Carry on: More than 1,000 residents hauled their junk to the Fairgrounds last weekend. That's a 24 percent increase from 2017 -- and a new citywide record for any of the annual drop-off events. More than 80 volunteers from District 10 and elsewhere made it happen, including slogging on through rain.
The Ash Borer's Next Victims
Parks and Recreation expects to
cut down 218 more ash trees from Como Regional Park in late fall, adding to the toll of 245 trees removed in the park since 2016.
See a slide that shows which areas get hit the hardest.
All the doomed trees are infested with emerald ash borer and are declining or dead, the department says. All the trees are scheduled to be replaced in 2019 with different species.
Neighborhood Garage Sale is Now
The 2018 Como Neighborhood Garage Sale (or Yard Sale, if you prefer) is going on all weekend, June 15-17. Two dozen neighborhood residents have good stuff you can take off their hands.
Use this map to find out where and when the sales are, and what's available at each sale. You can either download a PDF of the map, or connect to an online, interactive version.
Language Arts Academy, a new charter school that focuses on early language development and literacy, opens in the Holy Childhood school space on Midway Parkway this fall. The school expects to start with pupils in pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade, and expand over time through 6th grade. It is authorized by the Minnesota Guild of Public Charter Schools, which oversees 11 other schools, including Career Pathways in Energy Park and Community School of Excellence on the old Linders' site on Larpenteur Ave.
It's Construction Season in the Fairgrounds
Within a few months, you won't recognize the north end of the State Fairgrounds. A summary of the destruction, construction, and relocation
immediately south of Hoyt:
The Pet Center is moving west one block, with a new open-air pavilion, demonstration area and, in 2019, a second, permanent pavilion.
The old Pet Center becomes a "food and drink destination" called The Hangar, which is what the building was a century ago.
The X-Zone, with its skateboard and BMX demonstrations, moves east to land east of Cooper that typically was used for special exhibits.
A new restroom opens at Underwood and Murphy.
A new sidewalk gets you around the block bounded by Underwood, Cooper, Murphy and Lee.
Sweet Martha's Cookies replaces its tent with a real building at Underwood and Randall.
At the other end of things, the Fair acquired the old CW television studio building at 1640 Como, which will become its employment office. That means after all these years, instead of just being a neighbor, the Fair actually has a physical presence in District 10.
What Do You Know about Crosswalk Law?
The University of Minnesota's HumanFIRST Laboratory -- which is doing extensive research in Saint Paul on how to increase pedestrian safety -- has an online survey to find out what drivers and pedestrians know about what they're supposed to do at crosswalks.
Take the survey (We've heard the last day to do so is this Monday, June 18.)
Lexington Road Work Begins
After teasing us for a week, real work is underway on the resurfacing of Lexington Parkway from E. Como Blvd. north to Highway 36. For the next week, expect signal work, curb replacement, and other concrete work. The actual mill-and-overlay is expected from June 27-July 2. The road will remain open, though individual lanes may close.
If you're heading toward the evil city: Don't forget to check for the latest
lane and ramp closures on I-35W and I-94 in and near downtown Minneapolis. This weekend, for example, 35W is shut down entirely between I-94 and Highway 62 beginning at 10:00 tonight, Friday June 15.
Gustavo Lira's first parking lot mural.
Making Twice the Impact
One look at the algae and vegetation taking over Como Lake should remind us that what we let flow into storm drains has consequences for the lake. This Saturday, artist Gustavo Lira reminds us in a different way, as he creates a second sewer grate mural in a lake parking lot.
Lira installed his first mural last October, based on ideas from Como residents. It was the first of its kind in the city. The response was so favorable that Friends of the Mississippi River, Saint Paul Public Works, and Como Regional Park are commissioning a second mural.
Details: Come on by, say "hi," and watch Lira work this Saturday, June 16, beginning at 10 a.m. He paints in the parking lot on the east side of the lake, where Lakeview Ave. dead-ends into East Como Lake Drive.
Photo: NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory
If You Can't Stand the Heat
If the heat and humidity predicted for this weekend become too much, don't hesitate to take this advice (or use these resources) from Ramsey County Emergency Preparedness:
Take advantage of official cooling centers. Centers in and near District 10 include North Dale, Northwest Como, Orchard Park, Griggs, and West Minnehaha recreation centers.
Limit outdoor activity.
Drink more water than usual.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Check on young children; older adults; and friends, neighbors and relatives who are more vulnerable, including those with a chronic illness.
Don't leave children or pets in a car.
Can We Deal with the Pressure?
District 10 is looking at ways to deal with the pressures that the State Fair and major events put on parking. On Monday, June 25, we'll have two similar meetings to explore challenges in different parts of the neighborhood.
Get the details about which topics will be discussed at which meeting.
Parking Pressure Meeting (North): Focuses on streets between Hamline on the west, Larpenteur on the north, Victoria on the east, and Arlington on the south. This meeting is June 25 from 6-7 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt.
