Painting
- Mini-Haunted Hallway
- and more!
Entry is free. Activities require tickets ($1/ticket)
Another opportunity to support Como HS by ordering from Panera in Roseville Online anytime on Thur. Nov. 21 or by stopping in to dine from 4-8pm. Need coffee or bagels for your coworkers that morning? or maybe it's a good day to designate someone to pick up a group lunch order? Use code FUND4U when ordering online and Como will get 25% of the proceeds!
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Holden House Open House
Fri, Nov. 22 3-6pm @ Holden House (1554 Midway Pkwy)
Holden House is inviting neighbors over this afternoon. Located across Snelling from the State Fair main entrance, Holden House opened to residents in the Spring of 2022 after the property sat vacant for many years, frequently appearing on D10 Land Use agendas as "the former Shalom Home."
We are deeply grateful to our neighborhood for embracing our community over the past few years. Your support has been essential to our success and we couldn't have come this far without it. Please join us for an afternoon of drinks, food, comaraderie, and a guided tour of our property. We look forward to meeting you!
With my best,
McKenzie Schweitzer, Property Manager
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Annual Ski Sale & Fundraiser
Sat, Nov. 23, 9am-2pm @ Como Park Ski Center
The Como Snowsports Booster Club Annual Ski Sale & Fundraiser will be held on Saturday at the Como Park Ski Center. This is the perfect opportunity to get your hands on affordable gear for all ages and sizes. Most of the equipment has been generously donated by Afton Alps and Wild Mountain. All proceeds support student scholarships, hill maintenance, and equipment.
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Thanksgiving Meal Kits @ Mali Center
On Sunday, November 24 noon to 2pm, Change Starts With Me and The Mali Center will collaborate to distribute meals to families at The Mali Center (576 Front Ave).
Meal kits will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. There are a limited number of meal kits available. The meal kits will contain a whole turkey, can vegetables, fresh potatoes, dessert, and more.
If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Tyrone at TheMaliCentertmc@gmail.com.
Additional Thanksgiving Food Resources
Ramsey County has assembled a 2024 Thanksgiving Food Resources (PDF)
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Dock & Paddle Menu and Music
Dock and Paddle at the Lakeside Pavilion will be featuring live Music select Fridays and Saturdays inside the Cafe. Music starts at 6:30pm and goes on until 8:00pm. Visit their website for a complete list of performances.
Dock and Paddle is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-7pm. They offer happy hour specials on food, beer, and wine daily from 3-5pm.
They also serve ice cream up in the cafe year-round now and serve Starbucks beverages.
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Como Parks & Rec Programming
Apply for the Winter GetDown
Calling all artists ages 14-24 years old to perform in the winter showcase! The Winter GetDown is an opportunity for local artists to display their talents in an inspiring, creative, and engaging atmosphere. Artists will participate in 5 workshops with professional local artist mentors, culminating in a final performance. It's free to participate and artists who complete the workshops and perform will receive a stipend.
2025 Permit Lottery opens on December 2, 2024.
Due to the high demand for certain dates and locations, the lottery system is used to give all residents and Saint Paul businesses an equal opportunity to make reservations for in-demand picnic shelters and pavilions. For more information, visit www.stpaul.gov/parkpermits.
Registration winter activities, including ski and snowboard lessons for the 2024-25 season is open! Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels. Lessons are available to register online. Parks and Rec is also looking for Ski and snowboard instructors.
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
HHH Job Corps let us know that they're planning their required Fall Active Shooter Drill on Monday, November 25 at 1pm.
Upcoming License Renewals*
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BP (623 Como Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal Jan. 20. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 5 City Council office: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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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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Bole Ethiopian Cuisine (1341 Pascal St): Liquor, Wine, & Patio licenses are up for renewal Jan 7. Anyone with input should contact the Ward 4 City Council office: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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Kitty's Corner (626 Larpenteur Ave): Gas Station and Malt Off-Sale licenses are up for renewal Jan. 1. 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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Frogtown Green Neighbor Nights
First Thursdays (next Dec. 5) 5:30-7:30pm @ Frogtown Community Center (230 Como Ave) FREE
Frogtown Green is starting a monthly gathering. Join neighbors and friends of Frogtown for a delicious free monthly supper.
Learn something new about how our neighborhood works. Share a skill.
Build community! Child care provided, interpreting available. For more information, contact Xiem@frogtowngreen.com.
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Help Public Works Get A Head-Start on Abandoned Vehicles
Public Works is partnering with the Police Department’s Parking Enforcement team for a new initiative to try to remove abandoned vehicles from the streets before the snow comes. As you may know, SPPD parking enforcement is the only group that can write citations for parking violations throughout the year. During Snow Emergencies – and only declared Snow Emergencies - Public Works has paid staff that can ticket vehicles that do not move according to the snow emergency parking rules. Unfortunately, the first couple snow emergencies spend a lot of staff time ticketing and towing abandoned vehicles. If they can get them off the streets now, that will help overall plowing efforts across the city.
Have you seen an abandoned vehicle in your neighborhood? Help report them before they're covered in snow.
Abandoned vehicles are cars, trucks, campers, or RVs that have been sitting on the street, unused or driven for over a week.
Help Public Works and the Police Department by reporting the make, model, and color of the vehicle on the form below.
