August 2021 Splash

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Ridgeline is Ready communities newest high school prepares to open page 10

MEET THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT RIDGELINE PAGE 2

THE END OF A COMMUNITY LEGACY PAGE 12

LOCAL CHURCH EXPANDS THEIR SERVICES PAGE 23

2 • AUGUST 2021

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Focused Falcon – Emmerson takes flight as Ridgeline AD

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

As the new kid on the Greater Spokane League block, Ridgeline High School may take a season or two to establish programs that rank among the conference’s elite.

In the meantime, studentathletes who comprise the first version of Falcon Nation won’t have to look too far for an example of overcoming the odds.

Grady Emmerson, Ridgeline’s assistant principal of Athletics and Activities, will tell you he was a decent but not spectacular three-sport athlete at Kennewick High School in the Tri-Cities with baseball and football as his best sports. College recruiting mail did not arrive in abundance at the Emmerson household – in fact Emmerson can recall only one, a lukewarm letter of interest from Linfield University, a small Division-3 school in Oregon.

himself on the roster that fall as a special teams player. He got into every game but one. By the end of the season, he was offered a scholarship.

Emmerson would go on to be part of a Cougars’ team that matched up against Michigan in the 1998 Rose Bowl. By his senior year, he was a starting linebacker.

“It still seems surreal,” Emmerson says. “I look back and it was more like, ‘I bet I could do this.’ It wasn’t like I was trying to prove anyone wrong. It was an opportunity, a challenge.”

His junior year, Emmerson was inserted into the lineup after another linebacker – Steve Gleason – suffered an injury. Gleason would go on to an eight-year career in the

NFL and later tackled a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, with remarkable courage that has set a new standard for combating the disease. Emmerson remains close with his former teammate while Emmerson’s wife, Rian, works for the Team Gleason foundation. When Gleason was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal last January, Grady and Rian flew back to Washington, D.C. to be part of the celebration.

After graduating from WSU with a degree in math and an emphasis in education, Emmerson latched on at Gonzaga Prep as a teacher and assistant football coach.

After G-Prep, Emmerson was named defensive coordinator at East Valley High School. Following two years as a Knight, he was named head football coach at North Central High School where he spent four years. Ferris High School

At Ridgeline, Emmerson will oversee athletics and activities like band, ASB and clubs. This past school year, he worked as Ridgeline’s liaison at Central Valley High School, serving as assistant principal and learning the ropes from Robin Barnhart, his counterpart at CV. Fall sports kick off this month for the inaugural group of Falcon student-athletes and coaches. The first football practice is set for Aug. 18 while other sports begin Aug. 23.

Grady and Rian are proud parents of two kids – Talia, who will be junior at Ridgeline and Toby, an eighth grader at Selkirk Middle School.

Q: Growing up in Kennewick, sports were clearly an important part of your life. Did you ever see being an athlete as an avenue to a college scholarship or maybe even the opportunity to play on a professional level?

After several failed attempts to follow up with the baseball coach, Emmerson stopped by the WSU football office.

“I just asked, “What do you do to become a walk-on for football?’”

Emmerson recalls.

The answer involved signing up for winter conditioning classes with an eye toward spring drills. By the time two-a-day practices began, Emmerson was all in.

After an impressive effort in the spring of 1996, Emmerson found

While at Ferris, a colleague encouraged Emmerson to consider going into administration. He went back to school to earn his principal’s certification from Gonzaga and, in the fall of 2016, took a job as assistant principal at Greenacres Middle School where worked for four years.

“I see myself as a coach of coaches,” Emmerson says of his new role. “My job is to put our coaches in the best position to be successful.”

Undaunted, Emmerson decided to walk on the baseball team after enrolling at Washington State University in the fall of 1995. He made it to the last day of cuts, scarcely missing out on a roster spot.

“I started making some plays,” he said. “I just hustled. I tried my best to learn the game and put myself in the right positions.”

came next. Emmerson stepped in as defensive coordinator and was part of an undefeated Saxons’ state championship season in 2011.

Photo by Craig Howard Grady Emmerson brings an extensive background as a teacher, coach and administrator to his role as assistant principal for Athletics and Activities at Ridgeline High School in Liberty Lake. The Kennewick native played linebacker at Washington State before coaching football and teaching at area high schools like Gonzaga Prep, Ferris, North Central and East Valley.

A: To be honest that had never really crossed my mind. I never saw myself at that level and fortunately, it wasn’t a major focus in our lives as a family. I see a lot of pressure that families and kids put on themselves in terms of getting a scholarship and I think I was lucky to be able to enjoy sports for what they were in my youth – a chance to be with my friends doing something I enjoyed.

See EMMERSON, Page 4

AUGUST 2021 • 3

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EMMERSON

Continued from page 3 As for the professional level, again, there wasn’t much talk of that because the reality of college sports and moving on to the professional level is a very, very low percentage.

I wasn’t at that level.

Q: Looking back, what are some of the lessons you learned through sports that have benefited you beyond your days as a competitor?

A: Failure isn’t final. Actually, you probably fail more often than not in sports. I find great value in the sting, hurt, disappointment of failure or something not going your way. I seem to find greater joy in the successes knowing the failures that occurred along the way. I’m 44 years old and I think we can all agree that life is very similar in that respect – failure isn’t final. Jobs, relationships, parenting, health, society, family – all have elements of what I learned through my days as an athlete.

Q: You were a teammate of Steve Gleason and have maintained a friendship with him since your football days. How would you describe the impact he has had on your life?

A: Steve is a great friend, a great human being. Our relationship began as teammates at WSU and we both played linebacker together.

I have, and still do, admire his great passion for things in his life. There is something about him that draws people in and I think it has to do with his ability to connect with everyone.

I’ve always said that Steve has about 1,000 rings or groups that he is somehow connected to and I am fortunate to be in one of those. We

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are close to Steve and his family and enjoy spending time together. My wife Rian works for his foundation (Team Gleason) as well. Once we learned of his diagnosis, it shook all of us pretty hard but we rallied around Steve and we wanted to get involved and have been ever since.

I would say Steve has impacted my life in many ways but one that sticks out to me is a passion to serve others. That has always been one of Steve’s greatest strengths and I am confident that he has had a great influence on me in my life, especially in that regard.

Q: You made the transition from teacher/coach to administrator several years ago. What do you miss about being in the classroom and coaching and what have you enjoyed about being an administrator?

A: I miss being in the presence of kids in the classroom and on the field for sure. Granted, as an administrator and working in a school, I am always around kids but there is something about the classroom and a field/court that keeps you on your toes and almost youthful that I think a lot of teachers enjoy about the profession. Serving people is what gives me joy in life.

I believe being an administrator allows me to serve at a greater capacity within our community and I love that.

Q: How do you feel about the inaugural collection of coaches at Ridgeline High?

A: We are very proud of the staff that has joined us at Ridgeline.

We have hired great coaches that are knowledgeable and passionate about their sport but more importantly, they are great human beings that care about kids and the

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experience they will have in their programs. We are committed to our mission of Belong. Inspire. Grow.

And these coaches have embraced that to be part of their programs as well.

student-athletes who would have been Bears will now be Falcons.

In what ways do you think the arrival of Ridgeline will affect the balance of power in the Greater Spokane League and beyond?

