Forty-one trees and other leftover holiday greenery went up in flames at the eight annual Burning of the Trees March 19. Amy Brendmoen, Lisa Hannum, Susan Schmidt, and Virgil Wiebe started the tradition in their own yards before moving it to the Como Park fire rings. This year, nearly 100 people attended the unofficial celebration of the vernal equinox.
Safety First - on April 1st and Beyond
Our first Como Family Safety Fair takes place next Friday, April 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. at North Dale Community Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. More than 20 exhibitors will share advice, precautions, and resources on increasing safety for you, your family, our neighbors, and our neighborhood.

You can pick up tips on crime and fire prevention, pet and food safety, internet safeguards, bike helmet checks, and more. Plus, treat yourself to dinner: The Cave Cafe food truck and Cravin' Pie will have food and dessert for sale. The free event is co-sponsored by District 10 and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Grab more details and a flier to share on our website.
Come for the Fair, Stay for the Movie
After the Safety Fair, stick around for a free showing of " Shaun the Sheep." The clay animation film, from the creators of "Chicken Run" and "Wallace and Gromit," begins at 7:00 in the North Dale gym. It's rated PG. We'll supply popcorn; you should bring your own blankets, portable chairs, or mats to relax and enjoy the show.   
A portrait with style.
Plenty to Do on Spring Break
Northwest Como Rec Center has an entire week of activities lined up for when St. Paul Public Schools go on spring break April 4-8. To register, call 651-298-5813 or drop in at 1550 N. Hamline:
  • "Scooby Doo Art Camp," for ages 4-9, is a chance to get messy with clay, paint, and more. Monday-Tuesday, April 4-5, 1-3 p.m. $50
  • "Environmental Engineering: Go Green," for ages 7-12, examines the principles in designing efficient wind-powered machines, and lets participants experiment with different materials that clean up oil spills. Monday-Thursday, April 4-7, 1:30-3 p.m. $70
  • In "Paint Like Picasso," participants ages 5-12 will create a self-portrait -- in Cubist style. Thursday April 7, 1-3 p.m. $30.
Raising a racket (or is that racquet?): St. Paul Urban Tennis has spring break programs for children ages 4-11 at Northwest Como, all week from April 4-8. Fee is $15. (Urban Tennis also has spring programs for children ages 7-10 on Thursdays from April 12-May 17 at Orchard Park, 875 W. Orchard; and summer programs from June 20-July 28. Ages 5-teen will play at North Dale rec center; ages 5-11 will play at Orchard. Fees vary.)

On Spring Break now: Two charter schools in District 10 -- Metro Deaf School and Twin Cities German Immersion School -- are on Spring Break March 28-April 1.   
Still Thinking About It? Time is Running Out
District 10 will have elections in April for eight seats on the Como Community Council. We'll need representatives from every sub-district, 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. The deadline for getting your name on the ballot is Tuesday April 5.

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.
Your Library Card = 2 Free Tickets   
You can do a lot more with your library card than check out books, movies, and music. For a limited time, your St. Paul or Ramsey County public library card can get you free tickets to museums, theater performances, and concerts.
The trial program is called smARTpass, and it's only available online. On the website, you can find an event or museum you want to visit, then reserve one or two tickets. (Of course, there are limits and conditions.) The program is a cooperative effort by participating cultural organizations and MELSA -- the Metropolitan Library Service Organization -- with funding from the state Legacy Amendment.
A Better Way to Throw a Party
Starting to think about a graduation party, family reunion, big holiday weekend, or neighborhood picnic or block party this summer? Here's a chance to reduce your environmental footprint.

For a limited time, Eureka Recycling is opening its Zero Waste Recycling Co-Op. Through April 7, you can order a Zero Waste Party Kit, which includes plates, napkins, cups, and utensils -- all of which can be composted. And you can buy them at bulk prices.

