The suspense is over! Como Zoo has been proudly been revealed as the winner of the Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick Awards ‘Best Tourist Spot’ in Minneapolis/St.Paul. After being nominated in early June alongside other popular Twin Cities destinations, it has been determined through online voting that Como Zoo is indeed the ‘Best Tourist Spot’ in the cities. Users of Nickelodeon’s online ParentConnect site were invited to vote daily during the race, and ultimately determined who would receive the awards. Como Park also gained its own praise in the Nickelodeon race – the destination was voted ‘Best Playground or Park’ in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Como Zoo, a family-friendly destination located in Saint Paul, MN, is open everyday of the year and features exciting and interactive exhibits that appeal to children and adults alike. Unique events and educational classes as well as daily favorites around the zoo such as the ‘Sparky the Sea Lion’ Show have thrilled guests for decades. Michelle Furrer, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s manager, expressed her thoughts on receiving the award. “Como Zoo is extremely proud to accept the Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick ‘Best Tourist Spot’ award. Here at Como we strive to make the Park, the Zoo & the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory a place where people can truly get closer to experience the animals and our beautiful plants and flowers. I think this award represents the quality of our exhibits, and the dedication Como has to making each guest’s visit a memorable one.”

Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Pick Awards identified winners for 30 categories in 52 major U.S. Cities. Categories included: best museum for families, best toy store, best place for pizza; and more. Users on Nickelodeon’s Parent Connect site were invited to vote daily for their favorites, and the winners were announced August 15th. The 2009 award winners will be featured on ParentsConnect throughout the upcoming year.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Background: For over 100 years, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults while fostering an appreciation of the natural world, helping to make Saint Paul the Most Livable City in America. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days; 10am-6pm from April 1-October 1 and 10am-4pm from October 2-March 31. The free Como Shuttle operates weekends 9:30am-6:30pm Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission to both the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free and a voluntary donation is appreciated. For more information, visit www.comozooconservatory.org

ParentsConnect Background: Featuring the tagline "We're not perfect, we're parents," Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect is the online resource providing parenting advice and community, celebrating the reality of parenthood and making parents' lives easier. Geared towards parents with kids of all ages, from babies to teens, the site offers unique features like personalized profiles that help parents connect with each other; advice from top-tier parenting experts; a digital multi-media scrapbook; seasonal crafts, recipes and activities; a weekly meal-planner; a weekly newsletter focusing on the behavior and development of your child; and guest celebrity editorials. Each age-related section on the site provides users with daily content to help them through both large and small parenting challenges.

Introduced by St Paul Fire Department Chief Tim Butler, SPFD Firefighter Al Boney gives a presentation on the historic role of black firefighters in St Paul. [Watch the Video...]

Graduation Ceremony for 21 Firefighter recuits held at Saint Paul College on February 5, 2010. [Watch the Video...]

Did you know that you can go to any Saint Paul Fire Station to get your blood pressure taken? Stop by between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Let's keep Saint Paul residents healthy!

City Employee Salary Notification

Minnesota state law - Chapter 156 of the Session Laws of 2005 - requires that "a city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest paid employees. For the City of Saint Paul, titles and salaries as of February 1, 2009 are: Chief of Police - $136,315, City Attorney - $133,513, and Deputy City Attorney - $135,469.

Date of Publication: January 15, 2010

The restrictions were announced following a survey of city streets to identify those areas where snow windrows have narrowed the vehicle travel path to an unsafe width.

Signs have been posted on the affected streets, and Public Works officials will evaluate those streets on a weekly basis to determine the need for continuing the restrictions. Once the need for the restrictions has lifted, the signs will be removed and normal parking rules will apply.

