March 2020 Splash

MARCH

2020

THE

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit #010 ZIP CODE 99019

LIBERTY LAKE

FREE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

NEW LINES DRAWN

CVSD approveS HIGH SCHOOL boundaries page 10

GET TO KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER FOLYER PAGE 2

FORMER SCRAPS DIRECTOR FINDS NEW PASSION PAGE 20

NEW VISION FOR COMMUNITY STAPLE PAGE 9

2 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Positive Framework

– Folyer focused

in first year on council

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

From the living room of his home perched high on Legacy Ridge, Phil Folyer can gaze across most of Liberty Lake.

The panoramic view speaks of comfort and privilege – but don’t bring those terms up with Folyer.

The road to this unique address was paved with the mud of dairy farms in northwest Wisconsin and the dirt from a myriad of construction sites throughout the Inland Northwest.

Folyer also paid his dues to earn one of seven seats on the Liberty Lake City Council. He served two years with the city’s Planning Commission, including one year as chair, before running for council in 2019. Folyer faced Dg Garcia in last November’s general election, collecting just over 54 percent of ballots to join the governing board.

Folyer knew he wanted to pursue a career path that didn’t involve farming or trucks. He took a job as a construction apprentice, initially pushing a broom but eventually moving up to tasks like framing, running a level and setting doors.

“I can’t even remember what my first board looked like or if it was even straight,” Folyer recalls.

After high school, Folyer enlisted in the military, reporting to boot camp in Missouri.

“The military opened my eyes to a bigger world,” Folyer said.

“I learned about camaraderie, teamwork and leadership. I also liked the challenge.”

Folyer would go on to serve 21 years in the Army National Guard, retiring as an E8 first sergeant.

Folyer migrated to the Inland Northwest when he was 20, initially settling in Otis Orchards. He found work with a builder in Spokane Valley, roofing and hanging drywall. Utilizing the same ambition that forged success in wrestling, the classroom and the military, Folyer

went from a pickup carpenter to a construction superintendent.

By the early 1990s, Folyer was working on homes in emerging neighborhoods like Bella Vista on Spokane’s South Hill and the Villages and Gardens in Liberty Lake. He went on to work for Sullivan Homes for five years. By 1998, Folyer decided to start his own company focusing on remodeling and smaller projects. It didn’t take long before he was building his own homes.

Folyer has made it a point to keep things simple as a business owner.

He works out of his house and does his own bookkeeping and payroll, while dealing personally with plan designs and lenders. He specializes in custom homes and is far from an assembly line. The most homes he has built in a year is eight.

Leadership roles have also been part of Folyer’s career as a builder.

He served two terms as president of the Spokane Home Builders Association and spent six years on the board of the Building Industry Association of Washington.

“It was a great stepping stone,” said Folyer of his tenure with the Planning Commission, a group that makes recommendations to the City Council on topics like land zoning and proposed changes to the city’s comprehensive plan and development code.

Folyer, 52, was born and bred in Wisconsin, graduating from high school in Granton, a farming town of around 400 residents. His senior class boasted 20 students.

Folyer started milking cows at 12 and by high school was making good money at it. He grew up with four siblings and a dad who drove long-haul trucks. At Granton High, he was a standout wrestler and captain of the team as a senior.

He coasted on the academic side until his senior year when he pulled straight A’s. Looking ahead,

Folyer and his wife Natalie have five kids and five grandchildren in their blended family. When not building high-quality homes, Folyer enjoys boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene with Natalie and rooting for the Zags.

Q: You grew up learning the value of a consistent work ethic, milking cows, bailing hay and carrying out other tasks on the farm.

How do you think this background has carried over into the success you've had in your professional career?

A: I was 12 years old when I landed my first job back in Wisconsin working on the neighbor’s farm. I made 50 cents per hour, averaging about $10 per week. I remember how excited I was to be able to buy the school clothes I wanted rather than what my parents were willing to pay for. In my teenage years I quickly learned that hard work pays off. It wasn’t always a glorious job. The cows had to be milked twice a day, fed twice a day and of course I had to clean up behind them twice a day.

It didn’t matter if it was Christmas, your birthday, if you were sick, if you had a date or homework – working on a farm is every day of the year, no matter what. I believe much of my success comes from understanding early on that I had a responsibility and was relied upon to do those tasks, no matter what.

I learned that excuses wouldn’t do the work, only I could. Of course, I’m not 12 anymore and I’m not working on the dairy farm. I’m now 52 and a homebuilder here in the Spokane area. My dedication to my family, my business, my clients and City Council are just like the farm.

I work on them every day of the year, no matter what, no excuses.

I do however take the occasional vacation with my wonderful wife. I really enjoy that part.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about being involved in the construction business?

Photo by Craig Howard Phil Folyer was elected to the Liberty Lake City Council in last November’s general election, earning just over 54 percent of the vote against Dg Garcia. A native of Wisconsin, Folyer has called Liberty Lake home since 2000.

A: After my glorious days as a farmhand, I decided I wanted something different. I just stumbled See FOLYER, Page 4

MARCH 2020 • 3

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4 • MARCH 2020

FOLYER

Continued from page 2 into the construction trades. After graduating from high school, I saw a sign that said “Apprentices Wanted” in front of a construction company office so I checked it out. I took shop class in high school, so I at least knew how to read a tape measure.

Little did I know that would change my life. The next 15 years of my life was a huge learning experience in the trades. I worked for a couple builders that did most all the work themselves. Framing, roofing, siding, flatwork, drywall, painting, interior trim, flooring, etc. We did it all. I then was offered a management job and my homebuilding career took off from there. Soon I decided it was time to go out on my own, yet another huge learning experience. I have been building homes for the last 30 years in many different capacities.

I really value the progression the industry has to offer if you apply yourself and work hard in the career field. I’ve met some great tradesman over the last 30 years. I have so many great relationships with other builders, sub-contractors, bankers,

Realtors, inspectors and legislators all throughout the Spokane area. I value the relationships built working with clients during the build process.

I really enjoy getting to know them on a personal basis. With all that said, I love getting to know the people I interact with in a business sense but also on a personal level. I would be nothing without all the great people that support me. That’s what I cherish the most, the relationships.

Q: When you started building homes in Liberty Lake years ago, did you anticipate the growth this area would experience over the next two decades or so?

A: I was a superintendent for a homebuilder in Liberty Lake in the late 1990s and it never really crossed my mind given all the open farmland at that time. Not much east of Molter other than the two housing developments around the golf course. No schools, fire stations, police station or water parks. The city has really grown. A lot of thought went into the master plan and I appreciate all that were a part of it.

What a great place to live.

Q:

What were your thoughts

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on the campaign to incorporate Liberty Lake back in 2000? Do you feel cityhood has suited this community?

A: I was in favor of it. I, along with many others, were concerned about what it would do to property taxes.

I think most liked the idea of having a say in how the city would be better serviced if we incorporated. Hats off to the first City Council and mayor.

They really paved the way for years to come. I appreciate the community bond that is very apparent. Soon we will have a new high school to cheer for, which will make that bond even stronger. I’m very proud to say I’m a resident of Liberty Lake. I’m sure some in 2000 thought the idea of incorporation was a bad idea.

The city is beautiful with friendly residents and businesses that care.

What more could you ask for? Smart move to incorporate.

Q: How do you think your experience on the Planning Commission will benefit you in your new role as a member of the City Council?

A:

I was on the Planning

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Commission for two years. At the beginning of my second year I was nominated by the other six commissioners to be the chairperson.

I really enjoyed the in-depth discussions during that time and gained a better understanding of the relationship between the Planning Commission and City Council. It was agreed that one of the commissioners should provide a monthly report to the City Council regarding the actions or recommendations of the Planning Commission. As the chairperson, I thought that report should be given myself. I quickly realized how valuable my attendance to the City Council meetings would be. I attended as a representative for the Planning Commission but also for myself to better understand how things worked. It was very satisfying to had been part of a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council, then to watch the council discuss and act on that recommendation. I know first-hand that the Planning Commission has robust discussion and provides well thought out feedback. When a recommendation comes from the Planning Commission I understand

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NEWS

and really appreciate the hard work that goes into their process. Now that I’m on the City Council, my approach will be to listen closely to what the Planning Commission suggest. The benefit I gained from being on the Planning Commission is simply knowing they take their job seriously and provide well thought out feedback that can be taken for face value.

Q: What were some of your motivations in running for City Council?

A: My goal is to bring a different perspective to council. As you know, I am a business owner who is in the construction industry. As the city ages, improvements must be done in relation to streets, buildings, parks and paths – improvements that will require some form of a constructionrelated task. I realize that I’m not an engineer but I do understand the terminology and processes referred to in most project scopes of work.

The city has some large projects in the horizon, I felt I could be an asset to their success. Another reason for wanting to be on the council is simply to be part of the equation.

I’ve never been one to express my thoughts from the sidelines. I’ve always believed that if you’re not happy with the way things are going, you better get in there and make a difference. It's not for money or recognition, there's just a part of me that wants to be part of the discussion with the best intentions for our city.

I have seen this city grow from the beginning. I only want to see the best going forward.

Q: What takeaways did you have from your campaign when it came to talking with citizens? What are some of the concerns and priorities that residents are bringing up now?

A: Many different topics with many residents. I don’t feel like any one item dominated the conversations. I think my biggest takeaway was identifying how I could best represent the city residents and to be open-minded about discussion items. So many great ideas from residents, the smartest thing I can do is listen, discuss, evaluate a best course of action and execute as needed.

Q: When you initially expressed interest in being part of the Planning Commission, there was apprehension among some on City Council that your role as a builder might represent a conflict of interest.

How do you respond to this concern now that you are a council member?

