Mayor Melvin Carter III came to Spring Cafe July 26 to talk about his budget goals, saying he wants direction from city residents, not just feedback. (The mayor holds two similar sessions before he unveils his budget proposal Aug. 9: chime in Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. at Goat Coffeehouse, 699 E. 7th, or Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m. at Brunson's Pub, 956 Payne.)
ComoFest Lines Up a Big Finish
ComoFest 2018 has another triple-header for its final weekend:
Tonight, Friday July 27: Northwest Como Recreation Center's Movie Night and Campout features an outdoor showing of the 2017 version of "Beauty and the Beast" at dusk. But there's a lot more to do and see before the movie, including a boys v. girls U12 softball game at 6 p.m. and a taekwondo demonstration at 8:15 p.m. There also will be a bounce house, DJ, lawn games, crafts and other kids' activities, face-painting, bonfire, and concessions. If it rains, the movie moves indoors. The rec center is at 1550 Hamline.
This Saturday, July 28: TopLine Federal Credit Union's Community Appreciation Picnic runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Like any good picnic, it includes hot dogs, treats, and games. Unlike most picnics, it ends with Como Park's shortest marathon at 1:15 p.m., which takes you across Lexington Parkway straight to...
Gabe's Mini-Mingle from 1-5 p.m. You'll find miniature golf, mini-donuts, a mini-beer-tasting festival, and music. On the west parking lot at Gabe's By The Park, 991 Lexington Parkway.
Can You Find Your Way Around?
Walking, bicycling, or rolling around Como Park? We want to know what it's like for you to get around. Our survey is looking for your experiences and ideas about signs, paths, and generally getting from one part of the park to another.
You can
take the survey online (in English, Spanish, Hmong, or Somali). Or you can take the survey in person when our crews are out at different parts of the park. Or look for the lawn signs we've got planted along various paths, scan the QR code with your mobile device, and take the survey at your convenience.
Land Use Wastes No Time in August
District 10's Land Use Committee meets this Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. All renters, homeowners and other community members are always welcome to attend and participate. Likely to be discussed:
Results from the three neighborhood parking meetings held in the past month.
Information on what is and isn't allowed in the overlay districts during the State Fair.
Plans to demolish the house and garage at 1486 Midway Parkway, split the lot, and build two new houses: one facing Midway, one facing Canfield.
The meeting is at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
We're Making Pedestrian Safety More Visible
District 10, Saint Paul Police, and the citywide
Stop for Me pedestrian safety campaign will hold an educational and enforcement event at the crosswalks at and near Nagasaki Drive and East Como Blvd. (on the southeast end of the lake, outside Como By the Lake apartments). Activities will be Wednesday Aug. 8 during the heart of rush hour, from 4-5:30 p.m. If you want to join us, email the District 10 office.
Photo: Elizabeth Siqveland
What are We Doing with the Lake? This!
Local residents led by Elizabeth Siqveland are organizing a cleanup of
debris on the water and along the shoreline of Como Lake. The cleanup is next Saturday, Aug. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. If you've got a canoe or kayak (or can walk the shoreline), meet at the docks behind the Lakeside Pavilion. If you plan to attend,
email District 10 so we can get a head count and line up provisions and supplies. We'll have more details in next Friday's newsletter.
... and This, Too!
The Como Active Citizens Network kicks off its 2018
Como Curb Cleanup during a block party this Wednesday, Aug. 1. Neighborhood residents who commit to the curb cleanup commit to keeping gutters and storm drains free of leaves and debris this fall. Doing that keeps phosphorus from leaching into Como Lake, which keeps the water cleaner, which reduces the chance of algae blooms next year.
You can sign up at 1395 Avon. You'll know the house, because that's where the band Polyphony Marimba will be playing in the garage. If you plan to drop by,
email Janna Caywood (or text her at 651-261-7416) so she knows what to expect.
The Avon block party runs 5-10 p.m. between Cottage and Parkview; bring a dish, beverages, seating equipment -- and stay a while.
Stay Away from 35W This Weekend
For all practical purposes, MnDOT is shutting down
I-35W in both directions this weekend from I-694 on the north all the way to Highway 62 on the south. There are a few exceptions, plus a few spillover effects:
Northbound Highway 280 will close north of Larpenteur. Traffic will be detoured east on Larpenteur, north on Cleveland, then to Highway 36 and Snelling Ave.
There will be some local access to the southbound lanes of 35W between 694 and County Road C, including southbound access to Highway 280.
There will be some local access to the northbound lanes of 35W between County Road C and 694.
The freeways are supposed to close from 9:00 tonight, Friday July 27, until 5 a.m. this Monday, July 30. However, ramps may begin closing an hour or two before that. Then, MnDOT will do something similar next weekend, Aug. 3-6.
Farther north in a few days: I-35 will close for short stretches overnight this Tuesday, July 31, at Highway 97 in Columbus. Southbound lanes will close for 15-minute stretches between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.; northbound lanes will close for 15-minute stretches between midnight and 5 a.m. Aug. 1.
Don't Trash It -- Fix It
Ramsey County holds a
Fix-It Clinic this Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at North Dale Recreation Center. Skilled volunteers will troubleshoot, disassemble, and help you try to fix your small appliances, clothing, electronics and other household goods -- for free. They can't guarantee that everything will be back in working order, but it's worth a shot, rather than needlessly throwing it away. The clinic is first-come, first-served; the rec center is at 1414 N. St. Albans.
