Saint Paul Parks and Recreation crews install the four broomball rinks at McMurray Field. Maybe that's why the weather turned on us.
Better Days Ahead for Fountain?
The Schiffman Fountain -- before the ravages of time completely settled in.
Restoration plans are in the works for the Schiffman Fountain, the oldest fountain in Como Park. As anyone could see this summer, the 121-year-old bronze landmark on the east side of Lexington Parkway is
deteriorating rapidly in looks and performance.
Restoration would repair the sculpture, fountain and pool. It also could bring them up to modern standards
, says Eric Thompson, public art program manager for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Potential upgrades include computerized water jets and LED lighting.
Two foundations are committed to funding a complete restoration, Thompson says, including one with family ties to Rudolph Schiffman, a member of Saint Paul's original park board who donated the fountain in 1896. Find
more details on District 10's website.
See Candidates Talk Directly to You
One of the final forums of the campaign -- the Como/North End Mayoral Dialogue -- is this Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9-11 a.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 501 W. Lawson (just a few blocks east of Dale and north of Front).
The first and only forum in Ward 5 features five candidates in a distinct format. Each candidate gets a 20-minute slot to speak and answer audience questions. Then it's the next candidate's turn. The tentative schedule:
9:15-9:35: Pat Harris
9:35-9:55: Dai Thao
9:55-10:15: Melvin Carter
10:15-10-35: Tom Goldstein
10:35-10:55: Elizabeth Dickinson
Can't Wait? Vote Now!
Saint Paul residents can cast an absentee ballot for
mayor or school board through this Monday, Oct. 30, at the Ramsey County Elections Office, 90 W. Plato Blvd. The elections office is open today and Monday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and this Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beginning this Tuesday, Oct. 31, through Monday Nov. 6,
early voting will take place at the Plato elections office and at five additional locations; the closest location to District 10 is the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin St. (that is a few blocks east of Dale and Marshall). Election Day itself is Tuesday Nov. 7; polls will be open that day from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
There are 10 candidates for mayor and six candidates for three school board seats. You can
find out who the candidates are by entering your address. The election for mayor will be done through ranked voting; the city has
online videos explaining how that works.
A new honeylocust
Yes! The New Trees are Arriving
As you read this, Saint Paul forestry crews are filling in the bare spots on boulevards throughout District 10.
Going in this fall are varieties of catalpa, Kentucky coffeetree, crabapple, hybrid elm, honeylocust, Japanese tree lilac, linden, maple, and sycamore. The only folks who have to wait: Residents along Grotto who will get oak planted in spring 2018.
Wait. They're
Adding Street Parking?
Saint Paul Public Works will
remove "no parking" signs today along Grotto and Maryland to provide more on-street parking near Como high school and elementary school. The signs will come down on the west side of Grotto and on the north side of Maryland, adjacent to the elementary school. Previously, parking was prohibited along those stretches from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on school days. "No parking" signs will remain in front of nearby homes; residents petitioned to put many of those signs in place.
Need to properly dispose of a tattered flag? Ramsey County's A to Z Guide tells you how.
Watching Our Waste: What Goes Where
The next time you don't know how to dispose of an old or broken item, check out Ramsey County's
A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide. The online guide has a searchable list of more than 400 items. You can get answers for what goes in your curbside recycling (or not); the best ways to dispose of furniture, mattresses, or other bulky items; how to safely dispose of electronics from ear buds to TVs; and even what to do with odd items such as lava lamps, basketball hoops, satellite dishes, campaign signs, and glow sticks that lose their glow.
Tap the Imagination of Your Munchkins
Saint Paul Public Library branches launch a full schedule of free,
Mini Masterpieces art workshops for preschoolers in November. Different sessions use creativity to focus on diversity, environmental awareness, or imaginative play. Others utilize visual art, accordion-style books, puppets, or craft materials. In addition, library branches also have a new line-up of free
story times for families and children of different ages, in English and a half-dozen other languages.
Job Training Right Next Door
The Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center trains young adults in basic workplace and independent living skills, and coordinates volunteer opportunities for its students. The center also provides training and internships in
targeted job sectors, including culinary arts, office administration, medical records, nursing assistants, home health aides, painting and other finishing trades, facilities maintenance, and transportation logistics.
If you know a young adult age 16-24 who could benefit from this type of training -- or have open jobs in those areas -- contact the center at 651-642-1133.
Construction Makes Its Final Stand
More of the barrels, barricades, and cones are disappearing. For example:
Como Ave. is open east of Dale St.: The resurfacing is finished; only some striping remains.
Minnehaha Ave. is open east of the Pierce Butler Route junction: The resurfacing is finished; only some striping remains.