A: I’ve always believed that my background would be an asset to both the Planning Commission and City Council. As a homebuilder, I build custom homes for my clients on their land. I’m required to submit for permit, meet all the building codes and maintain proper license and insurance no different than any other builder. The city’s zoning regulations and policies have been established for years. I don’t see how myself or anyone else on the City Council has any type of authority to change that.

I don’t believe my profession exposes me to any more potential for a conflict of interest than any other council member might have due to their profession. In the rare occasion that a subject matter would be a conflict, I would recuse myself no different than anyone else on the council. I hope I’ve proven to any with concern that my actions have overcome any assumptions due to my profession.

Q: Finally, you attracted some attention with a unique approach to reaching voters last year. What would you say are some of the advantages of campaigning in a golf cart?

A: As we approached the time to hit the street corners with sign waiving, I asked myself “How could I stand out above the others?” Plan A, I grabbed a few two-by-fours that were 16 feet long and attached my sign to the end. Somewhat clumsy and not very attractive, hard to transport. Plan B was to purchase a 10-foot stick of PVC pipe. I attached my sign with little success given the sign was rather large compared to the PVC pipe, kind of just scrunched up the sign with zip ties. Not long after that failure, I’m driving down the street and see a business with a dancing air streamer about 20 feet tall. Plan C went into action after that.

I purchased a 12-foot dancing air streamer that resembles the American flag, ratchet strapped the machine and my Honda 2000 generator to the back of my golf cart and off I went.

Since the city is golf cart friendly, I went all over town. I didn’t sit in one spot very long, simply so I could gain as much exposure as possible. The response was great, people waving and honking their horns. There was never a dull moment cruising around town with my air dancing buddy. I think it was effective, I’m keeping the setup for next time. Patent pending.

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6 • MARCH 2020

NEWS

The Splash

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Police Report - Jan. 2020

Splash news sources

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 634 Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 8 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/ Non-Criminal) 74 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 2 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 21 Malicious Mischief 2 Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 16 Parking Violations 1 Suspicious Vehicles 27 Assault DV / Driving Under the Influence, 01/08/2020; Officers responded to the area of 21804 E Mission Ave on the report of an assault. Arriving, Officers were dealing with an uncooperative male who was accompanied by a female.

After speaking with witnesses and completing their field investigation, Officers arrest the involved male for DV Assault and the female for DUI. Driving Under the Influence,

01/17/2020; Officers stopped a wrong way driver in the area of E Appleway Ave and N Signal Rd. Upon contact with the driver Officers detected the odor of alcohol.

Officers attempted to perform field sobriety tests with the driver until the driver became combative. It was a quick and unsuccessful attempt by the driver to fight with Officers (this is not recommended). Soon following; the driver was taken into

custody, search warrant for blood was requested and granted, and the driver was booked into jail.

Commercial Robbery, 01/19/2020; Officer responded to 21701 E Country Vista Dr (Home Depot) on the report of a Commercial Robbery. Arriving, Officers discovered two white males in their 20’s had stolen an Impact Wrench set. When confronted by Loss Prevention Officer, the males

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pushed the Loss Prevention Officer out of the way and ran outside to a red in color Chevrolet Blazer.

Officers attempted to locate the vehicle with no success. Video was reviewed and the case is still under investigation.

Disorderly, 01/27/2020; Officers responded to the report of a disorderly person located at 21200 E Country Vista Dr. The complainant advised the male outside the apartment was his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend. The exboyfriend was constantly ringing their doorbell and ran away after pulling the fire alarm. Afterwards; the male returned, a fight between the complainant and the exboyfriend occurred in the parking lot. Officers arrived on-scene and took the ex-boyfriend into custody for Disorderly Conduct and Assault 4th.

MARCH 2020 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner Trustees committed to library’s success

By Mindy Howe Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board of Trustees Our Liberty Lake Municipal Library (LLML) is at the heart of the community, serving individuals and families with books and other resources, fun and meaningful experiences, learning opportunities and services.

The LLML, a department within

the city of Liberty Lake governing structure, is part of the Washington State Library system, which requires a board of trustees to plan the direction of library services, ensure compliance with laws and oversee the library’s expenditure of funds. Our board consists of five trustees who are passionate about our community and the library.

Citizens apply for the position and a selection process yields a recommendation to the mayor, who makes the final appointment. The current trustees are Sandi Bishop,

Sharon Carvo, Mindy Howe, Tim Olsen and Tom Pauley.

The board meets monthly to discuss and make decisions about short-and long-range issues, including the budget. As part of its advocacy role, the board recognizes the great work of the Friends of the Library, who raise funds for the library’s popular programs. Also, a board member attends City Council meetings and delivers monthly reports.

In 2019, the board worked closely with Library Director Jocelyn Redel on the Community Assessment and

Mayor Brickner’s Facebook and website pages

Strategic Plan development, as well as reviewing and approving updates to each LLML governing policy. Going forward, trustees are committed to acting on what we heard from the community, providing direction and support for improvements to library services, facilities and resources.

Visit https://www. libertylakewa.gov/137/LibraryBoard-of-Trustees for meeting information.

Please donate your gently used books to the library for the Friends of the Library book sale in June.

Upcoming Community Events This is just a short list of the community events that take place in Liberty Lake over the next few months. These are confirmed dates, so please plan to attend!

For more information, please call City Hall: 755-6700

As part of Mayor Shane Brickner’s commitment to transparency, two new communication channels have been created. First, the mayor’s Facebook page, “City of Liberty Lake Mayor” is going to be his main channel for interacting with the public on social media. Second, the new “Mayor’s Community Corner” on the city website is a place to find information the mayor wants to share with residents and visitors of our community.

April 11 – Annual Easter Egg Hunt - Pavillion Park – 9 a.m.

April 18 – Spring Clean Up Event - Town Square Park 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(In partnership with Waste Management and Goodwill Industries)

Mayor Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/mayorbrickner/

May 16 – Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market opening day -Town Square Park 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City of Liberty Lake Mayor’s Community Corner: https://www. libertylakewa.gov/432/MayorsCommunity-Corner.

May 17 – Windermere Marathon - Rocky Hill Park

Business Resource Directory highlights commerce

The city of Liberty Lake supports local businesses! On our website we have a Business Resource Directory where the public can search for businesses located in Liberty Lake. If you are a local business, please complete and return our application to be listed in the directory or update your existing listing. There is no

March 2020

June 19-20 – Liberty Yard Sales - Pavillion and throughout Liberty residential areas fee to be listed in the directory.

We rely on businesses to provide us with the listing form in order to be included. Please call City Hall if you need an application emailed: 755-6727, or email aeylar@ libertylakewa.gov.

Business

Resource

Directory:

https://www.libertylakewa.gov/ BusinessDirectoryii.aspx.

Application: https:// www.libertylakewa.gov/ DocumentCenter/View/5080/ Resource-Directory-ApplicationFillable.

Lake Park Lake

July 4 – Live music and fireworks - Pavillion Park 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 1 – Barefoot in the Park - Pavillion Park 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Aug. 22 – FOPP Lud Kramer Memorial Concert with Spokane Symphony - Pavillion Park

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

8 • MARCH 2020

City Council News and Notes – March 2020

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• City crews completed repairs to the Pavillion Park play structure, including the stairs, after concerns were expressed over safety.

• Finance Director RJ Stevenson said work is underway on the city’s annual report that will be submitted to the state auditor’s office sometime in April.

• The city interviewed five candidates for the information technology specialist position last month.

• Eric Sawyer, president of the Spokane Sports Commission spoke before City Council on Feb. 18 about Senate Bill 6592 introduced

by Sen. Jeff Holy of Spokane. The proposal would raise the current ceiling of $2 per hotel stay to $5 benefiting the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). “This would allow us to do more with tourism and bring more events into the area,” Sawyer said. Liberty Lake currently received around $30,000 through the TPA last year. Sawyer appealed to council for endorsement of the bill.

• The Parks and Arts Commission will benefit from a donation through Liberty Lake Kiwanis that will cover half the cost of the Story Walk installation at Orchard Park.

• Fencing and a mobile office

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are now in place at the city’s new public works yard. “We are now fully operational,” said Maintenance and Operations Director Jennifer Camp.

• Camp said POW/MIA flags will now fly at city facilities and parks on certain days this year in honor of missing and prisoner of war soldiers. The new policy is based on legislation passed in Olympia last year and will apply to jurisdictions throughout Washington.

• The city is now enrolled in the national flood insurance program • The annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday April 11 at 11 a.m. in Pavillion Park.

• Bulky waste/clean green collection is set for Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The city completed 390 building inspections in January.

• The city has received design application for a 120,000-square-foot commercial structure in the Telido Station area of the River District.

• The library will be updating software on patron computers and adding new databases, including World Encyclopedia and Learning Express which features occupational practice exams as well as practice SAT and ACT exams.

• Inland Chess Academy is offering programming every Monday afternoon at the library.

• There were 634 calls to the Liberty Lake Police Department in January.

• LLPD is working with Home Depot and the company’s loss prevention officers to stem the tide of shoplifting at the store on Country Vista.

• LLPD took part in the Polar Plunge in the Tri-Cities on Jan. 31, an event that raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

LLPD was recognized as the top fundraising agency while Police Chief Brian Asmus was honored as the top individual fundraiser.

Overall, the event generated around $125,000 for Special Olympics.

• Mike Kennedy was chosen as mayor pro tem by his fellow council members at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Council Member Cris Kaminskas, who had been nominated for the role with Kennedy at the Jan. 21 meeting, withdrew from consideration. Council Member Dan Dunne received two votes for mayor pro tem.

• A resident expressed concern at the Feb. 4 council meeting about speeding motorists on North Garry Road, calling it “the longest stretch of road in Liberty Lake without a sidewalk.” An appeal was made for speed bump on the street.

