5-year-old Deveary Chappell seems to have more fun falling than climbing the rock wall during Como Park Elementary School's annual Como Carnival fund-raiser.
Pool, Beaches Open Just in Time
Photo: twincities.com
The Como Park Pool and Ramsey County beaches open this Saturday, June 11 -- which is almost perfect timing to give us relief from the season's first heat wave.

The pool is open weekends from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and weekdays from 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Specific time slots are set aside for lap swimming, water aerobics, swim lessons, and open swimming. Admission is $6 if your under 4 feet tall, $7 if your over 4 feet tall. Family and season discounts are available.

Ramsey County beaches are open daily. Some beaches -- including Lake Johanna, Lake Josephine, Lake McCarrons, and Snail Lake -- have lifeguards on duty from noon-8 p.m. Other beaches -- including Lake Gervais and Lake Owasso -- are open but do not have lifeguards. Admission is free.
Organized Trash Collection -- on the Lake
For the second straight year, neighborhood resident Jacki Morrison is organizing a monthly cleanup of Como Lake. Bring a canoe or kayak (or rent one for a reduced rate from Wheel Fun), then head onto the water to clean up trash that's gunking up the shoreline or just floating around looking ugly. You can meet Jacki at 9 a.m. this Saturday, June 11, outside Como Dockside. She'll have bags, gloves, and free coffee.
The painted, or mud, turtle is the most common variety in Minnesota. Photo: Minnesota DNR
Don't Squash Them
It's nesting season for many turtles, including those in and near Como Park. Unfortunately, that often means the turtles have to cross a road. Which often means they  become road kill. The Minnesota DNR offers this advice if you come across a turtle crossing a road:
  • Let the turtle do its own thing. If you're in a car or on a bike, slow down, or stop. Flash your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
  • Don't go near the turtle unless absolutely necessary. Approaching turtles can cause them to stop, change directions, or go into their shell. That makes the situation worse.
  • Don't change directions. If you assist a turtle, keep them moving in the direction they were headed when you found them. Move them in as direct a line as possible.
  • Handle them gently. If you absolutely must pick up a turtle, hold them gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of their body. Be aware: Turtles typically empty their bladder when lifted off the ground, so don't freak out and drop them if this happens. Also be aware: Snappers and softshells may bite.
If a turtle is injured, contact the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, at 2530 Dale St. in Roseville: 651-486-9410. 
Get Rid of Those Library Fines
During the month of June, the Saint Paul Public Library's " Family Read Down" lets you work off fines and fees. The bottom line: For every 15 minutes you spend reading in a library, you get rid of $1 in fines. Your local librarian has all the details.
It's Just So Beautiful!
Nominations are being accepted for the annual Blooming Saint Paul awards. Different awards honor residential gardens, business landscaping, gardens that include edible plants, remarkable trees, and exemplary public art. Details are available online. The deadline is Friday June 24.
Hmong Festival Seeks Sound Variance
A public hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 15, on a request for a sound variance for the annual Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Tournament in Como Park. The variance is for Saturday-Sunday, July 2-3, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day. The District 10 Como Community Council is supporting the request.

The City Council holds the hearing beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Written comments, for or against, should be filed no later than this Tuesday, June 14. Send them to Barb McMonigal-St.Dennis by email, or by mail, c/o Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson St., Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101.
Get Serious About Spring Cleaning
St. Paul's first community cleanup day -- where you can dispose of the stuff you can't put in the trash -- takes place this Saturday, June 11, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Washington Technology Magnet High School, 1495 Rice St. At this event, any city resident can drop off old appliances, furniture, tires, demolition materials, and more. You can drop off household quantities of confidential paper for shredding. And, there's a reuse area where you can leave items that are perfectly functional, but you don't need any more. If you can't get all your junk together in the next week, future cleanup dates are:
  • June 25: Harding High School, 1540 E. 6th St.
  • Sept. 24: Shepard Road (between Davern and Alton)
  • Oct. 8: Fairgrounds
The fine print: There are fees for most items. The drop-off events accept only cash or checks. Find these and other details online.
Get Rid of Your Own Toxic Waste Dump
St. Paul holds a collection event exclusively for electronics next Saturday, June 18, at Dunning Field, from 9 a.m.-noon. That means TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, computer equipment, cell phones, cords, and similar accessories. You can enter from Concordia Ave. east of Hamline Ave. Find the fee schedule and other details online.

Hazardous waste: Ramsey County has a temporary collection site for household chemicals, fluorescent lights, mercury thermometers, and other poisonous and dangerous items that should not go in the trash. However, new this month: Individual residents now can bring their medical needles, syringes, and lancets to Ramsey County's hazardous waste collection sites. Transport them in an empty detergent bottle or other closed container with a screw-on lid; label the container "needles." (Syringes or EpiPens with liquid still must be taken to a Ramsey County medicine collection site.)

