Last summer the St. Paul Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit uncovered nearly a dozen illegal tow truck drivers who were stealing cars and scrapping them for cash at one primary automobile scrap metal operation in the Twin Cities. In the wake of this investigation, more than 10 people were criminally charged through the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office in connection with stealing more than 100 vehicles. To this date, eight of those individuals have pleaded guilty with others awaiting trial.

Investigators determined there were three schemes involved:

I. Yearly events and projects

1. Organize volunteers for annual neighborhood cleanup in September
2. Organize volunteers for annual Kasota Ponds cleanup

II. Specific tasks for 2012

1. Continue to communicate on and advocate for Raymond Avenue Reconstruction
2. Initiate new Raymond / University Parking Task Force to mitigate issues related to Raymond Avenue Reconstruction
3. Research and implement fundraising for Hampden Park implementation project, including funding from various sources including CIB and CRWD
4. Educate the neighborhood about proper leaf disposal through signage and events
5. Create a vision for improved transit, cycling, and pedestrian connections within and through St. Anthony Park
6. Investigate a planning grant for the long term management and improvement of Kasota Ponds water quality 

III. General outreach/advocacy

Did you ever think about what happens to the thousands of tons of salt that is applied to roads, parking lots and sidewalks?  Most of it ends up in our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. As a result, clean water in the Twin Cities is in jeopardy. Watch this new video, Improved Winter Maintenance: Good Choices for Clean Water to learn about tools, techniques and products that you can use to keep your driveways and sidewalks safe AND protect our waters. To watch it, visit this link or go to YouTube.com and type in MWMOvideo . Two St. Anthony Park people are featured in the video - Dr.

Learn how you can help build a strong local food system in our community at the Midway Local Food Resource Hub Kick-Off on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00pm at the Hamline Midway Library (1558 W. Minnehaha). Together with your neighbors, you can gain access to low-cost seeds and plants, gardening workshops, a tool-lending library, newly-established community gardens, and more to expand gardening and healthy food access in our community.

Come learn about local food opportunities in the neighborhood and join the discussion to build on these efforts. Light refreshments and children's activities will be provided.

Every year, the St. Anthony Park Community Council, along with the other sixteen district councils, nominate members of their area for the Neighborhood Honor Roll. Congratulations and thank you to this year's honorees:Tom Bielenberg and Hans Weyandt, co-owners of Micawber’s Bookstore, Michael Russell, Tim Faacks and Tom Spreigl, co-owners of Speedy Market.

Check out the video on YouTube of the keynote speech by Jane McClure as well as the volunteer awards.

The St. Paul Police have released the year end crime statistics. 2011 had a decrease in crimes committeed in North and South St. Anthony Park. In 2011, there were 223 crimes--down from the 2010 number of 284. For details....

Saint Paul Public Works Department has a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page about alleys at http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=4795

The City of Saint Paul's Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program is seeking applicants for the 2012 loan and grant funding cycle. This years program kicks off with an application workshop on February 8, 2012 where information about the 2012 Neighborhood STAR Program will be presented.

The Neighborhood STAR Program awards loans and grants over $5,000 through an annual competitive application process. Eligible proposals include capital (bricks and mortar) improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods that further economic, commercial or residential development and must be matched dollar to dollar with private resources.

Are you a resident of the Twin Cities metro area?  If you answered yes, please take a minute or two to answer the questions on a survey from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization about winter salt use (your answers anonymous).  Then, forward it to colleagues, students, friends and family in the Twin Cities so they can participate too!

The District 10 Como Community Council's Environment Committee is sponsoring an event on Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m. at the North Dale Recreation Center. Heather Holm, horticulturist and author of the blog, "Restoring the Landscape with Native Plants," will speak on day-flying moths and butterflies and their native food plants. The talk is free and open to everyone.  You can find more information on the attached flyer.

Community Neighborhood Housing Services, a Saint Paul-based NeighborWorks Home Ownership Center, has been awarded funds to provide home low-cost improvement loans to homeowners living in Ramsey County. A variety of programs are available, meeting the needs of households with incomes up to 120% of area median income as determined by HUD, currently $100,800 for a family of four.   Interest rates are currently below 2%.

On December 31^st, the St Paul Senior Chore Service has shut its' doors. This community-based program has aided senior citizens by providing free or low cost lawn care, snow shoveling, housekeeping and other chores since 1988.

The St. Paul Senior Chore Service matched workers and volunteers of all ages with senior citizens who needed help.  Many of the workers have been young people who gained work experience and earned money while providing a much-needed service to the seniors in their neighborhood. Interaction between generations has been an important bonus of this program.

The St. Paul Chore Service recruited and coordinated hundreds of volunteers from local businesses and church groups that helped Senior Citizens by raking, painting, repair, clean up, and housekeeping services.  In addition to volunteers, the Senior Chore Service was able to connect seniors with handymen, housekeepers and snow removal and mowing services at a minimal cost.

The following information is posted on behalf of the volunteers who organize the annual progressive dinner.

Please join your neighbors on Saturday, February 25th for the annual St. Anthony Park Progressive Dinner. It’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, enjoy a special meal, and have great conversations! Come alone or come with a friend! The event starts at the Methodist Church at Como and Hillside for appetizers. At that time, you will receive your schedule for the evening.

• 5:30 - 6:20 Appetizers at the Methodist Church
• 6:30 - 7:15 Salad and Bread
• 7:30 - 8:30 Main Course
• 8:45 - 9:45 Dessert and Coffee

Below is the form for you to fill out. Return via e-mail back or US Post so that your participation can be coordinated.

This is truly one of those great community builders that set this neighborhood apart.

If you're planning on doing a winter house clean out, check out Ramsey County's guide to reusing and donating.

Do you have items in good condition that you no longer use? Instead of throwing them in the trash, consider reuse, donation or selling. You can save money through re-sale or including donation amounts on your taxes. Plus, you can feel
good about helping those in need and participating in an environmentally sound cause that saves energy and resources.
For more information, go to www.RamseyAtoZ.com or call 651.633.EASY (3279), available 24/7.