Can you put plastic shopping bags in your home recycling?

🌳 Park Spotlight: Tower Park

If you live in North St. Paul, you’ve definitely seen the giant water tower — but have you actually hung out at the park beneath it? Tower Park is a total hidden gem.

Picture this: shooting hoops or playing sand volleyball with the city’s most famous landmark towering overhead. Pretty epic backdrop, right?

It’s the kind of park where kids tear up the new playground, neighbors kick back at the picnic shelter, and everyone feels that “only in 55109” vibe.

Whether you live down the block or haven’t stopped by in years, Tower Park is worth a visit — because how many parks can say they’ve got their own water tower?

POW/MIA Remembrance Walk – Honoring Our Veterans

Tonight (Sept 25): Join us in remembering and honoring our nation’s heroes at the upcoming POW/MIA Remembrance Walk on

📍 The walk begins at VFW Post 1350 Club Home — meet at 5:45 p.m. to walk together to Veterans Park.

🕕 Ceremonies will begin at the park around 7:00 p.m.

This year’s ceremony will recognize 19 Veterans’ pavers, honoring their service and sacrifice. The evening will also feature a special performance by the North High Chorus, making for a moving tribute to those who gave so much.

Let’s come together as a community to remember, reflect, and show gratitude.

Learn More: www.nspveteranspark.org

Crush a Can Day – Let's Recycle Together

September 27 is Crush a Can Day! 🥫💥 Sure, it sounds silly—but it’s really about recycling, cutting down waste, and maybe even letting out a little stress with that oh-so-satisfying CRUNCH.

Here in North St. Paul and Maplewood, recycling is more than just a chore. Maplewood has bins right in the parks so you can stay green while you’re out enjoying the trails and N. St. Paul has recycling bins all the way up 7th Street.

Ramsey County even has a Green Guide to tell you exactly where that random thing in your garage should go (spoiler: not the trash).

And if you run a business or apartment building, the BizRecycling program can hook you up with grants to cut down waste.

So yeah, go ahead and smash that can—it’s fun, and it’s one small way we can all keep 55109 cleaner, greener, and stronger. 🌎💪

👉 Green Guide: Ramsey County Recycling
👉 BizRecycling Grants: Learn More

🤝 Good Neighbor Day – Let’s Bring It Back!

When’s the last time you borrowed a cup of sugar? Or waved at the neighbor walking their dog? Somewhere along the way, “being a good neighbor” got redefined from someone you can count on to just someone who keeps to themselves.

But here’s the truth: isolation and loneliness are on the rise. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness a public health crisis. That’s heavy—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

This Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28), let’s bring back the good stuff:

• A friendly wave 👋

• A quick chat on the sidewalk

• Checking in on the folks next door

• Maybe even sharing some cookies 🍪 (bonus points if homemade!)

Strong communities start with small acts of kindness. And who knows?

That “Hi” today might turn into a friendship tomorrow.

So this Sunday, take a moment to be that neighbor—the one people can count on. Because 55109 is better when we all look out for each other. ❤️

Community Give-Back + Pizza Party at the North St. Paul Food Shelf! 💪🍕

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 North St. Paul Food Shelf

Ready to roll up your sleeves and do some good? This isn’t just volunteering — it’s a chance to team up with neighbors, refresh the Food Shelf, and have some fun while giving back to the place that gives so much to our community.

👉 What to Expect:

• Clean, organize, and help spruce up the Food Shelf 🚐✨

• Sort donations and prep giveaway bags 🎁

• Tackle special projects like light painting or van cleaning 🖌️🧽

• Big smiles, teamwork, and plenty of community spirit 🙌

👨‍👩‍👧 Bring the whole crew! Kids, families, and friends of all ages are welcome. Got food to donate? Even better. Need service hours? We’ll sign off. Want to be the MVP? Bring extra gloves or rags.

And of course… after we work, we feast! 🍕

Nothing says “job well done” like a good old-fashioned pizza party with your neighbors.

Let’s clean, give back, and celebrate together — because when North St. Paul shows up, we show up strong.

Learn More:  www.northstpaul.org/1389/Give-Back-Day-at-the-NSP-Food-Shelf

🍂 Fall Festival Weekend at Presentation Church!

The Fall Festival is back at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and you won’t want to miss it!

Saturday, Sept. 27 kicks off with a special Mass at 4:00pm, followed by a mouthwatering pulled pork dinner, pull-tabs, and the always-popular basket booth. As the sun goes down, grab your chair or blanket and head to the ball field for a cozy bonfire and outdoor movie—popcorn, glow sticks, and family fun included!