Parking restrictions have now been lifted on the following streets:

Roy - N. of Shields to St. Anthony
Nokomis
Hillside Ct.
Beechwood (Fairview to Howell)
Rome (Fairview to Wilder)
Summit Service Drs. - Wheeler to Saratoga

Albemarle - Nebraska to Hoyt
Fourth St. - McKnight to Hazel
Hatch - Lexington to Grotto
Churchill - Jessamine to Como West

Parking remains restricted on the following streets:

No Parking on the North side of street:

Pinehurst - Snelling to Cleveland
Hillcrest - Snelling to west of Howell
Beechwood - Snelling to Fairview
Rome - Snelling to Fairview

No Parking South side of street:

Saunders - Snelling to Fairview

No Parking on either side:

Aldine - Summit to Carrol
Herschel - Ashland to Carol

No Parking on North or West side:

Asbury-Albany to Almond

Violators are subject to a ticket and towing charges. For further information, residents may call the City’s Street Maintenance office at (651)-292-6600.

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The Annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest will accept submissions through March 28. Winners have their work stamped into city sidewalks. Watch this video to learn more about the project. For guidelines and online entry: www.stpaul.gov/poetry. [Watch the Video...]

The contest, in partnership with Public Art Saint Paul, will accept poetry submissions from Saint Paul residents through the month of March, ending March 28. Winners will then have their work stamped into city sidewalks as part of Saint Paul Public Works sidewalk replacement program.

“Public Art Saint Paul is proud to sponsor Everyday Poems for City Sidewalk. Now in its third year, the project has been embraced by the community and acclaimed nationwide. City Artist in Residence, Marcus Young, sees the city as a book where residents fill the concrete pages of sidewalks with their poems. It’s a beautifully simple idea worthy of our creative city on America’s greatest river.” said Public Art Saint Paul President, Christine Podas-Larson.

Sidewalk poetry’s creator, City Artist in Residence, Marcus Young, conceived the idea three years ago after learning about the public works department annual sidewalk replacement program. Because of age and deterioration, the city replaces approximately 10 miles of sidewalk each year.

Young commented, "We must be the only place it the world that creates public art as we fix our sidewalks. Fixing sidewalks is necessary work, and publishing poetry in concrete is practical, enduring, and surprisingly captivating. Our city is not just a city, but can be the biggest anthology of poems ever made."

To date the city has installed over 261 poetry panels around the city of 26 poems within the collection. Because poems are stamped into sidewalk panels, poems are limited to 250 character spaces.

Young, Project Manager of the sidewalk poetry program, noted that Saint Paul residents embraced the contest with zeal last year, submitting over a thousand poems. "Saint Paulites, this is your poetry contest. We welcome back-of-napkin poems, classroom assignments, funny limericks, beautiful secrets. The city wants your good poems." Young said.

The project is made possible with support from Public Art Saint Paul's program fund, the City of Saint Paul, and Readings by Writers; and is produced in collaboration with the Department of Public Works. Major contributors include The Saint Paul, F. R. Bigelow, Hardenbergh, Huss, Mardag, McKnight, and Travelers Foundations, George Mairs, and the Katherine B. Andersen Fund.

Interested Saint Paul residents can learn more about the specifics of the contest by visiting the City’s website at www.stpaul.gov/poetry.

XXX

At the State Capitol Mayors Chris Coleman of Saint Paul, Mike Murtaugh of Albert Lea and Bruce Ahlgren of Cloquet discussed the impact of LGA cuts on the 2010 budget. [Watch the Video...]

Hello friends, Before I get into the fun stuff for the next week, I have to take a minute to mention the amazing evening of music at Saint Paul Central last night. It was an inspiring evening from a terrific group of young artists whose leadership is at least as their music. The Heiruspecs Scholarship Fund was inaugurated last night with a ton of music and wonderful variety. Of course there was all of the delicious hip hop that you'd expect, but as the endless list of guests joined the band on
stage, there were snippits of folk, rock, funk, spoken word, and even some terrific old school stuff. They announced from the stage that they planned for this to be an annual event to raise money for their new scholarship fund. Do yourself and the community a favor when you see this event come around next year and buy a ticket - it will be one of the best shows you see.

