Which one do you like? Jan Hennen and her daughter, Mara, get a second opinion on vases by Michael Holmes during last Saturday's ComoFest Art Fair.
Get Here Before It Melts
District 10's annual Ice Cream Social is tonight, Friday July 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the Historic Streetcar Station. It's a night of free ice cream, plenty of lawn games, live music, and hanging out with the best neighbors in the city. The entire neighborhood is invited. On top of that, we'll have a long-overdue ceremony at 6 p.m. honoring the refurbished, historic pedestrian bridge outside the Streetcar Station. You'll find us at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.

Because parking near the Streetcar Station is limited, especially because of road construction, please consider walking, biking, car pooling, or taking public transit. To encourage biking, we'll have extra bike racks on hand. The Ice Cream Social is part of ComoFest, which brings fun every weekend in July to different parts of the Como neighborhood. 
The drop-off site is ready for action.
Here's What You Do with Food Scraps
Recycling your food scraps and other household organic waste just got easier, because District 10's new organics recycling site is now open in Como Park, just north of the Animal Humane Society.
The community drop-off is a great option for those who don't have the space or time to maintain their own backyard compost bin. It can accept items that are nearly impossible to compost in your backyard. Plus, the District 10 site is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- and is closer than existing county yard waste sites. Get all the details on how it works and how you can get started.
  • If you show up tonight, Friday July 15, at our Ice Cream Social, you can get a kitchen composting bin and free starter kits, while supplies last.
Get ready for the smell of burning rubber.
Muscling in on the Action  
The Fairgrounds will be a gearhead nirvana this weekend as the Summer Street Machine Nationals arrive with 2,500 muscle cars, burnout contests, horsepower showdowns, braking and acceleration challenges, and other expressions of virility. Mixed in: the Miss Street Machine bikini contest -- and a church service.

Unless you pay to get in, the Fairgrounds will be off limits all weekend. The event  runs until 7 tonight, Friday July 15; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15; children 10 or younger are free with a paid adult.
Residents picked this sign as the one they most want to display.  
Time to Sign On
We're trying to increase neighborhood safety for everyone by taking back our streets from motorists who speed, blow stop signs, and generally disregard the fact that we live here. Residents have selected three lawn signs to grab motorists' attention. We'll rotate the signs around the neighborhood every week or two to make sure everyone gets a chance. The next step is up to you. We need you and your neighbors to:
  • Pick the sign you want to put up on your street.
  • Organize 6-12 of your neighbors who are willing to post the signs on their lawn for 1-2 weeks. (To have the maximum impact and visibility, we need the majority of your neighbors to be on board.)
Sign up now to get your block or intersection involved.
David Grzan
Discuss Sholom Home Security on July 28
Neighborhood residents can raise their concerns and suggestions about the security of the former Sholom Home property during a community meeting on Thursday July 28. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.

District 10 is convening the meeting so neighbors can discuss the security of the property and its wider impact. Attending will be:
  • David Grzan, one of the current owners of the vacant property on Midway Parkway
  • Randy Olson, general manager of JBM Patrol and Protection Corp., which provides security for Grzan
  • St. Paul Police Commander Ed Lemon, of the Western District
The discussion is a follow-up to Grzan's presentation at the District 10 Como Community Council meeting on June 21, in which he discussed financing and development plans for the property.
Run, Walk or Dance Over to ComoFest
ComoFest continues this weekend with the ComoFest 5K Walk/Run for Everyone. The event is this Sunday, July 17, at 8:30 a.m. at Como Lakeside Pavilion. You can register online in advance, or register at the start Sunday morning. The run is sponsored by the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program.

Next Friday, July 22, Lyngblomsten hosts its Mid-Summer Festival from 2-8 p.m. It's a day of hands-on art activities, music, food, and games, culminating with a community dance under the big tent. For the entire ComoFest schedule, go to www.comofest.com.
Other Festivals in Nearby Neighborhoods
  • The Ramsey County Fair wraps us this weekend at White Bear and Frost Aves. in Maplewood. It runs until midnight tonight, Friday July 15; from noon-midnight this Saturday, and from noon-9:30 p.m. this Sunday. Activities include food, music, a marionette show, a petting zoo, carnival rides, a talent show, and fireworks. Admission is free; parking is $3.
  • The Rondo Days Parade is this Saturday, July 16, at 10 a.m. The parade starts at Central and Oxford, then travels to Victoria, Concordia, St. Albans, Marshall and MacKubin.
Get a Different View of Our City
Haven't tried the new A Line rapid transit bus on Snelling Ave.? Here's a reason to get aboard: A rare chance to climb the Highland Park Water Tower, which is open to the public only a few times a year. The tower, with its 151 stairs, is open this Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The views are free. (The tower is open in conjunction with Highland Fest, which has all kinds of activities going on in and around Cleveland and Ford Parkway.) 
Where There's Smoke, There's Smoke
The city is conducting smoke tests of sewers in our neighborhood through August. This week, if crews stay on schedule, they'll be west of the Zoo and north of Midway Parkway. Residents are supposed to receive a door hangar 2-3 days before their block is tested, then receive an automated phone call 1-2 days beforehand.

