City Takes Climate Change Personally
This map analyzes which neighborhoods are most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
Less driving, more-efficient buildings, and more looking out for each other are necessary steps if Saint Paul is going to effectively counter climate change, the city's chief resilience officer told District 10's Environment Committee this week. 

Russ Stark said impacts of climate change on Saint Paul are easy to spot. Average precipitation has increased 7 inches a year since the 1950s. The average winter temperature in Saint Paul rose 6 degrees Fahrenheit between 1951 and 2010. Those changes show up in everything from more potholes, more tree damage, more wet basements, more frequent flooding along the Mississippi River, and multimillion dents in the city budget and property taxes.

Outlining ways to offset impacts of climate change on city residents is the goal of the first draft of the city's Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The plan hopes to guide Saint Paul toward carbon neutrality by 2050.

Although individuals can change behaviors, "the real change needs to be at the system and policy level," Stark said. The biggest change individuals can make, he said, is to drive less. But, for example, more people are more likely to use public transportation more often only if transit routes are more useful and have more frequent service, he said. In addition, to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, the city needs to support complimentary layers of transportation options, such walking, biking, ride-sharing, or electric scooters.

The draft plan also maps out which neighborhoods have the highest risks of suffering from climate change -- based on factors including demographics, poverty levels, tree canopy, air quality, and susceptibility to flooding. None of District 10 is seen as high risk; most of the neighborhood is perceived as low or very low risk.  ( Read more  of Stark's presentation.)
No, You Can't Park There
The annual Hmong International Freedom Festival arrives in Como Regional Park next weekend, July 6-7. But we'll see the impact of preparations sooner than that.
  • Fences start going up this Monday, July 1, south of Como Ave. in the McMurray Field, Pool, and Woodland areas. (Fencing is supposed to be gone by Friday July 12.)
  • Signs creating one-side-only parking on local streets start appearing this Wednesday, July 3. Parking will be restricted all day July 6-7 on most streets south of the lake, east of Lexington and north of Front. Parking restrictions also take effect between Snelling and Hamline: from Wynne extending north, in some cases, all the way to Arlington. (See the map.) 
  • The festival has a sound-level variance for festival days allowing loudspeakers from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. A sound check is allowed next Friday, July 5, from 3-6 p.m.
Color Run: The annual "run to dye for" hits the State Fairgrounds next Sunday, July 7, at 9 a.m. To minimize the run's impact on the neighborhood, one-sided parking will be in effect from 6 a.m.-1 p.m. from Snelling east to Pascal and from Hoyt south to Wynne, as well as on Winston, Breda, and Wynne west of Snelling. (In case you've noticed, many of these streets already are covered by the restrictions for the Hmong festival.)

