Everybody's got an opinion: Aaliyah Taylor-Morrison fills out a survey while her mother, Nancy Mosbeck, enjoys a custom-made popsicle during a "pop up meeting" in Como Park. Staff from the city's Department of Planning and Economic Development, in conjunction with artist Abby Kapler, brought a popsicle stand and clipboards to find out what park users think about their community and how they'd change it. It's one of nearly 100 events PED will hold by the end of July -- "going to where the people already are."  
So, What's Your Sign?
One of the potential signs residents can vote on.
District 10 wants to help residents take back our streets from motorists who speed, blow stop signs, and generally disregard the fact that we live here. One step toward making our streets safer is simply to grab drivers' attention. One way to do that is to plant lawn signs they can't ignore.

But first, we need to know which signs you prefer and which messages you prefer to send. So, take our survey. Tell us which potential messages you think will grab drivers' attention and will be the most effective at making our streets safer. Once we get your opinions, our goal is to get neighbors to band together to post signs on their lawns this summer. We'll do this for a week or two at a time, then move the signs to different part of the neighborhood.
How Would You Improve Snelling?
MnDOT has an online survey asking how we travel -- or might travel -- on Snelling Ave. But there is no time to waste; the survey shuts down after this Sunday, July 3. The two-minute survey focuses specifically on the stretch between Midway Parkway and Hewitt Ave. to the south. Questions cover how frequently we drive, walk, bike, or take public transit on that stretch -- and which improvements might persuade us to walk or bike more often. Some of those could be incorporated as soon as 2017, when the state resurfaces that stretch of Snelling. MnDOT also promises open houses later this summer.

The survey is a follow-up to the 2013 Multi-Modal Transportation Plan for Snelling.
Don't Call in Sick on This One
The City of Saint Paul has two surveys about whether to require employers to provide earned safe and sick time.
  • One survey seeks comments on the recommendations from the safe and sick time task force. You've got until next Friday, July 8, to add your two cents to that one.
  • The second survey seeks comment on the City Council's actual draft ordinance. That comment period remains open until Friday July 15.
Looking for a Traditional 4th of July?
The only official Independence Day Parade in St. Paul takes place just west of us, on Como Ave. in Saint Anthony Park. The parade -- complete with trikes, wagons, brass bands, and old jalopies -- starts at 11 a.m. But the parade is just part of a full day of activities that includes a run in the morning, a picnic at Langford Park, and a whole mess of other stuff like pony rides, a horseshoe tournament, and an Instagram scavenger hunt. Get the full details and schedule online.
Looking for a 4th of July Weekend Tradition?
The annual Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Tournament takes place this Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. each day. Behind the fences at McMurray Field, the event features entertainment, vendors and, most prominently, competition in flag football, soccer, volleyball, sepak takraw, and tuj lub. Admission is $5.

In case you didn't know: Traffic, parking, and congestion will be heavy. One-side parking restrictions are in place throughout the neighborhood. The Como Park Pool is closed during the event.
Lighting a Fire Under This Issue
The District 10 Land Use Committee meets this Tuesday, July 5, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Among agenda items: A proposal from a neighborhood resident to regulate backyard and other "recreational" fires. Community members are always welcome to attend.
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
New this week: Resurfacing of Interstate 35W between Highway 36 and Interstate 694 begins this Tuesday, July 5. What you can expect: Lane and ramp closures nearly every night between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. See a list of what will be closed each day.
Phase II of the Como-Chatsworth RSVP project is underway on Jessamine between Chatsworth and Churchill; and on the dead-end segments of Kilburn, Ryde, Colne, and Milton south of Como Ave. Not far behind: Rose Ave. between Como and Grotto; and West Como Blvd. north of Horton. Construction is expected to last at least through August.
 
But, we catch a breather: Reconstruction of the roads, fields, and parking lots in the McMurray Field area of Como Park has been pushed back a month, and now is scheduled to begin in early August.  
Ongoing bridge work:
  • 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 are closed.
  • St. Clair Ave. bridge over I-35E. Closed through July 29.
  • 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 until later this month.
  • Churchill: Closed south of the Horton/Van Slyke intersection.
  • Dale St. at Interstate 94: Entrance ramps in both directions are closed until November. However, the exit ramps from I-94 to Dale remain open. The shutdown allows MnDOT to replace and upgrade the pedestrian and bicycle bridges over I-94 at MacKubin and Grotto Streets. Some lanes of I-94 may be closed east of Victoria between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
  • Dale St. at Highway 36: Westbound ramp is closed until September.
  • Highway 280: Closed between Broadway and Interstate 35W. Only a single lane is open between Broadway and Como.
  • Interstate 35E: Nightly lane closings 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.
  • Larpenteur Ave.: Sidewalk, curb, and crosswalk work between Snelling and Oxford continues, but may wrap up within the next week.
  • Lexington Ave.: Closed at Highway 36 until September, so MnDOT can replace the Highway 36 bridge. Entrance and exit ramps in both directions are closed.
  • Van Slyke Ave.: Closed between Horton and Chatsworth.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Closed between Rice and Edgerton until fall.
 
