March 2015 Current

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How Valley’s successful theater programs are producing talent on — and off — the stage PAGE 12

FRESHMAN REFLECTIONS FROM MCCASLIN JR. PAGE 2

EATERIES GETTING THEIR GREEN ON FOR ST. PAT’S PAGE 23

ARTS COUNCIL DONATING SCULPTURE TO CITY PAGE 31

NEWS

2 • MARCH 2015

Political premiere

State Rep. Bob McCaslin Jr. began his first legislative session in Olympia on Jan. 12 as a delegate from the 4th District.

McCaslin Jr., whose late father, Bob McCaslin Sr., served 30 years in the state Senate, earned just over 57 percent of the vote last November against former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite to earn a seat in the state House of Representatives.

McCaslin Jr. joins House as 4th District representative

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

The name is a familiar one in the halls and historic spaces at the state capital. For three decades, Bob McCaslin Sr. represented the 4th District as a state senator in Olympia, earning a reputation as a savvy, no-nonsense lawmaker with an adroit grasp of the issues.

Now, Bob McCaslin Jr. is here, son of the late senator, representing the same 4th District in the House, also as a Republican. He began his inaugural legislative session on Jan. 12, appreciative of his father’s legacy, but also anxious to forge his own.

The longtime schoolteacher defeated former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite with just over 57 percent of the vote in last November’s general election, a victory that meant McCaslin Jr. would hold his first elected office and join Rep. Matt Shea and Sen. Mike Padden as part of the 4th District delegation.

Politics were of little interest to McCaslin Jr. growing up. When his dad worked for Kaiser Aluminum, the family spent time in places like Australia and India, giving Bob Jr. a broader perspective beyond his native Inland Northwest. He graduated from Central Valley High School in 1976 and found his way south to Pullman, where he would eventually earn a degree in history and elementary education from Washington State University in 1983.

While McCaslin Jr. would spend 30 years as a teacher, he also worked in a variety of fields that have given him an appreciation for the challenges of being successful in business. When the new legislator talks about promoting commerce and boosting the economy, chances are he has probably worked in the area he is vying to support.

His employment history includes time as a mechanic, waiter, bike salesman, furniture hauler, waiter, forklift driver and grocery store worker.

McCaslin Jr. spent 11 years in San Jose, Calif., as a teacher before returning to Spokane Valley in 1994 to work for the Central Valley School District. In 1999, he received his master’s in school administration from Whitworth.

While McCaslin Jr., now 57, may be new to political campaigns, stump speeches and the rigors of the legislative agenda, his background has been rooted in community causes. He was appointed to the Spokane Valley Planning Commission in 2012 and has served as a volunteer with Union Gos-

The Current

SUBMITTED PHOTO

pel Mission and Spokane County Juvenile Court. In his spare time, McCaslin Jr. can be found strumming the guitar for the worship team band at a church he attends in Post Falls.

Bob and his wife, Heather, were married in 1988 and are parents to two children, Anne and Brian.

The Current caught up with McCaslin Jr. recently to chat about his first foray into politics, the legislative terrain in Olympia and the challenges of being “junior” to his well-known father.

Q.

You've obviously been to Olympia before as a citizen, but what were some of your first impressions of arriving in the state capital as a first-year lawmaker?

A.

My first impressions were that everybody who works here in the state government is very friendly. However, some people have very different agendas from what the people of the 4th District have sent me here to do. I have to be careful to stay on course to promote smaller government, make sure that state spending is within our budget and continue working to have the best public education system in our nation.

Q: How much of a challenge will it be to recognize your dad’s legacy as a legislator while establishing your own individual stature as a representative of the 4th District?

A: First of all, I’m proud to be the son of Sen. Bob McCaslin. Obviously, I’m not exactly like my dad, but I know that I’ve picked up a lot of good traits from him. I know that people will make comparisons whether I want them to or not. I’m just thankful I had such a great dad. He was a great example to me, but I will have to focus on my own strengths and make my own path.

Q: Do you feel any added pressure based on some opinions that you were elected primarily on voters’ name recognition with your dad?

A: No, I was elected based on my own hard work. Doorbelling, fundraising and staying in the public eye really helped me to be seen for who I am, not who my dad was.

I would never discount the value of name recognition, but I didn’t receive two-thirds of the precinct committee officers’ vote based on my name. My career as a teacher in Spokane for 20 years really helped. Parents do talk to each other about their children’s teacher and word does spread fast that way.

Q: Veteran Sen. Mike Padden has been a supporter of yours from the start. How much of a help has Padden been in helping you navigate the complexities of your first session?

A: Mike has never lost an election, and he is a well-respected member of our community. His advice and counsel have been invaluable. Rep. Matt Shea has also been a great help to me. He’s an effective legislator and has a lot of experience with elections, too. All three of us are working as a team

A Cup of Joe here in Olympia, and that has been a great experience.

Q: You have indicated that the economy and education are your top priorities for this 75-day session. What are some of the discussions and direction you are hearing in the House and Senate about these two themes so far?

A: Well, the McCleary decision is often mentioned about when we talk about a workable budget for the biennium. The minority caucus in the House has made it very clear for a while now that our priority is to fund education first. We need to support education, negotiate for reforms in the transportation budget and promote policies that will make Washington a better place to start or relocate a business.

Q: The Sullivan Road Bridge in Spokane Valley and the reconstruction of Appleway Avenue in Liberty Lake are two major projects in your district that will benefit from state funding this year. What are some of the keys to championing future projects in the jurisdictions you represent?

A: The three of us have submitted capital budget requests for these projects and both Sen. Padden and Rep. Shea have made it clear that these projects are priorities, as have I. Clear communication is so very important, and we’ve had a unified message in support of local infrastructure improvements. Championing future projects would involve doing much the same thing.

Q: It seems that every year there is talk from both Republicans and Democrats about the importance of working across the aisle, yet the collaborative reality in Olympia always seems lacking. What have you seen to this point that might bode better for bipartisan agreement on broad topics like the economy, education and transportation?

A: I made it very clear early on that people skills were critical to doing this job well.

I get along very well with senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle. I have also made my priorities clear to them, which I think is key. I don’t think it’s very wise to ignore where your colleagues within your own party stand, too. I don’t play political games with people, and I think they appreciate that.

Q: What are your thoughts about Gov. Inslee's proposal for a statewide carbon tax that includes a goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels beginning in 2020?

A: All I ask for is real science to back

See McCASLIN, page 4

The Current

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NEWS

In Case You Missed It Election results provide support to schools, fire department

For more, visit www.spokanevalley.org/ CP or 720-5335.

Local residents backed schools and the fire department during the Feb. 10 special election.

As of press deadline, Central Valley School District Prop 1 for a construction bond received 64 percent of the vote. Prop 2 for the renewal of the CVSD levy came in slightly higher with 68 percent of the vote.

Freeman School District Prop 1 passed with 64 percent of the vote. West Valley Prop 1 and 2 were both approved by 69 percent of the vote.

In addition, Spokane Valley Fire Department Prop 1 passed with an overwhelming 72 percent of the vote.

Results were expected to be certified on Feb. 24. For more, go to www.spokanecounty.org/elections.

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The Current

Over 125 people attended one of two public visioning meetings at CenterPlace Regional Event Center in January.

The purpose of the meetings was to provide background for the Comprehensive Plan Update process and formerly announce the opening of the Citizen-Initiated Amendment Request application process.

A presentation was shown to attendees, and staff and consultants answered questions about the plan.

The next meeting will be held 6 p.m.

March 4 at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, where a consultant will report on items learned from the last meeting and describe the next steps of the update process.

McCASLIN Continued from page 2

up Gov. Inslee’s proposal — and common sense. We have already made some great progress in the area of clean energy and a growing market for clean energy will continue to move us in that direction. However, for us to set carbon standards that are more stringent than those in other parts of the nation — and world — unnecessarily puts our state at a competitive disadvantage.

Q: There was encouraging news of $3 billion in additional state revenue this biennium. How do you think this will affect conversations about new taxes and Gov. Inslee's proposal to increase state spending 15 percent over the next two years?

A: The problem is that Gov. Inslee makes it sound like we have a budget shortfall, when we actually have $3 billion more to spend on the budget this year — without tax increases. There’s no revenue shortfall as long as we control our expenditures. We could add a $1.5 billion in new funding to education and still have revenue available to

The Spokane River Forum recently announced a partnership to develop Spokane River Water Trail access. The location is just downstream from Plantes Ferry Park at the Islands Trailhead to the Centennial Trail (aka Denny Ashlock) Bridge.

Improvements include restoring and enhancing 500 feet of riparian shoreline and aquatic habitat. It will also provide a safer take out than what’s currently available at Plantes Ferry for flat paddlers and drift boaters, opening up eight miles of river.

The Spokane Conservation District is the lead partner with others including WA State Recreation Conservation Office, WA State Parks, the River Forum and Trout Unlimited.

Interlocal agreement reached for emergency system The Spokane County Board of Commissioners recently signed a 15-year agreement between the County and city of Spokane to implement and maintain a new Emergency Dispatch Response and Records system.

The New World Systems suite will replace the current system which is almost 20 years old. It will provide better access to reliable data as well as the ability to share data between law enforcement agencies, a press release said. The cost of the new GIScentric (map-based) system is $2.9 million.

For more, visit www.spokanecounty.org. meet other obligations. The governor wants to raise taxes, but I think we need to be careful not to tax ourselves out of jobs and economic recovery. If we create more jobs, we’ll have more tax revenue.

Q: You and fellow Rep. Shea are cosponsoring a bill that would establish Eastern Washington as a separate state.

How much of this proposed legislation is about making sure lawmakers on the west side understand that there needs to be funding equity on both sides of the mountains?

A: I co-sponsored this bill with Rep. Shea to bring attention to differences between the east side and the west side of the state.

Q: Finally, what have you enjoyed most about your first month or so in office?

A: Well, I have really enjoyed the hard work. The number of things that come my way any given day can be pretty overwhelming, but I have enjoyed working with people and learning things from them, too. My dad used to say, “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.” I am learning a lot.

The Current

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Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS Feb. 28 | Rotary dinner and dance 5:30

p.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road.

Spokane Valley Sunrise Rotary will host a dinner and auction to help fund projects the group supports. Tickets are $65 per person. For more: 922-1254

March 1, 3, 5 | Dog Sled Racing/Mushing 2 to 3 p.m., March 1: Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave.; 4 to 5 p.m., March 3: Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; March 5: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Members of Inland Empire Dog Sled Association will provide an overview of sled dogs and share their personal experiences. For more: www.scld. org

March 3 & 4 | Ready for Work: Job Search Strategies 6 to 7:30 p.m., March 3:

Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; March 4: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Learn to search for jobs using all of the avenues available to you. This program is for adults; registration required. For more: www.scld.org

March 3 | Vegetable Gardening 101 6:30 to 8 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Master gardener Steve Nokes will share info on design, soil prep, planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing and when to harvest in addition to how to store your home-grown vegetables. For more: www.scld.org March 4 | Community Visioning Meeting

6 p.m., CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. The public is invited to learn the next steps in the Comprehensive Plan for the city of Spokane Valley. For more: 720-5335

March 7 & 21 | Family Construction Zone

10 a.m. to noon, March 7: Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; March 21: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Ages one through eight are invited to build with block activities designed to foster engagement with math, science and engineering. For more: www.scld.org

March 7 | Evergreen Railroad Modelers open house 5 to 9 p.m., 18213 E. Appleway.

The Evergreen Railroad Club invites adults and children to see a magnificent HO train layout that has all the sounds and actions of the real thing, just in miniature.

March 7 | 10th annual Father Daughter Dance 7 to 9 p.m., CenterPlace Regional Event

Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Presented by Liberty Lake Kiwanis and the city of Spokane Valley, the theme for the night is Alice’s Evening in Wonderland. Tickets are $45 per father/ daughter couple and $20 for each additional daughter. For more: 688-0300 or www. spokanevalley.org/recreation

March 8 | Daylight saving time begins March 8, 12, 18, 21 & 24 | Community Conversation March 8 (1:30 to 3 p.m.) and

March 12 (7 to 8:30 p.m.): Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave.; March 18 (7 to 8:30 p.m.): Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; March 21 (2:30 to 4 p.m.): Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; March 24 (6:30 to 8 p.m.): Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. What aspirations do you have for your community? Make your voice heard as SCLD endeavors to find answers to this question. To RSVP or for more: www.scld.org

March 10, 12 & 19 | Kids Explore and Discover Club: Squishy Circuits 4 to 5

p.m., March 10: Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave.; March 12: Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; March 19: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Build blinking and buzzing play dough sculptures while creating electrical circuits. For children in grades K-5. For more: www.scld.org

March 10 & 11 | Ready for Work: Microsoft Excel for Job Seekers 6 to 7:30

p.m., March 10: Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; March 11: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Learn to navigate the most common functions and processes of Excel for the workplace. To RSVP or for more: www.scld. org

March 11 | Taking Control of Your Finances for Women 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.,

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Melissa Williams and Jim Rund of Star Financial and Insurance Services will lead this workshop focused on enhancing women’s financial literacy. Women of all ages welcome; registration is required. For more: www.scld.org

March 14 | Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., CenterPlace,

2426 N. Discovery Place. The Master Gardeners of Spokane County will present a symposium for homeowners and garden enthusiasts.

