It's downhill from here: Tim Perfect chops away ice along Milton St. to give snowmelt a clear path.
Yes, There's Room at the Table
Eight positions on the Como Community Council Board are up for election this April -- and incumbents are not seeking re-election in at least six of them. That makes this year a great opportunity for new activists -- because you can run for an open seat without the complications of taking on an incumbent.

Based on our bylaws, positions up for election are: vice-chair, treasurer, one representative from each of our four geographical sub-districts, and two at-large representatives from the community as a whole. Any resident of District 10 who is age 18 or older is eligible. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit located in District 10. Find out more

If you are interested, fill out the application by Tuesday April 10. If you're not interested, encourage someone you know! Terms run until April 2020.
2 Vacant Buildings, 1 Meeting
District 10's Land Use meeting on March 7 focuses on two long-time vacant buildings: the old Sholom Home property on Midway Parkway, and the old firehouse next door on Snelling Ave.
  • City staff will give the latest updates and answer residents' questions about the Sholom Home site. 
  • The builder working with the newest owner of the firehouse will outline construction plans and seek support for zoning variances to convert the building to a residence.
  • In addition, the committee will hear from the owner of 1086 Como Place, who wants to add a seventh living unit to the six-unit building.
Details: The Land Use meeting is this Wednesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.  Because of the two main topics, the meeting will be at a new location -- in Buchanan Hall at Holy Childhood parish, which is at the northeast corner of Midway and Pascal. Enter from the rear parking lot off of Pascal. 
Barricades Make an Early Appearance
Victoria St., East Como Lake Drive, and the walking and bicycle paths on the east side of Como Lake will close north of Wheelock Parkway on Monday March 19. The shutdown will last until the end of April, so crews can finish installing a 42-inch storm sewer and filtration system. Their work, which began last fall on the east side of the intersection, will replace a 24-inch sewer that is less than adequate.

The work officially will detour cars via Wheelock, Grotto, and Ivy. It's not clear how pedestrians and cyclists will get through. 
Ease into Your Sunday Morning
District 10's first "community yoga" of 2018 is this Sunday, March 4, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., at the Como Park Streetcar Station. The session will be suitable for all levels of skill and experience; all you have to do is bring a yoga mat or blanket, wear comfortable clothes, hang out with neighbors -- and  sign up now 
(because space literally is limited). Registration is $5, which benefits the Como Community Council. 
What Do You Think?
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation plans to build a new pedestrian crosswalk across Lexington Parkway, near the parking lots for the Golf Course and Lakeside Pavilion. District 10 is exploring residents' priorities about the proposed crosswalk and some of the potential options. Take our survey
Photo: American Humane Society
Need a Pet Fix?
If you love pets, but no longer have one around (or can't), check in with the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program. They might be able to connect you with a neighborhood senior who has a pet that is a little too much to handle at times. You get some cuddle or slobber time; they get a break! Call 651-642-1127.
Sure Signs of Spring
The days are longer. This past week's weather definitely thawed the landscape. Ice houses have to be off local lakes by this Monday, March 5. And Conny's Creamy Cone reopens next Saturday, March 10, at 11 a.m. (For the uninitiated, Conny's is at Dale and Maryland.) 
Wing Young Huie (Photo: MPR)
Where Ya From?
Share your family's own immigration story in a conversation with photographer Wing Young Huie and writer John Coy this Thursday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave. Along the way, Huie and Coy will discuss their book, "Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land," which captures the stories of 21st Century immigrants to Minnesota.

The presentation is part of the Saint Paul Public Library's "I Read I Vote" venture.
No Reason to Delay on Your Taxes
Individuals and families can get free help preparing their 2017 U.S. and Minnesota taxes on Saturdays now through April 7. IRS-certified volunteers will help individuals with income of $35,000 or less, and families with income of $55,000 or less.

