Spring cleaning: A street sweeper dumps another load of winter's grit while cleaning out the gutters on Iowa near St. Albans.
2 Vacancies Open on District 10 Board
Yes, we just had annual elections (you can see the results below). But now we've got two new board vacancies to fill. So, we're seeking candidates. The vacancies:
  • Secretary. This election will fill the term left by João Medeiros, who was elected vice-chair of the board. Any resident who lives in District 10, or any representative of a business or organization based in District 10, is eligible to run for Secretary.
  • Sub-District 3 Director. This election will fill the term left by Frank Dolejsi, who resigned for health reasons. Sub-District 3 is bounded by Victoria, Larpenteur, Dale, and the BNSF tracks on the south. Residents who live in this area are eligible to fill the vacancy.
If you're interested in running for either seat, submit your name and a brief biography to the District 10 office no later than Tuesday May 3. Special elections will be held during the monthly Council meeting on Tuesday May 17. Get more details on the duties and the process.
Or, Have Your Say Another Way
District 10 needs to appoint neighborhood representatives to two city committees. Both committees weigh in on how things are going in Como Park:
  • Como Regional Park Advisory Committee. This committee, which meets four times a year, keeps track of what's going on with traffic, parking, and other projects in the park, and makes recommendations to the city's Parks Commission. District 10 gets two seats on the committee. Our representatives need to be the point people who keep the neighborhood informed on how park activities could impact those of us who live here, and convey our advice to parks leadership. 
  • Como Dockside Community Input Committee. This group will evaluate Como Dockside's performance as part of the restaurant's contract with the city. Committee members will develop surveys and other ways of assessing quality, customer service, community access, and other measurements. District 10 gets one seat on this committee. Our representative needs to be able to fairly document the pros and cons of Dockside's operation.
The District 10 Board intends to appoint these members at our May 17 meeting. If you are interested, submit your name (and a concise statement explaining the strengths you would bring) to the District 10 office no later than Tuesday May 3.
New Board Members Elected
Congratulations to the four newly elected District 10 board members, and to the four current members who won re-election during Tuesday night's annual meeting. On the new side of the equation: João Medeiros, the current secretary, was elected vice-chair; Monzong Cha was elected in Sub-District 4; and Melissa Finnegan and Melissa Liu were elected At-Large. On the returning side: Treasurer Amy Perna, Jon Heyer in Sub-District 1, Kim Moon in Sub-District 2, and Deb Pursley in Sub-District 3 all were re-elected.
Look at Energy in a New Way
Trying to make sense of community solar and other new options in electricity? Wonder how we're really doing in reducing reliance on fossil fuels? Want to find out about tax credits and rebates available if you make your home or business more energy-efficient? Then get the answers you're looking for at District 10's Clean Energy Forum. Presenters include Fresh Energy, Just Community Solar Coalition, and Neighborhood Energy Connection. The free event coincides with Earth Day weekend: it's this Sunday, April 24, from 1-2:30 p.m., at the Como Park Streetcar Station, on the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
The Red Ring of Death Visits Again
Nineteen Norway maples will be cut down on the west side of Victoria St. between Larpenteur Ave. and roughly Nebraska Ave. Repeated pruning, which was required to keep branches away from the power lines that run along the street, contributed to the trees' rapidly deteriorating condition, says Cy Kosel, the city's natural resources manager. The city will plant several varieties of shorter, "understory" trees this spring to replace the maples.
St. Paul Art Crawl illustration: DeAnne Parks
Inhale a Dose of Creativity
This weekend's St. Paul Art Crawl includes two stops in our neighborhood: at Front Ave. Pottery and Tile, 895 Front Ave.; and Bodhi Studio, 1563 Como Ave. 
  • Bodhi has exhibits of pottery, jewelry, illustrations, photography, and "outsider" art.
  • Front Ave. has exhibits of stoneware, porcelain, jewelry, photography, paintings, and ceramics. It also features music and hands-on opportunities for kids and adults from 6-10 tonight, April 22, and noon-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24.
If you're making the rounds, you can also take advantage of a free bus and light rail pass from Metro Transit.
Spread the Word about Your Garage Sale
Time is running short to register for the annual Como Neighborhood Garage Sale. If you're selling stuff, you must register by Wednesday May 4. When you do, we'll add your sale to the map and list of registered participants. That way, shoppers will know where to find you and what they'll find when they get there. The fee is still only $15, and you can take care of all the paperwork online. The neighborhood network of garage sales takes place Saturday May 14.
Taking Your Life into Your Hands
Como, Front and Dale is the most dangerous intersection in our neighborhood for pedestrians to cross, according to a survey of District 10 residents. That's followed by Lexington Parkway at East Como Lake Drive, where park paths cross Lexington north of the Pavilion.

The survey is part of District 10's participation in the citywide Stop for Me campaign, designed to increase pedestrian safety by educating drivers that state law requires them to stop for pedestrians in every crosswalk, every time. More than 100 people took the online survey. More than half of them named Como, Front and Dale (which has stoplights); more than a third of them named the Lexington crosswalk, which only has paint on the pavement.

