The truth about trees: Arborist Tim Morgan (right) leads a Como Park Tree Trek, the last installment of District 10's 2018 Sunday Series.
Fairgrounds Drop-off is Rain or Shine
The annual Citywide Drop-Off at the State Fairgrounds is this 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 for residents of Saint Paul or Falcon Heights to get rid of the junk they can't throw in the trash -- and do it at reasonable prices.
Find out what you can bringand how much it will cost (you must pay your fees in cash or with a check payable to "City of Saint Paul")
The event goes on rain or shine. Enter on the north end of the Fairgrounds, from Larpenteur Ave. a few blocks west of Snelling.
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).
The 2018 Como Neighborhood Garage Sale (or yard sale, if you prefer) is
next weekend, June 15-17. More than two dozen residents have good stuff you can take off their hands.
Take a look at our map and listing:
It will tell you where and when the sales are, and what's available at each sale. You can either download a PDF of the map and list, or connect to an interactive map that you can carry with you on your mobile device.
It's Not Too Late
The Como Community Garden still has two plots open for this growing season. The garden is at Almond and Asbury (just east of Snelling). Registration is $25 for the season. If you are interested, contact the District 10 office
by email or by phone at 651-644-3889.
Como Pool Opens Saturday
The Como Park pool opens this Saturday, June 9. A quick look at the schedule:
Open swim: Saturdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; weekdays, noon-8 p.m.
Swim lessons: Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon ($30 a week)
Admission to Como is $7 if you're over 4 feet tall, $6 if you're under 4 feet tall, or $24 for a family of up to five (plus an additional $4 each if you have a bigger family than that). It's $4 just to hang out on the deck.
Elsewhere In Saint Paul,
Phalen Beach and the Highland Park Aquatic Center also open Saturday.
Download the brochure for full details on all of it.
Stick Your Toes in the Sand
Life guards return to
Ramsey County beaches this Saturday, June 9. Guards are stationed from noon-8 p.m. at Lake Josephine, Lake McCarrons, Tony Schmidt, Long Lake, and White Bear Lake county parks. Unguarded beaches are open at Lake Gervais and Turtle Lake. Battle Creek Waterworks also opens June 9.
The beach and picnic areas at Lake Owasso are closed this year for renovation. The beach at Snail Lake is closed because of flood damage.
It's Time for Big Picture Thinking
The plans that shape our city -- that create the policy principles that will guide development for the next 20 years -- are being written right now. It's called the Comprehensive Plan, and the Saint Paul for All initiative wants to make sure you know what's going on. There are two open houses this week where you can learn what's in the draft, how you can suggest changes, and the timeline before the plan goes into effect:
This Saturday, June 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale.
This Tuesday, June 12, 5-7 p.m. Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave.
While you're thinking about it: Ramsey County also is drafting its next
Comprehensive Plan. Take a look at what the county has in mind, then
share your thoughts through an online survey.
About Getting to Those Other River Cities
If you are going anywhere near downtown Minneapolis on I-94, I-35W, or I-394 -- be aware that
major construction goes into hyperdrive this weekend. Some ramps and lanes will close entirely this weekend, some will close entirely this summer, and some will close for the next four summers.
Get details, detour advice, and a glimpse at the destruction and construction of 2.5 miles of freeway, 15 bridges, and more ramps than we can count.
If you're going anywhere near
downtown Stillwater -- be aware that
Highway 95 shuts down from Highway 36 north to Nelson St. beginning this Monday, June 11. Work is expected to last three weeks.
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, June 18-22 and July 9-13, 9 a.m.-noon each day, $150 each week.
Girls Ultimate, July 23-27, 9 a.m.-noon each day, $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 is $300.
Learn Pruning Skills from the Pros
The Saint Paul Forestry Unit 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 Tuesday June 19, from 6-9 p.m., at Forestry headquarters, 1120 Hamline Ave. N.
