November Newsletter | 2019

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View this email in your browser Southeast Community Organization November 2019 Eastview | Conway | Battle Creek | Highwood Hills Community Planning Basics   Join us in a session offered by the City of St. Paul and designed for community members with little to no planning experience. The discussion w ill focus on District 1 and the east side. This is part of our Community Power Leadership Series which is designed to help regular people learn about how community development happens and what they can do to be a part of it.   Seats are limited to 40 attendees.   Community Planning 101 Thursday, November 7 6:30-8:00 pm Battle Creek Rec   Sign up here. Transportation Open Houses   Join us at any of two upcoming community meetings surrounding public transportation needs in our neighborhoods. What type of service improvements should Metro Transit prioritize? Where are there gaps in our network?   What would help you to ride more often? Monday, November 18, 6:30-8:00 pm     District 1 Office at Sun Ray Thursday, December 5, 6:30-8:00 pm     Highwood Hills Recreation Center Refreshments provided. Please Donate! Give to the Max day is Minnesota's annual day of giving for nonprofits across the state! Support District 1! Our organization is overseen by our Board of Directors who are all community members. We run a lean operation and only use funds to support the work we do in our own community! Your financial donation, whatever the size, helps us build a stable organization that can sustain itself into the future! You can donate online, or mail a check to our office at 2105 1/2 Old Hudson Rd, St. Paul, MN  55119. Thank you!!   New Logo Based on community feedback, the tree logo won with the most votes! We will continue working with the designer to refine the look and color scheme.   Also, through research and discussion, the Communications Committee voted on Southeastside.org as our new URL/Website address. We will slowly be incorporating this new information over the next few months. Help Plan the Highwood Performance Series 2020 The Series brought almost 400 people together this past August to enjoy live performances and beautiful, summer evenings. We plan to apply for another grant to make the program happen in 2020.   Want to weigh in on the 2020 program and artists? Join us for Coffee and Conversation and let us know about your program ideas! Drop-in any time for this gathering!   Tuesday, November 26    4:00-6:00 pm at the D1 Office Can't make the gathering but have ideas? Call or email with your input. Sun Ray Shopping Center News District Council staff recognize that Sun Ray is a primary community hub for residents, and we need a shopping center that is safe and clean for everyone. Staff have been meeting with Sun Ray businesses, Councilmember Prince, the St. Paul Police Department and Brixmor Management (management company for Sun Ray), over the past six months. A new security detail starts at Sun Ray on November 1. Cleaning staff have been increased to a daily schedule. In addition, Brixmor is working on addressing structural repairs needed for the building, and hopes to paint the facilities  one repairs are completed. Brixmor is also contracting with a company to address the pigeon issue, and will be re-landscaping next year. The Sun Ray Spooktacular event was a first move toward activating the shopping center and working to build community. It was a great success! We had a great turnout for Sun Ray Spooktacular - almost 250 community members joined us! Many Sun Ray businesses participated including Cub Foods, Rainbow, Citi Trends, First Care, TJ Maxx, Keys 4/4 Kids, the St. Paul Police and St. Paul Fire Department! District 1 Youth Organizers The D1 Youth Organizers have been meeting since September. The project is designed to introduce young people to organizing practices and community politics.  Youth Organizers will be deciding on a local issue that is relevant to them.  In November, youth will be using Design Thinking skills to choose how they will take action on their chosen issue. Hear about the project at our November board meeting! Rentals, Realities & Resources Join D1 organizer Carlos Garcia-Velasco in community gatherings for renters who wish to talk about their issues, or who need resources.  Gatherings are held at the District 1 office, 2105 ½ Old Hudson Road, at Sun Ray Shopping Center. Saturday, Nov 9                  4:00-6:00 pm Questions? Email Carlos at [email protected] or call 651/578-7600.   Community Survey As part of the District 1 grant funds we have regarding Boys Totem Town, we have three goals to accomplish:   1. Develop community leadership 2. Build community 3. Capture community ideas and themes regarding the potential future use of the Boys Totem Town land. Some of this took place in previous years, but we've heard from community members who have not had a chance to weigh in with their feedback. Please follow this link to complete a survey that helps us gain a better sense of community needs in D1. Don't Forget to Vote on November 4! Elections for St. Paul City Council, St. Paul School Board and trash collection. Ballots are Ranked-Choice Voting - so instead of just marking one candidate, mark your choices in order or preference -  1st, 2nd, 3rd...etc. Find your voting location, and an example of your ballot here. Ramsey County News Election Judges Needed Election judges staff local polling places for the primary and general election as well as during early voting. You can earn money, meet your neighbors and help ensure that elections are administered in a fair manner. Learn more and sign up here.   Battle Creek Regional Park Community Design Meeting Design your park! Participate in community design activities to help guide future plans for Battle Creek Regional Park. Arrive on time for a short presentation. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Learn more about the Battle Creek Regional Park Master Plan at: ramseycounty.us/battlecreekmasterplan November 2, 9:00 am-12:00 pm Battle Creek Recreation Center Community Visioning Workshops What do you want our future community to look and feel like? Help define the next set of Ramsey County community indicators by attending a community visioning workshop in November 2019. The workshops will include small group discussions around a future vision for our community. November 7, 5:30-7:30 pm Central High School, St. Paul Find out more information here. Committee Updates Land Use Committee Discussions about the Red Rock Terminal railroad issue continue. Work group meetings are sporadic due to lack of participation by the railroad. Follow our website for information. D1 office staff have been working with the St. Paul Police, Councilmember Prince and Brixmor Management to improve the safety and cleanliness at Sun Ray Shopping Center.  D1 will be launching community engagement surrounding the creation of an Equitable Development Scorecard that defines our values for any future development. Updates will be provided in future newsletters. Communications Committee Community chose the tree logo for our District. The designers will continue to refine the color scheme and look. Upcoming Meetings and Events (See the Calendar on our web site for more info) Land Use Committee: Nov 4 & Dec 2, 6:00-7:30 pm (D1 Ofc) Communications Committee: Nov 11 & Dec 9, 6:00-7:30 pm  (D1 Ofc) Board Meeting, Nov 25, 6:30-8:30, Battle Creek Rec No Board Meeting in December St. Paul Elections, Tuesday, Nov 5, Make sure you are registered to vote!   Submit ideas and events by the 20th of each month to [email protected].