Brickner brought up strategies like speed readers and increased police patrols in the area. Asmus assigned a sergeant to talk with the resident and had additional patrols check the area but said “no violators were observed” during the monitoring.

• Friends of the Library President Holly Woodruff noted that Dunne donated the remaining funds from his election campaign to “kick start” the group’s fundraising efforts for 2020.

• Weight restrictions have been added to Kramer Road from Sprague to Country Vista due to increasing problems with potholes.

• Brickner and City Administrator Katy Allen and the city lobbyist met

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with state legislators in Olympia in January. “It was very nice to see their engagement level clarifying things on our various projects,” Brickner said. “Every city in the state is fighting for funding for their projects.”

• Brickner said the city’s key transportation projects – the Harvard Bridge widening, I-90 westbound on-ramp and Henry Road overpass – continue to be on the pause list due to passage of I-976 in the general election.

“One thing we were told is that no decision will probably be made until June or July,” Brickner said.

• Council heard on update on the Liberty Lake Dash, a proposed transportation shuttle program last month. The city had received a grant for the project last year only to have it put on hold Allen told council on Feb. 4. there is a possibility that funding could now be approved. The shuttle would transport people from the STA Park and Ride to larger commercial sites in Liberty Lake like Itron and Huntwood during peak commuter times. During the day, the Dash would carry residents along other routes. It would operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city would own the van and be responsible for hiring three drivers and cover 20 percent of the grant or $48,000 a year. After some discussion, council decided against pursuing the idea, citing other priorities such as a reluctance to delve into transportation business, a narrow timeline for notifying the funder and concerns with overall costs. There is also a new STA route that provides service to several of these areas during peak times.

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MARCH 2020 • 9

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City moves closer to teeing up Trailhead Master Plan

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Even before it was known as Trailhead, the well-manicured venue near the intersection of Country Vista and Liberty Lake Road was known for its accessibility. Golfers calling for a tee time typically don’t wait long.

Not so with the site itself when it comes to a long-overdue renovation.

“Over the last several years, the city has made this a priority,” said Mayor Shane Brickner, referring to a City Council retreat five years ago when an upgrade of the Trailhead clubhouse rose near the top of the to-do list.

While the city has made plenty of safety improvements in the past several years, City Council appears determined to lock in a long-term fix this year.

“We keep sinking money into it,” said Council Member Cris Kaminskas. “Now we have the chance to turn it from something that’s just a golf facility into a more community-focused, family facility.”

Last fall, the city selected Staples Golf Resource Group of Scottsdale, Arizona to develop a game plan for Trailhead’s long-anticipated makeover. A total of seven focus groups were held to gather public input while representatives from Staples have now made three visits to Liberty Lake.

and non-golf seasons, creating community connections with event and meeting space, leveraging the venue’s unique views and making any project financially viable.

“We’re lucky to have them,” said City Engineer Scott Bernhard.

“They have some great ideas and they’ve been very thorough. They also understand the money part of it.”

“That’s the multi-million dollar question – How much is this going to cost?” said Council Member Mike Kennedy, who attended each of the focus group meetings, expressing disappointment at the low turnout.

“We have decided it’s a priority to preserve those 54 acres.”

Staples has identified several priorities based on feedback from residents and City Hall. The list includes maximizing Trailhead’s potential for offering indoor and outdoor experiences during golf

On March 3, council will discuss several master plan options now on the drawing board. Costs range from $1.5 million up to $9 million.

Option 1 as presented by Staples would involve repairing the infrastructure of Trailhead’s clubhouse, adding an elevator

and renovating the interior. The approach would include minimal work on the golf course itself. The price tag would be $1.5 million but could expand to $3.4 million by adding new driving range netting, a putting green and an upgrade to the first tee.

a kids/family course and nongolf amenities like park and water features for another $3 million.

The bonus list would include revising the current course with a goal of developing Trailhead into “a community-focused asset and destination.”

Option 2 features more bells and whistles such as expansion/ improvement of the existing clubhouse and the addition of an event/multi-purpose space. The base price runs $3 million with the alternative of amenities like a putting course, miniature golf, moving the driving range and building trail connections for another $3.5 million.

Option 3 speaks of the same goal and consists of a new clubhouse on a relocated site at a cost of $6 million. Another $3 million would cover a relocation of the driving range, revision of the course and the addition of golf technology for training purposes.

Option 2A proposes a new clubhouse on the existing site for $6 million with the possibility of

All of the options involve expansion of parking and enhanced lighting.

See TRAILHEAD, Page 13

COVER STORY

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Cost when completed: $99 Million funded by the construction bond passed in 2018 and a matching state construction grant.

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Student capacity: 1600

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Mascot: The Falcons - picked from more than 430 names and ideas submitted by the community.

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Principal: Jesse Hardt

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Dedication date: to be determined in 2021 - school opens in September of 2021.

Source: www.cvsd.org

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High School Attendance Areas 2021-22 (Board Appro

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Go to Central Valley School District’s website at www.cvsd.org for more information and answers to frequently asked questions as well as links to boundary review board notes and minutes and to sign up for construction updates.

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Ridgeline High School at a glance Address: 20150 E Country Vista Drive

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Central Valley School District No. 356 Fru

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“That’s been the goal from the get go,” said Kent Martin, Central

“We had 22 different scenarios that came up during the process,” Martin said, adding that the district hosted three open houses with parents. During the following 16 weeks the school district held 13 Boundary Committee meetings.

E Princeton A ve

Rd wler

Once the dust settles and all the students who so desire have moved around, each high school will serve about 1600 students.

Computer programs that can predict the population density in neighborhoods were used to come up with the new boundaries.

“We feel like we have a good process down now,” Nunberg said, adding that 17,000 invitations were sent out for the meetings. She said one woman joined the committee even though the boundary changes will not have an impact on her own children. “She lives three minutes from the school where her children go - yet she still showed up because

“About one third of the students qualify,” Martin said. “The need is not so great at Central Valley High School.” He added that it’s not simple moving students around to try to even out the need for

N Fo

Ridgeline is located at 20150 E Country Vista Drive - at the easternmost end of the school district - and when it’s up and running it will hold 1,600 students.

The CV’s current high schools are both full to or over capacity with 2100 students at Central Valley High School and 1650 at University High School.

According to the new boundaries, Green Acres and Selkirk Middle Schools will feed into Ridgeline High School, Evergreen and the largest part of North Pines Middle School students will feed into Central Valley High School, and Horizon and Bowdish Middles Schools as well as a small part of North Pines students will fee into University High School.

N Sipple Rd

The new Ridgeline High School in the Central Valley School District may not open its doors until fall 2021, but new high school district boundaries have just been approved.

Central Valley School District Director of Communications Marla Nunberg said this is the third boundary change undertaken by Central Valley. Boundaries first changed for elementary schools, then for middle schools and now for the high schools.

Martin said University High School has the highest rate of free or reduced lunch students.

N Vista Rd

Splash Contributor

“When you push boundaries in one area they pop out at another,” Martin said.

Another consideration was keeping the ratio of students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches about the same at each high school. That ratio is commonly used to determine the level of poverty in a neighborhood or school.

N Lewis Rd

By Pia Hallenberg

Five of the six Central Valley middle schools feed into one high school each, and North Pines Middle School is split between Central Valley High School and University High School.

resources at the schools.

Martin said the members of the boundary review committee were very dedicated and worked extremely hard to find a good solution. “I was honored to work with them.”

N Dick Rd

New school boundaries in CVSD board approved

Valley School District Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Learning and Teaching. “We have followed the school board established guidelines for boundary changes, while trying to keep the relationship with the feeder schools intact.”

The Splash

n

10 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

COVER STORY

Valley School District will ask again later as Ridgeline gets closer to opening.

she cared about the district.”

What’s next?

According to the transition plan developed by Central Valley School District, all seniors (class of 2022) will remain at their original high school in the fall of 2021. Juniors (class of 2023) may opt back to their original high school, if they were moved. Sophomores (class of 2024) may opt back to their original school if they have an older sibling there, or if they competed in varsity sports as a freshman at their original school.

Nunberg said it’s important for parents and students to understand the difference between “opt back” and “school choice.”

“Opt back means the student can go back to the school they attended the previous year, even if the boundaries have changed,” Nunberg said. “School choice is an application available to any student who wants to attend a district school that’s not in their school according to the boundaries.” The principal of the receiving school must approve a school choice application for a student to switch schools.

Nunberg said all students who can opt back from a move will be asked about their intentions in March and April.

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2021-22 HS Attendance Areas Central Valley High School University High School Ridgeline High School

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Ran into a high school coach at Craft and Gather restaurant (the former Painted Hills Golf Course property) a while ago and asked him how the proposed new boundaries in the Central Valley School District will impact sports when Ridgeline High School opens in 2023. He merely smiled.

I can only imagine what coaches are thinking about the transition, the Bears in particular.

A couple of maps that appeared in the Spokesman-Review tell the tale.

Looking at a map of the current boundaries and you see a lot of blue. Central Valley’s begin at Evergreen on its west border and continues through Liberty Lake to the Idaho State line on the east.

CV’s current enrollment based on Washington Interscholastic Activities Associate (WIAA) for 4A classification purposes was 1,673.

U-Hi’s current boundaries are substantially smaller than CV’s, beginning as they do at the west side of Evergreen east to and ending at Argonne.

a eL k e Rd

ee

Splash Contributor

The Titans did participate at the 3A level for a bit several years ago. Back then, at least one Titan’s coach, Don Owen couldn’t wait to move back up.

