When the sun's been out, it's been glorious. Niles Fellow captured the majesty of a sunrise last week over Como Lake. 
A Pivotal Week for St. Andrew's, TCGIS
The city's Heritage Preservation Commission holds a public hearing and could make a final recommendation this Monday on whether to add the former St. Andrew's church building to the city's historic registry. More details

Then, next Thursday, the city's Zoning Committee again considers the variances and site plan approval Twin Cities German Immersion School is seeking in order to tear down the building and replace it with a classroom, gymnasium, and cafeteria addition. More details

Save Historic St. Andrew's -- a local preservation group that formed in April 2018 -- is seeking designation for the former church building, a step the school opposes. The Heritage Preservation Commission meets this Monday, Jan. 14, at 3:30 p.m. in the third-floor council chambers of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Testimony will be limited to boundaries of the proposed historic site and a recommended preservation program for the building. The commission's recommendation will go to the City Council, perhaps as early as Feb. 6.

The Zoning Committee meets this Thursday, Jan. 17, at 3:30 p.m., also in the City Council chambers. The meeting is open to the public but, because the committee took three hours of testimony last month, it is not clear whether it will take more testimony this time. The committee's recommendations will go to the full Planning Commission on Jan. 25.
New Bike Trail is on the Drawing Board
An open house this Tuesday, Jan. 15, will unveil ideas for another phase of Saint Paul's Grand Round -- a bicycle trail along Como Ave. from Hamline west to Raymond. Construction of a 1.6-mile trail on the north side of Como begins in 2020.

Building the off-street trail could include narrowing parts of Como Ave., moving existing bike lanes, and moving or removing existing parking in some stretches. Participants at the open house can get information, ask questions, and provide comments and suggestions.

Details: District 10 is hosting the event, which is being staffed by representatives from Saint Paul and Ramsey County public works. There is no formal presentation, so drop in Jan. 15, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
An emerald ash borer (Photo: Star Tribune)
More Boulevards Lose Their Ash Trees
Saint Paul's Forestry division intends to cut down 110 more boulevard ash trees in District 10 this year. The neighborhood toll is nearly twice as high as it was in 2018.

Most of the trees being removed are on streets north and east of the lake. You can view the city's map of exactly which trees will be removed. Tree removal is scheduled to begin Jan. 22; timelines for stumping and replanting remain up in the air. The trees are among more than 1,000 ashes that Forestry will cut down across the city in 2019, mostly the result of emerald ash borer infestation.

The city is also trying to preserve about 125 ash trees in District 10 through a treatment program.
District 10 Board Meets Tuesday
An update on the International Institute's expansion plans, plus a presentation on efforts to raise the age limit on tobacco purchases in Saint Paul to 21, highlight this Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Como Community Council. Preliminary agenda

All renters, homeowners, and other community members are invited to attend and participate. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
Council Members Hold Community Office Hours  
The three City Council members who represent parts of District 10 are scheduling drop-in "office" hours at locations in the community. Coming up:
  • Amy Brendmoen (Ward 5, roughly east of Lexington and north of Front): This Tuesday, Jan. 15, and Tuesday Feb. 5, 4-5:30 p.m., Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice St.
  • Mitra Jalali Nelson (Ward 4, roughly west of Lexington): Thursday Jan. 24, 8-10 a.m., Cahoots, 1562 Selby Ave.
  • Dai Thao (Ward 1, roughly south of Front): Thursday March 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Heritage Tea House Boutique, 360 University Ave.; and Friday March 8, 1-2 p.m., Golden Thyme Café, 921 Selby Ave.
Convenience Store Fined  
The Saint Paul City Council fined Northern Tier Retail LLC $500 on Jan. 2, after the Minnesota Department of Revenue seized 23 packs of contraband tobacco products in November 2018 at the former Super America store, 950 N. Lexington Parkway.
Girls' Hockey, the Way It Should Be  
The annual St. Paul Winter Classic returns this Saturday, Jan. 12, with four outdoor hockey games between eight high school girls teams. The showcase is sponsored by Friends of Como Athletics and takes place at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. The schedule:
  • 10 a.m.: Mankato East vs. Minneapolis
  • Noon: Moorhead vs. Northern Lakes
  • 2 p.m.: Northfield vs. Mahtomedi
  • 4 p.m.: Mankato West vs. St. Paul Sibley
Catan is one of the featured board games.
It's OK to Play Games  
Every Monday night through March 25, Northwest Como Recreation Center features free Game Nights for adults and children ages 8 and older. Settle down for fun and strategic board games from 6:30-8 p.m. at the center, 1550 N. Hamline.
Get Radon Test Kits for Cheap
During January, Ramsey County is offering home radon test kits for only $2. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can enter homes through the foundation, floor drains, and sump pumps. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, and roughly 40 percent of Minnesota homes have radon leakage. Winter is the best time to test for radon.

