2 . Visiting Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree National Park is nearly 800, 000 acres large and surrounds parts of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in South-central California. The park is full of wildlife and provides a variety of entertainment activities from hiking to climbing. Within a 3-hour drive, Joshua Tree National Park takes at least a full day to visit.

Hiking opportunities within the park include several choices, from 12 self-guided nature trails to all-day back-country hikes.

Joshua Tree National Park has nine camping grounds, and back-country camping is also allowed.

Rock-climbing is a popular activity in the park, which has 10 mountains greater than 5,000 feet in height.

Joshua Tree National Park is open 365 days a year, although the best time to visit is October through April, when temperature is milder. The peak season is when the wild flowers bloom, and summer months are the least crowded.

In addition to your camera and telescope, be sure to carry lots of water. Park and trail maps can be picked up at any of the three visitor centers.

Parking fees: You can buy a 7-day vehicle permit for $15, a single-entry permit for $5, or Joshua Tree National Park annual pass for $60.

Camping fees: They vary by camping ground.

3 . This year the annual reading challenge has been upgraded to the Reading Rush. The most important idea is to read seven books in seven days while hitting other specified challenges, and it has a website where you can track your reading: www.thereadingrush.com.

The Reading Rush takes place from July 22nd through the 28th. For more details, check out the site.

This will be my 5th year in this challenge, and I've even managed to pull in a few friends and family members to join me. Here's my current to-be-read list:

No.1 A book with purple on the cover

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

No.2 A book in the same spot the whole time

Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my daughters by Barack Obama

No.3 A book you meant to read last year

57 Secrets for Organizing Your Small Business by Julie Bestry, CPO®

No.4 An author's first book

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

No.5 A book with a non-human main character

Animal Farm by George Orwell

No.6 A book with over five words in the title

Sooner or Later Everything Falls into the Sea by Sarah Pinsker

No.7 Read a book and watch the movie adapted from it

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (an audiobook which we can hear the content)

If you try to read seven books in seven days, you are guaranteed to read more than you would have otherwise, which is a success in its own right. If you've never tried the Reading Rush before, this could be the year you start!

4 . 2022 Spring

Evaluation Schedule

for Learn To Skate

MT. KENT ICE CENTER*900 MOON AVENUE*LEVARD CITY, RI 02916

（103）561-4363 www.mtkent.org

WHO: Skaters of all ages and abilities

Any Preschool & Kindergarten-aged child who has never taken lessons at the Mt. Kent Ice Center needs to make an appointment to be evaluated. Anyone first grade or above does not need an evaluation.

The online registration feature does not apply to the registration for evaluation.

EVALUATIONS: Evaluations help to determine both readiness and class placement. Upon Completion of the evaluation, it is recommended that you register for classes with a coach in the ice center office.

A variety of days and times for the evaluations are also listed online and at the Ice Center.

Evaluation registration may be done in person or by phone at 103-561-4363.

EVALUATION DATES AND TIME

Additional days and times may be added—to be determined by Management

EVALUATION REGISTRATION:

In person—Stop by the Mt. Kent Recreation Center, ground floor, Monday through Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m., Sunday 1:00-4:00 p.m.

By phone—Call the Ice Center at （103）561-4363 to schedule your skating evaluation appointment

QUESTIONS: Please call the Mt. Kent Ice Center staff at（103）561-4363

KentALERT—A FREE notification service (phone, text, e-mail). In the event of an emergency and to provide you with updates about cancellations and recreation department programs and events. Please visit www.mtkent.org, browse Services at the top of the page. Under Information Technology Office, click KentALERT. All recreation participants should sign up, and at minimum select the “Cancellation category.”

Each summer, this influential dance center presents a number of classes and performances by more than 50 companies from around the world. Highlights (最精彩的部分) this season include the Dance Theater of Harlem’s production of Alvin Ailey’s “The Lark Ascending”, which opens the festival.

Many events are free. Ticketed performances start at $22. jacobspillow.org.

This area is better known for mountain biking than for music. But since 1992, it has hosted a private festival that brings classical, jazz, Latin and other types of music to the land. This year there will be 16 concerts, including three “Grotto Concerts”, where guests take a 45-minute boat ride down the Colorado River to performances.

Events start at $25. moabmusicfest.org.

There’s something for everyone at this 117-year-old festival, from an “Indian village” and Old West museum to country concerts. But the competition is still the main attraction, with cowboys and cowgirls competing for major money in the world’s largest outdoor stage.

Competition tickets start at $18, and concert tickets at $23. cfdrodeo.com.

Each summer, opera lovers from around the country (and the world) travel to upstate New York to watch productions that include stars like Nathan Gunn and Ginger Costa-Jackson. This year’s performances include Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” and Verdi’s “King for a Day”, in honor of the 200^th birthdays of both composers (作曲家).

Tickets start at $26. glimmerglass.org.