It's been that kind of month, when there's been so much rain that mushrooms sprout spontaneously on local lawns -- such as this cluster in the 1500 block of Como Ave.
Do's and Don'ts During the State Fair
The State Fair opens this Thursday, Aug. 25. As part of the zaniness, special zoning allowances kick in for western portions of District 10. Special State Fair "overlay districts" allow vendors to set up shop on private property and allow residents to park visitors' cars on their lawns -- all within limits.
During the Fair, parking is restricted to one side of many neighborhood streets. And there are tight rules on peddlers trying to cash in on Fair crowds. That said, some people are always trying to push the boundaries about what is and is not allowed.
  • If you see a parking violation, call it in directly to St. Paul Parking Enforcement, 651-266-5585.
  • If you suspect violations of peddling or vending regulations, contact Jerome Benner II at the city's Department of Safety and Inspections. Call him at 651-266-9088 or send an email.
For more details on exactly which blocks are covered by the overlay districts, and exactly what the parking, vending, and peddling regulations say, see the article on District 10's website.
Photo: Don Anderson 
Fire and Water Mix This Sunday  
Como Park's annual Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival is this 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. If you want to avoid waiting in line for a ticket, purchase adult tickets or children and senior tickets in advance online.

If you want to avoid the hassle of finding parking, a free shuttle bus runs from the school district's service center, 1930 Como Ave. In addition, you can get free passes online to ride Metro Transit buses and trains to the festival.
Backyard Fires: Thumbs Up or Down?
District 10 's Land Use Committee is collecting resident feedback about recreational fires. Take our brief survey about how often you have a backyard fire, whether these kinds of fires bother you for health or other reasons, and whether or not you would support restrictions or a ban on such fires in St. Paul.
You 're Taking Organics Recycling Seriously   
District 10's organics recycling drop-off site in Como Park has been an immediate success. After being open only a month, we've already had to double the size of the drop-off container. And residents depleted our initial supply of starter kits.

But you can still take part. We've now got additional starter kits available at our office -- including a plastic kitchen bucket. If you don't need the bucket, we've also got compostable bags, refrigerator magnets, and other supplies to help you succeed in reducing your waste footprint.

You can pick up supplies at the Como Park Streetcar Station on Sundays between noon and 4 p.m. You can learn more about organics recycling on our website.
Dog Poop and E. coli -- Think about It
There are all kinds of aesthetic and neighborly reasons to pick up after your dog, whether the droppings are in your own yard or in public. Here 's another reason: E. coli. E. coli is a bacteria that, when it infects humans, can cause bloody diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and even kidney failure. E. coli gets passed along in untreated animal waste -- including from dogs -- such as when rain washes over dog waste, through storm drains, and into local lakes and rivers.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization found that E. coli counts in the Mississippi River can be 30 times higher after a rain than during a dry day. 'Nuff said.
Construction Work Rolls Along  
The ramps connecting Ayd Mill Road and Interstate 35E are supposed to close beginning this Monday, Aug. 22, and stay closed past Labor Day. The rest you already know about. See our website for that much longer list of street, bridge, and highway projects still in progress. 
Know Any Artists Who Need Any Money?
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. next Friday, Aug. 26. The application and program details are online.
Got An Idea for Ramsey County Parks?
Ramsey County is conducting a resident survey about rules that govern use of the county 's parks. The current county ordinance has been on the books since 1992, so it could be time for change. Here 's your chance to tell the county what works, what doesn't, and ideas they should consider.
The name, the outfits -- it's pretty clear what you'll get from the Bavarian Musikmeisters. 
Entertainment Beyond the State Fair
State Fair or not, there's still free "Music in the Parks" every night at the Como Lakeside Pavilion. This week's lineup:
  • Tonight, Friday Aug. 19, 7 Cats Swing, 7 p.m.
  • This Saturday, Aug. 20, St. Paul Civic Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • This Sunday, Aug. 21, Como Pops Orchestra, 3 p.m.; Honeywell Concert Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, Aug. 22, Matra Percussion, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, Aug. 23, St. Anthony Park Community Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, Aug. 24, Touching Hearts, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, Aug. 25, The Barroom Clowns, 4:30 p.m.; Red Rock Swing Band, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, Aug. 26, Bavarian Musikmeisters, 7 p.m.
For the lineup for the rest of the summer, see the Calendar page of Como Dockside's website.
  • Also, don't forget that the Farmers Market continues on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. on the Dockside Promenade.  
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 and LSS Financial Counseling. 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 .
Gathering seeds on the prairie
Help Seed the Future   
The Friends of the Mississippi River is holding two outings this fall to collect native prairie seeds. The Saturday morning events take place:
The events are free and training is provided, but you must register in advance. To reserve a spot, contact Linda Moua by email.
 
 
What You Can Look Forward To     
  • 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, Aug. 31: District 10 Environment Committee, 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station. Community members are always welcome.
  • 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.
This Week's Crime Prevention Tip
When you're driving away from your garage, do you stick around long enough to see if the overhead door actually closes? It's a good habit to get into, because an open garage door is an open invitation to thieves.
If you live in an apartment complex or other facility with underground or enclosed parking, you need to keep an eye on the garage door both when you leave and when you enter. Doors to parking garages are easy entry points for burglars, who can hang around until the door opens, then duck in when a resident drives in or out without paying attention to surroundings. Once a burglar is in the garage, it's easy pickings for vehicles, storage lockers, or even residential areas.
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood
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.
Taking a Week Off
District 10 offices will be closed beginning today, Friday Aug. 19, and reopening on Monday Aug. 29. There will be no newsletter next week, Aug. 26. However, the Streetcar Station will continue to be open on Sundays, as described above. 
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.