A sure sign of spring: Nice Ride bikes have returned to their seasonal home near Como Dockside. The bike-sharing project gives residents and visitors a fun way to travel the trails of Como Park. The only other Nice Ride station in District 10 is near the Zoo and Conservatory. But you can find stations on the Saint Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, at Hamline University, and scattered along University Ave. Photo: Tim Post 
Vote in Our Elections This Tuesday 
Thirteen candidates have filed for 10 positions on the District 10 Como Community Council board. That means there are indeed contested elections. Voting is this Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. 
  • You can find out about the candidates and other election information on our website. Additional candidates may be nominated from the floor.
  • Also Tuesday, community members will vote on a technical amendment to District 10's Articles of Incorporation. You can find those details here.
All residents age 18 or older who live in District 10 are eligible to vote Tuesday during the District 10 Annual Meeting. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10. Community members must vote in person; there is no absentee or proxy voting.
Take Our Como and Snelling Survey
Do you shop at the businesses near Como and Snelling? Why? Why not? District 10 is surveying community members about this neighborhood business district -- and we need your opinions. We'll use your answers to guide us in working with present and potential businesses to improve the area. 
Register Your Garage Sale Now
District 10's annual Como Neighborhood Garage Sale is Saturday May 20. If you're planning a sale this year, register now. The sign-up fee is only $15. If you'd rather shop, stay tuned, we'll have a list of all the garage and yard sale hot spots coming soon. 
The Street Sweepers are Still Prowling  
The city's street sweepers expect to be out in full force this week in District 10. Nearly all the neighborhood's north-south residential streets are scheduled to be swept of their winter grit between April 17 and 21. This past week, a number of east-west streets got scrubbed.  Use this interactive map to determine when your street is scheduled. Crews post temporary "no parking" signs at least 24 hours before sweeping. On days a street is swept, parking is banned from  8 a.m.-6 p.m.  Vehicles parked in the "no parking" zone are living dangerously.
Black Hills Spruce is one of the tree varieties available.
Get a Tree for Yourself (or the Neighborhood)
This is the final week to order a tree for your yard, or replace a tree in a local park -- or both -- all from the same source. It's the annual tree sale organized by Friends of the Parks and Trails of Saint Paul and Ramsey County.  This year ' s sale has options of five trees, seven shrubs, and one vine. Eight of the choices are new. You can see the full selection and place an order online. The purchase deadline is next Friday April 21; pick up is in two weeks, on Saturday May 6. 
Don't Freak Out -- Make a Plan
  
A statewide tornado drill takes place this Thursday, April 20, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. That means warning sirens will blast at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. -- which is different from the usual first Wednesday of the month test.  Emergency folks hope you'll use the drill to test your own emergency response plan at home, work, or school.
Here We Go Again
Road construction season is officially underway. Some projects to be aware of, in case you haven't learned the hard way already:
  • Highway 10: The westbound ramp to northbound Interstate 35W is closed through August. 
  • Interstate 694: There are lane and ramp restrictions between Lexington and Interstate 35E. The ramp from Rice St. to westbound 694 is closed.
  • Raymond Ave.: Reconstruction resumes between Como Ave. and Energy Park Drive. The street is closed completely from Standish south to Energy Park; there is limited access from Como south to Standish.
  • Snelling Ave.: As we've experienced, traffic is down to one lane in each direction between Como and Larpenteur. Depending on the time of day, access from cross streets may be restricted. And traffic on other neighborhood streets is slower and heavier as a result. 
A Cleaner Neighborhood for All
 
  
Each spring, hundreds of volunteers gather across Saint Paul's to clean up winter's trash. This year's Citywide Spring Cleanup is next Saturday, April 22, from 9-11:30 a.m. at eight locations, including Como Dockside. If you're interested, sign up now. Registration is not mandatory, but if you let organizers know in advance that you're coming, they'll know how many gloves, bags, and treats to have on hand.  
Watching Our Waste: Recycling Bags
 
  
Thanks to you, District 10's organics recycling drop-off site on Beulah Lane is a resounding success. But, as plenty of you tell us, the allotment of bags we receive quickly runs out. If your timing isn't good, here are some options:
  • Dry organics can be placed and recycled in ordinary brown paper bags  
  • For your sloppier organics, you can purchase your own supply of compostable bags at Cub, Mississippi Market, Target, and other stores. They run about $4 for 12 kitchen-size bags, and about $4 for 30 compost-bucket size bags. If you buy bags, be sure they are certified from BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or the U.S. Composting Council. 
Finally, do not use standard lawn bags and kitchen waste bags. They are plastic. They cannot be recycled. Kind of defeats the purpose of an organics recycling site.
Kids Can Raise a Racket Outdoors
 
Saint Paul Urban Tennis launches its spring tennis lessons for youth this week. At North Dale, classes run Mondays for six weeks beginning April 17. At Orchard Park, classes run Tuesdays for six weeks beginning April 18.  Basic classes for children ages 7-10 are 5-5:45 p.m.  Slightly more advanced classes for children ages 8-11 are 6-6:45 p.m. Cost is $60, but financial assistance is available. Registration and additional information is available online.
Want to Survive Cooking Fires?
The Saint Paul Fire Department points out two gadgets that can save your bacon in case a cooking fire breaks out in your kitchen.
  • The Safe T Sensor, an attachment that turns off your microwave if it detects smoke inside.
  • The Stovetop FireStop, an automatic fire suppressor that mounts above your cooktop and triggers anytime there's flame.
It's Going to Get Noisy
A public hearing takes place this Wednesday, April 19, for a noise variance for sewer work this summer along Wheelock Parkway between Avon and Victoria. The 24-hour project, on a date yet to be decided, will include overnight work with noise reaching up to 70 decibels. Property owners within 400 feet of the work will receive notice at least 48 hours before the work begins. 
The hearing is April 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the third-floor City Council Chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Get This on Your Calendar
  • Today, Friday April 14: Deadline to apply for membership on the Community Advisory Group studying the future of the Rice Street/Larpenteur Avenue gateway. This is a joint effort among Maplewood, Roseville, and Saint Paul.
  • This Tuesday, April 18: Deadline to file state and federal income tax returns.
  • This Thursday, April 20: The Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program provides a free blood-pressure exam and clinic, 11 a.m.-noon. Arbor Pointe Apartments, 635 W. Maryland.
  • 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.
  • Saturday April 29: Spring planting in the triangle gardens at Churchill, Van Slyke, and Horton. 9 a.m.
  • 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.  
More Burglary Prevention Tips for Businesses
Saint Paul Police recommend:
  • Use lights strategically inside and out. Outside, put vandal-proof covers over the lights and power source. Light as much of the perimeter as possible, especially around doors and other possible entry points.
  • Keep cash registers in plain view from outside the building. Never leave cash in registers after closing time. Leave cash drawers open and empty when they're not in use.
Going in Circles at the Fairgrounds
  • North Star Roller Girls: This Saturday, April 15, Warner Coliseum. 7 p.m. Admission: $13 in advance, $16 at the door.
  • Gopher Criterium bicycle road race: This Sunday, April 16, roadways north of Randall Ave. 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Machinery Hills Criterium Race Series: This Tuesday, April 18, 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.
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.