2018 September Splash

THE

SEPTEMBER

2018

LIBERTY LAKE

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Classrooms in the Cue

New middle school, high school slated for LL area, page 12 LL NURSE ON VOYAGE TO HELP PAGE 47

CV RUNNERS RALLY AFTER LOSS PAGE 27

JUST WHO WAS LUD KRAMER? PAGE 2

2 • SEPTEMBER 2018

The Park Bench

Legacy of Lud – Kramer remembered as civic pacesetter

By Craig Howard Splash Editor When a group of Liberty Lake citizens gathered in late 2002 to discuss the future of a newly formed municipal library it was Lud Kramer who explained the avenues to establishing a stand-alone library district as opposed to joining forces with Spokane County.

When Pavillion Park went through a growth phase that included the addition of a ballfield, parking lot, a playground and sidewalks, it was Kramer leading the charge as president of Friends of Pavillion Park (FOPP).

And when a collection of residents in pre-incorporated Liberty Lake rallied to approve a self-taxing mechanism called a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) to fund an extensive trail network, it was Kramer in the middle of the movement, this time as a member of the Trails Committee and later as a TBD board member.

Although Kramer only called Liberty Lake home for 10 years, beginning in 1994 when he and his wife Patricia moved here to be closer to their daughter Mary, he produced a remarkable ripple effect according to those who knew him. Kramer passed away on April 9, 2004 from lung cancer. He was 71.

Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson remembers Kramer playing a pivotal role in helping Liberty Lake become its own city.

“Lud was the spearhead for the incorporation as he understood government well and he knew what our possibilities could be with a successful city incorporation,” said Peterson. “Once the November (2000) vote for cityhood was secured, he led the transition efforts in getting information and putting together volunteer groups and exploratory committees.”

Kramer brought a vast knowledge of government to his

NEWS

The Splash

new community. He was elected to the Seattle City Council at the age of 29 in 1961 and three years later become the youngest Secretary of State in Washington’s history at 32. He was re-elected in 1968 and 1972.

A moderate Republican, Kramer championed causes like civil rights, fair housing and anti-poverty programs. He fought for reforms in prisons and the electoral system.

While serving in Olympia, he visited the Yakima Valley to register Hispanic voters and made it a point to field concerns from residents of urban neighborhoods and migrant farmworker camps.

When Greenstone Homes founder Jim Frank first met Kramer, he discovered a man with a mission.

"He wanted me to go see a run-down park in a low-income neighborhood," Frank recalled.

"There is new playground equipment in that park today and that is so typical of Lud and his family's work."

This plaque in honor of Lud Kramer stands near the signature canopy at Pavillion Park. A former Washington Secretary of State, Kramer, provided valuable support for causes like city incorporation, the trails network, local library, Friends of Pavillion Park and more. Lud and his wife Patricia moved to Liberty Lake in 1994.

Kramer passed away in 2004.

Photo by Craig Howard

In 1976, Lud and Patricia established the Ludlow Foundation “to assist those in need through non-profit agencies and to help organizations achieve their goals.”

Since its inception, the foundation has distributed nearly $1.2 million to various causes.

Air Force where he served as a sergeant for four years.

After Kramer was diagnosed with lung cancer, family, friends and residents of his adopted community rallied to his side.

Whether he was planting geraniums at the Trailhead golf course or collecting auction items for the FOPP Holiday Ball, Kramer will be remembered for his full immersion in making Liberty Lake a better place. At one Holiday Ball, he won a bid to conduct the Spokane Symphony at Pavillion Park, outbidding Liberty Lake Elementary Principal Dennis Olson.

“These have been some of the happiest and most fulfilling times in Dad's life," said Lud’s son John Kramer in 2004. “And that is saying a lot as he's been involved in a lot of things over his life."

For his part, Kramer called the support he received during his sickness “incredible.”

“What has happened with people has changed my life and made me really appreciate what dedication and friendship can be to someone,” Kramer said in early 2004. “It's made me realize how important family and community are.”

At a 2004 event shortly before Kramer’s death, Frank paid tribute to his friend.

"There are a lot of people who would like to say, ‘Thank you for the spirit that you've had, the kindness you've shown and the commitment you've had to us as a community.’”

Kramer was born in New York City to an affluent family on June 10, 1932. He graduated from Brooks Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and enlisted in the

In 1955, he moved to Tacoma and started a career in banking.

He met Patricia there and the two were married, eventually becoming parents to two daughters and two sons.

Later, Kramer surprised Olson by passing along the baton.

“He deserved it,” Kramer said of the gesture. “He’s a good guy.”

With the 15th annual Lud Kramer Memorial Concert set for Sept. 1 at Pavillion Park, The Splash reached out to five of Lud’s friends for their recollections. Along with Frank and Peterson, Leslie Zilka, former secretary of the Trails Committee and past president of FOPP, Ross Schneidmiller, founder of the Liberty Lake Historical Society and former Trails Committee Chair Tom Specht shared their thoughts of a unique man determined to make a difference – no matter where he lived.

Q: What involvement did Lud have in the Liberty Lake 2000 effort?

Jim Frank: Lud was instrumental in the process of considering governance options and took at strong leadership role in the Liberty Lake incorporation. His background in state government was helpful to the effort.

Q: How important was Lud in generating interest in the incorporation movement and how Liberty Lake would benefit by forming its own city?

Frank: First, Lud was very personable and he forged many friendships in the community.

He was both thoughtful and experienced in government which provided a level of confidence in the process we went through. He understood the issues and was a source of information to the community.

Q: What did you learn from Lud about the value of community?

Frank: Liberty Lake had a strong sense of community before Lud arrived. Lud thrived on community and civic affairs, it was in his blood. Liberty Lake was the perfect community for Lud and both he and Liberty Lake benefited from each other.

Q: What do you miss most about Lud? Frank: Lud was a good friend. I miss the times we shared together.

Q: How is Lud's legacy still felt in Liberty Lake today?

Frank: Lud will forever be tied to

See LUD, Page 3

The Splash

LUD

Continued from page 2 the incorporation of Liberty Lake.

At the time incorporation was a risk, but time has proven it was the right decision. Many people in the community were involved in the incorporation effort and, like Lud, each played an important role. Lud also played a leadership role in the Friends of Pavillion Park, and of course his name is on the signature event.

Q: What do you recall about Lud's contributions to the Trails Committee the TBD Board and the campaign to bring a trails network to Liberty Lake?

Tom Specht: Before there was the transportation board there was a Liberty Lake Trails Committee of the Friends of Pavillion Park.

During this time Lud was the one who connected me to the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program of the National Park Service that assisted planning a local path and trail system. They helped the trails committee set up a planning event that working with the American Society of Landscape set the vision for our Trails Plan.

That was just one of the many ways that Lud helped the trails effort.

Q: What made Lud such a good leader?

Specht: He knew how to work with people. He had good ideas and would lead by example.

Q: Why do you think Lud became so invested in the Liberty Lake community even though he was a relatively new resident?

Specht: Lud, my good friend and my mentor, was dedicated to improving the community. When Lud first came to Liberty Lake he attended several community organizations to see which ones he was interested in working on.

He was quiet at the meetings and would humbly offer his advice at the end never mentioning his extensive background in politics. He presented himself as a volunteer that wanted to make a difference to the community. I believe he thought the best way to live life is to help your community be better because of your efforts.

For him to stay in an organization he wanted to see concrete results to the community and that he could contribute. When he was on the TBD Board he always was asking what he could work on to help between meetings.

See KRAMER, Page 4

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 3

From one FOPP president to another

By Leslie Zilka In January 2000 the Board of Spokane County Commissioners appointed six local residents to guide the development of a trail system that was being funded by a special tax for the Liberty Lake citizens who lived within the Liberty Lake Sewer District. A. Ludlow Kramer was one of those founding members.

During the two years he served on the Liberty Lake Transportation Benefit Advisory Committee, he shared his vision of a trail system connecting all parts of the Liberty Lake community.

Lud was a relative newcomer to Liberty Lake and that gave him a broader perspective. He wanted Liberty Lake to stand out as a gateway city. He felt that Washington was remiss in not having some kind of gateway as drivers crossed the state line.

As our trail system progressed, the pedestrian overpass could be just that kind of landmark. The original designs by the state bridge engineers and architect were grandiose and would serve as a welcoming statement. Of course, budget constraints modified those designs.

Lud also served on the board of the Friends of Pavillion Park (FOPP).

His leadership was valuable serving as president of FOPP and board member. The concert series had become a regular summer attraction, but he wanted to take the concerts to a higher level by adding the Spokane Symphony to the Labor Day weekend. He was able to accomplish that in 2001. That concert was named the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert following his death.

Park improvements were another passion for Lud. A treed and landscaped area surrounding the main walkway was desired and he served on a beautification committee to make that a reality.

Though he held no elected office in Liberty Lake, Lud was clearly a leader. He was elected Secretary of State for Washington in 1964 making him the youngest ever secretary. When he settled in Liberty Lake there was no Pavillion Park, no trail system and no city of Liberty Lake. He was instrumental in creating what you see today.

His drive and ambition were an example to all who knew him.

Past and present volunteers like Lud have made Liberty Lake the special place we call home.

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KRAMER

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Continued from page 3 Q: What kind of impact do you think Lud left behind in this community?

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Specht: I believe he had a tremendous impact to the community. I think without Lud, Liberty Lake would not be as great a place as it is today. It is hard to pinpoint one thing that Lud did since he was a team player and he worked as a team to get things done.

Q: When and how did you first meet Lud? Steve Peterson: I first met Lud when he was running for Secretary of State in 1964. I held his sign at the Republican state convention.

The next time was in 2000. I was reintroduced to him by a friend in Albertson’s grocery store.

Q: How important was Lud in generating interest in the incorporation movement and how Liberty Lake would benefit by forming its own city?

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Peterson: He knew all the players that had done incorporations in the 1990s and was able to facilitate our initial meetings with them. He knew the opportunity that would befall us with harnessing our own treasury and team to deploy those resources. He was adamant about have a strong mayor form of government.

Q: What did you learn from Lud about the value of community?

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Peterson: The community needs to work together. He was very much an independent and populist in his thought. A great consensus maker.

He relished the Pavillion Park and events that brought us together.

Q: What do you miss most about Lud? Peterson: We were good friends and his advice was always well received. Asked a question you would get an answer plus a story from the past that reinforced the solution we were talking about.

Q: How is Lud's legacy still felt in Liberty Lake today?

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Peterson: Lud had a fondness for the American Indian and I think 200 years ago he was probably an Indian Chief. I say this because his guiding spirit still lives on in his work. He was a leader, decision maker, peace keeper (dating back into the 1960s) nurturer and creator. He was involved in our parks, in our new government, in our library, in our events—hence

The Splash

the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert on Labor Day weekend in the park.

He was a patriot and he highly wanted to see that marches created

by Souza were played to inspire our community and youth.

Q: Do you think most people who attend the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert have any idea who Lud was and what he contributed to the community?

Ross Schneidmiller: Most people may not know of Lud or what he contributed but as they enjoy the concert they will appreciate some of the influence he had on our community. Lud among other things was a strong proponent for the arts and beautification.

Q: Why was it such a fortuitous time for Lud to live in Liberty Lake when he did?

Schneidmiller: The Pavilion Park Association had just secured a grant for the first phase of Pavilion Park when Lud and his wife Pat moved to Liberty Lake. The association was transitioning into FOPP, to have a 501c(3) organization to support fundraising for future phases of the park. Lud had only been in the community for a very short time but showed up at the first meeting. We could not have had a better mentor than Lud in working with local government. His leadership, wisdom and guidance was invaluable.

Q: From an historic standpoint, how do you think Lud will be remembered in the chronology of Liberty Lake?

Schneidmiller: As a catalyst for a model community and as an example on how to work with the various processes and personalities of government and other organizations. Lud was part of our community for only 10 years, but his influence will be felt for decades to come, in part from the people he inspired.

The Splash

NEWS

Redel ready to start new chapter as library director

By Benjamin Shedlock Splash Correspondent

Next month, a new director of library services will take over Liberty Lake’s card catalog. Jocelyn Redel will assume the helm of the department Oct. 15, stepping in to fill the shoes of outgoing director Pamela Mogen, the only person to hold the job in the city of Liberty Lake’s history.

Redel will have the top leadership role for Liberty Lake’s independent, full-service library at a time when library technology and community needs are rapidly changing and the roles libraries play in the community are evolving. She brings a decade of experience, including starting and managing the Lakewood/ Smokey Point branch of the SnoIsle Libraries, a two-county system on the state’s westside with 23 branches.

As a result of her leadership there, she is familiar with how to operate a branch as part of a larger system of services, one of the goals that Redel and City Administrator Katy Allen share for Liberty Lake’s library. As Redel settles in to the role, she plans to look for ways the library can work with different parts of the community.

“What I’m going to be focusing on is what are the major businesses, what community organizations exist and trying to get out and meet people and start building those relationships,” Redel said.

Her vision is part of the reason the city hired her, according to Allen.

“She has the ability to re-engage some of our volunteers and build a strong network connection with other library directors and school districts,” Allen said. “We’ll work with volunteers to frame and define the future of the library.”

Redel has worked with library volunteer teams in each of her previous roles and calls them a “wonderful resource” that serves as a bridge from library to community and extends library services.

The library services director wears multiple hats, serving as librarian, administrator and community organizer. So while Redel will be responsible for the daily management of library operations, she will also keep her finger on the

pulse of the community and work with the city’s leadership team to manage delivery of services, budgets and policies.

“I really see this as both sort of a manager level but also visionary,” Redel said.

She said she will “look at trends in the field, community needs and wants and work with other city officials” to ensure the library remains a vital part of the community.

The directions Redel imagines taking the library reflect her core belief that libraries are a “cornerstone of the community.”

Without a library, she says, a community is cut off from information and opportunities to gather.

During a foray into criminal justice, the topic of her second bachelor’s degree, Redel realized that what she valued in a career was being part of a community and helping her neighbors. She tapped into her love of libraries and completed a master’s in Library and Information Science online at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Despite living west of the Cascades since 1995, Redel is familiar with Spokane County. She completed fieldwork for her degree at the Spokane Valley Branch of the Spokane County Library District and has family in the area. She already had the idea of moving to be closer to them when she saw the Liberty Lake position advertised.

“I’m pretty excited about working in a small community,” Redel said.

“I’m someone who’s excited about library services and the field itself, including the changes that have been taking place over the last 15 years or so.”

Redel’s ability to respond to the trends in library services and take the library to the next level.

Allen said she looks forward to Redel’s taking stock of the library’s organization and offerings and moving it forward.

“We’re looking forward to the future,” Allen said.

Redel is also excited about the visioning work ahead. She expects the first several months of her tenure to include learning about the library’s current operations and needs of the community to identify gaps she can fill. For example, she believes the library might be able to support job training in areas where local businesses are struggling to find qualified employees.

“I’m excited to get to know the community and be part of it,” Redel said. “The library is a community institution.”

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Over 46 percent of voters in Spokane County cast ballots in the Aug. 7 primary election with the race for Congress leading the way. Incumbent McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, edged Democrat Brown by four percentage points districtwide while the challenger collected more votes in Spokane County – 48.52 to 46.76 percent.

Brown became the first Democrat since 2004 to capture the county margin in the primary.

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The election was certified on Aug. 21.

“It was great to see that turnout in a primary,” said Auditor Vicky Dalton. “Especially since we’ve been down into the 20s (percentagewise).”