Q: The first year at Ridgeline will not include any seniors while juniors at Central Valley will have the option of remaining at CV. How will this affect Ridgeline’s ability to compete with varsity programs at other schools featuring mostly upperclass students-athletes?

A: The GSL is a competitive league that we are proud and lucky to be a part of. What I have seen in high school sports over my 21 years in education is that different schools and different programs have their runs of success in terms of championships at the district, regional, and state level.

There will many in the public that define our successes by the wins and losses, which is natural in the athletic community. We are all looking to win, that’s obvious. I have a philosophy of being more intentional about the experience we are providing our kids and community and the types of relationships we are building within the program and the school.

There are two questions that I ask each coach during an interview that I think we can all reflect on: “What are your students/athletes going to say about you at the end of the season?” And: “In 10 years, when your students/athletes have lived life a bit and are sitting around a wedding reception or 10-year reunion, what are they going to say about you?” I bet most people reading this article can think back about a coach or teacher that had an impact on their lives. We as educators try to be that person.

A: Yes, we will definitely be lacking some experience and leadership in our programs not having those seniors, but that also creates opportunity for people to step up in ways that maybe they hadn’t envisioned at this point in their lives. Both coaches and players will be faced with adversity just like any other season – that’s what sports bring us in the challenge, adversity, failure, success, growth and opportunity.

Q: We know about Bears, Titans, Eagles and Knights. How will Ridgeline establish a culture of what it means to be a Falcon?

A: We always come back to our mission and vision of we want for all Falcons (students, staff and community) Our mission: Belong. Inspire. Grow. Our vision: Falcons Belong because: You have value; you are supported; you are connected. Falcons Inspire because: We ignite curiosity; we pursue our passions; we live with purpose.

Falcons Grow because: We embrace challenges; we give our best; we persevere.

Q: Central Valley has become a state power in a variety of sports but moving forward, many

Q: Finally, what are you looking forward to most about Ridgeline’s premier year?

A: The sounds of school!

Kids, staff, bells, whistles, cheers, buzzers, screech of shoes on the court, the band – all of it!

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AUGUST 2021 • 5

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SVFD Report – June 2021 Splash newsources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 147 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area* from May 15 – June 15, 2021 By the Numbers: Emergency Medical Services 121 Motor Vehicle Accidents 7 Fires 6 Dispatched and Cancelled en route 5 Building Alarms 4 Service Calls 2 Hazardous Materials 1 Technical Rescues 1 The *Service area for SVFD Station #3 in Liberty Lake • Calls saw an increase from 134 last month to 147 this month.

• Emergency Medical Services saw an increase from 109 calls last month to 121 calls this month.

• Building Alarm stayed consistent at 4 last month 4 this month • Motor Vehicle Accidents saw a increase from 6 last month to 7 this month.

Of Note: Increasing fires continue to be a concern. Illegal burning is continuing to occur. Burn Restrictions remain in place. Visit spokanevalleyfire.com to know what is legal to burn.

Incidents: Brush Fire, June 17, 7:19 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire crews responded to a call for a reported downed Brush Fire. Crews arrived to find a small bush next to a telephone box, both showing signs of an extinguished fire. There was smoke showing from the ground mounted transformer. Valley Brush 3 parked approximately 40 feet north of the transformer on the street. After investigation it was determined the fire had been extinguished with dry chem and water by neighbors. Water was used on the approximately 6-foot bush and dry chem on the transformer.

The fire was completely extinguished.

Crews contacted the person who called in the fire and with 10 to 12 homes on two adjacent streets without power.

Crews contacted dispatch and reported the transformer number and requested Avista be contacted to replace the transformer. Crews then foamed the area of the fire and another adjacent area using 100 gallons of water and foam concentrate. Crews taped off the area and informed neighbors of the hazard.

Service Call, June 20, 7:31 p.m. Spokane Valley Fire responded to the report of an animal locked in a car.

Crews arrived to find the owner of the vehicle and 2 dogs, and the owners mother applying blankets over the car to try and keep it cool. The car was not running, and it was reported the dogs had been in the car for approximately 15 minutes. The keys were locked in the car and could be seen on the passenger seat.

Valley Engine 3 crews used the lockout kit to wedge the passenger side front door open. They reached in with the Griffiths tool to actuate the lock using the key fob laying in the passenger seat.

It took about 5 minutes to get into the car with no damage occurring.

Hazardous Materials, June 22, 9:03 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a report of a diesel fuel spill at a gas station. Crews contacted the person who called in the report who informed them about 20 gallons of fuel spilled onto the ground. The gas station used all their absorbents mats and absorbent sand to try and prevent the fuel from making it to the grass swale. Valley Engine 3 used all their absorbent sand to attempt to dam the spill. The owner of the truck stated he started to fill his truck with fuel and then went into the store.

Someone else came in later saying there was fuel spilling on the ground. After investigation it appeared, someone had attempted to steal fuel from the truck by cutting the neck of the fuel tank beneath the truck. The Department of Ecology was contacted, and a spill response team accessed.

Service Call, June 20, 7:31 p.m. Spokane Valley Fire Rescue Task Force Crew (RTF) responded at the request of the Sherriff’s County Sherriff’s Office (SCSO) for a small hole adjacent to a house. Crews arrived and contacted the bomb SCSO Bomb Squad that was on scene. The hole contained wires leading to 2 blasting caps. The Sherriff’s Office (SO) anticipated blowing the blasting caps in place and required the SVFD to standby in case of accident. The SO decided to fill the hole with concrete vs the “blow in place” plan. SVFD was released by the SO. Motor Vehicle Collision, June 26, 6:26 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire responded to a car collision eastbound on I90. Crews arrived on scene to find multiple vehicles with one vehicle blocking an inside lane eastbound. The driver had self-extricated and had minor injuries. Valley 22 blocked traffic and assisted Washington State Patrol (WSP) until the vehicle was removed. One car was on its roof in the westbound lanes having rolled, coming from the I 90 westbound onramp. Crews prepared patients for transport to an area hospital and mitigated the scene. Once patient triage was finished and the scene secured, Valley Engine 3 released the scene to WSP.

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6 • AUGUST 2021

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Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Police Report - June 2021

Neglect/Abuse, 06/3/21; Officers responded to a report of a child and

animal abuse situations at the 2000 block of North Madson Road. Officers contacted an employee at the location who stated a couple was allowing their children to sleep in a van along with several animals why they stayed inside with several additional animals. The couple along with the children were contacted by the officers and they were able to determine that one child along with some animals were sleeping in the van without any air conditioning while the parents slept upstairs. Both the male and the female were taken into custody for Criminal Mistreatment as well as Animal Cruelty. The children were released to the custody of CPS while each of the animals (9) were collected by SCRAPS. Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident, 06/1/21; Officers responded to report of an accident in the 1200 block of Liberty Lake Road. Upon arrival they determined a male in his sixties was

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circles contain the number of incidents in a given area.

