You think you have weeds? A crew from J&N Weed Harvesting got rid of weeds -- mostly curly leaf pondweed -- from nearly 3 acres of Como Park this week. They chop off and harvest the plants 5-6 feet below the water surface.
Sholom Home Owners Aren't Giving Up
David Grzan speaks with neighbors during District 10's monthly meeting.
Developers are still trying to line up financing to convert the old Sholom Home into an assisted living and memory care facility, David Grzan told the Como Community Council June 21. Grzan is president and CEO of Charter Midway LLC, the latest ownership group wrestling with the property, which has been vacant since 2009.

Grzan also said Charter Midway hired a new security company on June 16 in hopes of getting a better handle on what frustrated neighbors describe as an increasing level of criminal activity in and near the facility at 1554 Midway Parkway. Grzan pledged to meet in July with security officials and neighbors, after the new company has time to assess security issues, determine patterns of behavior, and work with St. Paul Police to develop a strategy.

Grzan says he and his dozen or so partners continue to believe they can renovate the building for about $130,000 per unit -- about half the cost of new construction. He says that will allow the facility to care both for private pay residents and for those who qualify for publicly supported elderly waivers. However, banks and traditional equity markets are hesitant about converting old buildings, he says. In response, Charter Midway is now negotiating directly with large construction companies to secure as much as $20 million to gut and remodel the building, Grzan says.
We Can Help You Throw a Block Party
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community residents can use for block parties or other neighborhood or family events. You can borrow the recycling containers for free; there are two kinds:
  • For cans, bottles and other items you can include in your weekly curbside pickup
  • For food scraps and other compostable organics
The street barricades are required by the city when you block off your street or alley -- but ours are more affordable than getting them from Public Works. 
  • Barricades require a $50 deposit. We'll return $45 when you return the barricades.
  • Reservations are first-come, first-served.
  • To borrow our barricades, you must have an event permit from the city.
To reserve any of this equipment, call our office at 651-644-3889, or send us an email.
Get Your Detours Ready
The big new project this week is Dale St. at Interstate 94. All the entrance ramps from Dale to I-94 shut down at 8 p.m. this Sunday, June 26; they remain closed until November. That means you cannot get onto 94 from Dale. However, the exit ramps from 94 to Dale  remain open, which means you can still get to Dale from 94. Got that? The shutdown allows MnDOT to replace and upgrade the two pedestrian and bicycle bridges over 94 at MacKubin and Grotto Streets. Other new detours:  
  • Interstate 94: In preparation for the pedestrian bridge replacement, other entrance ramps to Interstate 94 will close temporarily from 9 p.m. this Sunday, June 26, until 2 a.m. the next morning. Affected ramps include westbound ramps from 5th St., 6th St., and Western; and eastbound ramps from Snelling, Pascal, and Lexington. Expect fewer lanes during this 5-hour period as well.
  • Interstate 35E: The exit from southbound 35E to eastbound I-94 and southbound Highway 52 will close from 5 a.m. this Saturday, June 25, until 7 p.m. this Sunday, June 26. Southbound 35E will be reduced to a single lane between University and I-94 during this time. The entrance from University Ave. to southbound 35E and westbound I-94 will close from 6 a.m. this Saturday, June 25, through 5 a.m. this Monday, June 27. Also during this time, Olive St. will close at Phalen Blvd., and westbound Phalen will close between Cayuga and Mississippi St. Meanwhile nightly lane closings on 35E continue 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.
  • Highway 5 bridge over Mississippi River: Highway 5 will shut completely between Highway 55 and Davern St. during the wee hours this Tuesday, June 28. Nearby ramps also will shut completely. The rest of the time, only a single lane remains open in both directions until November. Ramps at Edgecumbe Road, Highway 55, Mississippi River Blvd., and Shepard Road are closed.
Ongoing bridge work:
  • St. Clair Ave. bridge over I-35E. Closed through July 29.
  • Prior Ave. bridge over I-94: Closed until August.
Other construction projects in and around Como (in alphabetical order):
  • Chatsworth Ave.: Closed between Front and Horton into July.
  • Churchill: Closed at the Horton/Van Slyke intersection.
  • Dale St.: Westbound ramp to Highway 36 is closed until September.
  • Highway 280: Closed between Broadway and Interstate 35W. Only a single lane is open between Broadway and Como.