Dalton acknowledged that the McMorris Rodgers/Brown faceoff generated increased interest in the summer vote along with the benefit of pre-paid postage on all ballots.

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For 5th Congressional District candidates Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown, the numbers set the tone for nothing short of a spectacular showdown this fall.

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“We’re also seeing a lot of advertising everywhere,” Dalton said. “That’s driving voter awareness and interest.”

McMorris Rodgers has represented Spokane County and the eastern third of Washington state in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005. Brown, a former state senator and representative, is seeking to become the first Democrat to represent the region since 1994.

McMorris Rodgers was joined on the ballot by three fellow conservatives who collected a total of just under 5 percent of the remaining votes in Spokane County and nearly 6 percent districtwide.

Brown was the only Democratic candidate.

Both Brown and McMorris Rodgers wasted no time returning to the campaign trail last month. Brown spoke at a community forum held at the Spokane Valley Event Center on Aug. 23 while across town on the same night, McMorris Rodgers hosted a similar gathering at the Spokane Convention Center. The two House hopefuls will square off in at least four debates leading up to the general election, including a Sept. 19 town hall event at Spokane

Civic Theatre.

In the other contest for a seat on Capitol Hill, incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) faced the biggest challenge from Susan Hutchinson (R). Cantwell collected 54.67 of the vote against the former state GOP chair’s 24.3 percent statewide in a race that included 29 candidates.

In Spokane County the margin was 49.98 to 18.37 percent in favor of Cantwell.

In the march – or march back – to Olympia, incumbent Rep. Bob McCaslin Jr. (R) collected 61.14 percent to Democratic challenger Mary May’s 38.86 in the quest for Pos. 2 in Legislative District 4. In the other 4th District race, Rep. Matt Shea began his re-election bid with a 57.4 to 42.6 victory over Ted Cummings (D) for Pos. 1.

Two of the three seats for Spokane County commissioner will be at stake in the fall. Mary Kuney, who was appointed last year to replace Shelly O’Quinn in District 2, outdistanced Rob Chase, a fellow Republican, in the primary, 59.36 to 40.64 percent.

Incumbent Commissioner Al French (R) did not fare as well.

Democratic challenger Robbi Katherine Anthony garnered 55.15 percent to French’s 44.85.

In the race for county treasurer, Michael Baumgartner (R), a former state senator, eclipsed David Green (D), 57.13 to 42.87 percent.

In a battle of two Republicans for county assessor, Leonard Christian finished ahead of Tom Konis, 56.52 to 38.86 percent.

The showdown for county clerk featured similar numbers with Republican Tim Fitzgerald surpassing Michael A. Kirk (D), 55.61 to 44.39 percent.

Ballots for the Nov. 6 general election will be mailed out Oct. 1719 and will again include pre-paid postage. Dalton said the likelihood of the covered postage going away after the fall vote is “pretty slim,” although previous funds from the state will not be forthcoming.

“Looking ahead to the spring election, the individual districts would have to cover it,” she said.

“We’re looking at a 10 to 15 percent increase in election cost.”

Dalton noted that while voters getting their ballots in may not have needed stamps in the primary, they should make sure to check the final pick-up times on the blue bins.

Around 1,100 ballots were invalid because they were postmarked after Aug. 7.

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 7

The Lookout MEMO

simple, it is for your protection and safety of your kids.

from the

Mayor

By Mayor Steve Peterson

With a hocus pocus you’re in focus – it’s your lucky day! Smile you’re on candid camera.

We are in the process of revamping security cameras in our parks. Why? Not to spy on the public but to catch and prosecute vandals in the act of vandalism. Pure and

Utility box wraps spruce up community

On Aug. 16, the first two utility box wraps were installed at the intersection of N. Liberty Lake Road and E. Appleway Avenue. The project began in March as the Parks and Arts Commission looked for an affordable way to bring public art into the community.

Vinyl wrapping of utility boxes in places like Coeur d'Alene and downtown Spokane were an inspiration to the commission. The goal was to use artwork from our community rather than doing an open call to artists. Immediately, the two schools in the center of our community came to mind.

We approached the schools and both principals were excited

Every month this summer there has been something going on in one of our parks that cost money and time to fix. A stupid, deliberate prank almost took a man’s life. Our new cameras will stream live-time to the police vehicles and record every action 360 degrees every day.

Enough is enough. These people will be caught and prosecuted. Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. I ask for your about the project. Liberty Creek Elementary’s artwork "Starry Night" was the first to be installed and showcased their new “Meet the Masters” art program. Liberty Lake Elementary’s artwork "Mountainscapes" showcases art that was completed in their art resource class.

More Liberty Lake utility boxes were installed last month at the intersection of E. Country Vista and N. Liberty Lake Road. STCU reached out to the commission in July about sponsoring the boxes. It was a great example of how we can partner with local businesses and other groups to bring artwork, events and other opportunities to our community.

The city has received great feedback on the project while it has created a community dialogue and sense of pride that we hope will continue with future wraps and other projects the commission takes on.

2018

September 2018

help. If you see something, say something. Speak up and make your presence known.

With that said, September means back to school and I am asking you to be ever vigilant of kids heading to them. We are fortunate to have crossing guards at all schools, SCOPE on patrol at the center islands, new flashing pedestrian lights around the city for kids to use while crossing and speed radar to let you know how you are doing.

All to ensure we have safe transit to and from school.

The River District is growing

Being safe in our homes and community makes this a great place to live. Another reason Liberty Lake remains Spokane County’s premier address!

Harvard Road Bridge design on track

If you haven’t been over to the River District in a while, you might not recognize it. There are many projects underway on the north side of Liberty Lake. The playground at Orchard Park is being installed; the middle school has broken ground and is on track to open its doors to students in the fall of 2019; our newest roundabout at Harvard Park and Mission has utilities installed and the preliminary plat for River Crossing East has been approved.

It is exciting to see the community growing and developing with new housing, new services and new opportunities.

SPONSO R U O U FROM O Y K N THA

Finally, I know we are all busy but look in your schedule for some time to volunteer to be that crossing guard, that SCOPE volunteer to drive the car or be that room mother/father to help in the school. Whatever you chose, it will always help our community to be safe because you are involved!

The city of Liberty Lake has been awarded the funds to start the design for the Harvard Road Bridge project by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The design will include the widening of the bridge and a westbound on-ramp expansion.

Timeline for the design includes anticipated completion in 2019.

At that time the design will be presented to WSDOT. Although this process takes quite a bit of time, this is a step forward in solving the Harvard Bridge traffic issues, a solution the city is excited about.

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https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa • www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • SEPTEMBER 2018

City Council News and Notes –

September 2018

By Craig Howard Splash Editor • Operations and Maintenance Director Jennifer Camp said the city either sent maintenance crews home or provided masks during the rash of poor air quality in August.

• Camp told City Council the Parks and Arts Commission met recently and has identified “seven or eight” projects for 2019. That list will be pared down to “three or four,” Camp said, and be included in a Municipal Arts Plan for next year.

• Camp met with maintenance crew leads in August to put together a fleet rotation program for next year. She anticipates some increase in cost with Orchard Park being added to the greenspace inventory.

• Dennis Scott, interim city engineer, gave an update on Orchard Park, noting that installation of playground equipment – including an area with musical themes – had begun in August. Gravel for sports courts was also being poured.

Areas are also being set aside for an amphitheater and pavilion with both projects hinging on future funding.

• Engineering and Planning Director Lisa Key noted that the River Crossing East preliminary plat was approved. There are 612 lots planned for the development.

• Council voted 6-1, with Council Member Dan Dunne in the minority, to remove a first read on Ordinance 108A, amending the admission tax ordinance. The ordinance was introduced in 2002 to apply a tax to greens fees at golf courses within the city. The tax raises between $75,000 and $90,000 annually.

• At the Aug. 21 council meeting, resident Elaine Christiansen expressed concern with boundary markers placed on Trailhead golf course near homes to indicate where a new sprinkler system will be installed. She said property owners were not given notice or reasoning for the project and noted that a letter from Scott did not respond to her concerns in a respectful way. “The city

NEWS

should communicate with a timely manner with the homeowners involved,” she said. “And provide sufficient time to meet.” She said the timeline for construction beginning around Labor Day does not allow homeowners enough time to respond. “This is common courtesy,” she said. “We request open and honest communication with the city.” City Administrator Katy Allen said the goal in fixing the irrigation network is to upgrade a system that was built in 1974. She city had a goal to define exactly where the property lines are. “I don’t foresee any encroachment,” Allen said. “I did not realize just re-establishing property corners was going to raise this issue.”

Mayor Pro Tem Shane Brickner said the scenario “is a lesson for the city,” adding, “We need to be proactive and not reactive and set a standard.” Council Member Odin Langford said the city should pursue “better customer service.” In her report later in the meeting, Allen said, “We will reach out to adjacent property owners and provide them with information.”

• Resident Mark Saba reminded council that he had brought up a concern in April about a raised sidewalk on Mission Avenue that had still not been addressed. “I was just wondering where we’re at,” Saba said. Allen said the policy is to have the homeowner sign a waiver to let city crews level out raised sidewalks. Mayor Steve Peterson ensured Saba that the sidewalk will be fixed “within the next couple of weeks.”

• Dave Himebaugh with Friends of Pavillion Park said the Holiday Ball, the group’s signature fundraiser held each December at the Davenport Hotel, will not take place this year. He added that FOPP will be seeking alternative funds to support the annual Summer Festival. “Without our fundraiser, it’s going to be challenging for us,” said Himebaugh who is also part of the Parks and Arts Commission.

He expressed disappointment that the first reading on amending the admissions tax ordinance – a possible funding option for the Parks and Arts Commission – had been removed from the agenda. In response to Council Member Hugh Severs asking the commission to draw up budgetary needs for 2019, Himebaugh said the group was working on such a list.

• New Liberty Lake Library Director Jocelyn Redel was introduced at the Aug. 21 council meeting. She starts on Oct. 15, replacing retiring director Pamela Mogen. “I’m very excited to be

a part of Liberty Lake,” she said.

“This is wonderful opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting to know the residents, the council, the mayor and everyone here.”

• The library raised $1,400 at a soiree event in August. Including all the fundraising efforts over the year, $6,000 has been generated for the library.

• The Parks and Arts Commission has wrapped two utility boxes with artwork on corner of Appleway and Liberty Lake Road. Two more will be installed soon. STCU has stepped up as a sponsor of the project. “They did a great job with those wraps,” Brickner said.

• A kick-off meeting will take place Sept. 10 at City Hall including officials with the city and the Washington State Department of Transportation to discuss the design of the Harvard Road widening project. Council approved the second read of two ordinances on Aug. 21, the first establishing the Harvard Road Bridge Widening Fund and the second approving a budget amendment for the project.

• The planning commission has recommended denial of a request

by Greenstone Homes to have RV storage made available in the new Trutina development on the north side of the city. Currently outdoor vehicle storage is not allowed in any zone. “I think the planning commission is right,” Langford said. “There’s not enough information, not enough planning.”

Greenstone has indicated it would be willing to consider an additional screening and also open to limiting the number of spaces that would be allowed. “I think we should have further discussion on it,” said Severs who agreed with the planning commission recommendation overall.

“Our job is to put stringent standards on it so it doesn’t hurt someone who’s already bought a home. I’m against parking RVs on the street but I think we owe it to our citizens to have the conversation.”

The Splash

• Council approved a task order for Parametrix for up to $37,000 for design documents related to north field improvements near Liberty Creek Elementary. City officials are discussing the future of the land with representatives from the Central Valley School District.

• Looking ahead to budget season, the mayor’s preliminary rendition of the municipal budget will be presented to council on Oct. 16. Public hearings and the setting of the property tax levy will take place in November with the council passing the budget in December • In response to the budget schedule, Council Member Bob Moore said it would be important to incorporate the strategic plan into the process. “We’ve spent hundreds of man hours on a strategic plan for the city,” Moore said on Aug. 7. “It seems like the budget should be based on the strategic plan. If not, then we’ve wasted a lot of time.”

• The Liberty Lake Police Department responded to three DUI incidents involving golf carts in July. Chief Brian Asmus reminded residents that the same impaired driving laws apply to golf carts and bicycles as they do to vehicles • In response to a resident concern about RVs parked in city streets, Asmus said the city has towed seven such vehicles. “It’s not our top priority but when we do receive a complaint, we take action,” Asmus said. “We give the owner notice and if there is no response, it’s towed.”

• Camp said the latest rendition Barefoot in the Park hosted by the city in July “was probably the best event ever.” Council Member Mike Kennedy commended city staff on their coordination and handling of the event, saying “the quality of our employees really showed.”

The Splash

City takes to the streets with focus on preservation

By Craig Howard Splash Editor It’s not quite “The Twilight Zone,” but for Liberty Lake officials concerned about the state of municipal streets, it is “The Zone Approach.”

At the Aug. 21 City Council meeting, the governing board heard a report from City Administrator Katy Allen regarding road maintenance. Allen prefaced her presentation by giving credit to longtime City Engineer Andrew Staples who now calls the city of Spokane his professional home.

“Andrew came to the recommendation that the city should approve $550,000 in maintenance funding each year to keep our streets in the condition they are,” Allen said. “We were spending $300,000 before that and that’s in 2009 dollars.”

Allen said the city is committed “to focus on neighborhoods” when it comes to maintaining road surfaces.

“It’s pay as you go,” she said. “I’m going to call it ‘The Zone Approach.’

Our goal is to address the whole neighborhood. What we’re trying to do is extend the life of the streets we have. This is what cities do, they patch and repair. That’s what we can afford today.”

In her PowerPoint, Allen outlined the goals of street preservation, starting with the development of a plan to effectively manage street improvements. Next comes developing a budget and funding sources followed by effectively managing the projects, leveraging outside dollars and “pay as you go” with an emphasis on various zones throughout the city.

Unlike the city of Spokane’s aging roads, Allen said Liberty Lake has a relatively new transportation network.

“In Liberty Lake we have a very good inventory of streets,” Allen said. “They’re fairly new and built under newer design standards.”

Council Member Hugh Severs raised a concern that the city may fall behind in addressing road upgrades.

NEWS

“Are we going to hit a point where we have so much deferred maintenance we’re going to hit a crisis point?” he asked.

Mielke occupies a different seat as executive director of Greater Spokane Inc., an entity dedicated to promoting regional commerce.

Allen said that scenario should not arise due to the city’s ability to access outside funds.

Mielke appeared at the Aug. 7 City Council meeting, with GSI’s semiannual report, prepared especially for the city of Liberty Lake.

“I think we’re going to be OK,” she said. “Because by the time we get done with all the zones we’ll be ready to start all over again.”

Currently, revenue from the 3-percent tax on phone, garbage, electric and cable goes to street maintenance. The tax was originally introduced in 2010 at a 6-percent rate to address a projected deficit in the municipal budget but later decreased it by half with revenue devoted to roads.

“We want to make sure this report is useful and informative to all who need it,” Mielke told the mayor and council.

While GSI has established a reputation for bringing new companies into town – see the latest announcement of Amazon’s fulfillment center set for the West Plains – Mielke said he and his colleagues are focused “not just on recruiting new businesses.”

Allen pointed to recent projects like the “grind and overlay” on Settler and future work in zones like the Heights – with roads that go back to 1980 – and the River District, south of Mission. The city is also being mindful of the factors that contribute to crumbling surfaces.