Once the vehicle is reported the City will start the process of ticketing and potentially towing the vehicle. Not all reported vehicles may be ticketed or removed. To be removed by the City an abandoned vehicle must be ticketed by Saint Paul Police and then towed to a City owned impound lot. Report abandoned vehicles at https://forms.office.com/g/8f1iGH1d71.
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Holiday Market Season
Check out the wide range of special events this holiday season, showcasing local makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
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Palace Theatre Holiday Market: Fri, Nov 29 & Sat, Nov 30 @ the Palace Theatre
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European Christmas Market: 4 weekends starting Fri, Nov 29 @ Union Depot
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Small Business Saturday Maker's Market: Sat, Nov 30 @ The Lowlands
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Small Business Saturday Celebration: Sat, Nov 30 @ Interact Gallery
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46th Annual Holiday Bazaar: Fri, Dec 6 - Sun, Dec 8 @ Landmark Center
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Grand Meander: Sat, Dec 7 along Grand Avenue
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Merry Mari Market: Sun, Dec 8 @ Gatherings at Station 10
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Holiday Bazaar at The Black Market: Sat, Dec 14 @ Case Building, MPLS
We appreciate the above list, assembled by someone at the City, but know that COMO is full of artists and makers. Maybe you're even participating in one of the markets listed, let us know and we can feature YOU. Please email us to add your holiday market opportunities to this list: info@district10comopark.org.
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Save the Date: SPPS School Choice Fair on Dec. 14
Join Saint Paul Public Schools for the PreK-12 School Choice Fair on Sat, Dec. 14 9:30am-2pm @ Saint Paul RiverCentre. The School Choice Fair is a great opportunity for families applying to schools for the 2025-26 school year to meet the staff and learn more about our schools, programs and services. For more details, visit spps.org/apply.
SPPS Project REACH Toy Drive
Project REACH is seeking new toys and gifts for children ages birth through 18. The gifts will go to families experiencing homelessness in SPPS. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at 1021 Marion Street or ordered online from the wish lists linked here. Items will be accepted now through Dec. 13.
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Community Participation Requested
St. Paul HUD Consolidated Plan
The City of Saint Paul is in the process of gathering community input for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.
Each year, Saint Paul receives about $8 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Consolidated Plan identifies priorities for how to use these funds to address housing, economic development, public facilities and infrastructure, and public service needs.
The Consolidated Plan helps local jurisdictions assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and make data-driven, place-based investment decisions.
Visit engagestpaul.org/conplan to learn more about the process and share your feedback through the online survey (available in English, Hmong, Karen, Spanish, and Somali).
MnDOT District Freight Plan Input
Calling all Twin Cities residents and businesses! Have you seen any issues with deliveries or issues with trucks in your area? Participate in the Metro District Freight Plan's community comment map to help MnDOT improve freight mobility, access, reliability, and connections in the Twin Cities.
Feel like you don't know anything about freight plans? MnDOT says they're specifically looking to engage with people who don't normally weight in on things like this. Como is bisected and bordered by railroads, tell MnDOT how that affects you.
Freight topics that you can comment on include Safety, Roadway condition, Roadway congestion/truck bottlenecks, Railroad tracks, crossings, railyards, Ports or waterway needs, Truck parking, Air quality, Noise, Airports & cargo planes, Other.
Share your feedback at talk.dot.state.mn.us/metro-district-freight-plan by Dec. 16.
Last Chance - Saint Paul ADA Transition Plan Survey
Saint Paul Public Works' Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan will outline how the city will prioritize investments in infrastructure and accessibility upgrades to improve access for all. Share your opinions and priorities through an online survey through November 30. Take the Survey.
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2025 City Budget
Mayor's 2025 City Budget Proposal
The Mayor recently delivered his 2025 Budget Address, announcing his proposed budget for the upcoming year.
Mayor Carter’s budget totals $855 million, with a general fund budget increase of $24.5 million and a property tax levy increase of 7.9%, totaling an increase of about $11 per month on a median-value home.
LINKS TO THE 2025 BUDGET ADDRESS AND PROPOSAL
View the Mayor’s Budget Address, along with the full text of the address as prepared for delivery, full budget proposal documents, and highlight materials here.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL BUDGET PROCESS
Following the Mayor's delivery of the 2025 Budget Proposal, the City Council has been meeting with department leaders to review the Mayor’s proposed budget. As required by state law, the City Council set the maximum property tax levy in September. Budgets may be adjusted, but they cannot exceed the maximum tax levy.
Before the end of the year, the City Council holds hearings on the budget and votes to adopt a 2025 budget and tax levy for the city. While the budget may represent changes made by the City Council to the Mayor’s proposed budget, the Mayor has line-item veto authority over the Council-adopted budget.
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Domestic Violence Support & Resources
No one ever thinks that they will fall victim to domestic abuse until it happens. That is why it is so important to be able to find support and assistance quickly.
Note: many of these websites have "quick exit" links and instructions on how to clear the site from your browser history.
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How do I dispose of broken string lights?
Non-LED string lights may be placed in the trash. LED string lights cannot go in the trash because they contain printed circuit boards and are considered hazardous. Bring LED string lights to a household hazardous waste collection site for free.
Do you have a question about recycling and disposal and can’t find the answer in Ramsey County's A to Z Green Guide? Call their Recycling & Disposal hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279) or send a message.
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What's Happening at the Fairgrounds | |
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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Please note that this newsletter aims to inform and publicize local events and activities in our community. The inclusion of any event or activity does not imply endorsement by the District 10 Como Community Council. | | | | |