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By Mike Vlahovich

By contrast, University attendance was listed at 1,245, some 430 fewer students that technically puts the Titans in the WIAA 3A class, although the Titans have opted to state stay at 4A for obvious reasons. Who wants to play second fiddle to big brother?

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“We are going to do our very best to make sure everyone gets the school they want,” Nunberg said.

Knowing that some will change their mind - or move - Central

Impact on sports

Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community, Sources: Esri, USGS, NOAA

Fast forward to Ridgeline’s opening in three years. CV’s boundaries and enrollment will be slashed, the recruiting territory scooped up by the new high school. The Bears will still begin at Evergreen, but the jagged east side boundary only runs roughly to Barker. A jagged piece of land

MARCH 2020 • 11

west of Barker and then east to the state line is planned expected to be Ridgeline’s border.

University’s current boundary will pick up a small chunk of land that currently belongs to CV students. In the beginning, U-Hi’s projected enrollment will be the biggest at 1,500 students. CV will drop to 1,367 and Ridgeline will open at 1,333.

Current coaches will have to decide whether it’s wiser to move to a new school with room to grow or stay where they are.

To all my coaching friends who won’t have retired and are pulling their hair out, this too will pass.

Back in the Stone Age when I was in high school, West Valley’s east boundary was poached when Otis Orchards became East Valley. Students in the new had a choice of either finishing high school at WV or transferring to the new school. One of the Eagles’ best players, Denny Yale, opted for the latter where he averaged more than 20 points per game.

The Eagles qualified for state that year and took defending state champion Ballard, which had only lost once, to the wire before fouls and fatigue to their toll. I maintain to this day that had Denny Yale stayed at WV the outcome would have been different.

Central Valley was state mainstay under the late Ray Thacker and finished sixth at state in 1963, the year University joined the league. Thacker was likely pulling his hair out. But by 1966-67 the Bears were back in state and won the tournament the following year.

In 1969 both CV and U-Hi made state, the Titans placing third. Obviously there was room enough for two.

Granted, it was easier to split the pot 50-50 back then than it will when the district divides 33-3333. You can feel the consternation of Central Valley coaches and parents.

Based on history, however, this too will pass.

12 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

Community building with CVSD and The Boys and Girls Club

By Pia Hallenberg Splash Contributor

Boys and Girls Club of Spokane is opening a Club House in Spokane Valley, but before the after-school youth program can serve its first peanut butter and jelly sandwich there, it needs to raise about $5 million.

“We are going to make this happen and it’s going to be great,” said Dick Hanlin, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Spokane.

“It’s a large task and it will take a lot of fundraising but we know how to do that.”

The club will be located at the former Keystone Elementary School, 621 S. McDonald Road, and will be part of what Central Valley School District’s new Family Engagement Center.

Boys and Girls Club has already signed a 10-year lease with Central Valley School District.

Hanlin said the building is from 1968 and will require a lot of updates.

“We are talking new heating system, a new roof as well as many other energy and safety upgrades,” Hanlin said.

Boys and Girls Club would also like to significantly expand the gym or add a new one. Hanlin said the club serves many meals to its participants and will need space to do so.

“We are a very big meal site and the neighborhood is a food desert, as so many neighborhoods are,” Hanlin said. “If we are serving meals in the gym we can’t use it for activities at the same time.”

Hanlin said the Boys and Girls Club began looking for a Spokane Valley location in 2014. The first Boys and Girls Club in Spokane opened in 2001 near Northtown Mall, and Hanlin said supporters and donors are excited about adding another location.

Contributed rendering Central Valley School District's new Family Engagement Center would be located at the old Keystone Elementary School, 621 S McDonald Road. Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane would open a new club there by Fall of 2021.

If everything goes according to plan, the Spokane Valley Boys and Girls Club will open in the fall of 2021, Hanlin said. He added that it’s not the intention to take away from anyone who’s already offering services for youth in the area, it’s a matter of adding services to an underserved neighborhood.

“Think of legacy organizations like Gonzaga and Sacred Heart who took their first steps more than 100 years ago,” Hanlin said. “This is exciting for us because this is that first step for us. Our supporters get to help start something that will have a positive impact on the future of Spokane.”

Central Valley School District’s director of communication Marla Nunberg said the school district will move all its social workers and homeless and foster care liaisons to the new Family Engagement Center.

“It’s the perfect location and in easy walking distance to Opportunity and McDonald Elementary Schools, both of which have high needs for these services,” Nunberg said. “This will give us

an opportunity to surround our families with the services they need.”

The Family Resource Center is also on a bus line, making it easily accessible for families without car transportation, said Terrie VanderWegen, Central Valley School District Assistant Super Intendant for Elementary Learning and Teaching.

“The main thing for us is the location and the partnership with the club will allow us to provide services to students and families that they normally would have to go to Spokane to get,” VanderWegen said. She added that the Boys and Girls Club is looking for health organizations to partner with for presentations and classes.

“By the time the parents get there the kids will already have had dinner and they can then go to functions,” VanderWegen said.

“Our strategic plan talks about supporting the whole child - in this center we will really be address some of this in a parent partnership kind of way.”

Boys and Girls Club at a Glance

By Pia Hallenberg Splash Contributor

Steady growth of the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane: Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County opened its first clubhouse in 2001 in the 20,000 square foot St. Francis Xavier School building near NorthTown Mall.

In 2007, a second clubhouse opened at the Libby Center in East Central Spokane. A small location, this club house is geared toward 5th to 12th grade students only.

In 2010, the Lisa StilesGyllenhammer Club opened in the old Mead Middle School.

Named after a beloved teacher at Shiloh Hills Elementary School, who died from breast cancer in 2006, this club served yet another disadvantaged neighborhood.

In 2016, the Boys and Girls Club was able to purchase its original north town club building and land from St. Xavier’s Church.

See CLUB, Page 27

SPEND THE SUMM MARCH 2020 • 13

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208 S NEYLAND AVE #5

TRAILHEAD

Continued from page 9 Whatever Trailhead’s new incarnation turns out to be, Kaminskas and other council members have brought up the importance of the site being a revenue generator.

“If we’re bringing in more than the project costs, then I’m for it,” she said. “My goal is that it will pay for itself.”

Non-golf features have been discussed as potential income generators at Trailhead 2.0, including everything from an ice rink to Pickle Ball. Kennedy said the city needs to be careful to avoid any speculative approaches when it comes to making money.

“The only true revenue numbers we have at Trailhead are from the driving range and greens fees,” he said. “The rest is all conjecture. We have to look at this as a business investment. What is our return going to be?”

A number of funding possibilities

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have been brought up, including a method known as council-matic bonds which can be secured without a public vote. Only a majority council vote is needed. The city could also propose a property tax increase on the ballot or raise the utility tax, currently at 3 percent.

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There is also the uncertainty of funding for major capital projects at Henry and Harvard roads that is having a ripple effect on Trailhead.

Both projects are currently on hold due to the passage of I-976 last November that reduced the car tab fee and has lawmakers scrambling for transportation funding.

Brickner said he has an idea for funding the Trailhead project he will reveal at the workshop scheduled for March 3 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

“What we heard from people is they want this to be a communityfriendly gathering place,” Brickner said. “We’re going to be talking more about funding sources but we also want to be strategic about it.

We want to look at things that bring in revenue.”

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COMMUNITY

14 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS Feb 27 – Mar 1 | Spokane Home and Yard Show Various times.

Spokane Fair & Expo Center, 404 N Havana, Spokane Valley.

See hundreds of products and services, discover the latest trends and get expert advice from the pros all while enjoying the feature landscape displays. Tickets are $8 and valid all weekend. More at custershows.com.

Mar 14 | HUB Crab Feed Fundraiser | 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

CenterPlace, 2426 N Discovery Pl, Spokane Valley. Help raise funds to support the outreach programs and events at the HUB Sports Center. All are welcome but seating is limited to 200 so please RSVP. For more, call 509-927-0602.

Mar 17 | Neighborhood Watch Meeting | 6 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Do you really know what it takes to keep your neighborhood and your property safe? Show Criminals that you are not willing to be their victim. Come hear from SCOPEs Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and County Sheriff Deputy David Morris. All are welcome but please RSVP. For more, call 509-477-3055.

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

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geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc.spokane.edu.

Public Baha’i Fireside Discussions | 5 to 6 p.m., third Wednesday 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. For more, call 509-599-2411.

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/CatholicSingles-Mingle.

Free Last Sunday Lunch | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley - 12:30 p.m. on the final Sunday of every month in the church’s Fellowship Hall, Room 115 Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more, call 2262202.

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

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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 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.

MUSIC & THE ARTS Feb 8 – May 3 | Pompeii: The Immortal City Exhibit – Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane. Visitors plunge into the heart of the drama and the ruins of the ancient city. Artifacts and artworks excavated from Pompeii and interactive mechanical models take them into the world of a firstcentury Roman city. Spectacular immersive moments allow visitors to experience the destruction of the city and to identify with the inhabitants of that time, immobilized by the volcano’s ashes. Tickets are $19.50 For more, visit northwestmuseum.org.

Mar 13 – Mar 22 | Puffs, box show – 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake. For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. For more, visit

tacatthelake.com.

Mar 14 – Mar 16 | Play Auditions and Auditions class - Into the Woods, – 6 p.m. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake. Multiple characters are available. Auditions will consist of cold readings of selected scenes from the script. For more, visit tacatthelake.com.

Mar 20 – Mar 22 | The Unexpected Guest Various times.

Ignite!

Community Theatre, 10814 E Broadway Avenue, Spokane Valley.

A readers theatre production of a “suspectfull” Agatha Christie murder mystery. For tickets and more visit igniteonbroadway.org..

RECURRING The Fire Brigade| 7 p.m., first Saturday of the month, Ignite!