“Businesses that are already here ask, ‘What are you doing for us?’”

Mielke said. “We’re about business retention and expansion. We know that 95 percent of growth comes from business that is already here.”

“We’re working on swales,” Allen said. “Improper drainage is one of the main reasons streets fail.”

GSI’s approach features what Mielke called “the essential components of economic development” and foundational aspects like “achieve, advocate and build.” He applauded Liberty Lake for their business-friendly approach with strengths in areas like education, transportation and infrastructure.

Council Member Cris Kaminskas said the city learned a lesson in 2008 with the “chip and seal” approach in the Heights that produced less-than-stellar results.

“If we do it right the first time, we don’t have to worry about it a few years later,” she said.

Council Member Odin Langford urged his council colleagues to “allow for some logic” when spending money on streets, looking for tangible reasoning for upgrades such as pavement ratings.

With the discussion about street preservation behind them, council voted to approve the bid for the Heights overlay to Poe Asphalts in the amount of $481,376.

Finance Director RJ Stevenson said even though the city had originally budgeted $300,000 for roads in 2018, money was available from the streets capital fund since the Harvard Bridge resurfacing project did not move forward this year.

Update from GSI There was a time when Todd Mielke sat on the Board of Spokane County Commissioners, communicating with Liberty Lake officials about issues related to regional governance. These days,

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One of the challenges, Mielke said, is the lack of existing commercial vacancies.

“Some of you do really well ensuring businesses have successes in your community like right here in Liberty Lake,” Mielke said. “Others we have to work with a little more.

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Looking ahead, Mielke said GSI is working on a revamped website that would mean a jurisdiction like Liberty Lake having its own standalone page.

“We want one regional economic development website that is collaborative,” he said.

Addressing another collaborative project, Mielke acknowledged that previous attempts to form an advisory group for economic development “haven’t gone so well.” He said GSI is now working on organizing a regional economic development alliance focused on “having a regional dialogue about what companies we’re going after.”

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City overcomes Valley appeal to win River Crossing decision

By Keith Erickson Splash Correspondent Overruling objections from the city of Spokane Valley, a hearing examiner has given preliminary plat approval to the city of Liberty Lake for a 164-acre mixed-use development south of the Spokane River in the city’s flourishing River District.

The River Crossing East development includes 589 mostly single-family residential lots and 24 commercial lots to be built in phases over a period of seven to nine years, said Liberty Lake Planning and Engineering Director Lisa Key. While not opposing the development itself, Spokane Valley officials had sought to block the project unless it was paid mitigation fees to offset the impact River Crossing East would have on area traffic, specifically on Barker Road.

In a decision handed down Aug. 15, Hearing Examiner Brian McGinn ruled in favor of Liberty Lake, stating traffic concerns cited by the city of Spokane Valley have “been accounted for in the long-range planning that has been completed by the city of Liberty Lake.”

That planning includes the city’s implementation years ago of “mitigation fees” charged to developers to offset infrastructure costs related to their projects.

Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson said the city charges developers $661 per residential lot in mitigation fees to help pay for growth. He voiced frustration over Spokane Valley’s appeal of the development, which was filed after the comment period had been closed.

“We’ve done numerous in-depth traffic studies and so has the developer, all to ensure that when growth is going to occur traffic can move without delay and that we have good roads, the right signals and everything necessary is in place for growth to occur in a healthy manner,” Peterson said.

Mitigation fees imposed by Liberty Lake have provided the perfect tool for healthy growth, while Spokane Valley has not adopted similar fees to shoulder the cost of new development, the mayor said.

“Here’s an entity like the Spokane Valley that continues to grow and yet has nothing in place to pay for the growth,” Peterson said. “They need to be able to take care of their own streets using their own money, not coming to Liberty Lake for its money.”

Spokane Valley Deputy City Attorney Erik Lamb acknowledged

the city does not have mitigation fees, but said the River Crossing East development would impact roads within Spokane Valley, namely Barker Road, which is located about a mile from the development’s western boundary.

Fees were being sought to make road improvements necessary to offset a considerable increase in traffic in and around the new development. However, Lamb said the city of Spokane Valley was not seeking funding from the city of Liberty Lake.

“Our request was for the developer (Greenstone Homes) to provide a traffic study and, depending on the outcome, we would ask the developer to pay mitigation costs for the impact on Barker Road,” Lamb said.

Peterson questioned the impact River Crossing East would have on Barker Road because the development will be fed more closely

by Harvard and Henry roads.

In his ruling siding with the city of Liberty Lake, the hearing examiner stated that mitigation funding sought by the Spokane Valley was not justified.

“The city of Spokane Valley was not able to identify any specific mitigation measures that should be imposed,” McGinn wrote, adding “… the information provided by Spokane Valley was not specific enough to justify a specific mitigation fee.”

The hearing examiner stated the city of Liberty Lake “has satisfied all requirements for development of this subdivision.”

“The irony of all of this,” Peterson said, “is that Spokane Valley does not tax their own citizens. They choose to try and take money from the community of Liberty Lake.”

Because the appeal by Spokane Valley for road funding was filed after the legally established comment period, Liberty Lake was forced to defend the claim at a cost to its taxpayers, the mayor said.

He estimated the cost in staff and attorneys’ fees at between $7,500 and $10,000 and said those costs cannot be recouped from the city of Spokane Valley.

Having lost the appeal, Lamb said the city of Spokane Valley is now “looking at its options.”

“We certainly want to work with Liberty Lake because we have developments coming up and Liberty Lake has other developments,” Lamb said. “We want to work collaboratively to address the impacts in a way that will work for both cities.”

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 11

Bordelon remembered as exceptional, caring teacher

stop working when class was over.

Splash Correspondent

“Mrs. Bordelon was in the background doing the administrative side of this college readiness project,” Wood said. “She was a force behind the effort and put a lot of time and energy into it. She worked with legislators and universities to make sure that high school students had the math skills and knowledge they needed to succeed in college.”

She was part of the original team of educators and others behind what is called the “Transition Math Project.” It syncs up high school math teachers and college faculty to insure students are as prepared as they can be to continue their post-secondary math studies.

By Julie Humphreys

There’s that teacher who everyone knows, likes and seeks out. That person may be a coach who is dynamic in practice or a history instructor who makes the past spring to life.

Then there are those teachers, equally liked and revered but who fly a little more under the radar. Yet they leave an indelible mark. That was Central Valley High School math teacher Pamela Bordelon who passed away last spring break after a short but harsh battle with lung cancer.

“She took a true interest in her students,” says fellow math teacher Brandon Mack. “She loved getting to know them. She just loved people. Pamela was pretty laid back and she was very real.”

That resonated with students who may not always be interested in math, but they were interested in Bordelon because she cared about them.

“Mrs. Bordelon cared about what she taught and she cared about the kids she taught too – this is what made her so special.” says Hannah Mumm, a former student who graduated from CV in the spring of 2017. “She was excited for each of us to learn and she gave so much for us to do just that.”

Mumm remembers how Bordelon spent extra time “to go over problems and equations” even when she didn’t have to.

“I always felt that she was glad I was there,” Mumm said. “She joyfully shared in our successes and I always felt she was proud of me. She was giving, fun, caring, understanding and absolutely priceless.”

Bordelon was a Spokane native who attended North Central High School. She was fresh out of college and a student teaching position at Lewis and Clark High School in downtown Spokane. She started teaching at CV in 2002.

Those who knew her say Bordelon was one of those people who faced loss and challenge and turned it around to take charge of her life

Central Valley High School math teacher Pamela Bordelon (left) passed away April 7 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Bordelon had taught at CV since 2002 and was known for her commitment to students and creating a nurturing learning environment. Bordelon was 57 when she passed.

Contributed photo for the better. She lost her husband and the father of their two children to a drunk driver when the kids were just 4 and 6 years old.

Her daughter Terra Tracy, now 35, recalls how mother worked at menial jobs and raised her children as a single mom for years. When Jeff Bordelon, her husband of the past 16 years, met Pamela she was going to college where she would eventually get her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and land a teaching job to support herself and her children.

At CV, Bordelon was acknowledged for her flexibility as an instructor.

“She taught algebra, quantitative financial math and most recently calculus” says Mack. “We needed a teacher in calculus a couple of years ago and Pamela said, ‘Sure.’

She jumped right in with both feet.

She just loved to teach math.”

In her financial math classes, Bordelon took pride in helping students be responsible with their money, according to Mack.

She wanted them to go into life knowing how to be functional and accountable. As she had learned first-hand, we never know when something in our lives will change and alter our personal and financial situation.

Kaye Wood teaches AP Statistics and Algebra 2 at CV. She’s been there 26 years and shared a room with Bordelon when she first got the math job at CV. “She was always easy to get along with, hardworking and dedicated and she was funny,” says Wood who added that Bordelon didn’t

The Transition Math Project gave birth to a math symposium still held each November in Spokane.

Bordelon’s work on the Spokane Math Symposium and College Readiness Standards speaks to her dedication not only to students but to education in general, says Wood.

About the only thing that rivaled her dedication to students was her dedication to the Miami Dolphins.

She was known to wear the team jersey proudly. And of course there was Pamela’s dedication to her family.

“Above all else she was thankful for her children, her husband and her grandchildren” Wood says.

Pamela and Jeff have five children between them and six grandchildren. Her daughter Terra says she and her mother were very close. She is thankful that in the months leading up to Pamela’s diagnosis, they had become even closer as her mother helped her and her son through some very difficult times.

“I never thought I’d end up helping her, changing her socks and bathing her, as she got sicker” says Terra who went part time at her job to care for her mother. It was five months to the day from Pamela’s diagnosis of stage four lung cancer to her death.

“It was an utter shock” her husband Jeff says. “I miss her so much. She was my best friend and my soulmate.”

Pamela Bordelon was only 57 when she died. As school starts at Central Valley this fall, there will indeed be a big void, but also a legacy left behind – that of a math teacher whose equation for success involved taking an interest in everyone around her.

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12 • SEPTEMBER 2018

Introducing the Selkirk Middle School Wolves

By Craig Howard Splash Editor As the new principal of the sixth middle school in the Central Valley School District, it made sense that Ty Larsen would oversee a committee to name the place.

A group consisting of parents, staff and CVSD Board Member Mysti Reneau gathered input from the community and presented their initial list of 10 options to the board on May 10. The collection of names drew from the area’s rich history with connections to Native American culture, the railroad and surrounding natural area.

Submitted names included: Edgewater, Cedar Grove, Telido Station, Seltice, Harvest Park, Standing Rock, Selkirk, Rivercrest, River Rock and Lone Fir. Larsen noted that a few creative suggestions such as “Schooly McSchool” didn’t quite make the list.

At the same May 10 meeting, Ross Schneidmiller of the Liberty Lake Historical Society gave an overview of local history, providing another layer of context for the school’s future calling card.

COVER STORY Larsen could now refer to his school in something other than generic terms.

“It’s great because now we have an identity,” he said.

Next came the mascot with everything from salmon to osprey to marmots on the table.

“None of those really settled that well,” said Larsen who was hired in March after previously serving as principal of Bowdish Middle School.

Ultimately, the Selkirk Wolves earned approval with the official school colors being purple and grey.

“Grey wolves are native to the Selkirk Mountains,” Larsen said.

“They’re also known for having a family network and that’s what we want to emphasize in our new school.”

The Selkirk campus will be located at 1409 N. Harvest Parkway, not far from the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake. It is scheduled to be ready by the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

“Most of the questions involve boundaries,” said “People asking ‘Where is going to school?’ A lot of unknown right now.”

I hear Larsen. my kid that is

CVSD spokesperson Marla Nunberg said the district is still in the process of redrawing middle school boundaries. An open house was held at the end of the school year and another is scheduled for Sept. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Evergreen Middle School. A recommendation on the new boundaries will be presented to the

school board by Oct. 22.

Selkirk will have an enrollment capacity of 600 students in grades 6-8 and feature the same building footprint as the remodeled North Pines Middle School. With Greenacres Middle School having reached its ceiling, it is not uncommon for a certain number of middle school students from Liberty Lake to be bussed to schools like Evergreen and Bowdish. District officials point to the continued growth in the River District as yet another reason for expanded school space.

Larsen has a “core team” that includes 10 teachers from four of the district’s five middle schools.

He said the group is now working on the “mission and values and what we stand for as well as how we can involve the community and parents in our new school.”

Later, the team will address themes like a master schedule, athletics and boundaries.

“This is an opportunity to create a community,” Larsen said.

As he prepares to lead the first class of Selkirk Wolves, Larsen said he is grateful for support of the bond that is funding construction of the campus on Harvest Parkway.

“All of us credit our voters for having listened,” he said.

“We’re not only building schools, we’re building trust in our entire community. People are saying ‘Build great schools for our kids.’”

The committee appeared before the board again on May 29, this time with three final name recommendations. One of them – Ridgeview – had not been included as part of the original collection.

All three finalists were supported by the committee but Selkirk was their top choice. The record from the meeting states that the name “symbolizes the geographical location in the southern end of the Selkirk Mountain range. Additionally, the mountain range was named for Thomas Douglas, fifth Earl of Selkirk, a philanthropist for Canadian settlements.

The connection to philanthropy is fitting as we at schools seek to promote the welfare of students, staff, and the community.”

The board agreed. Selkirk Middle School was selected and

The Splash

New Campus on the Block – Third high school on track for CVSD

By Craig Howard Splash Editor

When the Central Valley School District won approval of a $129.9 million capital facilities bond on the ballot February, it meant a third comprehensive high school would be on its way.

It also meant that the logistics of the new high school – from design of the building to hiring of staff to the naming of the school and a decision on the mascot -- lay ahead.

What had already been decided was the logistics of how students in the district’s two traditional high schools, Central Valley and University, would – or would not – transition into the new campus.

The CVSD School Board had drawn out those parameters well before the vote took place on Feb. 13.

“We could at least say, ‘We don’t know yet what our new district boundaries are going to be with a third high school but this is what the transition plan is going to be,’” said CVSD spokesperson Marla Nunberg. “I think it answered a lot of questions leading up to the vote.”

Now that the yet-to-be-named high school is scheduled to open by the start of the 2021-22 academic year, district officials are pointing people to the CVSD website (www. cvsd.org) and the transition plan for high school students.

“This is a big change for our district,” said CVSD Board Chair Cindy McMullen. “We have had two high schools since the 1960s and we want to proceed thoughtfully with our focus on what’s best for the students. The enrollment at all three high schools doesn’t have to be the same on the day we open the third high school.”

Selkirk Middle School will be built on Harvest Parkway in the burgeoning River District on the north side of Liberty Lake. The campus, not far from the HUB Sports Center, is on slate to be ready by the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

Image courtesy of Central Valley School District

McMullen said the board and administration were both on board with a plan that would respect underclassmen and their families going into the 2021-22 school year, part of an approach to make the transition “as smooth and educationally strong as possible.”

The plan states that when the new school is ready, seniors in the

See SCHOOLS, Page 13

The Splash

COVER STORY

SCHOOLS

Continued from page 12 class of 2022 will remain at their original high school while juniors (class of 2023) may opt back to the original school. Sophomores (class of 2024) can opt back to their original school if they competed in varsity sports there as a freshman.

Sophomores can also opt back to their original school if they have an older sibling or siblings who attend there. Freshmen (class of 2025) may opt back to a non-boundaried school if they have an older sibling or siblings who attend there.