Splash news sources

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 598 Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 19 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/NonCriminal) 37 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 3 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 30 Malicious Mischief 4 Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 18 Parking Violations 0 Suspicious Vehicles 37 *The above numbers are as of 07/01/21

struck by a small passenger car driven by a female. The male was conscious and alert at the time of the officer’s response but complaining of hip and back pain. Officer’s determined the male was walking across the parking lot in front of the business when the female attempted to turn into his path. The female driver stated she did not see the male prior to making the turn and speed did not appear to be a factor in this case.

The male was transported to the hospital where he was treated for injuries to his pelvis, shoulder and vertebra. The female was cited for Negligent Driving as a result of the accident. Officer’s received notification later that week that the male had passed away as a result of the injuries and previous medical conditions.

Collision/DUI, 06/25/2021; Officers responded to a report of an accident at the 25000 block of East Appleway Avenue. Upon arrival they witness

one vehicle over the embankment and the other on its side blocking a lane of travel. Officers determined one vehicle attempted to make a u-turn in front of the second vehicle which caused the collision to take place. Officer’s also determined the driver of the at-fault vehicle may have been impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident. The male driver was charged for Driving Under the Influence as a result of the collision investigation.

Crisis Calls, Liberty Lake Officers have responded to a number of different mental health and person’s in crisis calls over the past month. The City and County have seen an increase in these crisis calls during this last month a result of mental health and other factors. The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to stay safe during the summer heat and to take care of one another.

Stay well and be safe!

AUGUST 2021 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner

Plan Ahead!

By Odon Langford

Liberty Lake City Council I would like to share with you, in four parts, a few life changes that at first look appear unrelated, but soon create a larger picture.

Part 1: One Event It is very seldom that we see major life changes coming. For example: former Councilperson Holly Woodruff didn’t know that her service on the City Council was going to be cut short after her appointment. Her family faced a life change and it affected Holly. Good luck Holly, we will miss you.

Part 2: Touches Another It’s not often that life-changing experiences only affect the individual that is experiencing the change. Holly’s experience led to another person’s change.

Congratulations to Dannetta Garcia (Dg), who was busy living life when she faced a life-changing event. She has now been appointed to our City Council, replacing Holly. Good luck Dg! Life changes in one sense create a ripple effect, not unlike the rock thrown in a pond. These events will touch the lives of over 10,000 residents here in Liberty Lake.

Part 3: Leads to Many Touched In a few months from now, you will have the chance to elect four councilpersons and a mayor.

Those ‘Electeds’ will make changes and decisions affecting all of us. The good news is that these decisions are made within framed periods of time, called “election cycles.”

The council makes appointments, laws and policies, but they only conduct business at your pleasure. They were ELECTED by you! You can ELECT, RE-ELECT and even UN-ELECT at every election cycle. You have oversight of those decisions and who will be making them.

Let me make this clear. Elected officials only have authority because you granted your power, voice and vote for them.

We aren’t the powerful ones. You are! Remember, the council meets every other Tuesday evening. You can exert your voice at those meetings also, be active for your city.

We are very lucky here in Liberty Lake. The residents of this great city have always set the bar of standards high. You set the pace, direction and pride that you want your city to represent.

Keep your eyes open and your vote coveted.

Part 4: Back to One Event I have served on the City Council for 14 years come this November. This will be my last term; someone new will have a life-changing event when they get elected, by YOU. I don’t say this with pride, but with sincerity. I hope that everyone who is elected this term and those completing their next two years, will remember as I have, that being elected means having a great and awesome opportunity to serve those who make this city a great place.

Service isn’t a life-changing event, but it can lead to one!

Thank you for allowing me to serve you. My family and I now look forward to new life changing events.

May the Creator God bless you and keep you!

Sincerely, Odin Langford 2007-2021

August 2021

Harvard Rd Bridge Closure Schedule In order to efficiently complete the construction of Harvard Rd Bridge and the Mission Avenue Roundabout, WSDOT has planned the following closures: SCHEDULE1

1 2

Location Date Harvard Rd Bridge – Mission to August 9th to August 23rd Appleway West Bound I-90 on Ramp (from August 23rd to September 3rd South Bound Harvard) 1 This schedule is subject to change.

This closure will impact us all, so please plan ahead, stay informed, be patient.

For the most up-to-date schedule & project information, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i90/barker-harvard/home

Questions?

WSDOT: City of Liberty Lake:

Tom Brasch – (509) 342-0944 Katy Allen – (509) 755-6728 Lisa Key – (509) 755-6708

“TWO WEEKS OF PAIN FOR DECADES OF GAIN!”

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

8 • AUGUST 2021

News and Notes – August 2021

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Council Member Dan Dunne noted the successful premiere of the Summer Festival on July 3. This year’s lineup is sponsored by STCU, Liberty Lake Kiwanis and the city of Liberty Lake and includes eight movies at Pavillion Park and two at Orchard Park, Shakespeare in the Park at Pavillion Park on Aug. 22, Liberty Lake Throwdown at Orchard Park on Aug. 28 and the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert featuring the Spokane Symphony at Pavillion Park on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. A complete schedule can be found at www.pavillionpark.org.

• Security cameras have been installed outside City Hall in response to concerns about vehicle break-ins on the property.

• Council approved a proclamation on diversity, equity and inclusion at its July 6 meeting. Mayor Cris Kaminskas noted the formal statement was “a confirmation of what we are doing already.”

• City Hall was opened as a cooling station during the recordsetting heat wave in early July.

The city also provided adaptive schedules for outdoor crews that included indoor work, adjusted times, steady hydration and monitoring for heat exhaustion.

• Frontage improvements to the city’s public works yard along Kramer Road began in midJuly and are expected to take three to four weeks.

• As part of the Harvard Road Bridge and Mission Avenue roundabout project, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) plans to close the bridge from Mission to Appleway from Aug. 9 to Aug. 23. The westbound I-90 on-ramp (from Harvard southbound) will be closed Aug. 23 to Sept. 3. The city is billing the traffic reroute as “Two Weeks of Pain for Decades of Gain.” The schedule is subject to change. Questions about the project can be directed

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to Tom Brasch with WSDOT (509342-0944) or Lisa Key with the city (509-755-6708). The city will be getting the word out about the project, including available detours, via hand-delivered flyers, social media, the city website and reader board. “This will be a major undertaking for our city,” said City Administrator Katy Allen.

• Council Member Annie Kurtz presented an overview of an ordinance on July 6 to create a Community Engagement Commission with a goal of generating an increased level of citizen involvement in municipal government. The ordinance calls for a group of nine volunteers comprising the inaugural commission. “I think the questions or the hesitations that people have are going to be answered by the community once they get on the commission,” Kurtz said in response to issues raised by several council members. Opinions varied on whether or not to pass the ordinance that would form the commission or wait and gauge public interest in the group before moving forward with the ordinance. “I’m recommending we slow it down a bit,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy who favored holding another workshop on the idea. City Attorney Sean Boutz said he would review the ordinance document and have council revisit the commission concept at a future date. Kurtz gave an update on July 20, noting she had met with Allen and Operations and Maintenance Director Jen Camp in the interim.

Ideas that emerged included city staff conducting two informational meetings for residents interested in the commission and council nominating residents to serve with the group. “I’m encouraged by this,” said Kennedy at the follow-up workshop. “I’d like to see us move forward. I would recommend if we have another workshop, looking what the criteria is going to be, what the numbers are going to be.