Community Theatre, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley.

Ignite!’s improv troupe fires up family-friendly comedy. For more, visit igniteonbroadway.org.

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

Four-part, a cappella harmony, men’s barbershop chorus. More at 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 218-4799.

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 Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at

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COMMUNITY

Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft. Participants can access a comprehensive library, engage experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at svqgspokane. com.

HEALTH & RECREATION RECURRING Al-Anon 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? AlAnon family groups can help. For more, call 425-344-9280.

Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines, Spokane Valley. Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon/ Alateen family groups can help.

For more, call 456-2125.

Decreasing Anger Group | 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, the Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley.

Eligibility: combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors.

For more, call Steve at 893-4746 to make an intake appointment.

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.

Family and Friends of Addicts| 6 p.m. Wednesdays, The ONE Church, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley. Support group utilizing tools and principles to help navigate relationships with addicts and finding peace, strength and hope. For more, call 590-2422.

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. Monday through Thursday; 9:30am to 11:30am Tuesday and Thursday; 7 to 9pm Sunday. $3/ seniors, $5/non-seniors.

MARCH 2020 • 15

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• Classes including Kenpo Karate, Taekwondo and Fit for YOUR Life. See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.

• Homeschool PE: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Liberty Lake Running Club | Meets at Liberty Lake Physical Therapy, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through October. Weekly three mile run/walk. Earn T-shirt after six runs.

Liberty Lake Couples Golf League | Meets at Liberty Lake Golf Course, 10 a.m. Thursdays through September. Open to all levels of golfers, new members are welcome all season. Cost to join is $15 per couple plus green fees. For more email dianerudnick@gmail. com Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11:30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. For more, call Steve at 893-4746.

Mindful Music & Movement | 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102-103, Otis Orchards. All are welcome to this session specifically designed for adults living with chronic health issues.

Session addresses physical function, vocal wellness and strength, self-expression, breath work, movement, and increase of mood through music experiences, as facilitated by board-certified music therapist, Carla Carnegie. $10 per person. For more, email carla.carnegie@gmail.com or call 592-7875.

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16 • MARCH 2020

CALENDAR

Continued from page 15 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Liberty Lake Coworking, 23505 E Appleway, Suite 200, Liberty Lake. Without a simple clear way to answer the question “what do you do” you and your staff are confusing potential customers and losing sales. Tickets: $15 for members or $30 for future members.

For more or to register, visit welldressedwalrus.com or call 509-255-7763 Mar 24 | Building a Sustainable Nonprofit – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., SCORE/SBA, 801 W Riverside, Spokane. This workshop is for people thinking about, or in the early phases of, starting a nonprofit organization and focuses on those areas that will help you build your nonprofit on a strong foundation for longterm sustainability. Tickets: $25 per person pre-registered or $40 at the door. For more or to register, visit Spokane.score.org

The Splash or call 353-2821 Mar 27 | Business Connections Lunch, State of the City of Spokane Valley – 11:30 a.m., CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N Discovery Pl, Spokane Valley. Come and connect with local businesses and business leaders over lunch and hear from Spokane Valley Mayor Ben Wick. Tickets: $40 per person. For more or to register, visit spokanevalleychamber.org.

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 Parks and Arts Commission | 4 p.m. on the first and third Mondays 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, 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 Lions Club | Noon to 1 p.m., every first and third Wednesday of each month at Barlows, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road. For more, call Alene at 869-7657.

Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club | Noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District building, 22510 E. Mission Ave. For more, visit LibertyLakeRotary.org.

Liberty

Lake

Merchants

Association | 11:30 a.m.

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

For more, call 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 | 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. Submit items for The Splash Community Calendar by the 15th of the previous month by emailing editor@libertylakesplash.com.

Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.

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Student of the Month You could say Shawn Mulligan has set the stage for success. The senior at Central Valley maintains a 3.87 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. “I try to be consistent with my grades and have a solid work ethic,” he said. As a sophomore, Mulligan took part in his first theatre production at CV. He has been part of four shows and is known for his versatility as an actor and singer.

A talented musician, Mulligan has participated in marching band and wind ensemble as a clarinet player.

He has been part of concert band since his freshman year. He has also written play scripts and song lyrics and hopes to pursue a career in the arts. Mulligan is a lifelong resident of Liberty Lake. He plans to attend Central Washington University in the fall.

Athlete of the Month Qualifying for the state gymnastics meet has become a tradition for Victoria Axtell. The Central Valley senior placed second in the vault at regionals last month and first in the floor competition. She was fifth overall and moved on to state for the fourth consecutive year. Axtell was named to the All Greater Spokane League team as a sophomore and placed in the top 12 at state in the vault. This season, she was part of a Bears’ squad that was third in the GSL. Axtell maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been part of DECA, an association of students studying marketing, for four years. Two summers ago, Axtell contributed to a building project in Africa with fellow parishioners from Redeemer Lutheran Church. She plans to study biology in college.

Citizen of the Month The city of Liberty Lake’s strong financial standing is due in no small part to Ann Marie Gale. As city treasurer, Gale processes accounts payable, makes sense of financial statements, helps organize the annual report and oversees a payroll of over 70 employees. Since 2007, the year Gale started as treasurer, the city has experienced a consecutive run of clean audits from the stated auditor’s office.

“Ann Marie has been a staple to our city’s success,” said Mayor Shane Brickner. “She brings a positive light to our staff and is one of the hardest workers I know. Thank you, Ann Marie for all you have done for our community.” A native of Idaho, Gale graduated from Lewis Clark State College. She and her husband Kevin have been married for 29 years. When not crunching numbers, Gale enjoys sewing, reading and gardening

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Coworking in Liberty Lake

BUSINESS

MARCH 2020 • 17

By Nina Culver

Splash Contributor

Liberty Lake Coworking opened at the beginning of the year and has drawn interest from people looking for an office to rent or for a table and a power outlet to use for a few hours.

Dozens of people came to a grand opening event in January, where they could take tours of the facility on the second floor of 23505 E. Appleway Ave.. Lance Beck, head of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, was on hand with a plaque while owners Ann and Steve Long cut a ceremonial ribbon.

“There is such a need for this joint space,” Beck said. “We’re just excited to see you grow.”

Ann Long said used to work from home and recently started a consulting business. “I worked from home for many, many years,” she said. “I ended up trying a coworking space a couple of times to get out of the house.”

Once she tried it realized that working away from the distractions at home mean she got a lot more work done. “I realized I wasn’t as productive as I thought I was,” she said.

When she started her consulting business she wanted a place where she could meet clients. “This whole coworking thing kept coming up,” she said. “I thought, why can’t I do both?”

There wasn’t any coworking space available in Liberty Lake and Long said she wanted to offer it. She looked at several sites, including on in Spokane Valley that she made an offer on. The building went to another tenant and Long’s realtor told her to check out the building on Appleway.

“I looked at two other locations in Liberty Lake,” she said. “I decided they weren’t large enough.

I had driven by this place probably 15 times.”

The upstairs suite was largely open space with a handful of offices and one conference room, but Long could see the possibilities. “I though, wow, this could be it,” she said. “It’s a beautiful building.”

The unfinished suite allowed Long to design the remaining space

Contributed photo Ann Long, and her husband Steve, along with other community members cut the ceremonial ribbon to welcome all to the new co-working space. how she wanted. “I did all the design,” she said. “I did the layout and all that. I also did the interior design.”

whole lot less and pass the savings on to the customer,” he said. “It saves people a lot of money. It’s a service available to anyone.”

She said she was glad she was able to find a location in town.

“Liberty Lake was always number one on my list,” she said. “This is a hot bed for remote workers and they don’t want to go downtown.”

Koefod said he’s happy with his space at Liberty Lake Coworking.

He found it after months of looking for an inexpensive office to rent.

“They were showing me dumps for $800, $900 a month,” he said.

She started taking reservations in November while construction was underway. The first client to sign up was Mica Koefod, owner of Vermillion Auto. He just started the business at the beginning of January because he had to wait until his office was ready to start his auto broker business.

At Liberty Lake Coworking he pays only $545. “It’s beautiful, it’s pristine, it’s something you’d be proud to show to customers,” he said.

“The state requires me to have a commercial space and this satisfies that requirement,” he said.

An auto broker is an alternative to buying from a car lot. Koefod finds a car that a customer wants, buys it and then sells it to the customer. As a broker he pays wholesale prices, Koefod said. “I find it, buy it for a

The office came fully furnished and he could decorate it how he liked, Koefod said. “You just make the space your own,” he said. “I absolutely love it.”

Long offers several options for people looking for a place to work.

People can buy a monthly $75 membership for unlimited access to a “hot desk.” “You just come in, sit down and go to work,” she said.

“It’s like going to the coffee shop but not.”

People can also buy monthly passes that allow 4, 8 or 12 visits per month with prices ranging from $15 to $19. A cubicle can be rented for $350 a month and doesn’t require an annual contract. A private office, which is available for $465 a month, does require an annual contract.

A larger “double” private office is $545.

The coworking space also includes conference rooms and a media/podcast room that can be rented on their own by members and non-members. Most memberships come with monthly credits for use of the specialty rooms at no extra charge. Members and office renters also get unlimited free coffee and access to high speed internet.

Those with private offices can access the coworking space 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members can use the space from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Long offers tours of the space to those interested in checking it out and more information is available at www.llcoworking.corlinc.com.

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About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Former SCRAPS director promotes pet projects for according to RC. seniors “She’s a lot more relaxed,” he

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Most people know Nancy Hill as the former director of Spokane County’s animal control agency who transformed the organization in over two decades at the helm.

Hill’s 6-year-old Labrador mix Zoey knows her best as the human who tosses the tennis ball and gives her duck and potato dog treats.

