Message from the Dayton's Bluff Bluffalo

Photo by Karin DuPaul The Dayton’s Bluff Bluffalo, also known as District Council member Jacob Dorer, wants to remind everyone about the District Council elections, potluck and annual meeting on October 15.  See details below.  And also have a safe & Happy Halloween.

Don’t Forget to Vote on Oct. 15th for Your Community Council Representative

  On Monday, October 15, 2007 polls are open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at 798 East 7th Street at the corner of 7th and Margaret. Come and vote for your representatives. A list of candidates will be available at the Community Council office.
   Any Dayton’s Bluff resident age 18 or over can vote. Voters can cast ballots for their Sub-district Representatives and for an At-Large seat. Write-in candidates are also permitted.
    The Board of Directors totals 18 members of which 16 represent four sub-districts and two are At-Large positions. Sub-district representatives must be residents of that particular sub-district while the At-Large Director can be either a resident of Dayton’s Bluff, a business owner, or an operator of a Dayton’s Bluff  business or organization.
   All of the current Board openings are two (2) year terms.
   Are you unavailable on October 15th? Absentee ballots maybe requested. All requests for absentee ballots must be made at least ten (10) days prior to the election, in writing and signed by the voter. All absentee ballots will be mailed by the Council at least seven (7) days before the election to the residence of the voter requesting the absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be received in the Community Council office by October 15, 2007. 

Come to Vote and Stay for Our Potluck  and Annual Meeting

  The Dayton’s Bluff Community Council Election/Annual Meeting and Pot Luck will be held on Monday, October 15, 2007. All three will be held at 798 East 7th Street. Voting for your Community Council representatives starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to come for the Pot Luck Supper, which starts at 6:00 p.m., bring a dish to share, and stay for the Annual Meeting and the results of the election. It’s a great way to find out what the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council is all about and have supper with some neighbors at the same time.
   Some of the activities the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council has been involved in this past year include, Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Clean Up, Block Club Clean Ups, Block Clubs, National Night Out, Walk the Bluff, Greening Dayton’s Bluff and its plant swap, Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Home Tour, Arts and Culture Committee, Greenspace Committee, litter and trash pick up on East 7th Street, in the parks, and on some residential streets, a number of Land Use issues, and so on.
   If you have any questions about the Community Council, the election, the potluck, and/or the Annual Meeting email Karin@DaytonsBluff.org or call Karin at 651-772-2075.

