Lue Moua waits for some action as he and his buddy, Kanchic Yang, kill time before work by fishing on Como Lake. This is Moua's first year ice-fishing; he says they're mostly pulling in small crappies, but did land a 36-inch pike from one of their hand-augered holes.
Sauna! Sauna! Sauna!
The Little Box Sauna is a
customized camping trailer.
 The rumors are true: There will be a sauna at Como Lake this winter! Little Box Sauna will set up near the Pavilion every Friday and Saturday night, and every Sunday afternoon, in February. Organizers will release full details this Monday, Feb. 1; watch the District 10 website and our Facebook page for more information, including on how to sign up. (Individuals and groups of up to 8 will be able to reserve up to 90 minutes in the hot box.) Sorry, purists, you won't be able to jump in the lake for the full sauna cycle (too many safety hurdles to overcome). But no one will stop you from rolling around in the snow and ice if that's what you need to do.

The City of Saint Paul, through support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, has teamed up with Little Box Sauna, The 612 Sauna Society, Warners' Stellian, and Como Dockside to make this sauna experience at Como Lake possible.
 
Winter Carnival Arrives in Force
St. Paul's Winter Carnival is underway; in our neck of the woods, we don't get any Red Bull events, but we do get our own share of zaniness. Here are local highlights:
At the Fairgrounds       