Pierce Butler Route is open from the Minnehaha junction west to Snelling: Resurfacing is finished; however, expect occasional delays for striping and clean-up work.
The expanded Interstate 694 is completely open between Rice and Lexington, though some temporary shoulder work remains.
Nonetheless, a few new projects are just getting going:
Highway 280: It will be a few days than originally planned, but the ramp from southbound 280 to eastbound Interstate 94 closes this Monday, Oct. 30, for drainage and resurfacing work. The ramp is likely to remain closed all week -- until next Saturday, Nov. 4.
Interstate 35E: Because of the weather forecast, MnDOT is delaying part two of the freeway shutdown again. The lastest plan: All southbound lanes will close from the split with 35W in Columbus south to Interstate 694. The lanes could be off limits from 10 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 3, until 5 a.m. Monday Nov. 6.
Lexington Parkway: Lanes will be restricted north of Energy Park Drive this Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 30-31, while crews install fiber optic cable.
Finally, these projects are still going:
Bridges: These bridges over the Mississippi are out of commission or have restricted travel while they undergo repairs: Ford Parkway (through November); Marshall Ave./Lake St. Bridge (until mid-November); and Smith Ave. High Bridge (through 2018).
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.: The road is supposed to open west of Raymond on Halloween, though new traffic signals still haven't arrived.
Dale St.: All lanes at Wheelock Parkway are supposed open within the next few days, if the weather cooperates (put the emoji of your choice here).
Wheelock Parkway: One way or another, the road will open by Nov. 22, says project engineer Dan Haak. Wheelock is still officially closed to through traffic between Victoria and Danforth, and intersections at north-south streets close on a daily, as-needed basis. This week, crews expect to continue installing sod, finish all concrete work, finish paving the bicycle path, and finish the first layer of asphalt on the entire stretch. But plenty of other prep work has to take place before the final asphalt and striping go down.
Waiting Till the Last Minute? This is It!
Today, Friday Oct. 27, is the deadline to apply for one of the Capitol Region Watershed District's
2018 Partner Grants. Grants range from $2,000-$20,000 for water-themed education and outreach projects in the watershed. You've got to submit your application by 4 p.m.
Don't hold back the praise: This Tuesday, Oct. 31, is the deadline to submit nominations for the District's 2017
Watershed Steward Awards. The awards recognize individuals, groups, programs, and projects that protect local lakes and the Mississippi River.
Erik Brandt and the Urban Hillbilly Quartet crank it up Saturday.
Dockside This Weekend
Pumpkin Patch: This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., outside the Lakeside Pavilion. Pumpkins, games, inflatables, hay rides, and more. Children 3 or younger, $3; children ages 4-17, $7; adults, $3.
Free music: Erik Brandt and the Urban Hillbilly Quartet, this Saturday, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m.; The Ukuladies, this Sunday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Fun and games: Board games take over this Sunday, Oct. 29, from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Fall Festivities at the Fairgrounds
Pumpkin Nights: Through this Sunday, Oct. 29, DNR Park. Hours: today-Saturday, 6:30 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 teens and adults, $16 for adults 60 or older and children ages 4-12, free for children 3 or younger. Family discounts available.
Weapons Collectors Show: This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29, Warner Coliseum. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parking and shuttle for Como Friends' ZooBoo: This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29, lots south of Como Ave. The free shuttle runs 4-8:15 p.m. each day.
Minnesota Academy Equestrian Finals: This Sunday, Oct. 29, AgStar Arena. 9:30 a.m. Free for spectators.
Riders & Ribbons Schooling Event: This Sunday, Oct. 29, AgStar Arena. Noonish. Free for spectators.
In Case You Hadn't Heard
This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29: The 30th year and final weekend of Como Friends' ZooBoo, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Admission: $7
This Tuesday, Oct. 31. It's Halloween. Among neighborhood activities: Pupils and staff at the German Immersion School hold a costume parade. It starts at 2 p.m. on the Van Slyke side of the school and marches around the block.
This Wednesday, Nov. 1: District 10 Land Use Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend and participate. View the agenda
Thursday, Nov. 9: Deadline to order compostable dinnerware and organics recycling bags through Eureka Recycling's Zero Waste Buying Co-op.
Halloween Safety Tips
Younger children should always be with an adult
Older children should always be in a group
Use flashlights, glow sticks, or reflective tape to be visible in the dark
Do not go to dark or unlit houses
Cross the street only at crosswalks
Pay attention when crossing driveways
Make sure costumes and shoes are not too long or a tripping hazard
District 10's offices will close this week, Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Staff and board members will monitor emails and voice mails (651-644-3889) as much as possible. However, to see someone in person, you will have to visit on Sunday Nov. 5, when the Streetcar Station is open as usual on the first Sunday of the month from noon-4 p.m.
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.