School “choice” applications can still be turned in to the district by any students who wish to attend a school not in their attendance boundary area. Those requests must be approved annually by the principal of the choice school and are only accepted if certain programs are not available in the students’ original school.

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Nunberg said the plan is to break ground on the new high school in spring of 2019. The board will be redrawing the district boundaries to take into account the new high school and middle school but Nunberg said the goal is to have the final parameters finalized close to the start of the 2021-22 school year in order to avoid too much change before the first bell rings.

“We need to do it closer to the opening of the high school because

Splash Editor

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CVSD’s bond victory will also mean a new middle school in the River District area of Liberty Lake near the HUB Sports Center.

Renovations to Horizon Middle School are also part of the funding picture, increasing student capacity from 480 to 600. Finally, upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at Broadway, Progress and University elementary schools, as well as Summit School, are included. The district purchased property for a third high school in 1980. It will be built to house 1,600 students.

By Craig Howard

ATHLETICS ENTRY

MAIN ENTRY

AI/CI 900

BI ROOM BI ROOM 860 860

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MAKER 2600 SPACE

AI/CI SUPPORT 840

TR TR

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DIGITAL LAB MEDIA ORT & SUPP 1275

DIGITAL LAB PHOTO YEARBOOK 1165

ENG & N DESIG 1200

ER 900

POTTERY STUDIO 1500

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PAINT/ DRAW 2 1250

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CHEM STOR 450

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CHEMISTRY1 1400

exception will be during the 202122 school year for seniors and other students who opt back.

Ask the Super.

– Five questions for Ben Small

First Floor

BIO ME D 140 CR 0

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According to district policy, transportation will not be provided for student who opt back or choice into a school outside their attendance boundary. The

WRESTLING/ AEROBICS ROOM 3900

COMMONS BELOW MECH

The new comprehensive high school has been proposed with the above floor plan. Processes to make decisions regarding the new high school are under way now. Construction will begin July 2019 and wrap up in 2021.

Image courtesy of the Central Valley School District

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 13

Q: How far back can you recall the discussion about the district needing a third traditional high school?

A: This is my 10th year in the Central Valley School District and this has been a topic of discussion from the beginning, through the interview process.

As far as planning, a third comprehensive high school has been in the longrange plans since at least 1980 and most likely before that.

Q: Why is this third high school needed more than ever?

A: We are a growing community and in turn we are a growing school district. The impact of that growth is felt particularly at our high schools. It is imperative to provide the community with this opportunity as early as possible to ensure a safe, quality learning environment for all of our high school students. By building the new school now, it allows for greater flexibility and options for families as we transition to new

CVSD's third high school will be located at Sprague Avenue and Henry Road and cover 240,000 square feet with capacity for 1,600 students. The district will be drawing up new high school boundaries to determine which students attend the yet-to-be-named school.

Image courtesy of the Central Valley School District a lot of data could change,” Nunberg said. “They could put in an apartment complex or something else that could affect the numbers.”

When it comes to a third high school, McMullen said she is excited about “the opportunities it offers for us to look at our high school high school attendance boundaries.

Doing this now allows us the ability to have a transition plan in place where students and families can plan with more certainty and make decisions earlier than when boundaries will be set.

Q: What kind of feedback are you hearing from students, parents, staff, etc. about the third high school?

A: There is a general sense of excitement about the opportunity for a new school in our community and the ability for our students to be in a right-sized school.

However, with any kind of change comes some trepidation. We are very fortunate to have two high quality comprehensive high schools that have built strong traditions and a sense of community in our district. We certainly will build on that strength while at the same time valuing the connections that families have built to University and Central Valley high schools.

We will have transparent processes and opportunities for families and community members to be engaged as we transition to opening the third high school. We are at a point in the process where we don’t have all of the answers. Decisions like the naming the school, selecting a mascot and setting boundaries will be done with community input.

programs at all three high schools.”

“By passing the 2018 bond, our community has given CVSD the great gift of much more than school buildings,” she said. “We have a unique opportunity to look at the educational opportunities we are able to offer inside the buildings.”

This period of uncertainty can be difficult. Our work as a district will be to not only make timely decisions but communicate often.

Q: How do you feel about the provisions the district has made for upperclassmen and families with students at CV and U-Hi as far as being able to decide which school they attend?

A: Our school board has made the best decision possible in order to transition with the growth in our district, but at the same time allow our families as much flexibility as possible to honor their family traditions.

Q: Finally, what are you looking forward to most about the new high school?

A: We have a unique opportunity think differently about how we do high school education in the Central Valley School District. Therefore in short, my excitement is not just about the new high school, but what we will be able to accomplish at Central Valley, University, and Mica Peak high schools as well. Improved safety, appropriate space for high school programming and better physical learning environments will be achieved across all high schools in our district.

COMMUNITY

14 • SEPTEMBER 2018

The Splash

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS Sept. 1 | Lud Kramer Memorial Concert featuring the Spokane Symphony – 6 p.m., Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake.

Free to the community.

Sept. 7-16 | Spokane County Interstate Fair – 404 N. Havana, Spokane Valley. The 67th annual county fair will include the PRCA Rodeo, Sept. 7-8 as well as 2018 ACM vocal group of the year award winner, Old Dominion, Sept. 10 at the Grandstand. Two days later on the same stage, comedian Jeff Foxworthy will appear. Blue ribbon livestock and produce, pig races, food vendors, carnival rides and more will once again be part of the fair lineup as will unique acts like the Zuma Zuma Acrobats. Admission is $11 for adults; $8 for seniors (65-plus), military and youth; 6 and under free. Grandstand tickets can be purchased at the fair or in advance at TicketsWest. com. For more information, go to www.spokanecounty.org/972/ Interstate-Fair.

Sept. 8 | All Original Car Show hosted by the Historical Automotive Society of Spokane and the Inland Empire – Mirabeau Meadows Park near the Valley Mall just north of Indiana and east of Pines. This 10th annual event will feature over 130 cars from 1900 to 1988 that have not been modified. The day will include food, music and raffles. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase.

Sept. 9 | Liberty Lake Baptist Church anniversary celebration, 23403 E. Mission, Ste. 200L, Liberty Lake. It has been almost four years since Liberty Lake Baptist

Church assembled together for the very first time. The church will be celebrating this occasion on Sept. 9.

There will be a pot-luck fellowship immediately following the 11 a.m. service. For more information, visit www.libertylakebaptistchurch.com.

Sept. 14 | Inaugural Spokane Valley Connect – 2 to 6 p.m., Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley.

This free community event will offer an afternoon of one-stop access for a wide variety of needs.

Resources will include youth sports physicals (CHAS), a free meal, DSHS services, health and wellness services, medical and dental screenings, personal care items, insurance enrollment, family and youth services, veteran services, employment services, clothing, housing resource help and much more.

Sept. 15-16 | Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Rim Ride – various times. This eighth annual Rotary fundraiser is for cyclists of all ages and features scenic areas of Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Green Bluff and Spokane Valley. Routes are clearly marked with food stops and medical and mechanical support.

Routes include: 5-mile family ride, 15-mile flat ride, 25-mile scenic ride with hills and 50-and 100-mile rides. Register by Sept. 5 to avoid $5 late fee. Online registration closes Sept. 15. Register and pay online at www.rotaryinmotion. com or call 869-9624 for more information.

Sept 15 │ Stop the Bleed class – 9-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2411 N. Pioneer Lane. The Spokane Valley Fire Department is proud to bring this free national program to the community. Much like CPR, the goal is to train citizens

in basic bleeding control techniques so they are better equipped to take action and save lives. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for this Bleeding Control Basic v. 1.0 Course. Register online at www.spokanevalleyfire.com or call 928-1700.

Sept. 21-23 | Valleyfest – various times and sites, including CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Mirabeau Point Park and Plantes Ferry Park. The 29th annual community celebration will feature a NASA exhibit, judged country dance competition, live music, food vendors and more. Admission is free. The Hearts of Gold Parade will kick off the weekend on Sprague Avenue Friday night, Sept. 21. A pancake breakfast at CenterPlace will take place Saturday morning, Sept. 22 Syndrome Walk and various activities are scheduled for Sept. 23 including 5K and 10K runs Full event schedules, details, and registration forms are available at www.valleyfest.org. Official Event guide available in The Current.

Sept.

21-23 | Southeast Spokane County Fair – 26 Willow Street, Rockford. The 74th annual fair will include staples like the 38th annual Harvest Hustle 5K run on Sept. 22 at 7:45 a.m., followed by the grand parade at 10:30. The Lions Club will once again host the pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. The 26th annual Harvest Hoops 3-on-3 tournament starts Saturday and runs for two days.

There will be an array of livestock, produce, arts and crafts exhibits, carnival rides, food vendors and more. Admission is free. Times are: Sept. 21 (noon to 8 p.m.), Sept. 22 (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sept. 23 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) To learn more, visit www.sespokanecountyfair.com.

Sept 29 │ Spokane Valley Fire Department Annual Open House, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 2411 N. Pioneer Lane, Spokane Valley.

Everyone is invited to join us for a day of free family fun. Watch live fire demonstrations, spray a real fire hose and see fire engines, trucks and a helicopter. Meet firefighters and try on gear. Enjoy hot dogs and beverages before you take home cool giveaways. Call 892-4155 or visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com for more information.

Through Oct. 13 | Liberty Lake Farmers Market – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Town Square Park, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. This popular open-air market features local food and farm vendors, artisan crafts and baked goods, music and more.

The Pie Festival will take place on Aug. 18. The venue is open each Saturday through Oct. 13.

For more information, visit www. libertylakefarmersmarket.com.

RECURRING ACT 2 senior classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire.

A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. “Focused Fitness on Dishman Mica,” a yoga class, is now part of the schedule. More at www.sccel. spokane.edu/ACT2 Al-Anon family meetings | Mondays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. No meetings on holiday Mondays.

Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon family groups can help. For more information call 456-2125

The Splash

COMMUNITY

Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11: 30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Call Steve at 8934746 for more information

Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursdays of the month. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Discussion of Baha’i teachings, history, and perspectives on resolving the challenges facing humanity. All are welcome. More at 599-2411 or www.bahai.us Catholic Singles Mingle | meeting times and locations vary. This group, with no dues, is for single adults of all ages. More at www. meetup.com/Catholic-SinglesMingle DivorceCare Recovery Support Group | Mondays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eastpoint Church, 15303 E. Sprague Ave. Learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future.

DivorceCare for Kids (ages 5-12) meets at the same time and location.

Cost is $25 for workbook. More at 892-5255 or eastpointchurch.com Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., first Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more information call 226-2202 or see us on Facebook Liberty Lake Library | 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake.

Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, children’s story times, LEGO club, computer drop-in class, knitting club, and more. More at www.libertylakewa. gov/library Men’s Weekly Bible Study | 7 a.m.

Tuesdays. Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. The men’s weekly Bible Study meets in the Reception Hall with different members sharing in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. More at www. milwoodpc.org Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards and Spokane Valley. Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs.

More at www.scld.org Toastmasters, Liberty Lakers #399 | 5:45 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays at the Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake.

This is a speaking and leadership development club.

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 15

Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley. Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft. Participants have can access a comprehensive library, can engage experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at www.svqgspokane.com Free Last Sunday lunch | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 North Raymond Road, Spokane Valley - 12:30 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall, Room 115

MUSIC & THE ARTS RECURRING Pages of Harmony | 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road.

If you enjoy singing, you will love the four-part, a cappella harmony of this men’s barbershop chorus.

More at www.pagesofharmony.org Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:45 p.m., Tuesdays. Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 2184799 Spokane Novelists Group | noon to 4 p.m., second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Otis Orchards Community Church, 23304 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. A support/critique group for writers. Open to anyone with an interest in writing fiction (no memoirs, nonfiction, poetry, etc., please). Participants should bring 5-10 pages to read aloud and 6-8 copies for others to read along and critique. More at 590-7316 Spokane Valley Camera Club | 7:15 p.m., third and fourth Monday of the month (September through April). Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District building, 22510 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. All levels of ability—students through experienced photographers—are invited to learn. Social events include field trips and workshops.

More at 951-1446 or www.sv-cc. org Teen Writers of the Inland Empire | 4 p.m., first Thursday of the month (except holidays).

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The Splash

16 • SEPTEMBER 2018

CALENDAR

Continued from page 15 Main Ave. Writers (sixth grade and older) meet to write and share their work. More at 893-8400

HEALTH & RECREATION Sept. 4 | Quit for Good – Tobacco Cessation class. Have you tried quitting smoking before without success? INHS and Providence Health Care are teaming up to provide a free four-week program designed to help you have longterm success in quitting tobacco.

Tobacco cessation tools will be available to you as well as tobacco cessation experts.

The class includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) while supplies last when NRT is not covered by participant’s health insurance. This is a live, interactive webinar. Log in information will be emailed with your registration confirmation. For more information, call 232-8145 or visit www.inhs.info.

Sept.

6 | Pre-diabetes screening, INHS Community Wellness Center, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane. This simple blood test provides information about a person’s average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past three months.

Immediate results are provided and can be discussed at the time of appointment with a registered dietitian and/or a certified diabetes educator. For more information, call 232-8145 or visit www.inhs.info.

Oct. 5 | Stronger Together Gala hosted by the Summit Cancer Foundation – 6 to 10 p.m., CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. Learn how you can make a difference for cancer patients in the

Spokane area by being “Stronger Together.” Event includes plated dinner, silent auction, live music and dancing. Tickets are $125. Visit www.summitcancerfoundation.org for more information.

Wednesday mornings | Mindful Music & Movement class, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Specifically designed for those living with chronic health issues such as: Parkinson's, dementia, COPD, MS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cancer. Supporting body, mind and soul. $10 donation suggested.

Facilitated by board-certified Music Therapist, Carla Carnegie. Willow Song Music Therapy Center. 21101 E. Wellesley #102. Otis Orchards.

For more information, visit www. willowsongmusictherapy.com or call 592 7875.

RECURRING HUB Sports Center 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake.

Various activities and events occur throughout the week including: • Pickleball drop-in: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Mon. through Thurs.; 10 a.m. to noon Tues. and Thurs.; and 6 to 8 p.m. Wed. and Sun. $3/seniors ($5/non-seniors) • Classes including Kenpo Karate and Zumba Aerobics. See website for cost and times Tuesday afternoons | Decreasing Anger Group, 3 to 4:30 p.m., the Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: Combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors, Contact Steve at 893-4746 to make an intake appointment.

CIVIC & BUSINESS Sept. 8 | Ninth Annual AIVAC Veterans Memorial and Honoring Ceremony – 10 a.m. to

2 p.m., Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, 4815 N. Assembly Street, Spokane. Event held in meadow at southeast corner of VAMC—next to Bldg.#33 Dental Clinic. Point of contact: VA Minority Veteran Program Coordinator at 434-7378.

Sept. 10-12/24-26 | Jumpstart to Employment hosted by WorkSource. This is a free, interactive workshop for individuals with conviction histories. Attendees will leave the three-day workshop with: a master application; at least one targeted resume; access to additional WorkSource support and more. To register, call or email Marcia Janes at 532-3010 or mjanes@esd.wa.gov.

Sept. 27 | HUB Sports Center All Star Breakfast – 7:30-8:45 a.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel - 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley.

This annual fundraiser has helped the HUB expand its outreach to the community with the HUB 360 afterschool program for at-risk youth, Policy Activity League for kids to have a positive interaction with law enforcement and a P.E. program for home school families.

