Como Community Council News, April 2019

Board elections

The annual meeting of the District 10 Como Community Council is Tues., Apr. 16. The meeting includes elections for two-year terms on the district council board. Under the by-laws, nine board positions are on the ballot:

• Chair

• Secretary

• One representative from each of the four geographic sub-districts

• Three at-large representatives

In addition, a special election will take place to fill the one year remaining in the vacant position of treasurer.

The deadline for candidates to get on the ballot was Apr. 9; however, additional candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated the night of Apr. 16.

Any renter, homeowner, or other resident of District 10 who is age 16 or older is eligible to vote. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10. Voting begins at 7pm at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.

Information about candidates (and any election updates) will be available on District 10’s website at www.district10comopark.org.

Sunday Series

District 10’s annual Sunday Series is in full swing. Here are the topics scheduled for the next month. All Sunday Series presentations are free.

Watch Where You Live

Sun., Apr. 14, 1-2:30pm

Como Park Streetcar Station

Yes, we live in the city. But nature and wildlife happen all around us: weather, migrations, changes in seasonal patterns, deer, coyote, turkeys, foxes, owls, hawks, and more. We can observe—and document—all kinds of things in our yards or on our walks.

Experts from Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and the University of Minnesota guide us on how to be “citizen scientists”: what to look for, how to use the iNaturalist app to track what we see, and how to tie into local projects and studies that use the power of ordinary people to do real science. Bring your smartphone or tablet!

Mosquitoes: The Showdown

Sun., Apr. 28, 1-2:30pm

Como Park Streetcar Station

One of our most invisible government agencies—the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District—explains how they control the blood-sucking and disease-spreading pests, their middle-of-the-night maneuvers, what’s in those fog machines, and even what those red triangles on storm grates mean. (This presentation was rescheduled.)

Recycling Ain’t What It Used to Be

Sun., May 5, 1-2:30pm

The Good Acre, 1790 W. Larpenteur Ave.

Things are shifting rapidly in the world of “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” Get up to speed on what it all means and what we can do about it.

• Saint Paul and Eureka Recycling share the latest on the city’s Recycle Smart campaign and the upheaval in the world of recycling.

• Learn about household hazardous waste, Fix-It Clinics, unused medication, and how Ramsey County has us covered A-Z in waste reduction.

• Como is a leader in organics recycling. Get up-to-date advice on composting at home and through community sites. Plus, get a discount on a backyard composting barrel.

Renter Voice Summit is Apr, 18

Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali Nelson, the District 10 Como Community Council, and District Councils 11, 12, 13 and 14 are teaming up to hold a free “renter voice summit” on Thur., Apr. 18, 6:30-8pm. The summit will help renters:

• Learn whom they should call for what, so renters can access public and private resources available to them.

• Understand rights and protections renters have under state and local law.

• Connect with the district council in their neighborhood, and find out how renters can make an impact on local issues where they live.

• Meet neighbors and plan new ways for renters to make their voice heard across Saint Paul.

The event will be held at Hamline University’s Anderson Center, Room 111, 774 N. Snelling.

Note: You don’t have to be a renter to attend. Pizza and child activities will be available. RSVP via Facebook at bit.ly/RenterVoice.

Put It on Your Calendar

• Como Neighborhood Garage Sale, weekend of May 17.

• Como Community Seed Library’s “Seed Your Dream,” Sat., May 18.

• District 10 Community Yoga, Sun., June 9.

• District 10 Ice Cream Social, Fri., July 12.

• Como Neighborhood Pollinator Garden Tour, Sat. July 13.

Upcoming District 10 Meetings

• Como Community Council Board: Tues., Apr. 16.

• Environment Committee: Wed., Apr. 24.

• Land Use Committee: Wed., May 1.

• Neighborhood Relations Committee: Tues., May 7.

All meetings typically begin at 7pm at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. Renters, homeowners, and other community members are always welcome to attend and participate. Whenever possible, agendas are posted in advance in the “Board News” section of District 10’s website.

Summer hours

From May through September, the Como Park Streetcar Station is open every Sunday from noon-4pm. It is a great chance to pick up organics recycling bags or kitchen starter kits, or 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.