Registration includes a choice of four classes, a keynote address by Susan Mulvihill and catered meals. Cost is $75. To register or for more: 4772195 or www.mgfsc.org/Cabin_Fever.html

March 14 | Citizens for Valley Libraries

March 24 | Too Fun Tuesday: Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Supplies will be provided to make an artistic masterpiece. All ages welcome; children six and under should be accompanied by an adult. For more: www.scld.org

March 24 & 25 | Ready for Work: Email for Job Seekers 6 to 7:30 p.m., March 24:

Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; March 25: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Learn to use email strategically for your job search in this program for adults; registration required. For more: www.scld.org

March 31 | Too Fun Tuesday: Build It Club 4 to 5 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004

E. Main Ave. Use Keva Planks, straws and other construction materials to build. All ages are welcome; children six and under should be accompanied by an adult. For more: www.scld. org

March 31 & April 1 | Ready for Work: WinWay Resume Builder 6 to 7:30 p.m.,

March 31: Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; April 1: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Learn to “win employers over” in this hands-on class built around the computer-based WinWay resume program. Bring a flash drive if you have one. This program is for adults; registration required. For more: www.scld.org

Recurring Café Card Club 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford. Play pinochle, cribbage or hearts. For more: www.onsacredgrounds.com

The Current

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPENS Starting in March, parents are encouraged to visit their neighborhood elementary school to register their child for kindergarten. To enroll in public schools, the child must be five years old on or before August 31.

A copy of the child’s certified birth certificate as well as an up-to-date immunization record is required at time of registration.

Listed below are the dates each district begins kindergarten enrollment: March 2: West Valley School District, www.wvsd.org March 5: Central Valley School District, www.cvsd.org March 5: East Valley School District, www.evsd.org March 30: Freeman School District, www.freemansd.org In addition, Pioneer School is holding a Prospective Kindergartners Day on March 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the school, 618 N. Sullivan Road.

This school is currently accepting applications for 2015-2016 kindergarten and first grade students. To RSVP or for more: 922-7818 or www. pioneerschool.com

10 a.m. to noon, Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. Join this citizens group in supporting Valley libraries in the upcoming bond election.

For more: www.scld.org

Catholic Singles Mingle This group with no

March 14 | Childcare For You 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Learn about childcare options and check out local preschool and daycare options. For more: www.scld.org

Liberty Lake. Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, children’s story times, LEGO club, computer drop-in class, knitting club and more. For more: www.libertylakewa.gov/ library

Spokane Valley Writer’s Group 6:45 p.m. the

March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 6:30

West Valley High School Class of 1965 A 50th class reunion weekend for alumni will be held Sept. 25-27. For the weekend schedule and more information, visit www.alumni.wvsd.org/; www.classmates.com; or “West Valley Class of ‘65 Reunion (50th)” on Facebook.

March 17 & 18 | Ready for Work: Interviewing Techniques 6 to 7:30 p.m.,

March 17: Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; March 18: Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Learn what employers are looking for in an interview, practice answering tough questions, and build strategies for preparing for different types of interviews. This program is for adults; registration is required.

For more: www.scld.org

March 18 | Spokane Valley Book Club

2 to 3:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Join fellow book lovers to discuss “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford. For more: www.scld.org

March 18 | Access IT orientation 5:30

to 7:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Are you a small business owner in need of hardware and software support including one-on-one technical assistance?

See if you qualify for this program during an informational session. This program is for adults; registration required. For more: www. scld.org

dues is for single adults of all ages. For more: www.meetup.com/Catholic-Singles-Mingle

Liberty Lake Library 23123 E. Mission Ave.,

p.m. the first Monday of each month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. For more: www.pancan.org or 534-2564

Rockford Crochet Class 10 a.m. to noon,

Saturdays. The Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St. Hairpin Lace, knit, embroidery, needlepoint and arm knitting of infinity scarves are some of the activities. For more: 892-4412 or 291-3722 Rockford Historical Society 11:30 the second Friday of each month (Feb. through Nov.), Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St. For more: 291-3193 or 838-4173

Spokane County Library District Valley branch 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. For more: www.scld.org Spokane Valley Eagles 16801 E. Sprague.

Breakfast served Sundays 9 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch served Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed

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Spokane Valley Kiwanis 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Valley Hospital Education Center, 12606 E. Mission. For more: spokanevalleykiwanis.net

first and third Thursdays of every month, Lakeside Church, 23129 E. Mission. This supportive critique group welcomes adult writers. For more: 5704440

MUSIC & THE ARTS Feb. 27 to March 15 | “American Idle: Murdering the Music” Liberty Lake

Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. During this dark comedy, contestants start going down during the live show. For times, tickets and more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

March 6-8 | Custer’s Spring Arts & Crafts Show 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Sat.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun.), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. This 38th annual show includes 300 professional artists and crafters from across the U.S. selling gift items, specialty food and home decor.

Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more: www.custershows.com

See CALENDAR, page 8

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 7

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The Current

8 • MARCH 2015

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

March 20-21 | Readers Theater: “A Little Princess” 7 p.m. (Fri.) and 2 p.m.

Continued from page 6 March 7 | Blues Cats for Kids Noon to 11:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Eagles, 16801 E. Sprague Ave. The Inland Empire Blues Society’s 20th annual event is a fundraiser for Volunteers of America’s Crosswalk and the Second Harvest Food Bank. Admission is two cans of food or $5 per person. Bands include Blues Edition, Sidemen, Rampage, Polly O’Keary and Bryan Warhall.

March 7, 9 | Auditions for “A Little Princess” 1 p.m. (Sat.) and 6 p.m. (Mon.),

Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. All ages are invited to audition for this Reader’s Theater show performing March 20 and 21. For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

March 18-28 | “Funny Girl” 7:30 p.m.,

Central Valley Performing Arts Center, 821 S. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley. Tickets are $12 for this production by the CVHS Theatre Department.

For tickets and more: www.cvtheatre.com

March 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 | “As Bees in Honey Drown” 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on

Sundays), Ignite! Community Theatre, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. For ticket prices and more: www. igniteonbroadway.org

March 14-15 | CVHS Arts and Crafts Show 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sat.), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Sun.), Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan Road. Sponsored by the CVHS Band Boosters, this spring show features crafts and baked goods by local vendors. Admission is $2.

(Sat.), Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. For tickets and more: www. libertylaketheatre.com

March 21 | This, That or the Other

8 p.m., Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. Tickets are $7 for this PG13 improv comedy. For more: www. libertylaketheatre.com

photographers—are invited to learn. Social events include field trips and workshops. For more: 951-1446 or www.sv-cc.org

CIVIC & BUSINESS Feb. 26 to March 1 | Custer’s Home & Yard Show Noon to 8 p.m. Thurs. and Fri.; 10

March 19-22 | Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show Noon to 8 p.m. (Thurs. and

Playground, 2426 N. Discovery Place. For more: 924-5009

a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun.; Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. This show features innovative displays and demonstrations including landscape attractions. Admission, good all weekend, is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more: www.custershows.com

Fri.), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sat.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Sun.), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Shop for great values on hunting and fishing gear, clothing, boats, wildlife art and ATVs. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for military/seniors/students, and free for children 6 and under. For more: www.wildlifecouncil.com/ bighornsubsite

Recurring

Feb. 27 | Business Connections Lunch: Play It Forward 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., HUB

March 27-29 | Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.), 10

March 26 | Spokane Valley Arts Council sculpture unveiling 4 p.m., Discovery

Inland NW Bluegrass Music Association Music Showcase 7 to 9 p.m., third Saturday

of the month (October through May), Trent Elementary School. Bluegrass bands and related acoustic performers of all ages are welcome.

Cost is $5 for members; $7 for non-members.

Ages 12 and under are free. For more: www. spokanebluegrass.org or 484-4668

Spirit of Spokane Chorus Tuesdays, 6:45 p.m., Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a capella harmony in the barbershop style. For more: 2184799 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. All levels of ability—students through experienced

Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. The meeting will feature a panel discussion about the value of community involvement to help shape the future.

For cost and more: www.spokanevalleychamber. org

March 7 | Desperate Housewives Shop Hop 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Simply Northwest, 11806

E. Sprague Ave.; The Trellis Marketplace, 4102 S. Bowdish; Jema Lane Boutique, 613 S. Pines; and Trovato Interiors, 18 S. Union. Enjoy in-store specials, tasty treats and complimentary gifts (while supplies last).

March 8 | Model Railroad Train Show 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Over 100 vendors with have railroad art, artifacts, photos, videos and all scales of model trains for sale. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more: www.rivercitymodelers.org March 13-15 | Inland Northwest Motorcycle Show 3 to 8 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m.

to 8 p.m. (Sat.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun.), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Special show prices, financing and deals on motorcycles and accessories will be

Open registration deadline: March 8 Late registration deadline: March 15

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available at the 12th annual show. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 and under. For more: www. spokanemotorcycleshow.com

COME JOIN US FOR AAA EVALUATIONS AND MAJORS TRYOUTS, AGES 4-12 March 4 (6 to 8 p.m.) & March 7 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at Valley Christian School 10212 E 9th Ave, Spokane Valley

Find us on facebook or at www.eteamz.com/riverviewlittleleague

a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun.), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Enjoy free demonstrations, 40 dealers, children’s activities, hourly door prizes and more. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors/military/advance tickets and free for children 12 and under. For more: 8916533 or www.rockrollers.org

March 27-29 Just Between Friends sale

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Fri.), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sat.) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Sun.), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. One of North America’s leading children’s and maternity consignment sales is coming to the area.

Admission is $5 on Friday and Saturday; Sunday is free admission and half-price sale day. For more: www.jbfsale.com

HEALTH & RECREATION March 5 | Liberty Lake Running Club starts 6 p.m., Twisp Café & Coffee House, 23505

E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake. There will be a St. Patrick’s Day run on March 12. The group meets weekly for a 3-mile run through October. For more: kathyawhybrew@msn.com or 924-9806

See CALENDAR, page 29

Education Briefs WV educators receive National Board Certification Three West Valley School District teachers were recently awarded the National Board Certification. Victoria Leifer, Christine Scully and Ryan Stoyko were honored for this achievement at a reception on Feb. 25.

This brings the total number of West Valley Board-certified teachers to 20. For more, visit www.wvsd.org.

Rice receives Act Six scholarship West Valley High School senior Anthony Rice recently received an Act Six scholarship to Whitworth University. Rice competed against 101 other applicants from 24 area high schools for the full-ride scholarship, a press release said.

Colleges honor local students The following Valley area students were recently recognized by colleges for their academic performance or meeting graduation requirements. Information

was provided via press releases submitted from schools or parents.

Benedictine College (Atchinson, Kan.) Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA Newman Lake: David Roth

Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.) Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA Liberty Lake: Nicholaus Johnson Spokane Valley: Elizabeth Kosanke

Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.) Earned a Master of Science in Medical Physics Spokane Valley: James Jensen

Montana State University (Billings, Mont.)

President’s List, 4.0 GPA Greenacres: Shannon Metzger

Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA

Liberty Lake: Brock Benzel, Rachel Casey Spokane Valley: Taylor OKeeffe

Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, Idaho) Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA Liberty Lake: Amanda Olsen Spokane Valley: Janson Card

University of Dallas (Irving, Texas) Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA Newman Lake: Joseph Roth

Whitworth University Laureate Society, 3.75+ GPA

Liberty Lake: Cheyenne Gibson, Lori Kallestad, Nicole Kallestad, Dakota Kliamovich, Moisey Mikheyev, Karly Rasmussen, Tanner Walker

The Current

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MARCH 2015 • 9

Does my mom have options besides dentures?

A patient of mine who wore dentures once told me how she chose what to order from a restaurant menu.

Her question was not, “What looks delicious?” It wasn’t even, “What would be healthy for me?” Instead, she was looking to order the few limited items that she knew she could chew. Her life changed dramatically when we were able to replace her dentures with dental implants instead. While dentures give you about 25% the chewing power of normal teeth, implants provide an actual replacement for natural missing teeth and restore over 90% chewing power. Secured in the gum or jaw, this method of placement makes them the most natural tooth replacement system. In short, they look and feel like your own teeth. You even care for them as you would your natural teeth. While dentures can be initially more affordable, their removable nature not only makes them less reliable, but less functional as well. Dentures require maintenance and care that is both time-consuming and potentially costly over time. We would be happy to visit with you or your loved ones about whether dental implants are right for you.

— Dr. Timothy J. Casey

Liberty Lake resident Member, American Dental Association

The Current

10 • MARCH 2015

COMMUNITY

Sun City Church opens in Valley

By Mary Kate Koch

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Lead pastor Danny Schulz wasn’t sure how many people to anticipate at the first service when Sun City Church opened its doors in Spokane Valley on Jan.18, but he certainly wasn’t expecting more than 400 visitors to turn up.

“The community has been overwhelmingly positive,” Schulz said. “Spokane Valley, in our opinion, doesn’t get enough credit for its friendly culture. We have felt incredibly welcomed and supported.”

Sun City Church is a new nondenominational church that meets at CenterPlace Event Center. Schulz and his wife Jamie, who met while attending a Bible college, serve as the lead pastors for the church. The pair decided to open a nondenominational church partially because it’s in

their faith roots, and partially because it has the advantage of sidestepping labels.

“One advantage of being nondenominational is that people have less of a pre-conceived idea of what your church is like,” Schulz said. “People tend to think that if they’ve been to one Baptist church, then they’ve had the ‘Baptist experience.’ Now, I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but as a nondenominational church, we get to sidestep some of those perceptions. In order to know what Sun City Church is like, you might just have to come visit us.”

The Schulzes are originally from the Boise area and served on staff at a local church for eight years before moving to Spokane to plant a church of their own.

While working in Boise, they gained experience in a multitude of positions, everything from youth pastors to worship

pastors to supervising an intern program.

