April showers bring April flowers: Yes, it's been rainy. But these are some of the rewards. Photo: Jennifer Victor-Larsen
Residents Elect 10 New Board Members
It was standing room only at the District 10 annual meeting.
Congratulations to the 10 residents elected by their neighbors April 18 to the District 10 Como Community Council board!  Chair: Ryan Flynn ; Secretary: Tim Post ; Sub-District 1: Cari Ness Nesje ; Sub-District 2: Maggie Zimmerman ; Sub-District 3: Mike Ireland ; Sub-District 4: Andrew Johnson ; At-Large: Wesley Farrow, Haley L. Fruen , and Adina Weseman.

Nesje, Johnson, and Fruen are newly elected to the board. Flynn, Post, Zimmerman, Ireland, Farrow, and Weseman are incumbents who were re-elected. All these candidates will serve full, two-year terms. They officially take office this Tuesday, April 25, and serve until April 22, 2019.

In addition, Kevin Dahm was elected to fill an At-Large vacancy for a term that runs through April 23, 2018. Dahm previously was a board member representing Sub-District 4.

Also at the annual meeting, community members approved a technical amendment to the Como Community Council's Articles of Incorporation. The amendment legally includes Sub-District 4 in the council's geographic boundaries. Just a minor detail.
A Cleaner Neighborhood for All
 
  
Each spring, hundreds of volunteers gather across Saint Paul to clean up winter's trash. This year's Citywide Spring Cleanup takes place this Saturday, April 22, at eight locations, including Como Dockside. You don't have to pre-register: Just drop in between 9 and 11:30 a.m.; pick up your gloves, bags, and treats; and do your thing.     
Last Chance to Share Your Opinions 
Do you shop at the businesses near Como and Snelling? Why? Why not? This is your last chance to fill out District 10's survey about this neighborhood business district. We shut down the survey on Monday, April 24. 
Register Before It's Too Late 
District 10's annual Como Neighborhood Garage Sale is Saturday May 20. That's less than a month away. If you're planning a sale this year, register now. The sign-up fee is only $15.
Want to Trade In Your Recycling Cart?
Eureka Recycling is taking requests from residents who want a bigger or smaller recycling cart. Everybody's current cart is 64 gallons; it measures 22 inches wide, 44 inches tall, and 26.5 inches deep.
  • You can get a larger, 95-gallon cart, which is 23 inches wide, 46 inches tall, and 31.5 inches deep. 
  • You can get a smaller, 32-gallon cart, which is 19 inches wide, 36.75 inches tall, and 26 inches deep. (The smaller cart holds roughly the same amount as two of the old curbside bins.)
To swap your current cart for a different size, call Eureka at 651-222-7678. They tell us it will take a few weeks for the switch to happen. 
Environment Committee Meets Wednesday
District 10's Environment Committee hosts a presentation this week from the Neighborhood Energy Connection. NEC conducts low-cost home energy audits; its Home Energy Squad installs a basic package of energy-efficient upgrades. The presentation will include news about NEC's pending merger with the Minneapolis-based Center for Energy and Environment.

The Environment Committee meets this Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Community members are always welcome to attend and participate.
Cross That Bridge Now
 
  
MnDOT holds two "coffee chats" this Wednesday, April 26, to share its "final preliminary design" about better and safer pedestrian and bicycle access over the Snelling Ave. bridges between Midway Parkway and Hamline University. The events run from 8-10 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. at Ginkgo Coffeehouse, which is at the northwest corner of Snelling and Minnehaha. You can find our more about what's being considered on the District 10 website or on MnDOT's project website.
Speaking of Traffic on Snelling ...    
 
MnDOT is closing the ramp from Como Ave. to northbound Snelling this Monday, April 24. The ramp is expected to remain closed until May 10. Closing the ramp also shuts down the A-Line bus stop at Como. Instead, northbound passengers will have to use a temporary A-Line stop at Midway Parkway. All that's on top of the ongoing construction work that has Snelling narrowed to one lane in each direction between Como and Larpenteur.
Need a Spring Cleanup?
 
The Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program is lining up volunteers to do spring yard cleanup for neighborhood seniors age 65 or older. Volunteers will rake up yards and garden beds. If you're a senior who would like some help (or someone who would like to help a neighbor), call Jennifer at 651-642-1127. 
In Case You Did Not Get Enough  
 
North Dale Community Center celebrates spring during a " Lunch with the Bunny" gathering this Saturday, April 22, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The family event features contests, a jump castle, activities such as an egg hunt and make-your-own trail mix, a bunny petting zoo, plus -- as the title promises -- lunch. Admission is $2 per person. North Dale is at 1414 N. St. Albans. 
Shuttle is Back for Big Weekend
 
 
  
The Como Shuttle resumes weekend service this Saturday, April 22. The free bus runs Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.-6:15 p.m. from the State Fairground parking lot on Como Ave., south of Warner Coliseum. It stops near the main Visitor Center entrance. (Everyday service begins on Memorial Day, Monday May 29.)

