Community Christmas tree prepared to shine

Despite Monday’s rain, a crew from St. Mary’s Services spent most of the day attaching lights to the large evergreen in Esther Short Park that serves as Vancouver’s community Christmas tree. The tree will be illuminated for the first time Friday evening as part of the Vancouver Rotary Club’s 16th Annual Festival of the Trees. Friday’s program begins at 5:30 p.m. with music from the Vancouver Public Schools’ combined high school choir. Other festival events include decorated trees at the Pearson Air Museum this weekend, a Sunday run, and a gala dinner and auction on Dec. 3. More information is at Festival of Trees.