“We were up front about our desire to start our own church someday,” Schulz said. “Our pastor had always been extremely supportive and helped us plan and prepare to plant a church.

When it came time for that to happen, we started looking for another community that was similar in size to Boise. Spokane seemed like a really good option and the more that we visited the

See SUN CITY, page 11

Above, Sun City Church launched Jan. 18 with services at CenterPlace Event Center in Spokane Valley.

At left, lead pastors Danny and Jamie Schulz and their family moved here from Boise to plant the church.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Community Briefs Current increases kids content

from local kids.

Lilac Royal Court announced

Starting with the March issue, The Current is dedicating four pages to a pullout with information and activities just for kids and their parents.

“Our mission as a publishing company is to inform, connect and inspire communities — and we feel that includes the kids in our community,” Publisher Josh Johnson said. “We want to promote the good stuff local kids are doing and partner with others in developing their interest in reading and the world around them.”

At the end of January the Spokane Lilac Festival selected seven senior girls for the 2015 Royal Court. Among the girls represented on the court are Jami Pratt from Freeman High School and Maddy Wilhelm from West Valley High School.

The Royal Court will represent Spokane and the Lilac Festival during the May 16 Armed Forces Torchlight Parade and throughout the summer at various Inland Northwest events. For more, visit www.spokanelilacfestival.org.

This content, known as The Wave, first started in 2008 in The Current’s sister publication, The Splash, with the goal of providing educational stories, contests, seasonal activities and other interactive features geared toward elementary-age kids. The new format will offer additional puzzles and contests, as well as share more thoughts

The Current is looking for business partners to sponsor these pages. If interested, call 242-7752 or email advertise@valleycurrent.com.

Art scholarships available

Forgive www.forgivingprayer.com

The Spokane Valley Arts Council is offering four $1,000 scholarships to area high school seniors. Students must be enrolled in a high school within Central Valley, East Valley or West Valley school districts.

Students do not have to be currently enrolled in art at school to apply.

Qualifying students will be invited to show and sell their work at the annual Artist Showcase Art Auction on May 30 where patrons will vote on their favorite piece to receive the $1,000 Lynn Baiter Scholarship.

Deadline to apply is May 1. For criteria or more information, visit www.spokanevalleyarts.org.

Grange holding traffic forum, spaghetti feed in April The Tri-Community Grange is sponsoring an open forum regarding traffic concerns as well as a spaghetti feed during the month of April.

A Newman Lake town hall meeting will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at the grange building, 25025 E. Heather Lane (Newman Lake), regarding traffic concerns and options at Starr and Trent Roads. Representatives from Washington State Patrol, Department of Transportation, Sheriff ’s Department, the county and local school districts will be present. For more, call 2265334 in the evenings.

The grange is also holding a fundraising spaghetti feed from 4 to 7 p.m. April 19 at their building. Cost is being determined, and proceeds will help provide dictionaries for third grade students in the East Valley School District as well as go toward building maintenance. For more, call 481-7447.

Free tax help at library AARP Tax-Aide is currently offering free tax help to low and moderate income workers on a first-come, first-served basis at the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. The site is open 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays, 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays until April 15. For more: www.scld.org

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 11

COMMUNITY

SUN CITY Continued from page 10

more we fell in love with the area and the people here. We love the lakes, the evergreens and the strong sense of community.

Spokane is a really great place to live.”

Sun City meets at 10 a.m. every Sunday and offers a service, Sun City Kids, especially for children, which runs at the same time as the main service. Sun City Kids offers children a high-energy, fun alternative to the main service for children as young as newborns to as old as the fifth grade.

Schulz is hoping to launch small groups in the summer for those interested in meeting more than just on Sunday mornings. This program will include groups for adults, as well as groups for teenagers and young adults. For now, those wanting to get more involved are offered a series of classes called “Next Steps,” which meets at 6 p.m. at CenterPlace. The end goal of the program is to help people find their place in the church and connect to the community.

“So far, we are finding that a lot of relationship building happens as people serve in some capacity together whether that is on a parking team, serving coffee, running sound or teaching kids,” Schulz said. “One of our greatest joys is seeing people passionate for ministry becoming effective in serving and loving people.”

Because it is a new and growing church, Sun City is very receptive to and enthusiastic about people visiting for the first time.

Not everyone needs to get involved right away, but Schulz does want to make sure everyone feels belonging and connection.

“The win for us is if the first-time visitor feels cared about, inspired and encouraged,” Schulz said. “From our parking team to our kids program to the way we structure our service, we want the person who has never been to our church, or maybe to any church, to feel like we were thinking about them when we planned Sun City Church. We really hope they would want to come back and bring a friend with them.”

This fits into Sun City’s mission, which is to be a center for the community. The leadership team knows that trying out a church can be stressful and emphasizes that all anyone needs to do at Sun City is show up.

“Our vision for Sun City Church is to be a blessing to the community,” Schulz said. “It can be really easy for churches to become ingrown and become more focused on what is happening inside of the four walls rather than what is happening outside of them. We are working hard to create ways to let the community know we care and are here to help.”

More information about Sun City Church and contact information can be found at http://suncitychurch.com.

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If you experience them, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room.

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12 • MARCH 2015

COVER STORY

The Current

Successful Valley high school theaters cultivating skills for life

By Treva Lind

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

“Funny Girl” can be a headache for any theater group. The classic musical requires sets from multiple time periods, elaborate show costumes and an array of talents.

Challenge accepted. Central Valley High School students have dug deep toward a large-scale production of “Funny Girl” in March, with literally weeks of rehearsals, research, dance routines, set-building and the creation of costumes that include replicas from The Ziegfeld Follies.

A cast of 42 along with a 15-member running crew tackle the legendary semi-biographical story of singer and comedienne Fanny Brice, with Emma Larson in that role.

“The show spans from 1910 to World War I, so we have three distinctive time periods, and a set nightmare,” said CV theatre director Michael Muzatko. “I’ve rented $10,000 worth of backdrops that fly in because there are so many different locations for this production. That’s one of the reasons it’s not done often.”

However, he added, “It was the right time with the right pool of kids.”

Across the Valley, high-caliber shows such as “Godspell” and “Shrek The Musical” also have hit the stage at University High School, which has a successful drama department currently working on “Mary Poppins” to run in May. “Shrek” in 2013 carried its own big cast, elaborate sets and a huge dragon. The upcoming production will require theater effects company Flying by Foy for the tricky wire system making Mary and Bert fly.

Both CV and U-Hi plays draw Spokanearea audience members who don’t necessarily have direct ties to student performers; they just like good theater. Meanwhile, the students who push themselves to new levels in these productions gain valuable skills, theater leaders and parents say.

“Mary Poppins will have a cast of 40, and a tech crew of 15 at least,” said U-Hi Drama director Briane Green. “I have a lot of talented kids who just love theater.”

She added, “With theater, I think working in a team is very important, and learning to communicate with a group. There’s self con-

fidence that comes from the ability to speak and be in front of people. Everyone has a common goal. Every person is valued and has a goal to put on an excellent show.”

During rehearsals, students often work with and learn from professional choreographers and musicians. The musicals include large orchestras with students and sometimes members of adult symphonies.

An army of parent volunteers support the plays, but when the curtain rises, students run the show.

“We’ve either trained them or we haven’t,” Muzatko said. “If a problems comes up, they usually have it figured out quickly.”

“We teach process, not product. We feel if we do good job teaching the process, then the product takes care of itself. We stress professionalism. It’s not a paycheck; it’s is a work ethic and strong dedication to your craft. You don’t tell them they can’t. This age is one of the most underestimated and under challenged populations right now. They rise to the occasion each time.”

The CV and U-Hi schools have same-design theaters that seat 570 people, and those facilities are heavily used year-round and rented by community groups.

While theater productions can be expensive, ticket sale revenue and the community’s financial and in-kind donations offset those costs. As examples, Mr. Tux is a supporter toward “Funny Girl” costumes, and for “Little Shop of Horrors” at CV, Haskins Steel donated steel needed to build a staircase.

Muzatko said the district covers facility costs such as utilities, and he receives a small annual amount toward career and technical education (CTE) and royalties, but much of the program is self-sufficient.

“I spend between $35,000 to $45,000 a year on three productions — one musical and two non-musicals,” he said, covering everything from costumes and sets to the programs. “(Funds) come from ticket sale revenue, corporate sponsors, in-kind donations; we have private patrons who donate money.

We’ve received some substantial donations, so those donors are listed in programs.

Many of them don’t have kids in the program; they are supportive and think what

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Above, co-stage managers Michael Scott and Emma Chan guide the stage crew in building the Banks’ family nursery for University High School’s May production of “Mary Poppins.”

Below, U-Hi student Cassidee Lawrenson played “Irena” in January’s production of “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” a play about life in a concentration camp. In this scene, she is reading to the children of Terezin, portrayed by fellow U-Hi students.

we do is important. Some comes from parent support; they see value in this for their kids.”

Muzatko said it’s not unusual for CV productions to bring in extra revenue to buy new equipment and pay for theater

upgrades, which leaves a legacy for future students. “The voters gave us this facility, which we are eternally grateful for, and we take good care of it,” Muzatko said.

See THEATERS, page 13

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 13

COVER STORY

SPRING THEATER Central Valley High School • “Funny Girl” March 18-21 & 25-28 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets, $12.

• “The Martian Chronicles,” May 6-9 & 11-13 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets, $10.

For more, visit CVTheatre.com

University High School • “Mary Poppins” at 7 p.m. May 7-9, 14-16, and at 2 p.m. May 10 and May 16-17 (May 16 may be earlier due to Lilac Parade); tickets, $15.

For more, visit facebook.com/udrama

West Valley High School • 7 p.m. Improv Night March 31, April 28, and May 27; cost is $2.

• Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” a murder mystery, at 7 p.m. May 6-9 and May 14-15 with free admission; donations accepted.

East Valley High School • “Insane with Power,” a comedy, at 7 p.m. March 11 and 13-14, and at 3 p.m. March 12. Tickets are $3 for seniors, kids 12 and under; $5 for adults.

THEATERS Continued from page 12

“Sound of Music” bought a LED light curtain, and some “A Christmas Story” revenue last year went toward a new fog machine and a second snow machine.

Sound and light equipment is modern.

More than 90 CV students completed career and technical education theater classes for credit, and they learned costuming, lighting, special effects and sound equipment. Some students have been hired into technical production jobs after school, and a few have successfully gone into show business.

Parent Dennis Crumb saw how theater benefited his son, Patrick, who played the role of a doctor in “Dracula” at CV. Patrick is now an Eastern Washington University junior.

“He’s majoring in business, and when they do a group project in class, he’s the first to volunteer to do presentations,” Crumb said. “He credits theater. You kind of have to have those theater skills of presence and poise, and voice projection and inflection to give an engaging presentation.

“He’s using skills he’s been honing for years in theater, and it comes across as a seamless, natural delivery. Of course, he’s gotten A-pluses in all his presentations.”

Crumb said his daughter Tatiana used

CURRENT PHOTO BY TREVA LIND

Parent volunteer and lead costumer Lena Cooley works on head pieces for "Funny Girl," which is being staged in March by Central Valley High School students. her talents with math up ideas, critical think“We teach process, not ing, time management and science, specifically product. We feel if we and attention to detail.” designing effects for “Dracula” during her At U-Hi, Rustin Hall’s do good job teaching the sophomore year. She is son, Joseph, now a WSU process, then the product freshman, landed the now a freshman at Spokane Falls Community role of Lumiere in “Beautakes care of itself. We College. ty and the Beast” and got stress professionalism. hooked on theater. Hall “There is a scene when Dracula rises from the It’s not a paycheck; it’s is credits Green and her husband, George, who floor into the bedroom, a work ethic and strong helps direct, with bringand the effect uses an elevator, so it takes endedication to your craft. ing a professional theater experience. gineering if you design You don’t tell them they this,” Crumb said. “She “Can you imagine bedesigned the pulley sysing up on a stage in front can’t. This age is one of tem and how the weight 570 people and singthe most underestimated of would work in order for ing, saying lines?” Hall all this to happen.” said. “They will never and under challenged forget that experience For Lena Cooley, parpopulations right now. and the self-confidence ent volunteer lead cosThey rise to the occasion gained. There’s additumer for “Funny Girl,” tionally the relationship she has a 15-year-old each time.” among theater families. son Peyton playing in the chorus and as the MICHAEL MUZATKO, We have all these kids CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH that we have sort of adcharacter Mr. Keeney.

SCHOOL THEATRE DIRECTOR opted. They care about Cooley said theater stueach other.” dents learn the value of hard work and preparaHe and his family tion, including many helped build the “Shrek” who are at practices every day after school dragon at their house. It was 24 feet long. until 6 p.m.

“It was a challenge,” he said. “The cool “Theater helps teach them the soft skills thing is now the school theater departthat employers look for,” Cooley said. “It ment is able to rent out the dragon to othprovides them with teamwork, problem- er theaters doing Shrek. It’s been as far as solving skills, being creative and thinking Chicago and Canada, so now it’s a money

ON THE COVER CURRENT PHOTO BY TREVA LIND

Emma Larson leads fellow Central Valley student cast members through a rehearsal of the dance and singing number, “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” part of CV Theatre’s production of “Funny Girl” this month. Larson is cast as the lead, Fanny Brice. maker for them.”

U-Hi theater students have started mentoring Horizon and Bowdish students, Green said. They recently helped Horizon perform “Seussical” in the high school’s theater, and Bowdish put on “Peter Pan.” Green said she has students who compete in state theater competitions, qualify for nationals and receive scholarships.

