Right on schedule: There's nothing like a heat wave to get the peonies popping. Photo: Janna Caywood
See Trees in a Different Way
A Como Park Tree Trek wraps up this year's District 10 Sunday Series. Arborist Tim Morgan leads a walk to help us better identify and understand local tree species, their health, and the diseases and pests that affect them. Details: The free event is this Sunday, June 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. Meet outside the Lakeside Pavilion; look for the "Sunday Series" sign.
Committees Meet Back-to-Back Evenings
This Tuesday, June 5: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Discussion includes the July 13 ice cream social and the possibility of a pedestrian bridge on Hamline Ave. over the railroad tracks. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.
This Wednesday, June 6: District 10 Land Use Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. Discussion includes Twin Cities German Immersion School expansion plans, a sound variance for the annual Hmong festival, and a one-day outdoor liquor license for Gabe's by the Park. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.
About that June 1 Garbage Deadline...
Today, Friday June 1, is the deadline to
mail back the postcard you should have received to lock in your frequency of service and size of cart when the city starts
consolidated trash collection in October.
If you didn't get a postcard or can't find it, don't panic. Call 651-266-6101 (or 888-287-7998 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.). Be prepared to wait on hold or leave a message. City staff say they will reply to messages, but it may take a few days -- because they are receiving hundreds of calls. If you leave a message in time, don't worry about the deadline. And don't worry about not having the Cart Selection ID code the city website says you need. They can work around that.
If you currently have trash service and don't return the postcard, you will be renewed automatically with weekly service and the same size cart you have now.
If you currently do not have trash service and do not return the postcard, you will be signed up automatically for weekly service with a 65-gallon cart.
If you don't like your cart size, you are not stuck with it for life; you will be able to change cart sizes early in 2019.
Fairgrounds Drop-Off is Getting Closer
The annual Citywide Drop-Off at the State Fairgrounds is only a week away: next Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The Drop-Off, organized by Saint Paul Public Works and the District 10 Como Community Council, is a great chance to get rid of the junk you can't throw in the trash -- and do it at reasonable prices.
We're still signing up volunteers: If you volunteer to staff the event, you receive a voucher to get rid of one load of your junk for free. We'll also keep volunteers well-fed and hydrated.
Volunteers work a 3.5-hour shift, but please register in advance; we cannot accept walk-in volunteers the day of the event.
If you are a senior:Today, Friday June 1, is the deadline to request a senior pickup. District 10 will attempt to pick up items in advance for senior citizens in the neighborhood. You pay for what you are disposing, but the pick-up itself is free. Email District 10 or call 651-644-3889
today so we can get you on the schedule.
If you can't wait: If you're only trying to shred paper, or to get rid of electronics or appliances, you might be able to avoid a long line by taking that kind of stuff to a smaller drop-off event this Saturday, June 2, outside the Sears store at 425 Rice St. Hours are 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Shredding is free; other prices are the same as at the June 9 event.
Get Rid of Hazardous Waste, Too
Ramsey County brings its traveling hazardous waste disposal site to our neck of the woods every Friday and Saturday in June. 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. Disposal is free.
The site operates Fridays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Kent St. (just north of Larpenteur and less than a quarter-mile east of Dale).
Because of the Memorial Day holiday, recycling in District 10 is delayed one day this week. Your blue cart will be emptied this Saturday, June 2 (not today, Friday, as usual).
Neighborhood Garage Sale is June 16
The 2018 Como Neighborhood Garage Sale (or yard sale, if you prefer) is the weekend of June 16. But if you're pulling together a garage or yard sale, and want to be listed on the neighborhood map,
register online soon -- the deadline is this Thursday, June 7. Registration is $15.
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 Saturday June 23, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Como Park Streetcar Station. Register now
Good Taste Practically Drops in Your Lap
The
Minnesota Food Association is setting up a CSA drop location in the Como neighborhood this summer. The CSA membership (which stands for community supported agriculture) guarantees you fresh organic produce direct from the farm every week. Your food comes from Big River Farms in Washington County, which pools the output of small-scale farmers, many of them just starting on their own, including refugees and immigrants.
A full share is $695 for the 18-week season from mid-June to mid-October. A half-share is $415. A 9-week fruit share is an additional $550.
To order, use the code "Como Park" at checkout to receive $15 off your share.
Poster Puts Us Front and Center
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is the centerpiece of the poster promoting this year's
Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour. Artist Violeta Rotstein says she features the conservatory "because it is my favorite building in Saint Paul and love how it is accessible to everyone due to the free and donation-based admission."
Registration is open for the Sept. 9 ride; the lowest prices are available until July 25.
The Cherry Tree Festival celebrates Saint Paul's sister city relationship with Nagasaki, Japan
This Week in the Park
This Saturday, June 2: Hero Search Cookie 5K, 8:30 a.m. Lakeside Pavilion. If you don't run, stop by anyway and purchase Cookie Cart cookies!
