Testing the waters: The annual St. Paul Art Crawl included a weekend of activities at Front Ave. Pottery and Tile. Here, Anne Sullivan of St. Paul works on a watercolor painting during one of the hands-on classes.
A Year You'll Remember Forever
District 10 is looking for candidates to fill the remaining 11 months for two positions on our board: 
  • Secretary. This position is self-explanatory. Any resident of District 10, or representative from a business or organization in District 10, is eligible.
  • Sub-District 3. This is the part of our neighborhood bounded by Victoria on the west, Larpenteur on the north, Dale on the east, and the BNSF tracks on the south. If you live in this area, you're eligible.
If you're interested in either seat, submit your name and a brief biography to the District 10 office no later than this Tuesday, May 3. Special elections will be held during the monthly Council meeting on Tuesday May 17. Further details are available on our website.  
Making Life Better in the Park
District 10 is looking for neighborhood representatives willing to work on city committees that 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 will be the point people who 1) keep the neighborhood informed on park plans, 2) explain how those plans could impact those of us who live here, and 3) convey our advice to Parks leadership. 
  • Como Dockside Community Input Committee. This group is evaluating 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 must be able to fairly document the pros and cons of Dockside's operation.
The District 10 Board will appoint these members at our May 17 meeting. If you are interested, submit your name to the District 10 office no later than this Tuesday, May 3. Include a concise statement explaining the strengths you would bring. 
Get Your Garage Sale Registered -- Now
This Wednesday, May 4, is the deadline to register for the annual Como Neighborhood Garage Sale. If you're selling stuff and you register in time, we'll add your sale to the map and listing 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. So far, more than two dozen residents have signed up for the neighborhood-wide network of sales, which take place Saturday May 14.
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth.
Photo: Bill Johnson 
1 Weekend, 2 New Shows
The Como Zoo and Conservatory open two big exhibits this weekend. As always, the exhibits are part of your freewill donation. 
  • The Conservatory's Summer Flower Show opens Saturday, April 30. You know it took more than a week to plan this, but could they have timed it any better? The show unintentionally jumps on the parade of Prince tributes by featuring a botanical color scheme of -- you guessed it -- purple and lavender. But wait, there's more! The show also unveils a hybrid Oriental Trumpet Lily named -- yup -- "Purple Prince." The flower show runs through Oct. 2 in the Sunken Garden.
  • Also opening this Saturday, April 30, is The Amazing World of Moths, an exhibit of 40 extreme close-ups by Minneapolis photographer Bill Johnson. Johnson holds a "meet and greet" this Sunday, May 1, from 1-4 p.m. The show is open daily through June 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., in the Visitors Center Exhibit Gallery.
Building Better Block Clubs
District 10 is partnering with the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program to revitalize block clubs in our neighborhood.  To do that, we need your opinions. Please take our survey. Do you have an active block club? Wish you had one? Have opinions about what a block club should do? Tell us your priorities so we can all do a better job of connecting with our neighbors and looking out for one another.
Dockside Takes It Outside 
Como Dockside is rolling out big changes for its second outdoor season at the Pavilion. A quick rundown:
  • Table service, with the standard Louisiana-influenced menu, continues inside. But weekend brunch is on vacation until fall, and the breakfast menu is scaled back.
  • An outdoor service counter opens on the Pavilion "promenade" whenever weather permits. The completely distinct menu features sandwiches, appetizers, salads, and beverages of the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety.
  • The lakeside concession window will continue to offer ice cream and other treats, but also add grills and friers in order to serve burgers, hot dogs, fries and other fare that owner Jarret Oulman says is "more catered to a family experience."
  • Sometime this summer, the restaurant will install larger docks on Como Lake, which will allow genuine lakeside dining.
  • Finally, the Music in the Park series at the Pavilion launches this Monday, May 2, at 7 p.m. It debuts with a sing-along hosted by Minnesota Public Radio. The summer's complete musical lineup is available in the Calendar section at Dockside's website.
Unleashing the Power of Music
Lyngblomsten has a fascinating new project underway: Music and Memories. The goal: Provide all 237 residents with an iPod player, loaded with their own personalized musical playlist. The hope: Use the therapeutic benefits of music to help residents feel more connected to their memories, their lives, and each other.

The project kicks off Tuesday May 10 with a free showing of "Alive Inside," a 70-minute cinematic exploration of music's capacity to reawaken our souls. The 6:30 p.m. showing is open to the entire community. If you can help the project out by donating an iPod or an iTunes gift card, contact Lyngblomsten's Andrea Lewandoski by email or by phone at 651-632-5318.
Land Use Committee Meets Monday
District 10's Land Use Committee meets this Monday, May 2, at 7 p.m. This meeting takes a field trip to the Como By the Lake Apartments, 901 Como Ave. We'll hear from area residents expressing concerns and suggestions about the location of crosswalks and bus stops near the Como and Nagasaki intersection. Community members are always welcome to attend.
