For more than 20 years, Bob Caneff has been driving up from Miesville to volunteer at the Saint Paul Bike Classic. He sets up Burma-Shave-style signs on E. Como Lake Drive, warning cyclists to slow down before they take a sharp left onto the path at Lexington. If the early signs don't get their attention, the gentle humor of his "mad dog" at the end certainly will.
Board Considers New Bylaws
The District 10 Como Community Council Board plans to vote this Tuesday, Sept. 20, on an overhaul of the organization's bylaws. Also scheduled at the regular monthly meeting is a presentation by MnDOT engineer Mark Lindeberg. He will give an overview of the agency's ideas for improving pedestrian and bicycle access on the Snelling Ave. bridges between Midway Parkway and Hamline University.

A draft of the proposed bylaws is posted on the District 10 website -- and you don 't have to be a lawyer, parliamentarian, or geek of organizational dynamics to understand them. The proposed changes clarify a number of technical issues (such as how to establish quorums), establish standing committees and their jurisdictions, convert some existing language into board policy that can be revised more easily, loosen up the process for action on community concerns, and ensure that the bylaws actually are consistent with the organization's articles of incorporation.

The council meets this Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. As always, community members are welcome to attend, speak, and ask questions.
How 's Your Organics Recycling Going?
Now that District 10's organics recycling drop-off site has been open in Como Park for two months, we'd like your feedback and suggestions. Please take our survey. It's only a few questions, so it won't take long. But it will help us a lot.
The Ins and Outs of Your Credit Score
District 10 hosts a free financial workshop this week on how to improve your 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 this Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, on the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. The seminar is free and open to the general public, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot, contact TopLine by phone at 763-391-9494 or by email.
It's Your Last Chance to See These Trees
St. Paul's forestry department plans to cut down 70 ash trees near Como Lake beginning this Monday, Sept. 19. All 70 of the trees are infested with emerald ash borer. The trees are between the walking path and parking lot south of the Lakeside Pavilion, or ring the Schiffman Fountain. The trees will be replaced immediately with four other species: autumn brilliance serviceberry, Kentucky coffeetree, catalpa, and autumn blaze maple.
Tired of Working in Your Own Garden? 
What is now a dull layer of mulch can become an eye-catching perennial garden -- with the help of you and 39 other neighbors. We're looking for neighborhood volunteers to spend a morning planting native shrubs, grasses, and flowers to turn two street "triangles" into beautiful filtration gardens at the intersections of Churchill,  Horton, and Van Slyke. The gardens will capture and cleanse storm runoff before it hits Como Lake, thanks to planning and cooperation by Saint Paul, the Ramsey Conservation District, the Capitol Region Watershed District, nearby residents, and others.

Here's how you can turn the vision into reality: Join us on Saturday morning Oct. 1 to plant 1,000 plants. We'll supply tools, guidance, teammates, and nourishment; you supply the energy. To volunteer, contact Bonnie Youngquist at 651-489-7499 or by email.  
Get Rid of Your Junk -- for Free  
St. Paul residents who volunteer to staff a shift at the annual Citywide Drop-off Event at the State Fairgrounds get to dispose of one load of their own junk for free. If you want to volunteer for a 3-1/2 hour shift, contact District 10  by email or by phone at 651-644-3889.  
Fairgrounds Drop-off is Oct. 8
Need to get rid of junk that you can't put in the trash? Then take it to St. Paul's Citywide Drop-off at the State Fairgrounds. The clean-up event runs Saturday Oct. 8 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Any St. Paul resident can participate.

If you're not familiar with the concept, watch a short video (just be prepared for the rumble-strip noise at the beginning). There will be an expanded re-use area, so goods in good shape can go to a nonprofit instead of to the landfill. Plus, you can bring confidential papers for free shredding. For more details on what you can drop off, and what it might cost, see the city website. Finally, if you can't wait that long:
  • Another full-scale drop-off takes place next Saturday, Sept. 24, on Shepard Road between Alton and Davern, also from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • An "electronics only" drop-off takes place Saturday Oct. 1 at First Covenant Church, 1280 Arcade St., 9 a.m.-noon.
Get Rid of Dangerous Concoctions, Too  
While you're cleaning out your house, take a look in your kitchen cabinets, garage, or workshop. Got any products you no longer use?  If they say "Caution," "Warning" or "Danger" on the label, they don't belong in the trash. But you can bring them to a Ramsey County household hazardous waste collection site.

A mobile site will set up every Friday and Saturday in September at the State Fairgrounds, in the parking lots south of Como. The site is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Details of what you can bring are available online, or by calling 651-633-3279, which is answered 24/7.
Congregation Celebrates 90 Years
Congratulations to Como Park Lutheran Church, which commemorates its 90th anniversary this Sunday, Sept. 18. The 9:30 a.m. worship service will be followed by lunch and other outdoor festivities, including three food trucks, music, face-painting, games, and a photo booth. Neighbors are welcome to join the celebration on Hoyt Ave., one block west of Hamline.
Rec Center Programs Include Surprises
North Dale Community Center and Northwest Como Recreation Center have released their fall activity schedules -- and here 's one topic you typically don 't associate with parks and rec programs: mental illness.

North Dale holds a free class this Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10-11 a.m. about education and support resources available through the National Association on Mental Illness. Then, on Tuesday Oct. 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Northwest Como hosts a free class on mental health crisis planning for families.

