What's New in Falcon Heights
OUR NEW WEBSITE
NEW! ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER REC PROGRAMS!
RECYCLE APRIL 14 AND 28
SCHOLARSHIPS! - APPLY NOW! NEW!
City Administrator Worthington Accepts Edina Position; Search Announced
NEW CITY WEBSITE COMING!
SUMMER REC JOBS!
AARP TAX HELP FOR SENIORS
SNOW EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Please see this Important Reminder!
COMMUNITY PLAYROOM and OPEN GYM are closed for the season.
4/12/06
New Website Launches!
Falcon Heights' new website launched this morning after more than a month of behind-the-scenes development.
The new website is hosted by GovOffice, a company that developed a content management system for city websites in partnership with the League of Minnesota Cities. The GovOffice system offers cities and other government agencies an economical way to provide more "24-hour City Hall" services to citizens. For a small city like Falcon Heights this means we can add technological enhancement to our website that we could not provide before, either because of expense or insufficient staff time.
For example, on-line registration for our summer recreation programs is available for the first time! We will have a Search function, so you will be able to find things more easily on our website. As we develop the new website, you will find more features, such as interactive permit applications and the opportunity to sign up for email crime watch alerts.
What is going to happen to the old website?
If you are reading this news item, our new website is old news. These pages are now part of our website archive, and there will be no new updates to this news section.
Our archive will continue to exist, for the near future, on our host server in Roseville. As time goes on, most of the material will be moved to the new website or will be provided as an archive. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact City Hall if you need information that is not yet available.
4/5/06
No Recycling This Friday!
Recycle Next Friday!
Remember, Falcon Heights is now on an every-other-week schedule for recycling. March had an extra recycling day on March 31. Therefore, the first recycling day in April will be April 14, not April 7.
2006 Recycling Calendar
Rec Registration Now Online!
Now you can sign up for our summer recreation programs online! (You also get a preview of the new Falcon Heights website, opening soon.)
Online registration requires a credit card or Paypal account. We still accept registrations through the mail (pay by check only) or at City Hall (check or cash only). Credit cards registrations can only be accepted online at this time.
Link to Registration Central
3/27/06
Kwong Award Winners
Congratulations to this year's Neal Kwong Youth Citizenship Award winners!
Kelsey McCoy and Christina Vernon were honored at the March 22 meeting of the City Council.
Kwong award winners pictured with members of the Kwong family and Mayor Gehrz
Kelsey McCoy is 13 years old and a member of the Falcon Heights Human Rights Commission. Ms. McCoy has worked on the development of a Falcon Heights Bias/Hate Response Plan which was approved by the City Council last September, the development of a Human Rights Commission brochure to distribute to local residents, outreach to the multi-cultural residents of a new 119 unit apartment building at the Grand Opening in November. Lastly, Ms. McCoy also worked on planning an educational forum on our changing neighborhoods in January, 2006. Kelsey McCoy was nominated by Dan Detzner.
Christina Vernon is 17 years old and has been active in student government from elementary school at Brimhall through high school at Roseville Senior High. Ms. Vernon enjoys helping others, especially through her selfless giving of service to her elderly neighbors and volunteering as a peer guidance counselor. Ms. Vernon is also very active in church groups, and has served as a camp leader for several summers. Christina Vernon was nominated by Janet Deppe
Como Lake Water Festival
Saturday, June 17, 2006
11 AM to 4 PM
Rain or Shine
On the grassy area near the Schiffman Fountain
just south of the Lakeside Pavilion
(1360 North Lexington Parkway, St. Paul)
Come celebrate clean water at this popular, free family event.
From 11 AM to 1 PM
Help spruce up beautiful Como Lake with a shoreline clean up. Volunteers will earn a coupon for free face painting and receive lunch courtesy of Black Bear Crossing on the Lake.
