Anytime of day: Morning glories live up to their name outside Como Dockside. Photo: Michelle Wessely
Two deadlines and two major events to highlight this week. But there's more than that...
The Deadlines
This Tuesday, Oct. 10, is the last day to submit your name to join two District 10
projects, or to join the District 10 board itself. To apply,
fill out this form on our website.
First, we are looking for community members to:
Join a work group that will make recommendations to make it easier to get around Como Park when you're on foot, bicycle, in a wheelchair, or some other form of non-motorized transit, or...
Join an evaluation committee to assess the quality, customer service, community access, and other aspects of Como Dockside's performance.
Second, District 10 is looking for community members from South Como or Energy Park to
fill a vacancy on the Como Community Council Board.
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. To find out more, see the District 10 website. The election is Tuesday Oct. 17.
A scary photo to get your attention.
The Events
Reduce and Recycle Drop Off:This Saturday, Oct. 7, Saint Paul and Falcon Heights residents can dispose of appliances, electronics, furniture, tires, demolition debris, scrap metal, and other household refuse they cannot put in the trash. The event is at the State Fairgrounds from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; enter from Larpenteur Ave. west of Snelling. 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.
Community Crime Meeting:District 10 and the Western District of the Saint Paul Police answer your questions about what is and isn't happening in the neighborhood. Patty Lammers, the Western District's new crime prevention coordinator, will make sure you know exactly what to do when you spot suspicious or criminal activity, and give advice on what neighbors must do together to prevent criminals from getting a serious foothold in our neighborhood.
The crime meeting is this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 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.
Out from Behind the Bench
There's a rare chance to meet face to face with Ramsey County District Court judges, who hold a
Community Dialogue this Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6-7:30 p.m. During the open session, share your opinions and experiences on how the local court system works. Or, discuss your ideas on how courts can advance equity, equality, access, and fairness. The free event is at the Wilder Foundation, 451 N. Lexington Parkway.
The lobby of Saint Paul's City Hall.
10 Mayoral Candidates? Get to Know Them
The League of Women Voters Saint Paul has three Saint Paul
mayoral candidate forums remaining in the next week or so. All are free. The rundown:
This Tuesday, Oct. 10: A roundtable discussion from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St.
This 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.
Some of the compostable products you can order.
Watching our Waste: Buying Co-Op Opens
Eureka Recycling's
Zero Waste Buying Co-op is now taking orders for recycled paper and compostable products of all sorts.
Compostable products must be ordered by Thursday Nov. 9. One of the best options is a roll of 25 compostable bags for only $2. This is a perfect back-up for those of you who use our community organics recycling site, but never seem to be there when bags are available. Other BPI-certified compostable products include plates, bowls, napkins, hot and cold cups, utensils -- even lids and straws.
Office and printer paper must be ordered by Thursday Oct. 19. Options include white and colored paper in three sizes (available in cartons or individual reams), cardstock, and recyclable binders.
This stormwater sewer grate will be transformed.
The Metamorphosis is Coming
Ever wondered how a typical sewer grate (like the one here) could be transformed into something both more meaningful and beautiful? Ever wanted to watch an artist at work?
Settle both questions next Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. as professional artist Gustavo Lira installs a sewer grate
mural that he designed after conversations with several of our neighbors. The Friends of the Mississippi River, working with Saint Paul Public Works and Como Regional Park, initiated this first-of-its-kind artwork in the city. The project both will bring attention to the health of Como Lake and
deepen the beautification of our neighborhood.
Lira will create the mural in the parking lot on the east side of the lake, where Lakeview Ave. dead ends into East Como Lake Drive. Everyone is welcome to stop by and say "hi" as the mural takes shape.
This Weekend in Como Park
Fall Flower Show: This Saturday, Oct. 7 through Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Chrysanthemums rule in the annual show in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.
Run Like a Girl: This Saturday, Oct. 7, 5K Run and 2.5K walk, 9 a.m. Como Lake path outside Dockside. $35 (discounts for children, students, and seniors).