For a full list of the latest adult, teen, and youth activities at both neighborhood rec centers -- including fitness, sports, crafts, and training -- see District 10 's website. Activities such as urban tennis, tae kwon do, pilates, and yoga already are under way.
Construction Season is Still with Us  
Only two new projects this week, but they are big ones.
  • Interstate 94: Lanes will close in both directions between Lexington and Marion every weeknight beginning this Monday, Sept. 19. Lane closures will last from 6 p.m.-5 a.m. until next Friday, Sept. 23. The closures are for continued work on the Grotto and MacKubin pedestrian bridges.
  • Lafayette Bridge: The southbound lanes of Highway 52 will close for concrete sealing from 10 o'clock tonight, Friday Oct. 16, until 5 a.m. this Monday, Sept. 19.
On the flip side, life will start getting easier if you 're heading to the airport, Mall of America, or that neck of the woods. Beginning this Monday, Sept. 19 (weather permitting), all four lanes on the Highway 5 bridge over the Mississippi will be open during morning and afternoon rush hours. That 's 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. weekdays. Traffic is likely to go back to one lane in each direction other parts of the day, and most nearby ramps remain closed. But progress is progress.
 
See our website for a much longer recap of street, bridge, and highway projects still in progress in and around Como. 
Watershed District is Looking to Team Up
The Capitol Region Watershed District is accepting applications for Partner Grants ranging from $2,000-$20,000 for water-themed education or outreach projects within the watershed district, which includes most of District 10. Proposals are due on Monday Oct. 31.  Details are available online.
  
The watershed district is also accepting nominations for its annual Watershed Steward Awards, which recognize individuals, groups, and projects that help protect local lakes and the Mississippi River. Nominations are due on Monday Oct. 17. These details also are available online.
The May North perform Friday night.
Summer isn't Going Quietly
Como Dockside continues to provide free outdoor music even as daylight hours dwindle. The concerts are every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5 p.m. throughout September; see Dockside's calendar for the full schedule. This weekend:
  • Friday Sept. 16: The May North
  • Saturday Sept. 17: Urban Hillbilly Quartet
  • Sunday Sept. 18: Alex "Crankshaft" Larson
Also Going On in the Park 
  • Twin Cities Walk Like MADD. This Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m., Como Park Picnic Pavilion and lake path.
  • Twin Cities Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention. This Sunday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m., Como Park Picnic Pavilion and lake path. (Shuttle available from State Fairgrounds south of Como Ave.)
Your Bulletin Board of Activities
  • This Tuesday, Sept. 20: Capitol Region Watershed District holds an information meeting about becoming a Master Water Steward. 5-7 p.m., Bang Brewing, 2320 Capp Road, St. Paul.
  • This Wednesday, Sept. 21: Public hearing to ratify assessments for Phase 1B and Phase 2 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.
  • This Thursday, Sept. 22: National Park Service and the Friends of the Mississippi River release a "State of the River" report. 7 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
  • Next Saturday, Sept. 24: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hamline Midway Library, 1558 Minnehaha Ave.
  • Monday Oct. 17: District 66 Candidate Forum. 7-8:30 p.m., Falcon Heights City Council Chambers. Sponsored by Roseville League of Women Voters.
Time to Seed the Future
It's harvest time in our gardens, which means it's time for another get-together with the Como Community Seed Library. The volunteer group is holding a free fall gathering on Sunday Oct. 16 from 1-3 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station.

At this family event, you can learn more about how to extend your growing season, get advice on how to best prepare for next season, and join an exchange of seeds, recipes, skills, canned and fresh harvest and, of course, stories.
Scheduled presenters include representatives from Ramsey County Master Gardeners, Seed Sages, and the District 10 Environment Committee. The afternoon includes a make-and-take event for kids.

For more information, contact Dawn Lamm  by email or follow Como Community Seed Library on Facebook.
Even Better than Chalk on a Sidewalk
The Friends of the Mississippi has ready-to-use kits to help you and up to 20 friends stencil storm drains and reduce river pollution in St. Paul. They 're looking for volunteers to do stenciling -- on your schedule -- between now and Oct. 3. You can get more details online or by contacting Kate Clayton by email or at 651-222-2193 ext.17.
This Week's Crime Prevention Tip
It 's not even the holidays, but package thefts are back on the rise. Apparently, thieves are following delivery vans, writing down addresses of deliveries, then swinging back later to see if the package is still around. Saint Paul Police offer this advice:
  • If you are not home during the day, arrange to have the package delivered to a neighbor, friend, or relative who is.
  • Have your package delivered at work if you can.
  • If those are not options, ask to have the package delivered to a rear or side door.
  • If tracking says your package was delivered, but you didn't get it, contact the sender immediately, and call 911 to report the theft.
  • If you are home during the day, keep an eye out for neighbors. If you know they're not home, take in their package until they get back. If you see anyone suspicious, call 911 immediately and describe what and who you see.
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood

Now What's Going on at the Fairgrounds?
  • Metro Transit Bus Roadeo: The precision driving competition continues 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily until next Thursday, Sept. 22, in the parking lots south of Como Ave.
  • Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show: Now under way through this Monday, Sept. 19, in the Warner Coliseum. Hours are 7 a.m.-11 p.m. today-Sunday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday. Spectator admission is free.
  • Model Railroad and Hobby Sale: This Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Education Building. Admission: $6 (children 6 or younger are free)
  • Motorcycle Swap Meet: This Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Buffalo lot north of Hoyt Ave. Admission: $5
  • Western Saddle Clubs Association Championship Show: This Thursday, Sept. 22, through Monday Sept. 26, Warner Coliseum. Free public admission.
Get 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 bit 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.