To schedule an appointment in Saint Paul, call Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties: 651-603-5884. If you need child care or translation services, let them know. 
You'll Need It One of These Days
Ramsey County's annual Recycling Guide should show up in your mailbox this month. Don't throw it out -- it has up-to-date information on what to do (and not do) with recycling, yard waste, organics, household hazardous waste, and more.
Bluegrass Among the Greenery
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's Music Under Glass series continues this Sunday, March 4, with barroom bluegrass from The Dead Pigeons. Their performance, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., is free. There's a cash bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks. After this, there's only one more week. 
Much More than Meetings
  • This Tuesday, March 6: "Community office hours" with Ward 5 City Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, 4-5:30 p.m. Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St.
  • This Tuesday, March 6: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All community members are welcome to attend and participate.
  • This Thursday, March 8: Citizen workshop on Mississippi River corridor planning, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis. Free (Repeats on Tuesday March 13 at the Wellstone Center in Saint Paul, 179 Robie St. E.)
  • Wednesday March 14: Great River School Soiree, 6-9 p.m. Can-Can Wonderland, 755 Prior Ave. Today, Friday March 2, is the last day to get advance tickets for $30. After that, the price goes up to $40.
  • Sunday March 21: District 10 Sunday Series: Pedestrian Safety -- The Next Step, 1-2:30 p.m. Upstairs auditorium at the Zoo and Conservatory Visitors Center. Fay Simer, the City of Saint Paul's pedestrian safety advocate, and Sgt. Jeremy Ellison, of the citywide Stop for Me campaign, share their ideas and invite yours.
  • Wednesday March 21: Financial Literacy Workshop: Improve Your Credit Score, 6 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. Free. Sponsored by TopLine Federal Credit Union. To register, call 763-391-9494.
Once the snow thaws, here are other events in the works in District 10:
  • Sunday April 15: District 10 Sunday Series: Crime Prevention through Landscape Design, 1-2:30 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Saturday April 21: Spring Cleanup, 9-11:30 a.m., Como Lakeside Pavilion.
  • Saturday May 5: Como Community Seed Library Green Thumb Kickoff, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station.
  • Saturday May 19: Rain Barrel Workshop, 1-3 p.m. Twin Cities German Immersion School.
  • Sunday June 3: District 10 Sunday Series: Como Park Tree Trek, 1-2:30 p.m. Outside the Lakeside Pavilion.
  • Saturday June 9: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. State Fairgrounds.
  • Saturday June 23: Workshop on Curb-Cut Rain Gardens, noon-3 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station.
The Weekend Watch at the Fairgrounds
  • Twin Cities Regional Science Fair: Today-Saturday, March 2-3, Warner Coliseum. 1-9 p.m. today; 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.
  • Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Classic: Next Friday-Sunday, March 11-13, Warner Coliseum. 1-9 p.m. March 11, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 13. Admission: $12 adults and teens 16 or older; $5 youth ages 10-15; free children 9 or younger. Discounts available.
It's Not as Icy
On the first Tuesday of every month -- which means this week, March 6 -- Como Zoo and Conservatory open one hour early for visitors age 55 or older. Senior Stroll lets you exercise, soak in the surroundings, or soak in knowledge from special activity stations -- all before the wheeled stroller crowd gets in. Senior Stroll is free from 9-10 a.m. 
Shed Some Light on Your Alley
Criminals hate light. But because Saint Paul alleys are a laissez-faire free-for-all, many alleys are dark.  If you are willing to pay for the electricity, however, Xcel Energy will install and maintain an alley light behind your property for free.

The lights are 100-watt, high-pressure sodium fixtures. They operate automatically from dusk to dawn. The lights boost your monthly electric bill about $10 a month (taxes included). But if you can get the neighbors next to you and behind you to split the cost, it's much more affordable.

If you're interested, call Xcel at 800-960-6235 (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) or email them.
Streetcar Station is Open Sunday
The exhibit space at the Como Park Streetcar Station is open this Sunday, March 4, from noon-4 p.m. This time of year, it's open only on the first Sunday of each month.  Stop in to learn a bit about the history of Como Park , pick up an organics recycling starter kit, pick up replacement compostable bags, or just share comments and suggestions with the District 10 volunteer on staff. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. 
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.