To order your test kit: Download the order form or call the county's Environmental Health office: 651-266-1199.
Yes, There Will Be Snow  
The Winter Carnival extends its reach to the State Fairgrounds again this year. First up: The Vulcan Snow Park Snow Stomp, beginning next Saturday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. You, too, can volunteer for a 4- to 5-hour shift to pound 8-foot cubes of snow into shape so they can be used for the Carnival's snow-sculpting competition. Other volunteer opportunities include judging the snow sculptures Jan. 26-27, helping at the snow slide Jan. 25-Feb. 3, or building the Fire Castle's nine-hole snow golf course. Learn more or sign up.
Some Serious Reading  
Saint Paul Public Library kicks its " Read Brave" activities into full gear this month, with books, discussion, and presentations about housing insecurity. The library system has 5,000 print and digital copies of its featured books available to borrow: "Burn Baby Burn" by Meg Medina, and "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond. Among activities in the next few weeks (all of them free):
  • This Thursday, Jan. 17: Discussion of "Evicted," 1-2:30 p.m., Hayden Heights, 1456 White Bear Ave.
  • Tuesday Jan. 22: Discussion of "Evicted," 12:30-1:30 p.m., Arlington Hills, 1200 Payne Ave.
  • Wednesday Jan. 23, Discussion of "Burn Baby Burn," 6:30-7:30 p.m., Highland Park, 1974 Ford Parkway
  • Thursday Jan. 24: Discussion of "Evicted," 6:30-7:30 p.m., West 7th, 265 Oneida St.
There are more than a dozen additional activities in January and February.
Fairgrounds Come Out of Hibernation  
  • Winter Antique Show: This Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 12-13, Warner Coliseum. Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: Teens and adults, $7; children 12 or younger, free; discounts available online.
Occupy Your Time 
  • This Sunday, Jan. 13: Music Under Glass features features Chance York and Big Cats, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Free
  • This Thursday, Jan. 17: Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Nelson holds a listening session on organized trash collection, 6-7 p.m., Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave.
  • Tuesday Jan. 22: Blooming Saint Paul Awards Ceremony, 5-7 p.m., Como Lakeside Pavilion.
  • Saturday Jan. 26: Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Roseville library, Hamline at County Road B.
  • Sunday Jan. 27: 2019 Organ Concert Series, 4-5 p.m., featuring Thomas Ferry. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 W. Hoyt. Free
  • Friday Feb. 8: Public hearing on Saint Paul's first pedestrian plan, 8:30 a.m. Room 40, City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. (Or, comment online now)
  • Sunday, Feb. 10: Citizens Acting for Rail Safety community forum and panel, 1-3 p.m., East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE, Minneapolis.
Police Seek More Women
Saint Paul Police hold a "Women in Uniform" recruiting event to increase the number of females on the force. The free information session is open to women and girls 14 and older. It's next Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m.-noon at the department's training center, 600 Lafayette Road. For information, call 651-266-5545 or email deputy chief Mary Nash.
Photographers, Show Us Your Stuff 
We know plenty of you are taking pictures of the people, places, and things that make our neighborhood unique. We can give you more exposure. This newsletter is happy to highlight the best of what local photographers send us about life in Como -- just as Niles Fellow did this week. It's easy: Just email us your top image from the previous 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.