Over 90 People visit our Open Houses!

Between our two open houses, Monday March 22 and Saturday March 27, we had 90 visitors come to our new office and visit with our elected officials! This was a great opportunity to showcase our new digs and for residents to talk about their neighborhoods.

Special thanks to Bruegger's Bagels at SunRay for donating food. And many thanks to Kathy Lantry; Chief John Harrington; Commissioner Jim McDonough and his aide, John Cotroneo; Representative Sheldon Johnson; Asst. Chief Matt Bostrom, and Sheriff Bob Fletcher for attending.

We also welcome our two new board members - Michael Casey of Eastview and Tom Mohr of Highwood Hills!

Here are the other board members and their respective neighborhoods:

Greg Beaumont (President) - Battle Creek

Erika Martin (VP) - Conway

Phil Fuehrer (Sec) - Highwood Hills

Stacey Van Patten (Treas) - Conway

JoAnn Clark, Garneth Peterson, Collins Dibaki and John Miersch - Battle Creek

Marty Danielson, Dave Nasby and Pastor Andy Berreth - Conway

Greg Poul - Highwood Hills

Sandy Rosbacka - Eastview

St. Pascal's Student wins Science Award at State Science Fair

St. Pascal's School proudly announces that 7th grader Matt Danley was awarded a Gold Medal and a Seagate First Year Award for his project, "Saving the Earth One Drop at a Time" at the 2010 Minnesota State Science Fair. Gold Medals are awarded to the top 5% of all projects in each age group. The Seagate First Year Award recognizes top projects submitted by students who are competing in the State Science Fair for the first time.

The 2010 Minnesota State Science Fair was held from March 26-28 in downtown St. Paul.

Submitted by St. Pascal's School.

Battle Creek Regional Park Clean Up

This year's Battle Creek Regional Park Clean Up is on Earth Day - Saturday, April 17 from 9a - 11:30a. This is the 17th annual park clean up - begun in 1993 when a group of Battle Creek residents coordinated a small clean-up effort in the park areas adjacent to their neighborhood. Since that time, the clean-up has grown to over 300 volunteers who collect several tons of trash and debris each year.

Join in this worthy effort to keep a beautiful community asset at its best.

• Trash collection bags are provided
• Please wear long pants, work shoes or boots, and bring your own work gloves
• Lunch is provided immediately following the event

To register, please call 651.748.2500 or email parks@co.ramsey.mn.us to become a volunteer or a site coordinator. Once registered, a volunteer site coordinator will contact you with complete details, as well as the assigned clean-up location, where to meet, etc.

Submitted by resident Sue Moyer and the Ramsey County Parks Department

District 1 News Spring Edition Available Online

The Spring publication of District 1 News is now available for download on our website.

Click HERE to visit the page where you can download the latest issue.

Our first Open House was a HUGE success!

On Monday, March 22, over 50 people from the neighborhood attended our open house at the new office. If you missed out, there is another open house on Saturday, March 27 from noon to 4p.

On Monday, Chief Harrington and Asst. Chief Matt Bostrom, County Commissioner Jim McDonough and his aide, John Cotroneo, City Council President Kathy Lantry, and Sheriff Bob Fletcher all met with residents and discussed their concerns.

Good food, good conversation, and a good time!!

Join us on Saturday (Brueggers is donating bagels and we have cookies, fruit and drinks!!) when Representative Sheldon Johnson, Senator Mee Moua, Kathy Lantry and Chief Harrington will all be here!

See you there!

St. Paul Urban Tennis Program at the Parks

It's that time again... The St. Paul Urban Tennis Program is taking applications for tennis lessons at Conway and Battle Creek Parks this summer. The program will run from June 14 through July 23, Monday through Friday.

The lessons are divided by age and ability with these times available:

• 8:15a - 5-6 year olds
• 9a - 7-8 year olds
• 10a - 9-10 year olds
• 11a - 11-12 year olds
• noon - 13 year olds

The cost is generally $75 for one child, $125 for two children, and $150 for three or more children in a family. HOWEVER - NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY FOR INABILITY TO PAY. Scholarships are available. The district council has applications, so do the rec centers. You can get more information at sputoffice@gmail.com or call 651.222.2879.

Deadline for sign up is May 24.

Submitted by St. Paul Parks and Rec

Citizen Police Academy

The St. Paul Police Department is sponsoring a spring/summer session of the Citizen Police Academy. 30 citizens will be invited to participate in training modeled on the academy police officers must complete. It is an 11 week course held one evening a week from 6:30-9:30p at the Training Unit of the Police Headquarters - 367 Grove Street. There is no charge to participate but space is limited.

The academy gives citizens a better understanding of the issues and daily situations that officers are involved in. This is a great opportunity for community leaders.

Requirements:

• must be a resident of St. Paul or own a property or business in the city
• must be at least 21 years old, and
• must not have a criminal history.

The session will run from Wednesday May 12 through Wednesday July 21. Applications can be requested from Don Luna at 651.266.5583 or don.luna@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Submitted by the SPPD

Microentrepreneur Class Offered to Eastsiders

The Dayton's Bluff Community Council and the Neighborhood Development Center are offering classes for start-up and young businesses on the eastside. Class training lasts eight weeks and includes topics such as operations management, marketing, financial management, one-to-one assistance with creating a successful business, and preparing a business plan. This includes 8 hours of one-on-one time with the instructor.

