NEIGHBORHOOD MATTERS
March 2020
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Battling Burnout and Maintaining Motivation
Is stress causing you to feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or mentally exhausted? You may be experiencing burnout. Join Laura Harder from Happy With Work to learn practical tips on how to prevent burnout and maintain your motivation. This interactive workshop will include discussion, educational resources, giveaways, and more. For information, contact Wil at 651-645-2948 ext. 114.
Thursday, March 19, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Rondo Community Library, 461 Dale Street North, in St. Paul.
Creating Caring Communities
Learn about mental illnesses, the impact of negative attitudes and five things each of us can do to make Minnesota a better place for people who experience a mental illness. The free program is open to the public and will be presented from 1:00-2:00 p.m., at Carty Heights, 412 N. Dunlap Street. For more information, contact Madelyn at 651-288-1422 or mvoigt@episcopalhomes.org, or see “classes” at namimn.org.
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Meet Union Parks New Intern!
Juthi Dewan!
Juthi is a sophomore at Macalester College where she is an Applied Math and Statistics major and an Urban Studies concentrator. She is ethnically Chakma, an indigenous group in Bangladesh where she was born and raised. She later moved to Southern California and now calls Saint Paul home. She loves exploring cities, nectarines at sunset and train rides!
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Saint Paul Tree Lottery
Would you like a free tree for your yard? Saint Paul property owners can sign up for a free tree lottery now until March 27. Lottery winners will be notified by March 31 and will need to pick up their trees on May 30.
Urban Family Camp-in
 Saint Paul families who have never camped before are invited to a free overnight camping experience at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center on Friday, March 13. Families will have the opportunity to go swimming, learn to put up a tent, cook marshmallows over a fire, and more at the Urban Family Camp-in.
Save the Dates
YOUTH SUMMER SPORTS REGISTRATION: Summer youth sports registration for softball, baseball, lacrosse, t-ball and nearball runs March 1-31. Save 25% when you register online on Sunday, March 1.
SUMMER CAMP & ACTIVITY REGISTRATION: Registration for summer camps, classes, and activities opens Monday, March 9.
Spring Adaptive Recreation
Spring Adaptive Recreative Registration is now open!
Adaptive Recreation provides a comprehensive recreational program for Saint Paul residents of all ages who have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Since its inception in 1976, Adaptive Recreation has evolved from offering primarily recreational activities to providing educational, social, cultural, and recreational services. In addition to specialized activities, Adaptive Recreation provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become integrated into programs that are available to the majority of the public. The program strives to provide its participants with skills needed to successfully participate in community-based recreation programs and encourages them to pursue opportunities for growth.
Registration can be done online or by calling 651-793-6635.
join forces with family, friends, and neighbors for the 34th annual Citywide Spring Cleanup!
When: Saturday, April 25, 2020 | 9am-11:30am
Why: Each year, hundreds of volunteers gather across Saint Paul for the Citywide Spring Cleanup to pick up litter that has recently become exposed due to the melting snow.
Who: Individuals and groups of all ages come together to help beautify the city of Saint Paul.
Where and How: Participating is easy! Drop by your selected cleanup site any time between 9am-11:30am, to pick up bags, gloves, snacks and meet your neighbors and community members. Then head out and clean up your park or neighborhood of choice. to find your drop by site click this link: Citywide Spring Cleanup
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2020 Home Improvement Fair
Saturday, March 7th – 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Cretin-Derham Hall
550 S. Albert Street, Saint Paul, MN 55116-2020
Tackle your next home project at the Home Improvement Fair!
This FREE fair is one of the area's most popular events, with over 40 exhibitors and 13 workshops to help you take on your next project and save money, energy, and time in the process.
Plan your day - view the workshop schedule here.
Grab a bite to eat at the Café Cairo: Greek and Egyptian Street Food truck, conveniently located outside at the entrance to the fair!
Attendees may also enter to win great door prizes from the sponsors and exhibitors. If you work up an appetite talking with all the experts, grab a bite to eat from the Cafe Cairo food truck onsite.
Tech Dump St Paul will be at the 2020 fair collecting small electronic items: Cell Phones, Tablets, and Cables/ charging cords.
visit macgrove.org/hif for more information.
RSVP Facebook // Nextdoor
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Free Tax Filing Help is Available
Prepare and Prosper offers free tax-preparation assistance
Services are available at nine locations,  including three in Saint Paul:
- Their main office at 2610 University Ave. Suite LL
- Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent
- Merrick Community Services, 1669 Arcade, Suite 4
Some locations take appointments, some are walk-in. Generally, you are eligible if you make less than $35,000. Families are eligible if household income is $55,000 or less. Get details about hours, what paperwork to bring, or how to prepare your own taxes for free online.
