3rd Annual Como Town Essay Contest

Can you believe 2012 is already here? We have a lot of terrific 2011 Como Town memories that top our charts, but we would like to know yours. Enter our 3rd annual Como Town essay contest by sending us a letter describing your favorite 2011 Como Town Memories. Click here for more information.

Prizes will be awarded to one winner and one runner-up. The winner will receive a 2012 Como Town Season Pass and the runner-up will receive two Unlimited Ride Wristbands to Como Town, valid during the 2012 season. We look forward to reading all your wonderful Como Town stories, and helping create many more magical memories in 2012!

Please send your essay entry to:

Como Town Essay Contest

1255 Kaufman Drive

St. Paul, MN 55103

All entries must be received by FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012.

Plus, check out our new countdown clock to the 2012 Como Town season located on the bottom of our homepage. Happy New Year and happy writing!

Craft Project - Snowball Soap Surprise

Hide small plastic toys in soap snowballs to reward good bathers with a prize!

Materials:
• Food processor or cheese grater
• 8 tiny plastic toys
• 4 (4.5-ounce) bars of Ivory soap

Instructions:

1. Use a food processor fitted with the grater attachment or a cheese grater to shred the four bars of soap. Pour the soap pieces into a large bowl.

2. With your hands, mix in about a half cup of lukewarm water, a little bit at a time, until the mixture is squishy and claylike.

3. For each snowball, scoop up a heaping handful of soap and mold it into a ball. Poke a deep hole in the center with your finger, insert a toy, and refill the hole. Lay the finished snowballs on a cookie sheet and let them dry thoroughly. Makes 8.

Check out this Snowball Soap Surprise craft featured on familyfun.go.com.

January Events at Como Zoo & Conservatory

Pollinators - A Portrait Gallery That Goes Beyond Bees

January 6 - 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Bonsai Room

A photo exhibit featuring dramatic close-up images of insects not commonly thought of as pollinators including flies, wasps, beetles & butterflies.

"Music Under Glass" at Como

FREE Three Month Music Series in Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

January 12 - March 18, 2012 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Escape the winter chill to comfortable confines of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory for a free “Music Under Glass” series featuring a perfect blend of musical styling ranging from a variety of genres. Food, cocktails, beer and wine will be available to purchase. Click here for the full list of acts and their bios.

Below are the January Shows...

    - Thursday, January 12 - Chris Koza

    - Sunday, January 22 - Rhizosphere

Como Town is closed for the season. For a list of activities and events happening daily at Como Zoo, click here.

December's Coloring Contest Winners:

Win an all-day free unlimited ride wristband. Good during the 2012 Season!
Click Coloring Contest for this month's picture.