Whatever the majority goes along with, let’s move forward.” Council ultimately decided to submit proposed edits to the ordinance and review the document at a future meeting.

• Council held a workshop on strategies for American Rescue Plan

funding on July 6. Priorities include businesses, nonprofits, residents, technology, public facilities and infrastructure. “Maybe the first question is ‘How do we decide what percentage of the funds go to which buckets?’” said Kaminskas who added that the city didn’t want to duplicate efforts already in place by entities like Avista to help in areas such as utility assistance. City Administrator Katy Allen suggested contacting Liberty Lake-based service clubs and other local nonprofits to ask how their fundraising efforts have been impacted by the pandemic. The city was originally slated to receive $2.4 million through ARP but that amount shifted to just over $3 million with half being received by the city in June and the remaining balance scheduled to arrive in June 2022. The city would like application forms from nonprofits interested in ARP funds submitted

by Aug. 20.

• Planning, Engineering and Building Director Lisa Key facilitated a second public hearing last month on the Central Valley School District’s request to annex property west of Ridgeline High School. The land is currently part of unincorporated Spokane County and is zoned industrial. CVSD is requesting a zoning change to R2 mixed residential with an allowable density of six to 12 units per acre.

Concern has been raised by some residents in the surrounding area regarding increased traffic, speeding, garbage and lack of police presence. CVSD has discussed the possibility of an elementary or middle school on the site.

• The Library Summer Soiree hosted by Friends of the Library on July 14 “was a fabulous event,” according to Library Director Jandy Humble. “We really appreciate the community and the council and everyone coming out and showing their support for the library and Friends of the Library,” Humble added. “I’m thrilled with what a success it was.”

• Humble paid tribute to longtime library trustee Mindy Howe at the July 20 council meeting. Howe, the senior member of the board who has served for the past five years, announced she

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would be stepping down July 31.

“I’ve very much valued all of her input, support and knowledge that she has.” Humble said. The city is accepting applications for the vacant board seat.

• Allen said “there has been a lot of interest from a lot of restaurants” regarding the Trailhead renovation project. She said it would be up to council to decide which establishment would be selected to be part of the redesigned golf campus.

• Key provided an overview of requirements surrounding recently passed House Bill 1220 that addresses emergency shelters and housing. She said certain changes will need to be incorporated into the housing portion of the city’s comprehensive plan that ensure affordable housing for a cross-section of socioeconomic levels spanning from extremely low-income households to moderate income households. The priorities include tenant protections, identifying areas that may be of higher risk for displacement, establishing anti-displacement policies, inclusionary zoning, potential investments in low-income neighborhoods and consideration of land for affordable housing.

“It’s a whole new world for the city of Liberty Lake,” Key said.

Another aspect of the legislation includes transitional and permanent supportive housing being allowed in areas that permit residential uses or hotels and indoor emergency shelters being allowed in any zones that allow for hotels.

• Police Chief Damon Simmons provided council with an overview of police reform legislation on July 20, including 13 law changes in the state. Simmons focused on shifts now required in tactics and use of force. “Crime is increasing and we’re trying to find ways to combat crime and unfortunately, in the opinion of many law enforcement officers and executives in this state, our job is about to get a lot harder,” Simmons said. “Right now, there’s just a lot of uncertainty and questions that we need to get answered.”

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Garcia chosen as newest member of council

running and make an impact while I’m there,” Garcia said. “I get to be in the room when it happens, when the citizens’ business is the most important business of the day.”

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Resilience has been a trademark of Danetta “Dg” Garcia for a long time.

The native of Richmond, Virginia grew up in a military family, moving often and living in faraway places like Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Holland and Italy. Stateside stops included California, Texas, Mississippi and New York.

Garcia went on to write her own chapter in the military, serving in the Air Force. She received the Meritorious Achievement Medal for Heroism in 1986 for rescuing a trainee from suicide. Her career includes work with three state agencies in California and owning two consulting firms. Along the way, she earned her master’s degree in psychology.

Garcia has called Liberty Lake home since 2015. She made it a point early on to voice her opinion as a citizen, showing up at City Council meetings to add valuable insight and bring attention to areas where the city could improve.

In 2017, Garcia shed light on the importance of Liberty Lake becoming part of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Eventually, the campaign led to the passage of a municipal ordinance opening the doors for residents to purchase their own flood insurance.

AUGUST 2021 • 9

DG Garcia In 2019, Garcia ran for a seat on council. She collected 46 percent of the vote but was edged out by Phil Folyer. Earlier this year, Garcia was part of a crowd of applicants to vie for council position 7 vacated when Cris Kaminskas was appointed mayor. Again, Garcia threw her hat into the ring.

Eventually, Holly Woodruff was appointed by the sitting council on Feb. 23 – but when Woodruff announced in June that she would be moving out of the area to be with family, the seat opened up again.

Garcia will serve until the general election is certified at the end of November. While Woodruff’s name will still appear on the ballot – the effort to remove her as a candidate came too late in the process – she will not be eligible to hold office in Liberty Lake due to residing outside city boundaries. If a write-in candidate eclipses Woodruff’s vote count, that person would take office and serve through 2023, the end of Kaminskas’s original term. If Woodruff is the winner, council will need to appoint another council member to fill out the term.

Garcia said she will prioritize connections with the community as a council member.

“It’s going to be a joint effort between the people and I,” she said. “I’m going to be innovative and creative and move mountains, but I’m not going to do it alone. I

don’t want my city to say, ‘Look what we didn’t do.’”

As for sticking with her quest to represent the city through one election and two appointment processes, Garcia said, “My message is perseverance for the right reasons.”

As with any new member of the governing board, Garcia is aware of the learning curve.

“It will be important for me to pay attention, to listen and be a team player,” she said. “I don’t want to be a bull in a China shop.”

The potential of a write-in faceoff for Pos. 7 would mean three contested races in Liberty Lake this election cycle. Former Mayor Steve Peterson and Kaminskas are campaigning for mayor while longtime Council Members Odin Langford and Hugh Severs will not run for re-election. Jamie Freeze-Baird and Mike Behary will vie for Langford’s Pos. 4 seat and newcomer Chris Cargill is running uncontested for Severs’ Pos. 2 chair. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy is also unopposed in the general election.

On July 13, Garcia was among three applicants interviewed by council to replace Woodruff.

Tim Olsen, a Realtor who serves on the library board, and Gary Green, a retired aviation director and former member of the city’s Planning Commission, joined Garcia in the group interview.

Garcia emerged victorious, capturing four votes around the dais.

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10 • AUGUST 2021

Quick Facts Principal: Jesse Hardt Mascot: Falcons Address: 20150 E Country Vista Drive, Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Architect | Contractor | Process: ALSC Architects (building) and Bernardo Wills Architects (fields and landscaping) | Garco Construction | Design-BidBuild Groundbreaking Ceremony: August 29, 2019 Construction Period: March 2019 - August 2021 Dedication: 2021 @ 6pm.

August

31st,

School Opens | Students Move In: Sept 8th 2021 is first day of school but Sept 3rd is first varsity football game.

Sq Ft: 241,500 Student Capacity: 1,600 with 950 estimated to start in 2021 (senior class remains together at CVHS and U-High) Total Completion Cost: $99 million estimated construction from 2018 construction bond and state construction match Key Features: Brand new school including upgraded safety/security, direct day light/windows in every classroom, new classroom furniture, separated parking lots and on-site traffic flow.

