Andrea Mayeux captured this late winter sunset over Como Lake.
Here 's the Drill: Tool Library Opens
The Saint Paul Tool Library holds its grand opening this Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After it shuts down for the day, the library shifts to party mode from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The celebration is at Can Can Wonderland, 755 Prior Ave., in the same building that the tool library calls home. The grand opening features free food, beer, music, and tours.

For an annual fee of $55, the library lets members borrow from an inventory of more than 2,000 tools for up to seven days. It 's an option to buying or renting tools you 'll use once -- or at least not very often. (Tools such as table saws are also available for use on site, and some training will be available.) The Saint Paul location will be open every Tuesday and Friday from 5-8 p.m. and every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Neighborhood Relations Committee Meets Tuesday
The District 10 Neighborhood Relations and Committee meets this Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. As always, all community members are welcome to attend and participate.
Grow Your Vegetables Indoors
Just because you rent doesn 't mean you can 't enjoy homegrown vegetables. Learn how at the Saint Paul Public Library 's Urban Homesteading presentation, " Apartment Gardening. " The free event is this Tuesday, March 7, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale.  
2nd Half Has a Lot Going for It
Lyngblomsten offers a free sampler of its new 2nd Half Center this Wednesday, March 8. The event unveils the education, arts, health and wellness, spirituality, activities, caregiver support, and volunteer opportunities available through the new life enrichment center for neighborhood adults 50 or older. The event is from 3-6 p.m. in Lyngblomsten's lower-level community room, 1415 Almond Ave.
Take the Fast Lane to Debt Freedom
District 10 hosts a free workshop March 22 to help you get off the debt treadmill. TopLine Federal Credit Union and LSS Financial Counseling will lead the workshop, with proven advice to help you steer clear of debt settlement scams, utilize tools that repay debt faster, and maintain a good credit score while still taking full responsibility. The advice includes solutions for each type of debt and how to develop a plan that puts an end to debt within your reach.

The workshop is Wednesday March 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To reserve a spot, call 763-391-9494 or register online. 
Photo: Kristal Leebrick
Follow the White Rabbit to Murray
Murray Middle School 's live production of "Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. " rolls out today through this Sunday, March 3-5. Students (many of whom live in District 10) not only steal the show onstage; they also created the majority of the sets, props, and costumes for the madcap musical. 
Shows are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the school, 2200 Buford Ave. in Saint Anthony Park. Tickets are $10 at the door ($5 for children ages 5-11). Or, buy them online in advance for only $8 ($4 for children ages 5-11). 
Streetcar Museum Open This Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open this Sunday, March 5, from noon-4 p.m. It's an opportunity to pick up an organics recycling starter kit or replacement compostable bags, learn a little bit about the history of Como Park, or just share comments and suggestions with a District 10 board member. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. The next time it is open is Sunday April 2.
Last Chance for Opinions on Lexington
More than 600 neighbors already have shared their opinions on the speed limits, crosswalks, lane configurations, signs, and bicycle and pedestrian paths along Lexington Parkway. If you 're not one of them, this is your last chance to tell us what you think about 10 specific locations and ideas. We close the survey this Thursday, March 9.
Hey, Photographers, Share Your Shots
We know plenty of you are out there photographing the people and places that make our neighborhood unique. Well, we'd like to circulate what you see far and wide. Every week, this newsletter will highlight the best of what local photographers send us about life in Como Park -- just like we did with Andrea Mayeux's sunset photo above.  So, send us your top image from the past seven days or so. If you 've got questions, email us or call us at 651-644-3889.
Get a Summer Job with the County
Ramsey County is now accepting applications for seasonal work at the county 's parks, beaches, and golf courses. Information and application materials are available online.
...  Speaking of Seasonal Activities
The volunteers who run the Como Community Seed Library are planning the 2017 season and want your advice about what they should focus on. Take their survey to let them know the topics and types of events that are a priority for you.
Watching our Waste: Motor Oil
Are you someone who still changes your own motor oil in your vehicles, or flushes your radiator? You can recycle your old oil, oil filters, and antifreeze at Ramsey County Public Works, 1352 Ben Franklin Drive, Arden Hills, which is near US 10 and Highway 96.  You 'll find the recycling shed on the north side of the facility. 
Gene Hackman is the marquee star in "Hoosiers."
Yes, It Really Happened
March Madness is nearly underway, which makes "Hoosiers" (rated PG) a perfect choice for Como Dockside's Thursday night movie on March 9. Trivia begins at 6:15 p.m.; the free movie begins at 6:45 in the third-level banquet hall of the lakeside pavilion. For the full season schedule of "almost all the greatest movies" from 30 years ago, see Dockside's online calendar.  

Don't forget: Saturday brunch includes a free Louisiana-flavored concert from noon-2 p.m. This week, March 4, it 's the New Riverside Rambler Trio. Then, every Wednesday is "neighborhood night" at Dockside, with happy hour drink and food specials from 3-9 p.m., and board games waiting to be busted open.
Jelloslave
Raise Your Glass for the Last Time 
The Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory's 2017 Music Under Glass series wraps up this Sunday, March 5, with Jelloslave, an unusual name for an unusual quartet of cellos and percussion. Musicians play from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Admission is free; you can buy beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks. 
Planning Ahead
  • This Thursday, March 9: Deadline to get discount pricing on 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper through Eureka Recycling 's Zero Waste Buying Co-op. Details are available online. 
  • This Thursday, March 9: City of Saint Paul Procurement Open House, 9 a.m.-noon. Vendors, contractors, and suppliers can learn the nuts-and-bolts details of doing business with the city. Arlington Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave. 
  • This Thursday, March 9: Deadline to nominate someone (even yourself!) for a 2017 Sustainable Saint Paul Award. The awards are available to individuals, businesses, or organizations in more than a dozen categories.
  • Monday March 13: MnDOT holds an open house on this summer's Snelling Ave. construction project between Como Ave. and Highway 36, 5-7 p.m. Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur.
  • Wednesday March 15: Hamline University Community Dialogue: "What Would Justice Look Like," 5:30-9 p.m. Klas Center, 1535 Taylor Ave. Free, but registration is required.
  • Saturday March 18: Burning of the Trees, 6 p.m., Como Park fire pits.
  • Sunday March 19: District 10's Sunday Series presents "Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom: Past, Present, Future." 1-2:30 p.m., upstairs at the Visitors Center at Como Zoo and Conservatory. Free
  • Friday March 24: Public hearing on an updated version of the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan, 8:30 a.m. Room 40 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. 
  • Sunday April 2: District 10's Sunday Series presents "The Fate of the Monarch Butterfly." 1-2:30 p.m., Great River School, 1326 Energy Park Drive. Free
Burglars Come Out of the Wordwork
Saint Paul Police are seeing a surge in home, garage, and business burglaries in the Western District. Burglary, they point out, is typically a crime of opportunity. To reduce that opportunity, especially with warmer weather on the way, they recommend:
  • Always lock your doors, even when you are home
  • Never leave your garage doors open
  • Close and lock your doors (and windows) any time you step outside, even if it is just to do yard work or take out the trash
  • Report suspicious people and activities immediately (For tips on what's "suspicious," see last week's District 10 newsletter.)
This Week at the Fairgrounds
Outdoor News "Deer and Turkey Classic": Opens next Friday, March 10, from noon-8 p.m. Warner Coliseum. Continues March 11 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and March 12 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission: $12, with discounts available for children 15 or younger, seniors, active military personnel, Outdoor News subscribers, and during selected show hours.
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.