While only a few students continue in show business after graduation, many later tell directors how the experiences helped prepare them for college and careers.

Muzatko added, “My expectation is even if they don’t stay with theater, even if they’re just in the audience, they’ll say, `I know how hard that is to make that look so good.’

“What they gain is a work ethic, discipline, time management, group-work dynamics and being able to discern, ‘What are my strengths; what are my weaknesses?’ And we have a really good time.”

14 • MARCH 2015

TAKE — AND — GIVE

Seed library takes root

By Mary Kate Koch

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Libraries have always offered books to plant seeds of ideas in the mind, but the Otis Orchards Library is going a step further and offering real seeds to plant as spring comes into bloom.

The new seed library program offers a selection of flower and vegetable seeds that anyone with a library card can borrow from and plant in their home garden. Borrow-

LIBRARY

Bring your green thumb (and your saved seeds) to the Otis Orchards Library for the grand opening of our brand new seed library!

The process is simple: borrow from our selection of seeds, plant them in your garden, and watch them grow. When it’s time to harvest, let a plant or two go to seed, collect those seeds, and bring some back to the library.

ers can check out up to six vegetable seed packets and six herb or flower packets. The idea is that when the plants ripen, borrowers will let one or two go to seed and give those seeds back to the library for someone else to enjoy, creating a sustainable gardening network. Otis Orchard is also offered gardening classes through the month of February to provide some inspiration and instructions from local master gardeners.

The concept for the seed library came about from Ellie Holm, an avid heirloom gardener and library member. According to Kathy Allen, library supervisor at Otis Orchards and Fairfield Libraries, Holm ap-

Resource Review

By Gwendolyn Haley

SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

I have tremendous aspirations of becoming an avid gardener. To that end, I devour gardening books. I have to admit that my “book learning” has not yet been supplemented with much in the way of practical experience. I grow some tomatoes in a small raised bed in my backyard, and the usual peas and beans, supplemented with a few herbs.

Bizarrely, I haven’t yet raised any edible carrots—maybe my family just doesn’t like them?

Starting small has a lot of appeal, which is why I am sharing a harvest of titles about small scale gardening: “Small Space Garden Ideas” by Philippa Pearson Pearson’s offering is perfect for people who have little space to garden, whether a doorstep, balcony or part of a wall. The book is full of creative ideas for making use of every growing space available.

www.scld.org

LIBRARY

“Edible Spots & Pots: Small-space Gardens for Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Containers, Raised Beds, and More” by Stacey Hirvela Lacking space is no reason to deny yourself fresh herbs and vegetables.

Hirvela illustrates how to grow edibles in “anywhere” gardens - small spaces, raised beds and containers that eliminates the challenges often faced in traditional beds and rows.

And finally, for those of us looking to transform some of the awkward spaces outside our homes: “Hellstrip Gardening: Create a paradise between the sidewalk and the curb” by Evelyn J. Hadden In this fresh and enchanting book, the author invites you to use your gardening power to convert your “hellstrip”—the space between the street and the sidewalk—into a rewarding garden that generates smiles and celebrates nature.

Don’t forget that Spokane County Library District’s digital library has a wealth of material to instruct and inspire everyone from the beginning to master gardener. Check out Gale Courses for six-week online gardening classes or the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center for articles and instructional videos.

We have a bumper crop of eBooks on the topic, just waiting for you to download from Overdrive. Find all of this, plus upcoming gardening programs, at your local SCLD library.

Gwendolyn Haley is a Library Services Manager at Spokane County Library District.

The Current

proached the library about starting the project and she has worked with other volunteers to make it happen. “[Holm’s] experience helped greatly with the planning and set-up ideas,” Allen said. “Our volunteers, all heirloom gardeners, were happy to share their expertise and experience about their own gardens. Don Nilles, an heirloom gardener and owner of the East Farms Feed store, donated seeds and provided information on unique heirloom seeds from our area as well as around the world.”

While both seed libraries and community gardens promote local planting and community connection, a seed library is different in that there is not a common planting space. Each gardener grows their own plants, but relies on the seeds as the common community resource.

“With a seed library you borrow from a selection of vegetable and flower seeds at any time during the year, plant them in your garden, allowing one or two plants to go to seed,” Allen said. “At harvest the seeds are collected and then returned to the library to replenish the seed library.”

The seed library uses heirloom seeds because they are open-pollinated plants.

This means that you can collect seeds from them after ripening that will have similar characteristics of the parent plant. Hybrid plants do not have this seed reproducing cycle. Growing with saved seeds from heirloom plants also helps preserve the genetic diversity of the plant and soil. By using vegetables that are also local to the region, the seed-lending program aims to promote sustainable, local agriculture.

“We hope to become sustainable, meaning that seeds checked out are grown and shared with a successful return rate to replenish the drawers for next year,” Allen said. “We also hope to connect community members, develop heirlooms seed for our area, work with the community gardens of our area and stimulate interest in gardening and food production.”

IF YOU GO ...

The seed library is open every season and is accessible at Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E Wellesley Ave. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

For more: 893-8390 or www.scld.org

Brought to you by

‘I Beat Cancer’ A Spokane Valley girl shares how she battled leukemia

By Ellie Jensen

CURRENT GUEST COLUMN

When I was 2 1/2, I got diagnosed with cancer. My parents found out I had leukemia. I had to take chemo and steroids for 2 1/2 years, and I finished when I was 2 weeks away from being 5.

I spent a lot of time at the hospital.

The total time I spent with my mom spending the night at the hospital was about 4 months. I did not like staying there. It felt like a prison to me. I had to be extra careful about not catching any germs. I couldn’t go out and play with other kids. Sometimes I couldn’t even play in the yard.

When I took my last dose of chemo and steroids I was so happy. I was jumping up and down on my bed at home chanting, “I’m so happy! I’m so happy!”

After I finished, my body was super weak. I was so weak that I couldn’t even hold a pencil. So my parents helped me get strong again. That’s why they put me in lots of swimming lessons. Now, I’m on the swim team.

My favorite part about swim team is that when it’s someone’s birthday, we

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

get to play a fun game. My favorite stroke is backstroke, and I’m super fast at it! I wasn’t too happy about writing for a long time because it was so hard for my hand because it got tired a lot. But now I really like writing, and I want to be an author.

Ellie Jensen was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 2 1/2 years old. She has been cancer free for nearly four years. She is pictured here with her sister, Noah Beth, and parents, Jessica and Josh. One of the ways Ellie’s body regained strength after her cancer was from her participation on a local swim team (photo at left).

So now I am almost 9 years old, and it’s been almost four years since I survived cancer. I live with my mom, my dad and my older sister, and I’m very happy to be home. I think a lot about having cancer again, but I don’t think I will get it again.

LIGHT THE WAY 2015

My life is mostly like other kids’ lives, but cancer survivors’ lives can be pretty challenging because of what the chemo and steroids do. I used to have to go for checkups at the hospital all the time, but now I only go twice a year. When I go there, I have to get a finger poke, and they take blood from my finger. They test my blood to see if I’m healthy. I used to almost start crying when they poked me, but now I don’t. I like going to the hospital because I like to see if I’m

“Because kids can’t fight cancer alone!”

May 29, 6 to 11 p.m.

Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St., Spokane The annual Light the Way dinner and auction provides funding to directly support children with cancer, their families and survivors of childhood cancer. More information on this event, which is hosted by the American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland Northwest, will be available closer to the event.

For more: www.acco.org/inlandnw healthy. I really like my doctor; she is kind and gentle. The nurses are pretty nice, too. My favorite people at the hospital are the “child life” people.

They come and play with me.

I would like to wish good luck to all

the other kids who have cancer and that they would survive cancer like me.

Ellie Jensen lives in Spokane Valley with her sister, Noah Beth, and her parents, Josh and Jessica.

The Current

16 • MARCH 2015

COMMUNITY

Celebration of reading across the country Compiled by Tammy Kimberley CURRENT STAFF WRITER

Did you know there is an annual celebration to promote reading among youth? Read Across America Day will take place March 2, and many schools, libraries and public figures will host activities to encourage reading in the community.

The National Education Association came up with the idea for this special day in 1997 and decided to recognize it on March 2, which is the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel, he first started signing his cartoons “Seuss” while in college. He published 46 children’s book that are known for their imaginative creatures and crazy words and rhyme.

Dr. Seuss’ final book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” was selected as the theme for the 2015 Read Across America Day. On March 2, Dr. Seuss Enterprises plans to launch a website for kids ages 5 to 19 to share stories of how they’re “moving mountains” in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

To learn more, visit www.seussville.com/ kids-moving-mountains/ or www.nea.org.

Getting hooked on a book Unscramble 1) A fedora containing a feline 2) Jump on your father 3) Mammal with stockings 4) A round object with pork

Seuss stars

It’s true that a lot of the characters in Dr. Seuss books have silly names, but none quite as crazy as the ones below. Unscramble letters to reveal famous people or creatures in Dr. Seuss books.

1) het rolax

■■■ ■■■■■ 2) chnirg

■■■■■■ 3) teechness

5) An elephant listens to a tiny person

■■■■■■■■■

6) A strange-named reptile

■■■■■■ ■ ■■■■■■

7) A creature’s in my garment

5) der shif

8) A text about margarine and the military 9) Stuff you can ponder

4) varmin k yoomen

■■■ ■■■■ 6) tonroh

■■■■■■ 7) dinyc olo

10) A farmer sounds like a bovine

■■■■■ ■■■

Source: www.seussville.com

8) lasly

■■■■■ 9) kotcew

■■■■■■ 10) xam

■■■

Source: www.seussville.com

By the Numbers

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, we’re recognizing some of his most well-known books full of rhyme and alliteration. Match the description below to the appropriate book cover. Answers can be found at the bottom of the page.

1990

Year published

5 to 17

Ages the books is intended for

56

Number of pages in the book

300,000

Copies sold each spring

98 plus ¾

Degree of success guaranteed in the book Source: www.cnn. com/2015/01/22/living/feat-seuss-oh-the-places-youll-go-25/

Getting hooked on a book answers: 1) Cat in the Hat; 2) Hop on Pop; 3) Fox in Socks 4) Green Eggs and Ham; 5) Horton Hears a Who; 6) Yertle the Turtle; 7) There’s a Wocket in my Pocket; 8) The Butter Battle Book; 9) Oh the Thinks You Can Think; 10) Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? Unscramble Seuss stars answers: 1) The Lorax; 2) Grinch; 3) Sneetches; 4) Marvin K. Mooney; 5) Red Fish; 6) Horton; 7) Cindy Loo; 8) Sally; 9) Wocket; 10) Max

GRAB THE ATTENTION OF KIDS AND FAMILIES! The Wave is bigger and better than ever, and your business or organization can be a part of it by becoming a Wave partner.

What is The Wave? It’s what you are holding in your hands — a special pullout section geared toward elementary-age kids and their families in the Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake communities. The Wave runs monthly in The Splash and The Current — that’s 18,000 copies!

Wave partnership packages include advertising and logo recognition in every issue. For more, email advertise@valleycurrent.com or call 509-242-7752.

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 17

COMMUNITY

egg-cellent

An way to welcome spring Kids encouraged to enter Wave coloring contest March brings the official start of spring, and The Wave wants to recognize this special season. While March 20 welcomes the first day of spring, Easter is right around the corner on April 5. Enter our spring contest simply by using your creative talent to decorate this spring sheet.

You can make it classic or crazy, serious or Seussical. Our judges will select

the most creative, colorful picture to feature in the next issue of The Splash.

The winner will also be awarded a special spring prize package.

This contest is for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade who live or attend school in the Valley area. Only one entry per person, please. Don’t delay — the deadline to enter is March 13!

Submissions can be scanned and emailed to tammy@valleycurrent.com or delivered to our office, 23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 102 in Liberty Lake by March 13.

Kids Tell It Like It Is What is your favorite book and why?

Compiled by Tammy Kimberley at Otis Orchards Elementary “‘Peter Pan’ because there’s magic in that book.”

Pursie Vornheder, 8

“All of the ‘Fancy Nancy’ books.

My cousin lets me read her old books.”

Tahlia Stevens, 7

“The ‘Dear Dumb Diary’ books because the girl is really funny and writes in her diary all the time.”

Audrey Smith, 8

“‘Froggy Eats Out.’ He goes to a fancy restaurant, tips over the flowers and makes a mess.”

Ruvim Sushchik, 7

“‘Bad Dog, Marley!’ At the end of the book, the dog tries to save the baby.”

Evy Dollard, 6

“I like ‘Minecraft’ books.

They show you how to build.”

“‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’ Mikey is really funny ‘cuz he always says, ‘Surf’s up dude!’”

Konner Mercer, 7

Raeshawn Miles, 7

“The whole ‘Magic Tree House’ series.

The middle parts are kinda scary, but the endings are really good.”

David Svityashchuk, 9

“‘Whatever After: Bad Hair Day.’ It’s really interesting how they go into the fairytale.”

Ella Sushchik, 9

Congratulations to Macy!

She’s the latest

KiDDS Dental No Cavity Club winner!

Macy won a $25 Toys “R” Us gift card and a photo session with

tanyasmith.net

Call our office to schedule an appointment to see if your child is cavity-free!

Grow Up Smiling!

Name: Age:

Phone number:

Parent’s name: City you live in:

891-7070

1327 N. Stanford Lane, Suite B, Liberty Lake 509.891.7070 www.GrowUpSmiling.com

Find out about all of our events and contests on Facebook!