Ward 4 Candidate Forum is Monday
The League of Women Voters Saint Paul holds a Ward 4 City Council candidate forum this Monday, July 30. The forum begins at 7 p.m. at SPNN studios, 550 Vandalia, Suite 170. Scheduled to appear are Shirley Erstad, David Martinez, and Mitra Jalali Nelson.
The Ward 4 special election is Tuesday Aug. 14, the same day as statewide primaries. The election fills the seat vacated by Russ Stark and being filled temporarily by Samantha Henningson. (Ward 4 includes most of District 10 that is west of Lexington and south of Hoyt.)
Heads up: Ramsey County will open 11 early voting locations from Tuesday Aug. 7 until Monday Aug. 13, including at the Como Park Streetcar Station. We'll run hours and other details in next week's newsletter. If you can't wait that long, you can cast an absentee ballot now by mail. Or
vote absentee in person weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at county election offices, 90 W. Plato Blvd.
A New Plan for the Lake
Capitol Region Watershed District is updating the lake management plan for Como Lake for the first time in 15 years. They're inviting community input through a public advisory group, which will meet in August, November, and February. If you are interested in participating, show up at the Lakeside Pavilion on Thursday Aug. 9 from 6-8 p.m. RSVP through the watershed district's Facebook page; learn more about the lake management plan on their website.
The traditional parade is only part of the Rice Street Festival.
New Activities at a Classic Festival
Whether you've got Rice Street in your heritage or not, we're pretty sure you're welcome to attend the Rice Street Festival this weekend, July 27-29. Events include an old-timers softball game at 6:30 tonight, a Hmong volleyball tournament beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, a car show from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and the Rice Street Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by a food truck convergence and all kinds of family events. Everything happens in or near the Rice/Lawson fields.
Also on Sunday: The Rice Street Library and League of Women Voters host a "Saint Paul-itics" ice cream social. You can register to vote, participate in mock voting, meet local elected officials when they're finished with their parade duties -- and enjoy ice cream and Latin jazz from Salsa del Soul. It's from 2-4 p.m. at the library, 1011 Rice.
"James and the Giant Peach" isn't the only artistic run-in with an oversized fruit.
This Week on the Promenade
Highland Park Community Center Theater takes over the Lakeside Pavilion Promenade weekend evenings with its annual production. This year, it's
"James and the Giant Peach." Performances are tonight and Saturday, July 27-28, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Round two is next Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 2-4.
Here's what's going on for free on the Promenade (or sometimes on a nearby lawn), working around the "Peach" performances:
Today, Friday July 27: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.
This Saturday, July 28: 40-minute A10 workout with Alchemy 365, 9 a.m.; BYU-Idaho Sinfonietta, 2 p.m.
This Sunday, July 29: Star of the North Concert Band, 3 p.m.; Hopkins Westwind Concert Band, 7 p.m.
This Monday, July 30: River City Chorale, 7 p.m.
This Tuesday, July 31: St. Anthony Park Community Band, 7 p.m.
This Wednesday, Aug. 1: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.; Happy Hour with Daddy Squeeze, 5 p.m., Minnesota State Band, 7 p.m.
Next Friday, Aug. 3: Yoga on the Lake, 10 a.m.; Twin Cities Show Chorus, 3 p.m.
It's Your Last Chance to Groove
Groovin' in the Garden wraps it up for the summer this Wednesday, Aug. 1. The
Alex Rossi Trio plays from 6-8 p.m. Along with the music are lawn games, a climbing wall, and a bounce house. You can pack a picnic, or buy hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks, beer, or wine. Everything happens outside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory; if it rains, activities move inside.
Time to Turn Another Calendar Page
This Saturday, July 28: X Strides, 9:30 a.m. Como Lake path near Lakeview Ave. Benefit walk/run; registration: teens and adults, $25; children 3-12, $15.
This Wednesday, Aug. 1: Public hearing on sign code amendments, 5:30 p.m. Room 300, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Next Friday, Aug. 3: Saint Paul Community Solar Discussion, hosted by Cooperative Energy Futures, 3:30-5 p.m. Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale.
Tuesday Aug. 7: Deadline to comment on the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Improvement Program, which proposes highway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects for federal funding in the next four years.
Wednesday, Aug. 15: Public hearing on accessory dwelling units, 5:30 p.m. Room 300, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Friday Aug. 31: Deadline for teens in Grades 9-12 to apply for Wilder Foundation's Youth Leadership Initiative.
The Last Fairgrounds Diversion Before the Big Event
North Central Reining Futurity and Derby Show: This Thursday, Aug. 2, through next Sunday, Aug. 5, Warner Coliseum. Begins 8 a.m. Thursday, Friday, Sunday; 9 a.m. Saturday. Free spectator admission.
Countdown is on for National Night Out
Time is running out to
register for National Night Out, Tuesday Aug. 7. The City of Saint Paul already has a record 345 block parties registered. Push the record even higher, then look for details next week on contests for best photo of a police officer at an NNO event, and best sidewalk chalk art.
District 10 has street barricades and portable recycling containers that community members can use for block parties, neighborhood, or family events.
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.)
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.
To reserve any of this equipment, call our office at 651-644-3889, or
send us an email.
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 starter kits, 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.
You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.