For the office, too: The buying co-op also has 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper (in multiple colors) and recyclable binders.
You're Throwing Away How Much? 
How much do you pay to have your trash hauled away? As part of research into whether or not to start organized trash collection, the City of St. Paul is asking us to send in our trash bills. You can photograph or photocopy your bill (with your name and last two digits of your address crossed out) and:
  • Mail it to: Public Works, 1500 City Hall Annex, 25 W. 4th St., Saint Paul, MN, 55102  
  • Email it
  • Post it on Facebook with the hashtag #ShareYourBillStP
  • Tweet it to @cityofsaintpaul or post it on Twitter with the hashtag #ShareYourBillStP
If you're wondering what the whole discussion about organized trash collection is all about, see the city's web page. If you've got an opinion, that page includes a link to voice your thoughts.

If you want to learn more in person, mark your calendar for Sunday April 17. That's when's District 10's Sunday Series offers " Garbage 101." We'll look at trash collection in the big picture of recycling and waste reduction in general.   
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 Ramsey County resident. Order your bin in advance to pick up:
  • Friday April 22 at the Roseville Oval
  • Saturday April 30 at the Ramsey County Parks facility in Maplewood
  • Saturday June 11 at WestRock in Saint Paul
Don't Trash It - Fix It  
Ramsey County holds its next Fix-It Clinic this Saturday, March 26. Residents who bring in small household appliances, electronics, mobile devices, or clothing can receive free, guided assistance from volunteers to disassemble, troubleshoot, and repair the items. The clinic runs noon-3 p.m. at the Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave. A complete schedule of upcoming clinics and more details are available online.
Summer Sports Signup Ends March 31
Registration for youth sports activities at St. Paul Parks is still open -- but only until this Thursday, March 31. This summer's activities include baseball, softball, tee-ball, nearball, and lacrosse. Fees vary. You can find the complete lineup online. Or stop in at North Dale rec center, 1414 N. St. Albans, or Northwest Como rec center, 1550 N. Hamline.
A Good Reason to Buy a Tree or Two    
The annual tree sale is now underway for Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County. You can buy a tree, rosebush or shrub for yourself, or buy a tree to donate to a local park. The deadline to order a tree online is Friday April 22. You can pick up your order on Saturday May 7.
In Case Your Calendar Still Has Room
  • This Wednesday, March 30: District 10 Environment Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Agenda includes an update on the University of Minnesota's "grow tube" project in Como Park.
  • This Thursday, March 31: Deadline to submit comments on the future of Ramsey County's 13 ice arenas.
  • Monday April 4: District 10 Land Use Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • Tuesday April 5: Como Regional Park Advisory Committee. 6:30-8 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Agenda items include the Saint Paul Grand Round, McMurray Field reconstruction, and the Como Dockside community engagement process.
  • Wednesday April 6: Public hearing on Phase 2 of the Como-Chatsworth street reconstruction project. All public hearings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the third-floor City Council Chambers at City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Tuesday April 12: Ask a Student Pharmacist. 10:30-11:30 a.m., North Dale Community Center, 1414 N. St. Albans.
  • Friday April 22-Sunday April 24: St. Paul Art Crawl, Front Avenue Pottery, 895 Front Ave.
  • Saturday April 23: 30th annual St. Paul Citywide Cleanup. 9-11:30 a.m., Como Park and six other locations.
Don't Let These Things Sneak Up on You
District 10 is organizing these events this spring. Put them on your calendar now; stay tuned to our website for more details.
  • Sunday Series: The Truth About St. Paul's Bike Plan, Sunday April 10, 1-2:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station
  • Sunday Series: Garbage 101, Sunday April 17, 1-2:30 p.m., Como Park Lutheran Church
  • Clean Energy Forum: Sunday April 24, 1-2:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station
  • Como Park Neighborhood Garage Sale: Saturday May 14
  • Como Park Neighborhood Seed and Seedling Swap: Saturday May 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
Anytime you call police to report a crime -- emergency or not -- call 9-1-1, St. Paul Police recommend. That way the call goes directly to the joint Ramsey County dispatch center.

But: If you're calling from a cell phone in the city, St. Paul Police say, call 651-291-1111. That connects you directly to Ramsey County dispatchers. If you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, the call goes to a statewide dispatch center first, before it can be re-routed to Ramsey County. That takes longer.

The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood
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.