18 • MARCH 2015

COMMUNITY

The Current

Posting Date February 16, 2015 Posting Date February 16, 2015

LOCAL LENS

The Current

Baird serves as Senate page

MARCH 2015 • 19

Showing appreciation

Vincent Baird, a student at Spokane Valley Learning Academy, spent a week in January as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Baird, 14, was sponsored by 4th Legislative District Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. He is the son of Martin and Cheryl Baird of Spokane Valley.

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Shutterbug snapshots SUBMITTED PHOTO

West Valley volunteers hit the streets to thank voters for the support of the district levies in February.

Musicians play for Park Place residents SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Michael Hassett captured images of a woodpecker, yellow-rumped warbler, an elk herd and a bald eagle — all near sections of the Centennial Trail in mid-February.

The West Valley 5th grade band, under the direction of Jim Loucks, performed recently for residents at Park Place Retirement Center.

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Boys claim chess trophies Cameron and Connor Simonds recently took home trophies from a regional chess tournament. Connor, 7, contributed to his team’s success in winning first place for Pioneer School. Cameron, 10, ended up going the entire tournament undefeated to earn the grand champion title. In addition, Cameron also placed 4th overall in an ACSI district spelling bee that allows him to compete in the PNW regional competition in March.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Local Lens

Share your snapshots for The Current’s photo page.

Email photos@ valleycurrent. com with scenes from around town, community events and group photos.

The Current

20 • MARCH 2015 Brought to you by

About and for Valley seniors

Longtime educator embraces next challenge

By Valerie Putnam

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Bill Zimmer isn’t a man to sit around.

“I like to be active,” Zimmer said. “It keeps my mind and body working.”

At 85 years old, Zimmer keeps himself busy with volunteering, traveling, exercising and working in his yard. For example, he and his wife Irene spent the last five years volunteering at the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.

“When you’re not retired, you tend to think of retirement as just relaxing, having nothing to do,” Zimmer said. “In reality, we’re about as busy as we were when I was working.”

Spending over 33 years in education, Zimmer truly enjoys working with children.

Retiring in 1986, he remained committed to helping children. In addition to two years as a volunteer at Ness Elementary, where he helped children read, he also spent 17 years on the West Valley School Board.

Zimmer spent his youth growing up on his grandfather’s homestead at Albeni Falls on the Pend Oreille River. The location was named after his grandfather, Albeni Poirier.

His family worked a small dairy farm on a parcel of the property during a time when there was no telephones or electricity on the farm, and the work was done using only horse-drawn equipment.

“You take on responsibility as soon as you were able,” said Zimmer, who remembers hauling in wood at age 5.

Zimmer excelled in his studies at the one-room schoolhouse two miles from his home, twice being moved up a grade. He attended high school in Newport and graduated at age 16, two years earlier than his peers.

After graduation, he worked with his father on the dairy farm before deciding to attend Gonzaga University.

“My dad couldn’t afford to hire help,” Zimmer said about helping him after graduation. “It was during that year I realized I didn’t want to be a dairy farmer.”

As a senior pursuing a degree in education, he met Irene. The couple was introduced during a blind date arranged by his friend.

“A relationship developed from there,” Zimmer said of his wife of 63 years. “We had the advantage of having similar backgrounds.”

The couple, who went on to have 10 chil-

CURRENT PHOTO BY VALERIE PUTNAM

Bill Zimmer, pictured with his wife of 63 years, Irene, has committed much of his life to education, whether it be as a teacher, principal, history writer or classroom volunteer. dren, met in January 1951 and married that December. The wedding came after graduation and prior to him volunteering for the draft. Six weeks after the wedding, Zimmer enlisted in the Army.

“I wanted to go in and serve my time in the Army like a fellow should,” Zimmer said.

His degree earned him the opportunity to serve in the Counter Intelligence Corp.

After basic training and four months in Baltimore, they were separated for two years when Zimmer was stationed in Tokyo. Irene returned to Spokane.

Following his tour of duty, Zimmer returned to Spokane in 1953 to begin a career in education.

Looking for a small school reminiscent of the one-room school he attended, his first teaching position was in Glenwood, Wash., teaching seventh- and eighth-grade reading and high school English.

“I signed my contract sight unseen,” said Zimmer, who had never visited Glenwood.

“I interviewed with the superintendent in Spokane.”

Upon arriving in Glenwood, he learned he was also going to teach woodshop and coach baseball.

“I never played a game of organized baseball in my life,” Zimmer said. “But we played with a rule book in one hand and a senior boy who was quite a good pitcher in the other hand. We even won a few games.”

Most of the students traveled from farms around the area to attend the two-story

school building. The high school was on the second level and middle school on ground floor. He, his wife and first child lived in housing next to the school.

“That was quite an experience,” Zimmer said. “But a very good experience for a beginning teacher.”

Two years into his position at Glenwood, his superintendent accepted a new position in Sprague and asked Zimmer to join him.

He accepted as the job brought him closer to Spokane. While working in Sprague, Zimmer attended Gonzaga every summer to work on his master’s degree.

In 1958, after three years at Sprague, he was offered a job teaching English at Rogers High School. Before assuming the position, the Dean of Education at Gonzaga wrote Zimmer asking for him to become the school’s Instructor for Education.

Just one year into his tenure at Gonzaga and raising five children, Zimmer concluded they couldn’t survive on the income.

He took a position at Lewis and Clark, where he remained for 19 years. During his career at Lewis and Clark, Zimmer taught for 10 years, counseled for two and spent six years as the assistant principal. He left Lewis and Clark to take the principal position at Libby Junior High.

“My favorite time was being principal of Libby; I would have loved to stay longer,” Zimmer said. “So many students didn’t have much, so I made a point every day I was in the building to say good morning to the kids when they came into the building.”

After two years he was transferred to Salk. He followed Salk with a job as an area director for the district, where he was responsible for North Central High School and all the schools that fed into that school.

Afterwards, he served in the same role for Shadle Park High School’s area. He spent six years in that position prior to retiring in 1986.

“I felt it was the right time,” Zimmer said.

He didn’t stay retired for long. That fall, he was appointed to a vacated position on the West Valley School Board and served for another 17 years. Each election, he ran unopposed.

He and Irene founded the Valley chapter of the Optimist Club during the late 1980s. Optimist Clubs are part of a national organization dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” by serving area youth in any way each individual club sees fit. They served the organization until it disbanded eight years later.

As a result of Bill and Irene’s shared love of history, they began volunteering at Spokane Valley Heritage Museum in 2009.

“We’ve always been interested in museums, ones relating to our past,” Zimmer said.

During his past three years at the museum, Zimmer authored the museum’s historical articles for The Current.

Never idle or in one spot for too long, Zimmer is ready to move on.

“We’re ready to do something new,” Zimmer said.

He plans on returning to the classroom soon to help children with reading and math.

“We plan on continuing to volunteer,” Zimmer said. “As long as we’re physically able.”

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 21

COMMUNITY

Trivia Test 1. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the U.S. Naval Academy located?

2. AD SLOGANS: What company promoted its products with the slogan, “Nothin’ says lovin’ like something from the oven”?

3. ART: Who painted a series of famous works of his garden at Giverny?

4. TV: What is the name of the city in TV’s long-running soap opera “All My Children”?

5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “Dragon’s Teeth”?

6. MUSIC: What rock group originally recorded the song “Layla”?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What other spice is similar in flavor to mace?

8. COMICS: What was the name of Superman’s superdog?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the first name of the pirate known as Captain Kidd?

10. HISTORY: In what year was Malcolm X assassinated?

— 2015 King Features Syndicate Inc.

Pricing out tools, toy collectibles

tinued until 1951. It was one of the most popular and longest-running radio adventure series ever. The broadcasts generated dozens of products, including two of my personal favorites: a coveted and rare signaling mirror and secret whistle, both used to send messages. After checking the Internet and several price guides, including “Hake’s Price Guide to Character Toys” by Ted Hake and published by House of Collectibles, I have determined your cereal bowl is probably worth about $35 and the bicycle safety kit, if intact, in the $100 to $300 range. The pedometer’s value is more difficult to determine, since several models were issued and I am uncertain which one you have.

Q: My parents were married during World War II. The silver flatware pattern they had was “Ballad.” I can’t find it in any of the sterling books I have and hope you can help me find out more about the pattern and the company that produced it. — Connie, Grand Junction, Colo.

A: “Ballad” was a pattern introduced by Hallmark Silversmiths of New York in 1942.

I have never seen a piece of flatware from this company, which became Hunt-Hallmark & Company in 1954.

‘Collecting’ by Larry Cox KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

Q: My grandpa was a carpenter, and I have inherited his toolbox filled with his original tools. Are they worth keeping? — Beth, West Palm Beach, Fla. A: Think of your toolbox as a treasure chest.

The value of tools has increased dramatically during the past few years. For example, a Dovetail plane, Stanley No. 44, which would have sold for about $300 a decade or so ago, now is worth about $1,700. One of the more uber-friendly references that you might find useful is “The Antique Trader Tools Price Guide” by Clarence Blanchard and published

by Krause.

Q: As a kid growing up in Brooklyn during the 1940s, I ate Wheaties for breakfast because it sponsored “Jack Armstrong” on afternoon radio. I have a milk glass cereal bowl, a bicycle safety kit and a pedometer, all products that were Armstrong premiums. I have a sentimental attachment to these three items but also wonder about current values.

— Don, Lexington, Ky. A: The Jack Armstrong radio program began during the summer of 1933 and con-

Write to Larry Cox in care of KFWS, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox cannot personally answer all reader questions, nor do appraisals. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

Where Wellness Is A Way Of Life

Answers to Trivia Test

1. Annapolis, Maryland 2. Pillsbury 3. Claude Monet 4. Pine Valley 5. Upton Sinclair 6. Derek and the Dominos 7. Nutmeg 8. Krypto 9. William 10. 1965

MOVE-IN SPECIALS

• Independent Living • Light Assisted Living • Walking Trail • Cottage Homes • Wellness & Fitness Center • Gourmet Chef • Assisted Living • Swimming Pool & Spa • Bistro

Community tours available daily! Please call to RSVP. Locally Owned and Operated by the Arger Family

• 509-922-3100 • 1201 N Evergreen Road, Spokane Valley • www.evergreenfountains.com

22 • MARCH 2015

HISTORY

The Current

First homes framed Valley’s early character

By Tyler Robbins and Jayne Singleton SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

In the hustle and bustle of the modern era, it can be hard to remember the Valley’s humble beginnings. Pieces of our area’s history lay mixed within the infrastructure that makes Spokane Valley a fully functioning, modern-day city.

While housing developments, apartments and shopping complexes have caused some historical sites to only exist

in the stories and imaginations of past residents, several of the homes that housed our Valley pioneers still stand to this day.

Two of the earliest homesteads still stand, even though the nearby lake which gave the area its namesake, Saltese Lake, has long been drained. A house that once was the hub of one of the Valley’s first orchards now sits on a residential street with neighbors no more than 30 feet away. National Civil War hero General William T. Sherman was entertained by the Cowley

family in their house, which still stands today.

As it becomes more and more difficult to locate these historical sites, it is important now to learn about them and appreciate their priceless value to our community today. Learn what you can, while you can.

You never know when a piece of history is just three doors down.

If you decide to go view these homes, please remember that they are on private

property and respect the owners and the law.

The images below represent a handful of these historic Spokane Valley homes.

Tyler Robbins is a research archivist for the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum and a history graduate of Eastern Washington University. Jayne Singleton is the museum’s director.

For more about this article or other aspects of our community’s heritage, visit the museum at 12114 E. Sprague Ave. or call 922-4570.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

VAN MARTER HOUSE

After running a ranch in Lind, Wash., Henry Van Marter moved to the Spokane Valley and settled at University and Valleyway in 1907. A house was soon to follow in 1908, and Van Marter became one of the first orchardists in the area.

The house stands out with its unique architecture. It was built of hand-molded concrete blocks, formed by Van Marter himself. The house was a favorite family get together destination, having a fully functioning roller skating rink on the third floor and hosting Christmas festivities for extended family members each year.

STEGNER-NARUP HOUSE

When her husband, J.A. Stegner passed away, Matilda Stegner continued to run the family’s Trent store, manage their farm and raise their five children on her own. A wise land investment also helped the family, and Matilda eventually remarried J.A. Narup. The Narups built a very large home west of Pines Road and south of Trent Road that is no longer standing. The home was quite a show place and rivaled anything in Browne’s Addition at the time. Built around 1900, the palatial style is unlike any other homes in the Valley at that time or since.

LINKE HOMESTEAD

In 1862 under the Homestead Act, Herman Linke was able to acquire 320 acres in the Saltese area, land near where the Courchaines would settle during that same time period. In 1877, Linke built a log cabin to serve as the family’s home. Linke was known for harvesting wheat, even developing his own hybrid seed that became known as Linke wheat. By 1890, the Linke farm had grown to about 1,160 acres and boasted a completed true farm house that housed eight family members.

THE COURCHAINE HOMESTEAD

Daniel Courchaine arrived in the Valley from Canada in 1866 and bought land from the Indians in the Saltese Lake area in 1867. In 1878, he built a large farmhouse on the land, which is located in the southern part of present-day Greenacres, that would stand for 137 years and counting. The house was built from lumber that had to be shipped up from the Walla Walla area. The property had a year-round spring, and Courchaine built a milking parlor. The Courchaine house became a popular stopping spot for area Indians on their way home from Mt. Spokane. Here, they tended to their ponies and would trade with the family with huckleberries.

BUSINESS

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 23

Irish eyes on Valley for St. Patrick’s Day O’Doherty’s, Conley’s among traditional options

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

By Craig Swanson

SPOKANE VALLEY SCOOP

It is more than a wee bit ironic to me that St. Patrick’s Day, which honors a saint, is the most hellraising holiday on the calendar.

