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 <www.japanesegarden.com>.
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 <www.lansugarden.org>.
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
<www.facebook.com/TheAsianReporter> 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 <www.oregonzoo.org/ permitted, including honking, loud
zoolights> 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 <www.oregonzoo.org/zoolights>.
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 <www.facebook.com/
TheAsianReporter>.
1331 N. Killingsworth Street, Portland
(1 block east of N. Interstate Avenue)
www.killingsworthstationpod.com
www.facebook.com/KillingsworthStation
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