ComoFest Starts Next Weekend  
Hey, we know you're brain is checked out for the long holiday weekend. But ComoFest starts one week from tonight. If the free events are not on your calendar, they should be. Get all the details at www.comofest.com.
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.
  • Next Friday, July 8: North Dale Movie Night. A free outdoor showing of "Pan."
  • Next Saturday, July 9: Como Fest Art Fair. Twenty artists with arts and crafts for sale, plus a live concert at noon featuring 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 until Sunday July 10.
  • Friday July 22: Lyngblomsten's Mid-Summer Festival. An arts showcase, plus 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. Camping spots are dwindling; to reserve yours, 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.
Photo: twincities.com
Care About Trees? 
The Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's Forestry section is looking for citizens to help provide ongoing care for the hundreds of new, young trees the city plants each year. To help, it is sponsoring free training about watering, pruning, and planting through the University of Minnesota's Department of Forest Resources.

The training is six hours total over two Tuesday nights. To register or for more information, contact Ryanna Jackson by email.
  • The first session is July 12 from 5-8 p.m. at Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center.
  • The second session is July 26 from 5-8 p.m. at Newell Park.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is one field trip option. Photo: Mary Ann Land
Now, Adults Can Take Field Trips, Too  
Local recreation centers are taking the hassle out attending events outside the neighborhood by organizing "adult field trips." The events:
  • Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest, Harriet Island, Saturday July 23, 11:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $5. Activity #18344
  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, Wednesday Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $20. Activity #18348
  • Cirque du Soleil's "Toruk," Target Center, Friday Sept. 30, 1:30-6:30 p.m., $45. Activity #18354
  • Healthy Life Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center, Sunday Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $5. Activity #18345
  • Jingle Bells Doc, Orchestra Hall, Saturday Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., $55. Activity #18347.
A van will pick you up at North Dale Recreation Center, and drop you off afterwards. Attendance is limited; sign up online using the event activity number, or sign up in person at North Dale (1414 N. St. Albans) or Northwest Como Recreation Center (1500 N. Hamline).  
Wait, Let Me Check My Calendar   
  • This Thursday, July 7: City of St. Paul "Open for Business" workshop, 5-7 p.m., Metropolitan State Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 645 E. 7th St. Free, but registration is required.
  • Next Saturday July 9: Audubon Society event: "Birds and Burdock." 9-11:30 a.m., Como Woodlands Outdoor Classroom.
  • Wednesday July 13: "Raingardens for Clean Water." 6-7:30 p.m., Stormwater Park and Learning Center, 2522 Marshall St., Minneapolis. Part of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization's monthly "Water Wednesdays" workshops.
Are You Registered for National Night Out?
National Night Out is Tuesday Aug. 2 -- one month away. If your block, organization, or neighbors plan to hold an event that night, you can register with the city, get your block party permit, request a visit by a police officer, and find a checklist of ideas at the city's NNO web page. The first 30 new events to register this year also will get a free "party pack" of plates, napkins, utensils, and other goodies.
 
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood  Alas, it's been a busier week than usual.  
Indonesian dance and puppets take center stage at the Lakeside Pavilion this weekend.
Free Music -- and More -- 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, July 1: King Wilkie's Dream, 7 p .m.
  • This Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3: "Shadow Visitors: A Minnesota Adventure," Indonesian puppet show, music and dance, 8:30 p.m.
  • This Monday, July 4: Como Pops, 3 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, July 5: Lee Engele and Friends, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, July 6: Just for Fun Singers, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, July 7: Daddy Squeeze, 4:30 p.m. (during Farmers Market); Old Time Band, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, July 8: Minneapolis Pops, 7 p .m.
Free Music at the Zoo
Groovin' in the Park: Katy Vernon Band. This Wednesday, July 6, 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       
  • This Saturday through this Thursday, July 2-7: National Junior Shorthorn Show. Warner Coliseum and livestock area. Begins 2 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. July 3-7.
  • This Wednesday, July 6: Mid-Summer Mile road race. Starts at Dan Patch and Underwood, 6:15 p.m. Advance registration: $25.
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.