In the backyard of Hill’s Liberty Lake home, Nancy and her husband RC regularly run Zoey through fetch drills that scarcely put a dent in the dog’s energetic disposition. Since retiring in March 2018, Hill is on the opposite end of Zoey’s kinetic spectrum,

said.

Hill will be the first to tell you that Zoey has played a role in her smooth transition away from the working world.

“It’s been proven that pets give a you a sense of purpose, a sense of routine,” Hill said. “They need you.”

An AARP/University of Michigan survey of over 2,000 people ages 50 to 80 found that 88 percent of seniors who owned a pet said their dogs or cats helped them enjoy life to a greater degree while 79 percent said their furry friends reduced their stress levels.

Another study published by AgingCare.com reported that

pets help lower blood pressure, increase social interaction and physical activity while reducing general loneliness.

Hill said it is important for seniors to pick the right sort of pet for their particular stage in life and environment. She recalls a woman adopting a rambunctious lab mix from SCRAPS for her grandmother only to bring the dog back just a few days later.

“It just wasn’t the right match for her grandma,” Hill said. “You have to make sure it’s a dog you can manage.”

Senior pets are often a good fit for senior owners, Hill says. Older dogs and cats can often be among the last adopted at a place like SCRAPS which offers discounts on adoption fees for such animals.

“I’ve seen seniors who are not very ambulatory really enjoy a dog that just lies around most of the time,” Hill said. “And a lot of dogs are just fine with that.”

Nancy and RC take Zoey to nearby Rocky Hill Park for walks and to scamper after his favorite ball or stick.

“Cats are good pets too, but dogs get you moving,” Hill says.

Growing up, Hill’s mom was allergic to cats and dogs, so she compromised and found a parakeet for a pet. When she went away to college, Hill discovered an abandoned hound at a local junkyard and brought it home.

Dogs and cats have been staples at her residence ever since.

Photo by Craig Howard Nancy Hill served as director of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) from 1985 until her retirement in March of 2018. She now lives in Liberty Lake and enjoys time with her dog Zoey, a rescue animal.

Hill’s first foray into the animal protection field was as a volunteer for the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Before landing at SCRAPS in 1986, she worked as a zookeeper, hydrologic technician and a state parks employee.

Hill began her tenure at SCRAPS as an animal control officer after being selected

among 150 applicants. She was promoted to director in 1995 and championed a number of key initiatives, including the transition to a regional model in 2014. A year later, SCRAPS moved from its rickety headquarters in the Spokane Business and Industrial Park to a modern, spacious structure on Trent Avenue that has been well-received by animals and humans alike.

Hill spent a total of 32 years at SCRAPS, a span highlighted by rescue incidents involving everything from a Bengal tiger to a python. Once, she retrieved a dog who was precariously stuck on a cliff at Riverside State Park.

Hill said she retired to spend more time with her mother who was dealing with congestive heart failure. Her mom passed in December at the age of 96.

“She had an amazing life,” Hill said. “She wanted to be in her home and she wanted to be with family and she was.”

Hill said she keeps up with a few of her former colleagues at SCRAPS but has been careful not to hover.

“I think once you’ve been the boss somewhere, it’s hard to go back,” she said. “I do miss the animal welfare world – the public, the staff, the volunteers and, of course, the animals.”

Hill supports causes like the Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary in Greenbluff and also serves on the board of a nonprofit called Beyond Pink that promotes the benefits of thermography, an early detection method for breast cancer.

Regardless of what her day brings, Hill knows Zoey will always be there to greet her enthusiastically at the door.

“She means a lot to us,” Hill says. “She’s always glad to see us when we get home. A dog like Zoey just adds so much to life.”

MARCH 2020 • 21

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CV girls, boys secure district basketball titles

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

It made sense that Felice Orrell and Mike Laws would lead their respective teams to District 8 4A basketball titles last month.

Orrell, head coach of the Central Valley girls and Laws, in his second year leading the CV boys squad, both earned All Greater Spokane League Coach of the Year honors for their work during the regular season and promptly followed it up by qualifying for the state bracket.

The CV girls (19-3) edged Mead 55-53 in overtime on Feb. 21 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick to earn a district crown and become one of

16 teams to advance to the state 4A field. Meanwhile, the CV boys (212) defeated Gonzaga Prep later the same day in Kennewick, 68-53, to add a district trophy to their regular season GSL championship.

“I was just proud of we didn’t let doubt creep in when things weren’t going so well,” Orrell said of the girls’ victory over Mead, a team the Bears defeated twice during the regular season by an average margin of 18 points.

CV advanced to the title game with wins over Richland and Pasco.

The Bears, ranked No. 4 in the state RPI, take on fifth-ranked Glacier Peak Feb. 28 at University High at

6 p.m. with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals in Tacoma.

The loser plays a winner from the bracket featuring teams ranked nine through 16.

but we’ve proven we’re a team to be reckoned with,” she said. “Winning state is definitely our goal. It’s kind of up to us. We just need to be strong and mentally tough.”

“It helps to be a team one through eight,” said Orrell. “You just have to win three games to be state champion instead of four.”

On the boys’ side, the Bears are ranked fourth among 4A schools behind Union, Glacier Peak and Mt. Si. Laws said this year’s squad is defined by chemistry and teamwork.

Against Mead, the Bears were led by senior Peyton Howard with 19 points. Grace Geldien added 13 points and 10 rebounds while Mj Bruno pitched in 12 points and 10 boards.

Woodinville is considered the class of the 4A girls’ bracket. The Falcons are 25-0 and ranked first in Washington. Orrell says the Bears have the ability to compete against anyone.

“I think a lot of people didn’t think we would do much this year

“I’m most proud of their unselfish play,” he said. “No one seems to care about individual anything. They just care about the team doing well.”

The Bears reached the district title contest with wins over Hanford and Walla Walla. Against Gonzaga Prep, junior post Gavin Gilstrap paced the winners with 21 points and eight rebounds. Seniors Noah Sanders and Jayce Simmons added 17 and 16 points respectively.

CV will face perennial power Federal Way on Feb. 29 at U-Hi at 6 p.m. with the winner advancing to the state 4A quarterfinals. The loser also moves on to Tacoma but in a loser-out game.

“We just have the mindset that we can win against anyone,” Laws said. “We were quietly confident before the season started. We knew what all the pieces were – it was just a question of everyone working together and we’ve done that.”

Gymnastics Central Valley qualified four gymnasts for the state meet Feb. 2022 at Sammamish High School in Bellevue.

Junior Rebekah Ross competed in the beam and all-around competitions, placing fifth in beam.

Submitted photo Central Valley lady bears headed to the State Gymnastics Championship Feb. 20.

MARCH 2020 • 23

The Splash

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Senior Victoria Axtel advanced to her fourth state meet, competing in the vault and floor. Junior Hanna Michaelis and freshman Mikah Baggot both qualified in the floor and bars competition.

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Axtel was later named to the Washington state all-seniors team that will compete at nationals in Florida this June.

CV finished third in the Greater Spokane League with a 7-2 record, trailing only Mead, which placed fourth in the 4A state bracket and Mt. Spokane, which finished fourth in 3A. “These girls put in a lot of work,” said CV head coach Brittney Schmidt. “What I’m most proud of is how supportive they were of each other and of other teams.”

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The Bears’ highlight came on Jan. 23 in a home meet where they scored 167.95 points and placed the top three in each event.

“They had an absolutely awesome home meet,” Schmidt said.

Wrestling Central Valley senior Braxton Mikesell earned his second straight 4A heavyweight title at the Mat Classic, defeating Trace Franks of Mead 10-3 in the 285-pound final. Mikesell advanced to the championship with a 7-4 semifinal win over Hunter Hill of GrahamKapowsin.

Mikesell, a multiple freestyle national champion and winner of prestigious tournaments like Tri State, will continue his wrestling career at Utah Valley University.

Also competing for the Bears in Tacoma Feb. 21-22 were Luke Grisafi (sixth at 120 pounds) and Colin Mercer (eighth at 285 pounds).

CV placed 16th overall.

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Continued from page 8

accounts of the human spirit overcoming adversity from U-Hi grad Mitch Carbon’s remarkable triumph over cancer to the feats of Spokane Para Sport athletes

soaring to national and international acclaim.

In late 2015, Ben Wick – known by most for his service on the Spokane Valley City Council – stepped up with his wife, Danica, to purchase the Current and Splash

from Josh. The new owners live in Spokane Valley, are invested here and understand what matters to their neighbors. As handoffs go, the two papers could not have landed in better hands.

next five years, the future looks brighter than ever. Readership is growing, advertising is up and the stories keep generating talk.

Thank you for the support, greater Spokane Valley. This is your paper.

The Current now has a 25,000 copy circulation with 15,000 being direct mailed to households across Current the Spokane Valley areafounder in addition to the 10,000 copies being available for pickup at over 250 weighs in on formative business locations.

Aboutdays 9,000 copies of The Splash are distributed around the end of each month, of paper 5,500 of those through direct mail to every home and business in the greater Liberty Lake community.

“Close, but that’s an interesting story in itself. You see, our agricultural heritage means many of our community place names and identities were formed around a patchwork of irrigation districts …”

By Josh Johnson

He was the stereotypical inky wretch, grizzled and grumpy.

Coffee: black and bottomless.

Blood type: CMYK.

“Yeah, yeah,” he interrupted.

“The bottom line is that community newspapers thrive because of a shared sense of community. With such a mishmash of overlapping jurisdictions and loyalties, that’s a challenge in Spokane Valley.”

As the Current embarks on its

early to see the hot air balloons off at Mirabeau or floated frogs down Rock Creek in the annual regatta.