Pick Up a New Recycling Bin This Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station returns to normal summer hours beginning this Sunday, May 1. The historic station will be open from noon-4 p.m. every Sunday between now and the end of September. A District 10 board member will be on hand to distribute recycling bins, organics composting bags, or just take your comments and suggestions. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Put Those Picnic Plans on Hold  
If you're hoping to reserve a Ramsey County picnic shelter or pavilion this week, have some patience. A new online reservation system is on the way, but no reservations can be made until at least May 6. So, if you need to get your request in, call 651-748-2500. They'll put you on the waiting list until things are up and running.
Rec Centers Are Ready for Summer   
Yes, it's almost May. Which explains why North Dale Rec Center, Northwest Como Rec Center, and the Urban Tennis program at Orchard Park and North Dale have released their summer activities calendars. The complete schedules for youngsters, teens, and adults are posted on District 10's website.
... So Are the Libraries
Sign-up begins this Sunday, May 1, for St. Paul Public Library Summer Reads activities. The free program encourages reading skills for children entering Grades 1-4. It includes one-on-one tutoring and group outdoor activities. Participating libraries are Arlington Hills, Highland Park, Rondo, and Sun Ray.
Also on the way: Summer Spark for all ages, and Maker Camps for youngsters 8-12. Neither of these requires preregistration.
Our Secret is Out
Congratulations to neighborhood favorites who were named Best of the Twin Cities in the City Pages' annual cavalcade of praise:
  • Como Dockside (best outdoor dining)
  • Como Park (best picnic spot)
  • Half-Time Rec (best restaurant to take out-of-towners)
  • Keys CafĂ© (best breakfast -- readers' choice)
  • Minnesota State Fair (best place to people watch -- staff and readers' choice)
  • St. Paul Bagelry (best bagels)
Another Bridge Bites the Dust
The Prior Ave. bridge over Interstate 94 is getting reconstructive surgery, and will be out of commission at least until August. But this weekend, the bridge work has an even bigger impact: It will make travel on I-94 an exercise in patience from 8:00 tonight, Friday April 29, until 5 a.m. this Monday, May 2.
  • Westbound I-94 will have only one lane open between I-35E and Dale, will be shut down completely from Snelling to Cretin, and will have only one lane open between Cretin and Highway 280. But in case you're tempted, forget it: All the westbound entrance ramps between I-35E and Cretin will be closed.
  • Eastbound I-94 will be shut down completely from Highway 280 to Snelling Ave., and have only one lane open between Snelling and Dale. Entrance ramps west of Snelling will be closed; ramps east of Snelling will be open.
Other nearby construction updates:
  • Chatsworth Ave.: Closed between Front and Horton through July.
  • Cretin Ave. bridge over I-94: Closes at 5 a.m. next Friday, May 5, for three weeks.
  • Highway 36 at Lexington: Eastbound ramps are closed through October.
  • Lexington Ave. bridge over I-94: Remains closed for another week.
No, You Haven't Missed It -- Yet       
  • Thursday May 10: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee. 6:30-8 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • 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.
  • Tuesday May 17: Grand Round Community Advisory Committee. 6-7:30 p.m., North Dale Community Center.
  • Tuesday May 17: District 10 Como Community Council. 7-9 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Thursday May 19: Stop for Me Pedestrian Safety Event. 5:30-7:30 p.m., crosswalk at Lexington Parkway and E. Como Lake Drive.
  • Friday May 20: Chelsea Heights Elementary School Spring Carnival. 5-8 p.m.
  • 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.
  • Thursday June 2: District 10 Tenant Workshop. 5-6:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Tuesday June 7: District 10 Landlord Workshop. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Saturday June 11: A Line bus service begins on Snelling Ave.
  • Tuesday Aug. 2: National Night Out
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
The latest crime report for our neighborhood shows two car thefts, three car break-ins, and five burglaries -- two of them homes, three of them garages. As weather gets warmer, the Western District of the St. Paul Police remind us of these basics:
  • If you see or hear anything suspicious or out of the ordinary for your neck of the woods, call 911 -- immediately. Do that first; post on social media later.
  • Remember, most crimes are crimes of opportunity. If you're out working in the yard, don't leave your doors or garage open. It only takes seconds for burglars to walk in and grab valuables.
  • Same thing goes for windows: Shut them and lock them at night or whenever you're not in the house. It only takes seconds for burglars to cut a screen, lift a window, and grab what's available.
  • Be suspicious if someone knocks on your door and asks for someone who does not live there, or asks if you need work done around the house. It's a common way for burglars to case the place before breaking in. If this happens to you, call police.
The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood
At the Fairgrounds
  • Sahara Sands Spring Classic Arabian Horse Show: Warner Coliseum, AgStar Arena. Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday May 1, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. 
  • Stamp and Scrapbook Expo: Education Building. Friday April 29, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday April 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
  • Northland Antique, Toy, Doll & Advertising Show: Progress Center, Sunday May 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $6 teens and adults; free for children 12 or younger.  
  • Spring Extravaganza Car Show & Swap Meet: Lots of Buicks in the Fox and Buffalo lots, Campground, and areas north of Randall Ave. Sunday May 1, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $5 teens and adults; free for children 12 or younger accompanied by a paid adult.  
  • Bicycle road races: This Tuesday, May 3. Expect roads between Dan Patch and Hoyt to be closed from 4:30-8:30 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.