More wagging: Dogs need to get outside, regardless of the weather. At the Animal Humane Society on Beulah Lane, volunteers like Kim make it happen.
We've Got All Kinds of Things to Talk About
The monthly District 10 Como Community Council board meeting is this Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. Among other things, board members expect to discuss:
  • Survey results about the city's proposed infrastructure projects at Como, Front and Dale
  • Whether to pursue changes in the State Fair Vending Overlay District
  • Whether to take a more active approach to neighborhood parking issues during the State Fair
The meeting is at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All community members are welcome to attend and participate. Preliminary agenda

Plus: If the technology works, we will live-stream the meeting on our Facebook page.
Don't Forget to Have Your Say
Saint Paul city staff are recommending five infrastructure projects for the intersection of Como, Front and Dale. District 10 is surveying community members to get a sense of whether they support these projects or not. So far, more than 450 residents have weighed in. You can take the survey now -- but do it before you go to sleep this Sunday, Jan. 14. We shut it down after that.
The Coldest Game on Ice, For Sure
Eight girls' high school hockey teams play outdoors this Saturday, Jan. 13, at North Dale Community Center. The annual Saint Paul Winter Classic features Rosemount v. Moohead at 10 a.m.; Mankato East v. Robbinsdale at noon; Red Wing v. Northern Lakes at 2 p.m.; and Saint Paul Blades v. Henry Sibley at 4 p.m. Spectating is free; there will be fire pits to warm you up outside, and concessions for sale inside. 
An arctic fox
Zoo is Not Taking a Holiday
Como Zoo takes advantage of a holiday weekend for school kids with PolarPalooza, this Saturday-Monday, Jan. 13-15. The conservation-themed weekend is all about animals that can't get enough of the cold (in other words, they're not like us). Stop in between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. for games, crafts, customized zookeeper talks, arctic fox training sessions, story time, gardener talks, and polar bear programs.
Quit Driving in Circles
Heading to downtown Saint Paul for a show, game, dinner, museum, Crashed Ice, or Winter Carnival event? Use the City of Saint Paul's new web-based app to find up-to-date info about on-street and parking ramp options, prices, and directions.
How Does This Dang Contraption Work?
If you're a senior who got a smart phone, tablet, laptop, giant flat-screen TV, or some other home electronic gizmo, the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program can help you get the most out of it. Email them or call them at 651-642-1127. They'll arrange an appointment with one of their tech support volunteers.
Watching Our Waste: Ice Arenas
Ramsey County Parks and Recreation is trying to cut its energy use 35 percent by 2025. Its main focus: the county's 11 ice arenas, which gobble up about 85 percent of the department's energy bill. The county is installing LED lights and new energy management systems, upgrading refrigerant systems, and converting from propane Zambonis to electric ones. Find out more about the Green Ice Initiative.
Just Go Outside and Play
This Sunday, Jan. 14, is Family Winter Activity Day at the Como Park Ski Center. The Como Snowsports Booster Club takes over from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with discounts on skiing and boarding ($10 each, $20 per family) and equipment rental ($8 per person). Plus they'll have games, demonstrations, art, face-painting, and other activities indoors and out.
A Step Ahead of Crime
District 10 hosts a community crime meeting on Thursday Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. Patty Lammers, crime prevention specialist for the Saint Paul Police Western District, will lead the discussion. 

Anyone is welcome, but the focus is on Grids 8 and 28 -- roughly the neighborhood between Dale, Maryland, Victoria, and Larpenteur. The emphasis will be on connecting neighbors in that area to prevent a repeat in 2018 of the types of incidents that occurred last summer and fall. 
Music Under Glass Features Astronomique
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's Music Under Glass series continues this Sunday, Jan. 14. Astronomique performs from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The music is free; there's a cash bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks. The season's full line-up

That's not the only show at the Conservatory: The Super Bold Winter Flower Show opens this Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Sunken Garden. It features azaleas, pansies, cyclamen and cineraria in purples, silvers, and whites -- all tied in thematically to a football game whose name can't be used for promotional purposes unless you pay beaucoup bucks. The flower show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through March 11.
A Film, a Forum and More
  • This Thursday, Jan. 18: Film and discussion: "Sold Out: Affordable Housing at Risk," 3-5 p.m. Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale. Free
  • Wednesday Jan. 24: Minnesota governor candidate forum on environment and conservation issues, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hamline University. Reserve your free ticket
  • Saturday Jan. 27: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Roseville library, 2180 N. Hamline. 
  • 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. Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N.
At the Fairgrounds
Winter Antiques Show: This Saturday -Sunday, Jan. 13-14, Warner Coliseum. Hours: Saturday , 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: teens and adults, $7; children 12 or younger, free (discounts available online).

Also: The Kidway lot (between Underwood and Cooper south of Wright Ave.) and surrounding streets are closed; when it's cold enough, they're making snow for upcoming Winter Carnival events.
County Offers EmergencyTraining
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office begins a free, nine-week session of emergency response training this spring. Applications must be completed by next Friday, Jan. 19.

The Community Emergency Response Team trains citizens to respond to emergency situations in their communities. CERT members support first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site. Topics range from preparedness to disaster psychology to rescue and medical operations.

There is no charge for the training, materials, or equipment. Classes are 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays from March 14- May 19 in Arden Hills. Applicants must be Minnesota residents age 18 or older.
Monthly Police Meeting is Tuesday
The Western District's monthly community meetings are this Tuesday, Jan. 16, at district headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. The open meetings are at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. If you go, you'll meet command staff, hear about the latest crime trends in the city and district, be able to raise your individual concerns, and be able to pick up crime prevention fliers. 
D10 Office is Closed Monday
In honor of the Martin Luther King holiday, the District 10 office is closed this Monday, Jan. 15. We'll answer phones and emails again on Tuesday. 
Photographers, Don't Keep It to Yourself
We know plenty of you are taking pictures of the people, places and things that make our neighborhood unique. Well, we'd like to give you more exposure. This newsletter is happy to highlight the best of what local photographers send us about life in Como . It's easy: Just email us your top image from the past seven days or so.   
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.