From Noon to 4 PM
The festival continues with activities, music, performances and lots of fun! You can:
- Enjoy the acoustic band Coconut Groove and Tricia and the Toonies puppet show
- Learn about watersheds and water quality issues through “hands-on” activities for all ages
- Take a walking tour of the park’s shoreline restoration and new rain gardens
- Go on a tree trek and learn more about trees around the lake
- Paddle around Como Lake in a canoe or paddleboat
- Learn how your activities affect our lakes — no matter where you live
- Gain useful tips on environmentally-friendly lawn care and landscaping
- Look at, and learn about, the different reptiles, amphibians and other critters that live in and around Como Lake
- Learn to fish
- Enjoy crafts and games
- Enter the “I Am A Clean Lake Hero” youth poster contest (guidelines are at www.capitolregionwd.org)
Register ahead of time if you want to volunteer for the clean up. Trash bags will be provided, but volunteers should bring gloves.
This event is sponsored by
the Capitol Region Watershed District, Black Bear Crossings on the Lake, District 10 Community Council and the St. Paul Division of Parks and Recreation. The Capitol Region Watershed District, working to protect and improve the water resources of our district, covers portions of St. Paul, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, and Roseville.
To register as a volunteer, or for more information, contact Debbie Meister at 651-647-6816 or .
3/23/06
Search for New City Administrator
The City has announced that applications are being accepted for the position of City Administrator, to replace Heather Worthington, who has accepted a position in the City of Edina.
See the City Employment page for information and a link to the job description.
Yard Waste Site Openings Delayed
The opening of Ramsey County's seven yard waste sites has been delayed for one week due to last week's heavy snowfall and the poor surface conditions that have resulted from melting snow.
All seven yard waste sites will open to the public on Monday, April 3, 2006. The hours at all the sites will remain the same throughout the 2006 season.
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Sunday | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Tuesdays, Thursdays | Closed |
All sites are closed on Memorial Day, May 29, and Labor Day, September 4.
Four of the sites again this year will be accepting brush. Brush can be brought to the Midway, Arden Hills, East Side and White Bear Township sites only. All parts of the tree are accepted, but NO STUMPS.
Sites are open to Ramsey County residents only. No out-of-county or commercial services brush is accepted.
Leaves, grass clippings, other soft-bodied plants and brush are considered yard waste materials and cannot be mixed with other trash. Yard waste must be bagged separately for trash pick-up, composted at home, or taken to a county yard waste site.
When available, finished compost and wood chip mulch are offered at the yard waste sites at no charge to Ramsey County residents.
3/21/06
Community Food Drive
Falcon Heights is participating in the annual Community Food Drive between March 27 and March 31.
What is needed? Non-perishable food items, paper products, toiletries and cash donations.
Where will it go? Keystone Community Service, our neighborhood food shelf.
For cash donations, please make checks payable to Keystone Community Services and write “food shelf” on the memo line.
Food may be dropped off at any of these locations up until Friday, March 31:
- Falcon Heights City Hall
- Falcon Heights Elementary School
- Curves for Women
You may also drop off donations at these homes of Neighborhood Liaisons:
- 2285 Folwell Avenue
- Linda Fite 1710 St. Mary’s St.
- 1824 Tatum St.
- 1757 Fairview Ave. N.
- 1437 Hoyt Ave. W.
- 1845 Moore St.
- 1740 N. Pascal St.
- 1673 Questwood Dr.
Special Thanks to the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club and Roseville Rotary Club for providing community service for pick-up of donations and staffing of the food shelf warehouse!
Please donate!
Thank you for your generosity!
3/17/06
Scholarship Available - APPLY NOW!
North Suburban Communications Commission Announces Scholarships
The North Suburban Communications Commission is joining with Comcast in accepting applications for their annual scholarship awards. This year, at least $30,000 in scholarships will be awarded to residents of the Comcast viewing area in the communities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony, and Shoreview.
The minimum award will be $1,000. Applicants must be residents of one of the 10 cities listed above.
