They're not all shiny: More than 10,000 street rods and custom cars -- in all shapes, sizes and states of repair -- fill the Fairgrounds this weekend. 
Celebrating Chrome and Carburetors
Glasspacks reign this weekend as Back to the 50s roars into the Fairgrounds and along streets far and wide. The celebration of American motoring features more than 10,000 street rods and custom cars from 1964 and earlier. Official events run 8 a.m.-10 p.m. today and Saturday, and 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Besides plenty of eyeball time, the show includes a classic car auction, craft fair, swap meet, model car contest, concerts, fundraising auction, and even a blood drive.

You can't get into the Fairgrounds without a ticket; admission is $12 for teens and adults, free for children 12 or younger. (Discount coupons are available at NAPA auto parts stores.) Free shuttle buses run 8 a.m.-10 p.m. from the Minnesota Department of Education, at Commerce and Pascal Streets in Roseville; and from the Energy Technology Center, 1450 Energy Park Drive. 
What to Expect
A couple of other things for residents to be aware of on how Back to the 50s changes things in our neighborhood (not counting the fact that gasoline prices go up in nearby service stations):
  • You cannot park cars on your lawns. That privilege is allowed in the zoning overlay district only during the 12 days of the State Fair -- -not anytime the Fairgrounds has an event. (Note: If you've got paved driveways, parking pads, etc., you can park cars on those anytime. But parking on lawns crosses the line.) If you see a violation and can't deal with it one-on-one, call the Saint Paul Police non-emergency number (651-291-1111) and ask for parking enforcement.
  • Street parking will be restricted. For safety reasons, State Fair-style parking restrictions will be in effect from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Minnesota Street Rod Association, which manages the car show, has posted "no parking" signs from Snelling east to Hamline, and from Larpenteur south to Wynne Ave. Again, If you see a parking violation (cars parked on the wrong side of the street; blocking driveways, alleys or crosswalks; or parked too close to intersections), call the Saint Paul Police non-emergency number (651-291-1111) and ask for parking enforcement.
  • Snelling is open. Congestion may not be any better, but MnDOT has halted construction and opened all lanes through this Monday, June 26.
  • Como Shuttle moves. The Como Zoo and Conservatory Shuttle will not run today, Friday June 23. On Saturday and Sunday, it operates out of the school district building at 1930 Como Ave.
Matty O'Reilly. (Star Tribune photo)
Delicata Could Open This Summer
The District 10 Board voted June 20 to ask the Saint Paul City Council to waive the 45-day waiting period for a beer-and-wine license for Delicata. That could help the restaurant open in the old Java Train / Como Park Grill space before the State Fair. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the waiver this Wednesday, June 28. 

Restaurant owner Matty O'Reilly told District 10's Land Use Committee on June 7 he hopes to have the restaurant established enough so it can survive the drop in business he expects during the Fair. In the worst case, he says, Delicata would open shortly after Labor Day.  The casual, counter-service restaurant at 1342 Pascal will feature Neapolitan-style pizzas and gelato. O'Reilly says he and chef J.D. Fratzke think "the neighborhood could use diversity in its food options" and that "the spot is dying to be something cool."  Hours would be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. "I'm sensitive to the fact that this neighborhood is residential," O'Reilly says.

O'Reilly currently operates Republic on the West Bank in Minneapolis and at MSP Airport, Bar Brigade in the former Luci's space in Macalester-Groveland, and Red River Kitchen at City House on the Saint Paul riverfront.
You Can't Look at Things the Same Way
A demonstration of a new interactive map of the Como neighborhood (far more exciting than this classic) will be the highlight of District 10's Environment Committee meeting this Wednesday, June 28. Andrew Gustin, from GeoPOI LLC, will give examples of how the mapping tools can expand individual appreciation for our community and help local organizations enhance their work.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend.
State Fair Holds Job Fair
The Minnesota State Fair holds a Job Fair this Wednesday, June 28, from 4-8 p.m. at the Progress Center, 1612 Randall Ave. The Fair and some vendors are trying to fill 600 jobs. Applicants can register and get an interview on the spot. Positions include ticketing; parking lot attendants; cooks; cashiers, servers and other retail roles; and custodians. Most jobs pay $9.50-$10 per hour.  Applicants must be at least 16 years old and available to work all 12 days of the Fair, Aug. 24-Sept. 4. You can learn more and get a jump-start on registration online.
Do Your Kids Have Disc Problems?
Students 11 or older can still sign up for two summer disc camps at Great River School, 1326 Energy Park Drive.
  • A girls' Ultimate camp runs this Monday-Friday, June 26-30, from 9 a.m.-noon. Registration is $150.
  • A Disc Golf camp runs July 10-14 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration is $300.
Scholarships are available for students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
ComoFest: Mere Weeks Away   
 
