New methods to control Emerald Ash Borer

In case you are interested in what the city is doing about the invasion of the emerald ash borer, they are holding an open house at the South Saint Anthony Recreation Center on June 6 from 6-7:30p. They are going to talk about their plans to release three species of non-stinging wasps that eat the larvae of the borer.

They are starting this release program at the location where the borer was first discovered in the city, but will be assessing where else they will release the wasps.

The South Saint Anthony Rec Center is located at 890 Cromwell, just north of University Avenue near Hiway 280.

Those unable to attend the open house can find additional materials on the use of the wasps (called biocontrol) at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website. The City also has a website to explain their plans to remove trees and otherwise control this pest.

Submitted by the Saint Paul Forestry staff and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Point Douglas Road Closure 5/31-6/2

Point Douglas Road will be closed from Lower Afton to Springside starting on May 31. The city is closing the street in order to replace a culvert at Elmwood.

They hope to have the excavation done on the 31st and the road restored on the 1st. The extra day is factored in just in case it rains.

In the evening, the road will be open for local traffic only.

Great Offer for Homeowners!

Do you own a home in Saint Paul or know someone who does? Through the Sustainable Saint Paul initiative, the City of St. Paul is focused on finding creative ways for residents to conserve energy and save money. Our latest effort is the Energy Smart Homes program which provides no-interest loans to Saint Paul homeowners to replace old furnaces or boilers and install insulation.

Energy Smart Homes Program includes

• no-interest loans up to $6500
• available to homeowners of all incomes
• no monthly payments - loans must be repaid in 30 years or when the home is sold
• may require homeowners to pay for half of the cost of improvements out of pocket, depending on income
• available on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are expended.

Insulation will keep your house cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter. Plus some insulation contractors are less busy this time of year, so it is easier to schedule. All Saint Paul residents - including city employees - are welcome to apply.

Check out this website for program description and application.

Submitted by the City of Saint Paul

May 24 Safety Meeting!

Come join your neighbors for supper and a discussion about how to prevent burglaries and deal with problem properties. There will be officers from the FORCE unit to talk about narcotics issues as well as the burglary prevention tips.

Pizzas donated by Papa John's, The Little Oven, Dominos, and Davanni's.

This event will be held at Progressive Baptist Church, 1505 Burns Ave. beginning at 6p with dinner.

Please join us!

City Council Redistricting Plan

So this is the proposal for redistricting the City Council wards that the Charter Commission will forward to the full Commission next Monday. There will be a public hearing at that meeting beginning at 4:30p in room 220 of City Hall (15 W. Kellogg Blvd.). This is on Monday May 23. It is a plan that won't affect Ward 7, the ward we are in, but has impact on Wards 1 and 5, and Wards 3 and 2 a little bit. 


The changes are needed as a result of loss of population in Ward 1 (the Frogtown area), which seems largely a result of the huge impact of foreclosures on that part of the city.

If you want to comment on the plan, next Monday is your last chance. State redistricting comes later...

Garden of Feed'em Community Garden

This community garden, at the start of its second year, is taking on new members who want personal garden plots. Last year the focus was on communal plots whose produce went to the area food shelves. This year the garden is reaching its stride, continuing with an emphasis on sharing with others, but adding plots for individuals and families. The garden also is partnering with the Conway Rec Center, whose Kids' Rec Check program will have its own plot - a teaching and learning environment for area kids.

Members of the garden are expected to help out with the communal areas, and a small fee is expected from gardeners.

The district council helps out with some things for the garden, but this is a neighbor-run organization with a neighborhood focus. If you want to help out, you can contact the district council and we will put you in touch with Mary or Barb, the garden organizers.

Board Meeting Next Week - May 23

So not only will we have a presentation by MnDOT about the Hiway 61 overlook at Burns and Upper Afton Rd., but we will also have staff from the Gateway Corridor Commission coming to tell us what the commission has in mind for our neighborhood as they plan a new transit corridor (without community input!).

Has the Metropolitan Council and its affiliate municipalities learned ANYTHING from the Central Corridor process?? Who gets to decide what is best for a neighborhood? The residents who live there or another county's planners??

I mean, we are just asking...

Come hear what the staffers have to say, and tell them what you think. Show up and speak out...

Monday, May 23, 6:30p at Battle Creek Rec Center, 75 S. Winthrop St.

CIB Projects - Public Hearing

We submitted several projects for Capital Improvement Budget funds from the city - redoing Battle Creek Road through the park to Lower Afton, improved lighting on North Park, and improvement of the Ruth Street bridge over I-94.

The City submitted proposals for repaving all of Battle Creek Road, Ruth Street south of Burns, and improvements to Sun Ray Library. The North East Neighborhoods Corporation submitted proposals that would have provided funding for home and business improvements in the Eastview neighborhood and along White Bear Avenue.

If you are interested in speaking for or against these proposals, there will be a public hearing on June 6 at 6p in room 40, Lower Level of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg.

After this hearing the City's CIB Committee will make its final recommendations about which projects to support. These will go to the Mayor for final approval later this year, with funding next year and in 2013.

So here's your chance to influence what money gets invested in our area by the City.

Transcendental Meditation Open House

You have a chance to visit and tour the Transcendental Meditation Center at 399 Ruth Street on May 14 from 1 - 4p. They will be holding short seminars on the TM program for a variety of conditions, including PTSD and ADHD. There will be tours of the building at 1, 2 and 3p.

There is no cost and everyone is welcome. If you have been curious, this is your chance to satisfy your curiosity.

Submitted by B.J. Billman, director of Transcendental Meditation Center

And Another Clean Up Effort April 30!!

bus stop after clean up

bus stop before clean up

Thanks to Highwood residents, the Wulterkens, and to the Daytons Bluff 1 by Youth community action program, we had 3 groups of about 30 people cleaning up Lower Afton Road between McKnight and Point Douglas Road last weekend. These hearty and dedicated souls braved the pouring rain to pick up litter and dumped garbage along the roadside and up the hillsides.

crews heading to work

dedicated efforts to clean it all!

There were groups of young people from all over the Metro area and from church groups working together with Ramsey County folks to undo what our carelessness did over the winter. As one of the organizers reports, by far the greatest amount of debris was concentrated near the bus stops along Lower Afton. We are trying to find businesses, apartment complexes, scout troops, groups of neighbors in these areas to adopt the bus stops for regular pick up.

Why are people dumping here?

bags of trash waiting for pick up

If you are interested in this community project, contact our office (651.578.7600) or go to the city's website to be connected to the Come Clean! program in our area.

Thanks to the Wulterkens for these great photos!!

Battle Creek Clean Up was on April 16

In spite of having snow on the ground the day of the Battle Creek Regional Park Earth Day Clean Up, the 189 volunteers that braved the weather were able to collect close to 2 TONS of trash plus two yards of recycling from park land.

At the conclusion of the day, Sue Moyer, the event manager, announced that after eight years of coordinating the event, she has decided to step down. A replacement has not yet been identified. If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact Angela Mens-Eastman with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation at 651.748.2500.

This is an important event for our area. Battle Creek Park is how most people in the rest of the City and County know us. Keeping it clean reflects well on us all. Please help keep this event going strong, following in Sue's footsteps. The whole district sends its thanks Sue's way for her dedication to this project over the last eight years.