Carefree afternoon: Shaundra Shoemaker, a culinary arts student at the Humphrey Job Corps Center, kicks back and enjoys this week's burst of summer while talking with a friend.
D10 Board Supports Revised Crosswalk
This diagram highlights the changes to the planned Lexington crosswalk.
The District 10 Board voted this week to support a revised crosswalk plan for Lexington Parkway between the Lakeside Pavilion and golf course. In April, the board opposed an earlier plan, saying that if it did not add safety improvements, it should not be built at all.
The revised plan
moves the crosswalk about 40 feet north of the original location. That change is intended to give northbound drivers better sight lines and more time to stop for pedestrians or other drivers. The new plan also adds a flashing warning light that pedestrians can activate when they are crossing.
More details
Alice Messer, manager of design and construction for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, says the earliest the revised crosswalk could be built is July.
District 10 also wants Parks and Recreation to build a new sidewalk connecting the crosswalk all the way to an existing path that leads to the clubhouse. Messer says that if bonding money comes through the Legislature,
a new "phase two" sidewalk could be incorporated into plans to reconstruct the golf course parking lot.
You can sing along (with gusto) with the Beer Choir Saturday.
It's Time for Outdoor Music Again
The summer music season at the Lakeside Pavilion is underway. Here's this week's schedule for the free concerts on the Promenade:
Today, Friday May 18: No Tent, 7 p.m.
This Saturday, May 19: Beer Choir Twin Cities, 7 p.m.
This Sunday, May 20: Silver Lake Symphonic Winds, 3 p.m.; South Side Big Band, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, May 22: Midnight Love, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, May 23: Happy Hour with Daddy Squeeze, 5 p.m.; Big George Jackson Blues Band, 7 p.m.
This Thursday, May 24: Minneapolis Police Band, 7 p.m.
Next Friday, May 25: Happy Hour with James Tyler O'Neill, 5 p.m.; Annie Mack, 7 p.m.
The annual Citywide Drop-Off at the State Fairgrounds is much earlier in 2018: It's not in October; instead, it's 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 to get rid of the junk you can't throw in the trash -- and do it at reasonable prices.
The best price:
If you volunteer to staff the event, you receive a voucher so you can get rid of a load of your junk
for free. We'll also keep volunteers fed and hydrated.
Volunteers work a 3.5-hour shift, but please register in advance; we cannot accept walk-in volunteers the day of the event.
If you are a senior: District 10 will attempt to pick up items in advance for senior citizens in the neighborhood. You pay for what you are disposing, but the pick-up itself is free.
Email District 10 or call 651-644-3889 so we can get you on the schedule. Deadline for seniors is Friday June 1.
Photo: Anglie Sechler
Gardens Don't Stay Pretty on Their Own
The stewards of two of the most prominent public gardens in our neighborhood invite you to help clean up and prep the gardens this weekend.
This Saturday, May 19: Meet at Churchill Gardens (at Horton, Van Slyke and Churchill) at 9 a.m. Bring gloves, a rake, pitchfork, shears and/or weeding tools.
This Sunday, May 20: Meet at the wildflower garden north of the Lakeside Pavilion from 9-11 a.m. Bring garden gloves (leather is recommended); tools such as pruners, loppers, rakes and tarps; plus a hat and water for yourself. Questions? Contact Angie Sechler by email.
Forecast is Perfect for Rain Barrel Event
District 10's Environment Committee and the Capitol Region Watershed District hold a Rain Barrel Workshop this Saturday, May 19, from 1-3 p.m. at Twin Cities German Immersion School, 1031 Como Ave. Participants can get a rain barrel for the unheard of price of $29 (plus tax), and learn how to set it up so it works the way it's supposed to. (If you already have rain barrels at your home, you can show up and learn to use them correctly -- for free.) We've got to haul the barrels over, so register by today, Friday May 18.
Neighborhood Garage Sale is June 16
The 2018 Como Neighborhood Garage Sale (or yard sale, if you prefer) is later than usual -- as we cross our fingers for better weather than in the past few years. The sale is the weekend of June 16. If you're pulling together a garage or yard sale, and want to be listed on the neighborhood map,
register online. Registration is $15.
