Neighborhood, Land Use Committees Meet
District 10's Neighborhood Relations Committee meets this Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. Discussion will include activities for 2020, including the possibility of an intercultural training series for community members.

District 10's Land Use Committee meets this Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. We'll give whatever updates we have on topics such as redevelopment of the former Sholom Home property and license issues at Duke's Auto on Front and Chatsworth.

Both meetings are at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other community members are welcome to attend and participate. Agendas will be posted on the District 10 website when they are available.
Trash, Recycling Pickup are One Day Later
The Thanksgiving holiday means trash and recycling  in District 10 will not be picked up today, Friday Nov. 29. Instead, Eureka will pick up recycling for the entire neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 30. For residents who usually have Friday trash pick-up, that also is pushed back one day, until Saturday. ( Residents who have Monday trash pick-up are not affected.)
Community Yoga is Sunday
Break out of your Thanksgiving food, football, and shopping coma with District 10's quarterly Community Yoga. The session is this Sunday, Dec. 1, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station. 

The session is suitable for all levels of skill and experience.  Registration is $5. Bring a yoga mat or blanket and wear comfortable clothes.
Give Someone Some Recognition
Know someone who makes the Como Park area a better place to live, work or play? Nominate them for the Neighborhood Honor Roll, which is an annual recognition given by each of the city's 17 district councils. The Honor Roll pays tribute to everyday people who make a sustained and lasting impact in their neighborhood or in our city.

Submit your nominations by email no later than Thursday Dec. 12. Tell us who you are nominating and why. Como Community Council board members then select three of your nominees on Dec. 17.  Previous winners 
We Certainly Would Appreciate It
After weeks of Black Friday deals, then Small Business Saturday, then Cyber Monday, it is Giving Tuesday this Tuesday, Dec. 3. Here at the Como Community Council, we don't do a hard sell. But we will gratefully welcome your financial support for this newsletter and the dozens of other things we do, week in and week out, to build a better community.

Most of our operating budget comes from grants, which typically come with strings attached. Donations from you and other community members, on the other hand, give us the flexibility and resources to accomplish more of your priorities. You can donate online, or mail a donation to: Como Community Council, 1224 Lexington Parkway N, Saint Paul, MN 55103.

Thank you.
Dale  St. Upheaval is Coming
Ramsey County has released more details about the reconstruction of Dale St. between University and Iglehart Aves. The two-year project begins in February; it includes building a wider bridge over Interstate 94. The new information includes a slide show with timelines, and a one-minute architectural video on what the newly configured bridge street will look like.
Don't Overdo the Salt
Too much salt can be bad enough for our bodies. But salt is toxic for Como Lake and aquatic life. When chloride gets into water, we can't get it out. After all, it's not easy to dilute a lake or river.  So, as we try to be good neighbors and try to keep our sidewalks clear of snow and ice, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization has two words: Be smart. 

The watershed district created a very practical guide on using salt (or alternatives) on sidewalks and driveways. The guide includes downloads and a chart of which de-icing products work best at which temperatures. The guide also spells out what harm each product causes. Highlights:
  • Whenever possible, shovel and scrape -- early and often.
  • After that, whenever possible, let the sun do the work for you.
  • If the temperature is too cold, standard salt (sodium chloride) doesn't work. Below 15 degrees F or so, use sand, some other grit, or a more expensive de-icing alternative.
  • At warmer temperatures, sand is basically useless.
  • Don't overdo it. A little salt (or sand) goes farther than you think. The guide tells how to determine how little you really need.
  • Once the salt (or sand) does its job, sweep up what remains on the pavement. Save it for next time.
Don't Leave Your Work Hanging
If you were part of the Como Curb Cleanup this fall, don't forget to report how often you cleared leaves from the gutter. Email your results; let coordinators know how many linear feet of curb you cleared, and how many times you did it.
Image: Training for Change
Stay a Step Ahead
The University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs offers free training for underrepresented community members interested in joining a district council board such as the Como Community Council. The training gives an overview of community organizing, neighborhood organizations, preparing for elections, and developing relationships.

Details: Board Representation Leadership Training for People of Color and Indigenous is Thursday Dec. 10 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. It takes place at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Ave. S, Room 20, on the university's West Bank campus in Minneapolis. Free.

To register, contact Malik Holt-Shabazz by email or at 612-791-7734.
Get What You Are Paying For
As part of the trash contract the city has with haulers, Saint Paul residents are able to dispose of two-three bulky items for free in calendar year 2019 (depending on what level of service you pay for).  Time is running out if you haven't used your allotment. 

To arrange a bulky pick-up: Call your hauler at least 48 hours in advance; hauler phone numbers are in the blue box on the city's online trash page .
Fairgrounds Plow Out for the Big Game
  • Parking, shuttle, and tailgating for University of Minnesota football game: This Saturday, Nov. 30, Robin Lot (south and east of Randall Ave.) $10. The Gophers host Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m.
Also in the Next Week... 
  • This Saturday, Nov. 30: Deadline to take Metro Transit's Network Next survey, which looks at routes, scheduling, service, and more.
  • This Monday, Dec. 2: Public hearing on variance requests by the property owner at 883 Front to allow stronger exterior lighting, 3 p.m. Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • This Tuesday, Dec. 3: Community Conversation about Cannibas, 5:30-7 p.m., Hi-Way Federal Credit Union, 840 Westminster St. Sponsored by state Rep. John Lesch. 
  • This Tuesday, Dec. 3: Public hearing for Saint Paul Public Schools' 2020 tax proposal, 6 p.m. School district headquarters, Conference Room A, 360 Colborne St.
  • This Wednesday, Dec. 4: Public hearing for City of Saint Paul's proposed 2020 budget and tax levy, 6 p.m. Third-floor City Council chambers in City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Next Friday, Dec. 6: Deadline to comment on Saint Paul's proposed 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan, which outlines ideas, opinions, and suggested priorities on how the city should spend $8 million in federal funding to improve neighborhood public facilities; increase affordable housing, job, and business opportunities; and enhance public services.
Don't Box Yourself into a Situation  
Yes, recycling at home is a good thing. But there's one exception: The cardboard packaging we throw outside this time of year can advertise to burglars what they might find inside. 

Again this season, we can get these clues off our property. Saint Paul Police and the city's All In recycling program have a special drop-off site exclusively for cardboard boxes from tools, TVs, computers, phones, electronics, and other goodies we buy for ourselves or as gifts. The bin is outside the Western District police station, 389 N. Hamline, until Jan. 3. The service is free; to maximize space, please break down the cardboard before you deposit it.
 
This week's Como community crime update: That's not encouraging
Streetcar Station is Open Sunday
The Como Park Streetcar Station is open this Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon-4 p.m. It is a great chance to learn a little about the long-gone trolley system in the Twin Cities, about the history and visionaries behind Como and the city's overall park system, to pick up organics recycling bags or kitchen starter kits, or just to chat with a District 10 board member who is staffing the day. 

The Historic Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. (The exhibit space is open on the first Sunday of every month until spring.)
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.