Lifetime habit: Brian Palmer flags down cars to park on his lawn during the State Fair. Brian has been part of the annual ritual for eight years at his current home on Midway Parkway, and says he's been parking cars since he was a kid helping his grandmother at her home on Snelling Ave. And, he says, he pays taxes on every dollar he pulls in. 
Auto Break-Ins Drive Increase in Crime
A soaring number of car thefts and car break-ins drove up crime in District 10 by 25 percent in the first six months of 2018. Between January and the end of June, more than five times as many vehicles were stolen in 2018 than in 2017: 67 vs. 12 in raw numbers. Theft from vehicles also soared: 98 in the first six months of 2018, compared with 61 during the same period of 2017. As too many social media posts remind us, a lot of this theft occurs when people leave their car running, leave their car unlocked, or leave valuables in plain sight inside their vehicle. 

Those car-related crimes largely explain why crime totals in District 10 rose to 388 reported incidents in the first six months of 2018, compared with 311 in the first six months of 2017, according to preliminary data from the Saint Paul Police Department.

Another trend of note: Home burglaries declined 25 percent. However, home burglaries where there was no forced entry rose. They now account for more than half of all home burglaries in the district. Police say these burglaries typically are the easiest to prevent. Instead, residents who leave doors, windows, or garages open create crimes waiting to happen.  Get more details , and charts of year-to-year comparisons, on District 10's website.
A Few More Days to Go 
It's been a struggle with peddlers, vendors, parkers, and golf carts operating illegally, but diligence by neighbors has prodded various Saint Paul departments to step up enforcement of rogue behavior. District 10's website still has a "cheat sheet" of what is allowed -- and isn't allowed -- during the State Fair. The guide covers street parking, lawn parking, peddlers, and vendors; and includes phone numbers to call about different issues.
  • After it's over: The Fairgrounds reopen to the public (for free) this Thursday, Sept. 6.
Como Road Work Begins Wednesday
Road construction begins this Wednesday, Sept. 5, on the stretch of Como Ave. in Como Regional Park, between Lexington Parkway and Hamline Ave. Ramsey County begins curb repairs this week; a full mill-and-overlay is scheduled for the week of Sept. 10. Parking will be banned on much of the street during much of the construction. 
Upon Further Review
Last week, Public Works told us the new electric scooters from Bird and Lime are allowed on bike paths in Saint Paul. That is true. However, Parks and Recreation points out that the scooters legally are considered motorized vehicles. That means they are not allowed on park trails. That means they are not allowed on trails in Como Regional Park or on Wheelock Parkway, for example.

Remember, the scooters are a pilot project approved by the City Council. As part of the pilot, Parks and Rec's Paul Sawyer tells us, "We are working to track and document feedback from both community members and our maintenance and operations staff to better understand their use and impact in our park system."
  • If you've got comments about the scooters and dockless bicycles that are related specifically to their impact -- good, bad, or mixed -- on parkland, email Cherisse Turner.
  • If you have comments about the dockless scooters and bicycles in general, email Public Works.
Mitra Jalali Nelson

Welcome Our New Councilmember
Mitra Jalali Nelson, newly elected Ward 4 City Council member, will be sworn in this Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 9 a.m. in Council chambers, on the 3rd floor of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. The public is invited; if you can't get downtown, you can watch it live on the web. (Ward 4 essentially is the part of District 10 west of Lexington and south of Hoyt.)
Land Use Meets Wednesday
Future development at Como, Front and Dale; a State Fair debrief; and, of course, the Twin Cities German Immersion School's expansion plans, are likely to be part of the discussion at District 10's Land Use Committee this Wednesday, Sept. 5. The monthly 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. 
Eureka logo
Heads Up on Recycling
Because of the Labor Day holiday, recycling will be delayed one day this week. So, put your blue bins out next Saturday, Sept. 8, not next Friday, Sept. 7 (unless you want them to sit around longer).
Roger Bergerson
Local Historian Roger Bergerson Dies
A memorial service for Como's unofficial historian, Roger Bergerson, will be on Wednesday Sept. 12. Roger died Aug. 15 in Rochester after a long battle with cancer. He is best known around here for his monthly columns in the Park Bugle newspaper, and for historical presentations he gave as part of District 10's Sunday Series, which drew hundreds of people. Roger was one of District 10's selections for the Saint Paul Neighborhood Honor Roll in 2015.

The informal get-together begins at 1:30 p.m. at the visitors' center at Silverwood Park, 2500 County Road E, St. Anthony.
Stretching Out Beyond Labor Day
District 10's next quarterly Community Yoga will be next Sunday, Sept. 9, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station. The session will be suitable for all levels of skill and experience. Bring a yoga mat or blanket, and wear comfortable clothes. The class is limited to 25 participants, so register now. The $5 donation benefits the Como Community Council.
Como Lake Survey Still Available
The Capitol Region Watershed District is still seeking your ideas about what they should emphasize as they update their Como Lake Management Plan. Their three-question survey is available until next Friday, Sept. 7.
Zoo, Conservatory Start Construction
Now that peak season is over, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory are undertaking two more construction projects this fall. The most visible is Cleveland Court, a new plaza northwest of Cafesjian's Carousel. The Conservatory is expanding inside its Japanese garden by adding deck space, seating, and an exit path. These projects are in addition to the massive rebuild of Como Harbor; that new, $20 million exhibit for seals and sea lions is on schedule to open late in 2019. 
Café Accordion Orchestra returns (appropriately, based on their name) to Spring Café Thursday.
This Week at Spring Cafe
Things are winding down for the season at the Lakeside Pavilion. For example, Labor Day (this Monday, Sept. 3) is the last day to enjoy ice cream from Sweet Science or hop on a surrey or watercraft from Wheel Fun Rentals. But music does continue on the Promenade; all these shows are free:
  • Today, Friday Aug. 31: Saddle Sores, 7 p.m.
  • This Saturday, Sept. 1: Matt Jennings, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, Sept. 4: Capital City Wind Ensemble, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, Sept. 5: Elijah Johnson, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, Sept. 6: CafĂ© Accordion Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, Sept. 7: 2 Girls and a Boyd, 7 p.m.
Also, next Saturday, Sept. 8, Spring CafĂ© hosts the annual live re-creation of  The Last Waltz. The concerts begins at 6 p.m. It features nearly two dozen musicians as The Band and other legends. Tickets are $15 (plus service charge). More details
Open Another Page of the Calendar 
  • Today, Friday Aug. 31: Deadline for teens in Grades 9-12 to apply for Wilder Foundation's Youth Leadership Initiative.
  • Sunday Sept. 9: Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour. Includes a route through District 10, and a rest stop at Spring CafĂ© featuring the Roe Family Singers.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 11: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. (Rescheduled to avoid conflicts with the Labor Day holiday.)
  • Thursday Sept. 20: Seed Squad gathering, 5-7 p.m., Como Woodland Outdoors Classroom.
Business Council Needs a Vision
Saint Paul's Business Review Council holds its annual visioning session this Wednesday, Sept. 5. The session will seek suggestions to support business activity in the city and priorities for the year(s) ahead.  The session is part of the council's monthly meeting, in the Minnesota Room of the 16th floor conference center in the U.S. Bank Building, 101 5th St. E. The meeting begins at 8 a.m.; the visioning session is expected to run from 8:30-9:30.  (Validated parking is available for the Lowertown Ramp, in the TPT2 building on Jackson St.)
Streetcar Station is Open Sunday
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 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. 

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