Members of the Hamline University men's hockey team take a break during practice this week at the Oscar Johnson Arena on Energy Park Drive. The defending MIAC champions play a home-and-home series against Gustavus Adolphus this weekend.
So, You Think You're Street Smart
Photo: Star Tribune
Last week it was plowing. This week it's potholes. Whatever the season, St. Paul's Department of Public Works deals with it. This Sunday, you can learn what that means as District 10's Sunday Series opens with "Public Works 101."
 
Kathy Lantry, head of Saint Paul's Department of Public Works, and Cy Kosel, natural resources manager for St. Paul Parks, will lead a discussion (and answer questions) about our streets and alleys, as well as most of the things on them, under them, above them, and next to them.

They'll cover boulevards to lighting, sewers to trees, short-term and long-term maintenance, and whatever else is on your mind. The free session begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Como Park Streetcar Station, on the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • Next week's installment, on Sunday Feb. 28, is "Gardening for the Birds and Bees." You can find more details -- and the full Sunday Series schedule -- on our website.
Photo: Star Tribune
Saint Paul Starts Talking Trash        
The Saint Paul City Council wants to know what we think about organized trash collection. Council members are starting a three-month dialogue about whether to undo the city's current open system, in which we -- as individual property owners -- hire our own waste haulers. 
 
If you're wondering what this is all about, see the city's web page. That page also has a link to a survey to voice your thoughts, and information on how to share a copy of your waste bill, so council members and city staff understand how much we as residents now pay for various levels of service. 
  • If you want more information on the history, advantages, and disadvantages of how trash is collected in St. Paul, see a study conducted by the Mac-Groveland Community Council.
  • If you want to learn more in person, mark your calendar for Sunday April 17. That's when District 10's Sunday Series offers "Waste 101," in which we look at trash collection in the big picture of recycling and reducing waste in general. 
Photo: Joel Eagle
Jolt Your Senses to Life        
Pick your bouquet: Whether it's exquisite flowers, rich wines, or tasty craft beers, the Como Friends'  Bouquets fundraiser has it all. You can sample more than 100 wines, sip your way through a beer garden, or pick and choose appetizers and sweets from 15 restaurants. Plus, get your competitive juices flowing in a silent auction.

The festivities are this Thursday, Feb. 25, from 7-9:30 p.m. in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Tickets are $60 ($55 for members of Como Friends). Buy them online, or skip the service charge by picking them up in person at the Garden Safari gift shop in the Visitors Center. You must be 21 or older.
First the Beer Dabbler, Now This  
The Sloppy Loppet mocks winter, endurance skiing, and serious competition with a series of "athletic" events that one way or another involve drinking. A sampling of the games: Tug 'n' Chug (which has something to do with sledding), Beerathlon (which has something to do with firing Nerf guns at tall boys), and the Three-Ski Race (which appears to be a winter variation of the old summer picnic favorite). The absurdity all takes place outside the Como Park Pavilion this Sunday, Feb. 21, from 1-5 p.m. Adults only. Tickets are $20-$25.
Erik Brandt and his Hillbilly Quartet
Get Your Hillbilly On   
After a week off for Valentine's Day, " Music Under Glass" returns this Sunday, Feb. 21. The free concert, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., features Erik Brandt and the Urban Hillbilly Quartet. The name pretty much says all you need to know, right? The concert is in the sunken garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. Beer, wine and snacks will be available for purchase.
Then Get Your Ukulele Out of the Attic 
MacPhail's " Music for Life" series features a " Beginning Ukulele" class beginning in March at Lyngblomsten. The class is targeted for absolute beginners through intermediate players, who can gain skills and confidence by learning and playing in a group. The class runs 2:30-3:30 p.m. for 12 Mondays beginning March 7. Tuition is $220, or $209 if you're 55 or older. Lyngblomsten is at 1415 Almond Ave.; participants from the community are welcome.
Create a Vine-Yard of Your Own   
The Urban Homesteading series wraps up this week, coordinated by St. Paul Public Libraries and Ramsey County's Master Gardeners. The final topic explains how to grow grapes in your backyard: what you need for soil, light, and water; various trellis systems; and the best grape varieties. The free seminar is this Thursday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. at the Riverview Library, 1 E. George St., on the West Side.
Want to Be More Than an Observer?     
District 10 will have elections this April for nine seats on the Como Community Council board. We'll need representatives from every subdistrict, plus from the district at-large. You can get all the details of how to become a candidate, what kind of commitment you're making, and more info on our website.
North Dale offers a henna class on March 5. Photo: Emeraldserpenthenna
Get Indoors While You Still Can   
A new round of activities starts in March at the North Dale and Northwest Como Recreation Centers.