There's more: Shuttle service coincides with this weekend's " Party for the Planet" at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. In celebration of Earth Day, activities include crafts, special plant and animal presentations, and energy-efficiency demonstrations. It's all free from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23. You can download passes to ride Metro Transit for free to and from the party.
Watching Our Waste: Cell Phones   
 
In District 10, we've got an easy way to recycle an old cell phone, smart phone, iPad or other tablet, or iPod or other MP3 player: Just drop it in the collection bin in the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory's Visitor Center.

The Zoo partners with Eco-Cell, which strips down handheld devices to keep their toxins out of landfills and reclaim their precious metals. But it gets even better: That reclamation reduces the need to mine coltran. And that helps preserve the African habitat of orangutans, a popular Zoo attraction and one of the most critically endangered species on earth.
A National Park in Our Own Backyard
A 30-minute documentary, "Rebirth: The Mississippi's National Park," airs this Sunday, April 23, on TPT's Minnesota channel. The show tells the story of the national park that cuts through the center of the Twin Cities. Air times, however, are not exactly prime time: 12:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. 
So Much to Look Forward To
  • This Monday, April 24: Deadline to apply for 8/80 Cities and Knight Foundation's $5,000 Emerging City Champions fellowship. Open to applicants ages 18-35 with innovative ideas about public space, mobility, or civic engagement.
  • This Thursday and next Friday, April 27-28: Como Park Senior High School Spring Play, "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon," 7 p.m. Students cram 209 fairy tales into this fast-paced extravaganza in the school auditorium, 740 W. Rose. Tickets: $7 at the door, $5 for students and senior citizens.
  • Next Friday-Sunday, April 28-30: Saint Paul Art Crawl, 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 33 locations, including Front Avenue Pottery and Tile, 895 Front. Metro Transit offers free bus passes April 29-30.
  • Next Saturday, April 29: Spring planting in the triangle gardens at Churchill, Van Slyke, and Horton. 9 a.m. Volunteers are welcome to join in.
  • Monday May 1: Permit-only parking begins on Hamline Ave. and nearby residential streets west of the Zoo.
  • Tuesday May 2: Rice Street Transportation Safety Study, 6-8 p.m. Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice. Ramsey County unveils preliminary concepts for a 4-to-3 lane conversion on Rice between Larpenteur and University.
  • Wednesday May 3: Public hearing on installing LED street lights on Como Ave. from Dale to northwest of Jessamine, 5:30 p.m. Third-floor City Council chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. 
  • Friday May 19: Deadline to give your opinion on different varieties of LED streetlights being tested in Saint Paul. Maps and information are available online. 
  • Friday May 19: Public hearing on Saint Paul River Balcony Master Plan, 8:30 a.m. Planning Commission, Room 40, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Email comments to Lucy Thompson.
  • Sunday May 21: "Out-of-the-Ordinary Yards," 1-2:30 p.m. Orchard Park Recreation Center, 845 W. Orchard. Part of District 10's Sunday Series.
  • Sunday May 21: Como Community Seed Library's May Share Seed and Plant Exchange, 2:30-4  p.m. Orchard Park Recreation Center, 845 W. Orchard. Learn more on Facebook or volunteer here.
  • Sunday June 11: "Working Together to Improve Como Lake," 1-2:30 p.m. Como Lakeside Pavilion, 3rd floor. Part of District 10's Sunday Series.
Call Before You Post
Posting actual and suspected criminal activities is popular on local social media groups. But Western District Commander Steve Anderson reminds us: Call the police, too. "It's good to document activity, but don't just share it on Facebook," he says. "Please, you've got to report it." That's the best way, he says, for police to track patterns.

The Latest Police Report for Our Neighborhood: No burglaries -- but a little bit of everything else.
A Crazy Busy Week at the Fairgrounds
  • Comcast Cares Day: This Saturday, April 22, Dairy Building. 7:30 a.m.-noon.
  • Antique Spectacular Show and Flea Market: This Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, Grandstand. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Teens and adults, $7; children 12 or younger, free.
  • Military Relic and Collector Show: This Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, Progress Center. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Adults and children 11 and older, $6; children 10 or younger, free.
  • Minnesota Weapon Collectors Association Show and Sale: This Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, Education Building. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Teens and adults, $5; children 11 or younger, free. Children 18 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Minnesota Half Arabian Horse Association WSCA Schooling Show: This Saturday, April 22, AgStar Arena. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Minnesota Future Farmers of America State Convention: This Monday, April 24, Merchandise Mart. 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Livestock, horse and dairy judging, Warner Coliseum, 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Machinery Hills Criterium Race Series: This Tuesday, April 25, roadways north of Hoyt Ave. 4-9 p.m. This weekly bicycle road race training series includes four races (beginners-experts). Entry fees: $10-$25.
  • Minnesota Horse Expo: Next Friday-Sunday, April 28-30, Warner Coliseum. 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Teens and adults, $11; seniors 62 or older and children ages 6-12, $7; children 5 or younger, free.
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 Park. 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.