Lauri Richardson; her dog, Maple; and friend Heather carefully cross East Como Boulevard at Nagasaki during a Stop for Me pedestrian safety event this week.
State Fair Do's and Don'ts
Especially for those of you who live near the State Fairgrounds, District 10 has created a
"cheat sheet" of what is allowed -- and isn't allowed -- in the neighborhood during the 12 days of the Fair. The guide covers street parking, lawn parking, peddlers, and vendors; includes phone numbers to call about different issues; and offers general advice from neighbors on common courtesy and making the most of the congestion and crowds. You can
find the guide, including a downloadable PDF and code citations, on District 10's website.
Vote Tuesday -- or Earlier if You Want
Statewide primarily elections are this Tuesday, Aug. 14. Polls in your assigned precinct are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. The ballot includes:
2 elections for U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Minnesota governor and lieutenant governor
Minnesota attorney general
Ramsey County Commissioner in District 3
Several District Court seats
There also is a
special election for the Saint Paul Ward 4 City Council seat.
County residents who can't wait until Tuesday can vote early at the Como Park Streetcar Station or 10 other locations. Early voting hours are noon-6 p.m. today, Friday Aug. 10; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 11; and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. this Monday, Aug. 13.
Twin Cities German Immersion School is surveying neighbors, school families, and members of the public on what design elements they might prefer in the school addition that will replace the former Saint Andrew's church building. You can find a link to the survey in
this brief article on the school's expansion website. The survey remains available until Saturday Aug. 25.
Taking Nothing for Granted
Two minutes. It doesn't even take that long to be reminded what a treasure Como Lake is to our neighborhood -- and what is at risk if water quality degrades too far.
Watch a new video from the Capitol Region Watershed District. Then we can start the next conversation.
For Us, Garbage Carts are Weeks Away
The latest from the city is that we won't have to store new garbage carts for too long. In part to avoid State Fair congestion, the city won't deliver new carts to residents in District 10 until
mid- to late September. We begin using them Monday Oct. 1.
A Silver Lining for School Supplies
Dreading back-to-school shopping? The whole adventure might be less painful if you get tax credits for basic school supplies. Save those receipts, and
get all the information you need from Prepare + Prosper's Claim It! program.
Habitat Takes Exterior Painting Applications
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications from homeowners who want to participate in the "Brush with Kindness" program. Staff, volunteers, and contractors will do exterior painting for selected homeowners. Among qualifications: homeowners must have been in their home for at least two years, have homeowners insurance, and have a household income below 80 percent of the Twin Cities median. Participants agree to a two-year, monthly repayment plan, or a 10-year forgivable loan. You can
apply and get more information online. The deadline is Monday Aug. 27.
Parts of 35W Will Vanish Again
MnDOT is shutting down I-35W in both directions again this weekend -- but "only" from downtown Minneapolis to County Road C. Highway 280 also has reduced access. The particulars:
35W is supposed to close from 9:00 tonight, Friday Aug. 10, until 5 a.m. this Monday, Aug. 13. Access ramps will begin closing an hour before that.
You can get to southbound 280 from westbound Highway 36, but you can't get to 35W from westbound 36.
You can get to southbound 280 from southbound 35W, but you can't get to northbound 280 from I-94. You can get on and off of 280 at local entrance and exit ramps.
Lexington Parkway: Resurfacing of Lexington south of University Ave. begins this week. Ramsey County intends to repave from University to St. Anthony this Tuesday, Aug. 14; from Concordia to Marshall on Wednesday; then keep marching south day by day, all the way to James Ave. The project is supposed to wrap up by Aug. 17.
Time to Distinguish Yourself?
The Wilder Foundation is recruiting applicants to its
Neighborhood Leadership Program. The program provides in-depth training of diverse leaders from across the city to develop their skills and promote effective action. Training involves 14 sessions between September 2018 and March 2019.
The program is open to anyone age 16 or older; priority is given to applicants who live, work, or volunteer in Saint Paul. Cost is $250. The application deadline is Friday Aug. 24, 5 p.m.
Just for teens:Friday Aug. 31 is the deadline for teens in Grades 9-12 to apply for Wilder's Youth Leadership Initiative.
