You can't plan for this kind of lighting. Katy Korby was in the right place at the right time for this late summer view of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.
Don't Let Criminals Win
District 10 and the Western District of the Saint Paul Police hold a community crime meeting on Tuesday Oct. 10. Patty Lammers, who is the Western District's new crime prevention coordinator, will present Crime Prevention 101. She'll:
Answer your questions about what is and isn't happening in the neighborhood
Make sure you know exactly what to do when you spot suspicious or criminal activity
Give advice on what neighbors must do together to prevent criminals from getting a serious foothold in our neighborhood
The meeting runs from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All are invited.
The League of Women Voters is organizing four Saint Paul mayoral candidate forums in the next three weeks. All are free. The rundown:
This Wednesday, Sept. 27: A Q&A forum from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St.
Tuesday Oct. 10: A roundtable discussion from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St.
Wednesday Oct. 11: A Q&A forum from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Highland Park Middle School Auditorium, 1015 S. Snelling Ave.
Tuesday Oct. 17: A roundtable discussion at the Minnesota Humanities Center, 987 E. Ivy Ave.
The invited candidates are Sharon Anderson, Melvin Carter, Trahern Crews, Elizabeth Dickinson, Tom Goldstein, Pat Harris, Chris Holbrook, Tim Holden, Dai Thao, and Barnabas Y'Shua. The election is Nov. 7.
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.
Pile Up Your 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.
It's Right Across the Street
MaryDale Park, which borders District 10 on Dale Street, holds a free family festival this Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon-3 p.m. The event features food trucks, live music, local artists, and children's activities. It is presented in part by Friends of the North End and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.
This is what Bethel's rain garden might look like some day.
Protecting Water from the Ground Up
In conjunction with the installation of its first rain garden, Bethel Lutheran Church hosts an environmental symposium this Thursday, Sept. 28. The free event focuses on practical things we all can do to protect our water resources, and on how simple projects such as rain gardens can build collective action.
The symposium is at 7 p.m. at the church, 670 W. Wheelock Parkway. Because of construction, the best way to get there is by coming up St. Albans from the south. (The congregation, by the way, hopes to plant its garden this Saturday, Sept. 23.)
Money for Your Ideas
The Capitol Region Watershed District is accepting applications for 2018 Partner Grants. Grants range from $2,000-$20,000 for water-themed education and outreach projects in the watershed. The application deadline is Friday Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.
The watershed district is also accepting nominations for its 2017 Watershed Steward Awards. The awards recognize individuals, groups, programs, and projects that protect local lakes and the Mississippi River. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday Oct. 31.
Does This Describe You?
When friends, family or neighbors have questions about gardening, do they turn to you for answers? Well, here's a chance to build on what you know -- or what people think you know -- by becoming a Ramsey County Master Gardener.
Master Gardeners share their knowledge about eco-friendly gardening with schools, community gardens, youth and environmental programs, farmers markets, and more. To gain that expertise, you'll receive 48 hours of university training in horticulture, and be paired with a mentor for your first year. Ramsey County is building its next cohort; the deadline to apply is Monday Oct. 2. Get more information
First, congratulations to Joe Mueller, who was elected Tuesday to the Como Community Council board. Mueller fills a vacancy from Sub-District 4.
Now, however, there's a vacancy in the other Sub-District 4 seat -- because that board member is moving out of town. So, once again we are looking for candidates from South Como and Energy Park. The seat is open to anyone at least 18 years of age who lives in Sub-District 4; you can be a renter or a homeowner. Representatives from businesses or institutions based in the Sub-District also are eligible. The boundaries of 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.
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.
This could make landscaping a breeze.
Make Room in Your Garage
Need a road grader? A well-used pickup? How about some skid loader attachments, professional lawn care equipment, file cabinets, stackable chairs, or an old parking meter? Those are among the items Saint Paul Public Works has up for auction next Saturday, Sept. 30. You can inspect the equipment beginning at 8 a.m. at the Public Works complex at 891 N. Dale; the auction begins at 9 a.m. Get a complete list of equipment or bid online now.
Jeff Heinecke
Lyngblomsten CEO Gets Kudos He Deserves
Congratulations to Lyngblomsten president & CEO Jeff Heinecke, who has received LeadingAge Minnesota's 50 for the Next 50 award. The award honors leaders who pursue innovation and advance excellence in aging services, make forward-looking changes in their organization, serve as motivational leaders and mentors, and empower Minnesotans to age well and live fully.
Watching our Waste: Batteries
Batteries are not the same; when they run out of power, they cannot be disposed of in the same way.
Toss in the trash: Alkaline batteries; household batteries with carbon zinc or zinc air.
Take to a household hazardous waste site: Car and other vehicle batteries; rechargeable batteries (including nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion); button batteries for hearing aids and watches (including mercuric oxide and silver oxide).
