Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, it's a sure sign of Spring when Connie's Creamy Cone reopens. Angie Harris (left) and Chris Miller got their fix on opening day March 13.
Rain Gardens Don't Have to Be a Mystery
You can learn the secrets of creating a rain garden that really works, whether it's in your yard or something bigger. In this week's District 10 Sunday Series presentation, Master Gardener Frank Dolejsi joins Nate Zwonitzer from the Capitol Region Watershed District. They'll share the big picture on the benefits of rain gardens. Then they'll give the nitty-gritty on planning, construction, which plants to include, how the Watershed District can provide technical expertise, and even how you can get grant money to help offset your costs.

"Building a Rain Garden" is free; it takes place this Sunday, March 20, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave. You can find the full Sunday Series schedule on our website.
We're Not Fooling Around About Safety

Our first-ever Como Family Safety Fair takes place Friday April 1 from 5:30-7 p.m. at North Dale Community Center. More than 20 exhibitors will share advice, precautions, and resources on increasing safety for you, your family, our neighbors, and our neighborhood. You can pick up tips on crime and fire prevention, pet and food safety, internet safeguards, bike helmet checks, and more. Plus, treat yourself to dinner: The Cave Cafe food truck and Cravin' Pie will have food and dessert for sale. The free event is co-sponsored by District 10 and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.  Grab more details on our website.  
Come for the Fair, Stay for the Movie

After the Safety Fair, stick around for a free showing of " Shaun the Sheep." The clay animation film, from the creators of "Chicken Run" and "Wallace and Gromit," begins at 7:00 in the North Dale gym. It's rated PG. We'll supply popcorn; you should bring your own blankets, portable chairs or mats to relax and enjoy the show.   
Are You Still Thinking About It?
District 10 will have elections in April for eight seats on the Como Community Council. We'll need representatives from every sub-district, plus from the district at-large. You can get all the details of how to become a candidate, what kind of commitment you're making, and more on our website. The deadline for getting your name on the ballot is Tuesday April 5.

Make sure you're registered: All residents age 18 or older who live in District 10 can vote in our April elections. So can authorized representatives of businesses or nonprofits based in District 10. If you haven't voted before, you can register online.
Give Como Park H.S. a Morale Boost
Como Park High School students, staff, parents and supporters are holding a "peace walk" around Como Lake this afternoon, March 18. The entire neighborhood is invited. Their goal: "Let's be part of the solution, and let people know we can band together with a common goal." Walkers leave from in front of the high school at 2:30 p.m. 
It's Time to Hang with the Bunny  
North Dale Community Center hosts " Lunch with the Bunny" this Saturday, March 19, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch includes an egg hunt, crafts, and more. Cost is $2, or $5 for the whole family. Children 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. North Dale is at 1414 N. St. Albans; for details, call 651-558-2329.

Como Dockside has Easter Bunny festivities the weekends of March 19-20 and March 26-27. Activities for children 12 and younger run 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at the Pavilion. They include egg hunts, a bounce house, surrey rides, and hay rides. The cost is $6 per child.
Photo: Uniquely Minnesota
Stop and Smell the Flowers

The Spring Flower Show opens this Saturday, March 19, at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Get your therapy from an array of tulips, daffodils, lilies, snapdragon, hyacinth, Bearded Iris, and a bunch of other varieties you may or may not know.
Share your view of the world:
If you're outside looking for signs of spring at the Zoo or in Como Park, grab your camera or phone. Then post your photos to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the tag #SpringatComo.    
A Final Farewell to Winter? 
The Como Park Snowsports Booster Club hosts its annual Après-ski Season Dinner and Fundraiser this Saturday, March 19. Keynote speaker is Anthony Taylor, adventures director for the Loppet Foundation. He will speak about creating outdoor opportunities for all communities. That fits perfectly with the booster club's mission, which supports access to snow sports for youth from minority and immigrant communities.

The evening includes dinner, live music, a cash bar, and a silent auction. The event  runs from 6:30-9 p.m.  at the Como Park Chalet, 1431 Lexington Parkway N. Tickets are $60; you can buy them and get more details online.
Photo St. Paul Urban Tennis
Sign-Up is Ending Soon

Registration for youth sports activities at St. Paul Parks is still open -- but only until Thursday March 31. This summer's activities include baseball, softball, tee-ball, nearball, and lacrosse. You can find the complete lineup online. Or stop in at North Dale rec center, 1414 N. St. Albans, or Northwest Como rec center, 1550 N. Hamline.

