For the first time ever, St. Paul has a five-year plan for replacing and repairing arterial and residential streets. That's one of the facts the city's Public Works director, Kathy Lantry, shared at last week's District 10 Sunday Series presentation. The city is also coordinating more deliberately with Ramsey County and the state in determining which streets get done when, "but it's way easier said than done," she says.
Give Birds, Bees and Butterflies a Chance
Photo: Heather Holm
Want to attract and nourish birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial beasts in your yard? Then join Twin Cities authors Heather Holm and Clay Christensen this Sunday at " Gardening for the Birds and Bees," the next installment in District 10's 2016 Sunday Series.

Holm and Christensen will share specific advice about which trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, and other plantings work best. They'll also make sure we understand which gardening and yard practices help -- and which do not. It's free, this Sunday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Next week's installment, on Sunday March 6, is "The Como Park You Never Knew." You can find more details -- and the full Sunday Series schedule -- on our website.
Political Parties Hold Caucuses Tuesday      
The Minnesota DFL and Republican parties hold their precinct caucuses this Tuesday, March 1, beginning at 7 p.m. Caucus-goers will vote for presidential candidates and on policy issues to guide the parties' elected officials at the local, state, and national levels. Here's where to attend your caucus:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
  • Legislative District 66A: Roseville Area High School, 1261 W. County Road B2
  • Legislative District 66B: Como Park High School, 740 W. Rose Ave.
Republican
  • Legislative District 66A: Roseville Area Middle School, 15 E. County Road B2
  • Legislative District 66B: Como Park Elementary School, 780 W. Wheelock Parkway
If you don't know your legislative district, find out on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
Why Not Be on the Ballot Yourself?
District 10 will have elections this April for nine seats on the Como Community Council. 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 on our website.

Make sure you're registered: All residents age 18 or older who live in District 10 can vote in our April elections. So can authorized representatives of businesses or nonprofits based in District 10. If you haven't voted before, you can register online.
Operators are Standing By...
St. Paul is one of five finalists nationwide for an "accelerator" grant that would make innovative storm water treatment a reality in new development projects. Here's where we come in: Public support helps increase the odds of getting the grant. But the deadline is today -- Friday, Feb. 26. Go online now and say good things. If successful, the city's strategies would, among other things, protect the Mississippi River here and downstream.
Give Como Park H.S. a Boost    
The Como Park High School Booster Club holds its annual Fun-Raiser on Sunday March 6, from 4-8 p.m. at the Urban Growler taproom, 2325 Endicott St. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for youth. A ticket gets you food, a beverage, and a chance at door prizes. Additional contributions are welcome; all proceeds benefit student extracurricular activities. For more information, contact Sandy Kestner by email or phone, 651-744-3997.
Job Corps Has New Management 
Beginning this Tuesday, March 1, the Humphrey Job Corps Center has new management. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a contract to operate the job-training program to Management and Training Corp., which is based in Utah. MTC replaces Minact Inc., which is based in Mississippi.  Management and Training is the largest operator of Job Corps centers in the nation; it now has 19 centers serving roughly 10,000 students. 

"First and foremost, we want to be a good neighbor," says Celeste McDonald, an MTC vice president. "We hope to implement the best of what works, to bring the best outcomes to Minnesota." MTC and new director Will Coleman will host a "get to know you" breakfast and meeting on Thursday March 10 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the campus' Latimer Cafeteria, near Arlington and Snelling. If you're interested in attending, contact Mary Stone. 
No, They're Not Playing Hooky      
St. Paul Public Schools are closed today, Friday Feb. 26, for a staff development day.
Library Offers Writing Workshops  
The Saint Paul Public Library and The Loft are teaming up to offer writing workshops at the Merriam Park, Central, and Riverview libraries. The workshops are free, but you've got to register in advance. As you'd suspect, space is limited. The Write It! workshops begin Saturday March 5. The topics: "Creative Writing Beginnings," "Get Past Your Fear of the Blank Page," "E-Publishing," "Senior Moments: Starting Your Writing Project at 55+," "Fiction Basics," and "Family Stories into Memoir."
The Hobo Nephews
of Uncle Frank
It's Your Last Shot at 'Music Under Glass'
The final "Music Under Glass" concert for the season is this Sunday, Feb. 28, featuring Americana roots music from brothers Ian and Teague Alexy, who perform as the  Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank . The free event runs 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the sunken garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.
It's Time to Sign Up for Summer Sports      
Registration opens this Tuesday, March 1, for summer youth sports at St. Paul Parks. If you register between Tuesday and next Saturday, March 5, you can save 10-25 percent. For the full rundown on which sports are available where, go online. 
North Dale offers ballet for children beginning March 4.
Or Get Indoors While You Can
A new round of activities starts in March at the North Dale and Northwest Como Recreation Centers.  
At North Dale
  • Tae Kwon Do for ages 4-5, 6-12, and 13-adult starts this Wednesday, March 2. It 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 next Friday, March 4. Fee is $50.
  • A two-hour workshop on Henna Body Art takes place 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 lets 7-12-year-olds learn about (and experiment with) different chemical compounds -- including pigmentation and rocket fuel. It runs four 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.
 
At Northwest Como
  • Rec Plus, a free after-school activity for 2nd- to 5th-graders, runs weekdays from 3-5 p.m. beginning this 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 ages 7-11 can 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.
Andy Warhol
Paint, Sing, Talk, Repeat      
Lyngblomsten also has a new crop of classes starting this week. All the Artful Living events are on the Lyngblomsten campus -- east of Pascal between Midway Parkway and Almond. All classes are open to any member of the community at large. Among the offerings:
  • Exploring Art: Andy Warhol. Study the master of pop art -- then make some Warhol-style creations of your own. Tuesdays March 1-22, 1-2:30 p.m. $25. Register by email
  • Mixed Media Visual Arts. Learn basic painting techniques in mixed media, acrylic, and water-color. Tuesdays March 1-April 26, 10-11:30 a.m., $50. Register by email
  • Life Stories: Join conversations, share your personal stories, and learn how to document them in a personal journal. First and third Tuesdays, beginning March 1, 9-10 a.m. Free.
  • Sing for Life Choir: Learn singing and choral skills, even if you have no experience. Come as often as you can. Wednesdays, March 2-May 4, 9:15-10:15 a.m. Free.
OK, Stop Procrastinating        
This Tuesday, March 1, is the deadline to submit a nomination 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; individuals, businesses, and organizations may nominate others or themselves in more than a dozen categories. They say no project is too big or too small.
Other Stuff That's Going On
  • This Monday, Feb. 29: Deadline to apply for the city's Right Track summer job and internship program for qualifying youth ages 14-21.
  • This Monday, Feb. 29: District 10 Land Use Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • This Wednesday, March 2: District 10 Executive Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
One of the best ways to avoid being robbed in public is to be aware of your surroundings, says Commander Ed Lemon of St. Paul's Western Police District. You are more vulnerable if you are glued to your cell phone, or wear ear buds or headphones, he says; you are less vulnerable if you stay aware of people around you, focus on their behavior, and trust your gut instinct.

One way to stay aware: Practice describing the people around you: what they look like, their clothes, their height, their build, their hair, their skin, and characteristics such as tattoos, piercings or glasses. It keeps you alert; it also makes you more likely to be able to provide a useful description if a crime does occur.
At the Fairgrounds      
Outdoor News holds its Deer and Turkey Show at the Warner Coliseum this weekend, Feb. 26-Feb. 28. Hours are 2-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
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 expressed interest in District 10 activities.