St. Paul Red and Blue Cares

On Saturday, November 19, there was a grand gathering at our local Target. The attendees were local families, firefighters, police officers, and volunteers. The occasion? A chance for local children to buy Thanksgiving dinner makings for their families in need. They were assisted by the firefighters and police officers in this first-of-its-kind event. Twenty local families were helped through generous donations by the Target Foundation and our local Target store.

The kids were also treated to lunch courtesy of Los Ocampo, Ho Ho Gourmet, Culvers, Little Oven, Dominos and KFC. Our local Target supplied drinks and the lovely cake. There were visits with mascots, mounted patrol, special police vehicles and at the local firestation.

Many thanks to the efforts of the planning committee, Saint Paul Police and Fire, Saint Paul Public Schools, the local restaurants, the volunteers and to Target.  (Photos courtesy of Senior Commander Joe Neuberger of the Eastern District SPPD!!)

Holiday Safety Tips

If you shop with credit cards, remember to only carry those cards you will be using. Report any missing cards right away (credit card companies don't hold you responsible for charges once you report the card stolen...), check your credit card statements for accuracy and keep a separate record of your cards and the numbers to call when they are lost or stolen.

If you carry cash to shop, only carry what you need, keep it in a safe place, and don't flash it around.

Store your gifts in the trunk before you leave the place you bought them. Don't get to your next location and then put things in the trunk. Use the store/mall lockers to store things if you don't carry them between shops at a single location. Immediately remove packages from your trunk when you return home - and don't store gifts in the garage (the garage lock is usually your weakest...).

Schedule deliveries when you will be home or have them delivered to a trusted, stay-at-home neighbor. If you live in a multi-unit building, bring deliveries for your neighbors into a secured area.

Keep your home lighted and don't leave gifts in plain sight.

Then, there have been an increase in thefts of electronic devices such as I-phones and Droids. When you are out in public, keep alert to your surroundings, don't be focused on these devices. Usually they are stolen in a "grab and run" type of action - so staying aware of your surroundings reduces your chances of being targeted. In the cities, these items have been stolen by single individuals who were hanging around in groups usually in the evening or at night, often near shopping areas or bus stops. Report these thefts immediately.

Most thefts are crimes of opportunity - don't give someone the opportunity to do you wrong...

Home Energy Improvement Loans Available

The City still has funds available to make energy efficient improvements to homes in our neighborhood.  The Saint Paul Energy Smart Homes program provides no-interest, deferred loans of up to $6,500 to Saint Paul homeowners to install insulation and/or a new furnace or boiler. This limited-time offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis to homeowners of all incomes.

Homeowners across the city have already taken advantage of this program and we want more people in our neighborhood to benefit as well. 

Questions can be directed to Kurt Schultz, 651.266.6590 or kurt.schultz@ci.stpaul.mn.us or the City's partner, LeAnne at Neighborhood Energy Connection - 651.221.4462 ext 132. 

Thanksgiving Meals at Fare for All

Many Twin Cities families will be faced with high food prices this holiday season. Instead of having to scale back on their Thanksgiving meal, anyone is welcome to purchase a $30 holiday pack through Fare For All Express.  Much like a traveling grocery store, Fare For All Express is a program that sells fresh produce and frozen meat for up to 40 percent less than grocery store prices.  
 

Throughout the month of November, $30 holiday packs will be available for sale at all Fare For All Express locations.  The package will contain a 10-12 pound turkey, pie, frozen vegetables, cranberries, bread, and other items to complete a holiday meal.  At almost half of a typical grocery store price, it is the perfect way to get a great Thanksgiving dinner for less.  There is no need to pre-order the package. 

In our area, the Fare for All Express site is at Hazel Park Church
1831 East Minnehaha Avenue, St Paul, MN-55119 Call 651.735.2555 for more info.

Burns Park Playground

After a recent inspection of the Burns Park Play Area, our Parks Operations staff have expressed concerns about the safety of the aging play equipment. Therefore, we will begin removing the playground components starting the week of 11/21.

 

We are currently working with the community in designing a new play area for Burns Park, with the construction planned for spring of 2012.

