Limited time only: Sometimes getting up early lets you savor things that don't last.  Photo: Jennifer Victor-Larson
You Could Say We Cleaned Up
We threw out the challenge; you more than responded. In a friendly competition among six district councils, residents adopted a total of nearly 500 storm drains. Como District 10 led the way (Hah!), with residents adopting 178 drains, or 38 percent of the total. Hamline Midway District 11 was the runner-up, adopting 107 drains. Four other councils -- Highland, Mac-Groveland, Union Park, and St. Anthony Park -- adopted a total of 186.

The competition is over, but the opportunity is still there: Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org and do your part to keep Como Lake, the Mississippi River, and connecting waterways free of debris.

Speaking of debris: A big thanks to the 15 Como residents who paddled around the lake Aug. 3 picking up trash from the water and shoreline. Combined, they nabbed 120 pounds of junk -- plus the top of a streetlight. Miss the fun? We'll do it again on Saturday Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Pencil us in
Parking Requires Permission
The State Fair is two weeks away. Just a reminder: If you are in the city's "parking overlay district" and if you plan to park cars on your front lawn, you are supposed to get written permission every year from neighbors on both sides. Sample language: "I give permission for my neighbor at [address] to utilize their front yard for parking during the 2019 Minnesota State Fair." The neighboring property owners should sign and date the permission. 

The parking overlay district is roughly Snelling to Hamline, Hoyt to Wynne (with a few blocks added beyond the northeast and southeast boundaries). Also in preparation:
  • The Fairgrounds are closed to the public until the "12 days of fun" begin Aug. 22. Between now and then, it means you can't get into the Fairgrounds without an ID and a specific, Fair-related purpose.
  • Semi-related: The Como Shuttle now runs only on weekends from a new location: the school district's central services building, 1930 Como Ave. (which is a few blocks west of its usual location).
The Halloween Pennant is one of about 140 dragonfly species in Minnesota. Photo: Ken Slade
Show Dragonflies Some Love
Dragonflies -- one of the most mesmerizing predators around -- are the focus of Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom's final nature walk of the season. Members of the Minnesota Dragonfly Society and Britt Forsberg, of the University of Minnesota Extension, lead the walk, looking for and identifying local dragon and damsel flies. Meet this Saturday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Kilmer Fireplace. (That's north of McMurray Field for those of you who navigate in three dimensions. For those of you who rely on GPS, the address is roughly 1221 Wynne Ave.)   Email Teri Heyer in advance, so they know how many folks to expect.
Environment Committee Moves to New Day
District 10's Environment Committee meets this Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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. It's a new day for the committee's monthly meeting: the second Wednesday of the month for the foreseeable future. Preliminary agenda
McCarrons Beach Reopens
After being closed for nearly a month, the swimming beach at Lake McCarrons on Rice Street is now open. Ramsey County says bacteria levels have declined enough that the beach is now safe for swimming. Life guards will be on duty from noon-8 p.m. daily.
County Looks at 2-Year Budget
Ramsey County manager Ryan O'Connor proposed a new two-year budget Aug. 6, with a $3.6 million increase in 2020 and a $21.7 million increase in 2021. You can get the summary on revenue, expenditures, initiatives, and taxes -- or links to a lot more details. Then, throw in your two cents online or at the public hearing scheduled for Thursday Aug. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Metro Transit Shuffles Schedules Aug. 17
Metro Transit adjusts schedules on more than 50  routes beginning next Sunday, Aug. 17. The biggest changes will be on the Green Line; the train will stop running from 2-4 a.m. Route 3 also has changes later in the morning.
Road Construction Isn't Over
  • Larpenteur Ave. (Snelling west to Highway 280): Much of this stretch is still one lane in each direction. Expect concrete repair to continue into September (but work will stop and all lanes will be open during the State Fair.)
  • Wheelock Parkway: Reconstruction means Wheelock is closed from the Western/Arlington intersection east to Rice St. For the rest of August, you can't get through the intersection with Western and Arlington at all.
Farther away: Once again this weekend, MnDOT will reduce travel lanes on Interstate 494 between I-35E and Highway 62 (Old Highway 11) for resurfacing. Expect restrictions on the freeway and nearby ramps from 6:00 tonight, Aug. 9, through 5 a.m. this Monday, Aug. 12. Then this Thursday, Aug. 15, the ramps from eastbound 494 to northbound 35E and from southbound 35E to eastbound 494 will close for 42 days (how's that for precision forecasting?).
Sarah Morris is in summer mode at the Pavilion on Thursday.
This Week's Music  at the Pavilion
  • Today, Friday Aug. 9: Kinda Kinky, 7 p.m.
  • This Saturday, Aug. 10: The Last Waltz Annual Summer Show, 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 at the gate, $18 in advance, free for children 12 or younger.
  • This Sunday, Aug. 11: Honeywell Concert Band, 3 p.m.; White Bear Big Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, Aug. 12: Dan Newton's Café Accordion Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, Aug. 13: Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, Aug. 14: Minnesota State Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, Aug. 15: Sarah Morris and the Sometimes Guys, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday, Aug. 16: Salsa del Soul, 7 p.m.
Events are free (except when they're not). Find out more about the performers -- or get an advance look at the season's full mix of local artists and traditional bandstand performers -- on Spring Cafe's website .
Ignore the Misleading Name
For the second year in a row, the Lowertown Guitar Festival takes up residence not in 55101, but in Como Park. Steve Cropper (you know him from Booker T and the MGs, or the Blues Brothers movie) headlines 15 performers at and around the Lakeside Pavilion.

