Into the unknown: James Cowles captured this foggy landscape along E. Como Lake Drive.
Lexington Needs Help, You Say in Survey
Eliminating this weave on Lexington north of the railroad tracks got the largest support from survey participants.
Participants in a District 10 survey overwhelmingly support a range of changes big and small to address traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety along Lexington Parkway. More than 740 people took the online survey, the largest response in District 10's history.  Though the survey is not statistically "scientific," the preferences of residents who participated are clear. Five of the ideas got more than 80 percent support. They are:
  • Changing lane markings to eliminate the "weave" where northbound Lexington passes under the railroad tracks and heads toward the Wynne/Como intersection; 90 percent of participants support this change.
  • Creating a safe way to get to the golf clubhouse / ski center / Cozy's Pub on foot or bicycle; 89 percent support this idea.
  • Creating specific left-turn-only, straight, and right-turn-only lane markings on northbound Lexington at the Como/Horton intersection; 88 percent support this idea.
  • Installing a pedestrian-activated, flashing warning light where the existing path crosses Lexington at E. Como Lake Drive; 86 percent support this idea.
  • Improve the warning signs where Energy Park Drive crosses the bicycle path on the west side of Lexington; 81 percent support this idea.
Full survey results are on the District 10 website. District 10's Land Use Committee, which created the survey, will use results to suggest improvements to Saint Paul, Ramsey County, State of Minnesota, and Saint Paul Parks officials. 
MnDOT's Ripping Up Snelling This Summer
The Minnesota Department of Transportation holds an open house this Monday, March 13, on this summer's Snelling Ave. construction project between Como Ave. and Highway 36. The project includes pavement repairs, additional turn lanes at Snelling and Larpenteur, and installing a sidewalk between Hoyt and Larpenteur. Work is expected to run from April into October. The open house is March 13 from 5-7 p.m. at Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur.
A Well-Kept Secret of Success
Celebrate one of our neighborhood's great success stories -- how a bunch of citizens volunteered for buckthorn busting in a neglected urban woodland and ended up creating a special place to play, learn, and escape outdoors. It's the story of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom -- and it's the March 19 presentation in District 10's 2017 Sunday Series.

Learn about the past, present, and future of the Woodland; the birds that find a home there; what those posts are all about; and how you can team up to continue restoring and maintaining a vibrant Woodland. The presentation includes a sneak peak at a new user's guide to the Woodland.  The free presentation is Sunday March 19 from1-2:30 p.m., upstairs at the Visitors' Center at Como Zoo and Conservatory.
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 utilize tools that repay debt faster, steer clear of debt settlement scams, 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. 
You, Too, Can Join the D10 Board
Nine positions on the Como Community Council Board will be up for election at District 10's annual meeting on Tuesday April 18. The positions:
Any resident of District 10 who is age 18 or older is eligible to run. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10.
Candidates interested in running for a board position must submit their name and a brief biography by Tuesday April 11, 2017. Nominations submitted after that date will be treated as write-in candidacies. 
Board members elected this year will serve from April 25, 2017, until April 23, 2019. 
Raise a Glass, Help Como Park High School
The Como Park High School Booster Club holds its annual fundraiser this Sunday, March 12, to provide extra money for extracurricular activities at the school. The event runs from 4-8 p.m. at the Urban Growler taproom, 2325 Endicott St. Tickets are $25 at the door for adults, $20 for youth, with $50 and $100 sponsor levels also available. Or, save $5 when you buy tickets in advance. The high school jazz band and Paul Seeba will provide music, and each ticket includes food and one beverage.
A Trio for the Second Sunday
Lyngblomsten's monthly "Second Sunday Concert" features the Modern Spark Trio from the MacPhail Center for Music. The trio -- piano, cello, and violin -- highlight five centuries of music from Europe and the Americas. The free concert is this Sunday, March 12, from 2-3 p.m. at Lyngblomsten 's Newman-Benson Chapel, 1415 Almond Ave. The concert is open to the entire community.