The site is at 1725 Kent St. in Roseville, just north of Larpenteur Ave. and east of Dale St. It is open every Friday in June from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and every Saturday in June from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The site is free for county residents; see the county website for a list of acceptable items.
Photo: Como Zoo and Conservatory
Wanted: Teens with Leadership Skills
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Como Zoo and Conservatory both are looking for teens who want to do more than just talk about problems and solutions.

St. Paul Youth Commission: Parks and Recreation is accepting applications from teens interested in building on the commission's successful projects during the 2016-2017 school year. The application deadline is this Wednesday June 15; details are available online. Youth Commission members must be city residents in grades 9-12. The commission has 22 members: it needs representatives from each neighborhood (including Como), plus five at-large members.  
 
Como Zoo and Conservatory: The Youth Engagement Program is seeking teams of 3-5 students in grades 9-12 who have a conservation-based project they want to turn into reality. Program participants receive financial and logistical guidance and mentorship, take part in a four-day summer workshop, and join monthly meet-ups with other teams. The application deadline is Thursday June 30; full details are available online.
 
Start Your Countdown to ComoFest
ComoFest is less than a month away. This year's celebration expands to bring affordable fun to every part of the neighborhood every weekend in July. Here's a brief rundown of the schedule. You can find full details at www.comofest.com.
  • Friday July 8: North Dale Movie Night. A free outdoor showing of "Pan."
  • Saturday July 9: ComoFest Art Fair. Art and crafts for sale, plus live music, on the Promenade of the Como Lakeside Pavilion. Online registration for artists is now open.
  • Friday July 15: District 10 Ice Cream Social. Enjoy neighbors, ice cream, lawn games, and live music.
  • Sunday July 17:  ComoFest 5K Walk/Run for Everyone. Sponsored by the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program. Online registration is now open.
  • Friday July 22: Lyngblomsten's Mid-Summer Festival. An arts showcase, with hands-on activities, music, food, and games -- culminating with a community dance under the big tent.
  • Saturday July 23: Community Appreciation Picnic. Topline Federal Credit Union hosts a free cookout.
  • Friday, July 29: Northwest Como Campout. Fun family activities, a free outdoor showing of "Zootopia," and the annual family outdoor overnight campout. To reserve your camping spot, call 651-298-5813 or register online.
  • Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31: ComoFest Music Festival. The Underground Music CafĂ© transforms its parking lot and indoor stage for live music, presentations, a local talent show, crafts, food, beer, coffee, and more.
Joe Kaiser
There's Always Room for Cello
Lyngblomsten's monthly Second Sunday Concert invites you to "Discover the Cello" with Joe Kaiser and Rebecca Hass from the MacPhail Center for Music. The free concert is this Sunday, June 12, from 2-3 p.m. at the Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave. As always, members of the entire community are  welcome.
Refinishing hardwood floors is one workshop this weekend.
Tackle Home Projects the Right Way
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has classes lined up this weekend to get the most out of your old(er) home.
Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check
The Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program offers free blood-pressure checks several times a month. The next opportunities:
  • This Wednesday June 15, 11 a.m.-noon, Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1074 W. Idaho.
  • This Thursday June 16, 11 a.m.-noon, Arbor Pointe Apartments, Dale and Maryland.
Can Stock photo
It's Happening All Around Us
  • Tonight, Friday June 10: Hmong College Prep Academy commencement ceremony. 6-8 p.m., Brewster St. between Snelling and Pascal.
  • This Saturday, June 11: A Line "bus rapid transit" service begins on Snelling Ave. at 10 a.m. Free rides will be available all weekend.
  • This Thursday, June 16: Town meeting with Como-area legislators Sen. John Marty, Rep. Alice Hausman, and Rep. John Lesch. 6:30-8 p.m. Room 1100, Minnesota Senate Building, 95 W. University Ave.
  • Tuesday, June 21: District 10 Como Community Council Board Meeting. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station. Community members are always welcome to attend. 
  • Saturday-Sunday, July 2-3: Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Tournament. 6 a.m.-10 p.m., McMurray Field and surrounding parts of Como Park.
  • Tuesday Aug. 2: National Night Out.
What's Open (and What Isn't)
New this week:
  • Cretin Ave. bridge over I-94: Now open.
  • Pascal St. bridge over I-94: Supposed to reopen this Saturday, June 11.
  • Rose Ave. between Como Ave. and Grotto: Closed beginning next Wednesday, June 15, as Phase II of the Como-Chatsworth RSVP project gets started. Other streets in Phase II include Churchill and West Como Blvd. north of Horton; Jessamine between Chatsworth and Lexington; and Kilburn, Ryde, Colne, and Milton south of Como. Construction is expected to last at least through August.
  • Van Slyke Ave.: Construction is likely to begin the week of June 13 between Horton and Chatsworth, as the second part of Phase I continues.
