Encourage Kids in Science

The Association of Multicultural Scientists (AMS) is a University of Minnesota campus organization dedicated to improving the representation of minority scientists with the UM system. We understand the desire to pursue a scientific career is instilled early in a child's development. To initiate this, we would like to introduce the possibilities of scientific careers, while engaging children in scientific based experiments. 

The 2009 AMS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy will target elementary and middle school students interested in science. The event will consist of entertaining experimental demonstrations, a brief lunch break along with a visual presentation about various scientific careers and professionals. We hope the students will have fun learning scientific concepts while being instructed by university students.

Event will be held May 30, 2009 from 10a to 1p

Event will be held at 2-101 Nils Hasselmo Hall, UM-TC East bank campus

Cost is FREE with lunch provided but space is limited!!

Pre-registration is open until May 15th by contacting Michael Underwood (under039@umn.edu) or 612-804-0114, or Marian Rodriguez (rodri242@umn.edu)

District 1 Office has registration forms.

submitted by STEM Academy members of the University of Minnesota

Board Seeks Community Involvement

At the District 1 Community Council's new board orientation, the board members began a discussion of how to identify the issues important to residents and businesses, and how to best deal with those issues. The board focused its discussion around land use, the environment, and safety.

One way that the board can be more effective is to have residents participate in its committee work. What do the committees do? They gather information around issues, make decisions or recommend decisions to the board around those issues, and then deal directly with implementing the decisions. So it isn't just about attending meetings -- it is about getting things DONE!!

We are currently seeking community members for the Land Use and Finance Committees, and for a newly forming Safety Task Force. We anticipate that, over the next year, we will assess the feasibility of creating an Environmental Task Force as well.  Check out the website for descriptions of these committees, and then contact our office if you are interested in helping out (651.501.6345 or district1council@aol.com).

Join us in making our area an even greater place to live!

Info on our Neighborhoods

Here are two resources that can help you see how our neighborhood is doing...

The first is a link to a site intended to promote living in our area of the city - Our Neighborhood. Each one of the city's neighborhoods has a page on this site so businesses and potential residents can get a snapshot of the variety of settings within the city. It also should give a sense of the variety of living options our neighborhoods offer - single family homes, apartments, duplexes, etc. Our neighborhoods, especially have a lot to offer newcomers!

The second is a link to the city's website with reports on crime statistics for the city now and in the past. If you look over these statistics, you will see how our neighborhoods are among the safest in St. Paul.

Residential Design Standards Proposed?

The St. Paul Planning Commission is looking for community input on the proposed residential design standards ordinance at a public hearing to be held on May 22, 2009. You can review the standards on the city's website. 

Here is a blog where you can make comments on the standards.

For questions or more information, contact Luis Pereira, City Planner with the Department of Planning and Economic Development, at 651.266.6591, or luis.pereira@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Mississippi River Critical Area Update

The Friends of the Mississippi River have a report online that helps us keep track of how the revisions to the Mississippi River Critical Area regulations are going.

Check them out at Friends of the Mississippi River

These regulations are the basis for the overlay zoning that applies to the Pigs Eye area and to the river bluffs in Highwood Hills and Battle Creek.

Litter Pick Up Coming to SunRay

The District 1 Community Council has arranged with RS Eden to have monthly litter pick up around the SunRay Shopping Center this summer. The project will begin in May and run through September. This project was in response to comments by neighbors and our local businesses about what our area looks like for people wanting to shop.

Of course, the shopping center isn't the only place that could use some attention. Our local parks are having their annual clean up during the month of April (Henry Park on April 11 and Battle Creek Park on April 18), but throughout the neighborhood, litter is an issue.

Each of us can make a difference by making sure that we don't litter, but also by carrying a plastic bag along on walks and picking up litter as we go. Or if you are stopping by the rec centers or the library, pick up trash you see. If everyone did just a little it would make a BIG difference. 

We live in a beautiful place - let's help keep it that way!!

Low Cost Food Option Available in District1

Maybe you saw the article in the Star Tribune (4/7/09) about Fare For All, a low-cost purchasing program available to all residents, regardless of income... Save up to 50% on groceries... Well there is a local distribution site in our neighborhood -- Grace Lutheran Church (1730 Old Hudson Rd).

By pre-ordering and pre-paying, you can pick up food packs once a month at Grace Lutheran, but you MUST pay ahead -- by cash, check, debit/credit/EBT cards. The food packs include meat, vegetarian, family or other options, and you can purchase an unlimited number of packs.

For more information -

www.emergencyfoodshelf.org/OurFamilyOfPrograms/FareForAll/PurchaseAPackage.aspx

The delivery day is the 3rd Saturday of the month, between 8 and 9am. Orders must be placed by Friday of the week before. Call 763.450.3860 to order and pay by card, or mail a check to Emergency Food Network, 8401 54th Ave. N., New Hope, MN 55428.

Anonymous Donation Helps D1 and the Neighborhood

Thanks to an anonymous donor, the District 1 Community Council is in a bit better shape as we await the city's decision on our funding.

Using the Twin Cities United Way's Donor Choice Program, this individual donated over $1000 to us to help meet our neighborhood needs. Although we are not affiliated in any way with the United Way, that organization allows participants to designate specific organizations for their contributions - thus the "Donor Choice Program." These donor designated funds are just another way to make contributions to worthy institutions.

We are extremely grateful to this generous individual and hope that his or her action will spur other residents to think of ways to contribute to organizations that make a difference for neighborhoods, especially in this time of economic stress.

As a note, we are a 501(c)3 organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law. For more information about our funding, check out our website or contact us at 651.501.6345.

THANK YOU!!

4th Annual National Night Out Kick Off Picnic

All District 1 residents wanted for and invited to a fun filled evening!

• Date: Wednesday June 3
• Time: 6-7:30p
• Location: Como Park Picnic Pavilion - Horton and Lexington Parkway across from the Como Public Pool

There will be FREE hotdogs, chips, beverages, and cookies and BALLOONS while supplies last!

Register for your National Night Out event in your neighborhood, pick up information about how to get an event started, pick up permit applications to have your street closed off for National Night Out.

Register for the many door prizes given out at the picnic!

Remember, National Night Out is Tuesday August 4 this year.

For more information contact Pam McCreary at 651.702.6770 or 651.266.5455

submitted by Pam McCreary, District 1 Crime Prevention Specialist

Sheridan Elementary Students Go to Nationals!!

Jessica Morris, Drake Osaben, James Earl, Madisyn Hammick, Isabells Thor, and Thomas Rohrick, known collectively as the Sheridan Sharks, were recently selected to advance to the TOYchallengeTM 2009 Nationals at the United States Patent and Trade Office in Alexandria Virginia on May 16. The team, led by 5th grade teacher Donna Yu, is one of only a hundred teams from across the country that are participating in this challenge to design an original toy or game concept. 

The teams, comprised of at least 50% girls, submit written descriptions and visual presentations of their concepts under one of the themed  categories -- Games for the Family, Get Out and Play, or Toys that Teach. The submissions are judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, design process description, team participation and clarity of communication. At the Nationals on May 16, one team will win the grand prize and one team will also be named a winner in each of the themed categories.

This program is designed to engage middle school-aged kids, especially girls, in science and engineering, and inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. The program is a part of Sally Ride ScienceTM   and was founded by astronaut Sally Ride. In previous years, team members from Sheridan Elementary actually met Ms. Ride at the Nationals.

If you are interested in helping support this team on their engineering adventure, contact Sheridan Elementary at 651.293.8745. GO SHARKS!!

submitted by Donna Yu