Gateway Food Co-op receives Grant

Gateway Food Cooperative is extremely pleased to announce that it was one of 10 food co-ops selected to receive funding through a competitive seed grant program sponsored by Food Co-op Initiative, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities make their co-op vision into reality.

The funding will support Gateway’s community outreach and member-owner recruitment efforts. “Reaching out and building relationships is key to realizing our vision for a food co-op that is representative of the rich cultural diversity of our community on the East Side of St. Paul,” says Beth Butterfield, Co-Chair of the Gateway Food Co-op Steering Committee. “All our work to date has been accomplished with the vision and talent of our volunteers and supporters. We’re excited about the ways this grant award will increase our capacity to engage with community partners during the co-op’s organizing phase.”

One of the added benefits for Gateway is that the Steering Committee will by supported with technical assistance from community-organizing and food co-op development experts at FCI. Gateway sees this support as equally valuable to the actual grant money in helping the co-op make progress towards its mission.

Gateway Food Cooperative’s mission is to establish a sustainable, natural foods cooperative on the East Side of St. Paul that provides healthy, local, ethically-produced food. Guided by the Cooperative Principles, we are committed to:

·      Promoting wellness for our neighbors and community

·      Connecting local farmers with consumers

·      Supporting a community-based food system

·      Raising awareness about food justice issues

·      Being an active member of our community

·      Being a welcoming destination for all the diverse cultures that call the Twin Cities home

A wood-fired pizza party – free to Gateway Co-op member-owners – is scheduled for early October in partnership with Phalen Ovenworks, which regularly sells bread to help raise funds for the co-op. Visit www.gatewaytofood.org, if you are interested in learning more about or becoming a Gateway Food Co-op member-owner.

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Gateway Food Cooperative began as a conversation at a coffee shop between two friends, Beth Butterfield and Sarah Geving, both of St. Paul’s East Side. After a tremendous turnout at the first community event held last autumn, a volunteer Steering Committee was formed and began meeting. In April 2012, a second community event added more enthusiastic volunteers and momentum. The Gateway Food Co-op Steering Committee has 14 active members and is in the process of implementing multiple outreach and member recruitment efforts.

Food Co-op Initiative is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping communities make their co-op vision into reality. They are the only national organization dedicated exclusively to helping startup food co-ops. Their grants, free consultations, and extensive library of educational resources have helped dozens of co-ops get their start since Food Co-op Initiative’s inception in 2010. Food Co-op Initiatives grants are funded in part by USDA Rural Development and Blooming Prairie Foundation.

Contact:

Beth Butterfield

612-419-8751

eastcoop@gmail.com

Steam Blast Test 9/13/12

The Metropolitan Waste Treatment Plant near Pigs Eye will be conducting a STEAM BLAST test tomorrow: Thursday, September 13, 2012 @ 7:30a. It may stretch out the whole day, and may be conducted 3 or 4 times to ensure the steam lines and valves are clean.

This test involves loud noise from a blast of steam that clears out the lines, followed by a release of steam. It is routine maintenance and not harmful. BUT WILL BE VERY LOUD!!

Steam differs from smoke in that it's usually white and quickly dissipates; smoke is darker and doesn't disperse quickly. This is standard practice but can alarm people if they aren't expecting it.

Boulevard Trees Need Your Help!!

The City of Saint Paul is putting out a call to residents to water their trees due to abnormally dry weather conditions. The continued dry weather pattern is stressful on trees and can lead to a weakened condition more susceptible to illness, disease, and premature tree death. While some types of trees are more tolerant to water stress than others, current dry conditions call for all trees to be watered. Saint Paul’s Forestry Division has released a series of helpful tips and guidelines to assist residents in monitoring and watering their trees.
Signs a tree is suffering from water stress

• Yellowing of the leaves
• Drooping or wilted leaves
• Premature leaf drop and loss 

Watering guidelines
Watering should be done in the early morning or evening for best results.
For large trees

• Larger trees need to be watered 2-3 times per week for 1-2 hours
• Using a slow trickle of water by the base area of the tree is best

For smaller trees

• Smaller trees need to be watered every other day for 30 – 60 minutes
• Using a trickle or a slow stream of water around the drip line (where water would drip  during a rain event) is best

Due to the lack of rainfall, one or two isolated storms will not bring enough consistent water that trees need. Residents are asked to not only water their private trees, but to also water public boulevard trees that may abut their property. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact Saint Paul’s professional Forestry staff at 651-632-5129 or www.stpaul.gov/parks.

