Director to Speak at D10 Meeting
Kathy Lantry (Photo: twincities.com)
Saint Paul Public Works director Kathy Lantry will be the guest presenter at the Como Community Council board meeting this Tuesday, Sept. 17. She'll give a brief update on issues such as street repairs, crosswalks, leaf-sweeping, and consolidated trash, and answer residents' questions on those and other topics. 

The meeting begins Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other community members are welcome to attend and participate. Preliminary agenda  (If technology cooperates, we'll also  stream the meeting live  on the Como Community Council Facebook page.)
Special Election Will Fill Board Vacancy
The Como Community Council Board holds a special election this Tuesday, Sept. 17, to fill the seven months remaining in the term of vice chair. Only one candidate -- current Sub-District 4 board member Cody Zwiefelhofer -- filed by the Sept. 10 deadline to get on the ballot. You can read his candidate statement and find out more about election procedures on our website. Under District 10's bylaws, additional candidates can be nominated before the election on Tuesday; they will be write-in candidates.

Want to vote? The election will be at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other residents age 16 or older who live in District 10 are eligible to vote. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10. Community members must vote in person; there is no absentee or proxy voting.
Park Bugle Won't Be Automatic Anymore
Beginning this month, residents and businesses in Como no longer will get the Park Bugle community newspaper delivered automatically each month -- unless you request it. The Bugle is switching from doorstep delivery to mailbox delivery. But in District 10 (from Snelling east to Dale, and from Larpenteur south to the railroad tracks) free delivery will continue only if you sign up. To make sure you get the Bugle delivered, fill out the online form ASAP. The first mail delivery is scheduled for this week.
Library's Homework Centers Reopen
Homework Centers reopen this Monday, Sept. 16, at many Saint Paul Public Library locations, including Rice Street and Rondo. The free centers have computers, printers, reference books, school supplies, and tutors for students.
You Can Harvest Seeds for the Future
A " seed squad" event -- in which individuals and groups harvest native seeds -- takes place this Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. The seeds you collect will be redistributed in natural areas throughout Saint Paul to increase diversity of plants for wildlife and pollinators. Show up anytime Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kilmer Fireplace, 1151 Wynne (across from McMurray Field). Let them know you're coming
Hazardous Waste Disposal Got Easier
Ramsey County sets up a temporary hazardous waste collection site every Friday and Saturday in September on Como Ave. west of Snelling and south of the Fairgrounds. If you've got solvents or other chemicals that say Caution, Warning, Danger, or Poison on the label, those are good candidates. So are batteries, cell phones, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, mercury thermometers, paint, propane tanks, and used motor oil and filters. 

The site operates Fridays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  See the complete list of what you can bring.  Disposal is free.  
Grab Some Free Compost, Mulch
Free, load-your-own compost and wood mulch are available at Ramsey County's Midway yard waste site, 1943 Pierce Butler Route. The site is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Watershed District's Grants Can Help
Capitol Region Watershed District is accepting applications for grant projects in 2020. Partner Grants provide funding of between $2,000 and $20,000 to organizations who educate the public and promote clean water activities. Capital improvement grants provide $40,000-$150,000 for engineering and construction projects that address water-quality issues.