The smoke tests find leaks in sewer lines. But the tests mean it will be common to see simulated smoke pouring from manhole covers, storm drains, roof vents, and building foundations. The simulated smoke will not enter buildings that are properly plumbed and whose fixture traps contain water. If smoke does enter your building, open your doors and windows, and call the sewer safety testing crew at 651-238-0572.  
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.
Different Weekend, Different Detours
New this week: All northbound lanes of Interstate 35W between Highway 36 and Interstate 694 will close this weekend for resurfacing. Lanes are expected to be shut down from 10 tonight, Friday July 15, until 5 a.m. this Monday, July 18. For the rest of the week, you can expect localized lane and ramp closures each night between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. See a list of what will be closed each day. On Interstate 94, only one lane will be open in each direction between Snelling and Cretin from 10 tonight, Friday July 15, through 6 a.m. this Saturday, July 16. Meanwhile, the Grotto St. pedestrian bridge over Interstate 94 is closed until October. 
 
Ongoing bridge work:
  • Highway 5 bridge over the 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 through August.
  • Churchill St.: 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.
  • Jessamine Ave.: Closed between Chatsworth and Churchill. Also closed are the dead-end segments of Kilburn, Ryde, Colne, and Milton south of Como Ave. Construction will last at least through August.
  • Larpenteur Ave.: All lanes are open east of Hamline; sidewalk, curb, and crosswalk work between Hamline and Snelling is wrapping up.
  • 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.
  • Rose Ave.: Closed east of Victoria through August.
  • Van Slyke Ave.: Closed between Horton and Chatsworth.
There's Always Something New   
  • This Tuesday, July 19: Monthly District 10 Como Community Council Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend and speak.
  • Tuesday Aug. 2: National Night Out. Register your event with the city.
  • Tuesday Aug. 9: North Dale Recreation Center Summerfest. 5-8 p.m.
  • Wednesday Sept. 21: Public hearing to ratify assessments for Phase 1B of the Como-Chatsworth construction project. 5:30 p.m., City Council chambers, third floor of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Questions? Call 651-266-8858. 
  • Saturday Oct. 8: Citywide Drop-off Event. State Fairgrounds
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
The Western District holds its monthly community meetings this Tuesday, July 19, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Western District headquarters, 389 N. Hamline Ave. All St. Paul residents and organizational representatives are welcome to get updates on crime patterns and to share their concerns.
 
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood  A much quieter week; we were tied for the lowest number of reported crimes in the city.  
Beasley's Big Band steps out of the dark of the Wabasha Caves for a gig lakeside on Sunday night.
More than Music at the Pavilion
Here's this week's entertainment schedule at the Como Dockside Pavilion. All presentations are free (except "Tarzan"). For the summer's entire lineup, go to the Calendar section at Dockside's website. 
  • Tonight, Friday July 15: Mill City Five, 7:00
  • This Sunday, July 17: Star of the North Concert Band, 3 p.m., Beasley's Big Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, July 18: Dirty Shorts Brass Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, July 19: Northstar Barbershop Showcase, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, July 20: St. Paul Ballet, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, July 21, through next Saturday, July 23: Highland Park Community Theater performs "Tarzan," 6 p.m. $10 teens and adults, $8 children age 12 or younger.
Free Music at the Zoo
Groovin' in the Park: Jaedyn James & The Hunger. This Wednesday, July 20, 6-8 p.m. Concerts occur every Wednesday through Aug. 3 on the lawn outside the Zoo and Conservatory's Visitors Center.  
This Week at the Fairgrounds
In addition to all the horsepower on display at the muscle car show, real horses will be showing their stuff. So will bicyclists.
  • Through this Sunday, July 17: MAQHA Corporate Challenge Horse Show. Warner Coliseum. Shows 7 a.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. Sunday. Free admission.
  • This Tuesday, July 19: Criterium du Nord bicycle races. Expect roads north of Dan Patch and south of Hoyt to be closed from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
  • This Thursday, July 21, through next Sunday, July 24: MN Challenge of the Midwest Pole Bending Association, Warner Coliseum.
Pick Up Your Recycling Gear Here
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, pick up compostable organics recycling bags, learn a little about the history of Como Park, 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.