The Path to a Safer Park
After a couple of disturbing crimes this month near the Como Lake walking path, District 10 is looking for your ideas on how to make the path safer. There are two ways you can help:
  • This Tuesday, Oct. 22, join members of our Neighborhood Relations Committee as we walk around the lake. We'll be collecting your observations on what parts of the path could be improved for public safety, and how. Meet at 6 p.m. in front of the Lakeside Pavilion.
  • If you're a regular user of the paths around or near the lake, share your expertise. Download this map of paths, mark areas that you think are unsafe (and why), then email your concerns back to us. We'll consult with police and parks officials to see what we can improve.
What Should We Call It?
The new owners are looking for a name for the apartment community they plan to develop on the site of the former Sholom Home, 1554 Midway Parkway. After all, the used-to-be-a-nursing-home has been vacant for 10 years; it's probably time we start calling it something else.

Send us your suggestions; the developers can't guarantee they'll use our ideas, but they definitely will add them to the mix.
The detour route during Lexington crosswalk construction.
3 More Days of Work on Lexington
Construction of the long-delayed crosswalk connecting the lake side of Lexington Parkway with the golf course side is scheduled to continue -- and wrap up -- this week (if the weather cooperates, of course). Here's what you need to know about when Lexington is open and closed:
  • Today-Sunday, Oct. 18-20: Open all day
  • This Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 21-23: Closed all day and night until it's finished
The marked detour is along East Como Blvd., Arlington, Victoria, Nagasaki, and Horton (see the map). There will be access to the golf course parking lot and both Lakeside Pavilion parking lots at all times.
Speaking of detours: Most of Wheelock Parkway is still out of commission from the Arlington intersection east toward Rice St.
Gather 'Round for Fireside Tales
Stories from around the world, a bonfire with s'mores, and a few Halloween fables sprinkled into the evening chill will be part of the family friendly fun as the Como Community Council sponsors Fireside Tales. The free event is next Sunday, Oct. 27, around dusk, from 6-7 p.m., at the Como Park fire rings (on Como Ave. between Hamline and Midway Parkway). Wonder Weavers will be the story-tellers. Bring your own chairs or blankets -- and, of course, dress for the weather!
Miranda Joins District 10 Board
Congratulations to Juan José Miranda Ruiz, who was elected to the Como Community Council Board on Tuesday representing South Como and Energy Park.
The Zoo features things that could make your skin crawl, such as this tarantula.
From the Cuddly to the Creepy
For those of you who didn't leave town for MEA weekend, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory have special events lined up to get you out of the house.
  • Name the baby giraffe contest. Vote in person today-Sunday, Oct. 18-20; ballot boxes are spread around the campus. Your choices: Elliott, Fonzie, and Sota.
  • Creepy-Crawly Creature Awareness Weekend. Go face-to-face with spiders, giant cockroaches, and other bugs guaranteed to give you the willies. Learn about carnivorous plants, too. Today-Sunday, Oct. 18-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Artist, Photographer and Family Photo Hours. Get into the Conservatory early to sketch or photograph plants, or people amid the plants, for your pleasure, for family portraits, or to have something current to share in your holiday mailings. This Sunday, Oct. 20, 8-10 a.m. $5 per person.
Remember, You Can Vote Absentee Now
The Ramsey County elections office is 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 regulates the city's consolidated trash program.

If you were not able to attend City Council candidate forums in person, you can stream them at your convenience, courtesy of SPNN. All the forums run about 90 minutes. The links:
Ward 4 includes the part of District 10 roughly west of Lexington. Ward 5 covers the part of District 10 roughly east of Lexington and north of Front.