The Splash

Central Valley’s newest High School Nears Completion

By Ben Wick

Splash Publisher

Ridgeline High School, Central Valley’s newest high school, is nearing completion and will be the regions newest high school, with the previous one opening in 1997 when Mead School District opened Mt. Spokane High School, a time before any of the students who will attend Ridgeline were even born.

“A lot has changed in the design and construction of schools since the 90’s” mentioned Central Valley School District Superintendent Ben Small. “In those days the guidance from OSPI [Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction] was to create schools that were boxed in and enclosed.

Whereas today the requirements are to have natural light in every classroom.”

With views from nearly every angle and room, Ridgeline definitely fits into the new guidelines for the use of natural lighting. “ALSC Architecture did a great job utilizing the space we had for Ridgeline” said Small.

Walking up to the new school, one can’t help but notice its

Photos by Ben Wick With natural light and views from every classroom. Ridgeline High School prepares for students starting in August. connections with the surrounding area. From the browns and greys in the exterior design that help blend it into the nearby hillside to the over 300 boulders incorporated into the landscaping, Jay Rowell, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources & Operations and one of the project leads for the construction of Ridgeline quickly pointed out.

“All of the boulders were actually found right here on the site and we were able to re-use them in the design adding another connection to the area as well as a significant cost savings.”

Spending one year in design before breaking ground on August 29th 2018, and nearly two years to the day with the scheduled dedication ceremony to be held on August 31st which everyone is invited to attend.

“Simple can be elegant, it can be beautiful.” Commented Small on the design. “We tried to do that across all of the schools we built.”

“Throughout the design we made sure to keep asking can you build that?”

While at the groundbreaking in 2018 no one would have guessed that a world wide pandemic was on the horizon, and that now would be a time in which construction projects are in high demand, while supplies are often times scarce and hard to find. Jay Rowell can proudly say this project stayed on schedule and within budget.

Photo by Ben Wick WA State Arts Commission provides grant to include a public art piece at Ridgeline High School. The artwork show above was designed by Don Rimx and is on display in the commons area.

“Supplies weren’t too bad; delivery was a different story” added Rowell sighting the freight issues that are not all that uncommon recently. “But we had a great team which planned ahead often looking 6 to 12 to 18 weeks out to make sure we would have the supplies when we needed them.”

Walking around the building it is easy to find some similarities with the other Central Valley High Schools. While at Ridgeline the Theatre is more centrally located, being just off the commons area, it seats nearly the same number of people (600), but utilizes a balcony seating area to fit into a smaller footprint.

Also included in the new school was a public art piece. “While we haven’t had public art in many of our other schools, we do have it in both of our other high schools and wanted to continue that with Ridgeline,” said Superintendent Small. While the funding for the art project wasn’t a part of the original budget, the school district was able to work with the WA State Arts Commission and received a grant which paid for the art. A committee was formed to help select the artist and art piece which involved many individuals. Ultimately artist Don Rimx was selected and an art piece that connects with the Ridgeline Falcons is a signature piece on display in the school’s commons area (pictured bottom left).

Even the classrooms are well thought out with the student desks and tables in the science labs being at the same height as the counter tops, allowing for more flexible spaces and collaborative education.

At the end of each wing of classrooms are special project rooms where groups of students can break out and work collaboratively on a project, or teachers can prepare lessons as their classrooms may be busy with other activities.

Taking concepts from Spokane Valley Tech, Ridgeline also features a number of what are called ‘makerspaces.’ Maker-spaces are spaces

The Splash

COVER STORY

Ridgeline Roundup –

Falcon coaches weigh in on inaugural year

By Craig Howard

Photo by Ben Wick A unique feature at Ridgeline is larger rollup doors for 'makerspaces' allowing flexability and greater creativity for students. where kids can create. It is flexible space where students might be able to do woodshop, metal shop, or a number of different things. These spaces often have larger garage type doors either inside into the school or outside to the exterior so that large supplies can be easily brought in and larger projects can be taken out.

For those who like to read, the school library is on the second floor and has an amazing window overlook, looking out one side into the school’s commons area and on the other side out towards the main entrance of the school.

Even the flow from the street and parking lots have been thought out with having a separate parking area for teachers on the opposite side of the school from the students.

A school bus drop off area goes back behind the school, a separate loop for parent drop off and a main central parking area for students that is not only easy access for their classrooms, but also surrounded by the sports and extra-curricular activities which students often stay at school after hours to participate in.

While the RHS Booster Club has already started meeting (and is always open for others who are interesting in joining), football practices start on August 18th, and the Student Leadership LINK crew is forming, the official Ridgeline High School Dedication ceremony will be on August 31st beginning at 6pm and will offer tours for anyone who is interested. While the official first day of school for the Ridgeline Falcons will be Sept 8th there are already many opportunities to get involved, see rhs. cvsd.org for more information.

Splash Contributing Editor

As Ridgeline High School prepares to welcome its first collection of students next month, the arrival of fall sports will be part of the festivities.

The Splash asked the first coaches of Falcon Nation to answer one question: What are you looking forward to most about being part of Ridgeline sports? The responses ring with the sort of energy and enthusiasm that should define the school’s competitive spirit in the 2021-22 academic year.

Coaches for some sports at Ridgeline – like boys and girls golf, boys tennis and boys soccer – are yet to be hired. Longtime CV band director Eric Parker will lead the Falcon music program while Abbie Lentz will be the head cheerleading coach.

Girls soccer – Tiera Como “The one thing I am really excited for with this Ridgeline team is starting a program from the ground up,” Como said. “I have a great team of coaches and we are looking forward to building the program as a family.”

Football – Dave Myers “The excitement and support we have already gotten from the community has been overwhelming,” Myers said. “It’s just really exciting to have the opportunity to build something special from the ground up. It doesn’t hurt that we get to do it in the nicest facility in the region.”

Girls cross country – Molly Barnhart “I am looking forward to building a strong foundation for the cross country program,” Barnhart said. “Cross country is known for its hard work, grit and tremendous teamwork and I am determined to demonstrate this at the beginning of Ridgeline's program.”

Boys cross country – Kieran Mahoney “Ridgeline will provide me with a fresh start after experiencing multiple losses the past few years,”

Mahoney said. “Due to COVID and without many juniors and no seniors, the project of building a competitive team in the GSL will be a five-year mission.”

Volleyball – Whitney Abell “I am so excited to be a part of the Falcon family and to grow a program through empowering girls to work hard, overcome personal/team limitations and adversity together by learning to compete and striving to ‘Rise Above’ which is our program motto!” Abell said.

Girls basketball – Clyde Woods “I want to build a program with the student-athletes and their parents, along with the Ridgeline administration, that the community of Liberty Lake will be proud of and anxious to come out and see compete on a nightly basis,” Woods said.

“Being from Pasco, the Friday night ballgame was something that would be talked about starting on a Tuesday or Wednesday. I want to bring that same atmosphere to Ridgeline.”

