Reading program wrap-up brings zoo to Minden

A hush fell over a crowd of children on Thursday as they strained to hear Archimedes the great horned owl flap his wings.

Listen though they might, they couldn’t hear a thing.

The giant silent night flying raptor was just part of the wildlife show at the CVIC Hall as Conservation Ambassadors Gabe Kerschner talked about the owl and its nature.

While owls necks are very flexible, he debunked the notion that they could spin their heads all the way around for the two-score children and adults there to wrap up the Douglas County Public Library’s summer reading program.

An earlier show at the Zephyr Cove Branch was canceled after Tahoe residents opted not to go out in the smoke.

The program was originally scheduled to arrive in June for the library’s summer reading kickoff, but was canceled.

According to conservationambassadors.org, the group provides a permanent home for “displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals.” The Ambassadors raise money by conducting shows like the one in Minden across California and occasionally Nevada. Their sanctuary is located in Paso Robles, Calif.

The theme for the program, which wraps up on Tuesday, is “Tails and Tales.”

Children and teenagers who participate may win prizes after setting up an account at the Library’s Beanstack site at douglascountynv.beanstack.org.

With summer over, the library is bringing back its Saturday Family movies, featuring “Raya and the Las Dragon” 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11. Movies are free and are sponsored by the Friends of Douglas County Public Library.

The Minden Library is located at 1625 Library Lane. Connect with the Douglas County Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, library.douglascountynv.gov, or call 775-782-9841.