Meeting Focuses on Sholom Home Site
An early sketch of preliminary plans for rental units at 1554 Midway Parkway.
The newest plans for redevelopment of the former Sholom Home property, 1554 Midway Parkway, will be the focus of District 10's Land Use Committee meeting this week. Representatives of the new owner, Jeffrey Laux, expect to show updated and more detailed architectural sketches than were available at the September meeting. To make it easier for nearby residents to attend, the meeting will be at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church,  1460 Almond. The meeting begins Wednesday Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. 

Neighborhood Relations: District 10's Neighborhood Relations Committee meets the previous night, Tuesday Oct. 1, 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 in the meetings. Agendas will be posted on the District 10 website when they are available.
Live in South Como or Energy Park?
The Como Community Council Board is seeking candidates to fill a vacant seat from Sub-District 4 -- which essentially is South Como and Energy Park ( see the map). The candidate will fill the remaining six months of the term, until April 2020.

To get on the ballot, apply online no later than Tuesday Oct. 8. All renters, homeowners, and other residents age 16 or older who live in the sub-district are eligible to run. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in the sub-district.  The special election will be Tuesday Oct. 15. 
2 Forums for Ward 4 This Week
Ward 4 candidates for Saint Paul City Council will take part in two forums this week. ( Ward 4 includes the part of District 10 roughly west of Lexington.)
  • A "housing forum" is this Tuesday, Oct. 1. The free event runs 6:30-8 p.m. in Owens Science Hall, Room 150, at the University of St. Thomas. (The building is near the northwest corner of Grand and Cretin.) This forum is sponsored by the St. Anthony Park District Council, Union Park District Council, SPNN, the University of St. Thomas, and the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers.
  • A general forum is this Thursday, Oct. 3. The free event begins at 7 p.m. at the studios of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, 550 Vandalia. The forum is sponsored by the League of Women Voters St. Paul, SPNN, and Fair Vote Minnesota.
Candidates on the ballot in Ward 4 (in alphabetical order) are Chris Holbrook, Mitra Jalali Nelson, and Tarrance Robertson-Bayless.

Forums Scheduled in Ward 1
There are two candidate forums that we know about in Ward 1, which includes the part of District 10 south of Front and east of Lexington.
  • Next Friday, Oct. 4, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Kolap Restaurant, 601 N. Dale. Free
  • Tuesday Oct. 15, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St. (sponsored by the League of Women Voters St. Paul). Free
Candidates (in alphabetical order) are Anika Bowie, Liz De La Torre, Abu Nayeem, and Dai Thao.
Save the Date for Ward 5 Forum
A public forum for candidates running for the Ward 5 seat on the Saint Paul City Council takes place on Thursday Oct. 10 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice St. (Ward 5 covers the part of District 10 roughly east of Lexington and north of Front.)

The free forum is being organized by the Como Community Council, North End Neighborhood Organization, Payne-Phalen Community Council, and League of Women Voters Saint Paul. Candidates on the ballot (in alphabetical order) are Bob Blake, Amy Brendmoen, Jamie Hendricks, and Suyapa Miranda.
You Can Vote Absentee Now
The Ramsey County elections office is now open weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for voters who want to cast an absentee ballot in the Nov. 5 municipal elections. The office is at 90 W. Plato Blvd.

In Saint Paul, the ballot includes elections for City Council and a referendum on whether or not to keep the ordinance that enables the city's consolidated trash program.
Your Last Chance for the Season
Bring your canoe or kayak -- or use one of our rentals -- as neighbors team up to pull trash from Como Lake. If you don't want to be on the water, join us by walking the shoreline and cleaning up litter there. We'll supply snacks, beverages, and equipment. Organized by the District 10 Como Community Council; supported by a grant from the Capital Region Watershed District.

