The Community Council's first meeting of the new Transportation Committee is this coming Monday. All of our committees are open to community members- all you have to do is attend three meetings. The agenda is below. Email lauren@sapcc.org with any questions about this specific committee or our other two committees (Land Use Committee and Environment Committee).
The suggested story format was flash fiction:
six words a story
half imagined
Half a hard hat...where’s the rest? --Roger
This is my home, gutters optional.
(found: a metal gutter service sign) --Roger
Sometimes I fly off the handle.
(found: a car door handle) ---Ben
Netted a net rope near highway. ---Tim
Found pair of earmuffs. Highway eskimos? ---George
Join us for the St Anthony Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting on May 22, Langford Recreation Center 6:30-8pm to discuss concerns and ideas about cycling and walking in the neighborhood and connecting to Light Rail Transit (LRT). Guests include Council Member Russ Stark, Smart Ride designer Antonio Rosell. We will discuss biking improvements, improvements for pedestrians, and a report on the recent Walkability survey.
This event is organized by the Community Council's Environmental Committee. For more information, contact Lauren Fulner-Erickson 651-649-5992, lauren@sapcc.org.
You have two opportunities for rain barrel and compost bin purchase this year. The Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sales Roseville Sale (open to anyone) is Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 9-3. Compost bins will be $45 and rain barrels $55, first come, first served. Info posted at www.cityofroseville.com/rainbarrelsale
May 25-26, 2012 - 9am - 3pm
Rock Tenn Recycling
2250 Wabash Avenue, Saint Paul
Compost bins $55 - Rain barrels $69 (two styles)
Must pre-order online at recycleminnesota.org
Right now, some communities around us and around the world have already made the decision to add more plastics to recycling programs. In some places, they've decided to add all plastics.
Eureka Recycling is in the process of making a decision about collecting more types of plastics for recycling, along with other strategies to reduce plastic altogether!
Are you a renter who's wondering: "Hm, is this a good time for me to buy a home? Could I afford it? Oof, where do I even start?!" SAVE THE DATE for one of two energizing free "Art of Home Buying" workshops on May 17 (evening) and May 19 (morning) in St. Paul. Come learn the basics from a fellow artist - how to build towards financial security; why and how homeownership can benefit you; steps to owning a home; and, local programs and services. These free workshops are offered by the initiative Irrigate in partnership with ArtHome and the Home Ownership Center. Details to come soon; in the meantime, questions and rsvps can be addressed to Jun-Li at jun-li@springboardforthearts.org and 651-789-0679.
The CERTs Right Light Guide illuminates the main differences between the types of bulbs available, how to identify the brightness of light bulbs, and how to read the new labels. Learn about lighting options and find the lights you need, in 3 easy steps.
Rainwater from roofs and gutters drains from streets into storm drains and picks up pollution like dirt, oil and trash along the way. This runoff is not treated before it enters lakes and the Mississippi River. Redirecting downspouts onto lawn or garden allows rainwater to soak into the ground, and this is a good thing for lakes and rivers.
It's spring, and Garlic Mustard is coming up in woodlands and gardens. It's a good time to control this aggressive invader. Please work to keep it out of our neighborhood! This is a perfect time to pull the plants - they're small, easy to pull, and they haven't started to flower yet. Be sure to pull the plants carefully so you get the whole root - they can grow back from the roots. Discard pulled plants in the garbage - not the compost pile. More information: Plant Conservation Alliance - Alien Plant Working Group, WisconsinDNR, or MinnesotaDNR. Thanks to Marcie O'Connor for this info.
Union Park is hosting a compost bin workshop at St. Thomas University that is open to all neighborhoods. Pick up your Earth Machine Compost Bin and learn how to use it- to reserve a bin for $25, see Get A Compost Bin at https://sites.google.com/site/unionparkcomposter/home
Contact Rebekah Smith for more information and to RSVP.
Erik Olsen, neighborhood resident and landscape designer with Out Back Nursery and Landscaping, will share his expertise in a beautiful, compelling presentation on Sunday, April 15 from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. at the St. Timothy Lutheran Church (1465 Victoria St. N).
Come learn how native plants differ from non-natives and how you can pick from a palette wider than the popular coneflower and goldenrod. Olsen will advise on ways to integrate natives into small urban properties and how to transform our backyards into beautiful butterfly and bird sanctuaries and outdoor living spaces.
The presentation is free and open to the public. This presentation is the second of a three-month Sunday Series sponsored by the Como Community Council's Environment Committee.
Everyone knows recycling is good for the environment, but now it's also good for the St. Anthony Park Community Council. We have just partnered with Planet Green, a printer cartridge and cell phone remanufacturing and recycling company, to start a fundraiser that recycles mobile phones and used printer cartridges – you can help by being part of it.
If you use a printer, each spent cartridge could earn St. Anthony Park Community Council up to five dollars. Any old cell phones or broken ipods in your drawer? One phone may not seem like much, but if you get your co-workers and family involved – recycling is a great way for everyone to go green, while raising money for a cause.
ABOUT THE SPARC LOAN PROGRAM
• Loans up to $50,000 (may be layered with other financing)
• Competitive interest rates
• Opportunity for forgiveness of 25% of principal
• Use funds for almost any business need
• Flexible underwriting criteria
• Business planning help available
Contact Allison Sharkey, Associate Director, for more information.
We had great attendance at the Small Plot Gardening 101 workshop this past Saturday, and wanted to share the great resources with the larger community. Nick Jordan's powerpoint presentation is attached, and links to other resources are below. If you have further resources you'd like to share, please send the link to lauren@sapcc.org.
U of M Extension Gardener Services
Tomatoes in a Bucket
'Taking it to the Boulevards' Daily Planet article
In anticipation of the new light rail line, Metro Transit is reviewing bus service to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. The Central Corridor Transit Service Study will look at development projects and other plans to ensure that transit service meets needs now and in the future. Learn more about the study here, and take a survey to provide your input on needed transit connections.
