The Oregon Zoo is a great way to spend a day of summer vacation! We’ve been to several zoos in and around Washington/Oregon, and this is one of the best zoos by far.

The second of Tuesday of the month, used to be “free Tuesday”. We took advantage of that many times when I was in high school… oh what seems like 100 years ago! Now, it’s $2 per person. And, if you take the Max, you get $1 off your admission. So, park your car, avoid the only not so great part of the zoo (THE PARKING), save a little bit of $$ on gas, and take the Max in!

The Oregon Zoo, set in beautiful Washington Park, is home to more 200 species, and is Oregon’s largest paid attraction site. The Oregon Zoo is famous for its collection of elephants, which is the largest zoo collection in the world and the world’s premier pacaderm breeding site. It’s also home to 2008 Ele-Father of the Year, Packy.

Helpful Links:

Rates and Hours
New!! Escape from Dino Island Thrill Ride!
Current Map and Exhibits
Plan Your Visit

Do you have pictures you took of your zoo experience, post them in the comments!

Summer Teen Reading Program:

Bring your library card to any FVRL library or bookmobile to sign up for Teen Summer Reading and pick up your first journal.

When you complete 10 hours of reading, bring your journal to a library staff member who will chat with you about what you read.

For each 10 hours of reading earn a prize! (While supplies last, limit 4 prizes.) Prizes are reported to be 1 free movie ticket to Regal Cinemas OR 1 free $5 Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Check with your local library to be sure, though!

Ages 12 - 19 (by August 31st)

Need a journal? Print one here.

Summer Kids Reading Program:
Earn a certificate of achievement and a prize after 5 hours of reading. Then collect a gold seal to put on your certificate and another prize for every additional 5 hours of reading. (Prizes can be claimed until August 31, 2008 or while supplies last. Quantities are limited.) Print your Reading Log here.

Vancouver YAAB
Teens, help plan programs and events for your peers by joining your branch’s Young Adult Advisory Board. Bring your friends and make new friends. For ages 12-19. Downstairs in Library Hall.
Wednesday, July 16 from 4:30 to 6 pm

Chess for Beginners
Join us weekly for a fun and interactive chess lesson for beginners. Long-time chess player and host of Vancouver Community Library Chess Club, Don Schlabach, will be teaching basic chess strategies, tactics and ways to improve your game. Bring your own board if you have one.
Mondays from 4-5 pm

Chess Club
All ages welcome. Informal chess play for all ages and abilities. Bring your own board and chess pieces.
Mondays from 5 to 8:45 pm

Storytime, resumes week of June 24
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Preschool (ages 3-6)
Tuesdays and Fridays, 11am

Toddler (ages 24 -36 months)
Thursdays at 11am

Tiny Tots Storytime (12-24 monts)
Wednesdays at 10:30 am

Teen ‘Scape
A relaxing time to kick back, have fun and meet other teens in our community. Fun-loving teens are welcome to join us for Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, food, fun and friends.
Fridays from 3-5 pm

Actors in Action: Tom Sawyer
Enjoy live, interactive, high-energy performances with a special take on this Mark Twain classic.
Monday, June 23, 2pm
Tuesday, June 24, 2pm

Book Talk (ages 6-9)
Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. Each month a free copy of the “book of the month” will be given to those attending. No older or younger children, please.
Thursday, June 26 from 6:30-7:30 pm

Bob Eaton – Magician
Magic! Magic! Magic! Don’t miss this magic show with lots of audience participation.
Monday, June 30, 2pm
Tuesday, July 1, 2pm

Poetry Workshop
Monthly drop-in workshop for all ages, taught by local poets. Bring pen and paper and come prepared to write and share poems. Led by Rivkah Loewus.
Thursday, July 3 at 7 pm

W.E. Care Sports
Juggling and games from around the world. Interactive and oh-so-lively! The most fun wins!”
Monday, July 7, 2pm
Tuesday, July 8, 2pm

Teen Book Discussion Group (ages 12-15)
Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen.
Tuesday, July 8 from 6:30-7:15 pm

