It's just past daybreak, but Dwight Vaughn has been on the job four hours to make and groom snow on "Mount Como." Vaughn -- a snowboarder himself -- and his Parks Department co-workers must wait until temperatures fall below 19 degrees before they can create snow that is falls as snow, not ice.
If It's Winter, Lace 'Em Up and Enjoy It
North Dale and Northwest Como Rec Centers want to make sure you don't become a hermit -- despite the deepest freeze of the year.

This Saturday, Jan. 15, North Dale hosts the "St. Paul Winter Classic" hockey extravaganza. The schedule includes outdoor games among youth and high school programs, plus a game between alumni of Como Park and St. Bernard high schools. The free events run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fire pits and hot food and beverages will be available. North Dale is at 1414 N. St. Albans.

Next Friday, Jan. 22, Northwest Como holds its Family Skating Party and Bonfire. There will be boot hockey, skating, hot chocolate, popcorn -- and snow shoes and cross-country skis for those who prefer snow to ice. The free activities run 6-8 p.m. Northwest Como is at 1550 N. Hamline.
A concept of how the Grand Round might look where Wheelock meets the Gateway Trail.
Get a Look at the Grand Round  
A public preview this Tuesday, Jan. 19, shows off the latest design concepts for the northern half of the Saint Paul Grand Round. The plan expands safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle connections between Phalen Park, Como Park, and beyond -- including along Wheelock Parkway. You can view the plans from 6-8 p.m. at the Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave. 
Ellen Muller and Hilary Holmes, of the city's Department of Planning and Economic Development, talk about the financial and technical resources
available to businesses during the
Como Business Network breakfast
Jan. 12 at the HHH Job Corps Center.
Shedding Light on STAR Grants  
Businesses and nonprofits are invited to a free workshop to learn about loans and grants available through the City of Saint Paul's Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) program.

The workshop is Wednesday Feb. 10, from 10-11:30 a.m., at the Historic Mounds Theater, 1029 Hudson Road. STAR provides funding for capital improvement projects within the city. It requires a minimum 1:1 match. The deadline to apply for the 2016 program will be March 23.
Last Chance to Comment on Our New Community Plan
The Saint Paul Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the draft District 10 Como Community Council District Plan this Wednesday, Jan. 20. The hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. You can read the plan on the District 10 website.

Written comments should be submitted by email or in writing to: Josh Williams, 1300 City Hall Annex, 25 W. 4th St., Saint Paul, MN 55102. (For emails, please specify "District 10 Plan" in the subject line.)
Start Putting Words into Action
An Equity Action Forum plots out the next steps for St. Paul, based on community dialogues that took place in 2015 among police, youth, parks employees, other city departments, and other community organizations.
The free forum is Saturday Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, Room 272 in the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St. on the West Side. RSVP to District 1's Chia Lor by phone at 651-578-7400 or by email.
Local Parks Try to Get You Off the Couch  
Northwest Como Rec Center and North Dale Rec Center continue rolling out activities for preschoolers to adults. Among new offerings that start soon:
  • Registration is open at both parks until the end of January for spring volleyball and indoor soccer.
  • Northwest Como has openings for activities such as ballet and other dance forms for ages 3-10; hip-hop for boys ages 6-10; archery for ages 9-14; and  Minecrafting for ages 10-15.
  • North Dale's openings include tumbling for ages 3-6 and ice skating for ages 5-7. Plus, it doesn't seem fair that only 4- to 9-year-olds can register for the "Super Duper Messy Art Class."
For the full schedules, call Northwest Como at 651-298-5813 or North Dale at 651-558-2329.
... But If You Prefer to Cozy Up with a Book    
Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul Public Libraries, and the East Side Freedom Library are teaming up to coordinate the Metro Big Read, a community-wide reading program featuring the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

Zora Neale Hurston's book, published 75 years ago, examines race, gender, and mental illness. Discussion groups, mixed media presentations, screenings of the movie based on the book, and storyteller performances are among Big Read events. Events are scheduled around town from Jan. 28-Feb. 29.

Free copies of the book are available at the Metro State Library; the Rondo, Rice Street, Dayton's Bluff, and Arlington Hills community libraries; and the East Side Freedom Library.
When Was the Last Time You Went Dancing?
If it's the fourth Friday, it's time for dancing at Lyngblomsten. The Artful Living series brings in the band; it's up to you to bring your moves. It all happens on Friday Jan. 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Newman-Benson Chapel. The good times are free and open to the entire community -- and you can even get home before curfew. Lyngblomsten is at 1415 Almond Ave.
Lucy Michelle
Guaranteed to Be Toasty Inside
This week's "Music Under Glass" concert features local singer-songwriter Lucy Michelle. The free event is this Sunday, Jan. 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the sunken garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. You can purchase beer, wine and snacks. Future concerts 
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
If you're hunkering down this weekend, it's a great time to accomplish a task you've been putting off for a) weeks b) months c) years. One suggestion: Take pictures and record serial numbers of all your valuables -- in your home, in your garage or storage locker, or in your car. Then, if you are victimized by a burglar or thief, St. Paul police say, it's easier to claim your goods if they are recovered or pawned.
At the Fairgrounds
  • Antiques Show: This Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and this Sunday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Warner Coliseum. Expect parking congestion around the Coliseum and in the lots south of Como Ave.
  • Also, some roads and sections are closed as they keep making snow for the upcoming Winter Carnival Snow Sculpting Competition.
Of Course Everything's Happening on the Same Night
  • This Tuesday, Jan. 19: Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen holds "community office hours." 4-5:30 p.m., Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St.
  • This Tuesday, Jan. 19: Como Park High School Parent and Community Council. 6-7:30 p.m., school library, 740 W. Rose Ave.
  • This Tuesday, Jan. 19: District 10 Como Community Council Board Meeting. 7 p.m., Historic Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Closed for the Holiday
The District 10 offices are closed this Monday, Jan. 18, in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
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 have expressed an interest in District 10 activities.