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Union Park Receives $10,000 for Parks Advocacy
The Trust for Public Land, a national parks advocacy organization, has granted UPDC $10,000 to improve park access as part of their national 10-minute walk efforts. 10 Minute Walk works with local leaders across the U.S. to raise awareness around the importance of parks and green spaces for improving the health of their cities, and to make parks top of mind with the people who are planning the future of cities.
 T he grant agreement states that staff will be expected to better connect residents to existing parks, reach out to “marginalized and underrepresented communities” and “empower community members to be advocates for parks and green spaces. ”It also calls for making city parks “safe, culturally-relevant and accessible” while raising awareness of the citywide need for dedicated parks funding for maintenance and amenities.
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Registration Is Open For St. Paul Midway Baseball
Midway Baseball is a nonprofit program of the Dunning Boosters and was founded in 1990 by local resident Jim Kelley. Our fields are located in St. Paul's Dunning park, on Marshall Avenue at Syndicate street, next to Concordia University. Dunning fields have a great baseball tradition and were home to MLB legends Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield and current MN Twin Joe Mauer. These Hall-of-Famers (Molitor & Winfield) were coached and mentored by Billy Peterson.
Currently, there are 300+ youth players in the program, ranging from ages 7 to 15. If you are interested in signing up your child, check out the link below
Midway Baseball 2020 little league season
Registration for ages 7 to 15
Games are played in St. Paul’s Dunning Park
Registration info - www.midwaybaseball.org
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What's Happening at St. Thomas!
Hunger? In Our Neighborhood? At St. Thomas? It is true.
"Food insecurity" is the growing term on college campuses to reflect the 56 percent of all first-generation students and 36 percent of students at four-year colleges nationwide who sometimes have to choose whether to buy groceries or buy their books. Through conversations and research on campus, we know that food insecurity is a very real experience for some students right here at St. Thomas.
 Launched in May 2019, the Tommie Shelf offers students access to vital resources. Every month, Keystone brings its Foodmobile (a mobile food shelf) to the St. Paul campus to help ensure students can easily access nutritious, free groceries that help keep them nourished and healthy.
How can you help? Visit Kopplin's Coffee or Coffee Bene through Sunday, March 8 to drop off your food donations (see extensive list below). Stay for beverages and baked goods while you're there, to support the generous owners of Kopplin's and Bene! Thank you, neighbors, for your commitment to our community.
Keystone Community Services recommends - and welcomes - any of the following as food donations:
* Canned meat products (tuna, stew, chili, etc.)
* Boxed or shelf-stable dinners (especially gluten-free!)
* Hearty canned soup and chili
* Pasta
* Cooking oil
* Spices and spice blends
* Baking mixes
* Cereal
Increasingly, Keystone also is looking for culturally specific foods for its college food mobiles and its outreach to senior centers and other neighborhoods:
* Bamboo shoots
* Jasmine rice
* Bean thread noodles
* Rice noodles
* Fish sauce
* Soy sauce
* Oyster Sauce
* Sriracha Sauce
* White hominy
* Halal foods, especially shelf-stable meat products
* Canned chili peppers
* Masa flour
* Goya brand of beans, pasta and corn meal
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Minnesota United FC is HIRING! 
MNUFC is currently hiring Guest Experience Staff (game day staff that assist with ticket taking, ushering, guest services, premium staffing, etc.) This is a part-time role at the stadium that will work at our home games and stadium events. The link/job description where applicants can apply can be found HERE. There are also other opportunities at Allianz Field through Delaware North, WESS, and Janiking.
More hiring event information via our Allianz Field Twitter - @AllianzField.
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The Planning Commission makes recommendations on municipal planning issues as required by law. It is made up of resident volunteers appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.
There are seven current openings.
Ideal candidates will live in one of the following wards:
- Ward 1 (Summit-University, Frogtown)
- Ward 2 (West Side, Downtown, Fort Road/West 7th)
- Ward 4 (Hamline-Midway, Como, St. Anthony Park, Union Park)
- Ward 6 (Payne Phalen, Greater East Side)
- Ward 7 (Dayton’s Bluff, East View, Conway/Battle Creek/Highwood Hills)
With background or experience in any of the following fields:
- Architecture, civil engineering, and/or urban design
- Arts and/or culturally-based programming
- Business/economic development
- City/urban planning, geography
- Community organizing
- Housing advocacy, development, and/or finance
- Public administration and/or finance
- Law
- Youth and/or professional leadership
Time commitment:
- 3-year terms, with an opportunity to be reappointed twice
- Meet every other Friday from 8:30-11 a.m. at Saint Paul City Hall
- Serve on at least one committee:
- Communications and Nominations (Once every other month)
- Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning (Wednesday afternoons, bimonthly)
- Transportation (Monday afternoon, bimonthly)
- Zoning (Thursday afternoon, bimonthly)
People who reflect Saint Paul’s diversity are encouraged to apply.
