Leaf Time For Leavenworth Festival

For 32 years the town of Leavenworth in the Washington Cascades has scheduled a fall color festival. And, most years the leaves manage to turn brilliant hues of yellow, gold, red and rust just in time for the event.

That means this is a sure thing for those want to experience autumn color with a community celebration. The Autumn Leaf Festival will be Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6 in this Bavarian-themed town.

Events include a parade Sept. 28 and a Casino Night Oct 5. The Art in the Park and Friends of the Library book sale go throughout the festival. For information: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, (509) 548-5807 or on the Web at http://www.leavenworth.org.

Those looking for a place to stay in Leavenworth might check out the new Best Western Icicle Inn which has built the Icicle Junction Family Fun Center. The Center boasts a Bavarian-themed 18-hole miniature golf course. For information: (509) 548-7000.

Get some culture: The new Washington State History Museum opened in August in Tacoma and the state museum warrants a visit. The Hall of Washington History is fully a half-acre in size and for now houses a traveling exhibit, “Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West.”

In addition to the Great Hall, the building houses a cafe, store, offices and auditorium.

The museum is located at 1911 Pacific Ave., on Tacoma’s waterfront adjacent to Union Station. For information on hours, call (888) BE-THERE.

Did you lock your doors? We realize the thick of the vacation season has passed. But that doesn’t mean those who plan to be away from their homes should let up on security precautions.

The following security tips were offered by Securitylink from Ameritech, a company that provides security systems:

Put the lights and the stereo or radio on a timer.

Don’t stop your mail, it signals you are away. Instead, ask a neighbor to pick it up.

Remember to lock all doors and windows. Forty percent of home intrusions occur because a door or window was left unlocked.

Store high-value items in a small closet with a solid core door, a non-removable hinge and a deadbolt lock.

Other tips are available in a free brochure, “Home Security Tips,” available by calling (800) 343-4726.

, DataTimes