  • Victoria St. bridge over I-94: Now open. 
Ongoing bridge work:
  • St. Clair Ave. bridge over I-35E. Closed through July 29.
  • Highway 5 bridge over Mississippi River: Only a single lane remains open in both directions until November. Ramps at Edgecumbe Road, Highway 55, Mississippi River Blvd., and Shepard Road closed.
  • Lexington Ave.: Closed at Highway 36 until September, so MnDOT can replace the Highway 36 bridge. Traffic on Highway 36 is now being routed to temporary lanes.
  • Prior Ave. bridge over I-94: Closed until August.
Other road and highway projects on major travel routes to and from Como:
  • Chatsworth Ave.: Closed between Front and Horton through July.
  • Highway 280: Closed between Broadway and Interstate 35W. Only a single lane is open between Broadway and Como.
  • Interstate 35E: Ongoing work continues, with nightly lane closings, between Maryland Ave. and I-94. Occasional work takes place as far north as Highway 36. Lane and ramp closings continue on L'Orient and Pennsylvania Ave./Phalen Blvd.
  • Larpenteur Ave.: Sidewalk, curb, and crosswalk work between Snelling and Oxford continues into July.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Closed between Rice and Edgerton until fall.
Photo: wisegeek.com
Fire Safety Tip of the Week
It's officially grilling season. The St. Paul Fire Department offers these tips to prevent fires and burns while using charcoal or propane grills.
  • Grill outdoors only. (And, no, grilling in your garage is not outdoors.)
  • Keep grills away from buildings, branches, deck railings, and roof eaves.
  • Keep children and pets away from grills.
  • If you're cooking with charcoal and prefer to use starter fluid, spray the fluid on before you light the charcoal, not afterward. Never use any flammable liquid except charcoal starter fluid. That means no gasoline, kerosene, etc.
  • If you're cooking with propane, apply a soap and water solution to the gas tank's hose before you grill for the first time each season. If you see bubbles, you've got a leak that must be repaired. Don't use the grill.
  • Also if you're cooking with propane, take these steps to avoid singed eyebrows or worse: Make sure the lid is open before you light the grill. If you smell gas while cooking, get away and call the fire department immediately. If the flame goes out, turn off the grill and gas, then wait 5 minutes before trying to light it again.
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood  
The Harmonic Relief Show Choir --
kind of like Glee for adults.
How Many Kinds of Bands Are There?
This week's Music in the Parks schedule at the Como Dockside Pavilion. All presentations are free. For the entire summer lineup, go to the Calendar section at Dockside's website.  
  • Tonight, Friday June 10: Harmonic Relief Adult Show Choir, 7 p .m.
  • This Sunday, June 12: Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Richfield Symphonic Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, June 13: Northern Winds Concert Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, June 14: Centennial Community Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, June 15: St. Paul Ballet, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, June 16: Dirty Shorts Brass Band, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, June 17: Hopkins Westwind Concert Band, 7 p .m.
This week's Movies and Music combination: Saturday, June 11: The movie is "The Neverending Story"; the music is Midwest Paul Cook, 7 p.m.
Gotta say: Crankshaft doesn't look anything like the guy in the comic strip.
This Week in the Park
As if that's not enough free music: Como Park's Groovin' in the Garden season kicks off this Wednesday, June 15, with a free concert by roots rockers Crankshaft & the Gear Grinders. Concerts occur every Wednesday through Aug. 3, from 6-8 p.m., on the lawn outside the Zoo and Conservatory's Visitors Center. Find the full schedule online. (For those of you with attention deficit issues, there's also a free climbing wall, bounce house, and lawn games. Plus, you can purchase and consume beer, wine, food, and ice cream.) 
Back to the 50s is back next weekend.
This Week at the Fairgrounds       
  • Through this Saturday, June 11: Antique motorcycle swap meet, Progress Center. Until 8 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $5 teens and adults; children 12 or younger free with paid admission.
  • Through this Saturday, June 11: 4-H YELLO! Youth Leadership Extravaganza. 4-H Building (of course!). Activities through the day and night; ends at 2 p.m. Saturday.
  • Through this Sunday, June 12: Region 10 Arabian Horse Association Championship Show, Warner Coliseum. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Free.
  • This Tuesday, June 14: Bicycle races, 5 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Expect roads north of Dan Patch and south of Hoyt to be closed.
  • Next Friday, June 17, through Sunday June 19: Back to the 50s Car Show, entire Fairgrounds and beyond. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $10 teens and adults; children 12 or younger, free.
Pick Up a Recycling Bin This Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open from noon-4 p.m. this and every Sunday through September. It's your best opportunity to pick up a blue recycling bin, organics composting bags, or just share comments and suggestions with a District 10 board member. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.