Dayton's Bluff District Council - A House in Order

By Ed Lambert, Executive Director, Dayton’s Bluff Community Council
  The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Saint Paul released its “Report on the District Councils in St. Paul” on September 10th in Saint Paul.  The Pioneer Press article about the LWV report curiously emphasized the areas where the Councils could use some help, as if they are worn out and failing, but failed to get the bigger story.  The Councils are still in place, still involving thousands of residents and businesses every year in local improvement efforts, and developing and running programs which continue to make a difference in city neighborhoods. 
   The big story is how much they have accomplished over 32 years, and continue to accomplish, in spite of limited resources; and in spite of the ongoing struggles to get the community’s foundations and major corporations to adequately and consistently work with them.  Some foundations seem to think the Councils are undeserving of their support because of the close working relationship they have with city government.  Yet it is just that close relationship which enables the Councils to be effective partners with motivated donors to get more civic engagement by under-represented minorities, as well as more effective action on local problems, concerns, and opportunities.
   City financial support provides a meaningful funding base and all Councils consistently raise additional funds from various individuasl, foundation, and corporate donors every year.  Those efforts struggle to get the long term and substantial support needed from foundations and our larger corporations.  Too often they see the Councils as a “quasi-government body” which should get all its funds from the city.  They miss the point, however. 
   The city contracts with independent non-profit agencies (the District Councils) to work on city and community related issues and developments; and the Councils provide a network of organizations which can substantially leverage that support to make very effective use of donors’ contributions to move farther, faster, and more effectively on local property, environmental, and people concerns.
   The newspaper report identifies a number of recent problems which a few of the 17 District Councils have had, but is light on illustrating the fact that most of the Councils are doing just fine. 
   The major issue for most Councils remains fully representing the diversity of the city’s racial and ethnic groups and, in fact, fully engaging all the residents and businesses in their districts. This problem is endemic to a democratic system, and remains an important issue at all levels of government, and with community oriented activities throughout the world.  The big news is not that the District Councils have this problem, but that they succeed in spite of it.  Saint Paul’s Councils are among the most persistent, determined, and successful organizers of local civic engagement in the U.S.  Yet they would be the first to say we must do more.
   Dayton’s Bluff District Four Community Council is one of many in the city that has its house in order.  Our annual financial reports are compiled by an outside accountant, all our financial and corporate reports are filed on time, our board gets monthly financial and program reports in writing, we are financially solvent, run effective and meaningful programs, and are fully engaged in the civic and community life of Dayton’s Bluff. 
   We have two long-standing communication tools in place: a monthly informative newspaper (the Dayton’s Bluff District Forum) mailed to nearly all residents and available free to everyone, as well as an established and informative website. Check it out at  www.daytonsbluff.org.  The Forum actively seeks news and articles from individuals and organizations in the Bluff about things in the Bluff, or issues of concern to the Bluff.  We also make extensive use of email communications and plan to add an E-Newsletter to our communications toolbox this year. 
   Many other Councils also have communication tools in place they make effective use of, not withstanding the statement in the Pioneer Press article that the Councils are “not communicating very well.”  Sure all of the Councils could use some help, some more than others, however it is not the big story.
   The big story, restated, is the effective ongoing engagement of thousands of residents and local businesses in making their communities better, stronger, and more livable every day in a myriad of small and large ways. 
   Dayton’s Bluff District Four Community Council is the Bluff’s agent for civic engagement on local concerns, an agent that the residents of Dayton’s Bluff control, guide, and make effective use of every day.  Like the LWV report hints, we are not part of the problem…we are part of the solution. 
   Be sure to vote in the annual elections, open to all residents over 18, for the Council’s Board of Directors on October 15, 2007.  Call Karin at 651-772-2075 or email Karin at Karin@daytonsbluff.org for more information.  The LWV report is available online at www.lwvsp.org/publications/district_councils.pdf.

Your District Council President Has a Request... of You

By Walter Waranka, 2007 President Dayton’s Bluff District Council
   Every time we turn around it seems something new is causing us stress and worry; from the tragedy of the I-35W bridge collapse to floods in southeastern Minnesota.  In comparison our neighborhood problems are not nearly as great as those things.    
   Personal safety cannot be taken for granted; in fact, we may wonder if we can feel safe in our own neighborhood.  One of the biggest crimes, I feel, is when we become victims of those wrongs that are going on around us.  If we let it, they can start to interfere with how we think and how we react to other things around us.  I must say, for myself, it is a pretty easy mind-set to get into and it takes work to move forward.  Instead of sitting around and wondering why and how, we should try our best to make a difference in our and others’ lives.
   One way to make a difference is to give back to the community.  I would like to suggest one important way and ask you, as a resident of Daytons Bluff, to consider becoming active within your District Council.  We can use your help in many ways.  One possibility for you would be to fill a board seat that might open up during the year, or to join one of our action committees to make things better in Dayton’s Bluff.
    The Council is involved in many different areas so you can easily find something that matches your interests and concerns.  For example, you could contribute by:
· Keeping our neighborhood green
· Developing cultural events and opportunities
· Dealing with the concerns about vacant and abandoned homes
· Working on business community concerns and the issues related to business operations and our community.
· By working to keep our neighborhoods safe and attractive places to live.
   There are also other opportunities to help your neighborhood.  We are even looking at possible new directions the Board can take to “Build up the Bluff.”
   I would like to personally invite all of you to take some time to consider these opportunities and explore how you can help out your community.   If there is anything mentioned above that caught your interest, or if you have other suggestions, please call the Council office at 651-772-2075.  We are more then willing to help you to participate in any way and at any level of involvement you would like. 
   In closing, we have two choices to make when looking at the world.  We can look at all the bad that is going on and let it negatively influence our lives, or we can work to improve our neighborhoods wherever we can.
   Come out and become a part of your Daytons Bluff District Council.  Your community needs you!  And also come join us on October 15th for our potlluck and annual meeting.