The festival, presented by the MacPhail Center for Music, runs next Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. on three stages. Besides music, there's vendors, art, food, and more. Admission is free -- though a donation of $15 is suggested for Cropper's afternoon show. The schedule:
Promenade Stage 
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: 2nd Street Quartet (MacPhail student ensemble)
  • 12:30-1:15 p.m.: Michael Hauser (flamenco with dancers)
  • 1:30-2:20 p.m.: Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association Bluegrass Jam and Workshop with Bill Cagley (open to the public)
  • 2:30-3:15 p.m.: Taylor Seaberg (R&B fusion)
  • 3:30-4:15 p.m.: Greg Koch (acoustic rock/blues) 
  • 5:30-6:15 p.m.: Steve Cropper (R&B)
  • 6:30 p.m.: Mary Cutrufello (rock songwriter)
  • 7:30 p.m.: Chris Castino (roots rock) 
Spring Cafe Stage
  • 1:15 p.m.: Tabah Duo (dream rock) 
  • 2:15 p.m.: Julian Manzara (jazz) 
  • 3:15 p.m.: Leonoris Causa (Spanish songwriter)
  • 4:15 p.m.: Parisota Hot Club (Gypsy swing) 
  • 6:15 p.m.: Lukas Murdych (advanced MacPhail student)
Waterfall Stage
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: guided meditation with Mark Anderson and Paul Metzger
  • 12:15-12:50 p.m.: Paul Metzger (ethereal) 
  • 1 p.m.: Mike Michel and Carnage (groove/beat)
  • 3 p.m.: Jeremy Ylvisaker (space/loop/feedback)
  • 4 p.m.: Strum Along (open to the public) 
  • 5-5:30 p.m.: Matt Jennings (metal flamenco)
Other Things Going On
  • Today, Friday Aug. 9: Deadline to submit comments on the application by Duke's Cars and Towing to open an auto repair garage at 977 Front Ave. Submit comments by email or in writing to: Legislative Hearing Officer, City Hall Room 310, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102.
  • This Sunday, Aug. 11: Second Sunday Concert, 2-3 p.m. Featuring MacPhail Center for Music's David Kozisek. Lyngblomsten's Newman-Benson Chapel, 1415 Almond. Free.
  • This Monday, Aug. 12: Public hearing on application from Gabe's By The Park to modify its liquor license to allow amplified sound on its outdoor deck, 10 a.m., Room 330, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • This Wednesday, Aug. 14: Como Park Relays, 6:30 p.m., between Lexington Parkway, Como Ave., and Midway Parkway. The weekly end-of-summer cross-country running races return for their 46th year. Registration: 50 cents for children 14 or younger; $3 for 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds; $5 for adults.
  • This Thursday, Aug. 15: Deadline for renters and homeowners to file for Minnesota's  property tax refund. Get basic information on the Homestead Credit Refund (for homeowners) and the Renter's Property Tax Refund from NeighborWorks Home Partners.
  • This Thursday, Aug. 15: Mayor Melvin Carter's 2020 Budget Address , noon-1:30 p.m. Frogtown Community Center, 237 W. Thomas.
Keep Your Bike from Riding Away
Advice from Saint Paul Police to reduce your chances of being a victim of bicycle theft:
  • Always bring your bike inside at night.
  • Whenever your bike is not inside your home, lock it. If you store it in a garage or shed, lock it inside there, too. Lock it to something permanent such as a pipe or rafter.
  • Use a high-quality lock. Avoid cable locks; they do not deter professionals. If possible, purchase a lock that is on the Sold Secure Gold list.
  • Use two or three locks if possible: The more difficult you make it for the thief, the less interested they are.
  • Never lock your bike to a tree.
  • Don't just lock your frame; lock your wheels and your saddle, too, especially if they have quick-release levers.
  • Keep a file on all of your bikes. Include receipts, serial numbers, and photos. Register your bike on a nationwide database such as nationalbikeregistry.com
This Week's Como Neighborhood Crime Update: July's numbers are in
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.