It depends how you spin it: Young athletes zero in on the Frisbee as part of a training drill during an Ultimate clinic at North Dale Recreation Center this week.
Kiss Jessamine Goodbye for a While
Road, parking, and field reconstruction in the McMurray Field area of Como Park begins this Monday, Aug. 15. Jessamine shuts down completely between Lexington and Beulah. Wynne shuts down west of the pool parking lot; so does the northern portion of Beulah, near the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. That means the only way to access the Humane Society or District 10's organics recycling site is from the west. After Sept. 6, Jessamine will reopen temporarily, but Wynne and the pool parking lots will close until construction is finished for the season.
Other road projects that could affect those of us who live in this corner of the world:  
  • Highway 5: Closes completely overnight, from 1-5 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 13, between Davern St. and Highway 55. Nearby ramps close at midnight. When the highway is open, other construction work limits the road to one lane in each direction.
  • Highway 280: As promised last week, northbound lanes will close this weekend between Como and Interstate 35W. Lane restrictions begin at 3 p.m. today, Friday Aug. 12; lanes and ramps will shut completely at 10 p.m. Everything is expected to be back to normal by 5 a.m. this Monday, Aug. 15.
  • Interstate 35E: Although work continues between Highway 36 and Interstate 94, the following are now open: The ramp from southbound 35E to University Ave.; the ramp from Cayuga to southbound 35E; and the west frontage road between Cayuga and Pennsylvania.
  • Interstate 694: The ramp from westbound 694 to Rice St. shuts down at 11 a.m. this Monday, Aug. 15. It will stay closed into September.
See our website for a much longer list of street, bridge, and highway projects still in progress in and around Como.  
This is one of three signs intended to grab the attention of motorists who speed, blow stop signs, or otherwise drive carelessly in our neighborhood.
Has Your Block Signed On? 
Two dozen blocks already have signed up to post lawn signs designed to make District 10 streets safer. The signs are appearing in different parts of the neighborhood for a week or so at a time, then rotating to other blocks.

The signs carry three different messages: "Drive Like Your Kids Live Here," "Slow, Please: Free-Range Children, Adults & Dogs," and "Thanks for Slowing Down." If you're interested in organizing your neighbors to post signs on your block, contact District 10 by phone at 651-644-3889 or by email.
Stop for Me: Meanwhile, District 10 residents will take part in another Stop for Me pedestrian safety demonstration on Wednesday Sept. 14 from 3-5 p.m. at the intersection of Como, Front, and Dale. During the demonstration, police will ticket drivers who fail to obey state law that requires them to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Help Them Have a Banner Year
Parents at Como Park High School are raising money to boost identity and pride -- to say nothing about improving the aesthetics of a bleak parking lot -- by installing school banners outside. If you are interested in helping out, kick in your contribution online.
Block Leaders Get a Night to Themselves
Block leaders in District 10 are invited to a get-together this Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. The meeting will gather block leaders in the same room at the same time to swap ideas, advice, and goals. District 10 and the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program also will seek recommendations on how both organizations can better support block leaders.
The meeting includes a light supper. If you plan to attend, please contact us ASAP by email or by phone at 651-644-3889 so we know how much food to have on hand. 
Meeting Includes Update on Como/Front/Dale
The District 10 Como Community Council meets this Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend, speak, and ask questions.
Tuesday's meeting will feature an update on the city's Commercial Vitality project for the intersection of Como, Front, and Dale. A full meeting agenda is posted online.
Fairgrounds Go into Seclusion 
The countdown to the State Fair is down to toes and fingers. The means until Opening Day, the Fairgrounds are essentially off limits. Only visitors with "Fair business " will be allowed in, and you'll have to show a valid ID and possibly undergo a vehicle once-over beforehand.
Tool Library Ready to Stock the Shelves
A Saint Paul Tool Library -- in which members can borrow household tools instead of buying their own -- is about to become reality. To celebrate, there's a launch party this Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at Lake Monster Brewing Co., 550 Vandalia Ave. To learn more about the tool library, see their Facebook page.
This is How We Support Artists
St. Paul is accepting applications for Round 2 of its 2016 Cultural STAR program. The grants help arts and cultural organizations attract audiences, build capacity, or develop or improve facilities. The deadline is 4 p.m. Friday Aug. 26. The application and program details are online.
Photo: Don Anderson
Lantern Festival Returns Aug. 21  
Como Park's annual Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival takes place next Sunday, Aug. 21, on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The day includes traditional Japanese food, music, dance, crafts, and martial arts. It culminates at dusk with the lighting of stone and floating paper lanterns. Full details are available online.
 