Minnesota Rocks! Sculpture Dedication at Mounds Park on October 16

Pictured above is the graduating class from the spring 2007 Dayton’s Bluff Microentrepreneur Class.  Regristration is already open for the spring 2008 class

  The Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Microentrepreneur Class is taking applications for the spring 2008 class.  This program helps start-up and young businesses on the East Side.  All East Side entrepreneurs are welcome.
   Class room training lasts 8 weeks and includes topics such as operations management, marketing, financial management, how to creating a successful business, and preparing a business plan, plus 8 hours of one on one time with the instructor to work on your business concept.  Those who successfully complete the course and locate their businesses in target neighborhoods are eligible for ongoing business support services.
   Some examples of businesses started by people who have previously taken this course include graphics, landscaping, photography, food service, restoration of wood furniture and works of art, custom floral design for weddings and events, and exterior and interior painting.  The course is sponsored by the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council and the Neighborhood Development Center.  There is a registration fee based on a sliding fee scale.  The next session will start in April. Class size is limited, so do not wait to apply. For an application, call Karin at 651-772-2075 or email Karin@DaytonsBluff.org.

Dayton's Bluff Community Meeting

   The next Community Meeting is Thursday, October 4 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the meeting room at the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council, 798 East 7th Street at the corner of 7th and Margaret.
   The Dayton’s Bluff Community Council holds its Community Meeting on the 1st Thursday of each month.  The purpose is to work with block clubs and neighborhood residents on problem properties, criminal and nuisance behavior, code enforcement issues and any other neighborhood issues, concerns, or new ideas for improvement in Dayton’s Bluff.
   If  you would like, you can email Karin@DaytonsBluff.org or call Karin at 772-2075 with addresses of problems before the meeting. If I have the addresses of problems ahead of time I can get them to the police and NHPI (code enforcement).  Then they can bring information about the problems to the meeting.    Remember, it’s always on the 1st Thursday of the month. All Dayton’s Bluff residents are welcome to attend. If you need more information email Karin@DaytonsBluff.org or call Karin at 651-772-2075.

Eastern District Meeting

   On Friday, October 19 the Eastern District Police will host their monthly meeting for community members. The meeting is intended as a time to listen to and address people’s concerns about crime and other issues on the East Side.
   The community meetings are held at the Eastern District police office at 722 Payne on the corner of Payne and Minnehaha Avenues on the third Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m.

Mounds Park United Methodist Church Celebrates 150 Years

Mounds Theatre is Rockin' in October

   In observance of Disability Awareness Month, October 2007, Metropolitan State University is hosting a motivational speech by Matt Glowacki entitled “Diversity According to South Park and Family Guy” on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Saint Paul Campus, 700 East Seventh Street, Founders Hall, Auditorium, from 3-5 p.m.
   Glowacki, a native of Janesville, Wis., was born healthy but without legs. From a very young age his parents provided him with every opportunity to participate in a normal life.  He got a Bachelor of Arts in communication with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in history from the Univ. of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
   During his time at the university, he also developed and administered a community awareness program entitled “What It Takes: Cornerstones for Success.”
   Glowacki now puts most of his energy into business and competitive sports. He earned a position on the 2000 USA Paralympic Team for sit-volleyball in Sydney, Australia, and the 2002 World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, and he now gives presentations to audiences ranging from high school students to business professionals in an effort to offset the cost of training and traveling with the Paralympic Team.
   In addition he operates three separate businesses: MOGO wheelchairs, a successful wheelchair building and sales business; Glow Music, a mobile disc jockey and entertainment service; and Myriad Communications, his speaking and consulting company.
   Admission is free and open to the public. Persons with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to participate should call Disability Services at 651-793-1525 or 651-772-7687 (TTY).

