Update on Holman Field Rezoning

For an informational update on constituents' responses to the proposed rezoning around Holman Field, check out the website of Friends of the Mississippi River.

The main effect on our area is related to the Pigs Eye natural area...

Tutors needed at Battle Creek Middle School

Battle Creek Middle School has an Americorps VISTA representative who is working this year to create and implement a tutoring program at the school. The program is aimed at assisting students meet their grade-level proficiency in reading and math.

If you are a caring and compassionate person willing to help a young person reach his or her full potential, please contact Robb Nelson at 651.293.8960 ext.1991, or email at robb.nelson@spps.org

Submitted by Robb Nelson, Americorps VISTA

Fall Colors Train RIde at Osceola, WI

The St. Paul Parks and Rec Senior Program is sponsoring a train ride in Wisconsin to see the fall colors. The date is September 26 and the time is from 8:15a to 4p. The deadline for reservation is September 15 (contact Trenton at 651.266.6363 to register). Cost is $50 and includes bus transportation to the site, a chaperone, the train ride and lunch.

Follow the St. Croix River Valley along the Osceola Railway to a lunch in Dresser, WI. Meal choices at the Village Pizzeria include: Reuben or Chicken sandwich, California burger, or chicken caesar salad. Registration is limited to 45, but a minimum of 26 people is required.

Transportation is available from Conway Rec Center (2090 Conway St.) at 8:45a.

Submitted by St. Paul Parks and Rec.

Mayor's Proposes Capital Improvements

The Capital Improvement Budget process for the city happens every two years. Residents from our area represented our district in the process in March and April. Now the Mayor has made his proposals, taking into consideration his own priorities, as well as the recommendations of the task forces that worked on this.

We are looking at street lights going in on Burns Avenue between Ruth and Suburban, bike lanes going in on Ruth Street, and improvements to both Burns Park (in 2011) and Conway Park (in 2010).

To see the full set of proposals and the Mayor's recommendations, click here

District 1 News

The District 1 News, our local neighborhood paper, will be sending out its next issue in mid September. We will have information about the community clean-up and other environmental topics.

If you are interested in submitting an article, letter to the editor, or fall announcement, please email us with the document by August 31. (district1council@aol.com)

If you would like to advertise your business, we have super affordable rates ($40 for a business card sized ad, $75 for a 1/16 page ad, $140 for 1/8 page - larger sizes are also available at low rates). This paper is delivered to 11,000 households in our district.

Again, send to district1council@aol.com with ad copy, articles, and your contact information.

Emerald Ash Borer Update

If you, or anyone you know, will be taking down an ash tree that shows symptoms of emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in the metro area, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) would like to come out and inspect your tree for EAB. This inspection would be done at no cost and would greatly help our efforts at controlling the pest's spread.

If you are interested in participating, please contact the Arrest the Pest hotline by calling 651-201-6684 or by emailing arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us and ask to be put in touch with EAB survey staff.

The survey recently located more borers in the middle of the Univ. of MN St. Paul campus.

Submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Resident Sue Moyer Wins Award

Our own Sue Moyer was honored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County as this year's Park Citizen. This award is given to one resident of the city and/or county for their work to support our parks.

Sue has been the coordinator of the Battle Creek Clean Up for eight years now (see our April blogs for a posting!) and each year the event gets better and more effective. The Friends note that since Sue has been coordinator, 20 tons of refuse have been removed from Battle Creek Park.

Now, if we could just get people to stop dumping trash there!!

Congratulations Sue!

Lift Station Construction and Local Wells

I had a conversation today with the man from the Met Council who is managing the project on Point Douglas and Highway 61 where they are putting in the new lift station "plumbing". It turns out that a few wells in that area have gone dry, and the Met Council is making sure that city water is available to those residents.

As a result of this problem, which we thought might happen when they were planning the project two years ago, the Met Council is contracting with Braun Intertek to do a study that will monitor the wells in that area. They have put in some monitoring wells to help with this assessment and hope to have the report done by the end of August.

It turns out that there isn't real good information on what wells there are in the area, how deep they are, and so on. Some of these wells are quite shallow, which makes it even more important that we monitor run-off in the Highwood area, and that people there with septic systems make sure those systems are operating properly.

Anyway, as soon as we hear about the study results, we'll let people know.

National Night Out a BIG Success!

What a beautiful evening we had for block parties, August 4!!

There were about 12 official block parties in our district, many at apartment complexes, and maybe many more that were "unofficial". We hope that everyone had a chance to get out and meet their neighbors, talk about anything and everything, and share some good food and good times.

At the community-wide event sponsored by Faith Alliance Church and the Conway/McKnight area block club, there were about 200 people, good food and good music. Chief Harrington and County Attorney Susan Gaertner talked it up with neighborhood kids, Culver's handed out free frozen custard and coupons (Pastor Andy seems to appreciate our local Culvers!!), the fire department gave tours of an engine, and kids were busy with the jumper room.

Thanks to everyone who worked to put this together. It's not too early for everyone to think about next year's celebration of neighborhood and community!! Give us a call - 651.702.6770.

Changes to City Services and Taxes??

Join us on Monday August 24 at 6:30p to hear from representatives of the Mayor's Office and from Council President Kathy Lantry about how the Mayor's Budget will affect parks, libraries, public safety, and property taxes. Come to listen and to ask questions.

State funding to cities is reduced as a result of the Governor's unallotment... Let's hear how this will affect where we live. And let's tell city officials what impact this has on us.

The meeting will be at the Conway Rec Center, 2090 Conway St. - Monday, August 24 at 6:30p.

Love Your Neighborhood??

If you usually wear your neighborhood pride on your sleeve (or even if you don't!), LiveMSP is looking for your words about what makes your neighborhood so special. Please submit your neighborhood testimonial of about 50 words to LiveMSP. This website promotes twin cities neighborhoods to potential residents and businesses, and is a good way to showcase what is so special about St. Paul.

Share your love of your community so that LiveMSP can share it with others. Many thanks!

Submitted by Mary Kay Bailey of LiveMSP

Youth Garden Market

The Community Design Center's Garden Corps youth interns will sell their local, sustainably raised herbs, vegetables and flowers at their market stand every Saturday morning from 9a to noon through August 22. The stand is located at the corner of East 7th St. and Bates Avenue in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood, adjacent to the Design Center's office at 731 E. 7th St.

Submitted by the Community Design Center