Neighborhood Roundup
Week of October 12–18, 2026
A quick look at what St. Anthony Park neighbors were talking about on the SAPark ListServ this week.
Issues & Updates
Getting around
EV owners compare notes on charging plugs
A neighbor with an older electric car asked why some public chargers no longer fit. Others explained that the Tesla-style plug (now called NACS) is becoming the standard, that adapters exist for many models but vary by make and year, and that it’s worth checking with your dealer before buying one.
Health & benefits
Medicare changes for 2027: free info session
St. Anthony Park Area Seniors is hosting a free talk on this fall’s Medicare changes on Wednesday, October 21, 2–3:30 pm, in person or online through their Facebook page. No registration is needed. Learn more at sapaseniors.org.
Community Events
Halloween
Pumpkins-in-the-Park returns to Alden Square
The 7th annual Pumpkins-in-the-Park runs October 26–31 at Alden Square Park, with pumpkins lit nightly around dusk. Neighbors are invited to bring a carved pumpkin to add to the patch, and donations of tea lights and votive candles are welcome. Speedy Market is partnering on the event again this year.
Learning
Missed the library forum? Watch the film online
The St. Anthony Park Branch Library Association screened Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior with a neighbor from Hamline’s Center for Global Environmental Education, the second in this season’s monthly Library Forums. The documentary is available at cgee.hamline.edu/estuaries, and upcoming forums are posted at sapbla.org.
Neighborhood history
Meet the architect Charles Aldrich
This month’s SAP Architecture and History talk, held the second Tuesday of each month at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, featured Charles Aldrich. He taught on the St. Paul Campus, lived on Keston in a house he designed, and designed buildings including the Pillsbury Library and the old University of Minnesota Armory. The talks stream on the church’s YouTube channel (find it through saplc.org).
Nearby
Free community dinner and a fall market
Prospect Park United Methodist Church serves a free community meal every third Wednesday, next on October 21, 5:30–6:30 pm, with dine-in or take-out and vegetarian options, in collaboration with Loaves & Fishes. Its annual Fall Market, with artisans, baked goods and a free kids’ makers room, is Saturday, November 7, 9 am–3 pm.
Read the threads on the ListServ: Community dinner → • Fall Market →
Arts & Local Business
Arts
New seasons for theater and live music
The Playwrights’ Center, now in the Creative Enterprise Zone on Raymond Avenue, announced its 2026–27 season of free public readings (pwcenter.org). The Music on the Lawn organizers thanked neighbors for supporting this year’s concerts at the new venue, are already planning next summer’s shows, and shared that live music at the Commodore Bar starts October 22 and 23 (thecommodorebar.com).
Read the threads on the ListServ: Playwrights’ Center → • Music on the Lawn →
Local business
Present Company wants your old dolls
Present Company is collecting dolls of any size or condition to turn into creepy Halloween crafts, and it’s hosting Monster Mash trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Neighborly Moments
Fun finds
A banner week for curb alerts
Neighbors gave away everything from doors and desks to sports gear, jigsaw puzzles and plants this week. The SAP Garden Club also left free perennial cranesbill at the library curb for anyone who wanted to plant some before winter. And one neighbor shared a timely tip: leave some of your fall garden alone to help bees overwinter.
Read More on the ListServ
This roundup is a sampling of what neighbors shared on the SAPark ListServ, the neighborhood email list hosted on Groups.io. Join to read the full conversations, share news and swap curb finds with neighbors.
Some ListServ threads may ask you to join (it’s free) before you can read them in full.
Get Involved
Your neighborhood, your voice.
Give, lend a hand, or come to a committee meeting. Every bit keeps St. Anthony Park neighbor-powered.
Questions? Email info@sapcc.org • 651-649-5992