Spokane Valley, a family-orientated place if ever there were one, will this March 17 be stage to a scene replicated in every town of any size across the nation.

Amazingly, St. Patrick’s Day is a two-part party on every year that it does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is always held on the Saturday before the holiday, and it is also a day when the top o’ the morn will be toasted to with a good stiff drink by many who imbibe. For most, it is the only day of the year for such day-long shenanigans, and that is why when the holiday falls the next day on Sunday, it is barely celebrated since so many revelers are still suffering.

On years like 2015, however, when the holiday falls on a weekday, St. Patrick’s Day will be a twoday celebration. There is ample time between Saturday and Tuesday for all but the feeblest to recuperate and then recharge for the St. Paddy Party, Part Two. With my finger on the pulse and plenty of opinions on the matter of Spokane Valley wining and dining, I can offer a few tipsy tips for them that tip their glasses and some tasty tips for the hungry and sober, but fun-loving folk.

A crowd will be forming at 8 a.m. at the Trent N Dale Pub, as the early birds begin to gather for the establishment’s annual pre-parade breakfast. The Trent N Dale, located at Trent and Dale, serves as the Valley’s rabbit hole to the downtown revelry, which features a parade for the young kids and a full-town, day-long pub crawl for the older kids.

Spokane Valley has several approaches to celebrating St. Patrick's Day. There is the more unique approach, such as the breakfast buffet and bus ride package offered by Trent N Dale Pub to enjoy the festivities downtown on the day of the parade (photos above).

More traditional options include an Irish breakfast at Conley’s Place (at right) or a Butte Pasty ordered from O’Doherty’s Irish Pub and BBQ (below), an Irish beef brisket delicacy covered in rich brown gravy. Also at O’Doherty’s, a countdown clock helps diners to always be aware of just how long they have to wait until the next St. Patrick’s Day — down to the tenth of a second.

For $30, the TND offers a buffetstyle breakfast, commemorative T-shirt and a round trip bus ride hither and yon twixt their parking lot and the corner of Division and Main, which is a fair walk to the parade route but right smack dab in the middle of the crawl.

With the first bus leaving for town at 10 and the parade starting two hours later, it is likely that several of the unseasoned would not make it to the parade even if it ran right past on Division. If they did, they would be seeing two parades by that time.

For those wanting to whet their whistles at a festive Valley site, O’Doherty’s Irish Pub and BBQ will be a spot of gold on Saturday from morning to midnight. Several times during the day, the Spo-

kane County Fire Fighter’s Pipe and Drum group will be blowing and tapping the roof off with their bagpipes and snare drums. They play about 10 minutes and are as inspiring as they are loud.

O’Doherty’s is our version of the Irish pub, a global phenomenon which numbers 1,694 in America, 861 in Ireland, 100 in Asia, 18 in the Middle East and 11 in Africa, according to Irishabroad.com.

Though Ireland would only be the 23rd largest if it were one of our fifty states, this leprechaun-sized country’s drinking establishments apparently set the bar for bars globally.

Our Irish pub was then known as Porky’s Barbeque when Terry and Renee Best took over several years ago. With that business in

the pits, they teamed up with the downtown O’Doherty’s and transformed it into an Irish pub with southern-style barbecue and traditional Irish vittles, drinks and decor.

Personally, I never have strayed from their savory barbecue until writing this story. I tried an item on their menu called the Butte Pasty, a lunch meal that Irish wives in Butte, Mont., lovingly prepared for their hard-working miner husbands. Why so many Irish migrated to Butte and how they came up with this scrumptious ethnic beef brisket delicacy, covered in rich brown gravy, I was not able to clearly Google.

The robust atmosphere at O’Doherty’s on Saturday will triple if not quadruple on Tuesday, the

day a clock on the wall has been counting down to by the tenth of a second since last St. Patrick’s Day. If you can’t get a seat there, and do not want to stand like many will, ride on down the road to the Iron Horse. This horse of many colors celebrates all holidays with flair, and once again starting on Saturday the 14th it will be so green it should be temporarily renamed the Irish Horse.

The best answer, however, to the question “how green is our Valley?” is Conley’s Place, the local icon amongst independent restaurants. The owners, Jennifer and Ed Conley, have been jauntily dancing to the tune of their own Irish jig since 1992, when they bought the Pioneer Pies restaurant that Jennifer had been managing for seven years.

Like the Bests at O’Doherty’s, the Conleys reinvented their place and took up the Irish flag while keeping a delicious remnant of the old business, which in their case was the Pioneer Pies’ actual pies, which sell like hot cakes by the slice or by the circle.

While it is a comfortable, fun and tasty place to dine all year, during March it looms above the rest like the jolly green giant of the Valley, dishing out tasty Irish niblets all month long from a special St. Patrick’s menu featuring all the traditional Emerald Isle staples like pork chops, baked salmon and corned beef made with Conley’s private recipes and personal care.

As in years past, the month-long celebration reaches a lofty false summit on parade day, with live entertainment by The Crooked Kilt Ensemble and Irish Dancers starting at 5:30 p.m. The festivities peak on Tuesday the 17th when they return and get things rolling at 4:30 in the afternoon.

At Conley’s Place that day, it will be a gaily Gaelic scene running simultaneously at thousands of venues across Spokane and the Northwest, and across North America and apparently across the globe. There really is no other holiday of the year quite like it with so much global goodwill and good cheers, which befits a holiday honoring a saint.

Craig Swanson is a lifelong resident of Spokane Valley who blogs at spokanevalleyscoop.wordpress. com.

The Current

24 • MARCH 2015

An app-titude for games Firecracker Software launches successful software from Spokane Valley

By Valerie Putnam

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Ben Ritter, artist at Firecracker Software, likens the success of the company’s Blast Trivia app to the “garage” successes of the 1970s.

"It is one of the classic garage project success stories you used to hear about," Ritter said. "You can still do it."

He is referring to how firm founder Jason Stock developed the app in his home while working full time at his day job.

"There was a lack of good trivia games on Android devices," Stock said. "I wanted to come up with a game inspired by Jeopardy."

Originally launched in summer of 2011, the popular trivia app re-launched at the end of February. Prior to releasing the update, the app had 1,000 users a day. Stock hopes it grows to thousands of daily users. Stock and his team began working on the update last summer.

"We looked at starting a new game or something we already had that could be made better," Stock said. "We identified Blast Trivia. There was so much more we could do."

The team spent the last five months updating features such as laying down new tracks of music and sound effects. The team developed a new assist feature that allows players to eliminate two choices on tougher questions and also added a new marathon mode.

"The more you play, you can rank up," Stock said. “We always try and innovate somehow.”

Grammatical and factual errors in questions were corrected, based on super users’ feedback.

"Ten percent of our questions

had issues," Stock said. “We went in and fixed all of them.”

According to Stock, Blast Trivia was the first trivia game available in the Amazon App Store.

During the initial launch, it received 1,000 downloads in one day, crashing Firecracker’s third party service.

"It was a bit of a fiasco," Stock said. "(We learned) an important lesson to not be so reliant on a third party."

After the crash, Stock expanded the Firecracker server to accommodate the large volume of downloads.

Firecracker is a dream realized for Stock, who has a passion for computer games.

"I grew up playing computer games," Stock said. "I went to college hoping to create games."

Stock graduated with a computer science degree from University of California in Santa Barbara. He secured a position with Agilent Technologies, and the company gave him a choice to work in California or at the Liberty Lake location.

"I wanted to get out of California," he said, "so I relocated up here."

Stock worked at the company for approximately nine years until Agilent closed the Liberty Lake office.

"Within six months of coming up here, they announced the first round of layoffs," said Stock, who survived all rounds of layoffs prior to the office closing. "It was really rough there."

After leaving Agilent, Stock took a position at Ciena in 2009.

"Six months after starting at Ciena, I began developing apps on the side," said Stock, who got approval from his boss to do so.

"My boss made me promise to not be too successful."

In February 2011, he created his first game for Android devices called Bubble Squeeze. The concept of the game was using the mobile devices accelerometer

BUSINESS

SUBMITTED PHOTO AND GRAPHIC

FOR MORE ...

Firecracker Software, a leader in cheat and learning software for word and puzzle games, is located at 15407 E. Mission Ave.

Firecracker Software, a three-man company including Ben Ritter, Jason Stock and Michael Sattler, re-launched an app called Blast Trivia in February. The software firm is one of a handful of game developers creating original apps in eastern Washington.

The company relaunched Blast Trivia on Feb. 25 with a special promotion on the company’s Facebook page.

For a complete line of apps and games, visit www.firecrackersw.com. to shoot bubbles.

"It was a complete failure," Stock said, noting that no one downloaded the game. "I thought you could create any app and have a success, but we met reality."

Stock then saw an ad for a new game, Words for Friends.

A month after his Bubble game launched, he decided to develop a cheat app called Word Breaker.

Word Breaker was an overnight success, garnering 3,000 users a day. It has had almost 3 million downloads between all the different platforms.

"The name came from the Navajo code breakers of WWII," Stock said. "It's our biggest app and has evolved immensely over the years."

The catalyst for Stock to give up his day job and pursue his dream full time was creating a cheater app in 2013 for a game called Four Picks.

“We got 20,000 downloads in one day," Stock said. "It was an all-time record.”

Stock started putting plans into motion to resign from Ciena and open a full-time software company.

"No regret," Stock said. "I wish I would have done it sooner."

The original one-man operation grew to a three-man company. The firm is one of a handful of eastern Washington based game developers creating original apps.

Competing

against

larger

companies, Firecracker generates most of its revenue from advertisements and in-app purchases or upgrades. Stock attempts to maximize his marketing efforts both on the web and with banner advertisements.

"It's all new to us," Ritter said about marketing the company's products. "We don't have a big budget. We have a product that we think is great; we want to show it off to the world."

Now that Blast Trivia has relaunched, the team is looking to create an original action game before the year is over.

“We will continue to evolve Blast Trivia,” Stock said. “My passion is doing more of our own first party games and less cheat apps. That is my hope.”

There are five of us. There are 100,000 of you. Submit story ideas, pictures, rants, favorite Valley restaurant orders: editor@valleycurrent.com

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 25

BUSINESS

Biz Notes Chamber honors award recipients The 12th annual Gem of the Valley Gala was held Jan. 31 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel by the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce to recognize business and community achievements. The 2014 Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year Award went to Marlene “Marti” Hollenback, community contributor and dealer principal/president of Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep.

The Chamber also recognized Dick Brantley and John Guarisco for their work within the organization. Brantley was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year and Guarisco as Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

Three of the Valley’s school districts selected educators of the year: Jennell McLaughlin, Central Valley School District; Jerry Call, East Valley School District; and Warryn Hansen, West Valley School District.

Other winners of the 2014 Awards of Excellence, as voted by the Chamber’s membership, were as follows: Charity/Cultural Services: GSC Meals on Wheels Community Caring Award: Toys for Tots Entrepreneur Award: Barry Baker Small Business of the Year: Simply Northwest Large Business of the Year: Mirabeau Park Hotel

Padden sponsors bill to aid small businesses A bill sponsored by Senator Mike Padden to provide tax relief for Washington small business owners recently was approved by the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee.

Senate Bill 5339 would create a deferral from the business-and-occupation tax during a small business’s first three years of existence. The bill now moves to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Senator Padden represents the 4th Legislative Districts which includes Colbert, Greenbluff, Liberty Lake, Millwood and Spokane Valley.

Jimmy John’s opens on Pines Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich restaurant is opening a new restaurant at 1421 N. Pines.

Formerly operated by Quizno's, the 1,500 square foot shop in the Pines Square retail center will be the 11th Jimmy John's location in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area.

CPM wins Clean Air Award Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency recently announced that Central Pre-Mix

(CPM) is the recipient of its 2015 Clean Air Award. CPM was presented the award during a ceremony held in Spokane for renovations and improvements at its Sullivan Road Gravel Plant.

Since 2009, CPM has spent nine million dollars on major renovations at the Sullivan Gravel Plant.

"CPM has made investments at their Sullivan Road Gravel Plant over the last several years that have collectively resulted in measurable air pollutant reductions," Julie Oliver, director of Spokane Clean Air, said in a press release.

The annual Clean Air Award recognizes innovation and commitment by a facility to reduce air emissions and to encourage others to follow suit.

Moore Storage locates on Sprague Cornerstone recently brokered the sale of the 32,620 square foot self-storage and retail property at 16823 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley to Moore Storage, LLC. The facility offers 233 self-storage units, 32 RV storage spaces and 5,788 square feet of single-story retail with Sprague Avenue frontage.

Valley-based Carbon Cycle partners with Oregon company Based in Spokane Valley, MPM Technologies Inc.’s subsidiary Carbon Cycle Power (CCP) recently entered into a joint venture with Oregon-based Aurora Energy. The agreement was formed to develop a wasteto-electricity process where carbonaceous waste is gasified and electricity is produced through an integrated technology solution.

"Combining these two unique technologies allows us to create a cutting-edge solution for waste conversion and electricity production that is unmatched," said Ryan Skinner, Carbon Cycle Investments' cofounder and chief operations officer. "We are just as excited to work with a partner that shares our core values of making the world a better place for future generations.”

For more, visit carboncyclepower.com.

CONNECT.

EMPOWER.

INNOVATE.

Emerging or existing business?

Be empowered to go to the next level.

Enroll in the NxLeveL® Entrepreneur Program, a 13-session training program ideal for new or growing businesses. This program is also approved for SEAP, the Self-Employment Assistance Program.