Announcements

Crime, Community Building in the Mounds Park Area 

Volunteers Needed at Homework Centers

   The Food Giveaway takes place on the third Saturday of the month at Mounds Park United Methodist Church, Earl and Euclid Streets. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The Food Giveaway is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Come and receive a free bag of food, no questions asked.
   Listen to music while you wait.  Communion is served at 10:00 a.m. for those who wish to participate.  Call the church at 774-8736 for more information. 

Dayton's Bluff School Programs
Celebrate Parent Involvement

Sharing your excitement about a letter with your mom helps you want to learn to read and write, too.

Amazing Grace Assembly of God
1237 Earl St.
651-778-1768    
Sun 9:30 am - Sunday school all ages
Sun 10:30 am - morning Worship
Sun 6:00 pm - evening Worship

Hmong Asbury United Methodist  
815 Frank St.  
651-771-0077

Bethlehem Lutheran Church  
655 Forest St.  
651-776-4737
Sun 9:00 am - Morning Service
Sun 10:15-11:15 am - Sunday School & Bible Hour
Sun 11:15 - Hmong Service

Faith Temple - Templo De Fe
1510 Payne Ave
651-778-0096
Sun 10:30 am - Spanish Bilingual Service
Sun 6:00 pm – Spanish Bilingual Service
Wednesday family night

Mounds Park United Methodist 
1049 Euclid St. 
651-774-8736
9:15 am -  Sunday School, 4-year-old through Adult
10:30 am - Worship

Our Savior’s Lutheran  ‘LCMS’
674 Johnson Pkwy 
651-774-2396
Sun only - 8am Worship, 9:20 education hour
Sun 10:45am - Worship

Sacred Heart Catholic Church  
840 E. 6th St.  
651-776-2741
Sat 4:00 pm – Mass
Sun 9:00 am – Mass
Mon, Wed, Fri 8:00 am – Weekday Service

St. John’s Catholic Church
977 E. 5th St.  
651-771-3690  
Mon-Sat. 8:00 am – Mass
Sat 4:15 pm - Mass
Sun 9:00 am, 11:00 am - Mass

St. John’s Church of God in Christ  
1154 E. 7th St.  
651-771-7639
Sun 9:30 am - Sunday School
Sun 10:45 am - Worship
Wed 7:00 pm - Bible Study

St. John Ev. Lutheran  
765 Margaret St.
651-771-6406
Sun 9:30 am - Worship
Thurs 6:30 pm - Worship

Worship times are subject to change.  Please call ahead to confirm.

