A rewritten press release from the St. Paul Winter Carnival, where I will be hunting for treasure this winter:

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is proud to kick off the festival season with the 2007 winter carnival button unveiling and kids button bash on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. 

Join us at 10 a.m., along with representatives from the Winter Carnival, Como Zoo, and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to watch as Como's very own polar bears help unveil this year's button.  Stay until noon for the kids button bash with activities including face painting, caricatures, games, crafts, the Minnesota Wild Kids Club, and a musical performance by the Teddy Bear Band. 

In addition to previously scheduled events, the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory would like to announce the following activities to take place after the official button unveiling:

- Zookeepers will hold a public training session with the polar bears beginning at 1:30 p.m.

- Two polar bear story times in the visitor center (times to be announced).

- The Nature Walk teen interpretive program will be on hand to share information about the plants and animals at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

- the kickoff of a holiday art show and sale. Local artists showcase their talent and interest in nature through environmental art. Pieces are available at a variety of prices.

For over 100 years, Como Zoo and the winter carnival have been traditions.  This year, a portion of winter carnival button sales will go towards the new polar bear exhibit. The exhibit at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will provide state-of-the-art facilities for managing and exhibiting the world's largest terrestrial carnivore.

2007 Winter Carnival buttons will go on sale Dec. 2 and will be available at participating Cub Foods, Super America, Snyder's Drug Stores, and other local retailers.

The winter carnival runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4. 

For more information, visit www.winter-carnival.com [1] and www.comozooconservatory.org [2].