Margaret Burneske and Robert Johnson show their dance moves during a concert by the Bethel University Jazz Orchestra at Como Dockside's summer music series.
Get an Out-of-the-Ordinary Yard
A bee lawn.
Looking to do something different in your yard? This Sunday, expert panelists share outside-the-box ideas, practical advice, and answers to make your yard more useful and attractive for you, your neighbors, and wildlife. Our topics:
Creating a "bee lawn": James Wolfin, University of Minnesota Turf Management
Doing more with native plants: Tina Dombrowski, Como Park Conservatory
Edible landscapes: Jennifer Porwit, Ramsey County Master Gardener
Fruit and ornamental trees: Joe Baltrukonis, Ramsey County Master Gardener
Pollinator-friendly habitat: Judi Petkau, Big River Big Woods Wild Ones
Details: The free Sunday Series presentation is this Sunday, May 21, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Orchard Park Recreation Center, 875 W. Orchard.
Wait, There's More Outdoors!
Immediately after the Sunday Series presentation, the Como Community Seed Library holds its May Share Seed and Plant Exchange. Swap your extra plants, seedlings, and seeds for something new. Share stories and adventures with other gardeners. Soak in demonstrations that will build your toolbox of skills and your seed-saving resources. The exchange, from 2:30-4 p.m. May 21, also is free and also is at Orchard Park, 875 W. Orchard. (If you want to volunteer for the May Share and the perks that come with it, click here.)
Plan Your Garage Sale Strategy Now
District 10's annual Como Neighborhood Garage Sale is this Saturday, May 20 (although some sales are in full swing already). Forty households are participating; we've got a downloadable map posted online, so you know where to shop and what you'll find when you get there.
Schools Launch Carnival Season
Today, Friday May 19, it's Chelsea Heights' annual carnival. The all-ages fun runs from 5-8 p.m. at the school, 1557 Huron. Activities include food, games, face painting, bouncy houses, a climbing wall, and raffles.
Great River School holds its Spring Fest this Saturday, May 20, from 2-5 p.m. at the school, 1326 Energy Park Drive. A bouncy house and dunk tank join the lineup of carnival games and activities.
Oops!
The City of Saint Paul's flier about 2017 Citywide Drop Off Events is wrong. The event at the State Fairgrounds is NOT June 3. Ignore that date, which is listed in the brochure that arrived in mailboxes this week. That date is incorrect.
The June 3 event is at Harding High School, 1540 E. 6th St., from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
The correct date for the State Fairgrounds event is Oct. 7.
Other Drop Off events for household junk are June 24 at Washington Tech Magnet School and Sept. 24 on Shepard Road near Davern.
The Storymobile
Create Your Own Storybook Ending
Five of Saint Paul's neighborhood libraries turn 100 this year: Saint Anthony Park, George Latimer Central, Riverview, Arlington Hills, and East Side Freedom Library. The celebration starts this Sunday, May 21, with a Story Fair. The Fair includes Saint Paul Almanac's Storymobile, which lets us tell and build a digital archive of local stories; live music and spoken word performances; food trucks; and a "pop-up museum," which is sort of like show-and-tell for adults. The Fair runs from noon-3 p.m. at Arlington Hills Community Center, at Maryland and Payne.
But before that: The library also launches Nature Smart programs at four community libraries this weekend -- with Nature Smart Backpacks that youth can check out to help them interact with nature in their own neighborhoods. Kickoff events are this Saturday, May 20, from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Hamline-Midway, 1558 W. Minnehaha, and at Saint Anthony Park, 2245 Como Ave.
A thrill ride in a bucket truck is one option at the Public Works open house. Photo: Crystal Hoon
Public Works is Open to the Public
Saint Paul Public Works holds an open house this Wednesday, May 24, from 4-7 p.m. at its Dale Street complex, 891 Dale. The free event gives all ages a chance to get up close and personal with heavy equipment, enjoy a bucket-truck ride, tour the shops, and chat with staff. Plus, there will be face painting, a bounce castle, a climbing wall, interactive displays, music, door prizes, food trucks, and more. The open house goes on rain or shine.
More Disruption on the Way
The bad news: Beginning this Monday, May 22, Como Ave. gets ripped up from Raymond west to Commonwealth. They'll keep one lane open in each direction, but that's about all.
