Ice Cream Social Kicks Off ComoFest
The Como Community Council's annual Ice Cream Social launches 2019's ComoFest next Friday, July 12. The free event features keeping the kids busy with such things as giant bubbles and face-painting; keeping the adults busy with music by the Incredible Shrinking Men from 5:30-7, or Shakespeare in the Park ("The Merry Wives of Windsor") by Classical Actors Ensemble at 7:00; and, of course, ice cream while supplies last. (The ice cream is sponsored by Thrivent Financial.)

In addition, the Ice Cream Social includes a ComoConnect resource zone, which gives you the opportunity to connect with two dozen community organizations, find resources, figure out where to share your skills, and even learn a few things.

Details: The District 10 Ice Cream Social runs 5:30-8 p.m. July 12 at the Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N. It's all free. (Vehicle parking is limited, so walk, car-pool, take the bus, or bike over if you can -- we'll have portable bike racks on hand to help out.)
And ComoFest Continues...
ComoFest features a double-header next Saturday, July 13.
The Como Park Pollinator Garden Tour runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wander at your own pace -- for free -- and admire 10 public and private gardens in the neighborhood that prove making pollinator preservation a priority doesn't sacrifice beauty.

While admiring everything from private pollinator havens to a vegetable-producing community garden, you can learn (from Ramsey County Master Gardeners, WildOnes members, and other experts) the kinds of secrets that make these gardens especially attractive to our hardworking, beautiful, and buzzy neighbors. Along the way, there will be mindful social art-making with The Folding Bee, and more. Online and downloadable maps to guide you will be available later this weekend at ComoFest.org.

Also on July 13, the annual ComoFest Art Fair returns to the promenade at the Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway. Vendors feature original art, prints, photos, jewelry, fiber and clothing, paper craft, glass, and more. Admission is free; the fair runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Rearrange Your Plans for the Festival
The annual Hmong International Freedom Festival arrives in Como Regional Park this weekend, July 6-7.  Here are some adjustments we need to make as a result:
  • Fences are up south of Como Ave. in the McMurray Field, Pool, and Woodland areas. Access to that part of the park will be by admission only on Saturday-Sunday, and more difficult until then. (Fencing is supposed to be gone by Friday July 12.)
  • To reduce congestion and ensure access for public safety vehicles, there will be one-side-only parking on many local streets this weekend. Look for the "no parking" signs pounded into the boulevard. Parking will be restricted all day July 6-7 on most streets south of the lake, east of Lexington and north of Front. Parking restrictions also take effect between Snelling and Hamline: from Wynne extending north, in some cases, all the way to Arlington. (See the map.) 
  • The festival has a sound-level variance for festival days allowing loudspeakers from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. A sound check is allowed this Friday, July 5, from 3-6 p.m.
For the record: It's not the State Fair yet, which means you cannot legally park cars on your lawn during the Hmong festival.
Organics Recycling Site Closed for Weekend
Because of the Hmong festival, there will be no access to the 24/7 community organics recycling site in Como Park this weekend. Beulah Lane closes this Friday-Sunday, July 5-7. Residents can take household organics to one of Ramsey County's yard waste sites; the closest ones are at 1943 Pierce Butler Route and 870 Pleasant Ave. These sites are open Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Judge Deliberates Demolition Injunction
After two-and-a-half days of hearings this week, it's now up to Ramsey County District Judge Jennifer L. Frisch to decide whether or not to block demolition of the former St. Andrew's church building. Twin Cities German Immersion School officials told the court they expect to have permits in hand that would allow demolition as soon as July 15. Frisch says she intends to issue a decision before then. ( Get more details)  Meanwhile, both sides head into mediated discussion with retired Judge John B. Van De North on July 10-11. 

Preservationists are seeking injunctions under state law that would prevent the school from tearing down the former church. Barring court intervention, the school says, it intends to tear down the church structure and begin pouring footings and a foundation as soon as it obtains demolition and construction permits from the city.

School representatives told the court they are in a rush for two reasons: so demolition is finished before school resumes in August, and so construction is as far along as possible before winter.