Parking Pressure Meeting (South): Focuses on streets south of the lake and east of Lexington. This second meeting on June 25 begins at 7:30 p.m. in the back room at Gabe's by the Park, 991 Lexington Parkway.
Thinking about Your First House?
NeighborWorks Home Partners has two types of free classes in the next week to get you started on buying a house.
HomeStretch is an eight-hour workshop that goes into the details of preparing for ownership and buying a house. The workshop is offered twice -- this Saturday, June 16, and next Saturday, June 23 -- from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1040 Como Ave.
Homebuyer Basics is a one-hour overview of credit, mortgage qualification, and getting started on home ownership. The class is this Tuesday, June 19, from 6-7 p.m. at NeighborWorks' offices, 533 N. Dale.
Learn Pruning Skills from the Pros
The Saint Paul Forestry Division is offering residents free training on pruning trees so you, too, can lend a hand to the city's beleaguered boulevard and park trees. The hands-on training is this Tuesday, June 19, from 6-9 p.m., at Forestry headquarters, 1120 N. Hamline.
Register now
Reach Your Ultimate Potential
Three camps of Ultimate Frisbee training take place this summer at McMurray Field.
Great River School is leading the camps, but they're open to anyone. Details and registration are available online. The schedule:
Mixed Ultimate, for boys and girls ages 11-16, this week (June 18-22) and again on July 9-13, 9 a.m.-noon each day. Fee: $150 each week.
Girls Ultimate, July 23-27, 9 a.m.-noon each day. Fee: $150.
The school also is offering
disc golf training July 30-Aug. 2 at four metro courses. The training is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
Fee: $300.
Blooming Butterflies will feature more than 100 species.
Fun Inside and Out
The annual flutter fest known as Blooming Butterflies opens today, June 15, at Como Zoo and Conservatory. Hundreds of butterflies from Africa, Asia and the Americas will fly freely in a 2,500-square-foot greenhouse filled with tropical plants. The free exhibit is open every day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Labor Day.
This Wednesday, June 20, Groovin' in the Garden features
Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders from 6-8 p.m. In addition to the free music, there are lawn games, a climbing wall, and a bounce house. Pack a picnic, or buy hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks, beer, or wine. Everything happens outside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory; if it rains, activities move inside.
See the full season line-up
Photo: Capitol Region Watershed District
Join the Next Wave of Rain Gardens
Capitol Region Watershed District leads a hands-on workshop and scouting expedition to identify locations for the next wave of boulevard rain gardens in District 10. These types of gardens are one of the most cost-effective ways to collect and filter polluted street runoff before it reaches Como Lake. The best part: The selected locations could get rain gardens installed at no cost. Details: The free workshop is next Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m.-noon. Meet at the Como Park Streetcar Station. Register now
EnsĹŤ Daiko is one of the performers at the first Alive at the Spring variety show this Thursday.
This Week's Music on the Promenade
The music and views are free (except for Thursday):
Today, Friday June 15: The Dollys, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, June 16: Aar Maanta and the Urban Nomads, noon; classic rock sing-along with John Eller's Piano Bar, 5 p.m.; Cooker John, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, June 17: Irish Diplomacy, 11 a.m.; Dirty Shorts Brass Band, 3 p.m.; Brass Lassie, 7 p.m.
This Monday, June 18: Saints of Swing, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, June 19: Star of the North Concert Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, June 20: Happy Hour with Daddy Squeeze, 5 p.m.; Minnesota Sinfonia presents Mandolin Magic with Richard Kriehn, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, June 21: Alive at the Spring variety show (featuring EnsĹŤ Daiko, Russell Harris on Cyr Wheel, Ingeborg von Agassiz, Cyborg, Jello Slave), 6-9 p.m. $8
Next Friday, June 22: Twin Cities Jazz Festival Happy Hour with Zacc Harris Trio, 5 p.m.; Twin Cities Jazz Festival: Lila Ammons, 7 p.m.
Region 10 Arabian Horse Association Championship Show: Through this Sunday, June 17, Warner Coliseum. Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Free admission for spectators.
Viking Antique Motorcycle Club National Meet: Today-Saturday, June 15-16, Progress Center and Campgrounds. Hours: Today, Friday June 15, until 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: Teens and adults, $5; children 12 or younger, free with a paying adult.
This Saturday, June 16: CBS Radio Pet-A-Palooza, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. International Bazaar. Free
Next Friday-Sunday, June 22-24: Minnesota Street Rod Association Back to the 50s. Hours: Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: Teens and adults, $12 (discounts available); children 12 or younger, free with paid adult.
Don't Forget...
This Thursday, June 21: Community book discussion of "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, 6-7:30 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt.
Next Friday, June 22: Deadline to nominate publicly visible private gardens, trees, and art for a 2018 Blooming Saint Paul award.
Monthly Police Meetings are Tuesday
The Western District's monthly community meetings are this Tuesday, June 19, at district headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. The open meetings are at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 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.
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.
Photo: T. Boardman
Streetcar Station is Open Sundays
The exhibit space at the Como Park Streetcar Station is
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 Cari, who is 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.
