This view of a Como Golf Course retention pond proves it's a beautiful time to carry a camera around. Photo by Jenny Schlukebier
German Immersion School Looks at Expansion
The Twin Cities German Immersion School is diving head first into an expansion to accommodate increasing enrollment. In an open letter to parents and the Como community, school director Ted Anderson says the School Board's Facilities Committee, after examining several options, is planning to expand on the school's existing site.

School administrator Gael Braddock told District 10's Land Use Committee the expansion most likely will require extensive renovation or replacement of the old Saint Andrew's church building. No work is likely until at least fall 2018.  You can get more background , and read Anderson's entire letter, on the District 10 website.
We Welcome Our Newest Board Member
Congratulations to Dunette Combs, who was elected to fill a vacancy on the Como Community Council board. Combs will represent Sub-District 4, which covers South Como and Energy Park. 
... and Committee Members, Too
The Como Community Council board on Oct. 17 appointed 13 residents to a new Como Park "pathways work group." They are Tim Post (chair), Teri Alberico, Tom Beach, Andrew Gustin, Jess Landgraf, Don Magnuson, Jenne Nelson, Suzanne Rhees, Cody Zwiefelhofer, plus ex-officio members Richard Herriges, Jenny Larson, Michael Kuchta, and Dan Marckel.

In addition, the board appointed Dana Hagemann to represent District 10 on the city's Como Dockside evaluation committee. Hagemann joins current D10 board member Maggie Zimmerman on the committee. 
Want to Make the Park Better?
Yes, we have the work group started, but it is not too late for you to get involved. District 10 would welcome additional community members who want to join our Como Park "pathways work group." The group will recommend how to make it easier to get around the park if you're not in a vehicle.

We'll assess signs, paths, maps, and more. We're seeking members of different backgrounds who use the park in different ways: walkers, runners, cyclists, wheelchair users, behind strollers, etc. Members will grade the quality, usefulness, and consistency of current "wayfinding" tools. Then they'll suggest ideas to eliminate confusion and improve routing within the park, including to destinations on both sides of Lexington and outside of the Zoo/Conservatory campus.

You can get more information and fill out an online application on District 10's website.
Vote Now if You Want To
Saint Paul residents can cast an absentee ballot for mayor or school board through Monday Oct. 30 at the Ramsey County Elections Office, 90 W. Plato Blvd. The elections office is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and next Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 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.

From Tuesday Oct. 31 through Monday Nov. 6, early voting will take place at the Plato Blvd. elections office and at five additional locations; the closest location to District 10 is the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin St., which is a few blocks east of Dale. Election Day itself is Tuesday Nov. 7; polls will be open that day from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food for Thought -- and Action
All kinds of things can get in the way of eating well. The latest newsletter from the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program counters that with down-to-earth tips we can rely upon if nourishing ourselves takes a back seat. The guide includes resources for food if you have mobility issues, and advice on making mealtime enjoyable and healthful if we're eating solo at home or in a restaurant.
Gustavo Lira's mural
Discover the Metamorphosis 
Last weekend, a nondescript sewer grate transformed into something more. Now, it is both more beautiful and meaningful in bringing awareness of how storm water flows directly -- and unfiltered -- into Como Lake. Inspired by  conversations with Como residents, artist Gustavo Lira surrounded the sewer with a mural. He illustrates the flow of water, and incorporates a turtle and duck representing the need for water quality. He also references the lake's connection to other parts of the park -- musical notes for the lakeside pavilion, and koi from the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's pond.

