It's pretty - eventually: It's hard to appreciate the beauty and stillness of a large snowfall when you've shoveled out your driveway -- then have to do it again after the plows come through. That's what this homeowner on St. Albans (and many of us) re-learned this week.
O'Reilly Selected to Run Lakeside Pavilion
Photo: T. Boardman
A team led by veteran Twin Cities restaurateur Matty O'Reilly is in line to take over management of the Como Lakeside Pavilion.  O'Reilly proposes to open " Spring CafĂ© " in the space previously occupied by Como Dockside and Black Bear Crossings, say Dana Hagemann and Maggie Zimmerman, who are District 10's representatives on the city's selection committee. "We're excited about the opportunity," Zimmerman says. O'Reilly now is negotiating lease and management details. City officials continue to project an April start date.

O'Reilly is familiar with the Como neighborhood: He opened Delicata restaurant, on Pascal near Midway, in summer 2017. He also is familiar with running a restaurant on park property: He operates the seasonal Red River Kitchen at City House, creatively using a food truck to revitalize a converted barge terminal on Saint Paul's Upper Landing. O'Reilly and his team also operate Republic in Minneapolis' Dinkytown, and Bar Brigade in Saint Paul's Highland Park neighborhood. 
Crime in Como Dropped 4.7% in 2017
Overall crime decreased 4.7 percent in Como in 2017, according to preliminary police data, analyzed by District 10. Vandalism, burglaries and thefts all were down; most notably, the neighborhood saw a sharp drop in auto thefts. But burglaries in which there was no forced entry were up -- meaning too many people are creating too many opportunities for burglars, by leaving doors and windows open and unlocked.

Assaults stayed the same, but robberies and rapes increased. As was the case citywide, reports of gunshots also continued to increase, though not nearly as rapidly as in 2016.

You can find charts and more details on the District 10 website -- including how much crime there was in the individual police "grids" in different parts of the neighborhood.
Russ Stark
Stark Resigns; City Council Seeks Interim
Ward 4 City Council Member Russ Stark is resigning Feb. 16 to take a position as chief resilience officer in Mayor Melvin Carter's administration. The City Council will appoint an interim to replace Stark -- and Ward 4 residents are invited to apply.  Ward 4 includes the part of District 10 essentially west of Lexington Parkway and south of Hoyt. Applicants for the interim position m ust agree to not run for the vacancy in the upcoming election, scheduled for Aug. 14. 

Applicants must submit their resume and cover letter by 4:30 p.m. next Friday, Feb. 2. Finalists will be interviewed on Tuesday Feb. 6; the City Council will appoint the interim on Wednesday Feb. 21.  Email your application (with "Interim Ward 4 City Councilmember Application" in the subject line) or mail it to: Trudy Moloney, Operations Director, City Council Offices, Suite 310, City Hall, 15 Kellogg Boulevard W, Saint Paul, MN  55102.
The Carnival is Back in Town
The Ice Castle and most of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival frivolity are downtown, but professional snow sculptors, sooty Vulcans, disc golfers, and tropical flowers show up in our backyard for an extended stay. Details below: 
The Vulcans Celebrate Snow?
The biggest spectacle in these parts is the Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds. Spectating is free; all events take place in the Kidway area -- bounded by Randall, Dan Patch, Underwood, and Cooper. The Vulcan Snow Park features:
  • Giant Snow Slide:  The 300-foot slide opens at 5:00 tonight, Friday Jan. 26, and is open every day through Sunday Feb. 10. Hours are 5-9 p.m. weeknights, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays (except Super Bowl Sunday, when it closes at 4 p.m.) Cost is $2 per run.
  • Tow Up Throw Down: This new event for skiers, boarders, and snow skaters happens the next three Saturdays: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, and Feb. 10.
  • Vulcan Fun Day is this Sunday, Jan. 28. Activities include fire truck rides, a kids' treasure hunt, celebrities, and a polar plunge. Most events start at 11 a.m.
Next weekend, Feb. 2-4, brings an amateur snow-sculpting competition, quarter-scale car races for kids, and a nighttime polar plunge illuminated by black light. The final weekend, Feb. 9-11, adds lawn mower and bar-stool ski races to the mix. 
Talk About Chiseled
Carving is underway this weekend, Jan. 26-28, in the annual Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition. Crews of three compete for the $1,000 first prize and a chance to represent the state in national and international competition. 