Discussion Junction (ages 9-12 with adult)
Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. No older or younger children siblings, please.
Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 pm

Vanillatown Vaudevillians
Prepare to be astonished by the high performance juggling insanity of Mike Mesa and Curt Carlyle. Their off-the-wall comedy and out-of-this-world juggling, sprinkled with a touch of magic, will leave you dazzled and amazed.
Monday, July 14, 2pm
Tuesday, July 15, 2pm

Creature Feature
Join us for an unforgettably slithery journey through the world of reptiles. Learn about these fascinating creatures and their habits while having loads of fun!
Wednesday, July 16, 7pm

Teen Manga Book Camp
Discuss a new manga each month. Bring in manga that you”ve been reading. Meet other manga otaku!
Sunday, July 20 from 4:05-4:55 pm

Quit Buggin’ Me
Experience the creepiest, crawliest of our little critter friends. Join in the millipede race, touch a giant fly eye and more!
Monday, July 21, 2pm
Tuesday, July 22, 2pm

Insect ANTics
Monday, July 28, 2pm
Tuesday, July 29, 2pm

>> Herb Grinding at Cedar Creek Grist Mill
Come learn from an expert how herbs were used medicinally and in cooking a hundred years ago. Special activities for children involving herbs. Cedar Creek Grist Mill provides fun activities, from cider pressing to butter churning - these events are enjoyable and in a gorgeous historical setting. Check it out!

June 28th, 2008
1:00 - 4:00pm
Cedar Creek Grist Mill
43907 NE Grist Mill Rd.
North Clark County, WA
FREE

Teen Book Talk
Kingdom Hearts by Shiro Amano. Friends, food and good book talk!
Thursday, June 26 at 4 pm

Summer Teen Reading Program:

1) Bring your library card to any FVRL library or bookmobile to sign up for Teen Summer Reading and pick up your first journal.

2) When you complete 10 hours of reading, bring your journal to a library staff member who will chat with you about what you read.

3) For each 10 hours of reading earn a prize! (While supplies last, limit 4 prizes.) Prizes are reported to be 1 free movie ticket to Regal Cinemas OR 1 free $5 Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Check with your local library to be sure, though!

4) Ages 12 - 19 (by August 31st)

Need a journal? Print one here.

Summer Kids Reading Program:
Earn a certificate of achievement and a prize after 5 hours of reading. Then collect a gold seal to put on your certificate and another prize for every additional 5 hours of reading. (Prizes can be claimed until August 31, 2008 or while supplies last. Quantities are limited.) Print your Reading Log here. http://www.fvrl.org/kids/pdfs/SR_ReadingLog08.pdf

Battle Ground YAAB
Young Adult Advisory Boards provide a great way for teens to get involved in their library. Bring your friends and make new friends.
Tuesday, July 15 at 3:30 pm
Meet Ritsa, Rock, Mr. Black and Forest. These dogs are rescued Border Collies trained to do amazing sport tricks. Come watch their fantastic feats and learn some tricks to teach your own dog.
Wednesday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m.
“The Magic of Reading” show combines magic, comedy, puppetry and audience participation to explore the world of reading, the library and the magic found in books.
Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Prepare to be astonished by the high performance juggling insanity of Mike Mesa and Curt Carlyle. Their off-the-wall comedy and out-of-this-world juggling, sprinkled with a touch of magic, will leave you dazzled and amazed.
Wednesday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m.
BJ’s hilarious and colorful performances will charm and delight children of all ages. A mix of physical comedy, magic, juggling and storytelling will have you rolling in the aisles.
Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Border Collies International

Jay Frasier The Magic of Reading

Vanillatown Vaudevillians

BJ The Clown

Reptile Man
Get a close and fascinating look at some of nature’s most outrageous creatures. Snakes, lizards and other exotic reptiles slither through the library for this astonishing performance.
Wednesday, July 30th at 11:00 a.m.