Please RSVP by Sept. 13 either via email, (info@hubsportscenter.org) or phone, (927-0602).

Sept. 29 | 2018 Sugar Rush 5K – 9 a.m., along the Centennial Trail, starting at The Warehouse Athletic Center, 800 N. Hamilton in Spokane. Registration is $30 for adults; $15 for kids (15 and under).

Proceeds go to support the Inland NW Diaper Bank at Spokane Valley Partners (SVP). This year is the first year for SVP to host this event. Just like previous years be prepared for lots of sweets and fun when you complete the course. Packet pickup will take place at SVP (10814 E. Broadway Ave.) on Thursday, Sept.

27 (4-7 p.m.) and Friday, Sept.

28 (2-7 p.m.). Contact Nicki Slack at execasst@svpart.org with any questions.

Mondays in September | Financial Literacy with Dycelia Weiss – 12:30 to 2 p.m., STCU Community Education Kitchen and Classroom at Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank and Family Services, 10814 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley. Call 927-1153 or

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RECURRING Central Valley School Board | 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 19307 E. Cataldo, Spokane Valley Liberty Lake City Council | 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake Kiwanis | 6:45 a.m. on the first through third Wednesdays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

Fourth Wednesday, the club meets at noon at Barlows restaurant, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road Friends of Liberty Lake Municipal Library | 2 p.m., the last Wednesday of each month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake Liberty Lake Lions Club | Noon to 1 p.m., every first and third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are at Barlow's Restaurant, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road. For questions, call Mary Jo at 558-5426 Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club | Noon to 1 p.m., every Thursday at the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water building, 22510 E Mission Ave. For more information, go to www.LibertyLakeRotary.org Liberty Lake Merchants Association | 11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, Liberty Lake Portal, 23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 120.

More at 999-4935 Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board | 10:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Liberty Lake Planning Commission | 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake SCOPE (Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort) | 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Board | 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, 22510 E. Mission Ave.

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The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 17

LL engineer drives interest in electric car event

has garnered more interest and support each year, as the public gains increasing interest in electric driving and “greener” energy.

Rasmussen’s energy for electric cars has driven him to organize community events and opportunities for electric vehicle owners and local citizens to learn about alternative transportation and energy. Rasmussen’s enthusiasm is palpable. He’s helped to promote and raise awareness about electric vehicles and has been instrumental in organizing the Liberty Lake event over the past five years.

By Jamie Borgan

Splash Correspondent If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drive an electric car, Liberty Lake will be hosting an event to introduce the public to the benefits of electric driving on Saturday, Sept. 8 as part of National Drive Electric Week.

The dedicated week, which runs from Sept. 8-16, began in 2011 as “National Plug In Day.” The idea was to hold simultaneous events at different locations all around the country to highlight the advantages of driving electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, advantages that organizers say include saving money and fuel while helping the environment and creating jobs.

Organizers envisioned it as a day for electric vehicle owners to get together and introduce the wider public to electric vehicles with demos, information booths and opportunities to test drive or ride in electric cars. The day proved so popular that organizers expanded the annual event to include a week of events around the country and even into Canada. This year, organizers anticipate there will be nearly 300 events held around the U.S, Canada and New Zealand.

Locally, the festivities will take place in Liberty Lake on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Liberty Lake STA Park and Ride lot located at Mission and Meadowood Lane, not far from the city- installed level 2 electric vehicle charging station.

Organizer Jorgen Rasmussen says this is the fifth year Liberty Lake has hosted such an event,

The city of Liberty Lake teamed up with Avista to install this electric car charging station last year in Town Square Park. This month, just to the south of the park, an event will take place as part of National Drive Electric Week.

Electric cars, demonstrations, education and more will be part of the festivities on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Liberty Lake STA Park and Ride lot.

Photo by Craig Howard which occurs at the same time as the Saturday Liberty Lake Farmers Market and annually draws a large crowd of people. The event receives support from the city of Liberty Lake, Spokane Transit Authority, Avista, and the Farmers Market in addition to help from numerous volunteers and the support of nonprofits such as the Sierra Club and Plug In America.

Rasmussen, who hails originally from Fyn, Denmark, grew up in an agricultural family and learned mechanics from a young age. He studied engineering in Denmark and made trips to the U.S. for study, eventually moving here in 1984. He lives in Otis Orchards, works as an engineer for Frencken American in Liberty Lake and drives his own electric car. His homestead, Solar Acres Farm, is a testament to renewable, sustainable energy.

This year’s event will feature a variety of different electric vehicles brought by their owners, as well as new cars brought by local auto dealers.

Rasmussen says this year the owner of Commuter Cars,

which manufactures electric cars locally, will also be in attendance.

Attendees can see a wide arrange of electric and plug in hybrid vehicles and learn more about electric driving in general.

There are currently 13 different models of electric vehicles registered for the event for a total of 32 different vehicles.

Electric vehicle owners interested in bringing their own cars can register their vehicle on the website – www. driveelectricweek.org.

While numerous events are being held around Washington state during National Drive Electric Week, the majority are concentrated on the west side of the state. The Liberty Lake event is the only one in the Spokane area; the only other event in the region is being held in Moscow, Idaho. Rasmussen says because there are fewer events being held in the eastern half of the state, the event is drawing attendees from Seattle, excited to spread the word about the benefits of electric driving.

Rasmussen

says

the

event

Rasmussen’s dedication even prompted the city of Liberty Lake to look at ways of accommodating electric vehicles. City Administrator Katy Allen says it was a presentation Rasmussen did for the city council three years ago that prompted the city to look into the feasibility of building a public charging station.

The city subsequently applied for a grant from Avista to put in a public charging station accessible and available to all residents in Town Square Park.

Allen says it was really Rasmussen’s enthusiasm for electric transportation that pushed the city to look at it. She says, he’s a “very dedicated man” and that it really takes the effort and energy of citizens like Rasmussen to move cities forward on these types of issues.

Although Rasmussen’s primary motivation for his interest in alternative energy and electric vehicles may center on the rational, it’s obvious that he enjoys the novelty of them as well. Herein lies the beauty of Rasmussen’s approach to pressing environmental problems; while the sheer scope of them can seem daunting to an individual, Rasmussen’s keen knowledge, applied with such a focus on inclusion and community, makes approaching these issues seem not only pragmatic but fun.

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The Splash

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Pencils More than 14 billion pencils are produced in the world every year; enough to circle the earth 62 times, but how did they originate?

Modern day pencils have evolved from the stylus made of lead that Romans used for scratching onto wood. In the 16th century in England a large deposit of graphite was found. It was thought to be a form of lead but wasn’t. Locals cut it into sticks and wrapped them into string or sheepskin for stability. England monopolized this market for many years. It was an Italian couple that thought of hollowing out a stick of juniper and inserting a stick of graphite and gluing it all together, basically the same way they are created today in 1560.

Germans discovered that graphite powder could be mixed with sulphur and antimony to create their own graphite sticks and began to manufacture them but during the Napoleonic Wars neither English or German pencils were available to the French. In 1790, an Austrian Joseph Hardmuth had discovered that powdered graphite could be mixed with clay and fired in a kiln to create rods.

The amount of clay determined the hardness. A resourceful French officer, Nicholas Conte used this method to keep the French in pencils. Pencils have been mass produced in Europe since 1622

Our coaches are passionate about gymnastics and focus on teaching quality gymnastics in a fun and safe environment. Classes run year-round but not in the United States until 1812. In 1908, with three 13-week sessions (Fall, A. C. Stewart developed a press thatandcould Winter and Spring) one 10-weekmake summer session.

round pencils.

Before the invention of erasers, bread crumbs were used to erase mistakes. In 1858 Hymen Lipman received the first patent for attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil. The metal band attaching the pencil to the eraser is called a ferrule.

Originally teachers didn’t want erasers attached because they felt it would encourage mistakes to be made. Most American pencils have attached erasers, most European pencils do not.

Because of the ability of pencils to write in zero gravity, pencils were used by American and Russian astronauts in space. They can also write underwater and upside down.

Eberhard Faber built his first factory in 1861 in New York City. Faber-Castell is now the world’s largest pencil manufacturer. Only America uses the numbers 1-4 to measure a pencils hardness.

What we know as a number 2 is HB in most other countries. Two billion pencils are made in the United States annually. One good sized tree can make 300,000 pencils.

Thomas Edison special ordered his pencils so that they were thicker than the regular store bought ones.

The Splash

20 • SEPTEMBER 2018

More about Pencils Pencils were issued as basic equipment for soldiers going back to the Civil War. An average pencil is thought to be able to draw a line 35 miles long or 45,000 words.

The first mechanical pencil was patented in 1822.

It prospered until the factory was destroyed when Germany bombed England during WWII. Rotary pencil sharpeners were also banned during WWII in England because it wasted too much wood and graphite, you were just supposed to use a knife.

The world’s largest pencil is a Castell 9000. It is 65 feet tall and on display at their plant in Kuala Lampur.

Paper Paper is thought to have been invented in 105AD in China during the Han Dynasty. Cai Lun used scraps of cloth and hemp. Before that papyrus was used for writing in ancient Egypt and animal skins were used in Europe to produce parchment and vellum. The Chinese believed papermaking was so important that they tried to keep the invention secret. In 610 AD, the invention spread to Japan where they used the fibers from mulberry trees and named it Washi. Gradually, the invention spread to India then when some Chinese paper makers were captured by an Arabian army during the Battle of Talas in 751 the art of paper making quickly spread through the Islamic world. They used linen as their basic material and added flour.

Paper was very expensive to make. In the late 1700’s a mechanized paper maker was designed in France but invented in England which sped up the process. Paper was still being made out of fibers that were expensive. This changed in 1840 when Keller invented a machine that could make pulp out of wood fibers and paper became cheap enough for just about anyone to afford. One harvested pine tree may make 80,000 sheets of paper. Today, paper is made from many plants and fibers, not just wood. For instance, money has cotton added to make it more durable.

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 21

509-315-5433 2515 N. Locust Road Spokane Valley 99206

es Fall Class

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. 8th

- Dec h t 4 . t p e S

By Monte Syrie On my classroom door there’s a sign. It reads: “In my room I want you to feel empowered, connected, respected, valued, challenged and supported. How am I doing?”

Early on, I direct the kids’ attention to it, discuss it and revisit it. But as time gets on, I let it be.

I no longer want to bring attention to it; I no longer talk it. I strive to walk it, to embed it, to live it. It is the culture I wish to create in my room. It is the standard that I set for myself as the leader in our classroom community. And as that leader, if I am not living up to my own standard, then I want the kids to let me know, so I may do better out of respect for them, out of respect for myself.

Respect. Yes, it made the list.

Seems to always. Twenty-three years into the teaching game, it remains among one of my highest expectations for kids. Be respectful.

And I am not alone. A quick survey of teachers, elementary to high school, would likely reveal it – in some form – makes nearly every list for classroom expectations.

Respect matters. We need only think of a time when we have either been respected or disrespected to know that it is a critical element in how we connect with others – socially, personally and professionally. This is true in society. And it is most certainly true in the classroom.

No respect. No connection. No connection. No community. No community. No...well, you get the

THE

point.

A classroom is a community.

Maybe our kids’ first taste of community as the classroom; the school often reflects the broader community. And like the broader community, it is a diverse, complex phenomenon. One that requires connection. One that requires respect.

So, I give it to them. Yes, I to them. I know some cling to the old adage, “Respect is earned, not given,” but why can’t it be given?

Why can’t respect be something that we “gift” instead of something that we hold in reserve, granting only to those we deem worthy?

We deem worthy. Where does that list begin and end and what implications might such a list have on our community?

My kids come to me in many sizes, shapes and colors. They come to me with various beliefs, convictions and values. Such diversity makes for dizzying considerations when it comes to a list and if I am not careful my own biases become the filter for who’s worthy of my respect. So, I don’t make such a list. I make a different roster. A human roster.

Of all the diverse things that my kids bring to the room, they share one thing in common: they are all human. And all humans are worthy of respect. And so I give it. Freely but not blindly.

That which can be given can also be taken away. When we “give” our respect, we create a foundation;

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

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Indoor Playground: Monday-Friday 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM Open Gym For All Ages- Fridays 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM .

Ninja Zone • Bitty Bee Academy and Flippin’ Fun Movie Night • Parent’s Night Out • Open Gym for All Ages • Parkour and Breakdance Classes • CompetitiveTeams • Gymnastics Birthday Parties we create opportunity, we create possibility. We may not agree with or even “like” the person to whom we gift our respect but that’s the whole point of respect. It is respect that transcends bias and feeling.

It can bridge divides. And as we look out on our broader community that’s become so polarized, so divided, it seems we could benefit from a foundation of respect, rooted in our shared humanity.

And so, it is this foundation that I seek to establish in my classroom community. I blink first. I don’t wait for my kids to earn my respect.

And I certainly don’t demand their respect. I wait for them to give it and once they do, I work earnestly to keep it.

This September, let’s all make an effort to lay a foundation of respect.

Of course, not all foundations will go on to become strong structures, but some will – perhaps in ways we never imagined. So let’s build.

Respect. Connections. Community.

Humanity.

Monte Syrie is an English teacher at Cheney High School and an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Eastern Washington University. He operates a daily blog that provides a glimpse into his classroom community at www. letschangeeducation.com. He also founded and coordinates Project Feed Forward, a program built on the belief that kindness feeds kindness.

Did You Know You Can Read The Liberty Lake Splash Online?

Follow Us on Facebook To See it First! www.facebook.com/LibertyLakeSplash

The Splash

22 • SEPTEMBER 2018

David was born in Washington D. C. but was raised right her is Spokane, Washington.

He attended Hutton Elementary and his love of drawing appeared very early. After graduating from Art Center of Design in Pasadena, he moved to New York City. He became a successful illustrator and worked for The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone and Bookreview to name a few. He drew many political cartoons, posters and book jackets. In 1988, he illustrated his first children’s book How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have?, by Julius Lester, several others followed before his first book was published in 1994. How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball was named a New York Times Best-illustrated book and his career has continued to flourish. His most successful series of David books are based on a book that his mother saved that he had drawn as a child. No. David! received a Caldecott honor. He has written and/or illustrated over 35 children’s books. He has a very imaginative, colorful style that’s very easy to spot and kids love.

Author Spotlight n David Shanno

Too Many Toys

2008

ages 4 - 8

Spencer has so many toys. They are literally everywhere. Finally his mom decides some of them just have to go. It is a process to whittle the amount down. What will be the must-have keeper? There’s so many things to enjoy on every illustration it’s hard to take it all in, but try because they are fantastic.

Bizzy Mizz Lizzie

2017

ages 3 - 8

Bizzy Mizz Lizzy is so busy. She fills every moment with activities. Her best friend wants her to enjoy the flowers in the garden, but no time for that. Her over-scheduled life catches up with her at a most inopportune moment. When she finally takes time to smell the roses, she gets the best surprise.

Jangles: A Big Fish Story

2012 ages 4 - 10

The art is this book is beautiful and so detailed as with many of David’s book you will see notice more with every read. Kids will want to go fishing to try and catch their own big fish. You’ll love the surprise ending

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 23

Student of the Month A broken leg in his freshman year wasn’t the way Hunter Chodorowski, hoped to start out his Central Valley High School football career. After spending time in a cast, Hunter’s road back began in earnest, paved by hard work and determination.