For the record: You cannot legally park cars on your lawn for the Hmong festival or the Color Run. Just have patience; the State Fair is less than two months away.
You Won't Want to Leave Town
ComoFest -- the annual amalgamation of affordable, family-friendly fun for everyone -- is only a few weeks away. Get a quick rundown of what to look forward to in our neighborhood: Go to ComoFest.org.
Don't Go West
MnDOT is going to try this weekend to finish resurfacing westbound Interstate 94. As a result, expect the freeway to shut down between Western Ave. and Highway 280. Lanes will be off limits from 10 o'clock tonight, Friday June 28, until 5 a.m. this Monday, July 1. Ramps to the westbound lanes will start shutting down at 9 p.m. (This is work rescheduled from earlier in June.)  Also under construction:
  • Larpenteur Ave.: Ramsey County continues repairing pavement, upgrading ramps and signals, and doing other work from Snelling almost all the way to Highway 280. Expect only one travel lane in each direction through late July.
Staying in Town?
Saint Anthony Park's annual Fourth of July celebration brings old-fashioned fun back to the holiday. The morning starts with 2- and 4-mile runs at 8 a.m. The city's oldest parade rolls out at 11 a.m. on Como Ave., complete with fire trucks, classic cars, and decorated bikes. The parade ends at Langford Park, where you'll find food trucks, speeches, music, pony rides, volleyball, horseshoes, bags, tennis, classic races and more. It's free, except for the end-of-the-day happy hour, which runs 4-6 p.m. in the Sunrise Bank parking lot; that will cost adults $20 to sample brew from Rush River.
Holiday Delays Recycling, Trash
Because of the Independence Day holiday, recycling pick-up is one day later than usual next week. Eureka will empty the blue bins next Saturday, July 6, instead of next Friday, July 5. For residents east of Hamline, trash pickup also is delayed until next Saturday. (For residents west of Hamline, trash pickup does not change.)
When They're Done, You're Not Done
Got empty propane tanks from grilling or camping? Dispose of them properly. It is illegal -- and dangerous -- to put propane tanks, helium tanks, and other pressurized cylinders in recycling or garbage carts. Their compressed gas makes them explosive, a potential fire hazard, and extremely hazardous for workers collecting and sorting your recycling.  To get rid of them properly, bring empty tanks and cylinders to a Ramsey County hazardous waste site . 
Hazardous Waste Disposal: The Easy Way 
This is the last weekend to take advantage of Ramsey County's temporary hazardous waste collection site on Kent St. -- just east of Dale and north of Larpenteur in Roseville. The site operates today, Friday June 28, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and this Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you've got solvents or other chemicals that say Caution, Warning, Danger, or Poison on the label, those are good candidates. So are batteries, cell phones, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, mercury thermometers, paint, propane tanks, and used motor oil and filters. Disposal is free. Go to the "accepted items" menu for the complete list of what you can bring.
Skeeter Patrol This Week   
Weather permitting, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District is planning "cold fog" treatment overnight in Como Regional Park this Monday-Tuesday, July 1-2.   
Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton celebrates Independence Day with Hank Sr. and Fats Domino. 
Music (and a Musical) at the Pavilion
  • Today, Friday June 28: Jaedyn James and the Hunger, 7 p.m. $8
  • This Sunday, June 30: Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Minnesota Boychoir, 7 p.m.
  • This Monday, July 1: Brooklyn Community Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Tuesday, July 2: Roseville Big Band, 7 p.m.
  • This Wednesday, July 3: Beer Choir, 7 p.m.
  • This Thursday, July 4: Como Pops, 3 p.m.; Daddy Squeeze, 7 p.m.
  • Next Friday-Saturday, July 5-6: Rosetown Playhouse presents "Newsies," 7 p.m. Tickets: $10-$15
Events are free (except when they're not). Find out more about the performers -- or get an advance look at the mix of local artists and traditional bandstand performers -- on Spring Cafe's website.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Lexington: This Wednesday, July 3, Groovin' in the Garden features The Shakletons. The music, lawn games, climbing wall, and bounce house are free from 6-8 p.m. Pack a picnic, or buy food, ice cream, soft drinks, beer, or wine. Everything happens outside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory; if it rains, activities move inside.
Last week, it was old cars at the Fairgrounds. This week, it's old books.
The Week Ahead at the Fairgrounds
  • Tanbark Cavalcade of Roses Horse Show: Through this Saturday, June 29, Warner Coliseum. Shows: Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Free spectator admission. 
  • Twin Cities Antiquarian Rare Book Fair: Today-Saturday, June 28-29, Progress Center. Hours: Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $8 Friday, $3 Saturday (students free with ID on Saturday).
  • Minnesota United park-and-ride: This Saturday, June 29. Parking lots south of Como Ave. will open for tailgating and shuttle buses from noon-7 p.m. The soccer match vs. Cincinnati is at 3 p.m. at Allianz Field.
  • Night Nation Run and Music Festival: This Saturday, June 29, roads throughout Fairgrounds. 7 p.m. $60-$80.
  • Machinery Hill Criterium Race Series: This Tuesday, July 2, 5-8:45 p.m., roads throughout Fairgrounds. Bicycle races for men, women, juniors, and masters. Entry fee: Adults, $25; juniors, $15.
Those Lazy/Crazy Days of Summer
  • This Monday, July 1: Talk Community with Trista, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Rice St. Library, 1011 Rice St. A chance to ask questions, get answers, make suggestions, or raise issues with Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo. Free.
  • This Tuesday, July 2: District 10 Neighborhood Relations Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station (which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton). Plans for the July 12 Ice Cream Social will dominate discussion. All renters, homeowners, and other community members are welcome to attend and participate. 
  • This Wednesday, July 3: District 10's monthly Land Use Committee meeting is cancelled.
  • Next Friday, July 5: Deadline to nominate private gardens in Saint Paul for annual Blooming Saint Paul awards. There are seven categories; find out more or go straight to the nomination form.
  • Wednesday July 10: Minnesota State Fair Job Fair, 4-8 p.m. Progress Center.
On Patrol for Fireworks
From now through July 7, the Saint Paul Police Department's Western District will have a patrol car designated specifically to handle fireworks issues. To file a complaint, call the non-emergency number: 651-291-1111. But remember, they can't be everywhere at once.

In Minnesota, fireworks that explode or fly are illegal. What are legal are sparklers, ground displays of less than 500 grams, and novelties such as smoke devices, noisemakers, or poppers that have no more than 0.025 grains of explosive mixture. (In Wisconsin, where it's legal to buy all sorts of fireworks, it's actually illegal to use fireworks without a permit for a specific day and location. Wink, wink.)
  • This Week's Como Neighborhood Crime Update: It's all there.
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.