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college or vocational training, with a primary field of study in Mass Communication, Journalism, Television Production, Video Engineering, or similar course of study. Please view the eligibility requirements
Applications
To be considered, the completed application must be returned no later than 4pm, April 14 to:
North Suburban Communications Commission Scholarship
950 Woodhill Drive
Roseville MN 55113
The students selected for a scholarship award will be notified in May and will be invited to receive their awards at the Communications Commission's June 1 meeting.
3/14/06
Special Council Meeting March 16
The City Council has posted notice of a special meeting on March 16 at 6:30 p.m. The only agenda item is discussion of replacing City Administrator Heather Worthington, who has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager for the City of Edina.
Council and Staff are unanimously sorry to lose Ms. Worthington, who has served the City for six years and held the post of City Administrator for five. She will continue full time through April.
The meeting will be held in the small conference room as council chambers were already booked by an outside group.
March 13 Snowstorm
Late yesterday Waste Management informed the City that the storm has forced them to move their collection schedule for the week back one day. Therefore, this Friday's recycling will be picked up on Saturday, March 18.
The Falcon Heights snow emergency went into effect as soon as the total snowfall reached 2 inches. New residents need to be aware that we do not follow the St. Paul or Minneapolis schedule and that no media announcement is made. Residents need to watch the weather report and make sure their cars are parked off the street if 2 inches or more of snow is expected.
Please get your sidewalk cleared!
Residents, apartment owners and business owners are required to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of snowfall. City crews will clear trails, park paths and some public walks along main streets.
2/24/06
New City Website Coming!
The City Staff are working behind the scenes on a brand new website for Falcon Heights. Our new web will have a new look and a lot of useful features, including a Search function.
We're working especially hard to set up online registration for our summer recreation program.
Keep watching these pages for announcement of our launch date!
2/16/06
Book Club Announces Upcoming Selections
Falcon Heights Book Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. All are welcome!
The reading and discussion selections have been announced for the next three months. The selection for March 14 is Murder Room by P.D. James, and, if you've read it, Endless Night by Agatha Christie, for comparison. Please see the Book Club page for details.
2/6/06
VACATION DAY JAMBOREE!
Tuesday, February 21
for Kids in Grades 1 - 6
Want something FUN to do on your day off of School?
Burn off those winter blues as we spend our fun-filled action packed day together.
Come join us for our Vacation Day Jamboree!
The city of Falcon Heights is partnering up with Roseville Park and Recreation to offer a non-school day event for kids in 1st through 6th grade. The adventure begins and ends at Brimhall Elementary School. Participants will spend the day doing TONS of activities including crafts, games, adventures indoors and outdoors, and much more
Please see our Recreation Program page for more information! Pre-registration is required.1/27/06
Nominations Open for Neal Kwong Award
Mayor Gehrz announced last week that the City of Falcon Heights is currently seeking nominations for our fifth annual Neal Kwong Youth Citizenship Award.
Neal Kwong was a Falcon Heights resident who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of fifteen. He was a volunteer in our Parks and Recreation Junior Leaders Program, an Eagle Scout, and a great young citizen. In his memory, the City established this award to recognize people between the ages of 12 and 19 who display outstanding leadership, volunteerism, or citizenship in this community.
The Council is seeking nominations in two age groups — 12 to 15 and 16 to 19. The award recipients will be recognized at a City Council meeting and in our City newsletter. Their names will be engraved on a permanent plaque in the lobby of the Falcon Heights City Hall.
Nominees need to either live in Falcon Heights or have done volunteer work in Falcon Heights. A nomination form can be downloaded from the link below. Please feel free to make additional copies and nominate more than one young person who deserves recognition.
Nominations are due by March 6 for the year 2005 nominees.
Nomination form and Mayor's letter
1/25/06
Looking for a fun job this summer?
Join the Falcon Heights Park and Recreation staff and have a blast this summer! Applications are being accepted now!
Falcon Heights Parks and Recreation is seeking responsible and dedicated people for various part-time positions for the 2006 summer programs.
