Parks parking fee effective Jan. 1

OLYMPIA – At its December meeting, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission approved a system-wide vehicle parking fee, effective at state parks Jan. 1.

The commission selected an implementation plan that sets up a program under which some Washington state residents may apply for a free annual parking permit. Among these are low-income seniors, permanently disabled residents and veterans with disabilities, and Department of Social and Health Services-enrolled families with children under the age of 17 who meet the State Parks enrollment criteria

There are no exemptions from the daily parking permit fee. State Parks will sell annual permits system-wide beginning this January, with permits in effect for the calendar year. There will be 10-minute restroom and drive-through exceptions

An annual permit will be available for $70, discounted to $50 through 2005. The fee level for daily parking permits will be set at $7, discounted to $5 for 2003, 2004 and 2005, after which time it may be raised to $7, or may be decreased or rescinded, depending on the system’s funding picture.

Daily and annual parking permits will be available for purchase in person at the parks and at State Parks headquarters at 7150 Cleanwater Lane, Olympia, WA 98504-2650. Online sales of annual permits are being developed.

Columbia smelt season to open

ILWACO – The Columbia River and tributary smelt fishery below Bonneville Dam will be open Jan. 1 through March 31, according to an announcement last week by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Mainstem Columbia is open seven days a week and 24 hours a day. Washington tributaries are open seven days a week during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Improved ocean conditions are expected to benefit smelt returns, and abundance in 2003 is expected to be strong,” WDFW said.

No license is required.

Daily limit is 10 pounds per person – about one-third of a five-gallon bucket).

Youth Winter Reading Program: ‘Chill Out!’

PACIFIC COUNTY – “Pull on your parka, strap on your snowshoes, grab some books, and be a cool reader at the library this winter,” says Kristina Kauffman, librarian at the Tenino Timberland Library and a coordinator of Timberland Regional Library’s fifth annual youth winter reading program, running from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28. Children and teens have opportunities for reading and creative activities based on this year’s program them, “Chill Out!”

Young library users can begin by stopping at one of the libraries listed below and picking up books, magazines, books-on-tape, and a bookmark designed for the program. They may also fill out a ticket to enter a prize drawing.

On specially-designed sheets, participants may draw a picture or write a one-page story, poem, or essay on the topic, “If I were stranded on a polar ice cap …”.

Book and magazine lists for kids and teens can be found on Timberland’s youth web pages, www.timberland.lib.wa.us/kids/htm and www.timberland.lib.wa.us /teens/htm. Young readers are welcome to join in at Ilwaco 642-3908, Naselle 484-3877, Ocean Park 665-4184, or Raymond 942-2408.

Call 1-866-ENDHARM to report abuse

OLYMPIA – Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a responsibility that belongs to everyone. And the stressful holiday season calls for neighbors, friends and relatives to be ever more vigilant in watching out for families who are struggling to cope.

Anyone who has concerns should the call toll-free hotline – 1-866-ENDHARM – to report suspicions of abuse or neglect.

Holiday schedule in effect at museum

ILWACO – The Ilwaco Heritage Museum will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24 and 25. The museum also will be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The museum will keep regular winter hoursDec. 26 through 28 and Dec. 30. Regular winter hours also will be observed Jan.2 through 4. Regular winter hours schedule will resume Jan. 6.

Winter hours at the Ilwaco Heritage Museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday.