Taking shape: With help from impressively ingenious machinery, crews seamlessly install curb and gutter this week along Wheelock Parkway between Victoria and Grotto.
Special Election is This Tuesday
South Como and Energy Park residents: You can vote in a special election this Tuesday, Sept. 19, to fill a District 10 board vacancy from Sub-District 4.
Voting: The election is at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Any Sub-District 4 resident at least 18 years of age is eligible to vote; so are representatives from businesses or institutions based in the Sub-District. The boundaries for Sub-District 4 are Dale on the east, Snelling on the west, and the two sets of BNSF railroad tracks on the north and south.
Candidates: Joseph Mueller, of Front Ave., is the only candidate who filed in time to get on the ballot. Under District 10's by-laws, nominations also will be taken from the floor for write-in candidates. The winning candidate will serve until April 2018.
After the election, the Como Community Council holds its monthly meeting. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.
Get Rid of Your Junk for Free
We need volunteers to staff the annual Reduce & Recycle Citywide Drop Off Event at the State Fairgrounds on Oct. 7. If you volunteer:
You receive a voucher allowing you to dispose of one load of your own junk for free.
We feed you.
You help out a lot of people in a short period of time.
Volunteers MUST register in advance; because of safety and other concerns, we no longer can accept walk-in volunteers the day of the event. Shifts are 3.5 hours -- we'll have an early morning shift and a not-so-early morning shift. To volunteer, sign up online.
Start Collecting Stuff Now
As the previous blurb indicates, Saint Paul's annual Reduce & Recycle Citywide Drop Off Event at the State Fairgrounds is Saturday Oct. 7, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. You can dispose of appliances, electronics, furniture, tires, demolition debris, scrap metal, and other household refuse you cannot put in the trash. There's a set fee per item or per load. For full details on what items are acceptable, and what they cost, see the city's All-In web page.
Seniors: If you are 65 or older and can't make it to the Fairgrounds, arrange a "senior pick-up." You'll pay the same fees as everyone else, but we'll pick up your discards for free. Contact the Como Community Council office by email or by phone at 651-644-3889.
Renters, What's on Your Mind?
Do you rent? District 10's Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee wants to know what you think about living in Como. Take our survey: What do you like? What would you improve? What's a priority for you? Tell us your opinions -- and feel free to share the survey with other people who share a wall, ceiling, or floor with you.
An Update on Replacement Trees
Those white Ts showing up on neighborhood curbs? That is where the city will plant replacement trees where ash or other parts of the urban forest once stood. Depending on the species, some trees will be planted this October or November; others will wait until spring.
Before planting begins, look for a door hanger that tells you which type of tree is scheduled for your boulevard. If you'd prefer a different option, make a request using the phone number or email on the hanger (though there's no guarantee you'll be able to switch). The city is still planning on four species of replacement trees in Como: mostly likely white oak, honeylocust, Kentucky coffeetree, and hackberry.
Also, it doesn't look like there will be a plan in place that will allow residents to pay more to have a larger-diameter tree planted.
Thinking About Food?
The Saint Paul Public Library's annual Eating, Reading and Living Well series starts this week. First up in the free series: MPR's Elizabeth Dunbar moderates a panel discussing "The Future of Food in a Changing Climate," at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St. Also in the series, which is sponsored by The Friends:
Monday Sept. 25: The film "Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story," 7 p.m., Metropolitan State University's Ecolab Room, 645 E. 7th St. A discussion follows.
Wednesday Sept. 27: The University of Minnesota's Kristine Igo talks about "Local Choices, Global Impact: Understanding Your Role in the Food System," 7 p.m. Merriam Park Library, 1831 W. Marshall.
All events are free.
Watching Our Waste: Recycle Correctly
It can get confusing figuring out exactly what you can recycle in those blue carts -- and what you can't. Here are handy tips on things that can tie up our brains:
Recycle plastic milk and juice jugs. Recycle food and drink cartons. Don't recycle drink pouches.
Recycle paper. Don't recycle paper plates, paper towels, wrapping paper, napkins, or tissues.
Recycle plastic egg cartons. Don't recycle foam egg cartons. Don't recycle paper egg cartons (but you can compost them instead!).
Recycle food and beverage bottles and jars. Don't recycle drinking glasses, window glass, or mirrors.
Recycle plastic water jugs and laundry detergent bottles. But don't toss plastic containers larger than 3 gallons into the blue carts.
Keep the lids on recyclable plastic containers. Remove and trash the lids from glass jars and bottles. Remove and trash the lids from soup, juice and milk cartons.
Recycle clean pizza boxes. But if they're greasy or have food stuck on, compost them instead.
