Board to Choose This Year's Honor Roll
Selection of this year's Neighborhood Honor Roll is among topics at the monthly Como Community Council meeting Dec. 17. Board members will choose up to three of the eight neighbors nominated by community members. The board also will discuss its 2020 budget.

Details: The meeting begins this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. All renters, homeowners, and other District 10 community members are welcome to attend and participate. If the technology works, the meeting will stream live on our Facebook page. See the preliminary agenda
Ice Punch Poinsettia is the star of the show.
Holiday Flower Show is a Snap
The annual Holiday Flower Show is now open in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. It features Eucalyptus, Persian Shield, Cher Kalanchoe and, of course, hundreds of Ice Punch Poinsettia. The free show runs daily through Jan. 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bonus: This Sunday, Dec. 15, the conservatory opens two hours early -- from 8-10 a.m. -- to provide the perfect backdrop for your family holiday portrait. Or, just bring your camera to capture what captures your eye. Early admission is $5 per person.
Tell the Library What You'd Like to See
Saint Paul Public Library is thinking about how it should redo its buildings to better meet the needs of library users. As it develops this  master   facilities plan, it wants your feedback. Take the library's Design Your Library survey .
Construction Updates
  • Twin Cities German Immersion School expects to begin pouring footings this week for its building expansion.
  • In preparation for installation of the Como Avenue Trail next summer, the City Council intends to vote this Wednesday, Dec. 18, on two resolutions affecting the trail west of Snelling. One sets up a maintenance agreement for the portion of the trail that actually is in Falcon Heights. The other urges Ramsey County to approve a 4-3 lane conversion of traffic lanes as they run along the Fairgrounds from Snelling toward the University of Minnesota Transitway.
Lights Not Working? Here's a Plan
If you dig out your holiday lights this weekend, plug them in, and -- nothing -- don't trash them. Instead, take them to one of the 13 Saint Paul Public Library locations that are collecting old lights. Beginning this Monday, Dec. 16, nearby options include:
  • Hamline-Midway, 1558 W. Minnehaha
  • Rice Street, 1011 Rice
  • Rondo, 461 N. Dale
  • Saint Anthony Park, 2245 Como Ave.
Or, you can take them to Saint Paul Regional Water Services, 1900 Rice St., weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Or, to Ramsey County's household hazardous waste disposal site, 5 Empire Drive, which is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (All these sites take old electric cords and telephone cords, too.)

Whatever you do, do not recycle them through your blue Eureka cart. String lights -- like plastic grocery bags -- wrap around equipment at recycling facilities. That forces workers to literally spend several hours every day removing them from machinery.
A Place for New Mothers
Ramsey County's Baby Cafe is a free, drop-in service for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and their families to get advice, share tips, and socialize. Babies and siblings are welcome, though formal child care is not available. 

Among Café sites: The Wilder Foundation, 451 N. Lexington Parkway, from 4-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. That includes this Wednesday, Dec. 18.
You Might Get a Break on Metro Transit
Metro Transit's Transit Assistance Program makes it possible for low-income riders to take the bus or light rail for only $1 per ride, even during rush hour. If you qualify, you'll get a Go-To Card with your reduced fare.

You can sign up online or in person by providing identification and qualifying documentation such as EBT, WIC, SNAP, MFIP or General Assistance. Find out the details
The Next Step on Organics
Ramsey County is investigating options for establishing "curbside" collection of food scraps and other organics recycling. The county has a short survey about how such recycling could work and how many people might participate.
Derby Rolls into the Fairgrounds
North Star Roller Derby : This Saturday, Dec. 14, Warner Coliseum. 6-10 p.m. General admission: $14 (children age 10 or younger free with a paid adult). Group, premium, and season tickets also are available.
You Can't Say You Didn't Know ...
  • This Saturday, Dec. 14: Dash for David, 9 a.m. Como Lake Path. Freewill donations accepted.
  • This Sunday, Dec. 15: Santa Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Spring Café, inside the Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. Buffet menus for children and adults: $17.95 for adults and children ages 11 and older; $15.95 for senior citizens (age 65 or older); $11.95 for children ages 5-10; $5.95 for children ages 3-5; free for children 2 years of age or younger. It also happens next Sunday, Dec. 22.
  • This Monday, Dec. 16: The Board of Zoning Appeals hears variance requests from the property owner of 883 Front to allow stronger exterior lighting. The hearing begins at 3 p.m. in Room 330 of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. Residents can email comments to zoning inspector Matthew Graybar.
  • Sunday Dec. 22: Messiah Sing, 3 p.m. Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 W. Hoyt. Singing and listening are free. Followed by an Advent dinner from 5-7 p.m. $9 adults, $5 children, maximum $25 per family.
  • Thursday Jan. 2: Lottery for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation permits for 2020, 6:30-7 a.m. 1011 Hamline.
Sheriff Takes You Behind the Scenes
This Tuesday, Dec. 17, is the deadline to enroll in the Ramsey County Sheriff's Citizen Academy. The free academy gives an overview of the county's law enforcement operations. Participants will tour a patrol station, the county jail, and communications dispatch center, and learn about such topics as patrol procedures, crime prevention, criminal investigations, training, equipment, and court processes.
The academy runs eight Wednesdays, from Jan. 8-Feb. 26, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check. Download an application
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.