1. It’s lit
Just when you thought the zoo couldn’t get more exotic, there will be millions of Christmas lights adorning zoo grounds. The annual holiday celebration, ZooLights, returns to the Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland, from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 24. Enjoy a stroll through the zoo to see glowing shapes of hippos, penguins and snakes. The lights are open 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 24 through Jan. 7, and 5 to 8 p.m. on family value nights. The zoo is closed Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1 through Jan. 4. Ticket prices vary: $14.95, $12.95 for seniors, $9.95 for ages 3 to 11; Value nights are $9.95, $7.95 for seniors, $4.95 for ages 3 to 11. 503-226-1561 or www.oregonzoo.org/events/zoolights-26.
2. LOL
This is sure to hit your funny bone. Stand-up Comedian Susan Rice headlines the monthly Laughing on the Last Saturday series with a 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24 performance at the Old Liberty Theater, 113 N. Main St., Ridgefield. Rice, a 32-year-old stand-up comedy veteran and Longview native, was named “Portland’s Funniest” in 2015 by Willamette Week, and has appeared on Portlandia as well as Showtime and HBO comedy specials. Tickets are $20. 360-887-7260 or www.oldlibertytheater.com/calendar-1/2017/11/14/laughing-on-last-saturday-stand-up-comedy.
3. All aboard
This train is comin’ around the bend just in time for the holidays. Enjoy a ride on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad as the Christmas Tree Train ride takes participants through the forest with a chance to bring home a live Christmas tree, along with a visit from Santa and refreshments. The diesel train leaves at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26, as well as Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Advance registration is recommended. Family packages include four tickets and a tree. The train leaves from the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, 207 N. Railroad Ave., Yacolt; $16, $15 for seniors, $11 for youth, $9 for ages 2 to 4; adding a tree: $20 to $40; family package: $70 to $90. 360-686-3559 or tickets.bycx.org.
4. Grab a shovel
Looking for an opportunity to give back on Thanksgiving week? You don’t even have to leave Clark County for that. Grab some friends and head to LeRoy Haagen Memorial Park for a volunteer day to spruce up the grounds by picking up litter, removing invasive plants, spreading mulch, cleaning playground equipment and much more. All volunteers should wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and work gloves to help at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Park, N.E. Ninth St., just west of N.E. 136th Ave. in Vancouver; free. 360-487-8344 or www.cityofvancouver.us/cmo/page/leroy-haagen-park-work-parties.