Doing something about it: As part of the Stop for Me campaign, District 10 and St. Paul Police will hold a pedestrian safety event at the Lexington intersection on Thursday May 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Stay tuned for more details.
Let's Keep It Clean
Saint Paul and Ramsey County both host their annual spring parks cleanup this Saturday, April 23. Volunteers are invited to Como Park and 10 other locations to pick up trash and other winter detritus. The Como Park clean-up runs from 9-11:30 a.m.; meet at the Pavilion. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. For details on the Saint Paul cleanup, click here. For Ramsey County details, click here.
It's Never Too Early to Sign Up
In case it slipped your mind: Registration is open to sign up to exhibit at the ComoFest Art Fair on Saturday July 9, or to participate in the ComoFest 5K Run/Walk on Sunday July 17. For the full schedule of ComoFest events, see www.comofest.com.
Festival of Nations Needs Volunteers   
The International Institute, which sits on District 10's western border, is seeking volunteers for its Festival of Nations, which runs May 5-8 at the RiverCentre. The annual event is the state's largest and longest-running multicultural festival. Volunteers work a 3- or 4-hour shift staffing booths, helping with setup and teardown, cleaning tables, or greeting visitors. Volunteers receive free admission. You can get complete information and sign up online.
German Immersion School Seeks Board Candidates
Next Friday, April 29, is the deadline to apply for the governing board of the Twin Cities German Immersion School. The charter school is seeking three candidates for its nine-member board. By state law, at least one board member must be a community member who is not employed by the school or have children at the school. The   application is available online; it is due by 4:45 p.m. April 29.
Rec Centers Ready to Serve Up Summer
"Doubles Tennis" launches the line-up of summer activities at the North Dale and Northwest Como recreation centers. The recreational tennis evening runs six consecutive Wednesdays, beginning May 4, from 6-7:30 p.m. at North Dale. Adults will play with a different partner each set. The registration fee is $10. The complete summer schedules for youth, teen, and adult activities for North Dale and Northwest Como are posted on District 10's website.
Get a Composting Bin Dirt Cheap
Ramsey County residents can get $20 off a basic backyard composting bin -- which means you'll pay only $39 for a 10-cubic-foot bin. When you place your order online, enter the promo code "ramsey." Or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a county resident. Bins already are being delivered; order your bin in advance to pick up on:
  • Saturday April 30 at the Ramsey County Parks facility in Maplewood
  • Saturday June 11 at WestRock in Saint Paul
Don't Throw Away This Opportunity
Next Saturday, April 30, is the deadline to tell the city what you think about the idea of switching to organized trash collection. Take the city's survey, share how much you now pay, or just find out more about what may or may not happen.
Eureka logo Things We've Learned Along the Way
You can put a lot of things in your blue Eureka recycling bin, but you can't put in:
  • Plastic bags. Bags get tangled in the machinery and shut down the entire process. Plastic bags can be recycled -- just not in a curbside program. Instead, take them to a supermarket or retail store that recycles them separately.
  • Used needles and syringes. These are dangerous for recycling center workers. Regardless of what they're made of, and regardless if you've been trained to store them in a plastic bottle that can be recycled -- don't put them in the blue bin. Instead, take them to Ramsey County's Household Hazardous Waste site on Empire Drive in St. Paul.
  • Used fuel tanks, such as empty propane containers. Even if they seem like they're empty, they're not. That makes them dangerous for workers. Instead, exchange them if you can; otherwise, take them to a Ramsey County  Household Hazardous Waste site.
Look at What You Could Be Missing      
  • Tonight, April 22: Fourth Friday Dance. 6:30-8 p.m., Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave. The free event is open to the entire community.
  • This Wednesday, April 27: District 10 Environment Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend.
  • This Thursday, April 28: St. Paul River Balcony Community Meeting. 5-7 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota Discovery Room, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. Review the master plan and comment on the proposed 1.5-mile river bluff promenade.
  • Monday May 2: District 10 Land Use Committee. 7 p.m. This meeting will be held at a different location: the Como By the Lake Apartments, 901 Como Ave., so apartment residents can discuss their concerns about the location of crosswalks and bus stops near the Como and Nagasaki intersection. Community members are always welcome to attend.
  • Saturday May 14: Saint Paul for All brainstorming session on the city's next  comprehensive plan. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Saturday May 21: Como Park Neighborhood Seed and Seedling Share. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Friday May 27: Public hearing on Saint Paul Street Design Manual and Complete Streets Action Plan. 8:30 a.m., City Hall Room 40, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Saturday June 11: A Line bus service begins on Snelling Ave.
  • Tuesday Aug. 2: National Night Out
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
On average, nearly 2,000 cars are stolen in St. Paul each year; typically, fewer than half are recovered, according to Melanie McMahon, a Ramsey County community services attorney who specializes in analyzing auto theft data.

The sooner you report that your car was stolen, the better the odds of getting it back, she says. So call police ASAP -- you don't have to wait until you can find your title to report the theft. Believe it or not, she says, many thefts still occur because people leave their cars unoccupied and running, or leave keys in the car. In 2015, District 10 had an average of one auto theft per week -- the fifth-lowest rate in the city.
 
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood
At the Fairgrounds
  • Minnesota Horse Expo: Today, Friday April 22, through this Sunday, April 24, Warner Coliseum, AgStar Arena, Dairy Building, DNR Building, Miracle of Birth Center, Horse Barns, and Midway lot. 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $11 teens and adults; $7 children 6-12 and seniors 62 or older; free for children 5 or younger.
  • Rodeo: Warner Coliseum. 7 p.m. today and Saturday, April 22-23; 3 p.m. this Sunday, April 24. Admission: $4-$12.
  • Munchkin Markets' Spring/Summer Children's Consignment Sale: Education Building. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday, April 23; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. this Sunday, April 24. Admission: $1 Saturday.
  • Bicycle road races: This Sunday, April 24. Expect Randall Ave. and roads to the north to close from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Also, this Tuesday, April 26. Expect roads between Dan Patch and Hoyt to close from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Minnesota Future Farmers of America Convention: This Monday, April 25, Warner Coliseum, AgStar Arena, Merchandise Mart, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
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.