If you are interested in helping with planning the new playground, please contact the District 1 office at district1council@aol.com or Dave with the city Parks Planning Department at David.Ronzani@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Submitted by Saint Paul Parks.

Wed. Nov 9 1p Test

National Test of the Emergency Alert System

On Wednesday, November 9, at approximately 1 PM, FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct the country's first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test.  The test will last approximately 3 minutes across the country.  The purpose of the test is to assess the reliabiity and effectiveness of the system in alerting the public.  The national-level EAS is a public alert, warning system that enables the President to address the public during extreme emergencies.  During the test, all EAS participants, including broadcast radio and TV, cable and satellite TV, will participate in the transmission of a live audio message indicating this is a test.  

 

According to Comcast, "in some rare cases to fully restore programming, customers may need to power down the convertor to restore programming.  If the test lasts for more than five minutes, then customers should unplug the convertor box, wait thirty seconds and plug back in."

Submitted by the City of St. Paul

Leave your Leaves with Ramsey County

The Ramsey County Yard Waste sites are burgeoning with activity this time of year as residents drop-off leaves they’ve diligently raked from yards. Each year approximately 400,000 residents visit one of the County’s seven yard waste sites to drop off yard waste, or to pick up wood mulch, compost, or black dirt – all free of charge! About one third of those 400,000 visits occur in October and November during the peak of the “leaf season.” When residents manage their yard waste at a Ramsey County site or in a backyard compost bin, they save thousands of yards of landfill space and recycle valuable nutrients back into the soil by making compost. Furthermore, residents who visit the yard waste sites in the spring can pick up free compost (as available) which closes the recycling loop and provides their gardens and lawns with a valuable soil amendment.

Remember, it is ILLEGAL to rake your leaves into the street in St. Paul - doing so adds tons of phosphorus pollution to the river AND it costs taxpayers for increase costs of street sweeping... Our yard waste site is off Londin Lane near Highwood Hills Elementary School. There is a second yard waste site that accepts woody waste at Frank and Sims (off Earl Street just north of Phalen Blvd).

Submitted by Ramsey County

Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Station to Come to SunRay Library?

The City of Saint Paul is in the midst of a project to install public, electric vehicle charging stations around the city using Federal grant money.  More information about this work is available at www.stpaul.gov/evchargingstations. 

 

A couple of the stations will be solar powered.  Below is an image of the array planned for installation in the Como Pavilion parking lot to power two electric vehicle charging stations (they are visible as two posts under the array, but look like the second attached photo).   This is being funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

 

The State of Minnesota has a small amount of renewable energy fund money that it is looking to use to assist Mpls and St. Paul in doing a couple of more solar charging stations.  If funded, we'd like to do an installation at Sun Ray library.  The design of the solar array and stations would be similar to the Como installation, although there could be some design modifications to the cross bar, which in the Como case was designed to match detailing on the Como Pavilion. 

 

Based on solar access at the Sun Ray site and the availability of utility service, an array would be best installed next to the SW corner of the upper parking lot at Sun Ray, near the sidewalk that runs between the two parts of the parking lot.  The array would be tied into the charging stations and the utility grid, thereby providing solar energy to the grid when the stations are not in use, and providing grid power to the stations when the sun is not shining.  The two charging station parking spaces could be designated as "EV Only" parking, or as first-come-first serve for any car, unless reserved. (The charging stations can be reserved on-line ahead of visits, so that only the person with the reservation can access the plug during that time.)

 

We'd like to proceed with this grant opportunity as quickly as possible, and if funded, would welcome input from District 1 on design and use.  Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts on this. You can contact Merritt.Clapp-Smith@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Submitted by St. Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development

Aerial Photo Flights

The MAC was just informed today that the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would conducting repetitive nighttime aircraft overflights beginning tonight and continuing for the next three weeks.  See email below.

 

The map project area includes all of Saint Paul.  The aircraft will departing and landing out of the Holman Field Airport.  There will be just one plane conducting the study each night.

 

The project must be conducted during low-air traffic demand periods, which is why it is necessary to operate during the nighttime hours (11 p.m. - 5 a.m.).