The folks at Rethink Recycling have a very useful article crammed with links on how and where to correctly recycle more stuff.
Stay a Step Ahead of the Leaves
Each fall, the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program offers free leaf-raking for neighborhood seniors. If you are a senior -- or know one -- who would like a hand, sign up before Sept. 30. Call 651-642-1127.
In the Park this Week
This Saturday, Sept. 16: Walk Like MADD, 10:30 a.m.-noon, around Como Lake after starting at the main picnic pavilion.
This Saturday, Sept. 16: The Textiles, 7 p.m. Free concert at the Lakeside Pavilion.
This Sunday, Sept. 17: Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., around Como Lake after starting at the main picnic pavilion.
This Sunday, Sept. 17: Dockside sneaks one more show into its Summer Concert Series, featuring Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, with Kind Country, The High 48s, and Julian Davis, 3 p.m. $15-$50
This Thursday, Sept. 21: The Dockside Farmers Market unloads the goods from 2-6 p.m.
After driving city streets, drivers in the Bus Roadeo only have to worry about hitting cones.
Fairgrounds are Back in Action
Metro Transit Bus Roadeo: Weekdays through next Thursday, Sept. 21, parking lots south of Como Ave. Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off: Today-Saturday, Sept. 15-16, parking lots south of Como Ave. Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Also Sept. 22-23, 29-30)
Model Railroad & Hobby Sale: This Saturday, Sept. 16, Education Building. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $6 (children 7 or younger, free)
Parking for Gophers Football: This Saturday, Sept. 16, Robin lot south and east of Randall Ave. The game is at 2:30 p.m.
Motorcycle Swap Meet: This Sunday, Sept. 17, parking lots north of Hoyt Ave. Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. $5.
Western Saddle Club 5 Star Futurity Horse Show: Next Thursday, Sept. 21-Monday Sept. 25, Warner Coliseum. 9 a.m. daily. Free spectator admission.
Grit Your Teeth Over Bridge Work
Lane restrictions on the Ford Parkway Bridge over the Mississippi River will continue into November as crews work on concrete replacement and erosion control. The bridge will remain open, but Mississippi River Blvd. under the bridge is closed (sidewalks and bicycle paths, too).
Speaking of bridges: The Smith Ave. High Bridge is closed through 2018. Occasionally affected by this construction: Shepard Road, Water St., and Lilydale Road. The Samuel Morgan Trail along the river also is closed under the High Bridge. Next up: The Marshall Ave./Lake St. Bridge closes later this fall. The rest of the orange barricade review:
Como Ave.: Shut down between Raymond and Knapp for complete reconstruction.
Lexington Parkway: Sidewalk and crosswalk work continues. Work is moving north toward University Ave., then switching to the southbound lanes and heading back toward Randolph Ave.
Snelling Ave.: Work is complete, MnDOT says, except for some odds and ends.
Victoria Ave.: It's not paved, but is passable, at the intersection with Wheelock Parkway, Maryland Ave., and Como Lake Drive. Temporary closures are still possible this season, though additional sewer work is delayed until 2018.
Wheelock Parkway: Closed to through traffic between Victoria and Dale until November. Intersections at north-south streets will close on a daily, as-needed basis. Sewer installation is under way east of Grotto.
September is Running Short on Time
This Wednesday, Sept. 20: Public hearing on Ford Site Zoning Study and Public Realm Master Plan, 5:30 p.m. Third-floor City Council Chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Details here -- or comment in advance online.
Next Saturday, Sept. 23: Zero Waste Summit, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway N. $15-$35 (scholarships are available)
Next Saturday, Sept. 23: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota offers a "rehab lab" on old walls. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at a home in the Selby-Dale neighborhood. $50.
Next Saturday, Sept. 23: MaryDale Festival, noon-3 p.m. Free festival in the park featuring food trucks, live music, local artists, children's activities. 542 W. Maryland Ave.
Thursday Sept. 28: Environmental symposium on rain gardens, 7 p.m. Bethel Lutheran Church, 670 W. Wheelock. Free.
Monday Oct. 2: Deadline to submit applications to join Ramsey County's Master Gardener Program. Get information here
Wednesday Oct. 4: Public hearing on proposed zoning code amendments for short-term rental dwelling units and bed-and-breakfast residences, 5:40 p.m. Third-floor City Council Chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Saturday Oct. 7: Como Park Senior High School Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m.
Go Straight to the Source
The Western District's monthly community meetings take place this Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at district headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. Ask questions and get first-hand information about what's really going on with crime in our part of town.
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open every Sunday in September, from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park, pick up an organics recycling starter kit (just like the picture), pick up replacement compostable bags, 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.
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.
Know someone else who is interested in what's going on in our neighborhood?