We're Making a Swap
We plan to switch out containers this week at the community
organics recycling site on Beulah Lane in Como Park. After consulting with Ramsey County and their hauler, we're going to try two 3-cubic-yard containers for a while. That should provide a little more access and a little more elbow room inside the gated enclosure. Combined with twice-a-week pickup, we still should have enough capacity to handle the usual amounts that you all drop off.
Taking It to the Next Level
The Wilder Foundation is accepting applications for its
Youth Leadership Initiative. The free, yearlong program is for teens in grades 9-12. The program helps youth learn about themselves, work with others, engage in meaningful action, and develop effective leadership skills for diverse settings.
Photo: Steve Cuddihy
Rice Park Gets a Facelift
Downtown's Rice Park closes this week for a reconstruction project that includes a new design, walkways, lighting, and expanded gardens. The iconic park is expected to reopen in late fall.
Learning to make pho is one of the Library's Meal in a Pot classes. Photo: City Pages
Website (and Cooking) Made Easier
The Saint Paul Public Library has revamped its website. The site's makeover is intended to be more mobile-friendly and give you better results when you search the online catalog or events calendar. It also lets you create your own dashboard. Get a
quick overview of the changes.
In the real world: The Library's Urban Homesteading series this month focuses on what it calls
Hmong Meal in a Pot. Learn about pho this Saturday, May 19; traditional salad this Thursday, May 24; and pepper sauce on Thursday May 31.
There's Always Something to Do
Today, Friday May 18: Como Park Elementary Carnival, 5-7:30 p.m. at the school, 780 Wheelock Parkway.
This Saturday, May 19: Mayor Melvin Carter's (Rescheduled) State of Our City Summit, 9 a.m.-noon. Johnson High School, 1349 Arcade St.
This Saturday, May 19: Mayor Melvin Carter hangs out at Spring Café, 4-6 p.m. Inside Como Lakeside Pavilion.
This Wednesday, May 23: Board Representation Leadership Training for People of Color, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Freeman Commons Room 205, 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis. Presented by the University of Minnesota's CURA Neighborhood Organizing and Leadership Program. To register or find out more, call 612-791-7734.
Next Sunday, May 27: Soundset, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Nearly 50 performers on five stages.
Sunday June 3: Sunday Series: Como Park Tree Trek, 1-2:30 p.m. Meet outside the Lakeside Pavilion.
This Weekend at the Fairgrounds
MSP Comicon: This Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20, Grandstand. Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $14 (good for both days); children 10 or younger, free.
Riders and Ribbons Horse Show: This Sunday, May 20, AgStar Arena. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free for spectators.
Running Around the Park
Kids Cross Country Fun Run. This Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. Como Park Picnic Pavilion. Races of ½-mile to 5K. Registration: $10 (parents can run with their preschooler, also for $10).
Brave Like Gabe 5K. This Sunday, May 20, 8:30 a.m. (Kids' run at 8:15 a.m.) Como Park Picnic Pavilion. Registration: $45 ($5 for children)
You Might as Well Hand Them the Keys
We make three major mistakes, police say, that make our vehicles an open invitation to thieves.
Their advice is especially relevant for streets and parking lots in and around Como Regional Park. The past year averaged more than one auto break-in a week in the park. So, don't do these things:
Leave your car unlocked. You think it's saving you a broken window. It's really making easier for thieves to rummage through things, have a party inside, or drive away.
Leave valuables inside. Purses, wallets, laptops, gym bags, backpacks, tools, phones -- if thieves see them (or see you putting them in the trunk or hatch), they're gone. Even spare change that's sitting around. Even if you're just running inside "for a minute." Thieves are quicker than you.
Leave mail or identifying information inside. These can be used to help steal your identity. If you also keep a garage-door remote in your car (another no-no), then they know exactly which address to target.
This week's Neighborhood Crime Update: "Burglary, No Forced Entry" means we're making crime too easy.
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 Adina, who is the District 10 board member on staff. 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.
