Como Community Council Corner, March 2019

By MICHAEL KUCHTA, Executive Director

Annual elections will take place Apr. 16 for two-year terms on the District 10 Como Community Council board. Nine board positions are up for election; in at least five of them, the incumbent is not seeking re-election. That makes it an excellent opportunity for new activists to seek an open seat. The positions on this April’s ballot:

• Chair

• Secretary

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

• Three at-large representatives

Any renter, homeowner, or other resident of District 10 who is age 16 or older, is eligible to run. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10.

To get on the ballot: Submit your name and a brief biography no later than Tues., Apr. 9. Nominations submitted after that date will be treated as write-in candidacies. The nomination form, a list of board member responsibilities, and other information is available on District 10’s website at www.district10comopark.org.

Sunday Series

Yes, we’re rushing the season

District 10’s 2019 Sunday Series is guaranteed to get you thinking about spring and summer.

First up: mosquitoes. On Sun., Mar. 24, 1-2:30pm, one of our most invisible government agencies—the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District—talks about how they control the blood-sucking and disease-spreading pests, middle-of-the-night maneuvers, what’s in those fog machines, and even what those red triangles on storm grates mean. This free series takes place in the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.

One week later: Tornadoes. Floods. Fire. Civil unrest. If disaster strikes, how prepared are you to evacuate your home in a hurry? Saint Paul Emergency Management talks about their role in preparing for the unexpected, what you can do to prepare yourself and your family, and what you should pack in your “go bag.” “Preparing for an emergency” will take place Sun., Mar. 31, 1-2:30pm, also in the Como Park Streetcar Station.

Upcoming events

• Sunday Series: “How to be a citizen scientist,” Sun., Apr. 14.

• Sunday Series: “Reduce, reuse, recycle: What do you really know?” Sun., May 5.

• Como Neighborhood Garage Sale, the 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., Mar. 19.

• Environment Committee: Wed., Mar. 27.

• Neighborhood Relations Committee: Tues., Apr. 2.

• Land Use Committee: Wed., Apr. 3.

All meetings typically begin at 7pm at the Como Park Streetcar Station. 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.

We’re open once a month

The Como Park Streetcar Station is now open on the first Sunday of each month. 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. Hours are noon to 4pm. The next open date is Apr, 7. (Beginning in May, the Streetcar Station will open every Sunday afternoon through September.) The Historic Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.