See the mural for yourself near Duck Point: It is in the parking lot on the east side of the lake, where Lakeview Ave. dead-ends into E. Como Lake Drive.   Get more details on the project from the Friends of the Mississippi River.  
Watching Our Waste: LED Bulbs
Confused by the variety of LED bulbs now available? Trying to find an LED that's the best match to replace your current bulb? Try the new, free app developed by local Clean Energy Resource Teams and the University of Minnesota Extension. With your smartphone in hand, the app walks you step by step through suggestions for the bulb, fixture type, color, and brightness you are looking for.
Hunting Will Close Nearby Parks
Controlled deer hunts resume this weekend and early this week in Ramsey County Parks, including around Snail Lake Marsh and Vadnais Lake. The hunts, being done by the Metro Bowhunters Resource Base, last three days; follow-up hunts are scheduled for November.  Signs will be posted at common entry points when hunts are being conducted. During the hunts, large portions of a park may be closed, though most major paved hiking and biking trails will remain open. 
Money for Your Ideas
Next 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.
Dockside This Weekend
  • Pumpkin Patch: This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 21-22, 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. Repeats Oct. 28-29.
  • Free music: Brady Pearl, this Saturday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m.; Mark Gunther, this Sunday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m.
The State Fairgrounds become a cow town this weekend.
Fall Festivities at the Fairgrounds
  • Pumpkin Nights: Through Sunday Oct. 29, DNR Park. Hours: Fridays-Saturdays, 6:30 p.m.-midnight; Sundays-Thursdays, 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 and weeknight discounts available.
  • Minnesota Beef Expo: Through this Sunday, Oct. 22, Warner Coliseum. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. The expo is not open to the public, but you'll see plenty of cows chowing down along Como Ave.
  • Parking and shuttle for Como Friends' ZooBoo: This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 21-22, lots south of Como Ave. The free shuttle runs 4-8:15 p.m. each day.
  • Parking, tailgating, and shuttle bus for University of Minnesota football, this Saturday, Oct. 21, lots south and east of Randall Ave. Parking: $10. The Gophers try to win their first Big Ten game at 2:30 p.m.; they play Illinois, which also is 0-fer in the conference. No pressure -- and it's Homecoming, too.
  • Sign of the times: The City of Saint Paul impound lot sets up for action this week near Como and Cathlin. 
In Case You Hadn't Heard
  • This Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 21-22: The 30th and final year of Como Friends' ZooBoo, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets: $6 in advance, $7 beginning Oct. 21. Also next Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29.
  • This Saturday, Oct. 21: Creative Frogtown Arts Fest II, 2-9 p.m., 815 University Ave.
  • This Tuesday, Oct. 24: Rice Street Safety Study -- Maryland to University, 6-8 p.m., Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice St.
  • This Wednesday, Oct. 25: District 10 Environment 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
  • This Thursday, Oct. 26: Hallowfest, 5-7 p.m. North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. For youth 14 or younger; costumes encouraged.
  • This Thursday, Oct. 26: Rice and Larpenteur Gateway Area Vision Plan, 6-8 p.m. Community School of Excellence cafeteria, 270 W. Larpenteur (the old Linders site).
  • Next Saturday, Oct. 28: Como and North End Progressive Mayoral Forum, 9-11 a.m. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 501 W. Lawson (just a few blocks east of Dale and north of Front). 
  • Tuesday Oct. 31: Deadline to nominate individuals, groups, programs, and projects for the Capitol Region Watershed District's 2017 Watershed Steward Awards.
  • Thursday, Nov. 9: Deadline to order compostable dinnerware and organics recycling bags through Eureka Recycling's Zero Waste Buying Co-op.
Construction Makes Its Final Stand
  • 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.: Expect travel restrictions as resurfacing continues between Dale St. and Marion; expect work to continue through October. Complete reconstruction continues to shut down Como from Knapp west to Commonwealth; that work is expected to last into November.
  • Dale St.: Down to one lane in each direction near the intersection with Wheelock Parkway.
  • Highway 280: The ramp from southbound 280 to eastbound Interstate 94 closes this Thursday, Oct. 26, for drainage and resurfacing work. The ramp is likely to remain closed for a week -- until Thursday Nov. 2. 
  • Interstate 35E: Because of the weather forecast, MnDOT is delaying part two of the freeway shutdown for one week. However, next weekend, all southbound lanes will close from the split with 35W in Columbus south to Interstate 694. The lanes will be off limits from 10 p.m. next Friday, Oct. 27, until 5 a.m. Monday Oct. 30. 
  • Minnehaha Ave.: Expect travel restrictions as resurfacing continues from Como Ave. west to Arundel and from Dale St. west to the Pierce Butler Route junction. Work is expected to last through October. 
  • Pierce Butler Route: Expect travel restrictions as resurfacing continues from the Minnehaha junction west to Snelling; expect work to continue through October.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Lots of progress, but still officially closed to through traffic between Victoria and Dale until November. Intersections at north-south streets close on a daily, as-needed basis.  
Police Hold Food Drive
Saint Paul Police are holding a food and toiletries drive to stock the shelves at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. You can drop off nonperishable food at any police district office, including the Western District headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. Recommended donations include: pasta, rice, soup, cereal, pancake mix, flour, sugar, canned tuna, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, condiments, syrup, coffee, tea, and personal hygiene items. 

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.