Now lets turn our attention to next week where we have another poetry contest from Saint Paul's innovative project led by resident genius, Marcus Young, an all-women poetry slam, a 24 hour play project, a summer-camp fair, and some terrific concerts in Saint Paul's best loved venues.

Sidewalk Poetry - Volume III

4 years ago, Marcus Young was considering the Artist-in-Residence post he was about to assume, and over brown bag lunches, he was sharing with me his concept of The City as a Book. He shared the idea that in the nations most creative and innovative city, Saint Paul wouldn't be idealized as a city paved in gold but rather a city paved in poetry. I admit that at the time, I had a difficult time envisioning a tangible interpretation of this ideal. However, with Marcus's artistic leadership, a lot
of support from Public Art Saint Paul, and the help of our Public Works department, our fare City is launching the 3rd year of Sidewalk Poetry. Literally thousands of poems have been entered into a juried competition where the winners have their poetry stamped into some of the many replacement panels of sidewalk in our neighborhoods.

Saint Paul sidewalks are paved with poetry! The Department of Public Works and Public Art Saint Paul invite residents to enter this unique annual contest. Winning poems will be permanently published in city sidewalks. We are looking for short poems that provide a delightful moment of outdoor reading. Poems maybe uplifting, funny, thoughtful...anything appropriate for the general public. There's a poet in each of us, so we encourage everyone to enter.
http://stpaul.gov/poetry

All Women's Poetry Slam at Peach Gallery

Punch Out Poetry is a new addition to the Twin Cities Slam Scene. The folks at SlamMN couldn't be more delighted to be welcoming them to the fold. Punch Out Poetry (or POP, which I must say is an awesome acronym) will be hosting several slams over the next few months, all of which are open to women and those who live their lives as women. The very First POP Slam will have three rounds. A one minute, two minute and three minute round, in that order. The very first Punch Out Poetry Slam will also
serve as a fundraiser for the local poets attending the Women of the World Poetry Slam. There will be a bake sale and other fun items to bid on/purchase. Rockin' Good times are assured.
7pm doors and sign up 7:30 Show time
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=329182041795

Hiding in the Open at History Theatre - Opens Saturday

For many years Sabina Zimering, a successful eye doctor in Minneapolis, held a secret close to heart. Then she took a class at the Loft Literary Center and her amazing story of escape and survival became a truly compelling book. Sabina, a Polish Jew, had come of age as Hitler and the Nazis rose to power. When Poland was invaded Sabina and her sister survived the horrors of the Holocaust by disguising themselves as Catholics from Poland while living in Germany! Along the way they had to rely on
one another and their quick wits to keep them safe and sane as the world around them crumbled. Local theater artist, Kira Obolensky, took this memoir material and helped adapt it for the stage. The show opens on Saturday and runs through 3/21.l
http://historytheatre.com/

Minnesota Parent: Camp Fair at Como - Saturday

I know this falls outside of my normal list of event recommendations, but it's top of mind right now for my family and perhaps its something that you're starting to think about as well. What are your kids doing this summer? There are week-long day camps or an all-season sleepaway experience (does that mean your kid would be in a survival course for the duration of the summer?), from day camps for arts to computers to horses, and more. The annual Minnesota Parent Camp Fair is timed for the high
season - when many of us are eager for information and struggling to make a decision. It's one-stop shopping for all your summer options: Como camp, music, art, science, computer, sports camps and more.
http://www.mnparent.com/index.php?publication=mn_parent&page=287

DJ Andrew Broder at the Turf - Monday nights

The Turf Club has the outstanding Monday night stand of Jazz music from Fat Kid Wednesday and they've turned Monday nights into an institution at the storied University Avenue music club. They are adding to to that success by putting another Monday night stand in the upstairs room - its a DJ night with local music-adventurer Andrew Broder. With a host of new albums that delve into the realm of ambient music just outside the mainstream, his newest outings are in turntable work. Every Monday night
he brings his eclectic sensibilities to these free weekly DJ sets at the Turf. Its been going on for a couple of weeks now and I hope it lasts for a long while. Check it out!
http://turfclub.net/ [ http://turfclub.net/%20%20 ]

