"Top Ten" Snowstorm Winners

Monday Night Football. Outside. Tonight.

Not everyone in the Twin Cities is put out by the second major snowstorm in barely 10 days (the Dec. 10-11 blizzard dumped up to 20 inches locally, the most in 19 years!).

Herewith is my "Top 10" list of snowstorm beneficiaries:

10. Kids who just got new sleds -- or are getting them Christmas day.
9. Local ski hills (yes, the Twin Cities has several).
8. Snow blower makers and the retailers who sell them -- several of which are reportedly sold out.
7. Restaurants, bars, and pay parking lots near TCF stadium, host to the University of Minnesota football team -- and tonight's Vikings - Bears game, thanks to the collapsed Metrodome roof.
6. Snowplow services in the Twin Cities looking for more business.
5. Chiropractors whose business has spiked treating snow-shoveling aches and pains.
4. Makers of winter clothing.
3. Outdoor ice skating rinks.
2. People who like snowball fights.
1. Lobbyists for the Minnesota Vikings, who are pressing hard for a new stadium -- presumably, an indoor one.

P.S.: #11. City tow truck operators.

Plowed out, right on time!

Good Service at a Fair Price

Whether the weather is cold,
Or whether the weather is hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.

--"Little Bear" children's story

I know how to fix Washington: put my snowplow contractor in charge (or any of the other thousands of private snowplow operators that keep the Twin Cities up and running, no matter the weather).

Obviously working through the night, my snow service plowed out me -- and all of my neighbors -- by the time I awoke this morning, despite the fresh six inches or so blanketing the metro area.