  • Larpenteur Ave.: Sidewalk, curb, and crosswalk work between Snelling and Oxford continues into July.
  • Lexington Ave.: Closed at Highway 36 until September, so MnDOT can replace the Highway 36 bridge. Entrance and exit ramps in both directions also are closed.
  • Van Slyke Ave.: Closed between Horton and Chatsworth.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Closed between Rice and Edgerton until fall.
Looking for an End of Summer Job?
The Minnesota State Fair holds its first-ever job fair this Wednesday, June 29, to fill an estimated 600 jobs available during the fair. Applicants can register and, if your skills and experience match an open position, get interviewed on the spot. The job fair runs from 4-8 p.m. at the Progress Center, Randall Ave. at Cosgrove St.
  • What's available: Jobs include ticket selling, ticket taking, parking attendants, park-and-ride attendants, cashiers and other retail positions, cooks, food and beverage servers, and custodians. 
  • Wages: Most positions pay $9.50 to $10 per hour.
  • What else: Applicants must be at least 16 years old and be available to work every day of the fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 5.
Hmong Festival is Right Around the Corner
The fences are going up at McMurray Field in preparation for next weekend's Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Tournament. The annual event features entertainment, cultural vendors, and competition in flag football, soccer, volleyball, sepak takraw, and tuj lub. The festival runs next Saturday-Sunday, July 2-3, from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. each day. Admission is $5.
Living the Dream
A different ensemble, a different play, but another opportunity to see Shakespeare for free in Como Park. The Classical Actors Ensemble performs the appropriately named "A Midsummer Night's Dream" outside the Historic Streetcar Station tonight, Friday June 24. Bring your blanket or lawn chair; the show starts at 7 p.m.
Add This to Your Bucket List
One of Como Park's best-kept secrets is Cafesjian's Carousel. Even if you know about it, you probably don't know that the carousel is run completely by volunteers -- more than 100 each season. The carousel is open every day through Labor Day; right now, it needs volunteers on weekday and weekend afternoons to operate the ride. You'll get all the training you need, and you can schedule as many (or as few) shifts as you can handle. Among exclusive perks for volunteers: You get reserved permit parking during your shift if you need it. To volunteer, contact Colleen Murphy Roth by email or by phone at 651-489-4628.  
Don't Wait Till the Bloom's Off the Rose
Today is the deadline to submit nominations 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. A warning for you procrastinators: Don't dawdle until the last minute; nominations must be received by 11:55 p.m.
Speaking of Procrastinating...
All you creative types: Today, June 24, is the deadline to register for the ComoFest Art Fair. The fair is Saturday July 9 on the covered Promenade at the Lakeside Pavilion. A table is $30; additional tables are $20 each. You can get all the details online.
Don't Waste This Final Opportunity
This weekend is your final opportunity to take advantage of Ramsey County's nearby, temporary collection site for hazardous household waste. It's where you can take lawn and workshop chemicals, fluorescent lights, mercury thermometers, syringes, and other poisonous and dangerous items that should not go in the trash. The site is at 1725 Kent St. in Roseville, just north of Larpenteur and east of Dale. The site is open today, Friday June 24, until 6 p.m., and this Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The site is free for county residents; see the county website for a list of acceptable items and other instructions.
Libraries Make Summer More Interesting
Maker Camps start this week at St. Paul Public Library branches. The camps provide hands-on, drop-in activities for youth ages 8-12, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematicsParents and guardians are welcome. There's no need to register; just drop in between June 27 and Aug. 19 at the following places and times. It's first-come, first-served until each session reaches capacity.
Small Businesses: The City Wants to Hear from You
St. Paul is sponsoring two "Open for Business" workshops so small businesses can share ideas and experiences on what it takes to grow in the city. The sessions are free, but you've got to register. The schedule:
  • This Tuesday, June 28, 8-10 a.m., James J. Hill Reference Library, 80 W. 4th St.
  • Thursday, July 7, 5-7 p.m., Metropolitan State Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 645 E. 7th St.
Capture the Flag is one fitness activity available every week.
