How to enjoy winter: 10-year-old Oscar Haynes feels the exhilaration of speeding down
an icy slope in Como Park, near Arlington and Chelsea. 
Learn What's Coming Down the Road in 2017
An architect's rendering of the new entrance to Como Park Senior High.
A lot of plans are in the works for construction in District 10 in the new year. Our website can get you up to speed on details regarding the rebuilding of Wheelock Parkway, the expansion of Hmong College Prep Academy, and a host of other building plans, including Como Park Senior High School, the Falls Event Center at Bandana Square, the International Institute of Minnesota, and the old Sholom Home property.
Recycling Delayed a Day This Week, Too
Because of the New Year's holiday, curbside recycling in District 10 is delayed by one day this week. So you don't have to put your blue bins out until this Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Cart update: Eureka Recycling says the city's new wheeled carts are still scheduled to be delivered to District 10 households between Jan. 6 and 14. Carts will be delivered to your home -- in the location where Eureka will pick up your recycling in the future. That means some homes on your block may get carts a day or two earlier than others.  It will take 2-3 days to complete delivery in our neighborhood; we'll get you more details when the time frame gets more precise.  In District 10, we'll begin using the wheeled carts on Friday Jan. 20. 

What about those blue bins? You can keep your current bins if you want them. If you don't, Saint Paul will collect them (and, yes, recycle them) from Jan. 9-27. You can drop yours off at Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave. (which is a straight shot down Maryland), or at the Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave. (which is just south of Jefferson, about ¾ of a mile east of Lexington).
Watching Our Waste: Christmas Trees
You can dispose of your Christmas tree for free at Ramsey County's Pierce Butler yard waste site. (Get rid of tinsel and other decorations first.) The site is open this Saturday, Dec. 31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (It is closed New Year's Day, but normally open on Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
The Sudden Lovelys 
Photo: Aminda Villa
Thaw Out with Sultry Music
A winter tradition returns this Sunday, New Year's Day, when the Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory kicks off the 2017 Music Under Glass series. Nearly every Sunday for the next two months, you can enjoy local music while surrounded by the warmth and lushness of the conservatory's gardens.

Musicians play from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Admission is free; you can buy beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks. This Sunday, it's the self-described "aggressive folk" of The Sudden Lovelys. Check out the full season schedule.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
The new owners of Gabe's by the Park officially take over this Tuesday, Jan. 3. Dan, Kevin and Rick Montpetit -- using the business name Big Operation LLC -- have acquired Gabe 's from long-time owner Tim Weitz. Weitz says he wants to focus on operating Giggles' Campfire Grill on the State Fairgrounds. Though Weitz is giving up the restaurant, he still owns the property.

Dan Montpetit says they plan no big changes at the restaurant and bar at Lexington Parkway and Energy Park Drive -- "though we might improve the menu a bit. We plan to keep it a neighborhood place, kid friendly."
Think Summer: Get Your Picnic Permit
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation holds its annual in-person lottery for 2017 picnic and building rental permits this Tuesday, Jan. 3. Saint Paul residents and businesses will receive a lottery number if they show up between 6:30-7 a.m. at the parks office, 1100 N. Hamline. Permit applicationss will be handled, based on lottery numbers, beginning at 7:01 a.m.

Only Saint Paul residents and businesses can participate. Proof of residency or business address will be required. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations must provide a Minnesota ST3 form. Residents who show up after 7 a.m. can apply for permits on a first-come, first-served basis. No phone reservations will be accepted on Jan. 3. 
  • Beginning this Wednesday, Jan. 4, Saint Paul residents and businesses can make permit applications over the phone with a credit card by calling 651-632-5111 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
  • Beginning Feb. 1, permits will be available online and for nonresidents.
Think Summer, Part 2
Ramsey County is hiring lifeguards for five beaches and Battle Creek Waterworks. Applicants must be at least 15 years old and certified. The full-time jobs begin June 10.
  • To express interest, fill out the online application; hiring begins in April.
  • The county is also offering three-day certification training in South Saint Paul; the first session is next week, Jan. 3-5. Tuition is $100.
The Next Disney or Pixar?
Before school resumes Tuesday, the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network offers one last family activity. A free animation workshop takes place this Monday, Jan. 2, from 9 a.m-noon at SPNN's studios, 550 Vandalia St., Suite 170. Families with children age 5 or older can learn to animate a favorite story. You can register online.
"Ferris Beuller's Day Off"
is this Thursday
We All Need a Sick Day Once in a While
Como Dockside's Thursday night movie series kicks off the new year Jan. 5 with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (rated PG-13). Trivia begins at 6:15 p.m.; the free screening of the movie begins at 6:45 in the third-level banquet hall of the lakeside pavilion. For the full season schedule of 30-year-old movies, see Dockside's online calendar.  

