There's always another day: Donell Keaton makes one last cast before giving up on catching anything else one morning this week on Como Lake.
It's Another Soundset Sunday
Logic, Migos, Atmosphere, Tyler the Creator, Ice-T, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Erykah Badu, and Wu-Tang Clan are among the 50 performers lined up for this Sunday's
Soundset festival at the State Fairgrounds. We're used to this by now, but a quick rundown:
Hours: The hip-hop festival runs from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. May 27 on the west end of the Fairgrounds. The Snelling Ave. gate is closed; the festival is using entrances on Como Ave. and west of the Grandstand. But if past years are any indication, not all the fans are paying attention.
Parking: Festival-goers get free parking at State Fair lots. They can get free rides on Metro Transit. They can take shuttles from the Stadium Village lot at the University of Minnesota. That doesn't mean they take advantage of these options. So, to keep things a little more sane in the neighborhood, one-sided parking is in place Sunday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. in two areas: From Hoyt south to Como between Hamline and Snelling, and the parts of D10 south of Como and west of Pascal. Signs are already up on designated streets, so pay attention.
Sound:Sound checks are scheduled today from 1-3 p.m.,Saturday from 1-6 p.m., and Sunday beginning at8 a.m. During the festival, real-time sound-monitoring will take place on the Fairgrounds and in the neighborhood. "The staff monitoring the sound will be in constant communication with the sound booth to modify sound levels throughout the day, adjusting for weather and other factors that affect how sound travels," organizers say. This will allow the festival to reduce excessive sound in the neighborhood. Once again this year, one of the primary stages is repositioned to better disperse sound.
Trash: Festival staff plan to be in the neighborhood throughout the day cleaning up.
Access: Some restrictions today, Friday May 25. The Fairgrounds and University of Minnesota Transitway are closed to the general public Saturday through Monday.
Comments, complaints, suggestions: A hotline will be staffed Sunday from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Call 651-288-4500.
Barricades Going Up on Lexington, Como
Ramsey County continues rebuilding pedestrian ramps this week at intersections in two parts of the neighborhood:
Lexington Parkway from Larpenteur Ave. south to Montana
Como Ave. from Lexington Parkway west to Hamline
During the sidewalk construction, both roads will remain open, though the curb lane might close for stretches to make room for workers and equipment.
Later this summer, both stretches will receive a mill-and-overlay resurfacing of the roadway itself.
Photo: Loopnet
Event Center Idea Goes Kaput
Utah-based Falls Event Centers has abandoned its plans for Bandana Square and
sold the property at 1217 Bandana Blvd. The company had intended to convert the "chimneys" building into a 20,000-square-foot event and corporate-training facility. A spokesman says the new owner, Champlin-based Triumph 3 LLC, expects to announce its plans for the historic building in 30-90 days.
Lyngblomsten Schedules Major Renovation
Lyngblomsten expects to begin an extensive renovation of the north building of its care center in June. The project includes mechanical upgrades and significant remodeling of resident rooms, hallways, and commons areas. Plans include taking 12 beds out of service, leaving the building with a capacity of 225.
Later in the summer, Lyngblomsten also expects to reconfigure its
main parking lot and entrance off Almond Ave. If there's enough money available, CEO Jeff Heinecke says, the retirement community will look into building additional parking.
Trash, Recycling Alerts for June 1
Like it or not, next Friday, June 1, is the deadline to
mail back your postcard on what kind of trash service you want once the city begins
coordinated collection on Oct. 1. If you don't mail it back, you'll automatically get a 65-gallon cart with weekly pickup.
Speaking of next Friday: Because of the Memorial Day holiday, recycling in District 10 is delayed one day. Your blue cart will be emptied next Saturday, June 2, not Friday June 1 as usual.
More Summer Action in the Park
The miniature golf course on Midway Parkway opens this Saturday, May 26. This year, Wheel Fun Rentals is operating the course for the first time. Maintenance and repairs are still under way, so they're offering 20 percent discounts the first few days. Next year, expect a significant makeover: Their contract with the city requires them to invest at least $200,000 in the course by 2020.
Beginning this Saturday, May 26, Wheel Fun rents lakeside fun -- surrey bicycles, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards -- every day at the Pavilion. Hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. this weekend, then 10 a.m.-9 p.m. beginning Monday.
The annual Citywide Drop-Off at the State Fairgrounds is much earlier in 2018: It's not in October; instead, it's 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.
The best price:
If you volunteer to staff the event, you receive a voucher so you can get rid of a load of your junk
for free. We'll also keep volunteers 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: 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 so we can get you on the schedule. Deadline for seniors to sign up is next Friday, June 1.
Como Lake water quality is a focus of District 10's Environment Committee.
Moving Beyond Talking
Replacing pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in lawn and garden maintenance. Better recycling options in parks and other public spaces. Exploring sequestration options to fight the growing chloride threat to Como Lake. Exploring better leaf-clearing initiatives to fight the growing nutrient threat to Como Lake. Establishing a neighborhood "pollinator friendly" garden tour.
Those are ideas District 10's Environment Committee wants to pursue.
Interested in making them happen?Then talk and brainstorm with other neighbors this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.
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. The free event is next Sunday, June 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. Meet outside the Lakeside Pavilion.
Neighborhood Garage Sale is June 16
The 2018 Como Neighborhood Garage Sale (or yard sale, if you prefer) is later than usual -- as we cross our fingers for better weather than in the past few years. The sale is the weekend of June 16. If you're pulling together a garage or yard sale, and want to be listed on the neighborhood map,
register online. 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 will 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
John Eller (via Facebook)
This Week's Music on the Promenade
The free summer music season at the Lakeside Pavilion is underway.
Today, Friday May 25: Happy Hour with James Tyler O'Neill, 5 p.m.; Annie Mack, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, May 26: Sing-Along with John Eller's Piano Bar, 5 p.m.; The Dixie Dix, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, May 27: Rhythm Tap Dance Company, 11 a.m.; West Metro Big Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday, Memorial Day, May 28: Roseville Community Band, 4 p.m. Minnesota State Band, 5 p.m.
This Tuesday, May 29: Northeast Community Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, May 30: Happy Hour with Chris Lynch, 5:30 p.m.; DJ Fathertime (New Orleans R&B), 7 p.m.
This Thursday, May 31: Tap on Tap with Kaleena Miller, 5 p.m.; 7 Cats Swing, 7 p.m.
Next Friday, June 1: Jaedyn James and the Hunger, 7 p.m.
Next Saturday, June 2: Hero Search Cookie 5K, 8:30 a.m. Lakeside Pavilion. Act now, and Como residents can get $5 off their registration by using the code "ComoNeighbor."
Next Saturday, June 2: Cherry Tree Festival, 9-11:30 a.m. Mannheimer Memorial (the steps northwest of Lexington Parkway and Estabrook Drive).
Wednesday June 6: Opening night of Groovin' in the Garden, 6-8 p.m. Outside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.
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.
Friday June 22: Deadline to nominate publicly visible private gardens, trees, and art for a 2018 Blooming Saint Paul award.
We Can Help with Your Party
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.
Police Offer Customized Advice for Your Home
Saint Paul Police will conduct a free survey of your home to make you less susceptible to burglary. The
inspection will make recommendations on locks, lighting, windows, doors, and other "target hardening" security measures -- many of them simple and affordable. To schedule a premise survey, contact crime prevention coordinator Patty Lammers by phone at 651-266-5455 or
by email.
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 Annie, who is the District 10 board member on staff -- even this holiday weekend. 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.
