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July showers bring... Here's the bright side to the record rains we've been enduring. |
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Preservation Group Says It Can't Afford Bond
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Another hearing takes place today, Friday July 19, over whether to block Twin Cities German Immersion School from tearing down the former St. Andrew's church building.
Ramsey County District Judge Jennifer L. Frisch
issued a temporary restraining order on July 15 forbidding the school from demolishing the building. However, Frisch said that the group seeking the restraining order -- Friends of Warrendale / Save Historic St. Andrew's LLC -- must provide a security bond of more than $1.9 million by this Monday, July 22, or the temporary injunction goes away.
The preservation group says it cannot afford the security bond and cannot raise the money in time. As a result, it is asking Frisch to keep the injunction in place, eliminate the bond requirement, or reduce the bond to the nominal amount of $1,000. Friday's hearing will address that request.
Frisch set the bond amount at a level that the school says represents the extra costs it will incur if further court actions delay its proposed construction project for six months. But the preservation group says the bond requirement, in reality, denies its request for the injunction and clears the way to demolish the building, even though Frisch's preliminary ruling says the preservation request meets the legal burden under state law.
The preservation group is seeking a permanent injunction against demolition, arguing that the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act prevents the destruction of historical resources. The group plans to rally in front of the building this Sunday, July 21, at 5 p.m.
The school has applied for a demolition permit; as of Friday morning, the city had not issued one. The school intends to replace the former church with a new addition containing more academic space, a gymnasium, and cafeteria.
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What? No One Picked Drain of Fools?
There are only a few weeks left in the
competition between District 10 and five other district councils to see which neighborhood can adopt more storm drains this summer. We've adopted more than 160 in Como --
here are some names that D10 residents gave their adopted drain:
Vote for your favorite now!
It's easy to adopt one or more drains near your home, school, organization, or business.
- Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org.
- Once you get to the interactive map, look for a red drain -- that means the drain is available. (Green means someone else already has it.)
- Adopt one or more of the available drains.
- Then, diligently keep the drain clean, so debris doesn't flow into Como Lake, the Mississippi River, or connecting waterways. As a reminder to you and your neighbors, a lawn sign will mysteriously show up, highlighting your role.
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Zoo's Play Party Keeps It Real
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory throw a Nature Play Party this Sunday, July 21, under the big tent on the newly constructed Cleveland Court (which is near Cafesjian's Carousel). The event, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., gives ideas on how to get youngsters away from the screen and into enjoying the natural world. Free.
- Also Sunday, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory opens two hours early -- from 8-10 a.m. -- for artists and photographers to have the place to themselves for sketches, portraits, or whatever inspires them. (There's an admission fee of $5/person.)
- Then, this Tuesday, July 23, Metro Transit offers free rides to the Zoo and Conservatory through its Nature Connector bus program, which tried to encourage visitors to take transit instead of their vehicles. (Routes 3 and 83 serve that part of the park.)
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"Save the Bees, Save Ourselves" -- a free presentation on how public art can address scientific and environmental issues -- is this Wednesday, July 24. The presentation focuses on Public Art Saint Paul's Bee Real Bee Everywhere project. Most visibly, the project created the Pollinator Skyrises in Como Park. It also sponsored a slew of other educational activities that combined outreach and education with scientific research.
Wednesday's event features artists Amanda Lovelee, Christine Baeumler, and Julie Benda, plus their collaborator from the University of Minnesota's Bee Lab, Colleen Satyshur. Activities start at 6:30 p.m. July 24 at the lakeside Pollinator Skyrise, which is along the walking path near Nagasaki Drive and West Como Blvd. Then everyone will walk over to the Historic Streetcar Station for team presentations, free books, cake, and lemonade.
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Road Construction Near Us
- Energy Park Drive: Resurfacing is complete between Highway 280 and Raymond Ave.; striping will be added this week.
- Larpenteur Ave.: Much of this Ramsey County road remains one lane in each direction from Snelling west almost to 280. The timeline keeps getting extended: Now, engineers say, concrete repair will continue until mid-August. Restriping will take longer than that.
- Wheelock Parkway: Reconstruction is underway between the Western/Arlington intersection and Rice St.
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Do You Think about the Big River?
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization is starting to rewrite its 10-year watershed management plan. Before it gets down to the nitty-gritty, it wants our opinions about priorities, water quality, green space, and habitat. Take their survey
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Learn to Fix Up Your Place
The Minnesota Tool Library and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota are offering six 90-minute classes on basic home maintenance. The topics and dates:
- MTL Basics: Common Plumbing Repairs: This Tuesday, July 23, 6-7:30 p.m., Saint Paul Tool Library, 755 Prior Ave. N
- DIY Drains: Tuesday Aug. 6, 6-7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Tool Library, 1620 Central Ave. NE #126
- MTL Basics: Electrical 101: Tuesday Aug. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Saint Paul Tool Library
- If Walls Could Talk: Tuesday Sept. 3, 6-7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Tool Library
- Painting & Trim: Tuesday Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., Saint Paul Tool Library
- Ask the Expert: Tuesday Oct. 1, 6-7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Tool Library
Classes are $25 each ($20 if you're a Tool Library member). Register here
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Johann Strauss' Die Fladermaus dominates the Pavilion lineup this week. |
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Photo: T Boardman |
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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.
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