He was ready for his sophomore year, lettering as a running back and defensive end. By his junior season, Hunter had become a catalyst on both sides of the ball for the Bears who finished undefeated in the Greater Spokane League for the first time since 1995. Hunter rushed for 180 yards on 29 carries in a win over Gonzaga Prep and amassed 181 yards – including a 53-yard touchdown run – in a victory over Mead. CV reached the 4A state semi-finals, defeating defending champ Camas along the way.

The senior returns as an All-GSL honorable mention running back.

Citizen of the Month

& Thanks you for all you do in our community

Many people know Mady Simmelink for her achievements on the basketball court and soccer pitch, but the Central Valley senior is also a standout in the classroom. She maintains a 3.95 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has contributed to blanket drives at the school and donated time to Blessings Under the Bridge. Her AP class lineup includes language arts, government and literature. She is also taking calculus. Mady is a three-year starter in basketball, contributing to CV’s state titles in 2016 and 2018. She was an All Greater Spokane League firstteam pick in soccer last season and part of a Bears’ squad that placed second at state. In track, she competes in the 100-and300-meter hurdles. “Sports help you stay motivated and manage your time,” Mady said. “They have definitely helped me in school.”

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Athlete of the Month If you’ve ever wondered who designed the bike rack at Town Square Park or who places wreaths at the Fallen Heroes stations, look no further than Tricia Prince. The city of Liberty Lake’s office assistant since 2013, Prince also oversees the city’s wellness program.

Municipal staff has earned “Well City” status since 2013, translating into lower health insurance premiums. She also coordinates the city’s transportation program, encouraging biking, walking and carpooling. Prince served four years in the U.S. Army (active duty) and three years in the National Guard. She was a standout track athlete in high school, qualifying for state in relays and as a hurdler. Prince also maintains the city’s website and is an accomplished photographer.

She recently earned her degree in business and human resources from Eastern Washington University. Prince is the mother of two grown children.

Experience the Difference of Pentecost

Come and Pray with Us! Services: Sunday @ 11am & Wednesday @ 7:30pm Prayer: Monday-Saturday 6am-9am www.spokanecornerstonechurch.org 21326 E Mission Ave, Liberty Lake WA.

The Splash

24 • SEPTEMBER 2018 Brought to you by

Evergreen

About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Evergreen Fountains expands with cottages, apartments

By Nina Culver

Splash Correspondent The Evergreen Fountains Senior Living Community in Spokane Valley opened a new $12 million expansion in August and is offering new cottages and apartments to those age 55 and over.

The original assisted living facility and independent living apartments on Evergreen Road were running at 95 percent occupancy or more, indicating a need for new housing, said co-owner Gene Arger.

The Arger family, which owns the facility, bought an additional three acres immediately to the south of their location at 1201 N. Evergreen Road for the expansion, which includes a three-story apartment building and 12 new cottage homes.

The new apartment building is connected to the original facility by a skywalk so people can stay dry in inclement weather. The entire complex now covers nine acres.

“We saw a strong demand for apartments and cottages,” Arger said. “We call it ‘the skybridge addition.’”

The 39 new apartments include 10 new floor plans.

“We did a lot of cool new stuff

SE

NI

OR

Fountains

LIVING COMMU

NI

TY

and bigger stuff,” Arger said.

There are walk-in closets, balconies, handicap accessible showers and full kitchens in each new apartment. The building includes a Sky Lounge on the third floor that features a pool table, large screen televisions and shuffleboard. It overlooks the new courtyard that includes a large patio, walking trails, raised gardens and a putting green.

“We thought it would be nice, starting with the park, just to add some green space,” Arger said.

One of the developer’s goals is to promote health and wellness and the new outdoor area was designed to appeal to the more active senior that will call the independent living apartments home.

“The raised gardens are really popular,” he said. “Lots of tomatoes.

They give some to me.”

Arger said he’s proud to be part of the fourth generation of Argers that have done business in Spokane Valley. His father, Gregory Arger, founded G. Arger Company in 1979.

A $12 million expansion to the Evergreen Fountains Senior Living Community opened last month for residents 55 and over. The addition includes a threestory apartment structure and a dozen new cottage homes. The skywalk above connects the new area to the original facility with the overall community now covering nine acres.

Photo by Nina Culver

The family was originally part owner of the Orchard Crest retirement community but sold out their share in order to create Evergreen Fountains, which opened in 2008.

our community and helping our seniors.”

more meals, housekeeping or other features if they want to, Arger said.

“We’ve got lots of flexibility,” he said.

“We wanted to do our own thing and focus on health and fitness,” he said. “I feel like we’re giving back to the community that raised us. Overall it’s just helping

But if the family wants to expand again, they will have to look elsewhere. “I think we’re putty much tapped out here,” Arger said.

The new apartments range from one to three bedrooms between 850 and 1,900 square feet and are offered on a month to month basis.

The rent includes utilities and two meals a day.

“It’s almost like your own little rancher,” Arger said. “Some of these folks still work. They just like living in a community that’s gated and the amenities.”

“It’s almost like living on a cruise ship,” Arger said.

Apartments in the new building start at $3,000 for a one bedroom, which is slightly higher than the one-bedroom apartments in the original building.

“It’s just larger,” Arger said. “We did all larger apartments over there.”

The Arger family purchased three acres for the add-on to the Evergreen Fountains Senior Living Community located in Spokane Valley on Evergreen Road. There are 10 new floor plans to go with the 39 new apartments along with amenities like walk-in closets, full kitchens and a nearby courtyard with large patio, trails, a putting green and raised gardens.

Photo by Nina Culver

The cottages, which are triplexes, are offered on a 12-month lease.

They feature up to 2,000 square feet with either two or three bedrooms and include attached garages.

They start at $3,000 a month and residents pay some of their own utilities and only one meal a day is included. Weekly housekeeping available to apartment and assisted living residents is also not included.

Residents have the option to add

The new cottages join the six previously existing cottages.

Those amenities include a pool, therapy spa, social activities, exercise classes, a library, a wine tasting room and a movie theater.

The new addition was 20 percent leased before it was finished, Arger said.

“We get a lot of folks from out of town,” he said. “Their kids live here. People like our location, close to the medical and the mall and grocery stores.”

Evergreen Fountains is currently offering move in deals that include one month free and a free moving service. Tours are offered daily and an open house is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 15. The event will include live music and food.

“If you see it, you like it,” Arger said.

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 25

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The Splash

26 • SEPTEMBER 2018

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CV cross country family summons courage after loss

By Craig Howard Splash Editor For the first time since he can remember, Kieran Mahoney will not be part of a cross country team as summer rolls into fall.

Mahoney – who was part of a state cross country title at Cheney High School and went on to run at Eastern Washington University – became Central Valley High School boys’ cross country coach in 2009 and within two years had the Bears back at the state meet in Pasco where they placed fifth. The next season, CV took home the 4A state title.

Going into last season, the Bears were considered one of the top teams not only in Washington, but the entire nation. They returned a strong crop of varsity runners, including seniors Gabe Romney and Fielding Demars as well as a quartet of juniors Mahoney referred to as “The Four Horsemen” – Ryan Kline, Evan Peters, Joey Nichols and Sheamus Mahoney, Kieran’s son.

The Bears were just getting into the thick of the Greater Spokane League season last fall when tragedy struck. Patty Mahoney, Kieran’s mom and Sheamus’s grandma,

lost her life on the morning of Oct. 2 when an impaired driver collided with her vehicle in Coeur d’Alene.

She was 76.

“She was just returning from Safeway with the ingredients for lasagna,” Kieran said. “She was 10 seconds from the exit off I-90. Other drivers had called 911 to report the driver.”

The Bears did not have long to digest the painful state defeat. They were slated to compete in the Nike Cross Regionals in Boise on Nov. 11. They went into the meet ranked 28th in the country.

Patty Mahoney was an elementary school teacher for 33 years. She and her husband Shane were married for 52 years. She had a glowing smile and was known for the sage advice she passed along to her family.

“My mom would always say, ‘If you’re going to do something, do it right. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it and it’s going to take time. Just don’t give up,’” Kieran said.

Those words would resonate more than ever as both Kieran and Sheamus faced the rest of the season with a lingering heartache.

“My grandmother and I had an amazing relationship,” Sheamus said. “She was like a second mother to me and taught me to read when I was 4.”

The loss affected the team as well. In the cross country world, the countless hours of training and competing form a unique family atmosphere in which everyone relies on each other. At CV, that family is as close as any.

“The team was very calm about it,” Sheamus recalls. “They let me be and tried to make things normal, which was the best thing for me. I went out and tried to make things as normal as possible knowing that if she was still living, she would want me to run as well as I could.”

Sheamus also received words of support from legendary cross country coach Pat Tyson who developed Mead into a national powerhouse in the 80s and 90s and now coaches track and cross country at Gonzaga.

Rallying in support of their teammate and coach, the Central Valley boys’ cross country team won the Greater Spokane League championship last year and took first in the prestigious Nike Cross Regionals in Boise last November.

Contributed photo

Kieran said. “I reminded the team to hold their heads high. I told them winning is easy and fun but losing is where you learn lessons. We talked about how they were going to face more difficult things in life than losing state by a point. I told them it’s how you handle this that will make you a true champion.”

“Pat Tyson called me and told me after his mom died when he was 16, he went on a 10-mile run,” Sheamus said. “He told me I needed to race the next day and I needed to go hard at practice.”

Kieran remembers administrators and fellow coaches at CV – like Chuck Bowden, Kerri Ames and

Patty Mahoney passed away last October. She is the mother of former Central Valley boys’ cross country coach Kieran Mahoney and grandmother of Sheamus Mahoney, a senior on the CV cross country team.

Contributed photo Robin Barnhart – rallying to his side.

Every cross country coach in the GSL reached out.

“People were amazing, just helping me through it,” Kieran said. “I was hurting terribly. I think I was just on auto-pilot, trying to keep everything together. I was trying to help my dad and my brothers (Kevin and Patrick) and my son and teach and keep our amazing team together.”

As far as any ideas of walking away from his team in the wake of grief, Kieran said he once again heard the words of his mom.

“She would have said, ‘You step up and be the best example to those boys you can be,’” he said. “I was bound and determined to stick it out.”

Patty would have been proud of the way her son, her grandson and the team responded to the challenge. CV secured its first outright GSL regular season title, defeating perennial power North Central. They were the favorites going into state where they would face another emotional test. Battling injuries and sickness among several top runners, the Bears finished one point behind Lewis and Clark for the 4A championship.

“My mom always said, ‘Be a gentleman, win, lose or draw,’”

“I told them, ‘How we respond in Boise is going to say a lot about this team,” Kieran said. “On this course, I knew we needed to just go after it.”

Facing off against an elite field, the Bears ran better than they had all season. When the final results were posted at Eagle Island State Park, Central Valley took the stand as champions, outdistancing Kamiakin by eight points. The Bears were on their way to the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland.

“If I would have quit or Sheamus would have quit, I don’t think that happens,” Kieran said. “Sheamus had an incredible race (finishing the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 10 seconds). He really dug deep.”

The Bears would go on to place 13th in Portland, the highest finish in school history.

Kieran took a leave of absence from CV in February, going through grief counseling and seeking refuge on his bicycle. He will return to his teaching duties this fall, although cross country will be put on hold for now – at least the coaching part.

“The time away has given me an opportunity to reflect on things and take care of myself,” he said.

“Sheamus is going to be a senior and I’ve told him, ‘I’m just going to be a dad. I’m going to do what parents do – go to the meet and cheer.’”

While Patty may be gone, Kieran’s says his mom’s legacy and influence will most certainly stride on.

“If one door closes, another one is going to open,” he said. “You make the best of every situation. Things are different but I firmly believe that you keep moving and you keep experiencing life. I also got that from my mom.”

The Splash

CV looks to repeat stellar season on gridiron

By Mike Vlahovich Splash Sports Editor

Central Valley’s football team may look a little different this year, but the Bears wouldn’t mind a result similar to last season when the 10-2 team finished as one of the top four teams in state.

There will be obvious change. Doit-all quarterback Grant Hannan, the Greater Spokane League’s MVP, has graduated. Most of the line will be replaced. In general, this normally be considered a rebuilding year.

“We graduated nine players on defense and eight on offense,” CV head coach Ryan Butner.

Butner is confident this year’s crop of juniors and seniors will step up to address the void.

“They’ve taken it and run with it,” he said. “We’ll see what happens when the lights come on.”

The Bears began the season Sept.

1 at home against Bellevue and follow up with a trip to Garfield in Seattle ditching traditional season-

Final Point

Former hoops standout Nagel now glued to golf

By Mike Vlahovich Splash Sports Editor Retired Central Valley basketball coach Rick Sloan tells this tale on one of his former players, CJ Nagel who, during his days as a Bears’ hoopster, wore long, curly locks.

“I was convinced that the reason he was fouling out of so many games was that his hair was drawing unneeded attention to himself,” Sloan said. “After discussing this with CJ, we came to somewhat of a compromise. The compromise was if you foul out of another game you must get a haircut. Needless to say after the next game, CJ came to school with a fresh haircut.”

Nagel, whose name still pops up on Bears’ all-time statistic lists, played some basketball in junior college, but his life and career took a distinct turn from the court to the fairway. He became a golf course professional, landed in the small town of Shelby, in north central Montana, and as of Aug. 3, took a

SPORTS

opening Coeur d’Alene-area teams.

“We wanted to expand a bit,” Butner explained. “Last year we never traveled and wanted a true road game early on. We got that with Garfield. Then Bellevue popped up.”

“You can’t tackle much,” Butner said. “It’s weird playing on a hard surface like that and you can’t pass.

When we did get outside you could tell the timing was off.”

Last year when quarterback Matt Gabbert was sidelined with his second collarbone break in as many seasons, CV relied on the option game by Hannan, a corps of senior receivers behind the experienced, feisty, never-say-die line.

Gabbert brings an entirely different perspective to this year’s offense. His size and the fact he’s gained 35 pounds while sitting out the past two seasons gives the Bears a lanky, more traditional pocket passer. He has gained more arm strength and has matured says his coach. similar job at Twin Lakes golf course in Rathdrum.

How he arrived at golf is an interesting story.

After exploring other vocations, Nagel decided he wanted it to be sports-related. Basketball didn’t come about, so he reasoned there were two sports you could play all your life – tennis or golf.

“So I chose golf and everything fell in place,” he says.

He had been on the grounds crew at Trailhead in Liberty Lake a couple of summers, would golf there and “was starting to get decent at it so it wasn’t an out of the blue thing.”

Golf academy advertisements on TV piqued his interest and he found one at Hilton Head in South Carolina. “My mission was to move away from Spokane and get away as far as I possibly could and that was probably as far as I could.”

Shelby ranks up there.

It wasn’t so much to be a teaching professional as the merchandising part. After graduating, he wound up in Shelby where he has spent the last seven years. Shelby has a declining population of some 3,300 people including prison inmates.

“There are 700,” he said,

season and has bulked up to 215 muscular pounds. Connor Caffrey will be in the mix.

“He had an incredible off-season, but is just as fast as last year,” said Butner about Chodorowsky. “He’s a bruising running back and will go both ways (at defensive end).”

Both were 3A state semifinalists last year.

Besides inexperience up front, this fall’s abominable smoky weather inversion rendered outside training virtually impossible putting the Bears behind.

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 27

Wyatt Wickham, the 280-pound fourth-year starter, will again be the man up front, but surrounded by new faces.