Don't forget: Every Wednesday is "neighborhood night" at Dockside, with happy hour drink and food specials from 3-9 p.m., and classic board games galore. And Saturday brunch includes a free Louisiana-flavored concert from noon-2 p.m. This week, Dec. 31, it's Daddy Squeeze & Elizabeth. 
Mixing Business and Pleasure
  • Through this Sunday, New Year's Day: It's your last chance to soak in Holiday Lights in the Park, 5-10 p.m. Phalen Park, Wheelock and Johnson Parkways. Admission: $10 per car (more for vans, limos, and buses). Discount tickets are available online. Proceeds benefit the Saint Paul Police Foundation.
  • This Tuesday, Jan. 3: District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend and participate. 
  • Wednesday Jan. 4: "Business listening session" on a potential Saint Paul sustainable packaging ordinance, 10 a.m. Dayton ' s Bluff East Side Enterprise Center, 804 Margaret St.
  • Wednesday Jan. 4: Board of Zoning Appeals' public hearing on a request by the Metro Deaf School for a parking variance of 33 vehicles, 3 p.m. City Hall Room 330, 15 Kellogg Blvd. W. (District 10's Land Use Committee is supporting the variance request, which essentially acknowledges the status quo.) You can direct comments or questions to the city's Sean Westenhofer by phone at 651-266-9080 or by email.
  • Wednesday Jan. 4: District 10 Environment Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. (Because of the holidays, the December meeting is rescheduled to this day.) Community members are always welcome to attend and participate. Here's the agenda
  • Thursday Jan. 5: "Business listening session" on a potential Saint Paul sustainable packaging ordinance, 10 a.m. Rondo Community Center, 820 Concordia Ave.
  • Sunday Jan. 8: Last day to participate in a City of Saint Paul survey about residential parking permits.
  • Monday Jan. 9: District 10 Land Use Committee, 7 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. (Because of the holidays, the meeting is rescheduled to this day.)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 11: Saint Paul School Board holds a community meeting to get resident feedback on its search for a new superintendent, 5:30-8 p.m. Central High School, 275 Lexington Parkway N.
  • Wednesday Jan. 18: Public hearing on a proposed zoning change to allow more outdoor commercial uses in traditional neighborhood and business zoning districts in Saint Paul, 5:30 p.m. City Council chambers, third floor, 15 Kellogg Blvd. W
  • Thursday Jan. 19: Department of Safety and Inspections holds public discussion on a potential "to go" sustainable packaging ordinance for Saint Paul, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday Jan. 19: Department of Safety and Inspections holds public discussion on a potential ordinance for Saint Paul regulating "short term rentals" such as Airbnb and VRBO, 7:40-8:45 p.m.
The Cold Truth
It 's winter. We all love getting into a warm car. But as this week 's police report proves, so do thieves. So police cannot say it often enough: Do not leave your car running if you are not inside your car. It takes only seconds for someone else to jump in and drive off -- or swipe valuables from your vehicle. Related note: Do not leave keys in your car. Ever. Whether it 's running or not. Once again, it provides an opportunity that 's too good for thieves to pass up. Besides, leaving keys in a vehicle is illegal in Saint Paul. And who needs another ticket and trip down to police headquarters?

One week left: To make it harder for burglars to know what new electronics gear you got for the holidays, St. Paul Police and Eureka Recycling have a special drop-off site exclusively for cardboard boxes. The bin is outside the Western District police station, 390 N. Hamline Ave., now through next Friday, Jan. 6. The service is free; just be sure to break down the cardboard before you deposit it.
 
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.