Teams are working until 10:00 tonight, from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and have until 1 p.m. Sunday to get their creations done.  As a spectator, you can watch at any time, then vote for your favorite from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday. The People's Choice and judges' winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Sunday. 
Pucks Aren't the Only Frozen Discs
The Winter Carnival's Twin Cities Ice Bowl Disc Golf competition is this Saturday, Jan. 27, in Como Park. The 28-hole tournament is a fund-raiser for Second Harvest Heartland. Golfers can tee off between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is $35; show up at the main picnic pavilion on Midway Parkway.
Enjoy the Carnival Without the Cold
The Winter Carnival Orchid Show runs at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory this Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 27-28. The show is the largest display of privately owned orchids in the region. Hundreds of orchid plants owned by the conservatory, individuals, and commercial orchid growers will transform the gardens into a tropical wonderland where, instead of King Boreas, orchids rule. 

The show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 for teens and adults; $3 for children ages 3-12. There's a $1 discount for members of Como Friends and visitors with a Winter Carnival button.
Just in Case
That longtime Winter Carnival obsession -- the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt -- is underway. As we all know, Como Park is a frequent location for stashing the medallion. So don't get too alarmed if you see people staggering around with flashlights, shovels, and rakes.
After the Fall
The sight of all those trees toppled on the Como Golf Course may linger with us longer than we'd like. The bitter irony is that a foot of snow -- which could make for reliable skiing -- is slowing down tree removal, and may delay stump-grinding even longer. Here are some things to be aware of, according to Saint Paul Forestry:
  • Cross-country ski trails are closed. If you venture out on your own, look out for debris and tree stumps buried in the snow.
  • The golf course parking lot is closed. That's where crews are hauling fallen trees, where they will be ground down. If you can't walk into the ski center, park at the Pavilion lot east of Lexington, or in the Butterfly lot on Estabrook Drive. 
bonfire
No Reason to Stay in on Friday Night
Northwest Como Rec Center holds a free family skating party and bonfire tonight, Friday Jan. 26, from 6-8 p.m. They'll have snowshoes and cross-country skis to try out; if the ice doesn't melt during Friday's thaw, bring your own skates and spin around the outdoor rink. Then, while taking a breather around the bonfire, enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn, too. The rec center is at 1550 N. Hamline.

Meanwhile, at the Como Ski Center: Every Friday is Family Fun Night from 5-10 p.m. The ski center offers discounts: Up to five people can ski or snowboard for $60. The price includes tow tickets and rentals. Individuals or additional family members are $15.
Get it on Your Calendar
  • This Saturday, Jan. 27: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Roseville library, 2180 N. Hamline. 
  • This Wednesday, Jan. 31: District 10 Environment Committee, 7 p.m. The committee's monthly meeting will brainstorm and start locking down events and activities for the year. Community members are welcome to attend, participate, and share their priorities on what the committee should focus on in 2018. The meeting is at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. 
  • Sunday Feb. 25: District 10 Sunday Series: State Fair History, Part 2, 1-2:30 p.m. Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave.
  • Sunday March 18: District 10 Sunday Series: The Next Step in Pedestrian Safety, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday April 15: District 10 Sunday Series: Crime Prevention through Landscape Design, 1-2:30 p.m. 
Watching Our Waste: Food
Planning the right amount of food for a Super Bowl party or other gathering can be frustrating. But now there's a new tool from Save the Food! The Guest-imator helps you plan and prepare the right amount of different types of food for your event. You can plan around big eaters or little eaters, as well as how many side dishes and desserts you have in mind, and whether or not you want leftovers. 
Buses, Light Rail Call an Audible
In case anyone still cares about the Super Bowl, Metro Transit wants you to know about service changes, additions, and disruptions on buses and light rail. In particular, there are things you need to know if you are going to or near the stadium, the "Super Bowl Experience" at the Minneapolis Convention Center, or "Super Bowl Live" on Nicollet Mall. Check out details in Metro Transit's Playbook.
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.