The Central Valley Bears are vying to get back to the post-season after a 2017 campaign that saw them win the Greater Spokane League title and reach the state semifinals. CV begins the 2018 season on Sept. 1 at home against west side powerhouse Bellevue. Photo by Mike Vlahovich “We’ll kind of build around his skill-set a bit,” Butner explained.

“He’s a very talented kid we want to showcase a bit.”

CV had a skilled group of receivers on its roster last year, but the main targets were seniors. The majority of those catching the ball this season will be seeing extended play for the first time.

Hunter Chodorowski was a revelation at running back last

deadpanning, “I can’t get any of them to play golf.”

“Basically my job is to run the pro shop and merchandising and overseeing events,” CJ says. “I even herd cattle off the golf course.

That was fun.”

When we talked, he was herding a group of 25 youngsters to a junior event, something he does around the state.

He admits it was quite an adjustment moving there, but there are perks. “My wife (the former CV and CCS soccer standout Jill Giroux) and I know every person in town,” he said. There also are drawbacks, like the town rumor mill.

A new resident heard he had been attacked by a Bear (imagine a bear mauling a Bear.) “Can I see your scars?”

“Something came up and came around and back again,” Nagel said.

Not that Nagel has entirely put basketball behind. He also helps coach at Shelby High and allows he wouldn’t mind pitching in at his alma mater if asked. The 2003 CV grad was a key on a team that finished fourth in state. He had a career high 26 points and ranks 35th on the school’s all-time scoring

“How do you replace the seniors?”

Butner had wondered. “But we plugged in (newcomers) at summer camp and it was like ‘Wow!’” Tate Cornell, a junior nose guard is “just a stud right now,” said his coach. Grant Kelly, Butner continued, has college potential.

“They’re kids being patient and not giving up,” Butner said.

So what do you do for an encore, coach?

“Only one thing you can do is play in the state championship,” Butner said, adding this caveat. “I said early-on we don’t want to compare ourselves to last year’s team. It’s a fresh start for everybody.”

But he added, the Bears have the same goals as last year and that’s to be practicing and playing in November.

list and was honorable mention AllGSL when he wasn’t fouling out.

“I was in (CV career scoring leader) Derek (Taylor’s) shadow,” Nagel says.

His best game, he added, was a 20-point, 19-rebound performance in a non-league game.

Golf and basketball go hand-inhand, Nagel believes. They are both about hand-eye coordination and moving the body in certain ways. But the more he teaches, the more he realizes you don’t have to be athletic to play.

“It’s a skill game and if you teach skill then you can play better,” he says. “Athletes learn skills faster.

The greatest part of it is no matter how good you get you can always get better.”

With two young children and Jill a bank manager, both intend to stay close to Liberty Lake where their parents reside while they work.

Nagel said it was always their plan to move closer to home. The Twin Falls position opened up and eventually he could move into head position and “run the shop again.”

“It fell into my lap, everything lined up and it’s just awesome,” he said.

The Splash

28 • SEPTEMBER 2018

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The Splash

Exploring Liberty Lake through an historical lens

By Ross Schneidmiller

Liberty Lake Historical Society The scenic landscape of Liberty Lake and the crowds of recreation seekers it has attracted has drawn photographers for well over 100 years. Because of the large format and archival properties of early black and white photography, sharp detailed photos of our community’s past are well preserved and will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The history displays in Liberty

HISTORY Lake Elementary and Liberty Creek Elementary this year feature a theme of “Exploring Liberty Lake through the Camera Lens.” Photos included will date from the late 1800s into the 1950s. In addition, the displays will be comprised of biographies of early Spokane-area photographers and information about some the photographic equipment and processes they used.

Charles A. Libby took the most commercially produced images of Liberty Lake. It has been said that he rarely took a scenic photo he was not commissioned to do. We are fortunate, though, because many businesses, organizations, events and individuals paid him to do just that.

When Liberty Lake became known (among other things) as

“Spokane’s Picnic Resort,” he came up with a profitable business idea. Tireless and energetic, Libby would arrive early at the lake to set up his camera to take group photos of company and club picnics. His Kodak Cirkut Panoramic Camera could capture large organizations, even into the 1000s, in one photo. He then returned to his studio in Spokane to develop proofs. Before the picnickers left the lake, he would return to pass them around.

Those who wanted a copy would write their contact information on the back.

Many photos of the lake were taken for the purpose of producing post cards. The photos of course were black and white but often printed in color using the lithographic process. The

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 29

golden age of postcards was from 1907 to 1914 which happened to coincide with Liberty Lake Park becoming the Inland Empire’s destination resort. Most were printed in Germany, which was far ahead of the United States in the use of this technology.

Some of the most popular photos of Liberty Lake have come from the creative eye of amateur shutterbugs. One snapshot I have called “Trailing Boats” was taken

by Leon Guile, a Liberty Lake Park boat dock operator about 1919. On the return trip from gathering a string of abandoned rental boats around the lake, Leon took a picture with a 1.5 x 3 inch format camera. Though the original photo is quite small the artistic picture is captivating when enlarged to a poster size.

Counter Clockwise from left: Stereoview of “The Zephyr” (what the lodge was called in the beginning) on Liberty Lake’s east side taken by Spokane photographer O. W. Watson, circa 1900. Cabinet card of Lake Loomis and Liberty Lake looking east, circa 1899. Panoramic photo of the Fraternal Order of Eagles picnic at Liberty Lake Park taken by Charles A. Libby, 1924. “Trailing Boats” photo taken by Leon Guile, Circa 1919. Underlying cabinet photo of the berry field of the Mackenzie Hotel on the west side of the lake, circa 1896.

Photo courtesy of Liberty Lake Historical Society

The Splash

30 • SEPTEMBER 2018

Avista’s solar facility shines as eco-friendly success

By Linda Ball

Splash Correspondent Take a drive north on Barker Road sometime and before you get to Trent Avenue look to your right.

There you will see 1,512, 280-watt solar panels neatly lined up.

This solar “array” has approximately 650 Washington State electric customers subscribing to not only offset their carbon footprints but also to receive renewable energy credits. In 2015, these subscribers paid $1,400 per panel to benefit from Washington state renewable energy incentives.

The power generated from the array doesn’t go straight to the subscriber’s home or business, but rather to the grid. In return the subscribers are expected receive $1,800 in energy credits before the program ends June 30, 2020.

However, due to the success of

the facility, three years into the program those subscribers have received approximately 10 percent more credits than originally estimated.

Kelly Magalsky, senior manager of products and services for Avista, said that the company has been listening to its customers and what they are hearing is that they want more renewables. Renewable energy is more expensive he said, but with state and federal incentives, it makes solar cost competitive and helps to jump start the solar market.

Avista has actually been in the renewable business since 2002 with its “Buck-A- Block” program, which allows customers to purchase blocks of renewable energy for $1 per month per block. Basically the customer is purchasing a carbon offset for a block (300 kWh) for one dollar, on top of normal energy charges. For each $1 block purchased, Avista is able to purchase a renewable energy certificate, which is introduced into Avista’s grid.

The average residential customer uses approximately 900 kWh per month, Magalsky said, so for $3

a month, the average residential consumer can offset their usage.

Buck-A-Block is still available for anyone to sign up at any time.

One percent of Avista customers participate in the Buck-A-Block program.

The Barker Road array, called “Community Solar,” was the maximum size Avista could build at the time for a community solar facility, but it is the second biggest community solar array in the state. Subscribers are scattered throughout Avista’s service territory, but Magalsky said the Barker Road location worked well because it was close to one of their grid facilities – which made it more cost effective - and the land was available.

“We like the idea of it being visible to the public,” Magalsky added.

Joy Fryer, product and services manager for Avista renewables, said on-site solar is another option for customers, where a solar panel is on your own roof. The Avista website has a solar calculator where customers can estimate the financial benefit of having your own solar panel. With on-site solar and all of Avista’s programs, not only

are the state incentives available, but federal incentives are also available. You don’t have to worry about figuring all of this out as Avista experts do the legwork on the incentives for you.

Fryer said another array is being constructed in Adams County near Lind, Washington, called “Solar Select.” Covering 200 acres, it will be the largest solar array in the state with 81,000 panels.

This location was chosen due to more sunshine, which translates to higher generation. Strata Solar is constructing the facility and will operate and maintain it; however Avista will buy the power from it. So far, 63 large commercial customers have enrolled in Solar Select, which is possible due to the state incentives and the associated renewable energy certificates.

Commercial operation will begin in December.

Avista currently sources about 50 percent of the power it offers its customers from renewables including hydro, a wind farm in Rosalia and a biomass facility in Kettle Falls. The total mix includes 49 percent hydro – with two dams on the Clark Fork River and five on the Spokane River - 35 percent natural gas, 9.5 percent coal, 4.5 percent wind and 2 percent biomass.

Magalsky said that Avista wants to be proactive and innovative. He said large commercial customers were all sent information about Solar Select. Using social media and newsletters, they reach out to customers to inform them about energy options, but those customers who are truly interested in renewable energy typically come to them he said. The goal is to listen to customers who are asking for more renewable energy sources and figure out the best way for them to accomplish their goals.

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Just to the west of Liberty Lake, Avista has established a "solar array" that benefits approximately 650 electric customers who became subscribers to the alternative energy system by paying $1,400 per panel in 2015. The solar field is located north on Barker Road just before Trent Avenue and includes just over 1,500, 280-watt panels.

File photo

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The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 31

SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER Have you been a manager? Do you know computers?

Do you want to work together towards a safer neighborhood and city?

Your experience is what make SCOPE work!

Join us! There is a station near you!

Central Valley

Elk

Medical Lake

Trentwood

124 S Lefevre St, Spokane scopemedicallake@spokanesheriff.org

2400 N. Wilbur #79, Spokane scopetrentwood@spokanesheriff.org

(509) 928-3807

(509) 292-0188

Deer Park

EWU/Cheney

North

316 E Crawford, Deer Park scopedeerpark@spokanesheriff.org

612 3rd St., Cheney scopecheney@spokanesheriff.org

9507 N. Division Ste E, Spokane scopenorth@spokanesheriff.org

115 N. Evergreen, Spokane Valley scopecv@spokanesheriff.org

(509) 276-7848

40116 N Elk Camden Rd, Elk selk@spokanesheriff.org

(509) 559-5679

(509) 299-7525

(509) 927-9490

University

(509) 477-6377

(509) 477-2582

10621 E. 15th Ave, Spokane Valley ScopeUniversity@SpokaneSheriff.org

East

Fairchild

S.C.O.P.E. Main

Valley Mall

4904 N Harvard Rd #1, Otis Orchards scopeeast@spokanesheriff.org

110 W Arnold St, Fairchild AFB scopefairchild@spokaneCounty.org

12710 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley scopemain@spokanesheriff.org

14700 East Indiana Ave, Spokane Valley SCOPEVM@spokanecounty.org

(509) 922-3150

(509) 954-8485

(509) 477-3376

(509) 893-3934

Edgecliff

Liberty Lake

South

West Valley

522 S. Thierman Rd, Spokane scopeedgecliff@spokanesheriff.org

23127 E Mission Ave, Liberty Lake scopelibertylake@spokanesheriff.org

4827 S. Palouse Hwy, Spokane

3102 N Argonne Rd, Millwood scopewestvalley@spokanesheriff.org

(509) 477-6345

(509) 755-1143

(509) 842-7570

(509) 477-0629

Programs and Services Training - Traffic Control (Flagging) - Sheriff 's Office - Sheriff 's Front Desk -School Patrol - Community Sex Offender Notification - Graffiti Program - Crime Stoppers - Community Services - Centennial Trail Patrol Mounted Patrol - Pawn - Radar Watch - Valley Mall Crime Prevention Office - Victim Call Backs - Business Relations & Checks - C.O.P. (Citizens on Patrol) - S.I.R.T. (SCOPE Incident Response Team) - Neighborhood Watch - Operation Family I.D. - Latent Finger Prints - Disabled Parking Enforcement - Bicycle Safety Abandoned Vehicles To find more information regarding these programs and services please see our website or call us

Thank you Spokane County Residents Our mission is to provide a safe living environment for the community. To increase citizen’s awareness of, and involvement in, community-oriented services in partnership with the Spokane County Sheriff ’s Office. To foster community spirit.

509-477-3376 • www.scopespokanewa.org

The Splash

32 • SEPTEMBER 2018

Fall is around the corner...Can we help with your storage needs?

Valleyfest lineup features NASA, eclectic entertainment

By Benjamin Shedlock Splash Correspondent Valleyfest, the community-wide annual celebration and showcase of local talent and global culture, will take place Sept. 21–23. The 29th edition offers new events of local interest to the Valley, including a NASA exhibit from the Johnson Space Center in Houston and a judged country dance competition.

Valleyfest activities will spill across the city of Spokane Valley, beginning with the Lions Club bed races and Hearts of Gold Parade on Sprague Avenue Friday night, Sept. 21. Mirabeau Point Park and CenterPlace Regional Event Center will feature live music, entertainment, booths and kidfriendly events. Plantes Ferry Sports Complex will take center stage Sunday for a variety of athletic competitions.

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The NASA exhibit anticipates Spokane native Anne McClain’s sixmonth mission to the International Space Station beginning this November.

“We are excited to have a female astronaut from Spokane,” said longtime Valleyfest Executive Director Peggy Doering.

McClain attended Gonzaga Preparatory School and Gonzaga University before transferring to West Point. She will serve as a flight engineer on a joint United States-Russia crew.

The exhibit will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at CenterPlace. Festival organizers are working on securing a speaker and a docent from NASA to help present the exhibit, which will be on display at Mobius Science Center for the three months following Valleyfest.

“It shows the results of our education, technology and business,” said Doering, who points out Spokane Valley-based Kaiser Aluminum creates materials for NASA and Washington State University designs experiments for the space station.

See VALLEYFEST, Page 33

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 33

VALLEYFEST

Continued from page 32 If the NASA display sounds interesting, stop by Mirabeau Point Park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for day and night telescope viewing with the Spokane Astronomical Society.

After perusing the exhibit, refuel at one of the 20 food booth vendors.

Then, stay for the “Swinging in the Valley” country dance competition at CenterPlace.

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“What Valleyfest is built on is volunteers and the interest of the community,” Doering said, explaining that a local resident brought the dance idea to Valleyfest.

Running from 8 until 11 p.m., the competition is open to competitors in the children’s, amateur and advanced divisions and will feature demonstrations given by advanced performers. The Ryan Larsen Band will provide the music.

Advance registration is required and can be completed online at valleyfest.org.

Registration is $30 per adult couple and free for children.

The dance competition highlights regional traditional culture, but Valleyfest recognizes the Valley comprises many cultures.

“Diversity is part of our mission statement here,” Doering said.

Visitors will be able to see music and dance performances that originate from the South American, African, and Asian continents, as well as several Pacific Islands. The performance of one group, TRIBEolution, is made possible by a Washington state arts grant. TRIBEolution is a Seattle-based dance and arts troupe that “explores the origins of contemporary hip hop dance (breakdance or ‘b-boying’) in traditional African, BrazilianCapoeira, and Kung Fu arts” according to its website.

Other multicultural performances will include Nicebower Daniel, a Ugandan Swahili-language rhythm and blues singer; Florence Okot, a musician from Sudan; Mariachi Las Aguilas, an Eastern Washington University student group; and Northwest Hula, Spokane’s selfstyled “leader in authentic and traditional Hawaiian Hula and Polynesian dance.”