Activities run from 3-9 p.m. Admission is $5 for teens and adults, $3 for seniors age 65 or older and children ages 3-12, free for children younger than 3. A free shuttle bus runs from the school district's service center, 1930 Como Ave.
Learn the Truth and Myths About Credit Scores
District 10 will host a free financial workshop on how individuals can improve their credit score. The workshop is being organized and presented by TopLine Federal Credit Union. The workshop will cover topics such as the rules and myths of credit scoring, how to spot errors on credit reports, and exercising rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

The workshop is Thursday Sept. 22, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Como Park Streetcar Station .
 
What You Can Look Forward To     
  • This Saturday, Aug. 13: Cookie 5K Run, 9 a.m. Como Lake. The run is a benefit for Hero Search, which helps people find local charities that need the items they want to donate.
  • This Wednesday Aug. 17: Board Repair's annual Board Recruitment Fair, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jimmie Lee Recreation Center, 270 Lexington Parkway N. An opportunity for people of color who are looking to join boards to connect with nonprofit organizations that are looking for board members.
  • Thursday Aug. 25-Monday Sept. 5: Minnesota State Fair. You know the drill.
  • Monday Aug. 29: Public hearing on a request for a zoning variance at 985 N. Chatsworth. The owner's plan to add a second-story requires a 1-foot variance on the sideyard setback. The hearing is at 3 p.m. in Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Comments or questions can be directed to Yaya Diatta by email or by phone at 651-266-9080.
  • 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 Sept. 24: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hamline Midway Library, 1558 Minnehaha Ave.
  • Saturday Oct. 8: Citywide Drop-off Event. State Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Want to volunteer? Contact District 10 by email or by phone at 651-644-3889. (Volunteers get to part with one load of materials for free.)  
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:
  • To collect cans, bottles and other items you can include in your weekly curbside pickup
  • To collect 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.
A Story with a Happy Ending
In case you haven't read this yet -- an uplifting story  about how South Como neighbors, St. Paul Police, and a secret weapon helped a lost 3-year-old get home. The Star Tribune version / The Pioneer Press version 

  The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood. A much quieter week means that, once again, we're tied for the lowest number of crimes reported in the city.
You probably knew Minnesota has a state bird, a state flower, etc. Did you know it has an official state band? The 2016 version plays Wednesday at the Lakeside Pavilion.
'Music in the Parks' is Back in Full Gear
In case you didn't memorize all the lyrics last weekend, the Rosetown Playhouse's production of "The Little Mermaid" returns this weekend at the Como Lakeside Pavilion. Shows are at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday, concluding with a 1 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Admission is $7-$15, depending on your age.
Free "Music in the Parks" concerts resume Sunday night. For the rest of the summer lineup: Go to the Calendar section at Dockside's website.
  • This Sunday, Aug. 14, City of Lakes Sweet Adeline Chorus, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, Aug. 15, Hula Peppers, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, Aug. 16, Northstar Barbershop Showcase, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, Aug. 17, Minnesota State Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, Aug. 18, Minneapolis Trombone Choir, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, Aug. 19, 7 Cats Swing, 7 p.m.
  • Also, don't forget that the Farmers Market continues on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. on the Dockside Promenade.  
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.