Early voting begins Tuesday Oct. 29 at Como Park's Historic Streetcar Station and seven other sites in Ramsey County.
Recycle Smart: Batteries and Electronics
Batteries and electronics can never be recycled in Saint Paul's blue bins. Batteries are especially dangerous, because they can start fires at recycling facilities. (For the most part, batteries and electronics cannot be thrown in the trash, either.) Here's an overview of what you can and cannot do:
  • No batteries of any kind can go into the blue recycling cart.
  • Alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries can go in the trash.
  • All other batteries must be taken to a county hazardous waste disposal site. This includes silver and mercuric oxide batteries used in watches and hearing aids; lithium and button batteries; rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc, and sealed lead acid; and any lead-acid vehicle battery.
  • Larger electronics such as TVs, computer monitors, and computer towers can be collected (for free, with some conditions) as a bulky item for residents who participate in the city's consolidated trash program. You can contact your garbage hauler to schedule a pickup. There are a range of other options for other types of electronics, including exchange programs, paid drop-off opportunities, and even donation sites for smaller electronics such as tablets, smartphones, and MP3 players. Scout out your options
Don't Leave Them on Their Own
Colors are changing and leaves are falling. But some residents in our community can't handle that pile-up on their own. The Como Park Living at Home Block Nurse Program has a list of local seniors who need a hand getting rid of leaves and fall yard waste. If you can pitch in for a couple of hours of raking, call 651-642-1127 or email their office.
We Read the Paperwork so You Don't Have To
Notifications from city hall:
  • 1290 N. Snelling Ave.: The property owner has applied for a height variance to build a gazebo atop the converted firehouse. Zoning allows a maximum height of 30 feet; the firehouse is grandfathered in at a height of 33.4 feet. The request is for a variance of 7.6 feet, allowing the top of the proposed gazebo to reach 41 feet. A public hearing is scheduled for this Monday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. in Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Comments can be submitted in advance by email.
  • Speedway: The gas station and liquor licenses for the convenience store at Lexington and Front are up for renewal on Dec. 1. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 1 Councilmember Dai Thao.
  • Carter's BP: The gas station license for the business at Como, Front and Dale is up for renewal on Dec. 29. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Amy Brendmoen.
Photo: Nile Fellows
Share Your Perspective
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is holding a fall photo contest, looking for what you see that captures autumnal splendor in the city. The deadline is Oct. 31. Winners get fame and a shot at unspecified but undoubtedly fabulous prizes. Get all the details -- including where to post your entries and which hashtags to use. (If you see something fabulous in D10, you can share it with us, too. We don't have prizes, but this newsletter is always willing to publish local photos that catch our eye; that gains you all kinds of admiration from hundreds of your neighbors.)
At the Fairgrounds This Weekend
  • Minnesota Beef Expo: Through this Sunday, Oct. 20, Warner Coliseum. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
  • Parking and shuttle for University of St. Thomas-St. John's University football game: This Saturday, Oct. 19, lots south of Como Ave. The Tommies and Johnnies play at Allianz Field at 1:10 p.m.
  • Minnesota United Parking and Shuttle: This Sunday, Oct. 20, lots south of Como and south of Randall. Lots are open 3:30-10:30 p.m. The Loons begin their playoffs against the L.A. Galaxy at 6:30 p.m.
  • St. Paul Impound Lot: The city's winter tow lot is now set up on Fairgrounds land near Como and Cathlin.
The Rest of the Month
  • This Tuesday, Oct. 22: Financial Workshop: Fast Lane to Debt Freedom, 6 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N. Free. Learn how to get off the debt treadmill and steer clear of debt "settlement" scams. Presented by TopLine Federal Credit Union and LSS. Register online or by calling 763-391-9494.
  • This Tuesday, Oct. 22: Community feedback session on Saint Paul's SAFE Housing initiative, 6-8 p.m. Wellstone Center Room 212, 179 Robie St. E. Free
  • Next Friday, Oct. 25: Community feedback session on Saint Paul's SAFE Housing initiative, 1-3 p.m. Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St. Free
  • Next Friday, Oct. 25: Halloween bonfire, 6-8 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 Hamline. Free. (They're looking for volunteers to help on 90-minute shifts: 5:30-7 or 7-8:30 p.m. If you can pitch in, contact Teresa Little by email or by phone at 651-298-5813. If you've got extra bags of candy you can donate, they'll take those, too.)
  • Thursday Oct. 31: Deadline to apply for a Capitol Region Watershed District Partner Grant.
Share Your Thoughts (and a Cup of Coffee)
Saint Paul Police hold "Coffee with a Cop" this Thursday, Oct. 24, from noon-1 p.m. at Dar's Double Scoop, 1048 Rice St. It's a great opportunity to talk with Western District command staff one-on-one in an informal setting.
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.