As for dealing with all the jurisdictional dividing lines, we employed twin strategies. One, we would hit the high points. In the early years, we did a “3 Up, 3 Down” feature to give “at a glance” news from around the community and we always made a point to dig deeper into the most important jurisdictional items. But mostly, we relied on strategy two: Write about the issues we have in common, because there are an awful lot of them.

coverage.

Of course, we also had so much fun along the way. There was our annual food bracket placing Valley eats in a single elimination competition. The idea here was to advance great Valley menu options through a bracket while sitting on couches watching the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Not a bad gig.

Advertise With Us and Let Us Brainstorm New Ideas for Your Business His opinion from decades in the business: Publishing a community newspaper was challenging enough on its own without doing it for Spokane Valley.

“What do you have, like three city or town councils in the greater Valley?” he asked me.

“Four, because we want to cover Rockford, and of course there are thousands of unincorporated

And it was. And it is. But to this day, I remain convinced that even if I’m a Central Valley Bear and current owner and publisher Ben Wick is an East Valley Knight, our common interests far outweigh a couple miles of geography.

And so, five years ago, when I led a team made up of greater Valley folks like myself to launch The Current, the name itself was

I wrote the cover story for the very first issue of The Current about homeless students in the greater Valley. This is an issue we should continue to address as a community, because suburban homelessness is a growing problem nationally, and

Indeed, owning and publishing The Current through its first 48 issues remains a highlight of my life, but I am certain I couldn’t say that save for one qualifying factor: We covered the greater Spokane Valley, my home and yours.

And it’s the home of current owners Ben and Danica Wick, who beautifully share the heritage of this now 5-year-old publication:

The Splash

HISTORY

MARCH 2020 • 25

26 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

March 4-5-6, 2016 | Spokane Fair & Expo Center | Spokane, WA

March 6-7-8, 2020 43rd Annual Spring

SVFD Report – February 2020 Splash news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 95 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area* from December 15, 2019 – January 15, 2020: Incident Total • Emergency Medical Services 69 • Motor Vehicle Accidents

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Hazardous Materials 1

The *Service area for SVFD Station #3 in Liberty Lake Calls for services are down from 106 last month to 95 this month in the Liberty Lake Area.

Drive Slow, Move Over, and Pay Attention when First Responders have red lights flashing. Crews continue to experience unsafe conditions when responding to emergencies.

We continue to ask that you pull over for First Responders to keep them and you safe. We want everyone to be able to go home safely.

• The Week of January 20, 2020 was the first ever Community Risk Reduction Week (CRR). Mayor Shane Brickner proclaimed the Week as Community Risk Reduction Week. (Proclamation and Media Release are Attached) o CRR Week was a big social media success. Getting ahead of the call was the key message. Providing education around in home safety and reducing the risk of incident, safe and healthy practices such as reducing older adult falls, and community partnerships with businesses such as Novelis and smoke alarm installations, and Starbucks and the good samaritan program, were themes highlighted throughout the week.

Mayor Shane Brickner’s Proclamation was the top reaching post during this push with 4,000 reached and 500 engagements.

Apartment Fire in Liberty Lake received media attention because of the Sprinkler System that activated and minimalized the potential damage this fire could have caused (details below on January 22 apartment fire). Working Fire Sprinkler systems are another CRR practice that help reduce the damage a fire can cause by activating before crews arrive on scene. Installing fire sprinklers is an example of the CRR tagline of “getting ahead of the call.”

There have been several other similar apartment fires in the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s district all caused by improper cigarette disposal. This is the only one that had a working sprinkler system that activated. All other apartment fires in the area displaced not only the family where the fire originated but several families in adjacent apartments.

Incidents: Dumpster Fire – February 4, 5:35 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded to a call regarding a dumpster on fire. Upon arrival crews found a dumpster for construction debris with a small fire. Liberty Lake Police had also arrived on scene prior to Fire and had attempted to extinguish the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher.

The officer stated he thought it made the flames larger and thought there could be some paint or other type material burning besides wood or cardboard. Crews established a plan that included firefighters initially utilizing a pump can which had a good knock down effect on the fire and then a small bumper line was deployed to completely extinguish the fire. A 3rd firefighter was assigned to hit the dumpster fire again with a pump can while the 4th firefighter deployed the bumper line to ensure extinguishment.

This process worked effectively to fully extinguish the fire. The Dumster was in front of a house under construction that was not yet occupied.

Apartment Fire – January 22, 5:57 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded to an apartment fire call at 5:57 p.m. The fire alarm company used by Bitterroot Apartments called alerting dispatch of smoke and visible flames at the apartments. Another caller located

MARCH 2020 • 27

The Splash at the apartments identified that they thought a barbeque was on fire and that they believed the sprinkler system may have extinguished the fire.

Spokane Valley Fire Station Number 3, located in Liberty Lake arrived on scene first with Engine 3. They found a 2 story apartment with light smoke showing from the second floor. Crews investigated, made sure the fire was fully extinguished, and opened windows for ventilation.

The Spokane Valley Fire Investigator arrived on scene shortly after the fire was extinguished fully.

His investigation yielded that the apartment fire began with cigarettes being disposed of in a cardboard box which then ignited.

The fire started on the second story covered deck where crews found the cardboard box. Fortunately, this deck was protected by an automatic sprinkler. The sprinkler activated saving anyone from being harmed, the building from any damage, and the displacement of residents.

Fire sprinklers are an effective method to mitigate fire damage.

They allow individuals the opportunity to escape a burning structure. A structure without a sprinkler system lessens the chances of getting out of a burning building Put into perspective, there is about a 50% chance when compared to over an 80% chance in a structure with a sprinkler system.

Spokane Valley Fire Department is seeing an increase the past few months of fires caused by improper cigarette disposal.

Flammable containers include plastic coffee cans, cardboard coffee cans, cardboard boxes, plant soil, and any other flammable container. Clean metal paint cans are recommended to properly dispose of used cigarettes.

Structure Fire – January 15, 3:03 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded to a call reporting a shop on fire in the backyard of a home.

When crews arrived, their initial objectives were limited to ensuring the safety of any potential occupants and determining the extent of fire.

Initial observations were extremely limited as smoke obscured direct visualization of the involved

structure. Based on information provided by Spokane Valley Fire Ladder 10, it was understood that a 20 x 30' was partially involved, no exposures were threatened, and the homeowner had suggested that the building was unoccupied. Crews worked to put the fire out and the cause is under investigation.

About SVFD Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the City of Spokane Valley, City of Liberty Lake, City of Millwood and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Spokane County with a combined population of 125,000 across 75 square miles. 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, one of only a handful in Washington State.

For more information about Spokane Valley Fire Department, visit www. spokanevalleyfire.com.

Follow us @spokanevalleyfire on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

CLUB

Continued from page 12 Programs: Classes and activities fall in three main categories: Academic success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles.

Academic success programs include a Lego League, an art club and a homework and tutoring class called Power Hour.

Good character programs include the national teen leadership program, Keystone Club, as well as Positive Action which teaches youth how to apply the Golden Rule and Torch Club, a leadership and service club for middle school age youth.

Clubs are generally open after school hours.

An annual membership is $30 and drop in school year programs are offered for between $40 and $80 for the school year. Some scholarships are available.

For more information or to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane please visit www.bgbcspokane.org or call 509.489.0741 Source: www.bgbcspokane.org

k n a Th ou!

Y Thank you Central Valley School District supporters and voters!

Thank you for suppor ng our students, our schools and our community. Educa on is the heart of a healthy economy— beginning with providing students a well-rounded educa on that prepares them for future career success.

Pick up a free copy of

The Current, a monthly publication for the Valley, offers visual storytelling, eye-catching ads and community coverage readers have come to rely on. This free newspaper is available at more than 250 high-traffic places around the Valley, including the following locations: Adorkable Flowers and Gifts Anytime Fitness Barlows Fieldhouse Pizza and Subs Greenstone Just Chillin’ Frozen Yogurt KiDDS Dental Liberty Lake City Hall Liberty Lake Portal Building Liberty Lake Smile Source Safeway Trailhead Golf Course True Legends Grill The WELL Coffee House Walgreens Washington Trust Bank Yoke’s Fresh Market Would you like to carry The Current in your place of business? Contact Paula at paula@valleycurrent.com.

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

The Future is Bright

Youngest leadership team since the Spokane Valley’s incorporation, page 10

THE ‘WHY’ OF NEW HOMELESS NETWORK PAGE 2

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GUILD HAS GENEROSITY SEWN UP PAGE 18

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28 • MARCH 2020

The Splash

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Services: Sunday @ 11am & Tuesday @ 7:30pm Prayer: Monday-Saturday 6am-9am

EVENT & MEETING FACILITY HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? The Tri Community Grange Event Hall is an affordable location for parties, receptions, dances, reunions and meetings. Full kitchen, stage, piano, tables and chairs, NEW AC, handicap accessible, large parking lot and free signage Meeting Times: 6:30 pm the first Wednesday of every month.

Phone: 509-270-6089

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Want you business to be part of our Service Directory? Contact Danica at 242-7752 or advertise@libertylakesplash.com We look forward to hearing from you!

E NRI C HE D L I VI NG. L AS TIN G VALUE.

THE

lifestyle

TH E

YOU WANT

THE

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YO U DE S E RV E

New homes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur d’Alene. gr eenstonehomes.com

The Splash THE

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

ben@libertylakesplash.com

CO OWNER

Danica Wick

danica@libertylakesplash.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Paula Gano paula@libertylakesplash.com

CIRCULATION

Larry Passmore

circulation@libertylakesplash.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Nina Culver, Pia Hallenberg, Josh Johnson, Craig Howard, Ross Schneidmiller, Mike Vlahovich The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752 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.