The deadline to apply is Thursday Oct. 31. An informational session is planned for Thursday Oct. 10 from noon-1:30 p.m. at the watershed district's offices, 595 Aldine St.
Become a Master
Training begins in October for the next cohort of master water stewards -- residents who dream up, create, and bring to life projects that make a real difference in water health. The first deadline to apply is next Friday, Sept. 20. Find out what you need to know
Rec Centers Offer Baby-Sitting Training
Registration is open for Red Cross baby-sitting training at North Dale and Northwest Como recreation centers. The training, for youth ages 11-18, is $60. 
  • North Dale's training is next Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Register in person at 1414 N. St. Albans, or register online.
  • Northwest Como's training is Saturday Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Register in person at 1550 N. Hamline, or register online.
STAR Board Seeks Ward 1, Ward 4 Members
Saint Paul's Neighborhood STAR Board, which distributes roughly $2 million each year for neighborhood capital improvement projects, is looking for a member from Ward 1 and two members from Ward 4. Apply online
Moving Toward Construction
Twin Cities German Immersion School has a fact sheet with updates about demolition, construction, and traffic flow during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. 
Cyclists and Walkers Count
Saint Paul Public Works is looking for volunteers for the city's annual count of bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Counts take place this Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 17-19. Volunteers count at a designated intersection, path, or other location from 4-6 p.m. on one of those days. Find our more or sign up
The Detours Continue
  • Energy Park Drive: Just west of Snelling, the street is down to one lane in each direction while Xcel Energy installs a gas main. Work is expected to last into October.
  • Larpenteur Ave. (Snelling west to Highway 280): Concrete repairs continue to reduce much of the stretch to one lane in each direction. Repairs are expected to last through September; new striping will take longer than that.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Most of the parkway is still under construction from the Arlington intersection east toward Rice St.
No Rest for the Fairgrounds
  • Metro Transit Bus Road-eo: Through this Thursday, Sept. 19, parking lots south of Como Ave.
  • Minnesota 4-H Horse Show: Today-Monday, Sept. 13-16, Warner Coliseum. Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. this weekend; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16. Free public admission.
  • Model Railroad and Hobby Sale: This Saturday, Sept. 14, Education Building. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • University of Minnesota Football Parking and Shuttle: This Saturday, Sept. 14, Robin lot south and east of Randall. The Gophers play Georgia Southern at 2:30 p.m.
  • Motorcycle Swap Meet: This Sunday, Sept. 15, parking lots north of Hoyt. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Minnesota United Parking and Shuttle: This Sunday, Sept. 15, lots south of Como Ave. 1:30-8:30 p.m. The Loons play Salt Lake at 4:30 p.m.
  • Western Saddle Clubs Horse Show: This Thursday-next Monday, Sept. 19-23, Warner Coliseum. Free public admission.
In Case You Haven't Heard
  • This Saturday, Sept. 14: Citywide Drop-off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Harding High School, 1540 E. 6th St. An opportunity to get rid of junk you can't put in your trash cart. (Volunteers make the event a success, receive free food and beverages -- and get to dispose of one load for free; to volunteer, call the District 1 Community Council at 651-578-7600.)
  • This Saturday, Sept. 14: The Jorgensens' album release show: "The Lexington Stretch," 7-9 p.m. Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N. Lexington. $15
  • This Sunday, Sept 15: Out of the Darkness Twin Cities Walk, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Main picnic pavilion and lake walking paths in Como Regional Park. Shuttle buses run from the State Fairgrounds lots south of Como Ave. Free-will donation.
  • This Tuesday, Sept. 17: "Practicing Allyship" presentation by Michael Klein, associate professor of justice and peace studies, 7-8:30 p.m. St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1465 N. Victoria. Free.
  • This Wednesday, Sept. 18: City Council votes on whether to approve the business license, with 19 conditions, for Duke's Cars and Towing, 977 Front Ave.; and whether to approve a sound-level variance for the Run Like a Girl event on Sept. 29 in Como Regional Park. Meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in the third-floor City Council chambers in City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. 
  • This Wednesday, Sept. 18: Roundtable discussion with candidates for Saint Paul School Board, 7-8:30 p.m. East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St. Free, but seating is limited.
  • Next Friday, Sept. 20: Public hearing on City of Saint Paul's Hotel Zoning Study and proposed zoning code amendments, 8:30 a.m. City Hall Room 40, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 25: Como Lake Walking Tour, 6 p.m. Meet at the south side of the Lakeside Pavilion. Free.
  • Saturday, Sept. 28: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepard Road near Davern. (To volunteer, call the Highland District Council at 651-695-4005.)
  • Friday Oct. 4: Ward 1 City Council candidate forum, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Kolap Restaurant, 601 N. Dale. Free
  • Thursday Oct. 10: Ward 5 City Council candidate forum, 7-8:30 p.m. Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice St. Free
Talk it Over with Who's in Charge
The Western District's monthly community meetings are this Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at district headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. If you go, you'll meet command staff, hear about the latest crime trends in the city and district, be able to raise your individual concerns, and be able to grab all the crime prevention fliers you can use.  
Photo: T Boardman
Streetcar Station is Open Every Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open every Sunday in September from noon-4 p.m. It is a great chance to learn a little about the long-gone trolley system in the Twin Cities, about the history and visionaries behind Como and the city's overall park system, to pick up organics recycling bags or kitchen starter kits, or just to chat with a District 10 board member who is staffing the day. The Historic 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.