 

The pilot have been instructed to follow the agreed upon "Pilot Information & Noise Abatement Procedures".  See the attached brochure.  The plane will be using slow flight and low power settings to minimize the noise.  However, it is my understanding that there is no flexibility in the altitude.

 

If you get complaints about the noise, please call the MAC's hotline - 612.726.9411 or www.macnoise.com/complaint. 

 

If you have specific questions about the project, please contact Tim Loesch, DNR GIS Supervisor, at 651.259.5475.

Submitted by the Mayor's Office

More Clean Up Info

Attendance at our clean up increased by 25% over last year and by 60% over two years ago. Total tonnage collected increased by 10%, but there was an increase in what went to the landfill and a decrease by 1% of what was diverted to reuse and recycling outlets. So the upshot is that only 48% of what was brought in was prevented from being trashed.


The mattresses and carpeting that were recycled this year amounted to 3% of the total collected.


We had an increase in the amount of lawnmowers and small motors that were recycled. And we also had a large number of fluorescent bulbs that got recycled.


As I mentioned before, we met our maximum of 40 seniors who were served by our pick up crew, and, unfortunately, had to turn away others who would have like to participate.


Thanks to everyone who volunteered, brought things in, and supports us with this important D1 event!

November Fitness Tips

Question: I’m not a particularly great cook, and I seem to eat a lot of boxed foods. Is this a problem if health is one of my primary goals?

Answer: It really depends on the specific foods you’re eating, but it’s definitely advantageous to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables and all-natural whole grains as possible, not to mention fresh meats and seafood. That said, convenience, price, and several other factors most likely play into your food choices as well, so choosing the best foods 100% of the time may not be all that practical. My advice to you would be to move in the direction of fresh foods as much as you can, given your particular lifestyle. And remember, you don’t have to be a great cook to reap the health benefits of nutrient-dense foods. They may taste better if you know how to properly prepare them, but it’s pretty easy to throw together some chicken or fish with a cooked whole grain and some veggies for a quick and easy (and healthy) dinner. I would also recommend taking a basic cooking class so you can learn a new skill—one that will continue to pay health dividends moving forward.

Question: I hate getting sick. Can you provide some tips and hints to keep me healthy throughout the winter months?

Answer: I’m with you—being sick sucks! Luckily, there are a couple tried and true habits that will help you avoid the latest bug. First of all, wash your hands frequently, and by all means, avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose, and mouth). Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of sleep (people forget how important this is to a healthy immune system), and get a flu shot as well. It goes without saying that a healthful diet is ideal, but I would also recommend a good quality multivitamin/ mineral supplement too, since most people struggle to eat a balanced and varied diet on a daily basis. But to me, the most effective way to avoid illness is to stay away from people that are already sick. This can certainly be a challenge, especially if you have kids, but do your best. Put these tips to good use, and you should be able to skirt through the winter with nothing more than the occasional head cold, if that!

Question: I’m big into weightlifting, but I’m not a huge fan of cardio. Is there a way for me to enhance heart health without hopping on one of the traditional pieces of cardio equipment for 45 minutes at the gym?

Answer: Yes—absolutely! Cardio doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get on the bike, treadmill, or elliptical. You simply need to get your heart rate up and that can be accomplished during your weight training sessions. Doing compound sets or supersets, or intense circuits with very little rest, will definitely get your heart rate kicking, and these provide the fitness and health benefits you’re looking for. You can get active in plenty of other ways too, without feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Try playing one of your favorite sports or go hiking in a nearby park. Even tubing or sledding in the wintertime can provide a good cardiovascular workout. Just think outside the box a little and keep the focus on fun!

Submitted by David Tenner, club manager at Anytime Fitness

Free Eastside Thanksgiving Meal

You are invited to join your fellow East Siders for the fifth annual, free, East Side Thanksgiving Day Meal on Thursday, November 24.  The meal is hosted by Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, located at 674 Johnson Parkway.  The meal begins at noon and will be served until 1:15pm.  Reserve your place at the table by calling the church office at 774-2396.

Submitted by Pastor Brian Scoles