The Splash is brought to you by

Wick Enterprizes Submitted materials

Publishing House

Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance 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 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 Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following

MARCH 2020 • 29

Dear Editor:

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized their Citizen of the Year for 2019 at the Gala on Jan. 24. The Citizen of the Year award recognizes “Those with keen insight into the future (who) know that the day is near at hand in which Spokane Valley will be so productive of wealth and so filled with homes that it will be one of the richest districts in the entire Northwest.”

- Harry E. Nelson, May 7, 1920. A statement made 100 years ago but so appropriate for today! This award given to Ben Small, superintendent of the Central Valley School District, is wonderful recognition for his contributions to our community and region.

Over the past eight years, Ben and I have worked on three new schools located in the city as well as trails, park amenities, sport fields, traffic studies, a public works yard and the Henry Road overpass. We have made several trips together to Olympia and spent 100-plus hours in meetings to ensure THE our goals of community were realized as we navigated the challenges of school and transportation funding.

The city could not have asked for a better partner to champion education in and for our community! His focus on preparing the next generation for the opportunities of tomorrow from Kindergarten through high school and beyond into college or the trades guarantees our Spokane Valley continued success in the next 100 years.

Love The Splash?

Support our partners.

The Splash is committed to serving Liberty Lake through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Splash and its partner publications:

ENRI CHED LI VI NG. LASTI NG VALUE.

lifestyle

THE

YOU WANT

commun

quality

THE YO U D ES ERVE Ben, in hindsight, my phone call Fieldhouse Pizza • Hennessey about weeds next to Liberty Lake Windermere • Liberty Lake Family Dentistry Elementary has blossomed into a bouquet of flowers sprouting over in Spokane, Spokane Banner Fuel• Liberty Lake EyeCare New all homes Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeu Spokane Valley thanks to your vision and leadership. Our kids, teachers, THE LIBERTY LAKE staff and future administrators will be gr ee n s t o n e h o m e s . c o m Index of advertisers trying to live up to your expectations Following are the local advertisers in as education is redefined and this issue of The Splash.

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE positioned within our community.

Thanks again Ben for some great Northern Quest 32 Gus Johnson Ford 22 Amaculate Housekeeping 23 memories! We all look forward to Shogun 3 Hennessey Funeral Home 21 Banner Furnace & Fuel 23 your continuing leadership and the Simonds Dental Group 32 Jim Custer Enterprises 26 BECU 8 accomplishments that await you in the years ahead. Congratulations, my Spokane Family Dentistry 15 John L Scott - Pam Fredrick 13 Central Valley Citizens for Ed 27 friend, for an award well-deserved!

Spokane Gymnastics 19 Kathrine Olson, DDS 24 Central Valley Theatre 24

Steve Peterson

City of Liberty Lake

Liberty Lake

Clark’s Tire

7

Kiwanis Liberty Lake

13

Spokane Model Train Show

5

3

Liberty Lake EyeCare Center

3

Tate Law Offices

24

Advertising integrity

Cornerstone Pentecostal

28

Liberty Lake Family Dentistry

5

Windermere - Brooke Carey

26

Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never know-

Fieldhouse Pizza

30

Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District 6

Windermere - Calla Ferguson

23

Friends of Mary Kuney

23

Liberty Lake Smile Source

23

Lilac Family Eyecare

14

Service Directory

month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

ingly 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 © 2020 All rights reserved. All contents of The Splash may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

CORRECTION: A clerical error in the February “The Community Corner” article was made. The figure for the flashing beacons should have been 65,000, not 605,000.

CORRECTION: Wanda Buddrius name was misspelled in last month’s edition. We apologize for the mistake.

Greenstone 28

28

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Splash’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Splash’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@libertylakesplash.com. With story ideas, contact editor@libertylakesplash.com.

ON THAT NOTE

30 • MARCH 2020

A year of positivity – and the results were profound. With brain cancer and the help of Weight Watchers, he was

By Josh Johnson Splash Contributor

On New Year’s Day 2019, Scott Hendricks resolved to be more positive. That was before the kidney stone, the stroke and the grand mal seizures. Before doctors found the brain tumor. Before the brain surgery he was kept awake for. Before the chemo. Before the radiation.

That was before last fall, when the MRI showed no change. Before the chemo started up again.

Even so, as Scott described his 2019, he was overflowing with gratitude. He was cracking jokes and testifying to miracles. He was, in a word: positive.

••• Scott entered 2019 dissatisfied with several aspects of his life — his weight, his perspective at work, the impact negativity was having on his wife and two daughters.

So he resolved to be more positive,

down 60 pounds by July. Along the way, friends, family and coworkers remarked about his infectious, positive perspective.

He looked for the humor on May 9, when he drove himself to the hospital with terrible pain in his side. As a nurse wheeled him back for his CT scan, she remarked on the likelihood of a kidney stone.

“It’s either that or a 67-pound tumor, and if you take it out I’ll make my goal weight,” he jested.

The kidney stone was too big to pass and had to be removed surgically. He didn’t realize it at the time, but a far more serious surgery loomed.

••• In hindsight, the signs were there.

Waking up at 2 a.m. in April from a sleep in which he bit a chunk out of his tongue. A mild seizure at work in May. Scott sees it as providence, God preparing him and his wife, Tori, for the camping trip in June

when she woke up to him having a grand mal seizure.

By the time Scott woke up, the paramedics had arrived. A CT scan at a hospital in Newport showed a mass on his brain.

The Splash the surgery, and the doctor seemed amazed Scott was able to be up and talking, retaining his movement and faculties. All told, he spent only three days in the hospital.

•••

With all the tests to run and information to process, doctors spent nearly a month weighing the best course of action with Scott and his family. In the end, they decided on an awake craniotomy to remove the grade 2 astrocytoma tumor. The doctor explained the surgery: He would remove as much of the tumor as possible, and then he would wake Scott up so the medical team could monitor his movements, test his speech, and use his responses in order to most safely remove even more cancer.

Scott’s resolution to remain positive was consistently tested. As he recovered from surgery and faced the uncertainty of starting chemo and radiation, he also developed shoulder pain. Not for the first time, he struggled to sleep.

With a theme of positivity and surrounded by the strength of Tori, their two daughters and his extended family, Scott went in for surgery July 17. While the majority of the tumor was removed, surgeons were unable to remove parts too closely enmeshed with optic nerves and vital brain functions. What’s more, Scott suffered a stroke during

The lessons helped him remain upbeat during his radiation at Cancer Care Northwest. With treatments five days a week for six weeks, he built relationships with the staff and fellow patients.

A Seattle visit with renowned natural health doctor and traumatic brain injury specialist Antoine Chevalier helped him to better understand the impact of negative thoughts and anger on his healing.

Before he left town, his shoulder pain was gone.

“The techs were so awesome,” Scott said, recalling great lengths they went to in order to make the experience as comfortable as

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ON THAT NOTE

possible. In typical fashion, he kept them on their toes, noting he was losing his hair in the areas where the radiation was focused. “And I was like, ‘My wife was wondering if you could target more around my nose.’”

MARCH 2020 • 31

The treatments typically moved like clockwork, but on one occasion he arrived to find a tense waiting room with appointments running 90 minutes behind schedule. Tapping into the power of positivity, he made it his mission to keep his mood up, and “that progressed into one of the most fun days, and that whole room was laughing.” Scott said while he may have got the ball rolling, soon multiple patients were laughing and joking with one another. One woman spit out her coffee. The hysteria attracted the attention of curious office workers.

“I had workers coming up to me weeks later saying, ‘We just want to thank you for that day that you helped that room make such a turn,’” he said.

••• Maybe the hardest part of being positive is simultaneously also being real. While he is focused on being upbeat, Scott isn’t interested in masking the facts about the cancer he is facing. In his mind, he pictures two railcars moving simultaneously down the tracks of his life. In one, Scott said he places thoughts true to his reality but that do him no good to dwell on: He could have a stroke; he could lose mobility; he could die.

“But I didn’t want to focus on (those things), and so I needed to separate it somehow,” he said.

Enter the other railcar, where he places the thoughts he can be positive about: That the tumor was finally discovered through

THE

Submitted photo Scott and Tori Hendricks and their two girls sport Brain Tumor Awareness bracelets at the Spokane River, not far from their home. The bracelets read: “Hope, Courage, Faith.” The Hendricks family lived in Liberty Lake for many years and now live just outside the city. his seizure; the faith he has in his you, we can never say cancer free, today, that I’m alive today,” Scott doctors; the amazing support of because the best we can say is no said. “In that sense, the MRI isn’t his family, friends and coworkers evidence; you will be cured when really relevant to me. It’s something I want to pay attention to because I at Collins Aerospace, where he has you die,’” Scott said. want to take care of myself, but the worked for 17 years.

A lot of uncertainty remains. MRI is going to show what it’s going “It’s clear and bright (on the The tumor could become more to show. I was walking around with positive side), so that’s what I choose aggressive — or the 42-year-old a tumor for years, and I didn’t know to look at,” he said. “God’s with me could make another lifetime’s worth it. But it was June when I was going and protecting me, and whether it’s of memories. For now, the tumor is to find out about it, and God started His time to take me, it’s His plan.” still evident. Scott has started a new preparing me in January.”

When there was no change to round of chemotherapy that will Of that, he is absolutely positive. his tumor after his recent MRI, Scott be followed by another MRI. The A version of this story first appeared knew it would be a letdown to his results of that test will determine the next steps. on coffeejosh.com, where Liberty Lake’s family and friends who want to be Josh Johnson introduces readers to able to use the word, “cured.”

“It doesn’t matter what (the MRI) inspiring people and great coffee shops “But my doctor told me, ‘for shows, what matters is how I live in the Inland Northwest.

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