Most Amazing Race: This Saturday, Oct. 7, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Main picnic pavilion. $25 registration, plus teams must meet minimum fund-raising levels.
Strides 4 Sight 5K: This Sunday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. Como Lake path outside Dockside. $30 (Children's fun run at 8:30 a.m., $10).
No Slowing Down inside the Fairgrounds
Minnesota Harvest Horse Show: Through this Sunday, Oct. 8, Warner Coliseum. Free daily admission except for Grand Prix show at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, which is $13 online in advance, or $15 at the door.
Fall ComiCon: This Saturday, Oct. 7, Education Building. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $9 (children 9 or younger, free)
This Week's Orange Barricade Review
Ramsey County this week begins a series of
resurfacing projects on the outskirts of District 10. The resurfacing will close or reduce lanes on these roads:
Como Ave. from Dale St. east to Marion.
Minnehaha Ave. from Como Ave. west to Arundel and from Dale St. west to the Pierce Butler Route junction.
Pierce Butler Route from the Minnehaha junction west to Snelling.
Meanwhile, on
Lexington Ave. in Roseville, the road will close in both directions at Highway 36 from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. tonight, Friday Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7.
Here's the progress on other ongoing road projects:
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 reconstruction.
Grotto St.: It's not paved, but is passable most days, at the intersection with Wheelock Parkway.
Highway 10: The westbound ramp to Interstate 35W is now open.
Interstate 35W: Closed from downtown Minneapolis south to Highway 62 from 10:00 tonight, Friday Oct. 6, through 5 a.m. this Monday, Oct. 9.
Interstate 94: Construction continues east of downtown Saint Paul, but access ramps at Highway 61, White Bear Ave., Burns Ave., and Hudson Road begin opening this week.
Interstate 694: Construction continues between Snelling Ave. and Interstate 35E, but ramps are now open at Rice St., Victoria St., and Highway 10.
Lexington Parkway: Sidewalk and crosswalk work south of University Ave. is expected to wrap up this week for the season. More extensive resurfacing is scheduled for 2018.
Pascal St.: The bridge over Interstate 94 and the street at St. Anthony Ave. are expected to reopen this week.
Victoria St.: It's not paved, but is passable most days, 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 will close on a daily, as-needed basis. Sewer installation is under way east of St. Albans.
What Else This Week Has in Store
This Saturday Oct. 7: Como Park Senior High School Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m.-noon, on Rose Ave. and other streets around the school.
This Saturday, Oct. 7: Twin Cities German Immersion School Herbsfest, 3-7 p.m., 1031 Como Ave. Food, crafts, music, polka and schottische dance lessons, baking demonstrations, and more. $5 ($20 per family).
This Thursday, Oct. 12: Free training for people of color interested in joining a district council board or committee, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wilkins Room (Room 215) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis. The training is presented by the University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs.
This Thursday, Oct. 12: "Secrets of the Congdon Mansion," 5:30-7 p.m. Author Joe Kimball gives a behind-the-scenes look at Minnesota's most infamous murder case at what we now know as Glensheen. Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave. $6
Next Friday, Oct. 13: Welcome Bonfire, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 Hamline Ave.
Next Saturday, Oct. 14: Como Park Lutheran Church's Meatloaf Dinner to benefit the Block Nurse Program, 4:30-6:30 p.m. 1376 W. Hoyt Ave.
School Bus Safety for Kids and Adults
Some things to teach children about riding school buses:
Getting on the bus: Stand at least three giant steps away from the curb as the bus approaches. Board the bus one at a time.
Getting off the bus: Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting off. If your child needs to cross the street, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver, then cross only when the driver indicates it's safe. Teach children to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. Never walk behind the bus.
Some things to teach drivers when they're around school buses:
Stop when approaching a school bus that has flashing red lights. This means the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers need to stop whether they are approaching the front or the back of the bus. It is illegal to pass a school bus in either direction that has flashing red lights and stop signs displayed.
Slow down in school zones; slow down and prepare to stop if the bus is flashing its yellow lights; that means the bus is preparing to stop.
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, just as we did with today's photo from Michelle Wessely. 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.