Can You Find Your Way to Our Survey?
Walking, bicycling, or rolling around Como Park? We want to know what it's like for you. Our survey is looking for your experiences and ideas about signs, paths, and generally getting from one part of the park to another.
You can
take the survey online (in English, Spanish, Hmong, or Somali). Or you can take the survey in person when our crews are out at different parts of the park. Or look for the lawn signs we've got planted along various paths, scan the QR code with your mobile device, and take the survey at your convenience.
Greg Koch plays a big role in the guitar festival.
A Festival for the Geographically Uncertain
It's called the
Lowertown Guitar Festival. But this year it happens in Como Park. (There's a story, but we won't get into it.)
The festival highlights the guitar -- and so many of the ways it is played. The day includes large concerts on the main stage; small concerts at the Hamm Waterfall, on a dockside stage, and even on a floating stage; an exhibit area; a workshop by Greg Koch; and a raffle for guitars and accessories.
Featured musicians include headliner Sunny Day, Iraida Noriega, the Greg Koch Duo, Lonesome Dan Kase, Thomas Nordlund, Mike Michel, Siama Matuzungidi, Paul Metzger, Jake Hanson and James Buckley, Greg Herriges, Berta Rojas, and the MacPhail Student Ensemble.
It all takes place next Saturday, Aug. 18, from 2-9 p.m. in and around the Lakeside Pavilion. The best part: It's free.
Here's what's going on for free on the Lakeside Pavilion Promenade (or nearby) this week:
Today, Friday Aug. 10: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.; The Dollys, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, Aug. 11: Lau Hawaiian Collective, 7 p.m.; Movies in the Park: "Moana," 8:30 p.m.
This Sunday, Aug. 12: Honeywell Concert Band, 3 p.m., Lex-Ham Community Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday, Aug. 13: Trailer Trash, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, Aug. 14: Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, Aug. 15: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.; Happy Hour with Daddy Squeeze, 5 p.m.; Minnesota State Band, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, Aug. 16: The August version of "Alive at the Spring" features the Chris Koza Duo, along with modern tap dance by Kaleena Miller and a live band. 7 p.m.
Next Friday, Aug. 17: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.; Choir-aoke with Kith+Kin, 7 p.m.
The State Fairgrounds are shut down to the public until the Fair opens Aug. 23. During that time, you'll need an ID and a good excuse to get in.
Also Coming Up This Week
This Tuesday, Aug. 14: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. All renters, homeowners, and other community members are welcome to attend and participate.
This Wednesday, Aug. 15: Public hearing on accessory dwelling units, 5:30 p.m. Room 300, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
This Wednesday, Aug. 15: Minnesota Distance Running Association Como Park Relays, 6:45 p.m. Main picnic pavilion. Registration: $3-$5, depending on age. Different distances every Wednesday in August.
This Thursday, Aug. 16: Diversity Committee Summer Book Club discusses "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario, 6-7:30 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt.
A Matter of Inches
Some burglary prevention tips are pretty easy to follow. There are the basics: Don't leave doors, windows, storm doors, or garage doors open or unlocked. One simple step up from that: Make sure you
install good locks the right way.
Police recommend deadbolts with a 1-inch throw. Beyond the lock itself, upgrade your strikeplate: Make sure it's secured with at least four 3-inch screws, nothing shorter. This combination makes it more challenging for burglars to kick in or pry open the door. Do this for
all house and garage service doors.
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community members can use for block parties, neighborhood, or family events.
The street barricades are required by the city when you block off your street or alley -- but ours are a more-affordable option than getting them from Public Works.
Barricades require a $50 deposit. We return $40 when you return the barricades. Reservations are first-come, first-served. (To borrow our barricades, you must have an event permit from the city.)
You can borrow the recycling containers for free; there are two kinds:
For cans, bottles and other items you can include in your weekly recycling.
For food scraps and other compostable organics.
To reserve any of this equipment, call our office at 651-644-3889, or
send us an email.
Streetcar Station is Open Sundays
The exhibit space at the Como Park Streetcar Station is now open for the season every Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park, pick up replacement
organics recycling bags, or just share comments and suggestions with the District 10 board member on duty. 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.