Then on Sunday, Sept. 28, the festival goes all out from 10:00am–3:00pm with food booths, French fries, Kiddie Land, cake walk, books/media, pull-tabs, and more. Don’t forget the big raffle drawing at 3:00pm—you could be the lucky winner!

Want to help? Volunteers make this event possible! Sign up to lend a hand, support our sponsors, and remember to buy (or sell) those raffle tickets.

📍 Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
1725 Kennard Street, Maplewood, MN 55109

More Info:  presentationofmary.org/2024-fall-festival/

Buckthorn Beware! Learn How to Take It Down

If you’ve ever noticed those thick, tangled shrubs taking over trails and woodlands—you’ve probably seen buckthorn, one of Minnesota’s most invasive plants. And now’s your chance to fight back!

Why does buckthorn matter?

• Chokes out native plants by hogging nutrients, light, and water

• Degrades wildlife habitat and threatens forests, wetlands, and prairies

• Causes erosion by shading out helpful ground plants

• Hosts pests like crown rust fungus and soybean aphid

• Creates dense, impenetrable thickets with no natural predators to keep it in check

And here’s the kicker: it’s actually illegal to import, sell, or transport buckthorn in Minnesota.

This class is your chance to become a buckthorn-busting hero for our local environment! 🌎💪

👉 Questions? Reach out to Katelyn Bergstrom at (651) 249-2416 or katelyn.bergstrom@maplewoodmn.gov

Pre-order Your Booya

You’ve seen the signs around town… but what is Booya? 🍲

Booya a legendary, slow-cooked stew made in massive kettles with a secret blend of meats, vegetables, and spices. Each batch simmers for hours (sometimes even days!) until the flavors are rich, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Booya isn’t just food — it’s tradition. 

And now, it’s back! The North St. Paul Fire Department’s famous Booya Stew returns on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Casey Lake Park

👉 How to Get Yours:

• Pre-Order: Skip the line and guarantee your Booya! Pick up between 9–11:30 AM.

• Day-Of Sales: Starting at 11 AM, quarts, bowls, and gallons will be available until it’s gone — and trust us, it goes FAST.

All proceeds benefit the North St. Paul Firefighter’s Relief Association. 🔥

So whether you’re a lifelong fan or trying Booya for the very first time, this fall tradition is one you won’t want to miss.

Learn More and Pre-Order Here:  https://www.northstpaul.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1001

Shangri-La III -> Local Chinese Take-Out

Some places don’t just serve food — they serve tradition.

Shangri-La III has been a North St. Paul staple since the ‘90s, and if you’ve ever had their takeout, you know why.

Big boxes of fried rice stacked to the brim, crispy egg rolls that vanish way too fast, and sesame chicken that somehow tastes even better as leftovers (if you have any left). It’s takeout-only, but that’s part of the charm — grab a bag, head home, and dig in.

It’s the kind of spot that keeps 55109 delicious. If you know, you know. And if you don’t — well, now you do.

Brochert’s Meat Market Needs Us

If you’ve been around Maplewood a while, you probably know Brochert’s Meat Market — same spot, same local spirit, but they could use some extra love from the community right now. Rising costs and tough times for small businesses mean they need more support to keep the doors open.

And honestly, if you’ve ever grabbed steaks, gangsta brats, or chops from there, you already know: this isn’t just any meat counter. It’s a local gem. Shopping there keeps money in 55109 and keeps the tradition alive.

Want a great excuse to stop in?

This Saturday (9/27) is Ribfest! 🍖

Time:  11am-4pm

They’ll be smoking ribs right out front, hot off the BBQ, with sales helping raise money for the shop. You can literally support them and walk away with ribs that’ll have the whole block jealous.

So, next time you think about running to the big box store, remember Brochert’s. Let’s back a local business that’s been feeding our community for years.

Sometimes life gets loud, busy, and overwhelming — and it’s easy to forget just how important you are.

But hear this: you matter.

Your smile can lift a room, your kindness can change someone’s day, and your presence makes our community stronger.

Don’t let challenges trick you into thinking you’re small or unseen. You are needed. You are valued. You are part of what makes 55109 such a special place.

So hold your head high today — because this neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without you. 💛

Answer: No! 🎉 They must be thrown away or recycle at the store you got them.

Got news, an event, or a local biz worth shouting out? 🙌

Let us know! Email: the109online@gmail.com