Ramsey County Needs Election Judges!

As you are aware, the 2012 presidential election will be held on November 6, 2012. Each year, Ramsey County Elections appoints over a thousand election judges to serve in over 97 St. Paul polling places. Election judges play a vital role in Election Day operations, and serving as an election judge is a great way to be civically involved. In a presidential election year, more judges are needed in order to accommodate the high voter turnout.

Minnesota law allows for workers to take time off work in order to serve as an election judge. 

What are the required qualifications to be an election judge?

 You must be at least 18 years of age

 You must be a citizen of the United States

 You must be able to read, write, and speak English

 You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota

 You cannot serve at an election in the same district where your spouse, parent, child or sibling is a candidate

 You cannot serve in the same precinct with your spouse, parent, child, or sibling

Do election judges who serve in St. Paul have to be residents of Ramsey County?

No. Residents of Minnesota can serve anywhere in Minnesota as an election judge. Unfortunately, residents of other states cannot serve as an election judge in Minnesota.

What is the time commitment?

There will be a paid two-hour election judge training provided by Ramsey County. Several sessions in October are available to choose from. On Election Day, election judges report at 6:00 AM and work until the polling place is closed and election results have been sent, usually around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. (Under Minnesota Law, election judges are allowed to take paid time off of work in order to serve on Election Day.)

Are election judges compensated?

Yes. Election judge pay starts at $8.00/hour. Election judges may also volunteer their time if they wish.

How can we get more information?

Please visit our website (www.rcelections.org) and click on the ‘Election Judges’ tab. Potential election judges can also call us at 651-266-2171.

Thank you

Great River Master Plan Hearing Set

The Saint Paul Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan for the Great River Passage Master Plan on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 40 of City Hall/Courthouse at 15 W. Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul.  All interested persons are invited to attend and address the Commission on this matter. 

The Planning Commission (at the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission) will consider adoption of appropriate sections of the Great River Passage Master Plan as amendments to the Comprehensive Plan in order to:

Align the goals and objectives of Great River Passage with those of the other chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, especially land use, transportation, and parks and recreation

Ensure that the Great River Passage Master Plan is official City planning policy, and therefore guides public and private investment within the Passage.

The sections of the master plan recommended for adoption as part of the Comprehensive Plan include:

General goals and objectives, by principle (more natural, more urban, more connected) and reach (Gorge, Valley, Downtown and Floodplain);

Graphics that illustrate key planning and design concepts; and

Goals and objectives related to regional park vision plans, with corresponding graphics.

The role of the Planning Commission is to review the broader vision, goals and objectives in the Great River Passage Comprehensive Plan document for consistency with the chapters of the larger Comprehensive Plan, and recommend adoption of those that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

The portion of the Master Plan being considered for adoption as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan can be found at: www.greatriverpassage.org (click on Planning Commission Documents).  This document is the subject of the September 21, 2012 public hearing.

Update on Newport Transit Station

At an Open House in July, residents, business owners and commuters came out to City Hall to see plans for the new transit station. Attendees were excited about having express transit service in Newport. The Transit Station will be a critical stop on the Red Rock Corridor. The plans for the transit station will be finalized in the Fall of 2012 with construction starting next year.

The Station will feature express bus service to St Paul when it opens in 2013 with the ability to add additional transit service inthe future. The Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the City of Newport are also working together to promote transit oriented development within the station area. Potential uses include rental housing, such as senior living facilities or apartments, office and retail. For a closer look at the project view the latest project profile.