You can't hide: This Baltimore oriole didn't exactly blend in along the shoreline of Como Lake. Photo: Nile Fellows
Council Delays Vote on St. Andrew's Status
The City Council on May 22 delayed for two weeks a decision on whether to grant local historic designation to the former St. Andrew's church building.
The Council voted 6-0 to support the request by Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen, which
puts off a vote until June 5. Brendmoen says she intends to bring in a third-party mediator to seek a mutually acceptable solution to a conflict that has divided the neighborhood for more than a year. Brendmoen was working Friday to hammer out details of the mediation.
The preservation group Save Historic St. Andrew's is trying to gain
historic designation for the former church building, over the objection of its current owner, Twin Cities German Immersion School, which wants to tear down the building and
replace it with a gymnasium, cafeteria, and additional classroom and office space.
Brendmoen said both sides have been advocating "from a stance of absolutism" rather than engaging with each other. She said she is "pressing a pause button and asking both sides to come together one more time to seek a win-win solution."
Garage Sale: The Encore
Last weekend's rain and cold put the kibosh on many neighborhood garage sales. But, 15 participants are trying again, hoping Memorial Day weekend provides better results. Here's the list and map of what you can find where and when between May 24th and 27th.
Henricksen Elected to D10 Board Vacancy
Jill Henricksen was elected May 21 to fill a vacant At-Large position on the District 10 Como Community Council. That brings the board back up to full strength. In other action, the district council:
Supported a recommendation to allow Gabe's By the Park to modify its liquor license and add speakers for recorded music on its patio.
Endorsed a Neighborhood STAR Grant application by Community Involvement Programs. The organization is merging with Ally People Solutions; it intends to move its offices and open a training center at 1 Merrill Circle (1515 Energy Park Drive).
Yup, Memorial Day Weekend = Soundset
The annual
Soundset hip-hop festival is this Sunday, May 26, from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds. It's getting routine, but if you want to know more about sound (or noise, depending on your point of view), sound checks, access to the Fairgrounds (good luck), parking restrictions, trash, and how to leave suggestions or complaints,
see our web story.
Also going on at the Fairgrounds: Minnesota United park-and-ride, this Saturday, May 25. Parking lots south of Como Ave. will open for tailgating and shuttle buses from 4-11 p.m. The soccer match vs. Houston is at 7 p.m. at Allianz Field.
Grab a Paddle and Grab Some Trash
Bring (or rent) a canoe or kayak next Saturday morning June 1, and join other neighbors in pulling trash from Como Lake. If you don't want to be on the water, join us by walking the shoreline and cleaning up litter there.
Sign up here
We'll supply snacks, beverages, and equipment.
Join us anytime you can from 9 a.m.-noon June 1. The event is organized by the District 10 Como Community Council and supported by a grant from the Capital Region Watershed District.
Get Ready to Get Rid of Your Junk
The annual Citywide Drop-Off at the State Fairgrounds is Saturday June 8 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The Drop-Off, organized by Saint Paul and District 10, is a great chance for Saint Paul and Falcon Heights residents to get rid of the junk they can't throw in the trash (and to get rid of it for a reasonable price). Find outwhat you can bring to the Drop-Off and how much it will cost (or see the flier arriving in mailboxes this week).
If you are a senior: District 10 will attempt to pick up items in advance for senior citizens in the neighborhood. You pay for what you dispose, but the pick-up itself is free. Email District 10 or call 651-644-3889 so we can get you on the schedule.
Volunteer -- and Get a Bonus
Without volunteers, the Citywide Drop-Off event doesn't work. If you do volunteer to staff the event, you can get rid of one load of your own junk for free. We'll also keep volunteers well-fed and hydrated. Volunteers work a 3.5-hour shift; you can register here.
Recycling, Trash Pickup Delayed
Because of the Memorial Day holiday, trash and recycling pickup will be
one day later than usual this week. For residents west of Hamline, trash pickup will be Tuesday instead of Monday. For residents in the rest of District 10, trash pickup will be next Saturday, June 1, instead of Friday May 31. For the entire neighborhood, recycling pickup also will be
next Saturday, June 1.
For the community organics recycling site on Beulah Lane, pickup will be Tuesday instead of Monday -- so if the bins get full, don't panic.
Recycle Plastics the Smart Way
Yes, we want to recycle plastics. But not all plastics make the cut in Saint Paul.
Do not recycle these plastics in your blue cart:
Large plastics, such as laundry baskets, plastic lawn furniture, storage bins, plastic toys, and buckets larger than 3 gallons. Local facilities cannot handle these large items, and there are no good markets to recycle them.
#3, #6, and black plastic containers
Plastic bags and plastic packaging (however, you can bring bags to many retail stores, where they can be recycled separately)
A blue orchard mason bee. Photo: Brian Buckner Photography
Bees Star in Summer Exhibit
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory opens a new exhibit today, Friday May 24, focusing on bees, the plants that attract them, and the indispensable role pollinators play in our food supply. The exhibit -- a 2,500-square-foot greenhouse environment with curated plants -- features blue orchard mason bees, alfalfa leafcutter bees, and eastern bumblebees on display in covered enclosures.
Developing a district-wide Adopt a Drain campaign, wrapping up details for next weekend's Como Lake Clean-Up, and working through the checklist for July's Pollinator-Friendly Garden Tour are all up for discussion at this week's District 10 Environment Committee meeting.