Spring Course: March 18 – June 10 Summer Course: June 17 – September 9 Fall Course: September 16 – December 16 If you are a military veteran, check out our VETS scholarship for entrepreneur training.

Need office space? We are accepting applications for business incubator office rentals when space becomes available.

For more information, call 509-924-4994 or visit spokanevalleychamber.org

Providence hires new staff Jennifer Hicks and Margie ScammellRenner recently joined Providence Health Care Foundation of Eastern Washington as development directors. Carol Bonino was also hired as a grant development and research specialist.

Previously serving as development directory for Spokane Symphony Society, Hicks returned to Spokane after several years overseas and on the East Coast. ScammellRenner was previously community relationship manager with the American Cancer Society. Bonino spent over 26 years at Gonzaga University in a variety of development and communications positions, with an emphasis on foundation relations.

“We are in business to help you do business.”

1421 N. Meadowwood Ln. Liberty Lake, WA 99019 | 509-924-4994 | www.spokanevalleychamber.org

26 • MARCH 2015

‘I just try to make things happen’ Schmerer contributes to U-Hi’s success

By Mike Vlahovich

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Garrett Schmerer didn’t know exactly what to expect, but he was optimistic.

The third-year University varsity basketball player had been a member of two State 3A tournament teams. But he was one of just three returning varsity regulars and the Titans were moving up in classification.

“I knew we had talent, people who could shoot well from the three-point line,” the senior point guard said. “I don’t think people expected us to do as well as we have.”

He pointed out, however, other teams in the Greater Spokane League graduated as many players as the Titans had and he, like his coach Garrick Phillips, figured they could be in the thick of things. True enough, they found themselves in postseason playoffs again.

“I wouldn’t exactly say I was surprised we’d be competitive,” Phillips weighed in. “(Where U-Hi stood) with the top teams, I wasn’t sure where it would pan out.”

Veterans Schmerer and double figures scorer Robert Little,

were veterans on last year’s state qualifier, and back for second starts. Dray White, who averaged some five points a game, also returned. They were charged with guiding a group of newcomers who came from a 17-1 junior varsity team, four of them now seniors plus five juniors.

All this blend of old and mainly new, after a 1-2 start, reeled off 10 straight wins and were in league title contention until the final three games of the season, positioning them for a playoff run once more.

“If you had said we’d win 10 in a row at the beginning of the season I probably would have said ‘no,’” Phillips admitted.

“But I fully expected us to be competitive in league. We filled in with a lot of junior varsity guys who were really good last year, guys who would contribute significantly.”

Next year, he continued, “We’ll miss a couple of (key) seniors.”

One of those is Schmerer, who, should he have chosen, could have earned 10 varsity letters in his high school career.

He was on varsity in baseball as a freshman, a sport he’s likely to play beyond high school, and played varsity football as a sophomore before giving up the sport. He said that playing three sports was too much and football was his least favorite.

SPORTS

The Current

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIK SMITH; FACEBOOK.COM/ERIKSMITHPHOTOGRAPHY

U-Hi senior point guard Garrett Schmerer was a key reason the Titans enjoyed a successful GSL season, despite moving up a classification this year. Schmerer was a three-year member of U-Hi’s varsity team.

In his third varsity basketball season, Schmerer runs the point. Although not a prolific scorer, he came up clutch in

big games, making his baskets count in key situations.

“I just try to make things happen, I guess you could say,” he

said. “I just like to have the ball in my hands when it’s a big play.”

Senior veteran Little upped his scoring average by half a point per game over last year when he was the team’s second leading scorer, to nearly 11 points per game.

Two other players that come to Phillips’ mind when talking about U-Hi’s successful season are a pair of juniors in their initial varsity seasons. Junior Spencer Matt, a 5-foot-10 guard and 6-4 Austin Dill, who plays inside-out, were the Titans’ scoring leaders. Combined the duo accounted for 25 points per game.

“These two stepped in and didn’t miss a beat,” Phillips said.

Both play on high level AAU teams and play “a ton” in the offseason, he added. “They are also tireless workers. Their success didn’t surprise me at all.”

This year’s Greater Spokane League was unpredictable. University lost to Lewis and Clark early in the season, won 10 straight, then lost to the Tigers again. They beat every other team in the Greater Spokane League at least once to share third place in league, finish 14-6 during the regular season, reach the district final and advance to subregional.

The move up to 4A obviously didn’t faze coach or team, even with the new lineup.

“It was not a big change for us,” Phillips said. “We’ve established our program and feel we will continue to be successful in the GSL.” Players like Garrett Schmerer did their part.

Freeman rides strength in numbers to state title

By Mike Vlahovich

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Not many years ago, Freeman wrestling coach Chad Ripke said he had six wrestlers in his program and none qualified for state.

The next year there were nine wrestlers and still no state participants.

There’s strength in numbers, he came to learn. This year, Freeman wrestlers took it to extremes.

The Scotties had 15 state qualifiers in 11

weight classes (there are 14 weight classes in a wrestling match) and placed 12 among the top eight during Mat Classic XXVII in Tacoma including two each in three weights.

Thirteen of the state performers scored points as Freeman piled up 169.5 in rolling to the 2015 State 1A championship, its first in the sport.

Markus Goldbach, the state’s 1A football player of the year two seasons ago, became the school’s second state champ, winning at 182 pounds, and Preston Hoppman placed sixth. Sebastian Hyta finished second and Derek Trumble was seventh at 195, Teigan Glidewell and Peyton Smetana were third and fourth at 285.

Noah Vetter and Isaiah Crane took fourth at 132 and 138 respectively, Billy Sims was fourth as well at 170, Konner Forshag placed sixth at 160 and Hunter Nees at 106 and Brian Schweiger at 152 were eighth.

“I just continue to reiterate how much of a team effort it was,” said Ripke, thinking back to the beginning and the lowest of lows. “It was a total team effort that took every one of them to perform for us to win it. It took all 30 of the guys (on the team), the guys getting pushed every day. So everybody shares in this moment, not just the 14 guys there.”

Freeman has won three straight North-

east A Leagues, has won districts and regionals, but until this year never had won state. It is a league that also had the secondand fourth-place team finishers, making the victory that much sweeter. On top of it, the Scotties wrestlers are also academic team champs.

“We’re not only the toughest; we’re the smartest,” Ripke said. “I think we’re all still on Cloud 9, embracing the moment and enjoying it.”

Tate’s Titans bring home trophy Tate Orndorff and the University Titans proved there’s little difference between 4A

See NOTEBOOK, page 30

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 27

SPORTS

A Good Time to Detox A down year for GSL boys hoops — or was it?

By Monica Eggleston, ARNP, FNP-C

It’s a brand new year and a time that many people focus on “detox.” But what is detoxification, and why focus on it?

By Mike Vlahovich THE FINAL POINT

I’ll admit my evidence was slim, but after watching the University-Lewis and Clark basketball game back on Jan. 16, I came to the conclusion that Greater Spokane League boys basketball this year was one of the weakest leagues I’ve witnessed in 46 years.

The Titans were in first place at the time, rolling along on a 10-game winning streak and playing at home. The Tigers were on a skid, having dropped to 9-4 after a hot start.

My wife, as discerning about the nuances of sport as there is, and I settled in and stared in disbelief at what transpired: Players hurtling pell-mell up and down the court in an effort to speed by everybody to the basket, without regard to strategy. I envisioned the ghosts of coaches past spin-

ning in their graves — fundamentals gone with the wind; teamwork an afterthought; let athleticism decide the outcome, in this instance in favor of LC. The teams were young or inexperienced, I figured, and I gave them a pass, since none of them did.

As the season went on this hypothesis explained why, with three games remaining, the prospect loomed that four teams could be tied for first place with four losses apiece.

LC did its part by bringing league leader Central Valley back to the pack. But U-Hi and Rogers couldn’t stand prosperity and unexpectedly (perhaps) lost to seemingly lesser foes. Gonzaga Prep, which had earlier in the year been beaten 69-26(!) by CV, later went on to win 8-of-9 GSL games, edging the Titans by a point along the way. And Mead beat a surprising Rogers, which was having its best season in 40 years.

Now CV and LC shared first, and three teams —- Prep, U-Hi and the Pirates -— trailed by a game. I suppose there could have been a five-way tie for first place to end

See HOOPS, page 28

Living produces toxic byproducts. Though our amazing human bodies are well equipped to eliminate toxins, our modern environment sometimes overloads our natural detoxification mechanisms, producing symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, weight problems, or even serious illness.

You can improve your health by avoiding toxins: Avoid toxic foods and drinks (focus on getting a lot of leafy greens instead), toxic personal care products (use plant based and essential oils instead), and toxic household cleaners (use vinegar and baking soda instead). Avoid smoking (breathe fresh outdoor air as much as possible).

You can also support your liver’s two detox phases. In phase I, your liver uses oxygen and enzymes to “burn” or oxidize toxins. In phase II,

Liberty Lake

sulfur and amino acids bind to the phase I oxidized chemicals and get rid of them. Phase I is critical, but can cause damage if you don’t have enough phase II activity to finish the work by safely packaging and eliminating oxidized toxins. Phase I detoxification is increased by B vitamins and zinc, and Phase II by sufficient dietary protein, sulfur rich foods like garlic and onions, curcumin, SAM-e, and milk thistle (silymarin), to name a few. Vitamin C and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) boost both phase I and phase II detox.

Other simple detox measures: Drink enough water (ounces equal to your body weight in pounds divided by two). Use a sauna or exercise to sweat regularly. Finally, practice emotional “letting go:” each week take one ”recording” you play in your mind that is a re-run of a past mistake, regret, hurt or resentment and throw it out. In short, eliminate the things in your life that no longer serve you or support your health.

www.lakesideholistic.com

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21651 E. Country Vista Dr. Ste. F 518 North 4th Street Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (509) 385-0218 (208) 758-0568 Most insurance accepted

The Current

28 • MARCH 2015

The truth about diligence

By Vladislav Gordeyev SPLASH GUEST COLUMN

Diligence can be defined as careful and persistent work or effort. This characteristic is very important to me and my life.

Without diligence, nothing good or interesting can happen.

I remember the time my dad bought a broken car. It was last summer. I was

About the Opinion Page The Current wants to hear what’s on your mind. Interact with the opinion page with a le er to the editor (350 words or fewer), guest column (700 words or fewer; please send a mug) or via Facebook or Twi er: editor@valleycurrent.com facebook.com/valleycurrent @valleycurrent As with all content, opinion page submissions may be edited for space, style or clarity. This is a community newspaper, so be relevant to the Valley for the best chance at publica on.

“In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory or an unjust interest. And endeavor to gain, rather than to expose, thy antagonist.”

— William Penn

OPINION/SPORTS 11 years old. I was playing with my cat named Reggie. I heard a huge noise and I looked out the window. I saw my dad towing the black, Toyota Prius. It looked like a “junker,” about to fall apart.

He towed it into our garage and told me it was going to be the best car ever. He says that a lot. I couldn’t possibly imagine how he thought that. It was in pieces!

Over the next couple of weeks, dad woke up super early in the morning so he could get to work early. That way, he could get home sooner and have more time to work on this car. Basically, he spent dawn to late night working. As I went to bed every night, I could still hear him working in the garage.

He never gave up. He kept at it, night after night. This showed me a great example of diligence. My family shows me a great example of this trait, and I will try to be this same way. Because he chose to work so hard and not give up, in two months, the car was perfectly finished and driving like crazy! We drive it now!

In my life, so far, I realize that the example of diligence helps me a lot. When I learned piano, my teacher wanted me to go to a competition at Gonzaga. My first reaction was, “No way.” But my mom talked me into it. She told me that I was ready and that I shouldn’t be nervous.

She believed in me. I decided to take a chance. I worked really hard on my songs. I practiced two hours a day. When the day of the competition came, I practiced on the Gonzaga piano to get used to it. My teacher took us to a room with three judges. I was so super nervous that I thought about running out of the building. But I didn’t.

HOOPS Continued from page 27

the season had Mead knocked off the Bears and Tigers during those final three games.

And that brings us to the most inexplicable occurrence of all that seemed to bear out my premise.

The Panthers, after finishing 8-10 and seventh in the 10-team Greater Spokane League — preposterous though it might seem — BECAME YOU’RE 2015 DISTRICT 8 4A CHAMPION. The fifth-seeded Panthers dispatched fourth-seed Gonzaga Prep in a “play-in” game just to qualify for district. They then proceeded to stun No.1 Lewis and Clark and No. 3 University for the title.

The Titans? They had defeated secondseed Central Valley by a basket to win the season series between school district rivals and reached the district championship game.

Fortunately, the regular season league co-champion Bears were in the double elimination portion of the tournament and

Editorial Cartoon

I was up first. My opponents — a girl and a boy — went after me. Out of all the songs in the world, the boy chose the exact same song as me! When I was finished, I felt relieved. The judges took 5 minutes to decide what score to give everyone. It turned out that they gave me 99 percent — the highest score in my age bracket! All that practice paid off. And, I got to play on a national radio station.

at it. Don’t give up. Being good at something takes hard work. Diligence. If you keep trying your hardest, it pays off. That is what I know for sure.

If I could give advice to kids my age, it would be to learn something and keep

Vladislav Gordeyev is a sixth-grader at Trent Elementary. He was born in Spokane and lives with his parents and siblings.

Vlad plays violin, hockey and soccer, and he loves kiwi ice cream and traveling with his family. He wrote this column as part of a series highlighting the PACE trait of the month. The trait for March is diligence.

survived the Tigers’ 13-point fourth-quarter rally to win by a point, end the league champions’ season and soldier on to subregionals.