As in past years, Valleyfest will give back to its community. The bed races, benefitting the Lions Club, will open the festivities Friday. A team of five can buy entry with a $150 registration fee. Following the

The 29th rendition of Valleyfest will feature plenty of fun and educational activities for kids, along with music, food and unique displays such as the one on loan from NASA. The annual community celebration will run Sept. 21-23 at various sites including CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Plantes Ferry Park and Mirabeau Point Park.

File photo races is the Hearts of Gold Parade led by Hutton Settlement Children’s Home as Grand Marshall.

Fundraising continues Saturday morning at the CenterPlace Great Room with a pancake breakfast benefitting the Valleyfest Children’s Foundation.

“VFCF been with us for 29 years to help families and children with small grants so that the kids can maintain in-school or after-school activities,” Doering said.

Also Saturday is the 10th annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, hosted by DS Connections Northwest.

“It’s important to support families and their loved ones with Down Syndrome,” Doering said.

Event day registration is available at 8 a.m., or in advance online through www.valleyfest.org.

On Sunday, local athletes will compete in races that begin and end at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex.

Competitions will include a kayakbike-run triathlon and a bike-run duathlon. The 5K and 10K runs will count as Bloomsday second seed qualifiers.

A family fun bike ride will leave from Mirabeau at noon. There will be four rides ranging from 6.8 to 15.6 miles on the Centennial Trail. Onsite and advance online registration are available.

An event just for Valleyfest’s youngest visitors, TotFest, will take place on Sunday at CenterPlace.

TotFest is a place for families with children ages 0-6 to share in outdoor activities and .

“Over the last several years, we’ve pulled out some of the young children’s activities and given them their own special time,” Doering said. Highlights include music and karaoke, YMCA Fit for Kids, and bounce houses. There will also be information and resources for parents and teachers of young children.

Leaving no family member out in the cold, Sunday at Mirabeau is Responsible Dog Ownership Day, sponsored by the Spokane Kennel Club. Valleyfest encourages family members to bring their friendly and leashed companions to learn about local shelters, pet businesses and animal welfare organizations.

Featured events include an agility showcase, a Spokane Police K9 demonstration, and an open-tothe-public disc dog competition.

The Kennel Club will also host a “meet the breed” event to display many American Kennel Club breeds.

Full event schedules, details, and registration forms are available at www.valleyfest.org.

Grab a copy of The Current to get the official Valleyfest Event Guide

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34 • SEPTEMBER 2018

LOCAL LENS

The sixth annual Barefoot in the Park was a hit last month as big crowds gathered at Pavillion Park to enjoy slides and splashing courtesy of All Star Jump Entertainment. Mayor Pro Tem Shane Brickner (top row, middle) was among several city officials on hand as was "Otto" from the Spokane Indians (top row, right). The two-day agenda included soccer sans shoes, live music, food vendors, a vintage car show and more.

The Splash

Local Lens

Share your snapshots for The Splash’s photo page. Email photos@libertylakesplash.com with scenes from around town, community events and Splash Travels.

The Splash

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 35

The Trutina neighborhood on the north side of Liberty Lake hosted a National Night Out party on Aug. 7, complete with hot dogs, a water balloon toss and more.

The nationwide event is held every August at thousands of sites across the country to raise awareness of neighborhood safety and the importance of residents and law enforcement collaborating to thwart crime.

OPINION

36 • SEPTEMBER 2018

The Splash

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

Danica Wick

ben@libertylakesplash.com CO OWNER

danica@libertylakesplash.com

EDITOR

Craig Howard

craig@libertylakesplash.com OFFICE MANAGER GRAPHICS

Paula Gano

paula@libertylakesplash.com

Hayley Schmelzer

hayley@libertylakesplash.com

CIRCULATION Larry Passmore

circulation@libertylakesplash.com CONTRIBUTORS

Linda Ball, Jamie Borgan, Nina Culver, Craig Howard, Julie Humphreys Ross Schneidmiller, Benjamin Shedlock, Mike Vlahovich The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.libertylakesplash.com The Splash is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Liberty Lake area.

Additional copies are located at drop-off locations in Liberty Lake and Otis Orchards.

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Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Submissions should

Safety Scroll Back to school with safety as top priority

By Chief Brian Asmus

Liberty Lake Police Department The summer is almost over and a new school year is ready to begin.

For some children it is a time to return to their classroom, renew old friends and to meet new friends.

For other students it means going to a different school, excited and eager to face a new time in their life, perhaps with some reservation.

As children are heading back to school, during the early mornings and early afternoons, the roads become crowded with pedestrians, bikes and cars in a rush to and from

work and school.

It is important to help the children to and from school safely, here are some tips for our residents: Walking: • Work out a safe route to your school with your children • alone

Walk with a friend, never

• Do not accept rides or gifts from strangers • If you see anyone doing anything that makes you uneasy, tell your parents or a teacher • Always cross at the corner.

Parents should set an example for their children Driving: • When you are traveling in your car be sure to observe the speed limits in school zones • Drop off your children in a safe place, avoiding areas that congest traffic • Do not stop in traffic to drop off your children • Never call your child to your car from the opposite side of the

street. Always cross at the corner • If you have special needs, contact someone at the school and alert the police department to assist you Bicycling:

• road

of publication in the following month’s Splash.

Subscriptions Liberty Lake residents receive a complimentary copy each month. Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses outside of the 99019 ZIP code cost $12 for 12 issues.

Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box

• If you ride your bike, always wear a helmet and lock your bike with a sturdy lock • Walk your marked crosswalks

be received by the 15th of the month for best chance

bike

across

Obey all the rules of the

• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility Riding the bus:

363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must be

received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

Correction policy The Splash strives for accuracy in all content. Errors should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by email to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

Advertising information

• Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.

Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by

• Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter

Advertising integrity

• Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.

• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself

5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

Inaccurate

or

deceptive

advertising

is

never

knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@libertylakesplash.com. The Splash is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved. All contents of The Splash may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

The Splash

Splash SVFD Report – September 2018 From Splash News Sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 96 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area* from July 19 – Aug. 20: • Emergency medical services – 68 • Motor vehicle accident – 1 • Fires - 8 • Building alarms – 3 • Service calls – 2 • Water rescue – 1 • Hazardous materials - 2 • Dispatched and cancelled en route – 11 *Service area for SVFD Station #3 in Liberty Lake Burn Ban – As of July 16, outdoor recreational fires and open burning are restricted due to high fire danger in the cities of Liberty Lake, Millwood, Spokane Valley and unincorporated Spokane County. This means any outdoor fire without a chimney – including campfires and backyard fire pits (with or without screens) – are prohibited. Open burning of fields, yard waste and garbage is always prohibited. Read more at www. spokanevalleyfire.com Brush fire – July 22 – Firefighters responded to a reported vehicle on fire in brush about 50 feet from nearby homes in the 1600 block of North Country Vista, shortly before 2 p.m. The Jeep was off-roading and trespassing in a field when the driver became high-centered on an embankment. The dry grass and weeds caught fire, catching the underside of the vehicle on fire.

Firefighters arrived and attacked the slow-moving brush fire then quickly extinguished the vehicle.

House fire – July 29 – SVFD Liberty Lake Engine 3 spotted a smoke column while refueling their fire engine in downtown Liberty Lake shortly after 8 p.m. and as the crew headed south to investigate, calls to 911 came in reporting a house on fire. Firefighters responded to the 1300 block of South Wright Boulevard to find the entire home fully involved in fire and the resident safely outside with her dog. Despite the steep terrain and dry brush conditions, firefighters were able to keep the

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 37

fire from spreading to neighboring homes and brush. The cause of the fire was improperly extinguished smoking materials on the upper deck. The house was a total loss with damage estimated at about $280,000.

Water rescue – Aug. 14 – Shortly before 4 p.m., firefighters and the SVFD water rescue team responded to a report of a ski boat in distress on Liberty Lake. The caller reported a loud noise on the boat followed by water starting to fill the back end of the boat. At least three people were reported to be on the boat.

As crews were responding, Liberty Lake Police Department reported that the boat made it to shore on the northwest side of the lake. A responding AMR ambulance crew spoke with the boat occupants and reported that they were all OK.

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Annual SVFD Open House – Sept. 29 – Everyone is invited to join us for a day of free family fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our SVFD Training Facility, 2411 N. Pioneer Lane. Watch live fire demonstrations, spray a real fire hose and see fire engines, trucks and a helicopter. Meet firefighters and try on gear. Enjoy hot dogs and beverages before you take home cool giveaways. Visit www. spokanevalleyfire.com or call 8924155 for information.

About SVFD - Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the cities of Liberty Lake, Millwood, Spokane Valley and unincorporated areas of Spokane County including the communities of Otis Orchards, Pasadena Park, and the area surrounding Liberty Lake, with a combined population of 125,000 across approximately 75 square miles.

For more information call 928-1700 or visit www. spokanevalleyfire.com.SVFD firefighters and paramedics responded to more than 17,280 emergency calls in 2017. Established in 1940, SVFD is an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), one of only a handful in the state of Washington. SVFD operates 10 stations providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response, special operations rescue, fire investigation, fire prevention, commercial property inspection, CPR and fire safety training.

SVFD provides free fire safety inspections and installation of free smoke detectors. For more information call 928-1700 or visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com.

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Index of advertisers

Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Splash.

Amaculate Housekeeping

23

HUB a palooza

18

Pho Liberty

Banner Furnace & Fuel

16

Inland Empire Utility CC

11

SCOPE 31

Cafe 19

Simonds Dental Group

17

23

John L Scott - Pam Fredrick

10

Casey Family Dental

6

Liberty Lake EyeCare Center

3

Spokane Stars Basketball Camp

11

City of Liberty Lake

7

Liberty Lake Family Dentistry

5

Spokane Transit Authority

10 28

Cornerstone Pentecostal Church 23

Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District 38

Spokane Valley Fire Dept

Eagle Rock RV and Boat Storage

Lilac Family Eye Care

True Legends

32

6

33, 48

3

ECEAP 33

Live Real Estate - Sandra Bartel

28

Valleyfest 32

Evergreen Fountain

25

North Idaho Dermatology

32

Vision Marketing

Friends of Mary Kuney

17

Northern Quest

48

Windermere 5

George Gee

4

Greenstone 28

Ott Knott Used Golf Carts Pacific Golf

9 15

14

Service Directory

38

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The Splash

38 • SEPTEMBER 2018 S

E AT D E

VE SA

TH

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A single 1/2" wisp of milfoil can multiply into 250 million new plants in a year. — Washington State Department of Ecology Milfoil can choke out fish, outboard motorsand swimmers. Please check for milfoil when leavingeverylake. Pick up fragments from your watercraft (or beach) and place intrash

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The Splash

LL nurse learns life lessons on Mercy Ships voyage

By Benjamin Shedlock Splash Correspondent During her five months of volunteer service aboard Africa Mercy, a private hospital ship run by the faith-based nonprofit Mercy Ships, Mica Kondryszyn of Liberty Lake was changed by her patients and colleagues as much as she helped them.

“I have nothing to lose but much to be thankful for,” Kondryszyn said of the challenges and rewards she experienced during the voyage.

“This is the hope we have in Christ.”

With its mission to “follow the 2,000 year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor,” Mercy Ships’ volunteer programs are an ideal fit for Kondryszyn. She works as a nurse at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Spokane and actively participates in the life of her faith community, Faith Bible Church. She has also served as a nurse at Union Gospel Mission’s Tshimakain Creek Camp.

“I became a nurse definitely with missions in mind,” said Kondryszyn, who returned from Africa Mercy on June 2.

She first experienced overseas mission work on a visit to a new site

ON THAT NOTE

SEPTEMBER 2018 • 39

of Faith Bible Church in Spain. She met some volunteers from Mercy Ships, a program she first heard about from a high school mentor.

As a result of that meeting, a friend of Kondryszyn’s from the church volunteered with Mercy Ships, and Kondryszyn resolved to go as well.

According to its website, Mercy Ships is a 501(c)(3) organization that “uses hospital ships to transform lives and serve nations, one at a time.” For 10 months each year, Africa Mercy docks off the coasts of some of the world’s poorest countries, where basic surgical services are out of reach.

Licensed medical professionals volunteer to provide surgical and capacity-building services. Mercy Ships reports having provided direct services to 2.56 million beneficiaries.

Volunteers like Kondryszyn fill all crew positions, from administrative and programmatic to medical and mechanical. Mercy Ships Director of Staffing Heather Peterson says volunteering on Africa Mercy creates a “strong sense of community…and a sense of contentment that comes with being even a small part of the solution” to the health care access crisis. Each year, more than 1,200 volunteers serve with Africa Mercy.

Kondryszyn worked as a nurse for three years to become eligible to begin the months-long volunteer application process. Prospective volunteers undergo interviews, professional and spiritual reference checks, background checks and medical exams and immunizations.

Mica Kondryszyn of Liberty Lake (right) was part of a five-month voyage to Africa sponsored by the faith-based nonprofit Mercy Ships. A nurse at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Kondryszyn has also assisted with the Union Gospel Mission's Tshimakain Creek Camp.

Contributed photo Kondryszyn’s strong faith motivated her to see the long application process through and to commit to going despite the dangers she and her family perceived.

Other basic tasks, like providing pre- and post-surgical consultations to educate her patients, were complicated by the language and culture barriers.

“I’ve always wanted to try missions to share God with others,” she said.

Kondryszyn also adjusted to living with strangers in narrow quarters.

Turnover was high among her five cabinmates, who shared a closet, desk, shower, sink, and a toilet “that would sometimes overflow, but that’s ship life,” she said.

Her faith community supported her in preparing to serve, which was essential for fundraising. All crewmembers pay their own way to travel and cover expenses during their service aboard Africa Mercy.

Kondryszyn raised about $12,000, enough to pay her way and make an additional donation to Mercy Ships.

Her church was also a source of spiritual support. “Our church is very community oriented,” she said. The pastor mentioned her trip in church and included it in the church’s regular prayer letter.

Of course, the support of her community could not prepare her for the professional and cultural challenges of volunteering abroad.

Kondryszyn’s duties consisted of carrying out typical nursing tasks such as supporting pain management and wound care and administering antibiotics and fluids – in an atypical environment.

“Resources were limited, so we got more creative,” Kondryszyn said.

Mica Kondryszyn (far right) joined other volunteers aboard the Africa Mercy that set sail June 2, as part of a mission "to transform lives and serve nations, one at a time." The boat docks of the coasts of some of the world's poorest countries, providing critical medical support.

Contributed photo

For example, volunteers sterilized items that might be thrown away in an American hospital. Some coworkers spoke limited English, so she learned to be patient while discussing medical terminology.

After Kondryszyn learned not all these fellow volunteers were Christian, she saw an opportunity to share her faith with them, not just the locals she met. And, despite religious differences, she built community with her cohorts on the ship as they helped each other process emotional news from home and endure the fatigue of the night shift. She said such experiences grew and matured her faith.

“We’d find out that we ourselves were broken, needy, lonely and sick,” she said after struggling alongside her diverse colleagues.

“I’ve had to think about my faith a little differently.”

Her new appreciation for diversity of all kinds has helped Kondryszyn see her own community with fresh eyes. Since returning to work in Spokane, Kondryszyn says she is more aware of those with substance abuse challenges or mental illness.

She also notices people from other countries.

“We are a melting pot here, and everyone whose room you walk into is someone you have to be sensitive to,” she said.

The Splash

40 • SEPTEMBER 2018

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