Online Police Reports Can Be a Better Option
Saint Paul is stepping up use of online police reports for incidents that are not emergencies or do not need an officer to show up in person. Steve Anderson, senior commander of the Police Department's Western District, told residents at a Jan. 21 community meeting that filing online reports make it easier for officers to focus on higher-priority crimes. Residents still get case numbers to track the incident, still get paperwork they need to file insurance claims, for example, and don't have to wait around when there's no urgency for an officer to show up.

Anderson says police do vet and track all incidents that residents report online rather than calling. Police still use online reports to piece together crime patterns, he said, and some incidents still trigger in-person investigation.

Online reporting is designed for specific crimes, such as garage burglaries, vandalism, and most kinds of vehicle break-ins. See the complete list of situations where online reporting is a better option than calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line, 651-291-1111.
City Starts Plowing Residential Streets
To take advantage of warmer temperatures, Public Works is plowing residential streets today and Saturday, Jan. 24-25. It's short notice, and it is not a "snow emergency," but residents are asked to avoid parking on residential streets as much as possible, so crews can clean up the slop we're dealing with. Check here for updates
The Vulcan Experience is Next Door
Saint Paul's annual Winter Carnival is underway. The parades and pomp and ceremonial rituals are downtown. The fun is here: The Vulcan Snow Park opens today, Friday Jan. 24, at the State Fairgrounds. Events this weekend feature:
  • Snow sculpting: Today through Sunday, Jan. 24-26. Large-block sculptors are in action Friday until 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m.-noon. You can watch small-block sculptors Friday until 9 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. You can vote for your favorite sculpture Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You can eyeball the sculptures anytime this weekend from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and any weekday from 4-9 p.m.
  • Vulcan Fun Day: This Sunday, Jan. 26. Events include polar plunges (in daylight from noon-1:30 p.m. and under black light from 6:30-8 p.m.), barstool ski races (2-6 p.m.), fire truck rides (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), and special activities for kids, including a treasure hunt from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Snow Maze and Snow Slide: Everyday, generally 4-9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends.
How much: Spectating and parking at the Snow Park are free. Riding the Snow Slide is $2, free with a food donation, or $15 for an all-day wristband. Doing a polar plunge requires a minimum contribution of $50, which benefits Special Olympics Minnesota.

Where: Find activities in the Kidway area, on the giant block bounded roughly by Randall on the north, Cooper on the east, Dan Patch on the south, and Underwood on the west.

Lest we forget, the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt also is under way. No need to call police (or file an online report) on the hardy searches who inevitably spend at least some time circling Como Park with shovels, rakes, picks, and headlamps.
Orchid Show Takes Over Conservatory
The annual Winter Carnival Orchid Show is this weekend, Jan. 25-26, at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The show includes hundreds of orchids from collections of the conservatory, individuals, orchid societies, and commercial growers from around the Midwest. The show runs Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; admission is $5 for teens and adults, $3 for children ages 3-12, with discounts available. (The Orchid Show means there's no Music Under Glass this Sunday.)

More flowers: The conservatory's free Winter Flower Show also is under way in the Sunken Garden daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through March 22. This year's colorful explosion includes dark red cyclamen, dark pink oriental lilies, blue pansies, purple azaleas, veltheimia, and various amaryllis. 
This proposed project in St. Anthony Park includes affordable apartments.
Much More Than a Light Breakfast
St. Timothy Lutheran Church hosts a legislative breakfast on affordable housing this Thursday, Jan. 30. The event features front-line activists and state, county, and city officials. It is organized by MICAH -- the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing.

Breakfast begins at 7 a.m.; the discussion runs 7:30-9:15 a.m. The church is at 1465 Victoria. To reserve a seat, email Patti Whitney-Wise your name, address, and phone.
Community Yoga is Back
Start Super Bowl Sunday in a good way with District 10's first Community Yoga session of 2020. We'll gather next Sunday, Feb. 2, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N. Community member Meegan Hall leads the session, which will be suitable for all levels of skill and experience.

Bring a yoga mat or blanket and wear comfortable clothes. To make sure everyone has room to move, we'll cap sign-ups at 25 participants. Registration is $5, which benefits the Como Community Council.  Reserve your spot

2020 schedule: One of the reasons behind Community Yoga is to build community. So, we'll hold sessions more often this year: on Sundays March 8, April 5, May 3, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, and Nov. 8.
Free Tax Filing Help is Available
Prepare and Prosper offers free tax-preparation assistance beginning this Saturday, Jan. 25. Services are available at nine locations, including three in Saint Paul:
  • Their main office at 2610 University Ave. Suite LL
  • Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent
  • Merrick Community Services, 1669 Arcade, Suite 4
Some locations take appointments, some are walk-in. Generally, you are eligible if you make less than $35,000. Families are eligible if household income is $55,000 or less. Get details about hours, what paperwork to bring, or how to prepare your own taxes for free online.
Library Unveils New Mobile App
The Saint Paul Public Library has a completely  redesigned app available for Apple and Android platforms. The free app lets you browse library collections, place and manage holds, renew materials, and link multiple library accounts. That lets you easily view and manage your entire family's library needs from the same device.

Would City Grant Money Help Your Project?
Saint Paul starts taking applications next Friday, Jan. 31, for its 2020 Neighborhood STAR program. The program, paid for by sales taxes collected in the city, provides grant and low-interest loans for capital improvement projects being undertaken by public sector, private sector, or nonprofit organizations. Matching funds are required.

Learn more: Attend an information session Jan. 31 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale.
Classical Actors Ensemble, which performs at District 10's Ice Cream Social, is one recipient of a Cultural STAR grant. 
... and for You Creative Types
Saint Paul is also taking applications for 2020 Cultural STAR grants. These grants focus on arts and cultural projects; capital and programming projects are eligible. Your project must go public between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

Information sessions take place in different parts of the city this Tuesday, Jan. 28; this Wednesday, Jan. 29; plus on Feb. 5, 6, and 11. The application deadline is Friday Feb. 28.

See into the Future
  • This Sunday, Jan. 26: Winter Organ Concert Series begins, featuring music director Tom Ferry, 4 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt. Free.
  • This Thursday. Jan. 30: Ramsey County 2020 Census Job Fair, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Minnesota Career Force Center, 2266 2nd St. N, North Saint Paul. The Census offers a variety of temporary full-time and flexible part-time jobs, starting at $22 an hour.
  • Next Friday, Jan. 31: Family Skating Party and Bonfire, 6-8 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center, 1550 Hamline. Free. (This is rescheduled after the Jan. 17 party was postponed.)
  • Tuesday Feb. 4: District 10 Neighborhood Relations Committee, 7 p.m. Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park.
  • Thursday Feb. 6: Ward 4 Councilmember Mitra Jalali holds community "office hours," 8-10 a.m. Como Park Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N.
  • Thursday Feb. 6: Community Forum on Ramsey County Walking and Biking Initiatives, 6-8 p.m. Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent.
  • Monday Feb. 10: District 10 Land Use Committee, 7 p.m. Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park.
  • Saturday Feb. 11: Legislative Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur. With District 66 State Sen. John Marty and Reps. Alice Hausman and John Lesch.
  • Wednesday Feb. 12: District 10 Environment Committee, 7 p.m. Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park.
Yet Another Gymnastics Meet at the Fairgrounds
  • Legacy Luau Gymnastics Meet: Today-Sunday, Jan. 24-26, Warner Coliseum. Hours: Today, Friday Jan. 24, 1-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
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.