Boys basketball – Freddie Rehkow “I think the things I’m looking most forward to at Ridgeline are the opportunities I will get to build a program from the ground up, coach boys basketball for the first time since I coached my own sons and the opportunity to start something special in the Ridgeline community.” Rehkow said. “I’m excited and extremely grateful to be a part of a new school, new system and another opportunity to work with a great staff. Ready to be on the sideline again and working with the kids.”

Wrestling – Brice Gretch “Most head coaching jobs involve some rebuilding but typically the new team is developed on top of an existing foundation, cracks and all,” Gretch

AUGUST 2021 • 11

said. “I am looking forward to getting to build a totally new program.

Year one will be about laying the foundation together as a team and deciding what expectations/ traditions will be the foundation of our Ridgeline wrestling program.”

Baseball – Jeramie Maupin “Starting something from the ground up and creating a positive culture for our students and athletes is something I am really looking forward to,” Maupin said. “I have absolutely loved my time at CV! From my players, students, colleagues, administrators, to the families, I have had nothing but support. I feel very lucky and privileged to have been a part of the CV community for the past seven years. However, this is not an opportunity that many people get and I felt for various reasons it was one I needed to take.”

Fastpitch softball/slowpitch softball – Alyssa Rasmussen “I am excited to create a great culture, positive experience in sport and ultimately develop memories that will last a lifetime,” Rasmussen said. “Our school mission statement is ‘Belong, Inspire and Grow.’ The most important aspect of coaching to me is that I want to teach my athletes that it is fun when we belong; it is fun to inspire others and it is fun to grow and become better versions of ourselves.”

Girls’ tennis – Russ Tarmann “I am looking forward to teaching and coaching at Ridgeline to give back to the community,” Tarmann said.

“As a coach, we have an opportunity to begin a culture where staff, parents and students can belong and grow in our community. I am excited to build a new program mentoring young athletes to advocate and compete in sports and life.”

12 • AUGUST 2021

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The end of the Friends of Pavillion Park

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

After decades of serving the community of Liberty Lake, the Friends of Pavillion Park quietly disbanded early this year. But before they did, the group made sure longstanding events in the park were handed off to other organizations that will make sure they continue in the years to come.

The group used to host regular movie nights and concerts in Pavillion Park along with Shakespeare in the Park, the Fourth of July concert and fireworks, a Holiday Ball and an annual Spokane Symphony Lud Kramer Memorial Concert on Labor Day weekend.

“We were really relevant 20 years ago,” said board member Dave Himebaugh. “Fast forward and there are so many groups, so many things going on. Over the last few years, we as a board questioned our purpose and our mission and our validity in Liberty Lake.”

organized by Joe and Laura Frank.

In many cases, those organizations were already involved in the events.

“We’re turning the manpower over to these organizations that were helping us anyway,” he said.

“We don’t need to run these events ourselves. The movies are going on without a hitch. The Symphony, provided it’s not too hot, will go on without a hitch.”

Himebaugh said he doesn’t think the public will even notice a difference. “People will go and have a great time,” he said.

Jen Camp, the City of Liberty Lake’s Operations and Maintenance Director, said she also thinks people won’t notice a difference with the events. “They’ve made it such a smooth transition,” she said of the Friends of Pavillion Park.

But though the organization is gone, Himebaugh and the other board members aren’t going away.

“We dissolved the 501(c)3, so we are no longer an organization,” he said.

“We’re always going to be in the background.”

Camp said she’s counting on that. “While the group, formally,

isn’t active, the individuals are still very active,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

line through the park. “There were people trying to get up on stage,” he said. “After that, we hired security.”

They will continue to help book musical acts for the Fourth of July concerts and other events. But this way they won’t have to worry about paying fees to movie companies and buying insurance. “The insurance was pretty costly,” he said.

The group did have money in the bank when it disbanded, Himebaugh said. The board voted to distribute most of that to the organizations that are taking over Friends of Pavillion Park events, including the Greenstone Foundation, the Valley HUB and the Liberty Lake Kiwanis. The board also voted to set aside some money for one last big concert, probably next year. It’s those big concerts in the park that will be going away with the group’s closure.

Himebaugh was on the Friends board for 20 years. “It was love for the community,” he said. “When we did an event and put that event on, to look out and see all the people who showed up felt good. It was also that I felt like if I don’t do it, who will?”

He remembers many of the events fondly. “For me, some of the highlights were some of the big concerts,” he said. “I think Robert Cray generated the most buzz and interest.”

People came from out of town for that concert and had a hard time believing the concert was free, Himebaugh said.

He also remembers the excitement at a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert, where the horn players did a conga

Though Himebaugh will continue to work in the background, he said he’ll miss the Friends of Pavillion Park. “I’m going to miss showing up at the park at 7 a.m. to set up the band equipment and the banners,” he said. “That was always a fun thing.”

Camp said she’s grateful that the group had a long run. “They really served a huge purpose for a long, long time,” she said. “They were a longstanding group that inspired a lot of events and activities.”

Not only were other events more plentiful, but the number of active members in the group was shrinking. “It’s difficult to get people involved,” he said. “It’s the old rule, 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work.”

When the Friends of Pavillion Park was founded in the early 1990’s, the city of Liberty Lake had not yet been incorporated. There weren’t many groups active in the community to host public events.

Now, however, there are. “You have a lot of organizations competing for the calendar,” he said.

But many of the events the group started will continue. The Liberty Lake Kiwanis and sponsor STCU have taken over the moves in the park. The annual cornhole tournament is now run by the Valley HUB. The annual symphony concert will be run by the city. Shakespeare in the Park will be sponsored and

File Photo While the Friends of Pavillion Park organization is coming to an end, others are stepping up to help keep Liberty Lake events going such as the summer concert series shown above.

AUGUST 2021 • 13

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Student of the Month

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For Jack Rodgers, service above self is par for the course. The incoming senior at Central Valley High School has volunteered for Second Harvest over the past year, putting together relief boxes for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also delivers flowers to homebound seniors through Farm House on Green Bluff. “I really like helping people out,” said Rodgers. “It feels good to make a difference.” The Liberty Lake resident maintains a 3.95 grade point average and has played on the varsity golf squad since his sophomore year. He has a personal best round of 70 at Meadowwood, his home course.

Next academic year, he will take a slew of AP courses and be part of the Leadership program. “I want to make sure students at CV who aren’t heard are heard,” he said. “I want everyone to feel welcome.”

Not many recent high school graduates can say they are among the world’s elite in two track and field events.

Hannah Dederick – Central Valley class of 2021 – can make that claim.

Dederick is the second ranked female wheelchair racer in the 100 meters and fourth in the 400 meters. She recently qualified for the Paralympic Games that begin Aug. 24 in Tokyo by placing first in the 100 and 400 at the Move United Junior National Championships in Denver with times of 16.62 and 59.97 respectively.

She also took gold in the 800. Born in Suzhou, China, Dederick was left on the steps of a hospital as a baby and adopted by a family who moved to Spokane. She began training with ParaSport Spokane in 2015 at 12.

Dederick will attend the University of Illinois on a track scholarship.

Shoppers at Yoke’s Fresh Market on Liberty Lake Road are accustomed to the smiling face and good-natured energy of Jean Simpson. When the store opened as a Safeway in 2000, Simpson was part of the inaugural bakery department where she worked for 15 years. She now works at the check stand, dishing out encouragement. “You never know what someone is going through,” she said. “If someone leaves the check stand with a smile, you’ve done your job. Even if it’s just ‘Hello, how are you doing?’”