>> Joann Fabric Store’s Kids Camp (Level 1, beginner)
Wilton Cupcakes: Bugs & Butterflies - June 22nd, 10am -12pm ($15 includes supplies)
Clay 101: Bandana Checkeral - June 27th, 2pm - 4pm ($10 includes supplies)
Papercrafting 101: Memories Journal - June 25th, 3-5pm ($10 includes supplies)

>> Joann’s Free Projects for Parents, June 28th
Paper Batik with Rit Dye - 11am - 1pm
DecoArt Stencils - 1pm - 3pm

Call to confirm times and details

Joann Fabrics
11505 NE Fourth Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 254-1100

>> Michael’s Craft Store “The Knack” Kids Program
Michaels new kids program, The Knack, lets your kids explore their creativity through a wealth of great ideas, projects and crafts designed just for them. Join us for The KnackSM Saturdays, during which kids ages 5-12 will create their own fun craft. Only $5 per child, including supplies. 30 minute sessions at 10, 10:30, 11 or 11:30 am.

Michaels
16601 SE Mill Plain Blvd
Vancouver WA 98684
Call to confirm project and class info: (360) 892-4494

Kids Digs
Introduce your kids to archeology through hands on Kids Digs. Kids work in groups to excavate boxes filled with soil and fun artifacts that will teach them about history and what it’s like to be an archeologist.

June 28th, 2008
11am and 2pm (20 kids per session)
Children ages 8 to 12
Fort Vancouver National Reserve
Free event

Website for more information and other Dig dates.

This really is one of the best hikes in Southwest Washington and for the really adventurous, this makes a great place to camp when the weather is nice.  The nighttime view from Silver Star Mountain is amazing. 

However its the daytime view that makes this hike so worthwhile.   On a clear day you will have views of Mount Rainer and Mount St. Helens to the north, Mount Adams to the north east, Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson to the south.   The Columbia River snakes along it merry way towards the ocean to the south of you. 

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia



A natural stone arch on the north side of Silver Star just below the summit.

My personal favorite thing about Silver Star Mountain are the Indian Pits. They are on the south east side of the mountain about 200-300 yards from the summit. I have not found any definitive answer as to what the purpose the Indian Pits served. I have read that they were used for vision quests or as hunting blinds. 


If you like wildflowers and you are hiking Silver Star in the right time of the here are some of the different plants and wildflowers you might come across:
 

In the forest leading up the mountain:  Vanilla leaf, pinesap, pathfinder plant, fairy bells, trillium, Oregon wildflower

On the rocky slopes:  tufted saxifrage, smooth slumroot,  cliff penstemonand parsley fern, and the thread leaved sandwort

The real treat however are found in  the meadows:  Elegant sky-pilot, cascade aster, Oregon sunshine, avalanche and glacier lillies, cats ear mariposa lily, beargrass and oregon flag.  There are many others plants and wildflowers that I haven’t listed as well.

If you are looking for an a new place to watch a fireworks display, you might try the 4th of July celebration at the Port Of Ilwaco.  Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy some fresh seafood and watch the fireworks.   Stroll the shops and galleries along the docks.   This is a really neat fireworks show.

930pm-10pm

Enjoy

Barnes & Noble is doing a Summer Reading Rewards program for kids in 1st through 6th grade. For every 8 books your child reads, they get 1 free book from a preapproved list provided by Barnes & Noble. Each book requires a small written summary, as well. This form can be printed here to be turned into a retail store, or you can pick up a complete packet at any BN store! There doesn’t appear to be a limit to how many free books each child earns either!

Here are links to the printable brochure pages, or you can pick up a packet in the store!

Activity 1: Find Your Favorites

Activity 2: Fiction and Non-Fiction

Activity 3: What’s in a Word?

Activity 4: Lessons that Last

Summer Reading Program tear page - English

Summer Reading Program tear page - Spanish

Summer Reading Program brochure (exterior pages)

Summer Reading Program brochure (interior pages)

Southwest Washington Barnes & Noble Locations

1. Vancouver Plaza
7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98662
360-253-9007

2. Jantzen Beach
1720 N. Jantzen Beach
Portland OR 97217
503-283-2800