The meeting begins 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. We'll post a preliminary agenda as soon as it is available.
Seeking good, pollinator-friendly gardens: The garden tour is July 13. The challenge: Organizers are short of gardens in South Como and Energy Park. If you know a garden there that deserves positive attention, let us know.
Send an email with contact information and pertinent details; we'll follow up.
Schiffman Fountain is Back Home
Parks and Recreation crews installed the refurbished
Schiffman Fountain sculpture south of the Lakeside Pavilion this week. As conservator Kristin Cheronis continues working on site over the next two weeks, Parks crews will test water jets, remove old lights, and install a new LED system. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday June 13 at 3 p.m.
Summer Ideas for Your Clan
When you recover from Memorial Day weekend, time to start thinking of things for the kiddos to do this summer when they don't have a controller in their hands.
The Saint Paul Public Library offers Summer Spark activities and challenges for youth of all ages; Spark Camps focusing on art, nature, STEM, and Minecraft activities for children ages 7-11; and Teen Summer Spark programs.
North Dale and Northwest Como recreation centers have an extensive list of one-day and ongoing summer activities, plus multi-day camps for children and teens.
Online and in-person registration opens next Saturday, June 1, for fall youth sports at Saint Paul Parks. Football, flag football, lacrosse, and soccer are on the schedule. There's a 25 percent discount if you register June 1, a 20 percent discount if you register June 2, and a 10 percent discount if you register June 3, 4 or 5.
Got a youth group or team of 15 or more looking for something productive to do? Contact Friends of the Mississippi River to schedule storm-drain stenciling. You get all the training and supplies you need, then spend 90 minutes legally painting on the street or gutter: "Keep 'em Clean / Drains to River" (or Lake or Creek, depending on where you are). You can also get educational door-hangers for nearby residents and businesses.
Metro Transit Adjusts Routes on June 8
Beginning June 8, Metro Transit is adjusting schedules on
Route 61, which is Larpenteur, Victoria, and Arlington in our neck of the woods. It also is adjusting schedules on
Route 84 (Snelling) and changing the loop that runs through our neighborhood. The bus will travel clockwise (Snelling to Midway to Pascal to Como) rather than use the counter-clockwise route it currently takes.
Also, sometime this summer, Metro Transit will add a
bus shelter on northbound Dale north of Front, and replace the shelter on southbound Dale at Como Ave. It also intends to replace the shelter on westbound Energy Park Drive at Bandana Blvd. (Apparently Metro Transit thinks we're rugged, however, because the new shelters won't have heat lamps.)
Chat with the Mayor about the Budget
Mayor Melvin Carter and his staff want residents to weigh in on what
city budget priorities should be in 2020. Here's where to do that face to face:
This Wednesday, May 29, Sun Ray Library, 2105 Wilson Ave., 5:30-7 p.m.
Next Saturday, June 1: Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave., 10-11:30 a.m.
Next Sunday, June 2: BlackStack Brewing, 755 Prior Ave. N, 3:30-5 p.m.
Thursday June 6: Villa Del Sol, 88 Cesar Chavez St., 5:30-7 p.m.
Monday June 10: Tracks Bar & Grill, 1091 Rice St., 5:30-7 p.m.
Local soul veteran Maurice Jacox performs Saturday. Photo: MPR
Music at the Lakeside Pavilion
Today, Friday May 24: Lila Ammons Jazz Group, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, May 25: Maurice Jacox, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, May 26: The Fairlanes, 3 p.m.; West Metro Big Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday (Memorial Day), May 27: Roseville Community Band, 3 p.m.; Minnesota State Band, 5 p.m.
This Tuesday, May 28: Centennial Community Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, May 29: Big George Jackson, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, May 30: Siama's Congo Music, 7 p.m.
Next Friday, May 31: Hilary Thavis/Doug Otto, 7 p.m.
Performances are free. The season's full mix of local artists and traditional bandstand performers is listed on Spring Cafe's website.
The Rest of May (and Beyond)
This Sunday, May 26: Como: Making a Global Impact lecture series: Turtles in Texas. 10:30 a.m. Como Park Zoo Visitor Center. Free
This Thursday, May 30: Stop for Me pedestrian safety demonstration, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Dale and Jessamine.
This Thursday, May 30: Public meeting on use of body cameras by Ramsey County sheriff's deputies, 6:45 p.m. East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St.
Saint Paul Police host a daylong training this week on keeping illegal activity out of rental properties. The session -- for landlords, property managers, or tenants -- covers landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities; fair housing laws; effective screening, lease, and eviction practices; crime awareness; fire safety; and working with city enforcement to maintain a safe and crime-free property. Participants then can sign up for a premise survey and tenant training at their building.
Details: The session runs 8:30-4:30 p.m. this Thursday, May 30, at central headquarter, 367 Grove St. To register,
email Ruth Ann Eide. Registration is $40. (The training will be offered again on Aug. 24 and Oct. 16.)
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community members can use for block parties, neighborhood, or family events. 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.
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.)
To reserve any of this equipment, call our office at 651-644-3889, or
send us an email.
Photo: T Boardman
Streetcar Station is Open Every Sunday
For the rest of the season, the Como Park Streetcar Station is open every Sunday 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.