Simpson participated with the Liberty Lake Community Theatre for years as an actress and a volunteer behind the scenes. She was part of the committee that organized the first American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Liberty Lake and later served as co-chair. In 2014, Safeway honored Simpson as Western Region Volunteer of the Year.

& Thanks you for all you do in our community

16 • AUGUST 2021

The Splash

Rise Above teaches winning strategies for sports, life

some restaurants and unwelcome to live in certain parts of St. Louis based on the color of his skin. Even in the community he eventually called home, Wilkens had a white neighbor who would go out of his way to avoid him.

many years before. Wilkens joined other celebrities as part of a sports and wellness clinic under the banner of Rise Above, a program dedicated to a mission of “empowering Native youth to lead healthy lives despite the challenges.”

Current contributing editor

“I wouldn’t let them intimidate me,” Wilkens said of the discrimination he encountered as an early pro. “I had a lot of confidence in who I was and what I could do.”

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Wilkens looked up to a local hero – Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Wilkens delivered groceries to Robinson’s home and spoke with him on several occasions.

The lineup of luminaries from the world of sports and entertainment included movie star Danny Glover, former Olympic and pro basketball standout Ruthie Bolton and ex-NBA players Craig Ehlo and Spencer Haywood, among others.

By Craig Howard

Before he coached the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA title in 1979, Lenny Wilkens faced a different kind of foe as a player with the St. Louis Hawks.

Drafted sixth overall in the 1960 NBA draft out of Providence College, Wilkens headed to Missouri to begin his professional career, well aware that the ugliness of racial segregation was still prevalent in the Hawks’ hometown.

Despite being a star point guard for a team that competed for a championship against the Boston Celtics his rookie year, Wilkens found himself prohibited from

“I remember thinking back then, ‘If Jackie could do it then I can do it,’” Wilkens recalls. “He was always encouraging us, saying the only person that could stop you is you.”

Last month, Wilkens stood before a group of kids from seven Native American Tribes at the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, speaking in the same reinforcing tones that Robinson employed

“These kids need to be let known that they can achieve, that they can make a difference,” Wilkens said.

“They’re our future.”

Wilkens said he was inspired to join the Rise Above team through the story of Jaci McCormack, who grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation near Lewiston, Idaho and went on to a stellar college basketball career at Illinois State. McCormack serves as president of Rise Above and is the victim assistant coordinator with the Tulalip Tribe Prosecutor’s Office.

McCormack said Rise Above is focused on “changing the narrative in the hearts and lives of Native kids.”

According to data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Native youth experience disproportionate rates of poverty, mental illness and substance abuse. Rise Above prioritizes its curriculum based on feedback received from 30 Native Tribes – the areas of emphasis include alcohol and drug prevention, healthy relationships, suicide prevention and diabetes and obesity awareness. The program also encourages kids to pursue higher education.

Photo by Craig Howard On July 12, the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake hosted a sports and wellness clinic presented by Rise Above – a program focused on empowering Native American youth to build life skills, strength and resilience. From left to right: Rise Above President Jaci McCormack, a former NCAA Division-1 basketball player at Illinois State, Lenny Wilkens, NBA Hall of Famer as a player and coach and Rise Above Vice President Brad Meyers, a former basketball player at Whitworth and Washington State.

McCormack almost gave up on her dream of college basketball as a freshman until Illinois State head coach Jenny Yopp challenged her to “not become just another statistic… someone who didn’t make it but could have.” She went on to lead the school to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years as a senior in 2005, hitting the game-winning shot in the waning seconds of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earning tournament MVP honors.

“In life, we all have challenges,” McCormack said. “We need to understand that we are not alone, that there is hope and to just reach out. We all need help. We all need somebody.”

McCormack’s journey will soon be chronicled in a feature film with the same title of the program she oversees. There is also talk of the Kalispel Tribe establishing a Rise Above wellness center in Airway Heights.

Brad Meyers, vice president of Rise Above, worked as the deputy director at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations in Spokane Valley – a residential treatment center in for adolescents recovering from chemical dependency – before transitioning to his current role. He said Rise Above “is not out to be a one-hit wonder.”

“We want to engage a community,” Meyers said. “At the end of the day, Rise Above is a community builder.”

The goal of the clinic in Liberty Lake, McCormack said, was “for kids to be inspired, to have some hope and hear some incredible success stories.”

Robert Neal of the Colville Tribe drove 45 minutes from north Spokane with his two kids, 12 and 7, to be part of the Rise Above experience.

“Just walking into the gym, it was really cool,” Neal said. “All the energy was so positive. The kids got to meet famous people who were just so unbelievably kind and helpful.”

Neal, whose wife and kids are part of the Kalispel Tribe, said the day was a reminder of possibilities.

“Growing up on the res(ervation), there’s such a lack of positive role models,” he said. “Events like this allow kids to hear a positive message. That’s a day that kids on the res don’t often get. We just need more of this.”

Want to find out more?

To learn more about Rise Above, visit www.nativeyouthriseabove.org or contact Brad Meyers at 509-808-1859.

AUGUST 2021 • 17

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HISTORY

AUGUST 2021 • 19

20 • AUGUST 2021

The Splash

Snack Shack

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

In just a few days, a team of young girls will bring the Liberty Lake Snack Shack to life in Rocky Hill Park, selling a variety of snacks, drinks and cold treats to people who gather in the park.

The girls are members of the Entrepreneur Club created by Joe Frank, president of Greenstone Homes. “I was originally coaching a group of girls in Math is Cool,” Frank said. “I wanted to do something cool that had to do with math.”

Frank had the idea of creating an entrepreneur club and asked the girls if they were interested. Several said yes and recruited new friends to join. The group brainstormed ideas on what business they would like to create and run and the snack shack idea won. Frank approached the City of Liberty Lake to ask about the project and was given the green light to continue on one condition.

“In order to do that, the city wanted them to operate as a nonprofit,” Frank said.

The Entrepreneur Club now operates under the 501(c)3 of the Greenstone Foundation, a non-profit that supports educational programs, health and nutrition programs and affordable housing. Any profits generated by the Snack Shack will be used to support those charitable efforts, Frank said.

Since the approval was given, the girls have been working to upgrade the shack and raising money to pay for the improvements. Founding sponsors who donate at least $1,000 will be recognized with their name on the shack, Frank said.

Power was brought to the shack so the girls could sell cold and frozen treats. They painted the building and laid fresh sod themselves. They also put in a ramp. “Before it was just sitting off in the grass with no real access to it,” Frank said. “That was probably the biggest expense, was adding a concrete ramp.”

What is yet to be determined is how often the shack will be open.

The original plan was to be open each weekend, but Frank said he’s not sure there’s enough foot traffic for that. “The park has been a little bit quieter this year because it’s been

so hot,” he said.

In the beginning the shack will be open for events and hours will be added as time progresses. “I think they’d like to do more regular hours,” he said.

Many of the girls who signed up for the club say they did so because they’re interested in learning about business. Some are already thinking about owning their own business someday. And the fact that they get to have fun working with their friends is just an added bonus.