Details: Saturday Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Meet near the docks outside the Lakeside Pavilion.  Register now
You're Almost Out of Time
Today and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, are the last days to take advantage of Ramsey County's temporary hazardous waste collection site on Como Ave. west of Snelling and south of the Fairgrounds. 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 today from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and this Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. See the complete list of what you can bring. 
You can see "Hocus Pocus" for free next Friday, Oct. 4.
In the Big Park This Week
  • Time to Fly: This Saturday, Sept. 28. Walk and festival to benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund. Picnic Pavilion, nearby grounds, and lake path. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 11:30 a.m. Registration: Ages 18 or older, $15; ages 17 or younger, $10.
  • Run Like a Girl: This Sunday, Sept. 29. 5K walk and run to benefit WomenWinning. Picnic Pavilion, nearby grounds, and lake path. Activities begin at 8 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee: $25 for students, seniors age 65 or older, and children age 12 or younger; $35 for others.
  • Movies in the Park: "Hocus Pocus": Next Friday, Oct. 4. Picnic Pavilion, Como Ave. and Midway Parkway. Food trucks, exhibits, and activities begin at 6 p.m.; movie begins at dusk. Free.
  • Spring Cafe: This is the last week this year that the restaurant in the Lakeside Pavilion will be open weekdays. Beginning next Saturday, Oct. 5, the restaurant will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Do Something Daring
You're a reader. That probably means you'd be more interested than many in knowing that this is Banned Books Week. To commemorate, staff at the Saint Paul Public Library compiled a partial list of books that have been banned -- and why. "Where's Waldo?" "James and the Giant Peach." "Where the Wild Things Are." The list goes on.
Just Across the Street
The annual Marydale Festival is this Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon-5 p.m. The festival includes live music, dance performances, food trucks, a beer garden, kids' activities, local artists and other crafty types, even a "non-creepy clown." Admission is free; activities are at Marydale Park, which is on the east side of Dale, just north of Jessamine. (If you're walking across Dale, please be careful!)
Find Out What's in the Air
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency holds a free information session this Tuesday, Oct. 2, to discuss the air quality monitors -- and their early findings -- that are now installed in every ZIP Code area of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The meeting is from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave. (A similar meeting will be Monday Oct. 15, also from 6:30-7:45 p.m., at the Wellstone Center, Room 273, 179 E. Robie, on the West Side.)  Find out more about the agency's Urban Air Quality project .
Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain
  • Interstate 35W: Southbound lanes will close entirely tonight, Friday Sept. 27, beginning at 10:00. The freeway is supposed to reopen by 5 a.m. Saturday. 
  • Interstate 94: Eastbound lanes will close entirely this weekend between Highway 280 and Western Ave. for MnDOT's final round of resurfacing. The freeway will be closed from 10:00 tonight, Friday Sept. 27, through 5 a.m. this Monday, Sept. 30. Eastbound ramps will begin closing at 9 p.m.
  • Energy Park Drive: Just west of Snelling, the street is down to one lane in each direction while Xcel Energy installs a gas main. Work is expected to last until next Friday, Oct 4.
  • Larpenteur Ave. (Snelling west to Highway 280): Concrete repair work continues to reduce much of the stretch to one lane in each direction. No updates on whether the county will meet its end-of-the-month deadline; even if it does, new striping will take longer than that.
  • Wheelock Parkway: Most of the parkway is still under construction from the Arlington intersection east toward Rice St.
Don't look now, but the plows are out for a reason. Photo: Sara Marie Moore/Press Publications
Fairgrounds Has a Little of Everything
  • Snowplow Operations Training: Through next Friday, Oct. 4, parking lot south of Como.
  • Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show: Today-Sunday, Sept. 27-29, Warner Coliseum. Shows: Friday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday at 10 a.m. Free public admission.
  • International Gem and Jewelry Show: Today-Sunday, Sept. 27-29, Dairy Building. Hours: Friday noon-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $8 (children age 8 or younger not admitted); discounts available.
  • State Fair and Sports Team Merchandise Clearance Sale: Today-Saturday, Sept. 27-28, Visitors Plaza. Hours: Friday noon-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Antique Spectacular and Flea Market: This Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 28-29, Grandstand. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: teens and adults, $7; children 12 or younger, free. (Discounts available)
  • Military Relic and Collectors Show: This Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 28-29, Progress Center. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: Ages 11 or older, $6; children 10 or younger, free. (Discounts available)
  • Minnesota Weapons Collectors Show: This Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 28-29, Education Building. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: teens and adults, $5; children 12 or younger, free. No one under age 18 admitted without an adult.
  • Parking for Roy Griak Invitational: This Saturday, Sept. 28, lots south of Como. The cross-country meet at Les Bolstad Golf Course is scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Midwest Fall Swap Meet and Antique Auto Show: This Sunday, Sept. 29, parking lots north of Hoyt. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $10 for show cars. Spectators: Ages 11 or older, $5; children 10 or younger, free when accompanied by an adult.
  • Minnesota United Parking and Shuttle: This Sunday, Sept. 29, lots south of Como and south of Randall. Lots are open 3:30-10:30 p.m. The Loons play Los Angeles FC at 6:30 p.m.
  • Minnesota Harvest Horse Show: This Tuesday-next Sunday, Oct. 1-6, Warner Coliseum. Opens 7:30 a.m. Free spectator admission. Grand Prix of Minnesota Show: next Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:30-9 p.m. Admission: Ages 11 or older, $13 in advance, $15 at the door; children 10 or younger, free.
  • Half Price Books Clearance: Next Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6, Grandstand. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Free admission.
  • Twin Cities Oktoberfest: Next Friday-Saturday, Oct. 4-5, Progress Center. Hours: Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m. Admission: $10-$35 (adults only); discounts available.
Days are Shorter but Still Busy
  • This Saturday, Sept. 28: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepard Road near Davern. (Volunteers make the event a success, receive free food and beverages -- and get to dispose of one load for free; to volunteer, call the Highland District Council at 651-695-4005.)
  • This Wednesday, Oct. 2: Public hearing on City of Saint Paul Overnight Shelters Zoning Study, 5:30 p.m. 3rd floor City Council Chambers, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Next Saturday, Oct. 5: Como Park Senior High School Homecoming. Benefit runs (5K, 3K, and 400-meters) begin at 9:30. Food trucks and other activities, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Football game, 1 p.m.
Tips to Keep Burglars Away
Saint Paul Police hold a burglary prevention open house next Saturday, Oct. 5, at Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave. (a block south of Maryland). Drop in anytime from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to get your questions answered about lighting, locks, target hardening, and more. Plus, take part in hands-on demonstrations to make your home safer.
Photo: T Boardman
Streetcar Station is Open Every Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open this Sunday, Sept. 29, 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. (After this week, the exhibit space will be open only on the first Sunday of the month until spring.)
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.