One, Two, Three & Burgundie with Didier Petit

When Didier Petit was here last time, I missed the show and wasn't able to go. This time around, not only is he back, not only is he having two shows, not only is he collaborating with terrific local musicians, but he's also making dinner! That's right, this is a charismatic French cellist with a sound that, for those with adventure in their hearts, is going to cook dinner. Tuesday night, is just the show... well, I shouldn't say "just" a show, he is collaborating with Nathan Hanson, Milo Fine,
and Viv Corringham. And on the second night (actually the better night in my opinion), he's playing with JT Bates and Adam LInz, AND he's cooking. Tix for music with dinner are only $20: Concert only for both nights are $7.
http://blackdogstpaul.com/events/news-185.shtml

Alright friends, that's all the internets are giving me space for today, so I have to close out. Have a great weekend and please pass on any recommendations you have for next weekend!

Rock,

Joe

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At the State Capitol Mayors Chris Coleman of Saint Paul, Mike Murtaugh of Albert Lea and Bruce Ahlgren of Cloquet discussed the impact of LGA cuts on the 2010 budget. [Watch the Video...]

Nominations accepted until March 19, 2010 for the annual Sustainable Saint Paul Awards, honoring those who are working to protect and restore the environment in Saint Paul. [Watch the video...]

City Living is a program sponsored by the City of Saint Paul that provides assistance for qualified homebuyers - details at www.stpaul.gov/cityliving. Mayor Chris Coleman tells you more in this short video message: [Watch the Video...]

The Recovery Act called for a new temporary program - America's Recovery Capital (ARC). ARC loans are designed to provide some temporary relief for viable small businesses with immediate financial hardship. SBA will not be ready to accept loan packages from lenders until June 15.

[Additional info...]

City employees celebrated Black History Month in February. In the second of three events Officer Benny Williams covers the history of Black Police Officers in Saint Paul and Angelique Kedem explains the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. [Watch the Video...]

The Saint Paul Police Foundation presented the City with a $500,000 check to mark the completion of private fundraising for SPPD’s Safe City Initiative. The program includes a network of surveillance cameras along University Ave. and around downtown. [Watch the Video...]

The restrictions were announced following a survey of city streets to identify those areas where snow windrows have narrowed the vehicle travel path to an unsafe width.

Signs have already been posted on the affected streets, and Public Works officials will evaluate those streets on a weekly basis to determine the need for continuing the restrictions. Once the need for the restrictions has lifted, the signs will be removed and normal parking rules will apply.

Parking restrictions on the following streets have now been lifted:
Roy - N. of Shields to St. Anthony
Nokomis
Hillside Ct.
Beechwood (Fairview to Howell)
Rome (Fairview to Wilder)
Summit Service Drs. - Wheeler to Saratoga

Albemarle - Nebraska to Hoyt
Fourth St. - McKnight to Hazel
Hatch - Lexington to Grotto
Churchill - Jessamine to Como West

Parking remains restricted on the following streets:

No Parking on the North side of street:

Pinehurst - Snelling to Cleveland
Hillcrest - Snelling to west of Howell
Beechwood - Snelling to Fairview
Rome - Snelling to Fairview

No Parking South side of street:

Saunders - Snelling to Fairview

No Parking on either side:

Aldine - Summit to Carrol
Herschel - Ashland to Carol

No Parking on North or West side:

Asbury-Albany to Almond

Violators are subject to a ticket and towing charges. For further information, residents may call the City’s Street Maintenance office at (651)-292-6600.

XXX

The Annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest will accept submissions through March 28. Winners have their work stamped into city sidewalks. Watch this video to learn more about the project. For guidelines and online entry: www.stpaul.gov/poetry. [Watch the Video...]

Saint Paul Public Works asks residents for help in reporting potholes in this light-hearted video. [Watch the Video...]