Park System Plan Hearing Date Changed!

Due to responses from the public about the Park System Plan, the Parks Commission is not holding its public hearing about the plan until January 10 from 6:30-8p. The meeting will focus solely on the System Plan and will be held at the Phalen Golf Course Clubhouse.

This change in date will give residents a chance to organize their comments, but we hope it will also give the Parks Department time to rethink this plan altogether...

Thanks to everyone who sent in comments!

Neighborhood House Coming to the Eastside

You may have seen the Star Tribune article today that announced that Neighborhood House is expanding to the eastside of St. Paul. It is taking over the East Side Family Center that used to be run by the East Side Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Although Neighborhood House has a long history of providing services to families on the West side, many of its patrons have been from the eastside. Their mission is "helping people, families and organizations develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in diverse communities." The sites on the eastside will be at Dayton's Bluff (262 Bates), Bruce Vento (409 E. Case), John Johnson (740 York) and North End (27 Geranium) Elementary Schools.

Check out their website for the resources they provide.

Trees for the Holidays

Consider giving a gift of a Tribute Tree to your friend or family member this holiday season. A Tribute Tree, sponsored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, is one that you give in honor of someone and it is planted in a park by park staff. This helps to "reforest" our beautiful parks.

Trees cost $100 each or three trees for $250. A hand-stamped holiday card announcing your gift will be sent by The Friends to the person you honor. After the tree is planted next summer, the Friends send the recipient a map showing its location.

Trees may be planted in Ramsey County parks or in the city of Saint Paul parks. Tree species preferred by each community are listed on the Friends website at this link.

For more information call 651.698.4543 or visit the website above.

Submitted by Friends of the Parks and Trails of Saint Paul and Ramsey County

Emergency Kits for Your Vehicle - what to include...

Preparing your vehicle for winter is something everyone says they are going to do, but in reality how many of us actually do it?? While you can certainly purchase an emergency kit from most any store that sells automotive supplies, you can also put one together yourself.

This list is not all inclusive but these are items that should be included in your Emergency Kit and kept in your vehicle or the trunk:

• a properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and jack
• a shovel (in Minnesota the folding shovels work really well)
• jumper cables (always check the recommended type according to your vehicle's manual - larger vehicles usually require cables of a stronger capacity)
• basic tools (wrench, screwdriver, fuses, etc.)
• flashlight and batteries (there are also emergency flashlights that you hand crank that eliminate the need for batteries)
• reflective triangles (to put out behind your vehicle) or road flares
• first aid kit (remember to check the expiration date of medication annually and keep it well stocked)
• ice scraper and snowbrush
• wooden matches in a waterproof container
• non-perishable, high energy foods (unsalted nuts, dried fruit, candy, etc.)
• coat, hat and gloves
• blankets and towels
• can in which to melt snow or ice
• bottles of water - change these out if they freeze
• bag of sand or kitty litter (for weight or to put on icy spots)
• extra bottle of windshield washer fluid (suitable for below freezing temperatures)
• other items to consider include - can of lock de-icer, compass, cell phone charger, safety vest, tow chains, NOAA weather radio.

Remember, Safety is no accident!!

Information courtesy of the National Safety Council, submitted by Pam McCreary

Winter Driving Survival Tips

Winter - the word seems to bring a chill to everyone. It evokes thoughts of snow, ice, and, usually, cold. Unfortunately, it normally means more problems for Minnesota drivers as well.

• A good rule of thumb is to always keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid any problems with water getting into your gas line.
• Keep close tabs on the weather, especially if you are planning on traveling. Let someone know your destination and route, and expected arrival time in inclement weather.
• If your car was outside during a snowstorm, make sure to brush it off COMPLETELY before departing. Snow left on the hood will blow onto other vehicles and block their vision. Make sure both your headlights and taillights are visible on your vehicle, not covered with snow.
• Adjust your speed for the conditions and increase your following distance between vehicles.
• If you become stranded while in your vehicle, DO NOT LEAVE your car. Your chances of being rescued are greater if you stay in one place. Staying in your vehicle with an emergency kit will decrease your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Run your engine for heat about once an hour. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear to avoid a backup of carbon monoxide into your car. Leave one window slightly open. Tie a piece of brightly colored cloth to your antenna to alert others to your presence.
• Take note of where you are as you drive so, if you become stranded, you can relay your location to a 911 dispatcher (carry a cell phone with you if possible!!). Stay calm and stay safe.

Information courtesy of the Minnesota Safety Council, submitted by Pam McCreary, Crime Prevention Specialist

Still looking for Volunteers for Spring...

We still need two people from the neighborhood to be our representatives on the Community Facilities Task Force of the Capital Improvement Budget process (CIB). This is the group of residents who evaluate and advise the CIB Committee on which projects related to parks, libraries, trails, playgrounds and other public spaces will be funded over the following two year period.

This task force is meeting Mondays at 4:30p for about six weeks in March and April downtown at City Hall. They provide a voucher for free parking at the lot near the science museum.

This is a great opportunity to have a huge impact on what happens on St. Paul's eastside, as well as city-wide. The city also provides training, and the District Council staff will support you.

PLEASE consider serving! Contact me at 651.578.7600 or at district1council@aol.com. Thank you!1

Parks Commission will Vote on Parks Plan

December 8 at 6:30p at the Daytons Bluff Rec Center, 800 Conway, the Parks Commission will vote to accept the Plan proposed by the Parks Department that will "repurpose" Conway Rec Center. Again, "repurposing" is another name for putting the building in private hands.

I am not sure whether there will be a chance to comment at the meeting, but there probably will be. It would be great if District 1 folks would show up with either signs or ready to speak in favor of keeping Conway Rec Center in the public realm.

A later public hearing will be held before City Council on this proposal. I'll let you know when that happens -- it will be sometime in January.

Here is a link to where you can comment on the proposal online -- Comment on Parks Proposal  scroll down the page to the comment section...

Still Time to Comment On Parks Plan!

This is important folks... if you haven't commented on the proposed parks plan, attend an open house

• November 15 at 270 Lexington Parkway N., OR
• November 18 at 1414 N. St. Albans.

The plans include the potential closure of Conway Rec Center with a new tenant taking over the building. This would shut the facility for public meetings, for after school programs, and for senior programming (outside activities would still occur). It would also leave the 20,000+ people of District 1 with only one fully functioning recreation center...

You can also send emails to Mike.Hahm@ci.stpaul.mn.us with your comments.

How many public facilities do we have in District 1?? Not many... we are losing the core of our neighborhoods if this happens.

Have You Tested Your House for Radon?

At the last District 1 Community Council meeting, several residents from the neighborhood expressed interest in Radon testing for their homes. According to the Minnesota Department of Health:

"Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, that means it continuously decays and releases radiation. It is produced from minerals in soil, such as uranium and radium. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless."

And why is Radon important? Once again, from the Minnesota Department of Health:

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each year 21,000 people die of lung cancer as a result of being exposed to elevated levels of radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer for smokers and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers."

Minnesota has one of the highest levels of Radon in the entire country. Add that our habit of keeping windows closed during the winter, and Radon is a severe risk for people living in homes in Minnesota. In some counties, up to one out of every three homes are at toxic levels.

The solution? For a few dollars you can pick up a Radon test at your local hardware store. If your house has toxic levels of Radon, there are ways to eliminate it from your home to keep your family safe.