August 12, 2024

Join us for Summer Block Party

Saturday, August 17 from 11-3pm

Parking Area at Rice & Larpenteur

(Near North End Laundry)

We look forward to celebrating our 6th Annual Summer Block Party at Rice & Larpenteur, Presented by M Health Fairview! All are welcome!

Some highlights will include:

• $5 Food Tickets to use at our Cancun Mexican Grill or Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen Food Trucks, while supplies last (additional food available for purchase).
• Free Youth Bike Helmet and fitting from M Health Fairview
• Free samples from Thai Street Market and The Urban Grocery (formerly Karen and Nepali Foods)
• Live Music from The Blues Saloon
• Performance from Community School of Excellence Hmong Dance Group
• Kids activities from St Paul Parks and Rec, sponsored by Dan Roe and Kraus Anderson
• The Saint Paul Mobile Library
• Free Back-to-School youth haircuts, sponsored by VitalPath
• The Quench Buggy by Saint Paul Regional Water Services
• Take a survey from our RLA Youth Ambassadors and be entered to win a cash prize
• Shopping, giveaways, activities, and info from our awesome partners and vendors

Thank you to our sponsors including the Cities of Maplewood, Roseville, Saint Paul and Ramsey County, AE Sign Systems, American National Bank, Bix Produce, C.A. Ellis and Associates, Capitol Region Watershed District, Carvasta, Hamernick's Flooring Solutions, JO Companies, Kraus Anderson, Mayor Dan Roe, McDonald's at Rice & Hoyt, North End Laundry, Namaste Brows and Boutique, M Health Fairview, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, Saint Paul Regional Water Services, Thai Street Market, The Blues Saloon, The Urban Grocery, and Xcel Energy

We're still in need of volunteers! Please sign-up for a shift to help support this event here.

Show your neighborhood pride!

While supplies last - we are offering a FREE T-Shirt to show your neighborhood pride with a donation of $20 or more.

Get yours at the Summer Block Party near the RLA Booth! Thank you for helping the community.

Multiple styles and sizes are available to outfit the whole family! Can't make it to the next event? Email Kim!

RLA Updates In Pictures

The May Community in Bloom event at Lake McCarrons County Park was bigger and better than ever! Pictured is Roseville City Councilmember Jason Etten, RLA Board Member Jeena Gurung Vomhof, and Roseville Mayor Dan Roe.

RLA Staff Kim O'Brien and RLA Board Member Esther Brown visit with Gardeners at Rice Street Gardens to talk about potential future vision for the site to include housing, a park, and garden space in partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust.

Board Members meet with NEOO Partners Founder D'Angelos Svenkeson and St Paul Parks and Rec Director Andy Rodriguez (not pictured) to learn about a project to develop community supported plan for the Rice - Arlington Fields/Municipal Athletic Complex.

Employment & Workforce Corner

We are proud to partner with Ramsey County as an Inclusive Employer Champion.

As part of this partnership we share helpful employer and workforce resources provided by Ramsey County.

• Jobseekers and Businesses looking for workers can find support through the Employer of the Day! program. Starting in August, sessions will be held at the Maplewood Library Tuesdays from 3-5pm.

• MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator half day workshops to help your company build a plan that will attract, hire and retain the best talent. Sessions are held monthly from 9-1pm. Content is tailored to each organizations needs.

• Ramsey County's Inclusive Employer Toolkit - new sections added on employee benefits and skills-based hiring. The toolkit aims to help employers provide a more welcoming and inclusive workplace for all by offering practices to build diversity, equity, and inclusion in the areas of employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention.

• Check out Ramsey County Means Business website for more economic and workforce development resources.

Welcome New Business - Cancun Mexican Grill and Cantina

Go visit brand new business Cancun Mexican Grill and Cantina for a family friendly and delicious Mexican meal in the former Hearthside Pizza space next to MyThrift Store in Saint Paul. Co-owner Juan Vasquez has already joined the RLA Board of Advisors!

Grants from BizRecycling

Big or small, BizRecycling’s expert knowledge, free resources and grants can help any type of business reduce waste and become more sustainable. Find the grant that’s right for your business at https://buff.ly/3cPzMze

Save the Date! Movie in the Park September 6