The Winter Carnival Snow Park opens today, Jan. 29. All Snow Park events take place around the Kidway, on the east end of the Fairgrounds near Cooper St. and Wright Ave. Activities include:
Minnesota Snow Sculpting Competition. The carving and chiseling started at 9 a.m.; the competition features three-person teams from around the state. You can watch the creative process in action until 10 tonight, from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday, when you'll get to vote on the "people's choice" favorites -- and maybe even figure out what it is you're looking at.
Giant Snow Slide. The 110-foot slide operates from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturdays Jan. 30 and Feb. 6; from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 31; then from 5-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 1-5. The slide is $2 per ride (or 3 rides for $5). Warning: It's Zombie Night on Wednesday Feb. 3.
Vulcan Fun Day. Well, that's redundant, isn't it? The boys in red offer free fire truck rides, selfie opportunities, a free treasure hunt for kids, and merchandise you can buy. The Vulcans (and Royal Family) promise to be there this Sunday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (By the way: The Vulcan Krewe is still looking for help to staff the snow slide and to judge snow sculptures this Sunday.)  
Beer Dabbler. Craft beer from 140 breweries, food trucks, live music, and more. Tickets start at $40; events take place on Saturday Feb. 6 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in the Warner Coliseum and the Mighty Midway. Wait -- unlimited beer and a snow slide in the same general vicinity? Let's hope somebody's got insurance.
In Como Park        
Disc Golf Ice Bowl. Competitors play a 28-hole course this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30-31, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Spectating is free, but the event is a benefit for Second Harvest Heartland, so you are allowed to be generous.
Ultimate Hat Tournament. Ultimate players can join organized pick-up games this Saturday, Jan. 30, starting at 9 a.m. (Details on all this Frisbee-related stuff are available online.)
Winter Carnival Orchid Show         
For a different kind of competition, soak in the fragrance and sight of hundreds of orchids at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The conservatory, individuals, and commercial growers from throughout the Midwest display their extraordinary flowers in this competitive show. The event runs this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30-31, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for teens and adults, $3 for children ages 3-12. You get $1 off with a Carnival button.
If You Want to Sneak into Falcon Heights ...
Our next-door neighbor holds its Winterfest this Sunday, Jan. 31, from 1-4 p.m. at Community Park, 2050 Roselawn Ave. The free, family event features skating, snowshoeing, hayrides, a treasure hunt, and smoosh racing, which is a little like cross-country skiing -- only you're strapped into a pair of 2x4s with three other teammates. (It's a good thing they're not doing this at the Beer Dabbler.)
Como High Holds Open House         
Learn everything you need to know about the academic and extra-curricular opportunities available at Como Park High School during the annual showcase this Thursday, Feb. 4, from 6-8 p.m. Prospective students, families, and their supporters are welcome at the free, no-obligation event. The school is at 740 W. Rose Ave.  Questions? Call 651-744-3997. 
Don't Trash It -- Fix It
Ramsey County holds its next Fix-It Clinic this Saturday, Jan. 30. 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 1-4 p.m. at Lauderdale City Hall, 1891 Walnut St.  
Start Plotting Your Garden Now      
Gardeners who had plots in 2015 in the Como Community Garden -- or potential gardeners who would like to participate if plots open up -- are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday Feb. 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 N. St. Albans.
The meeting will review how things went in 2015, and discuss rules and plans for the 2016 growing season. If you would like to garden a plot, but cannot attend the Feb. 11 meeting, notify coordinator Barbara Clark.
Everybody's Got a Story  
Lyngblomsten's Life Stories gives us a chance to share tales and lessons from our lives. The series runs the first and third Tuesdays beginning this week, Feb. 2, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Community residents are welcome.
And speaking of stories: Lyngblomsten's Artful Living series looks into the roots of slave songs, jazz, and legendary performers such as Marion Anderson this Monday, Feb. 1. Members of OboeBass! lead the performance and history lesson. The free event runs from 10-11 a.m. in the Newman-Benson Chapel; it is open to anyone from the community. Lyngblomsten is at 1415 Almond Ave.
Looking Forward to Sundays After the Super Bowl   
District 10's annual Sunday Series returns in February -- with free presentations about things to make our neighborhood better (or just to answer questions you didn't even know you had). We'll give your more details as the events get closer, but here are a few of the basics you can pencil in for now:
  • Public Works 101: Sunday Feb. 21, 1 p.m.
  • Gardening for the Birds and the Bees: Sunday Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
  • The History of Como Park: Sunday March 6, 1 p.m.
  • Birds Tell Us It's Time to Act: Sunday March 13, 1 p.m.
  • Building a Rain Garden: Sunday March 20, 1 p.m.
  • The Truth About St. Paul's Bike Plan: Sunday April 10, 1 p.m.
  • Garbage 101: Sunday April 17, 1 p.m.
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.
Fire Inspection Can Make Your Home Safer 
St. Paul homeowners can sign up for Project Safe Haven, in which the St. Paul fire department will do a free fire safety inspection of your home; help you create a family escape plan; and install smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and stovetop fire suppressors as necessary. Did we mention it's all free?
Keep Your Calendar Up to Date
  • Cancelled: The Como Crafts! event tentatively scheduled for this Saturday Jan. 30 is cancelled.
  • This Monday, Feb. 1: Deadline to apply for appointment to City of St. Paul committees, boards and commissions. You can complete an application online.
  • This Monday, Feb. 1: District 10 Land Use Committee. 7 p.m., Historic Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. The agenda includes the request by St. Paul Parks and Como Dockside for an entertainment license.
  • This Tuesday, Feb. 2: Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen holds community "office hours." 4-5:30 p.m., Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St.
  • This Wednesday, Feb. 3: Public hearing on District 10 Como Community Plan. 5:30 p.m., City Hall (rescheduled from January).
  • This Wednesday, Feb. 3: District 10 Executive Committee. 7 p.m., Historic Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • Wednesday Feb. 10: Orientation workshop to apply for grants or loans through St. Paul's Neighborhood STAR program, 10-11:30 a.m., Historic Mounds Theater, 1029 Hudson Road. Free.
  • Thursday Feb. 11: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 6 p.m., Historic Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
Auto break-ins remain the most-frequent crime in the neighborhood. Here's advice from St. Paul Police to minimize your chances of becoming a victim:
  • Thieves need less than 20 seconds to break into a car. Don't tempt them by leaving your valuables in plain sight.
  • If you've got to have valuables with you, lock them in the trunk. That includes laptops, smartphones, GPS units, cameras, and other electronics; purses, wallets, checkbooks, or briefcases; tool boxes or power tools; and jewelry, cash, gift cards, or even spare change.
  • But remember: Valuables in the trunk are still at risk. If you do put valuables in your trunk, put them there before you get into your car -- not after you've arrived at your destination and parked. That way, thieves won't see what you're trying to hide from them.
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.