Reviving Traditions in Your Backyard
The Saint Paul Public Library 's Urban Homesteading series carries on with new presentations on backyard chickens and traditional Hmong herbs.
  • In "Raising Chickens," Rob Czernik shares advice and answers questions on breeds, housing, feeding, care, and city rules. The free presentation is this Thursday, March 16, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Riverview Library, 1 E. George St.
  • In "Hmong Herbs for Chicken Soup," master gardener Mayyia Lee and her daughter Zongxee Lee talk about growing and using herbs that have been passed from one generation to the next for centuries. They will also talk about efforts to preserve the names and traditions of these herbs. Their free presentation is Tuesday March 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Arlington Hills Library, 1200 Payne Ave.
Watching Our Waste: Food
Wasting food wastes everything: Money, fuel, labor, water. For example, throwing out a pound of beef means, among other things, we've wasted enough water to run a shower for 6 hours and 10 minutes. Unfortunately, in the U.S., we waste 20 percent of the food we buy. But it doesn't have to be that way. 
The Natural Resources Defense Council has a website packed with advice on how to reduce food waste, including practical tips on planning, shopping, storing, and cooking so your food -- and food dollar -- go further.
A Chance to Talk it Out
Hamline University hosts a community dialogue: "What Would Justice Look Like?" this Wednesday, March 15. Through guided conversations in small groups, the discussion hopes that community members of various racial, ethnic, socio-economic, age, gender, and other population sectors can share their perspectives on aspects of justice. The event is 5:30-9 p.m. at the Klas Center, 1535 Taylor Ave. It's free, but registration is required and space is limited.
Paul Hogan is "Crocodile Dundee."
A Clash of Cultures, Accents and Beyond
The urban-rural divide was a little different and a lot funnier in "Crocodile Dundee" (rated PG-13). Paul Hogan stars as an ocker from the Australian Outback seemingly out of his element in New York City. "Dundee" is Como Dockside's Thursday night movie on March 16. 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 11, it's the Cajun Cats. 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.
Planning Ahead
  • This Monday, March 13: Extended 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.
  • This Thursday, March 16: Public hearing on a draft Addendum to the 2014 Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale. The open hearing is an opportunity to review, ask questions, and comment on the plan.
  • Saturday March 18: Burning of the Trees, 6 p.m., Como Park fire pits.
  • Tuesday March 21: Deadline to submit applications to the Wilder Foundation's Latino Leadership Program, a free, seven-week training to strengthen the skills and connections of Latinos who want to get more involved in their community.
  • 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
If You Meet a Burglar
Burglaries that take place when residents are at home do happen, but are rare. Remember, burglars typically do not expect anyone to be home. They want to steal property; they do not plan to confront anyone or hurt anyone. Typically, when a suspect realizes someone else is in the house, they flee quickly. However, if someone you don't know enters your home:
  • Call 9-1-1 and give your address immediately. Tell the operator what you think is happening.
  • Stay as quiet as possible until police arrive. Be aware of what you hear and see. If the burglar flees before police arrive, remember which direction they fled.
  • Don't be a hero -- your life is worth more than your property. Do not confront the suspect. If they confront you, give them the property they ask for.
  • If you see the burglar, try to remember as much as possible in order to give police an accurate description. Focus on items such as sex, race, height, size, age, and an accent. Pay attention to styles and colors of clothes and shoes. Notice hair color and length, whether they wear glasses or facial hair, have an unusual complexion, or have identifying features such as scars, tattoos or jewelry.
This Weekend at the Fairgrounds
Outdoor News " Deer and Turkey Classic": Opens today, Friday March 10, from noon-8 p.m. Warner Coliseum. Continues Saturday, March 11, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 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.
Hey, Photographers, Share Your Shots
We know plenty of you are taking pictures of 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 James Cowles' fog 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.
It's Definitely a Short Weekend
Turn your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday, March 12. Daylight savings time returns. That means less time to sleep Saturday night, but more sunlight later in the day. That means we 'll all be in a better mood, right?
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.