Those who successfully complete the course and locate their businesses in target neighborhoods are eligible for ongoing business support services.

Some examples of businesses started by people who have previously taken the course include graphics, landscaping, photography, food service, restoration of wood furniture and works of art, custom floral design for weddings, and exterior/interior painting.

There is a small registration fee based on a sliding fee scale. The next session will start in April and class size is limited. Please call Karin at 651.772.2075 or email Karin@DaytonsBluff.org for an application.

Open House at District 1 Office!

Please join us at the District 1 office on Monday March 22, 5-8p, and Saturday March 27, noon to 4p for an open house.

At the gathering there will be refreshments, a chance to talk about your neighborhood, and opportunities to meet elected officials.

Here is a schedule of when the officials will be present:

Monday, March 22 -

1. 5-6p - County Commissioner Jim McDonough
2. 6-7p - outgoing Police Chief John Harrington
3. 6:30-7:30p - Councilwoman Kathy Lantry
4. also appearing is Sheriff Bob Fletcher

Saturday, March 27 -

1. 12-2p Representative Sheldon Johnson
2. 1:30-2:30p Councilwoman Kathy Lantry
3. also appearing - Asst. Police Chief Matt Bostrom
4. also appearing - State Senator Mee Moua

We will also be electing our slate of candidates for the District 1 Board.

Please join us at 2105 1/2 Old Hudson Rd, in SunRay Shopping Center, across from Great Clips!

Ramsey County looking for Volunteers

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is seeking individuals from our area to serve on the following committees:

• Capital Improvement Program Citizens Advisory Committee - advising and setting priorities for proposed capital expenditures
• Food and Nutrition Commission (joint with City of St. Paul - they are looking for farmers, employees or volunteers at food banks, grocers, food wholesalers, restaurant owners and managers, and food economists. They are also looking for members of religious organizations interested in hunger issues, and health and school professionals
• Parks and Recreation Commission - advising the County on planning and development of parks, trails and open spaces.

Contact the county at 651.266.8001 or this website.

Submitted by Ramsey County.

St. Pascal's Students win Science Awards

St. Pascal's School is proud to announce that eight of its students received blue ribbons at the recent Twin Cities Regional Science Fair, and one received a red ribbon. Five of the students were selected t advance to the Minnesota State Science Fair which will be held March 26-28 in St. Paul. You can visit the school's website at this address.

Submitted by St. Pascals School.

Public Hearings on Floodplain Regulations

There are two public hearings coming up that will deal with amendments to the zoning code that covers Flood Insurance Rate Maps and regulations about National Flood Insurance Program.

Betsy has an electronic version of the changes being made, so if you are interested in the specifics, contact her via email - district1council@aol.com. The study and map panels are also available at this site.

The first hearing is at the Planning Commission on Friday, March 26 at 8:30a, City Hall, Lower Level - Room 40, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

The second hearing is at the City Council on Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30p in City Council Chambers, 3rd floor, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

Comments can also be sent to Allan Torstenson at allen.torstenson@ci.stpaul.mn.us, 651.266.6579 or by mail at 25 W. Fourth St., Suite 1400, St. Paul, MN 55102

Get Ready for the Commuter Challenge

The Commuter Challenge kicks off on April 5 and runs through June 27. This event is sponsored by Metro Transit and encourages people to replace a trip you might normally drive for with one by foot, bike, bus or train. If that's old hat to you, take it a step further and challenge yourself by trying out carpooling, vanpooling or teleworking.

Replace just one car trip and you'll be entered into the Grand Prize drawing for REI gift cards, bike commuter packs, and Amazon Kindle and more!!

And, if you track your trips online for any week during the 12 week challenge, you could win a $50 Target card in the weekly prize drawings.

Then think about the Bike/Walk to Work Day on June 10. Biking or walking to work is a great way to save money, get exercise, and help reduce pollution and traffic congestion.

Join the movement and take the challenge!!

Submitted by Metro Transit and Smart-Trips.

Tree Sale for Parks!

Now through April 17th, the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County is holding its annual tree sale (brochures are available at the D1 office - 2105 1/2 Old Hudson Rd.). This program allows people to buy trees for their own yards or for donation to a city or county park. There are fruit trees, deciduous and evergreen trees, and shrubs available.

If you order a tree for yourself, you pick up the trees on May 1st between 9a and 1p at either Highland Park Pavilion, or Ramsey County Park's Garage in Maplewood. You select your pick-up site when you order your trees.

If you are buying a tree to donate to a park, the Friends will take care of everything.

Contact the Friends at their website or by phone at 651.698.4543. But you can pick up the brochure and order form at the District 1 office in Sun Ray Shopping Center.

Submitted by Friends of the Parks and Trails.

Possible Scam in the Neighborhood...

We had a report that there is a possible scam in the neighborhood... a young teenager, well dressed and well spoken was going door-to-door asking for cash donations for a museum in Wisconsin as a project for a Como Senior High class.

Upon investigation, Como High has no such project underway, there was no school logo on any materials, and the individual only wanted cash.

Be aware, ask questions, and ask for details before making any such "donation" to folks.

Safety Task Force Meeting

The D1 Safety Task Force will be meeting at our office (2105 1/2 Old Hudson Rd.) on April 6 at 6:30p. They will be finalizing a "Be a Good Neighbor" hand out and discuss resources that they want to have available to residents.

This task force is one of the council's standing committees. We are always looking for residents interested in helping out. Contact our office - 651.578.7600