11-year-old Maddy Ellis-Cramer shovels off the skating rink in her backyard. Her parents -- Mandy Ellis and Gerard Cramer -- and their dog, Pi, help out.
Park District Holds Permit Lottery Jan. 4
Como Park picnic shelter
Photo: RRTL Architects
Planning a picnic, reunion, or other big event at a St. Paul park in 2016? Then you'd better plan to get up early this Monday, Jan. 4. That's when the park district holds its annual permit lottery for park reservations. You can find all the fine print online -- but here's the thumbnail version:
  • The lottery for park reservations is open only to St. Paul residents or businesses -- and you've got to prove it.
  • Permits cannot be transferred.
  • The lottery takes place at the park district's Como Park offices, 1100 N. Hamline Ave. (the corner of Hamline and Jessamine).
  • If you're in line between 7 and 7:30 a.m., you get a lottery number.
  • Starting at 7:31 a.m., the district pulls lottery numbers to decide who gets the first crack at permits for their preferred date and place.
  • When the lottery is done, it's first-come, first-served for anybody else who shows up in person.
  • If you can't stand in line Monday, you can make phone reservations beginning Tuesday Jan. 5. You can begin making online reservations Feb. 1.
  • If you don't live in St. Paul, sleep in: You can't get a permit until Feb. 1.
Last Chance to Register for Como Business Network
The Como Business Network will meet on Tuesday Jan. 12 at the HHH Job Corps Center from 7:30-9 a.m. Our guest speaker is Ellen Muller, the economic development manager for the City of St. Paul's Department of Planning and Economic Development. The breakfast is free, but reservations are required. Reserve your spot by calling District 10 at 651-644-3889, or by emailing District 10. We must receive your reservation by this Wednesday, Jan. 6.

The business network meets quarterly to connect Como Park businesses and to brainstorm on improving business success in the neighborhood. If you cannot attend the Jan. 12 event, but would like to learn more, contact District 10.
Local Parks Line Up Blizzard of Activities 
A new schedule of activities rolls out over the next few weeks at our local recreation centers.

Northwest Como Rec Center begins free open gym for families from 3-5 p.m. Sundays, starting this week, Jan. 3. Upcoming classes at Northwest Como include ice-skating lessons; ballet, jazz, and hip-hop dance for children under 10; tae kwan do for youth and teens; pick-up soccer for men; and pick-up basketball for women over 30.

North Dale Recreation Center offers yoga, pilates, and square-dancing for adults; tae kwan do for preschoolers, youth, teens, and adults; dance for children ages 3-12; and cheer for children and teens. In addition, North Dale opens the gym for free "tot time" for preschoolers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-noon beginning this Monday, Jan. 4.

For exact fees, times, or other information on specific activities, or to register, drop in at the rec center or:
  • Call Northwest Como at 651-298-5813
  • Call North Dale at 651-558-2329
  • Look it up online
Ski Trails are Open; Mount Como is Not
They're a little worn out already but, yes, the cross-country ski trails are groomed and open at Como Park. So are the unofficial sledding hills. However, Mount Como is not likely to open for downhill and snowboarding until at least Wednesday, Jan. 6. News on other nearby skiing options:
  • St. Paul Parks and Recreation has cross-country ski trails open at Phalen Park and Highland Park. City trails are free.
  • Ramsey County has trails groomed -- but for skate-style skiing only -- at Battle Creek, Grass Lake, Tamarak Nature Center, and Vadnais-Sucker Lakes. (Tamarak does have some classic tracks available.) County trails require a state ski pass.
  • The University of Minnesota's trails at the Les Bolstad Golf Course are not yet open. University trails have a fee.
Photo: ThemeShaper
Nailing Down the Details of a Tool Library
Some St. Paul residents are looking at starting a tool library. That's right, a place where members can borrow tools instead of buying them. To learn more, attend their informational meeting this Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave. Find additional details on the organizers' Facebook event.
The Last Revel (Tim McG photo)
Revel in Another Long Weekend
This week's "Music Under Glass" concert features The Last Revel, a trio who promise a rowdy performance of lyric-driven Americana. (At least that's what the promotional material says.)
The free concert is this Sunday, Jan. 3, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the tropical garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. Beer, wine and snacks are available for purchase. Future concerts  
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
If someone you do not know knocks on your door and asks for someone who does not live there, call the police -- 911 -- and report it. This is one tactic burglars use to check if people are home. If you can, get a description of the person or vehicle. The District 10 website has a flier with guidelines from the St. Paul Police to help you describe suspects.
Land Use Committee Meets Monday
It's back to work for us: The District 10 Land Use Committee meets this Monday, Jan. 4. The meeting begins a 7 p.m. at the Historic Streetcar Station, at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Discussion includes traffic issues around the German Immersion School, and pursuing a stop sign for pedestrian safety at Como and Pascal.
Eureka logo
Need a New Recycling Bin for the New Year?
Free recycling bins and organic composting bags are always available at the District 10 office in the Historic Streetcar Station at Lexington and Horton. You can pick yours up this Sunday, Jan. 3, from noon-4 p.m. Or, if that doesn't work, call us at 651-644-3889 and arrange to get yours by appointment.
Don't Forget to Recycle Your Holidays
We've got a story on our website that tells you pretty much everything you need to know about safely recycling used holiday lights, Christmas trees, holiday greenery, and all that cardboard packaging. 
In Case You've Got Free Time
  • This Tuesday, Jan. 5: "Welcome Hat" open house for folks who have moved to Saint Paul in the past year or so, 5-7:30 p.m., Minnesota History Center.
  • Next Friday, Jan. 8: Saint Paul Planning Commission holds a public hearing about restoring street parking on University Ave., 8:30 a.m., City Hall Room 40.
  • Wednesday Jan. 20: Saint Paul Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the District 10 Como Community Plan, 5:30 p.m., City Council chambers.
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.