We're almost down to fingers and toes in the countdown to ComoFest. The annual activities bring affordable family fun to every part of our neighborhood the last three weekends in July. It kicks off with District 10's Ice Cream Social on Friday July 14.  Get a peek at this year's entire schedule, including new events,  at www.ComoFest.org . 
Potato salad is a prime suspect in summer food issues
Watching Our Waste: Keep Food Safe
Grilling, Picnics. Potlucks. They're all part of summer. And they all raise the risk of food getting spoiled and wasted. Ramsey County reminds you of these simple steps to keep your food safe to consume:
  • Before preparing food, wash your hands, food preparation surfaces, and the food itself.
  • Use separate plates for raw food and cooked food.
  • Cook food to the correct internal temperature. (For example, hamburgers should be 160 degrees F, chicken 165 degrees F.)
  • Refrigerate food or return it to a functioning cooler as soon as you're done eating. Never leave food out for more than two hours.
Barricades on Como East and West
Expect new zig-zagging and detours on Como Ave. this week. There will be lane shifts from Dale east to Western, as Public Works does sewer maintenance. This weekend, Como will be closed from roughly Galtier to Pennsylvania / Marion for a street festival outside Hmongtown Marketplace. Heading west, it's the same news: Only one narrow lane of Como is open in each direction from east of Raymond to Commonwealth.  Also, there is no access on the north at the Cleveland intersection. 
The ice planet Hoth has its charms in "The Empire Strikes Back"
Keeping Track of Musical Chairs
After a few days off, free music returns this Sunday to the promenade of the Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. This week's lineup:
  • Sunday, June 25, Beasley's Big Band, 7 p.m.
  • Monday, June 26, North Suburban Chorus, 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 27, River City Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 28, The Minneapolis Southside Singers, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, June 30, Lolo's Ghost, 7 p.m.
Check out the season's full lineup -- at least what they're sharing with us -- at Dockside's calendar page.
 
Not free:  There's a paying gig, next Thursday, June 29, with bluegrass nonconformists Leftover Salmon at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 reserved, $25 general admission. 
 
As Yoda says: "Do or do not":  This week's free outdoor movie is the sequel to last week. It's "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back." Lights go down and Darth Vader breathes as only he can at 9:15 p.m. this Saturday, June 24. 
More Free Outdoor Music
Groovin' in the Garden is back. Every Wednesday through July, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory throws a free outdoor concert. The music runs from 6-8 p.m.; there's plenty of food, ice cream, beer and wine for sale to justify you skipping dinner. This week, June 28, it's singer-songwriter Dan Israel and the Cultivators.  The July line-up also is available.
What the Rest of June Has in Store 
  • Today, Friday June 23: Deadline to nominate businesses and institutions, residential landscaping and gardens, public art, and landmark trees for a 2017 Blooming Saint Paul award.
  • Today, Friday June 23: Deadline to take Ramsey County's survey about what it will take to motivate us to reduce waste, increase recycling, and divert trash from landfills.
  • This Saturday, June 24: Citywide Dropoff Event, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice St. Dispose of the junk you can't fit in your trash. If you want to volunteer -- which gets you a voucher to dispose of one load for free -- call the District 6 Planning Council at 651-488-4485.
  • This Tuesday, June 27: Citizen Pruner Training, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oxford Community Center, 270 Lexington Parkway N. Free, but registration is required.
  • Next Friday, June 30: Deadline for students in grades 9-12 to apply to the Youth Engagement Program at Como Zoo and Conservatory.
  • Next Friday, June 30: Saint Paul Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the Ford Site Master Plan, which has folks in Highland lining up against each other. You can submit comments ahead of time on the web or by email.
  • Saturday-Sunday July 1-2: 37th annual Hmong International Freedom Celebration, McMurray Fields.
  • Sunday July 9: The Color Run, State Fairgrounds.
What's Happening at the Fairgrounds     
After Back to the 50s goes back to Memory Lane:
  • Machinery Hill Criterium du Nord race series: This Tuesday, June 27, roadways north of Hoyt Ave. 4-9 p.m. Bicycle road race training series; four races (beginners-experts). Entry fees: $10-$25.
  • Midsummer Mile: This Wednesday, June 28. Registration and packet pickup begin at 5 p.m. at O'Gara's at the Fair. Entry fee: $25 in advance, $30 on race day, $15 for youth 13 or younger.
  • Tanbark Cavalcade of Roses horse show: This Wednesday, June 28, through next Saturday, July 1, Warner Coliseum.
  • Antiquarian and Rare Book Fair: Next Friday-Saturday, June 30-July 1, Progress Center. 3-8 p.m. June 30; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 1. Admission: $7 (good for both days); $5 (Saturday only); high school and college students free with school ID; children 10 or younger free.
Register Now for National Night Out 
National Night Out is Tuesday August 1! Register your block party with the City of St. Paul using this simplified, online form.

This week's crime report for our neighborhood:  Thieves are still having a feast
Borrow portable recycling stands like these for free.
We Can Help with Your Party   
   
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community members can use for block parties, 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 recycling.
  • 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 a more-affordable option than getting them from Public Works.
  • Barricades require a $50 deposit. We 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.
Streetcar Station Open Every Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is now open every Sunday through September from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park, admire the new paint job inside, pick up an organics recycling starter kit (including a plastic kitchen bin), or just share comments and suggestions with a District 10 board member who's on staff that day. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. 
Photographers, Don't Keep It to Yourself
We know plenty of you are taking pictures of the people, places and things that make our neighborhood unique. Well, we'd like to give you more exposure. This newsletter is happy to highlight the best of what local photographers send us about life in Como Park. It's easy: Just  email us your top image from the past seven days or so.   
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.