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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2012)
I l ’c - j J J o r t l a n i i ( P b s e r ü e r Page IO December I9 , 2012 ZooLights a Holiday Favorite 25th annual event makes for a winter wonderland For the 25 th year, the Oregon Zoo invites visitors to brighten their holiday nights at ZooLights, where sparkling lights and brilliant hues transform the zoo into a winter won derland. Presented by Fred Meyer with support from Toyota, the traditional holiday light show runs through New Year’s Eve, with the exception of Dec. 24-25 when the zoo is closed. Last year, a record 193,000 visi tors came to see ZooLights’ life-size animal silhouettes, moving sculp tures, forests of lighted trees and light-bedecked train. A new feature this winter is a magical walk through an illuminated forest, with purple rope lighting and Cool Neon tube lights lending the scene an otherworldly glow. Visi tors should also keep an eye out for 3-D ladybugs: A half-dozen of the spotted beetles are part of a scaven ger hunt that can win sharp-eyed visitors a prize at the Zoo Store. Much-loved displays are also back this year. Life-size, 3-D beasts linger on the zoo’s concert lawn, which is transformed into a 180-foot-long meandering river of light. Hippos graze near the water while crocodiles lie in wait, ready to snap their jaws on unsuspecting prey. Other returning favorites include leaping reindeer, The Oregon Zoo’s popular holiday light display, which includes rides on the lighted zoo train, funs through Dec. 31. trumpeting elephants, playful pen guins and tobogganing polar bears. And covered in holiday finery, the famous Oregon steam engine takes guests on an express jaunt around the zoo to see light displays visible only from the train. In keeping with the zoo’s com mitment to sustainability, most of the 1.3 million lights displayed are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which use only a fraction of the power of standard holiday lights. Costumed animal mascots and B U S I N E S S G u id e D J Towing State Finn* Providing Insurance and Financial Services Fast & Reliable Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent Phone: (503)577-1908 Jose Viciconte Femando Viciconte 1451 NE Alberta Street Portland, OR 97211 $5.00 TEES CLUBS FAMILY REUNIONS SCHOOL CLUBS BUSINESSES SCREEN PRINTING 503-762-6042 971-570-8214 4946 N Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503 286 1103 Fax 503 2861146 ernie.hill h5mb@statefarra com 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service® __________________ / elves will provide entertainment as well as fun photo opportunities, and sounds of the season will resound throughout the Elephant Plaza, with nearly 200 groups performing holi day musical selections. Some of the zoo’s favorite animals will be visible at night as well. Guests can visit sea otters, polar bears, penguins, moun tain goats, leopards, tigers, some primates and elephants. ZooLights hours are 5-8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5- 8:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Hip-Hop Show Toy Drive Portland's own standout hip-hop voice Cool Nutz presents the "Toyz N The Hood,” a Northwest Breakout Show featuring Immaculate, DJ OG One, and DJ Fatboy. Promoted as “The Greatest Toy Drive Ever” the Friday, Dec. 21 show at the Someday Lounge, 125 N.W. Fifth Ave., will raise toy donations for children in need at Self Enhance ment Inc. Over the years Cool Nutz has used the power of hip-hop music as a tool of assistance, support, and positive change. Tickets available for $5 with a toy donation and $10 general admis sion at CoolNutzPDX.bpt.me. You can also drop off toy donations at Cool Nutz SEI, 3920 N. Kerby Ave.