North Dale
  • Tae Kwon Do for ages 4-5, 6-12, and 13-adult starts March 2 and runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and some Fridays through March. Fee is $50.
  • Ballet for ages for ages 3-4 and 4-6 runs for 10 Fridays beginning March 4. Fee is $50.
  • A two-hour workshop on Henna Body Art runs Saturday March 5 from 10 a.m.-noon. Fee is $25.
  • Kids ages 3-5 can explore the World of Worms on Monday March 7 from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Fee is $20.
  • Mix It Up -- an "Engineering for Kids" class -- lets 7-12-year-olds learn about and experiment with different chemical compounds. Runs Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning March 8. Fee is $70.
Later in the month, activities include Tumbling for ages 3-4 and 5-6. For full information or to register, drop by North Dale at 1414 N. St. Albans, or call 651-558-2329.
 
Northwest Como
  • Rec Plus, a free after-school activity for 2nd -to 5th-graders, runs weekdays from 3-5 p.m. beginning Tuesday March 1. It includes games, homework time, arts, and snacks.
  • Floor Hockey for ages 7-12 runs for six Mondays from 4-4:45 p.m. beginning March 7. Fee is $25.
  • Preschoolers can experiment with Taste and Smell -- and take home their own scratch-and-sniff stickers -- on Friday March 11 from 10-10:45 a.m. Fee is $20.
  • Kids 7-11 can learn create Lego Ziplines and other action toys on three consecutive Thursdays from 3:15-5:15 p.m. beginning March 17. Fee is $70.
For full information or to register, drop by Northwest Como at 1550 N. Hamline, or call 651-298-5813.
 
Hey, We Do a Lot of That Around Here       
The city is accepting nominations for the 2016 Sustainable Saint Paul Awards, which honor work being done to protect and restore the environment in Saint Paul. Nominations can be made online; they are due by Tuesday March 1. Individuals, businesses and organizations may nominate others or themselves in more than a dozen categories. No project is too big or too small.
Keep Your Calendar Up to Date
  • This Monday, Feb. 22: Como Park High School Booster Club. 6:30 p.m., Athletic Offices, 740 W. Rose Ave.
  • This Wednesday Feb. 24: District 10 Environment Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • Monday Feb. 28: Deadline to apply for the city's Right Track summer job and internship program for qualifying youth ages 14-21.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
Gonna be away from home for a weekend? A week? A month? If you don't have neighbors who can keep an eye on your place, call the St. Paul Police instead. When you sign up for the Western District's Vacation Watch, reserve officers will check on your property while you're gone. The service is free.

Just call 651-266-5485 and tell them when you'll be gone, who has keys to your home, if you've got pet-sitters or other folks visiting, and other basic information. Then enjoy your vacation -- and a little more peace of mind.
 
At the Fairgrounds      
  • It's outdoor hockey this weekend at TCF Bank Stadium, which means the Fairgrounds shuttle lots will be in use -- for $20 a pop. The Wild-North Stars-Blackhawks alumni game is this Saturday, Feb. 20; the official NHL game between the Wild and Chicago is this Sunday, Feb. 21
  • And speaking of North Stars: The North Star Roller Girls hold their next bout this Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Warner Coliseum.
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.