Instructors, leaders and Assistants for:
- Sports — T-ball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, basketball and tennis
- Playground programs
- Pre-school programs
- Specialty Classes — Cooking, art and quilting
To download the job descriptions click here
Download City Job Application and Summer Job Application Supplement
Applications are also available at City Hall or by calling 651-792-7616.
1/23/05
Book Club Announces Upcoming Titles
Falcon Heights Book Club has announced discussion titles for the next three months. The February 14 selection is On the Road by Jack Kerouac, followed on March 14 by Endless Night by Agatha Christie. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is the selection for April 11.
The book club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in the conference room. All readers are welcome!
1/20/06
AARP Tax Help for Seniors at Falcon Heights City Hall
February 7 - April 13
Tuesday and Thursday mornings
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Assistance on personal tax returns will again be offered this year at City Hall for senior citizens and persons with low incomes. There are no appointments; the service is first come, first served. (On busy days there may be a lengthy wait.)
For information on what to bring with you, please see this page on our website.
If these Falcon Heights City Hall times are not convenient for you, please check with AARP to find another site near you. Call toll free 1-888-227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org/taxaide after February 1, 2006.
1/19/06
U.S. Government Opens Pandemic Flu Information Website
Avian flu has been in the news a lot recently. There are concerns that this disease could change in such a way that it can be transmitted person to person, causing a serious flu pandemic, similar to the one that killed millions in 1918.
A flu epidemic could cause widespread disruption to services and supplies across the United States, but there are some things you and your family can do to be prepared. Thanks to Dan Johnson-Powers, Emergency Coordinator for the University of Minnesota and a member of Falcon Heights CERT, we have a new resource to help Falcon Heights households prepare for a possible flu epidemic emergency.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html1/9/06
Come be a part of the Winter Celebration!
“Dead of Winter” Inspirational Event Coming February 5!
Volunteers Needed
“Dead of Winter” - the popular winter inspirational event sponsored annually by our Parks and Recreation Department - is coming up soon.
Sunday, February 5, 1 - 4 p.m.
Community Park (Roselawn at Cleveland)
In past years residents have enjoyed skating, sleigh rides, games, crafts and other seasonal activities at the Dead of Winter inspirational event - depending on the weather. It's a perfect afternoon outing for the whole family!
Watch for more information in the January city flyer and on our Events Page!
Volunteers Needed!
Come be part of the fun! The Parks and Recreation Department seeks residents who are willing to volunteer some time to help out with “Dead of Winter”.
- Ticket Sales
- Kitchen Helpers
- Activity and Games
- Crafts
- Sleigh/Hay Ride
- And Manning the Bonfire!
Any help would be appreciated even if it’s not the whole time. Please respond by or call 651-792-7616.
1/6/06
County Announces New Use Motor Oil Drop-Off Site
Ramsey County has opened a new self-service drop-off site for used motor oil and oil filters in Arden Hills. The old site, near Rice and I-694 in Arden Hills is closed. For more information, including directions on how to get there and what to do, go to this page.
Used motor-oil is still part of the Falcon Heights recycling contract. This information is provided for residents who find it more convenient to drop off used motor oil.
The drop-off site is for household recycling only. Businesses and institutions should contact the St. Paul – Ramsey County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, at 651-773-4466 for information on how to properly recycle these items.
1/3/2006
Happy New Year!
Falcon Heights City Hall was closed yesterday for the New Year Holiday. City Hall will also be closed on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Day.
- Keep up with the City Hall schedule by bookmarking our Calendar! Past calendars are available back to spring, 2004.
- You can also find schedules of Council and Commission meetings here and here. The Commission page lists the names of citizens who are serving on City Commissions.
- Want to contact a Council Member by email? That information is right here.
- Be sure to take that 644-5050 City Hall number off your speed dial list! The new phone number is 651-702-7600. It has been almost a year since all our phone numbers changed. Forwarding from the old number will end soon. For a complete list of new City Hall numbers, see this page.
You can link to all kinds of information about your city government from this page.
Watch for Big Changes to the Falcon Heights website, coming soon!
* Older News *
© 2004, 2005 City of Falcon Heights