This Saturday, June 2: Cherry Tree Festival, 9-11:30 a.m. Mannheimer Memorial. If you don't know what that is, look for the steps northwest of Lexington Parkway and Estabrook Drive.
This Monday, June 4: Walk to Remember, 6 p.m. East Picnic Pavilion and Lake Path. Includes a catered dinner afterward.
This Wednesday, June 6: Groovin' in the Garden opens its 2018 season with the Innocent Reggae Band from 6-8 p.m. Free music, lawn games, climbing wall, and 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
Capture the Flag is available for the young and not-so-young.
There's Fitness in the Parks, Too
Free "Fitness in the Park" activities start this week. What's available locally:
Capture the Flag: Mondays from 8-11 p.m. Meet near the Midway Parkway picnic pavilion.
Capture the Flag for Kids: Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon (begins June 8). Meet at the west picnic shelter near the Como Regional Park playground.
Get Fit Quick Blast: Saturdays, 10 a.m. (begins June 9). Meet outside the Como Lakeside Pavilion.
Get Fit Quick Blast: Every other Wednesday, 5 p.m. (begins June 13). Marydale Park.
Rise and Flow Yoga: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. (begins June 12). Meet near Schiffman Fountain.
On the first Tuesday of every month -- which means this week, June 5 -- Como Zoo and Conservatory open one hour early for visitors age 55 or older. "
Senior Stroll" time lets you exercise, soak in the surroundings, or soak in a little knowledge from special activity stations -- all before the wheeled stroller crowd gets in. Senior Stroll is free from 9-10 a.m.
Heart of the Beast performs Saturday at noon
This Week's Music on the Promenade
The music and views are free:
Today, June 1: Jaedyn James and the Hunger, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, June 2: In the Heart of the Beast "The Way of the Monarch," noon; Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir, 4 p.m.; Cold Cold Heart, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, June 3: Dust of Sons, 11 a.m.; Queer Music Consortium, 3 p.m.; Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday, June 4: Valle de Croix, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, June 5: Saint Paul Police Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, June 6: Happy Hour with Daddy Squeeze, 5 p.m.; Tina Schileske: A Crooner's Evening, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, June 7: Beer Choir, 7 p.m.
Next Friday, June 8: Happy Hour with Chris Lynch, 5:30 p.m.; Siama Matuzungidi, 7 p.m.
High school students (including seniors who are graduating) can get a Summer Student Pass that offers unlimited access to Metro Transit buses and light-rail trains for $29. Passes are effective from today, June 1, through Sept. 4, from 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Get all the details on how to get a pass and how to use it.
Soundset Kept It Quiet, Didn't They?
With the Soundset festival in the rear-view mirror for the year, it's back to less-crowded events at the State Fairgrounds for a few weeks:
Artists' Market: Today-Saturday, June 1-2, Fine Arts Center. Hours: today, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
International Gem and Jewelry Show: Today-Sunday, June 1-3, Progress Center. Hours: Today: noon-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $8 (online discounts are available)
Mini Maker Faire: This Saturday, June 2, Grandstand. 10 am.-6 p.m. Admission: $20; students and seniors, $15; youth, $10; children 4 or younger, free. Bundles and other online discounts are available in advance.
Stamp and Scrapbook Expo: Next Friday-Saturday, June 8-9, Education Building. Hours: Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $8-$15 (online discounts are available)
No Lazy, Hazy Days Here
Next Friday, June 8: Great River School holds a block party in celebration of the last day of school, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Energy Park Lane behind the school.
Next Friday, June 8: Hmong College Prep Academy also holds a block party in celebration of senior commencement, 6-9 p.m. Brewster between Pascal and the Snelling Service Road.
Next Saturday, June 9: Open House for Saint Paul's draft Comprehensive Plan, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale. Learn what's in the draft, how you can suggest changes, and the timeline before the plan goes into effect.
Tuesday June 12: Another open house for Saint Paul's draft Comprehensive Plan, 5-7 p.m. Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave.
Thursday June 14: Safe Summer Nights, 5-7 p.m. North Dale Community Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. Saint Paul Police grill up hot dogs; mingle with residents; and let you get up close with their horse and motorcycle units, SWAT team, and other guests. Free
Friday June 22: Deadline to nominate publicly visible private gardens, trees, and art for a 2018 Blooming Saint Paul award.
Yes, You Can File a Police Report Online
If you need to report a crime but it's not an emergency, instead of calling it in, you can
file a report online. This is an option when there are no witnesses or obvious suspects, and the crime is long over. Typical examples are burglaries, auto break-ins, or vandalism. Dispatchers are likely to rate these incidents as a lower priority anyway, which means it could take hours for a squad to respond.
Filing a report yourself saves time, lets patrol officers focus on high-priority incidents, still allows police to track crime patterns, and gets you a case file you may need for insurance or other reasons.
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 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 Ryan, who is the District 10 board member on staff. 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.