The school's timetable also means demolition and construction would begin before the school has its financing in place. The school expects to finance its project using conduit revenue bonds from the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The preliminary hearing on the school's bond request is scheduled for July 24. HRA is scheduled to vote on the bonds Aug. 14.
Staying in Town?
Saint Anthony Park's annual Fourth of July celebration brings old-fashioned fun back to the holiday. The morning starts with 2- and 4-mile runs at 8 a.m. The city's oldest parade rolls out at 11 a.m. Thursday on Como Ave., complete with fire trucks, classic cars, and decorated bikes. The parade ends at Langford Park, where you'll find food trucks, speeches, music, pony rides, volleyball, horseshoes, bags, tennis, classic races and more. It's free, except for the end-of-the-day happy hour, which runs 4-6 p.m. in the Sunrise Bank parking lot; that will cost adults $20 to sample brew from Rush River.
Holiday Delays Recycling, Trash
Because of the Independence Day holiday, recycling pick-up is one day later than usual this week. Eureka will empty the blue bins this Saturday, July 6, instead of on Friday, July 5. For residents east of Hamline, trash pickup also is delayed until Saturday. (For residents west of Hamline, trash pickup does not change.)
Music (and a Musical) at the Pavilion
  • Today, Wednesday, July 3: Beer Choir, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, July 4: Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Daddy Squeeze, 7 p.m.
  • This Friday-Sunday, July 5-7: Rosetown Playhouse Presents "Newsies," 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. (Also next Thursday-Sunday, July 11-14). Tickets: $10-$15
  • This Sunday, July 7: Stan Bann's Big Bone Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, July 8: Fridley City Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, July 9: Barbershop Chorus Extravaganza, 7 p.m.
  • Next Wednesday, July 10: Minnesota Sinfonia Family Lighter Side Concert, 7 p.m.
Events are free (except when they're not). Find out more about the performers -- or get an advance look at the mix of local artists and traditional bandstand performers -- on Spring Cafe's website.
The Week Ahead at the Fairgrounds
  • Minnesota United park-and-ride: Today, Wednesday July 3. Parking lots south of Como Ave. are open for tailgating and shuttle buses from 4-11 p.m. The soccer match vs. San Jose is at 7 p.m. at Allianz Field.
  • Color Run: This Sunday, July 7, Carnes and Nelson Streets. 9 a.m. Entry fee: $29.99-$34.99, depending on how much swag you want. (To minimize the impact of traffic on the neighborhood, one-sided parking will be in effect from 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday from Snelling east to Pascal and from Hoyt south to Wynne, as well as on Winston, Breda, and Wynne west of Snelling. In case you've noticed, many of these streets already are covered by the restrictions for the Hmong festival.)
  • Machinery Hill Criterium Race Series: This Tuesday, July 9, 5-8:45 p.m., roads throughout Fairgrounds. Bicycle races for men, women, juniors, and masters. Entry fee: Adults, $25; juniors, $15.
  • MAQHA Corporate Challenge Horse Show: Next Wednesday-Sunday, July 10-14, Warner Coliseum.
  • Minnesota State Fair Job Fair: Next Wednesday, July 10, 4-8 p.m. Progress Center.
Still on the Calendar
  • Today, Wednesday July 3: District 10's monthly Land Use Committee meeting is cancelled.
  • Today, Wednesday July 3: Groovin' in the Garden with The Shakletons. The music, lawn games, climbing wall, and bounce house are free from 6-8 p.m. Pack a picnic, or buy food, ice cream, soft drinks, beer, or wine. Everything happens outside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory; if it rains, activities move inside.
  • This Friday, July 5: Deadline to nominate private gardens in Saint Paul for annual Blooming Saint Paul awards. There are seven categories; find out more, or go straight to the nomination form.
  • Next Wednesday, July 10: Groovin' at the Garden, 6-8 p.m. Marjorie McNelly Conservatory. Featuring Main Street Bayou.
An Uncomfortable Topic
As children get more "free range" time during the summer, make sure they know when they should seek help and from whom they can seek help if you're not around. Saint Paul Police offer this advice: Seek help if:
  • You are lost
  • Someone is following you
  • A stranger approaches you, asks you to go with them, or offers you something
  • Someone bullies you or tries to start a fight
  • You feel unsafe or uncomfortable for any reason
Also, make sure children know where they can seek help. Suggestions include a recreation center, a library, a neighbor or relative they know, or a police officer or firefighter.
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.
Photo: T Boardman
Streetcar Station is Open Every Sunday
For the rest of the season, the Como Park Streetcar Station is open every Sunday from noon-4 p.m. It is a great chance to learn a little about the long-gone trolley system in the Twin Cities, about the history and visionaries behind Como and the city's overall park system, to pick up organics recycling bags or kitchen starter kits, or just to chat with a District 10 board member who is staffing the day. The Historic 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.