The eleven girls that are part of the group are divided into two teams, one handling marketing issues like flyers and logos and the other handling operations.

“We wanted to learn how to apply all the business stuff to the real world,” said Logan Mattioda, 12. “We wanted to create a small business. “We thought we’d take the shack in Rocky Hill and use it because we’d never seen it used before.”

But picking the Snack Shack wasn’t an easy task, said Isabelle Hernandez. “We started with a bunch of ideas written on a board, like a hundred of them,” said Hernandez, 13.

“We had plenty of different ideas, like babysitting, pet setting, selling something at the Farmer’s Market,” said Sindhu Surapaneni, 12.

The girls narrowed the list to their top four before settling on the Snack Shack. Then they discussed what they needed to do to remodel the shack and what they wanted to sell. Hernandez said she thought cold and frozen items like ice cream would be popular. “A lot of little kids and their parents go down there,” she said. “If they saw a snack shack opening, they’d probably be really interested.”

Emma Gronenthal, 12, said she also thinks a Snack Shack is a natural fit for the park, particularly since there isn’t anywhere close to get food or drinks. “So many kids go to the park during the summer time for activities and sports or just to hang out,” she said.

Hernandez said she joined the group because of her interest in business. “I joined the club to learn how to be an early entrepreneur,” she said. “When I’m older, I either want to own my own business or

Vernice Zanco

The Splash

Vernice Zanco 81, of Liberty Lake WA passed away on June 7th, 2021 peacefully at home with her loved ones.

Vernice was born on July 10th, 1939 in Washington D.C to Mary and Harry Aldrich. She graduated high school in 1957. She also went to night school to learn about real estate. In 1985 she moved to Liberty Lake Washington, where she expanded her business and gave her son a new life.

Vernice married Santo Zanco and the couple had 1 child together.

She was hardworking, and was deeply involved with the NRA, Liberty Lake Friends of Pavilion Park and always wanted the best for her community.

Vernice enjoyed raising her son, running her business, and watching Fox News. Her friends and family will always remember her as a strong, beautiful, and loving person.

Vernice is survived by her son Fred Zanco, her partner Jack Gephart, and lots of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, and many siblings.

A Celebration of Life was held earlier this summer at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank all of the people who shared her life and made her feel special. work for a business.”

Surapaneni already has experience running a business.

When the pandemic hit, she began offering free art classes on Facebook.

This summer she’s been running a series of art summer camps and donating the $10 fee to Blessings Under the Bridge.

Despite that experience, she wanted to join the club because she wanted to learn more, particularly from Frank. “I think it’s a really great experience at a young age,” she said. “It would be really great

to learn from him, because he has a professional business.”

Gronenthal said she joined the group because it sounded like fun.

“I’ve always wanted to try to help out in the community, but I didn’t know how,” she said. “I thought it would be kind of cool to run a business. I get to spend more time with my friends and I get to help other kids smile.”

The Snack Shack will celebrate its grand opening, complete with food trucks and music, on Aug. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.

AUGUST 2021 • 21

22 • AUGUST 2021

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The Splash

Cornerstone Church Expands

ON THAT NOTE purpose room.

The new sanctuary will seat 1,000 people, which leaves plenty of room to grow. It will fit a congregation more than double the size of the current one. “If they all show up, we’re probably over 400,” Mayo said.

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

The current church will not go unused. Mayo said the church plans to launch Cornerstone Academy in it in the fall.

Cornerstone Church in Liberty Lake has been celebrating a lot of milestones this year. The church is celebrating its 27th anniversary and the still growing church is working to remodel the recently acquired building across the street into a church and then convert the current church into a school.

The Rev. Rick Mayo has led the church since it began in a single room above a veterinarian’s office near Appleway and Thierman. The church would move to a larger storefront within a year.

Mayo was a full-time evangelist for three years before he felt called to come to Spokane and start a church.

“I’d never been here in my life and didn’t know one person,” he said.

“We went out and bought 20 chairs.

That’s what we started with.”

While Mayo may have been an evangelist before coming to Spokane, he did not have deep roots in religion. “I was a heavy metal rocker in the early 1980’s,” he said.

“I basically was a very lost soul, pedal to the metal living.”

Mayo describes himself as depressed and suicidal with a problem with drugs and alcohol before a friend invited him to attend Rock Church in Sacramento, California. It was there that he had what he describes as a miraculous conversion. “I found something far different than I thought it would be,” he said. “I had a transformation moment with God that was incredible.”

Mayo said he wants to bring that experience to the people who come to his church. “We’ve just come to bring hope,” he said. “It’s real. God is real and the hope is real.”

He said he believes that God speaks to people. “God is speaking to everybody if you listen,” he said.

Mayo describes his church as conservative and fundamental.

He believes that the Bible should shape culture and not the other way around. “We believe the Bible is true, the Bible still works,” he said.

AUGUST 2021 • 23

“We’re starting as a preschool and evolving,” he said. “We want to do it right. Our goal is to eventually do K-12 here.”

Photo by Nina Culver Reverend Rick Mayo leads the Cornerstone Church as it continues to expand and grow.

Cornerstone has been constantly growing, moving to ever larger facilities over the years. “People are hungry for God,” he said. “They’re looking for answers. The world is in a really perplexing place right now.”

In 2013 the congregation bought an old Kia dealership in Liberty Lake at the corner of Corrigan and Mission. The church has one worship service at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Mayo said he prefers it that way, partly because he wants to be able to get to know each member personally. “We’re able to have lots of fellowship after the service,” he said.

The church has groups for youth, men, women, seniors and college students. There’s also a book club and a group for those who want to take trips. A church should try to meet the needs of all its members, Mayo said.

“It’s a full-service church,” he said. “We have lots of things going.”

The church had been raising money in a building fund for a year before purchasing the former Ice World building for $2.7 million earlier this year. “We’re still working with the bank on the remodel costs,” he said.

The new building, which is expected to be complete in September, will have a coffee shop and bookstore near the front entrance.

The administrative offices will be tucked under the old bleachers and Sunday school classrooms are being added on a new second floor. A gymnasium with basketball courts will fill part of the space and double as a multi-

In recent years it became clear the church was outgrowing its space yet again, Mayo said. “The church definitely saw the need, understood the need,” he said.

There was a vacant building across the street that most recently belonged to Huntwood Industries, but back when Mayo first came to town it was Ice World. Mayo said he remembers taking his children there to ice skate.

Photo by Nina Culver Renovations are under way

The idea is to use the current Sunday school classrooms as preschool classrooms while the rest of the building is remodeled to add more classrooms. Most of the sanctuary will be left open as a common area, Mayo said. The church hopes to add additional grades to the school in January. “We want to make sure the facility is what it needs to be,” he said. “It involves our children. We want to make sure we provide for not just our children, but the community that is looking for a private Christian education.”

Starting a school seems like a natural extension of the church, Mayo said. “We already do education here,” he said. “Education is really changing today. I think we’re wanting to protect the values and the belief systems that brought us here.”

Mayo said he’s glad that the church is able to remain in Liberty Lake while expanding again. “We’re excited to be In Liberty Lake,” he said. “We love this community.”

24 • AUGUST 2021

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