Bugs' Night Out gives kids a close look at lake life.
This Week in Como Park
This Saturday, June 9: Walk, Run & Roll 5K/3K, 9:30 a.m. Benefit for Friends of Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Start at the Midway Parkway Picnic Pavilions.
This Monday, June 11: The Como Shuttle begins running daily between the Visitors Center and the Como Ave. parking lots south of the Fairgrounds.
This Tuesday, June 12: Bugs' Night Out, 6-7:30 p.m. Lakeside Pavilion dock. Bug expert Brandon Burns gives children ages 6-11 a hands-on look at what lives in Como Lake and what that tells us about the lake's health and water quality. Free. (Children must bring an adult with them; to register, call Lindsay at the Capitol Region Watershed District at 651-644-8888, or email her.
This Wednesday, June 13: Groovin' in the Garden features Flowtus 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 season's full 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 Saturday June 23, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Como Park Streetcar Station. Register now
Erik Koskinen plays Saturday night. Photo: The Current
This Week's Music on the Promenade
The music and views are free:
Today, Friday June 8: Happy Hour with Chris Lynch, 5:30 p.m.; Siama Matuzungidi, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, June 9: Minnesota Craft Cider Festival with Pistol Whippin Party Penguins, 1 p.m.; Erik Koskinen, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, June 10: Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Capri Big Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday, June 11: Calhoun Isle Community Big Band, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, June 12: Centennial Community Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, June 13: Mariachi Los Soles, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, June 14: Happy Hour with Kaleena Miller, 5 p.m.; Robbinsdale City Band, 7 p.m.
Saint Paul Summer Beer Fest: This Saturday, June 9, International Bazaar. 1-5 p.m. $45-$60 ($10 if you're not drinking).
Region 10 Arabian Horse Association Championship Show: This Tuesday-next Sunday, June 12-17, Warner Coliseum. Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Free admission for spectators.
Machinery Hill Criterium Race Series: This Tuesday, June 12, 5-8:45 p.m. The bike races are back on various roads. Registration: $30 ($15 juniors)
Viking Antique Motorcycle Club National Meet: Next Friday-Saturday, June 15-16, Progress Center and Campgrounds. Hours: Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: Teens and adults, $5; children 12 or younger, free with a paying adult.
Heads up: Back to the 50s is back June 22-24.
Yikes, It's a Busy Week (and Beyond)
Today, Friday June 8: Great River School holds a block party to celebrate the last day of school, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Energy Park Lane behind the school.
Today, 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.
This Tuesday, June 12: Como Regional Park Advisory Committee's quarterly meeting, 6-8:30 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. Discussion includes updates on the park's emerald ash borer campaign, stormwater ponds, the upcoming crossing on Lexington Parkway, and District 10's audit of pedestrian paths and signs in the park.
This Wednesday, June 13: Cycles for Change leads a free Slow Roll community bike ride through Frogtown and Rondo, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Meet at Model Cities, 839 W. University.
This 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
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.
Friday June 22: Deadline to nominate publicly visible private gardens, trees, and art for a 2018 Blooming Saint Paul award.
Monday June 25: District 10 Parking Pressure Meeting-North, 6-7 p.m. Focused on the area between Hamline on the west, Larpenteur on the north, Victoria on the east, and Arlington on the south. Como Park Lutheran Church Fireside Room, 1376 Hoyt.
Monday June 25: District 10 Parking Pressure Meeting-South, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Focused on streets south of the lake and east of Lexington. Back room at Gabe's By The Park, 991 Lexington Parkway.
Register Early for National Night Out
Next Friday, June 15, is the last day for "early bird registration" for this year's National Night Out in Saint Paul. If you register your block party this week, you enter a drawing for a
party starter pack that includes a banner, lawn signs, apron, hyper balls, paper products, helium balloons, coloring books, crayons, chalk, and more.
Register online (National Night Out is Tuesday Aug. 7.)
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 Tim, 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.
