COMMUNITY Page 10 n THE ASIAN REPORTER December 7, 2020 ZooLights returns as drive-through experience amid global pandemic By Jody Lim The Asian Reporter The Portland Japanese Garden has reopened. Current hours for timed entry tickets are 10:00am to 3:30pm, Thursday through Monday. On these same days, the gift shop and pavilion are open. During December, the garden is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in addition to a holiday closure from December 21 to 25. Through January 18, 2021, “Healing Nature: Gardens and Art of Manzanar” is on view in the Pavilion Gallery and the Tanabe Gallery. The display, which features documentary work by three leading 20th-century photographers — Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, and Toyo Miyatake — provides a visual exploration of the healing power of Japanese gardens and art in the lives of internees at Manzanar Relocation Camp during World War II. Works created by internees is also on view along with the photographs. The Portland Japanese Garden is located at 611 S.W. Kingston Avenue in Portland. To learn more, call (503) 223-1321 or visit . Lan Su Chinese Garden The Lan Su Chinese Garden has noted it will reopen soon, after a few new extra safety features are added, including a designated area for visitors to enjoy tea and snacks purchased at the teahouse and better social-distancing signage. The garden has noted that all pre-reserved tickets purchased for visits during the temporary closure will be refunded. In addition, memberships will be extended for the time of the closure. Looking to the future, the garden says it has been focusing on winter renovation projects to enhance the experience of visitors. Lan Su Chinese Garden is located at 239 N.W. Everett Street in Portland. To learn more, call (503) 228-8131 or visit . Vancouver Housing Authority Equal Housing Opportunity WAIT LIST OPENING Notice is hereby given that Vancouver Housing Authority will open the following waitlist on December 18, 2020: The Elwood supportive housing development is for people exiting homelessness with behavioral health needs. The Elwood consists of 46 one bedroom units, located at 6317 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Washington. Applicants must be homeless, in need of supportive housing, and referred through the Council for the Homeless Housing Solutions Center (HSC). The HSC refers people in need of supportive housing who are interested in the Medicaid Foundational Community Support (FCS) program to Sea Mar-Community Services Northwest (CSNW). CSNW then works with that person to enroll in the FCS program and refers them to the waitlist. The first step to finding out if you are eligible is to contact the Council for the Homeless Housing Solutions Center for a housing assessment at (360) 695-9677. Applications will be selected from the waiting list based on preference. Among applicants with the same preference, applicants will be selected through a random lottery. Applications will be accepted starting December 18. Vancouver Housing Authority welcomes qualified individuals/families of diverse backgrounds and, in accordance with various Federal and State laws or regulations, does not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, familial status, creed, veteran's or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. Celebrate Earth Day everyday! Reduce w Reuse w Recycle AR Photo/Jody Lim Portland Japanese Garden T Route map courtesy of the Oregon Zoo Following a two-week freeze in Oregon to help slow the spread of coronavirus, organizations are beginning to reopen after temporary closures. Below are two. Please check for updates on reopenings during the month. he Oregon Zoo’s annual winter light display is back — with some changes. After originally planning to hold its typical walk-through event alongside a new drive-through option available two nights during the week, the worsening pandemic resulted in ZooLights being offered entirely as a drive-through event. From the warmth of one’s car, a winter wonderland of more than 1.5 million brightly colored lights is now on view for holiday-goers. As a regular ZooLights attendee over the years, the idea of driving through the zoo grounds in a vehicle was intriguing. I wondered how the route would be set up in addition to the order in which the one-way path might take us. Little did I know, we were also treated to a small tour of areas not typically available to zoo guests. Light aficionados need to plan in advance to see this year’s light dis- play, as a limited number of timed tickets are available every 20 minutes and must be purchased online in advance. Upon arriving to the zoo, guests should drive up to Parking Lot C (past the Washington Park MAX station), then follow the signs. You’ll first have your ticket scanned, pick up any pre-purchased gifts, beverages, and food (such as elephant ears!), then follow the queue through the main parking lot to the entrance. The drive begins near the Insect Garden, which features a colorful peacock, a 35-foot-long Chinese dragon display, and more, before heading toward Fantasy Lane, the Seaside Mural, Swimming Penguins, and the Rainforest Mural. After passing through the Under the Ice display, a mini behind-the- scenes tour begins. While driving by the many life-size animal silhouettes, ZooLights participants pass by the back side of the new Polar Passage exhibit as well as Elephant Lands, including Forest Hall and the Elephant Building. ZOOLIGHTS REIMAGINED. The Oregon Zoo’s annual winter display of more than 1.5 mil- lion lights is back and will continue through January 10, 2021 (except Christmas Day). The 2020 version of ZooLights is offered entirely as a drive-through event. The new experience was designed with pandemic-related safety precautions in mind. ZooLighters then drive through the in place. Some include: 1) All Galactic Tunnel before experiencing transactions are cashless (online the Glowing Grove and Light Tree pre-purchase is required). 2) All Lane, as well as decorated trees and vehicle doors, hatchbacks, and buildings — and more illuminated tailgates must remain closed at all times (riding in the back of a pickup animals. Several “Washed Ashore” art truck is not permitted). 3) Face pieces are also visible during coverings are required during check-in and other interactions with ZooLights. staff. (Drive-through To enhance the light show, the ZooLights playing of seasonal or other music in guests do not need to wear face your car is suggested. For Christmas coverings while enjoying the lights songs, the zoo recommends tuning to from inside their vehicle.) 4) Guests must remain in their vehicle during 97.1 FM or 103.3 FM. ZooLights opens nightly at 5:00pm the entire tour. 5) Items such as laser and flashlights are (except Christmas Day). Ticket slots pointers are offered every 20 minutes until prohibited. 6) Loud noises are not 9:00pm. Visit to make a reservation. music, and yelling. 7) Smoking and (Tickets are available up to seven vaping are prohibited during days in advance; early time slots sell ZooLights, including inside your vehicle. out quickly.) To read the full list of safety To help ensure a safe experience and rules, visit for everyone, pandemic-related and precautions other safety measures have been put . Killingsworth Station Food Cart Pod Experience a collection of food carts featuring a variety of international flavors! OUTDOOR SEATING IS OPEN! Vancouver Housing Authority will make reasonable accommodations to individuals whose disabilities require accommodation in order to enjoy full and equal access to our programs and services. This includes the application process, the informal hearing process and the residency period. Please contact a staff member if you need a reasonable accommodation. For timely information about upcoming events, visit . 1331 N. Killingsworth Street, Portland (1 block east of N. Interstate Avenue) www.killingsworthstationpod.com www.facebook.com/KillingsworthStation Wondering when our next issue is published? Sign up for e-alerts at !