Recommendations include higher visibility striping for crosswalks (white), painted extensions of the Como Ave. bike lanes (green), and eliminating the dedicated right-turn lane from southeast-bound Como onto westbound Front (blue).
A New Look at Como, Front and Dale?
Saint Paul city staff are recommending five infrastructure projects for the intersection of Como, Front and Dale in 2018. The projects would be paid for with $350,000 in Commercial Vitality Zone money authorized by the City Council in 2015. District 10 is surveying community members to get a sense of whether they support these projects or not. You can take the survey now.
Congratulations to Honor Roll Winners
Congratulations to Mike Ireland, Frank P. Liu, and Quentin "Q" Nguyen. They are District 10's additions to the 2017 Saint Paul Neighborhood Honor Roll. The board of the Como Community Council selected them Tuesday from a group of 13 Como residents nominated by their neighbors. They will be recognized formally with a banquet in January, and immortalized on a plaque in City Hall.
Recycling is Delayed One Day
Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, recycling pickup in District 10 is delayed by one day the next two weeks. Here is when you should expect the Eureka trucks:
  • Today, Friday Dec. 22
  • Next Saturday, Dec. 30
  • Saturday Jan. 6
If you have recycling issues, call Eureka: 651-222-7678.
Fountain Restoration Bursts Forward
The City Council voted Dec. 20 to accept grants from two foundations to pay for restoration of the Schiffman Fountain in Como Park in 2018.  The Berglund Family Foundation and the Cedarwoods Foundation will donate up to $40,000 to repair the statue, its base, and the statue's interior plumbing.  Kristin Cheronis will perform the restoration.

The 120-year-old, cast-iron mermaid statue sits east of Lexington Parkway and south of the Lakeside Pavilion.  The City Council also approved accepting up to $40,000 more if the foundations agree to also upgrade the fountain pool and its water jets and lighting.
It Beats the Mall
Registration is now open for winter and spring activities at North Dale and Northwest Como recreation centers. New activities begin in January.
  • Activities for adults include fitness (such as basketball, dancing, pilates, soccer, tennis, and yoga), skills (such as plumbing and relationship repairs), and fun (such as wine and art appreciation).
  • Activities for youth include archery, taekwondo and tumbling; all kinds of art, robotics, and dance classes; ice skating; and babysitting training.
  • Plus, there are regular and one-time family events such as open play time, a bonfire, and dances.
View or download the full schedules, activity details, and registration information on District 10 's website.
Taraji P. Henson portrays Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures," one of the library's more popular DVDs and books.
How Do Your Tastes Match Up?
The Saint Paul Public Library has released its lists of what patrons checked out or downloaded the most in 2017. The list of most popular items includes books (fiction, nonfiction, ebooks, and audio books), DVDs, CDs, and audio downloads.

Squeezing Things In Around the Holidays
District 10 committees aren't disappearing just because we have holidays.
  • The Environment Committee meets this Wednesday, Dec. 27.
  • The Neighborhood Relations and Safety Committee meets Tuesday Jan. 2.
  • The Land Use Committee meets Wednesday Jan. 3.
All meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All community members are welcome to attend and participate. We'll post committee agendas as soon as they are available.
Ski Center Opening Soon
It's finally cold enough to make snow at Mount Como, which means the ski center will open soon. Check here for the official word. (For you Nordic types, there is not enough snow to officially groom the cross-country trails; however, that hasn't stopped die-hards from blazing their own way.)

Do it right: You can still register for lessons in Nordic skiing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding. Group lessons are available for ages 4 to adult. Private and adult-only lessons also are available.
Celebrate Early
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory holds its annual " Noon Year's Party" for those who prefer to celebrate in daylight instead of at midnight. The family-friendly festivities take place before the New Year -- from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 31, or after 2018 begins -- from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday Jan. 1. Expect music, dancing, animals, and a beach-ball drop.

Looking ahead: The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's free Music Under Glass series begins Sunday Jan. 7. Paul Metsa kicks it off from 4:30-6:30 p.m. 
Watching Our Waste: Holiday Stuff
When the celebrations are over, here's what you can and cannot recycle:
  • Natural trees, wreaths, and garland: Take them to a Ramsey County yard waste site; they'll be turned into mulch. Sites are open Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Or, throw them in your yard or garden for the time being; they can provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. In either case, remove lights, garland, tinsel, hooks, and other decorations.
  • Lights: If your strands of lights are history, recycle them for free at the Ramsey County hazardous waste collection site, 5 Empire Drive. Be sure to first cut off any battery packs or electronics. The site is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. If the lights are still working, you can take them to Goodwill, 1239 W. University.
  • Wrapping paper: Cannot be recycled in your Eureka bin. Put it in the trash.
  • Tissue paper: Cannot be recycled in your Eureka bin. But it can be composted at District 10's Como Park organics recycling site, or at Ramsey County yard waste sites. 
Get Taken for a Ride
You can ride for free on  Metro Transit buses and light rail from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve until 3 a.m. New Year's Day. No coupons or passes necessary. It's a partnership among Metro Transit, J.J. Taylor Distributing, and Miller Lite.
Lock Down That Picnic Pavilion Now
Saint Paul residents and businesses can get 2018 park reservation permits beginning Tuesday Jan. 2 at the park district's maintenance office, 1100 North Hamline Ave. A quick rundown:
  • Show up in person between 6:30 and 7 a.m. -- and you'll get a lottery number. Permits will be distributed beginning at 7:01, based on lottery drawings. 
  • Show up after 7 a.m., and you can apply on a first-come, first-served basis -- after lottery customers are taken care of.
  • Beginning Wednesday Jan. 3, make a phone reservation by calling 651-266-6400. If you want to take care of it in person, you've got to go downtown to the City Hall Annex, 25 W. 4th St., Suite 400. You can do that weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Beginning Thursday Feb. 1, make a reservation online. Feb. 1 is also the first day people who don't live in Saint Paul can apply for permits regardless of how they do it: in person, on the phone, or online. 
Ladies, Add a Badge to Your Jewelry Box
Saint Paul Police hold an open house Saturday Jan. 6 exclusively for women interested in learning about a career in law enforcement. The free, no-commitment session is 10 a.m.-noon at the department's training facility, 600 Lafayette Road. All women ages 14 or older are welcome to investigate how they can diversify the force. Women currently on the force will discuss the roles they serve. 

Enjoy the Holidays (Without Us)
The District 10 office will close for the holidays beginning today, Friday Dec. 22. We'll reopen on Tuesday Jan. 2. Thanks for your patience if it takes us a while to reply to your emails or voice mails. Also, we will not publish a newsletter next Friday, Dec. 29. Look at it this way: You'll have one less thing to clean out of your inbox. 
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.