Walk-a-thon October 6 for Snow-Free Winter Walking

By Garry Fay, Walk the Bluff Coordinator
   A Walk-a-thon for Snow-Free Winter walking will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 10 a.m. until noon.  The Walk-a-thon will start at the Indian Mounds Park Pavilion located at the Mounds Blvd. and Earl St.
Why a Walk-a-thon?
   Winter walking the bluff is hampered by snow.  Many people don’t shovel to make for comfortable winter walking.  Our sidewalks and walkways are our local infrastructure and we are responsible for them.  My g’pa was a small town mayor and his solution to snow accumulations was, “July.” 
    There are many strategies to snow removal but it all begins with people taking responsibility for their own property and then reaching out to the community.  Many people need us to do this vital work.  From school kids going to their bus stop to elders who have chosen to give up driving, from moms with babies in strollers to those who use canes or walkers to get about, the list is as long as our streets. 
   The streets speak to us.  Listen and you will hear you community calling you into action.  Become a local hero.  We are seeking the combined efforts of many people to maintain our local walking infrastructure.   Please join us and make for Snow-Free Winter Walking in your neighborhood.
   One strategy is we can build community as we create snow-free winter walking for our neighborhood.  Here’s how:  just as folks join together to get their alley plowed we can make snow-free winter walking possible by getting our sidewalks cleared of snow accumulations.  It’s up to you and your neighbors to get this done. 
   Our Walk-a-thon is focusing on several routes in Dayton’s Bluff.  What routes need to be done in your neighborhood?  Naturally, you do your own sidewalks and help out those you know just as you would give their car a jump.  What are the next steps?  
   The Dayton’s Bluff Community Council is putting up $500 in seed money for the project with another $500 to match donations.  The seed money comes from the Walk the Bluff program which is funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield.  The money will be used for the actual snow removal when we can’t get volunteer work and donated materials. 
   We are organizing to get groups who will offer snow removal labor, materials and equipment.  We propose a sliding fee for the elderly and disabled.  We ask that the able bodied and underemployed work to clean their own sidewalks or suffer an abatement from the city which can run into big money fast - Community building powered by elbow grease, a carrot and a stick.
   For details see our website http://www.daytonsbluff.org/Programs/WalkTheBluff/WalkTheBluff.html, call Garry at 651/772-2075 or email Garry@DaytonsBluff.org.

Something Fishy in Dayton's Bluff Or Down the  Fish Hatchery Road

A postcard from the early 1900s showing the Willow Brook Fish Hatchery.  The sign reads, “Visitors are forbidden to throw or put anything into the WATER or PONDS, disturb or frighten the FISH with sticks, canes or in any manner.”

Halloween on Dayton's Bluff

J. W. Yandes

Festival and Fundraiser
Saturday, October 6th 10:30 a.m. 
Fundraiser for snow free walking.  Let’s improve our sidewalks’ walkablity.   Dangerous, snowy/icy sidewalks trap some  people indoors.  
Let’s help maintain everybody’s activity and mobility.
See article above for more information.

Ongoing Activities

Dayton’s Bluff Take a Hike
Walk Indian Mounds Park from the Pavilion at Earl St. & Mounds Blvd. into the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. First Saturdays monthly 10:30 a.m. since 1990. Remaining dates for 2007:  Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1.
 
Wednesday “Lunch Walks”
11a.m. and noon. Walk Swede Hollow from the Swede Hollow Café’s patio at725 E. 7 St..  
RSVP for a guided tour.

Brochure Walks
   Bruce Vento Regional Trail
   The Historic Third Street Neighborhood
   A Walk Through The Historic Hamm Brewery Neighborhood
   A Walk Through Historic Upper Swede Hollow
   A Swede Hollow Walking Tour
   Historic Dayton’s Bluff (Driving Tour)

Call Garry at 651-772-2075 for a walking tour brochure or more information on any of these activities.

   A Christmas Story returns to the Mounds Theatre for the fourth year, live on stage this December for nine performances
   Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt’s Department Store, with the same and always consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold flagpole; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking as a major award; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.
   Create or continue a holiday tradition at the Mounds Theatre.  A Christmas Story is appropriate for all ages.  Tickets to the play make a great gift for those “hard to buy for” individuals on your shopping list.  Purchase your tickets now.  Don’t delay and be disappointed. 
Performances:
Fridays, Dec. 7, 14 & 21 and Saturdays, Dec. 8, 15 & 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays, Dec. 9, 16 & 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets:
   Ticket prices are  $15 Adults; $10 Student/Senior (55+); and $5 Children (12 and under).  Advance purchase group discounts are available.
   Visit www.moundstheatre.org for an order form or call 651-772-2253 and leave your name and number.  Someone will call you back to take your order.
   The Mounds Theatre is located at 1029 Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 one  half  block west of Earl St.

Volunteer Editor Needed!