Well, You Can't Use this Excuse Anymore
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is offering free "Fitness in the Parks" classes every weekday in Como Park. You don't have to register and you don't have to pay;  just show up. Full class details are available online, but here's a quick look:
  • Mondays (through July 11), 8 a.m., Qigong, Japanese Garden
  • Mondays, 4:30 p.m., Total Body Fitness, Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Mondays (beginning July 11), 5:45 p.m., Tai Chi Chih, at the torpedo
  • Mondays, 8 p.m., Capture the Flag (advanced), Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Tuesdays (through July 26), 8 a.m., Tai Chi Chih, at the torpedo
  • Tuesdays, 9 a.m., Yoga for the Body and Mind, at the torpedo
  • Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m., Walk with a Trainer, at Como Dockside
  • Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m., Total Body Fitness, Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Hatha Yoga, at the torpedo
  • Wednesdays (through July 27), 8 a.m., Tai Chi Chih, at the torpedo
  • Wednesdays, 4 p.m., Breathing and Mindful Meditation, at the torpedo
  • Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., Total Body Fitness, Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m., Vinyasa Yoga, at the torpedo
  • Thursdays, 10:15 a.m., Walk with a Trainer, at Como Dockside
  • Thursdays, 11:15 a.m., Total Body Fitness, Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., Capture the Flag (casual), Midway Picnic Pavilion
  • Fridays, 4 p.m., Breathing and Mindful Meditation, at the torpedo
 
ComoFest Will Be Here Before You Know It 
ComoFest begins in two weeks. This year, our community festival 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 from the Blue Groove Bluegrass Band, on the Promenade of the Como Lakeside Pavilion.
  • Friday July 15: District 10 Ice Cream Social. Enjoy free ice cream, lawn games, live music, and the best neighbors in the city.
  • 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 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 outdoor overnight campout. To reserve your camping spot, call 651-298-5813 or register online.
  • Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31: ComoFest Block Party. 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.
Can Stock photo
Got This on Your Calendar?  
  • This Saturday June 25: St. Paul Community Cleanup, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Harding High School, 1540 E. 6th St. City residents can drop off old appliances, furniture, tires, demolition materials, paper for shredding, and more. Find fees and other details online. (The next neighborhood cleanup is in September.)
  • This Thursday, June 30: Deadline for students in grades 9-12 to apply to Como Zoo and Conservatory's Youth Engagement Program.
  • Tuesday July 5: District 10 Land Use Committee Meeting. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station. Community members are always welcome.
  • Saturday July 9: " Birds and Burdock." 9-11:30 a.m., Como Woodlands Outdoor Classroom.
  • Tuesday Aug. 2: National Night Out.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
According to St. Paul Police, these are the items stolen most frequently from vehicles. How many do you leave sitting in your car?
  • GPS units and radar detectors
  • IPads, iPods and other MP3 players, laptop computers
  • Gym bags, back packs, brief cases
  • Purses, wallets, checkbooks
  • Camera gear
  • Jewelry
  • Tool boxes and power tools
  • Cash -- even spare change
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood  
If you like horns, the Brio Brass Band has you covered on Tuesday.
Free Music at the Pavilion
Here's 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 24: Stone Arch Jazz Band, 7 p .m. (part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival)
  • This Saturday, June 25: Post Atomic Trio, 7 p.m. (part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival)
  • This Sunday, June 26: St. Louis Park Community Concert Band, 3 p.m.; St. Anthony Civic Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, June 27: North Suburban Chorus, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, June 28, Brio Brass Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, June 29: Minneapolis Southside Singers, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, June 30: The Zuhrah Flames, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, July 1: King Wilkie's Dream, 7 p .m.
Free Music at the Zoo
Groovin' in the Park: The Bad Companions. This Wednesday, June 29, 6-8 p.m. Concerts occur every Wednesday through Aug. 3 on the lawn outside the Zoo and Conservatory's Visitors Center. Find the season's full schedule online.  
This Week at the Fairgrounds       
  • Through this Saturday, June 25: Tanbark Cavalcade of Roses Horse Show, Warner Coliseum. Free for spectators; sessions are 6:30 p.m. today, Friday June 24, and 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
  • Through this Saturday, June 25: Star of the North Antiques Show, Education Building. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission: $6.
  • Through this Saturday, June 25: Twin Cities Antiquarian & Rare Book Fair, Progress Center. 3-8 p.m. today, Friday June 24; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $6 Friday, $5 Saturday; children 10 or younger, free.
  • This Saturday, June 25: CBS Radio Pet-A-Palooza. Music, pet entertainment, vendors, adoption and rescue agencies, more. Machinery Hill area between Hoyt and Randall Aves. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 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.