Planning Commissioners receive a small stipend for their time.
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Park Improvement Funds are Now Open!
Also known as The Cell Tower Funds; Union Parks Environment and Parks Committee are looking to neighbors for ideas on how we can improve the amenities and programming around and in the parks in our community. If you have ideas or want to know more shoot me an email at wako@unionparkdc.org and I can provide you the application, criteria for applying and answering any additional questions you may have.
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Properly Dispose of Vape Pens/E-cigarettes
 Are you quitting the vaping habit this new year and wondering what to do with your vape pens? Do not place them in the trash or your recycling cart – the batteries can start a fire. Bring them to a Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste collection site for safe disposal. Just place each vaping pen in a separate, clear plastic bag for transport to our collection site. If the device has a push button activator, make sure there is nothing that can press that button and turn it on while it’s being transported. When you arrive at the collection site, tell staff you have vaping devices, so they can be handled immediately.
Before you make your trip to our collection site, check your home and garage for other household hazardous waste that you can bring — like paint, fluorescent light bulbs, used oil and aerosol cans. If you have questions, please call 651-633-EASY (3279) or email AskEH@ramseycounty.us.
Compost Bin Sale – Save $20
The Recycling Association of Minnesota is selling compost bins for $66, plus tax this year. Ramsey County residents can purchase bins for $20 off. Order online at RecycleMinnesota.org and enter promo code “Ramsey” to receive the discounted price. Or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a Ramsey County resident. Pick up your pre-ordered bin on May 2 in Maplewood.
Find additional sales, including year-round options, at RecycleMinnesota.org.
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Climate Justice Community Discussion
Wednesday, April 22nd 5:30-7PM at St. Thomas
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 Join neighbors, students, and friends as we gather to discuss the Saint Paul Read Brave book, Climate Justice by Mary Robinson, and learn from local groups working towards a
more sustainable future.
To kick off the discussion, the University of St. Thomas Sustainable Communities Partnership and the Metropolitan Council will highlight their multi-disciplinary collaboration for climate resiliency in the Twin Cities.
Light refreshments provided.
Still, need to read the book? Borrow a copy from MGCC or download a digital version from the Library here.
RSVP: Facebook // Nextdoor |
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St. Paul Forestry is Coming to Union Park!
 Do you know what the emerald ash bore is?
Do you have questions about trees being removed from your sidewalk?
Would you like to know what you can do?
Come to UPDC's Environment and Parks Committee March meeting and learn more about what the Saint Paul Forestry does. Urban Foresters Bri and Adam from the St. Paul Forestry Department will chat about tree removal/replanting in our district and tree canopy health in Union Park followed by a Q&A portion.
The Forestry Unit manages boulevard and park tree planting, tree pruning, tree removal, stump removal, and tree diseases & pests. Their vision is to be stewards of the community forest by utilizing best management practices, by implementing innovative design solutions, and by increasing community awareness and engagement in order to preserve and enhance the quality and function of the community forest.
March 18th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Merriam Park Recreational Center
2000 St. Anthony Ave
Emerald Ash Borer
Situation Awareness Level: CRITICAL
Neighbors are encouraged to learn about the 2020-2022 City of St. Paul Forestry plan to combat Emerald Ash Borer
 Emerald ash borer (EAB) kills ash trees native to North America and has now spread across all of Saint Paul. Tree mortality is becoming increasingly apparent and when ash trees begin to die, they dry out and become brittle and hazardous. The time for residents to take action is NOW! The longer you wait, the more hazardous the tree will become to you, your neighbors, and your property and the more expensive it will be to manage the problem.
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Volunteering in your neighborhood is a great way to give back, connect with neighbors, and build community. Our board and committees are made up entirely of volunteers. And, we welcome volunteers to help with events, reach out to neighbors through flyering and surveys, 2020 Census work and provide support and talent in other ways. In fact, many of the beautiful photographs on our website were taken by James Ebert, a community volunteer.
We'd love to talk to you about opportunities that match your skills and interests, so please fill out the form below:
UPDC VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM
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Microgrants are back!
Applications for microgrants are once again open. The microgrant program is a grant program for Union Park residents to gain funding for activities and services within the community that aid in the vibrancy of the neighborhood and encourage participation. If you have an idea for a community event, big or small then you should apply!
We encourage applicants to partner with neighbors, businesses, and other organizations within Union Park.
We welcome agencies serving underserved residents of Union Park to apply to help fund activities that fall within the micro-grants mission.
To apply please see the guidelines here, the application here and the budget template here. If you have any questions please email wako@unionparkdc.org.
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The Fund is now open and we can start accepting donations from neighbors. Thank you for your support in this endeavor to better serve our community. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
Community Benefits Fund
For quesitons email: Brandon@unionparkdc.org
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Get Updates and Stay Informed!
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