Tennis anyone? You can sign up separately for the St. Paul Urban Tennis program for children, which also takes place at our local parks.  
  • Spring break programs for ages 4-11 happen at Northwest Como from April 4-8.
  • Spring programs for children ages 7-10 happen Thursdays from April 12-May 17 at Orchard Park, 875 W. Orchard.
  • Summer programs (from June 20-July 28) happen weekdays at North Dale for ages 5-teen, and Monday and Wednesday evenings at Orchard for ages 5-11.
Fees vary for all the summer sports programs.
Don't Trash It -- Fix It  
Ramsey County holds its next Fix-It Clinic on Saturday March 26. Residents who bring in small household appliances, electronics, mobile devices, or clothing can receive free, guided assistance from volunteers to disassemble, troubleshoot, and repair the items. The clinic runs noon-3 p.m. at the Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave. A complete schedule of upcoming clinics and more details are available online.
Someplace to Start
While we're talking about ways to preserve resources and reduce waste: Earth Hour 2016 is this Saturday, March 19. What's that mean? It's a way to highlight energy conservation. The symbolic request is to turn your lights off from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The State Capitol is among buildings around St. Paul that will be participating. The goal  behind the symbolism is to help offset climate change by finding ways to conserve energy every day. 
The Water Has to Go Somewhere
Public Works has started lining sanitary sewers in different parts of the neighborhood. Affected residents should have received a letter this past week; they will receive direct contact from the contractor, Veit and Companies, about the exact date for work on their street. The project takes up to 10 hours each day.
If you are affected:
  • Pour a gallon of water down any floor drains; that will restrict sewer odors entering your house.
  • Do not run water for baths, dishwashers, clothes washers, or other activities that use large amounts of water on the day of the project. If you ignore this advice, you won't be able to ignore your sewer backing up.
Here are streets in District 10 where work is being done:
  • Almond between Snelling and Arona
  • Churchill between Jessamine and Como Ave.
  • Colne between Como Ave. and the railroad tracks
  • Iowa between Avon and Grotto
  • Milton between Como Ave. and the railroad tracks
  • Oxford between Jessamine and Como Ave.
  • Rose between Como Ave. and Avon
  • Ryde between Orchard and Hatch and between Orchard and Como Ave.
  • West Como Blvd. between Horton and Como Ave.
  • Wheelock between Alameda and Maywood
If you've got questions, contact project inspector Pat Lowry at 651-266-6251.
Photo: Hemera Technologies
The Ice is Gone but Not Forgotten   
Ramsey County is taking public comment until Thursday March 31 on what to do about the county's 13 indoor ice rinks, including the Oscar Johnson Arena in District 10. A task force report makes 13 recommendations on topics including usage and rental rates; adding, closing, or contracting out arenas; renovations; and funding.
Have You Got This on Your Calendar? 
  • This Wednesday, March 23: Deadline to apply for grants or loans through St. Paul's Neighborhood STAR program. Applications must be received by 4 p.m.
  • Next Friday, March 25: St. Paul's public schools are closed for a staff service day.
  • Wednesday March 30: District 10 Environment Committee. 7 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Agenda items include a presentation on the University of Minnesota's Grow Tube Project in Como Park.
  • Tuesday April 5: Como Regional Park Advisory Committee. 6:30-8 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station, northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.
  • Wednesday April 6: Public hearing on Phase 2 of the Como-Chatsworth street reconstruction project. All public hearings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the third-floor City Council Chambers at City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
  • Tuesday April 12: Ask a Student Pharmacist. 10:30-11:30 a.m., North Dale Community Center, 1414 N. St. Albans.
  • Saturday April 23: 30th annual St. Paul Citywide Cleanup. 9-11:30 a.m., Como Park and six other locations.
Don't Let These Things Sneak Up on You
District 10 is organizing these events this spring. Put them on your calendar now; stay tuned to our website for more details.
  • Clean Energy Forum: Sunday April 24, 1-2:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station
  • Como Park Neighborhood Garage Sale: Saturday May 14
  • Como Park Neighborhood Seed and Seedling Swap: Saturday May 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station
Crime Prevention Tip of the Week
If you own or manage rental property in St. Paul, the Police Department can help you keep on top of problems with your tenants. The department's Landlord Alert program will notify you when police are called to your property. It can also help you deal with issues such as loitering, noise, suspicious activity, or excessive consumption by tenants and their guests. The program can also help you implement leases that make it easier to oust tenants who engage in criminal activity. For information, contact the Landlord Alert program by email or by phone at 651-266-5712.

The Latest Crime Report for Our Neighborhood
At the Fairgrounds      
Two things are going on this weekend, March 19-20:
  • The Minnesota Weapons Collectors Show is in the Warner Coliseum, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
  • The Minnesota Saddlebred Horse Association Horsemanship Clinic takes place is the AgStar Arena from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
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.