Lao Family Community's July 4th Sports Tournament kicks off
By Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.July 2--The recent death of Hmong Gen. Vang Pao and a legal fight between current and former board members of the Lao Family Community of Minnesota haven't derailed a 3-decade-old soccer tradition, believed to be the largest Hmong gathering in the world.
Lao Family's annual Hmong sports tournament takes place today and Sunday at McMurray Field in St. Paul's Como Park.
The tournament, in its 31st year, is expected to draw several hundred athletes and as many as 40,000 spectators per day, with sports activities such as volleyball, flag football and tennis offered in adjoining fields or off-site. The group also will host the traditional Hmong sports of kato (think of volleyball played with the head, feet -- everything but the hands) and top-spin, where players use a modified golf stick to throw spinning tops onto boards. Off-site sports are golf and bowling.
Players for the 34 men's soccer teams and five women's soccer teams have come from as far as France, Australia, Laos, Thailand, Canada and the Philippines. Event fliers are available online at www.laofamily.org.
New for this year are senior games. Sports organizer Peter Yang said two exhibition teams will feature "senior" soccer players ages 49 to 55, and a "super-senior" match will feature players 56 to 72 years old. The four demonstration teams will include players from Europe and Asia.
LEGAL FIGHT
Organizers have moved forward with the tournament despite legal
tensions between former and current Lao Family board members, who have different visions for the organization.
Chupheng Lee, former vice president of the board, filed a petition in Ramsey County District Court related to a board election Dec. 11. Lao Family officials maintain that a major snowstorm that day led to the decision to scrap the results and reschedule the election for April 23.
Tournament organizers say the infighting made organizing the event especially difficult this year and delayed permits and planning. As a result, fewer female soccer teams signed up than last year.
Lao Family has posted a letter to the community regarding the dispute on its website.
"Everything is in good hands," said Richard Malacko, an attorney for Lao Family. "Right now, they're going to focus on having a successful weekend and a successful event. The big thing is signing a contract with the city for the land, which they've done....They're looking forward to a great weekend.
Como Park St Paul - News
Clemmie Howard Tucker Jr., a former all-star athlete at Como Park High School who was sent to prison for nearly 19 years in 2006 for shooting his girlfriend to death, has a chance to get shorter sentence thanks to a Minnesota Supreme
But there's one in bloom today, June 29, at the Marjorie McNelly Conservatory in St. Paul's Como Park. The rarity of this event has prompted the Conservatory to extend its hours. It will be open until 9 pm tonight and will reopen at 7 am tomorrow for
A flock of pink flamingos landed in downtown St. Paul's Mears Park on Tuesday. More of the colorful - but plastic - birds will pop up at downtown parks though July 11, all part of a campaign to promote Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Lao Family's annual Hmong sports tournament takes place today and Sunday at McMurray Field in St. Paul's Como Park. The tournament, in its 31st year, is expected to draw several hundred athletes and as many as 40000 spectators per day,
The experiment, conducted under the direction of Como Park teachers Lindsay Lowther and Peter Grebner, was a fitting end to a week's worth of science experiments designed to salute the end of the school year in Minnesota. Besides Como Park, other
Como Park Conservatory – St. Paul, MN | St. Paul Condos and Lofts
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Looking for a romantic date spot, a family outing or a place to bring out-of-town visitors? The Conservatory is a great option for any of those events. I recently took a day trip to the park and had a very enjoyable experience. The beauty of the flowers will leave you awestruck. The unique flowers/plants are bigger and brighter than you could ever grow. It’s truly gorgeous — it’s no wonder why it is such a popular spot for weddings. I have friends that have gotten engaged here and friends that have gotten married here (though it can’t accommodate too many people). I recommend going later in the day because it is a less bit chaotic and all the school tours have gone home by then. Parking is much easier late in the afternoon as well. The cost is free, though a donation is appreciated. As I said above, the Conservatory is a place you can visit for a number of reasons and you won’t be disappointed by the magnificence of the garden.
RT : I'm at Como Park Zoo (1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul) w/ 9 others 
I'm at Como Park Zoo (1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul) w/ 9 others 
I'm at Como Park Zoo (1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul) w/ 6 others [pic]: 
I'm at Como Park Zoo (1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul) w/ 4 others 
A "Dry" Picnic — On the Fourth of July the prohibitionists of the two cities will picnic at Como Park, St Paul.Como Park St Paul - Bookshelf
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul, Includes Hikes in and Around the Twin Cities
Alternative route is to take I-94 East into St. Paul and take the Lexington Avenue exit north to Como Avenue. Turn right on Como into Como Park, ...Annual report of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul
Como Park is worthy of its position as the central nexus of this system of parks and parkways. FUTURE PARK NEEDS. The park area of St. Paul, exclusive of ...Concrete bridges and culverts, for both railroads and highways
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The same cars will take you to the main university campus, as also will the St. Paul-Minneapolis line. Como Park — Nature and art have ...Check Information Directory
Como Zoo and Conservatory
Includes calendar, class and program schedule, membership information, and more.
Como Park Online
Neighborhood site for the residents and visitors.
City of St. Paul, MN - Official Website - Como Park
For over one hundred years, Como Park has played a vital role in meeting the recreational needs of residents of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. ...
Como Park - Como - St Paul, MN
21 Reviews of Como Park "My review for Como Park: The Lake... Two times around is a 5K, ... Como Park was "the" standard late-spring field trip destination for the St. Paul ...
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About Como Park. Advanced Placement (AP) Alumni and Grad Party ... St. Paul News Article. 2004-10 Season Summaries. 2010 JV Game Schedule. 2010 C-Team Game ...