The OK news: The ramp from Como Ave. to northbound Snelling Ave. is now open. Among other things, it means the Metro Transit A-Line is back to running its normal route. But the open ramp only gets you back to the ongoing construction on Snelling, where only one lane remains open in each direction between Como north to County Road B. Meanwhile:
Raymond Ave.: The street remains closed completely from Standish south to Energy Park; there is limited access from Como south to Standish.
Maryland Ave.: Before Ramsey County resurfaces the roadway between Johnson Parkway and Greenbrier St. this summer, it is conducing a test. A pilot project will experiment with converting Maryland from four lanes to three -- one travel lane in each direction, plus a center turn lane. Lanes will be reconfigured this weekend.
County and city engineers will study the impact of the 4:3 conversion on traffic flow, vehicle speeds, travel times, bus service, the ease and safety of pedestrian crossings, diversion of traffic into nearby neighborhoods, air quality, and other factors. The pilot project on Maryland will provide actual data on the real-world impacts of a 4:3 conversion, and see how reality compares with the projected or perceived impacts.
Get Over Your Social Anxiety
District 10 holds the first "neighborhood social" in South Como on Sunday June 4. Hang out with more neighbors than will fit at your home. Feast on food trucks, including La Tapatia, Cravin ' Pie, Mik Mart Ice Cream, and Deb's HotDogs. Plus, we'll have face painting, a DJ, and plenty of activities for the kids to burn off energy. There's no admission fee; the happiness takes place June 4 from 4-7 p.m. at Orchard Park, 875 W. Orchard.
Borrow portable recycling stands like these for free.
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 $45 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.
In Case You Need Some Space
If you're looking for space for a small meeting or event, don't overlook the Community Room in the Lakeside Pavilion. Como Dockside makes the room available from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. The room seats about 30; it has tables, chairs, electricity, and free public wi-fi. You can reserve the room in two-hour blocks for $50 -- or free if your event is not trying to make money. (In either case, a $50 deposit is required.) For all the details and fine print, contact Melissa Malen at Studio M Fitness.
The Minneapolis Police Band promises to bring more than a drum on Thursday.
It's a Big Band Week at the Pavilion
Rain or not, the free outdoor music continues under cover on the promenade of the Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. This week's lineup:
Today, Friday May 19: The Textiles, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 20: Silver Lakes Symphonic Winds, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 21: Everchanging Mood, 7 p.m.
Monday, May 22: John Rodine, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23: South High Community Band, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24: Dirty Shorts Brass Band, 7 p.m.
Today, Friday May 19: Deadline to give your opinion on different LED streetlights being tested in Saint Paul. Maps and information are available online.
Tonight, Friday May 19: Youth Lock-In at Como Park Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. (So, don't get too worried if you see or hear people wandering around the church in the middle of the night.)
This Saturday, May 20: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Rondo Community Outreach Library, 461 N. Dale.
This Saturday, May 20: Spring Together, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Curtiss Field, 1555 Iowa. If the weather cooperates, Falcon Heights holds this potluck event on our western border.
This Sunday, May 21, Husby Memorial Concert, featuring the Caritas Vocal Ensemble, 3 p.m. Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave. Free.
Is there a vehicle that appears abandoned on your street or alley? The quickest way to get it taken care of is to call 651-291-1111. Take down the make, model and license number before you call it in.
YMCA Camp du Nord & Widjiwagan Garage Sale: Through this Saturday, May 20, Merchandise Mart. Until 7:30 tonight, Friday May 19; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
MSP Comicon 2017: This Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21, Grandstand. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $14 for both days; children 9 or younger, free.
Riders and Ribbons Horse Show: This Sunday, May 21, AgStar Arena. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Appliance Liquidation: Through Sunday June 4, Education Building. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Machinery Hills Criterium Bicycle Race Series: This Tuesday, May 23, roadways north of Hoyt Ave. 4-9 p.m. Road race training series; four races (beginners-experts). Entry fees: $10-$25.
Streetcar Station Opens for the Season
The Como Park Streetcar Station is now open every Sunday through September from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park, admire the new paint job or waxed floor inside, pick up an organics recycling starter kit (including a plastic kitchen bin), or just share comments and suggestions with a District 10 board member who's on staff that day. 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.
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