Don't try this at home: A racoon tests out the thin ice of Como Lake this week.
Photo: Nile Fellows
How Not to Waste Food or Money
Are you hosting Thanksgiving or another big event this season? Buying the right amount of food can be a guessing game. Which is why the Guest-Imator calculator can help.

The online tool from SavetheFood.com estimates how much food you need, without adding to the fact that 40 percent of food in America gets thrown away. With the Guest-Imator, just plug in some info about your eaters, then find out exactly how much food to make.

If you do have leftovers, send them out the door with guests, or find recipes to use them up yourself.
Don't Forget to Recycle Your Food Scraps
Regardless of how well you estimate meals, you still will have waste from preparing food or from food that people leave on their plate. All those food scraps can go to the Como community organics recycling site on Beulah Lane in Como Regional Park. The organics we collect are composted to return nutrients to the soil.

If you're not already participating, learn how. You can pick up a starter kit at the District 10 office next Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon-4 p.m. in the Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N. Or email us and we'll set one aside for you.
Make Your Holiday Adjustments
  • The Thanksgiving holiday means trash and recycling pickup in District 10 will not happen next Friday, Nov. 29. Instead, Eureka will pick up recycling in the entire neighborhood next Saturday, Nov. 30. For residents who have Friday trash pick-up, that also is pushed back one day, until next Saturday, Nov. 30. (Residents who have Monday trash pick-up are not affected.)
  • Metro Transit runs reduced schedules on Thanksgiving weekend. This Thursday, Nov. 28, routes will follow their holiday/Sunday schedule. Next Friday, Nov. 29, routes will follow their normal Saturday schedule. Fares will adjust accordingly.
  • The District 10 office will be closed this week, Nov. 25-29. However, we will open the Streetcar Station as usual next Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon-4 p.m.
Community Yoga is Approaching
Break out of your Thanksgiving food, football, and shopping coma with District 10's quarterly Community Yoga. The session is next 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, which benefits the Como Community Council.
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. The Como Community Council board then selects three of your nominees on Dec. 17 to recognize for 2019.  Previous winners 
"The Marrow Thieves" is the featured Read Brave read.
Read Brave Gets Down to Earth
The Saint Paul Public Library launches its annual Read Brave series this weekend. The 2020 theme is Our Climate Crisis. Featured books are "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline and "Climate Justice" by Mary Robinson. There also are more than 20 recommendations for children of different ages. Hard-copy and e-books can be checked out from all library locations.
Everybody Wants to Know Your Opinion
  • Saint Paul is trying to develop a technical assistance program to make life easier for businesses. To make sure the program is headed in the right direction, it has two surveys available to collect insights, one for business owners, the other for organizations that work with businesses. The deadline to take the survey is this Thursday, Nov. 28.
  • Got ideas on how Metro Transit can improve its public transit network? Then take the agency's Network Next survey, which looks at routes, scheduling, service, and more. The survey is open until next Saturday, Nov. 30.
  • Each year, Saint Paul receives more than $8 million in federal funding for community development projects and programs. The city's 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan starts with ideas, opinions, and suggested priorities for improving neighborhood public facilities; increasing affordable housing, job, and business opportunities; and enhancing public services. You can share your thoughts on where the plan should go. (Do so before Dec. 6.)
Keeping Track of Your Good Work
You're the best: Thanks to all the volunteers who will help us serve Thanksgiving dinner this week for neighbors who live in Como By The Lake. We've got a dozen of you joining us -- and had to turn others away (because, as you know, kitchens can get too crowded). 
  • If you adopted a storm drain, don't forget to report how much in leaves and other gunk you've cleared out to keep them out of local waterways. Do that here
Keeping Track of City Paperwork
New this week:
  • 883 Front: The property owner has applied for a variance for additional exterior lighting. A public hearing on the request is scheduled for Monday Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. in Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • 1014 Hoyt: The property owners have applied for a license for short-term rentals.
  • 1636 Lexington Parkway N: The property owners have applied to Ramsey County for a foster care license for four or fewer children. Anyone who has concerns should contact the county's Community Human Services Department: 651-266-3929.
  • Twin Cities German Immersion School: Received a building permit for foundation work for its classroom, gymnasium, and cafeteria construction project.
As previously reported:
  • Speedway: The gas station license and liquor license for the convenience store at Lexington and Front are up for renewal on Dec. 1. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 1 Councilmember Dai Thao.
  • Carter's BP: The gas station license for the business at Como and Dale is up for renewal on Dec. 29. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Amy Brendmoen.
  • Ted's: The liquor license, 2 a.m. closing license, and Sunday license for this bar on Larpenteur Ave. are up for renewal on Jan. 31, 2020. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Amy Brendmoen.
  • Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel: The liquor license and Sunday license are up for renewal on Jan. 3, 2020. Anyone who has concerns should contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali Nelson.
Plan Now for Winter Break
North Dale Recreation Center is one of the Saint Paul parks offering all-day programs for children ages 6-12 during winter break: Dec. 23-24, Dec. 30-31, and Jan. 2-3. Activities run 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on those six days; cost is $30. You can register in person at the rec center, 1414 St. Albans, or online.
The folk school plans a winter medicines class in January.
Old School is the Way to Go
Great River School (in Energy Park) is starting a folk school for adults, hoping to pass along knowledge from multiple cultures in traditional foods, medicines, arts, movement, music, craft, textiles, farming, ecology, and sustainable living. Some classes are scheduled already for December and January, but the school is also looking for instructors who want to create classes of their own. Find out more about teaching or learning.
In the Next Few Weeks... 
  • This Saturday, Nov. 23: Graze and Give Thanks, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1460 Almond. Free Thanksgiving dinner and dish sampler, complete with recipes! Donations will support the housing programs at Booth Brown House. 
  • This Sunday, Nov. 24: Arts and Crafts Festival, 1-4 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 N. Hamline. Proceeds benefit Chelsea Heights Elementary School. Local vendors and artisans, plus spice rubs, paintings, and jewelry from school staff members. Cotton candy, sand art, and games for kids.
  • This Monday, Nov. 25: Public hearing on proposed 2020-21 budget for Ramsey County, 6:30 p.m. Ramsey County Library-Maplewood, 3020 Southlawn Drive.
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
Thieves Like Shopping, Too  
Advice from Saint Paul Police to prevent criminals from ruining your holidays:
  • Use common sense. If you are out shopping,  do not leave purchases in your vehicle for everyone to see. You won't see them again.
  • At the very least, lock purchases in your trunk. But even this is a risk, because professionals hang around and watch for shoppers who drop off one armload of purchases before heading back into stores for more. A better approach: Take the extra time to take purchases home, drop them off, then go back out for round two. 
  • Don't forget: Lock. Your. Vehicle.   
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.