Make Some Feathered Friends
Celebrate urban birds this Saturday, Sept. 23, as part of the Saint Paul Public Library's Nature Smart Libraries series. The one-hour class lets families learn about local birds, do a citizen science observation, and make a bird feeder to take home. The class, produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, begins at 3 p.m. at the Hamline Midway branch, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.
This Weekend in the Park
Camp Odayin Heart & Sole: Benefit 5K run, 2.5K walk, this Saturday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m., starting outside the lakeside pavilion. Registration: $35 teens and adults, $25 youth ages 6-12, free for children 5 or younger.
Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk: This Sunday, Sept. 24, noon, starting from the main picnic pavilion. Registration: $5; free for children 5 or younger; free for anyone with Down Syndrome. A free shuttle bus runs from Bandana Square between 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Concerts at Dockside: This Saturday, Sept. 23, Dan Israel, 5:30 p.m.; this Sunday, Sept. 24, Javier Matos, 5:30 p.m.; this Monday, Sept. 25, Gaelynn Lea, 7 p.m. Free.
Farmers Market: This Thursday, Sept. 28, is the final Dockside Farmers Market. Stock up on the freshest produce and other goodies from 2-6 p.m. at the lakeside pavilion.
Kids and dogs: What could be better?
Wall to Wall Shows at the Fairgrounds
Western Saddle Club 5 Star Futurity Horse Show: Through this Monday, Sept. 25, Warner Coliseum. 9 a.m. daily. Free spectator admission.
Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off: Today-Saturday, Sept. 22-23, parking lot south of Como Ave. Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Also Sept. 29-30)
State 4-H Dog Show: This Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 23-24, 4-H Building. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Free spectator admission.
Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show: Next Friday-Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Warner Coliseum. Shows at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Sunday. Free spectator admission.
Rummage MN: Next Friday-Saturday, Sept. 29-30, West End Market. Hours: 4-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. $8 in advance, $10 at the gate (free for children 14 or younger).
Summer is Gone, September is Next
This Saturday, Sept. 23: Eureka Recycling Zero Waste Summit, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway N. $15-$35 (scholarships are available)
This 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.
This Monday, Sept. 25: "Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story," 7 p.m. Metropolitan State University's Ecolab Room, 645 E. 7th St. The free showing of this documentary is part of the Saint Paul Public Library's annual Eating, Reading and Living Well series. A discussion follows.
This Wednesday, Sept. 27: District 10's Environment Committee meets 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 and participate. Here's the agenda
This Wednesday, Sept. 27: "Local Choices, Global Impact: Understanding Your Role in the Food System," 7 p.m. Merriam Park Library, 1831 W. Marshall. The University of Minnesota's Kristine Igo offers this presentation, part of the Saint Paul Public Library's annual Eating, Reading and Living Well series.
Next Friday, Sept. 29: Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum hosts an open house at her new district office, 2-4 p.m. 661 Lasalle St. #110. Map
Wednesday Oct. 4: Two public hearings: One on proposed zoning code amendments for short-term rental dwelling units (such as Air BnB) and bed-and-breakfast residences, one on a proposed "to go" packaging ordinance that would require carry-out food purchased in Saint Paul to be placed in compostable, reusable, or recyclable containers. 5:30 p.m. Third-floor City Council Chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Saturday Oct. 7: Como Park Senior High School Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m.
Wednesday Oct. 11: Community Dialogue with Ramsey County District Court Judges, 6-7:30 p.m. Wilder Foundation, 451 N. Lexington Parkway.
This Week's Orange Barricade Review
Bridges: These bridges over the Mississippi are out of commission or have restricted travel while they undergo repairs: Ford Parkway Bridge, Marshall Ave./Lake St. Bridge, Smith Ave. High Bridge.
Trails: These roadways and trails are closed because of nearby bridge projects: Mississippi River Boulevard under the Ford Parkway Bridge; Samuel Morgan Trail under the High Bridge.
Como Ave.: Shut down between Raymond and Knapp for complete reconstruction.
Lexington Parkway: Sidewalk and crosswalk work continues to reduce lanes between University Ave. and Randolph Ave. Next weekend, expect the intersection of Lexington and Grand Ave. to be off limits.
Marshall Ave.: Resurfacing between Snelling Ave. and the Mississippi River is expected to be finished today, Friday Sept. 22. It will be about 10 days, however, before striping is done.
Pascal St.: The bridge over Interstate 94 and the street at St. Anthony Ave. are closed.
Victoria St.: Closed at the intersection with Wheelock Parkway, Maryland Ave., and Como Lake Drive.
Wheelock Parkway: Closed to through traffic between Victoria and Dale until November. Intersections at north-south streets close on a daily, as-needed basis. Sewer installation is under way east of Alameda.
Sunday Options are Dwindling
With summer officially over, hours are changing soon for the Como Park Streetcar Station. The exhibit space of the restored building is open this Sunday, Sept. 24, and next Sunday, Oct. 1, from noon-4 p.m. After that, it's open only the first Sunday of the month.
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.
