So, John doesn't know how to do this, so I'm posting it here in case anyone else does.
You can set the LJ comm to e-mail you (or IM you) when new posts are on the comm. To do this:
Go to "user info" on the top list of links.
Click on "Track" on the right-hand side, with the thumb tack icon.
Click the box next to "someone posts a new entry to
ms_germanyClick the box that says "Also notify me by...e-mail" at the top
Click "Save".