I rested my case.

Only Titans coach Garrick Phillips countered for the defense, and Central Valley, which thrashed Mid-Columbia Conference runner-up Chiawana in the subregional first round, seemed to reinforce his argument, that GSL parity didn’t come from weakness, but through strength.

“I think it was very strong compared to the rest of the state,” said Phillips, who explained away the topsy-turvy GSL as a victim of untimely illness and injury resulting in streaky play. CV beat Richland, a team he said was the class of the MCC, by 15 points in a non-conference game. U-Hi went on the road and won easily over Franklin Pierce and Black Hills. Seven of the 10 GSL schools had winning overall records, an indication perhaps, that if this was a down year it wasn’t merely in the GSL. In fairness, nearly 60 percent of GSL teams were peopled by underclassmen.

Thirty-six juniors, 15 sophomores and six

freshmen dotted this year’s rosters.

For example, juniors made up two-thirds of Central Valley’s lineup, and only a handful on its roster played varsity last year, yet the Bears were picked as favorites in league.

That tells you something.

Even having seniors didn’t mean a lot of playing experience. The Titans had seven seniors but only three returning varsity players on a 12-man roster.

Only two games separated five teams atop the GSL. CV and LC shared first place at 144; the others had six losses. It’s fairly rare that four losses win league. Several years, three losses won the title. But you’d probably have to go back to 1992 to have the GSL bunched like this year’s.

Most years, you couldn’t win if you had more than one loss, maybe two. This was a season for the books.

Call it parity, if you will. Call it mediocrity.

It was a heckuva roller coaster ride.

Mike Vlahovich is a longtime Spokane Valley sportswriter and member of the Inland Northwest Hall of Fame Scroll of Honor.

The Current

MARCH 2015 • 29

COMMUNITY Volume 4, Issue 3 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Josh Johnson

GENERAL MANAGER

Tammy Kimberley

Sarah Burk

josh@valleycurrent.com tammy@valleycurrent.com GRAPHICS EDITOR

sarah@valleycurrent.com

CIRCULATION Dean Byrns Mike Wiykovics

circulation@valleycurrent.com CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Campbell, Gwendolyn Haley, Craig Howard, Mary Kate Koch, Treva Lind, Valerie Putnam, Tyler Robbins, Jayne Singleton, Craig Swanson, Mike Vlahovich

On the cover: Current photo by Treva Lind

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The Current is published monthly. It is distributed by or before the first of each month to drop-off locations in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Rockford, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake — just about anywhere that has historically been referred to as part of Spokane’s Valley.

CALENDAR Continued from page 8 March 7-8, 14-15 | State Middle School Basketball Championships 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Girls teams will battle March 7-8, while the boys will play March 14-15. Admission ranges from $5 to $15. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

March 15 | Riverview Little League Baseball registration closes Tryouts take

place March 4 and 7 at Valley Christian School, 10212 E. 9th Ave. Regular registration is until March 8; late registration closes March 15. For more: www.eteamz.com/riverviewlittleleague

March 20-22, 27-29 | Pacific Northwest Qualifier 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., HUB Sports Center,

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19619 E. Cataldo Ave. This is one of USA Volleyball’s national qualifying tournaments. For more: www.pacificnwqualifier.org

March 21 | Rapid Rabbit Run 10 a.m., East Valley High School, 15711 E. Wellesley Ave. Proceeds from this five-mile or three-mile run benefit East Valley High School Senior AllKnighter. Cost is $25 with shirt by March 1; $20 after March 1. For more: www.eastvalleyhs.wix. com/rapidrabbitrun

March 21 | Freeman Freeze 5k Fun Run

9 a.m., Freeman High School track, 14626 S. Jackson Road, Rockford. Cost, which includes T-shirts and breakfast, is $15 for adults and $13 for children under 13. Proceeds benefit Freeman track and field team. For more: freemansd.org

March 25 | Trailhead Ladies Nine Hole Golf Club registration 10:30 a.m., Trailhead Submitted materials Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@valleycurrent.com or mail them to The Current office. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current.

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Clubhouse, 1102 N. Liberty Lake Road. Enjoy casual golf, tournaments, socials and PGA clinics with women golfers of all ages and abilities.

League play is Wednesday mornings April through September. Cost for full membership is $55. For more: trailheadladies9.com or 879-7391

Recurring Bloomsday registration open Online

registration is now open for the 39th annual 12-kilometer race in downtown Spokane. To register or for more: www.bloomsdayrun.org

Healthy Living Liberty Lake • K9 Country Club • Liberty Lake Family Dentistry Liberty Lake Orthodontics Liberty Lube • Spokane County Library District Spokane Spine & Disc • Thrivent Financial

Ice Breaker Run registration open This

10K race on April 12 at Hauser Lake County Park benefits Double J Dog Ranch. To register or for more: www.doublejdogranch.org

Index of advertisers

Windermere marathon registration open Registration for the June 7 marathon

or half marathon from the Valley area to Spokane is open. To register or for more: www. windermeremarathon.com

KidFIT Spokane HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. This children’s movement and fitness program offers classes in dance, gymnastics and cheerleading for girls and boys ages 3 and older. For more: 953-7501 or www. kidfitspokane.com

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Sports opportunities HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Badminton, basketball open gym, pickleball, Zumba and other recreational options available. For more: www. hubsportcenter.org

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Barlows Family Restaurant • City of Liberty Lake • Clark’s Tire and Automotive

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

Amaculate Housekeeping Barlows Restaurant Casey Family Dental Central Valley Theatre Clark’s Tire & Automotive Cornerstone Pentecostal Church CrossFit Liberty Lake Double J Dog Ranch Evergreen Fountains Jim Custer Enterprises K9 Country Club

30 5 9 3 3 4 5 7 21 7 9

Kathrine Olson DDS KiDDS Dental Kiwanis Father Daughter Dance Lakeside Holistic Health Legacy Animal Medical Center Liberty Cross Ministries Liberty Lake Family Dentistry Liberty Lake Orthodontics Northern Quest Resort & Casino Otis Orchards Community Church Riverview Little League

4 17 5 27 7 10 3 4 32 9 8

Side by Side Counseling Services 9 Simonds Dental Group 32 Spokane County Library District 14 Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 25 Valley Christian School 5 Valley Hospital 11 Valley Real Life 7 Windermere Marathon 27

Service Directory 30

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Current’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 Current’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@valleycurrent.com. With story ideas, contact editor@valleycurrent.com.

30 • MARCH 2015

SPORTS

NOTEBOOK Continued from page 26

and 3A wrestling classifications as far as they’re concerned. A state trophy is a state trophy.

Orndorff capped his illustrious career with another state 285-pound title, and the Titans finished fourth with 79 points. He won three matches by pin, the quickest in 23 seconds, and a 15-3 major decision to bring down the curtain on Mat Classic XXVII. Levi Meinzinger finished second at 170 pounds, losing a 2-0 heartbreaker for the championship. Fellow junior Tyler Rickel finished fourth after winning twice by pin at 220, and Cam Sorensen was fifth at 132.

Central Valley finished seventh with 71 points, with Blake Beard winning his third state title, at 138 pounds. His brothers had an impressive tournament as well. Junior Bryson Beard was the 120-pound winner and sophomore Bridger Beard placed fourth in his first state appearance at 126.

East Valley placed fifth in the State 2A tournament with 69.5 points, led by juniors Trey Meyer and Logan Sundheim, who finished second at 152 and 126 pounds respective. Meyer breezed into the championship match, where he lost a heartbreaker 6-4 in overtime.

Sundheim pinned twice on his way to the finals, where he was beaten 5-2. Kenny Martinez was fifth at 220; Hayden Stevens (220) and sophomore Randy McDonald (120) placed seventh.

CV’s Carter, Titans show at state Central Valley gymnast McKinzie Carter is one of the best at her craft, as the 2015 WIAA 4A State gymnastics meet bore out.

Carter finished second during individual events balance beam competition with a 9.3 score, just .025 points out of first, and was seventh at 9.475 during floor exercise.

The day before during team competition, Carter shared 12th all-around at 35.4. Carter tied for second on beam, tied for seventh on floor exercise and placed 16th on vault.

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University’s Demri Oglesbee finished 16th all-around with a 34.4. Titans Shantel Singh and Oglesbee finished 10th and 11th on balance beam, Oglesbee shared 12th on floor exercise and tied for 20th on vault.

Timing right for Bears Timing was everything for Central Valley’s boys basketball team, who became the Greater Spokane League’s representative to the 4A round of 16. The other three teams from Eastern Washington still alive in the tournament came from the Mid-Columbia and Big Nine Conferences.

“Down the stretch, it was our senior leadership and senior urgency,” coach Rick Sloan said. “They really battled hard to make sure we stayed alive.”

It was a wacky road the Bears (20-5) wound to get there, including four games they divided against rival University, three of them decided by a basket.

CV won the even numbered games, and that ultimately mattered most. After losing 50-48 to the Titans in district, they rallied from a deficit to nudge U-Hi 55-53 in subregional then beat Mead 54-51 to carry on.

Over the course of district and subregional playoffs, season scoring leaders Michael Hannan and Cameron Tucker averaged 15.6 and 14.0 per game respectively in five outings. Hannan had 24- and 25-point efforts and Tucker a 23-point night.

“They were our two leading scorers, but it seemed like we always had one or two other guys who would score well,” said Sloan. “We didn’t have one returning starter back. I’m proud of the team.”

Central Valley was scheduled to play Moses Lake Feb. 27 (after Current press time) for a berth among the final eight in the state tournament, which will play out March 5-7 at the Tacoma Dome.

Streak gone, not season East Valley’s girls basketball team hadn’t lost a game in a month and a half until they ran afoul of Pullman in the Great Northern League district championship.

But it didn’t necessarily prevent last year’s State 2A placers from positioning themselves for another try to repeat. They just made the prospect considerably more difficult. Instead of playing close to home, the Knights traveled to Renton Feb. 28 to face Liberty High School of Issaquah, a game scheduled for after The Current's press time. With a win, East Valley would secure a berth among the final eight in the state tournament, which will play out March 5-7 in Yakima.

EV (19-3) hopes to turn things around after the disappointing loss to Pullman.

Leading the Greyhounds by seven points entering the fourth quarter, the Knights were upset 56-54 by a team playing scarcely better than .500 ball at the time.

Pullman held Hannah Burland nine points below her 17-point per game average in the contest.

The Current

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WV had its moments It was a year, West Valley Eagles boys basketball coach Jay Humphrey said, where you didn’t know what would happen. They handed Great Northern League champion Clarkston its only loss of the season.

They shocked two-time defending state champion Pullman and advanced to the subregional tournament.

It was there, in a 65-52 loss to Wapato, that the curtain rang down on a 15-9 season.

There were some personnel issues to be dealt with throughout the season, Humphrey said, but different people stepped in to fill roles. Martin Herford led the team in scoring at nearly 15 points a game, and John Sage and Brennen Folkins provided consistency, Humphrey said.

“We thought we could be (a playoff team) and thought it would most likely go through Pullman and Clarkston,” he said.

“We played East Valley four times this year, and that’s not easy. I thought Jason

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Wilson did a nice job with those kids.”

Beating Clarkston was a case of kids buying in and accepting roles. “(Pullman) was a crazy win," Humphrey recalled. "We were down by seven points with 1:20 to go.”

Sage hit a 3-pointer with less than a minute left. Folkins made two free throws for the lead with 18 seconds to go, and the Greyhounds missed three shots as time ran out.

Freeman, oh, so close Freeman’s boys basketball team came two points away from a date in the State 1A regional round of 16. The Scotties (13-11 during the season) were part of a taut four-team battle this year in the Northeast A League and lost 61-59 to Riverside for the league’s second berth in the play-in to the state tourney.

Leading scorers for the season were sophomore Ryan Maine at 15 points per game, Jake Phipps, one of just three seniors, 14.5, and junior Jack Paukert, 12.7.

The Current

PARTING SHOTS

MARCH 2015 • 31

Valley to see ‘Dance of Sun and Moon’ Sculpture to become third and largest dedicated at CenterPlace

By Lauren Campbell

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The dedication of a sculpture titled “The Dance of Sun and Moon” will take place at 4 p.m. March 26 near Discovery Park. Artist Jerry McKellar says the 18-foot piece was inspired by a common legend that the sun and moon are husband and wife who only see each other, briefly, twice a day as they pass in the sky.

A third sculpture soon will add to the lineup of donated art adorning land near CenterPlace, the regional event center located at 2426 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley.

The Spokane Valley Arts Council will dedicate the latest piece, called “The Dance of Sun and Moon,” at 4 p.m. on March 26, and it joins other sculptures the nonprofit has given to the city of Spokane Valley.

The Council also donated the sculptures, “Working the Line” and “The Berry Picker,” both also placed on the grounds surrounding CenterPlace.

Colville artist Jerry McKellar, who created “Working the Line,” recently worked under commission to make this latest, much larger bronze sculpture.

The Spokane Valley Arts Council was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2005. It is independent of the city, a decision that was made because the city of Spokane had recently whittled down its once-robust arts committee budget to nothing.

“We saw that happening, and we decided to stay separate,” said Dr. Jim Harken, who has been president of the council since 2006.

Harken has collected art since 1968 — the first piece he purchased was a watercolor by local artist Opal Fleckenstein, his late wife's instructor. In the intervening decades, he has collected art of all kinds from around the world. His home is filled with paintings and sculptures, which seem to have little in common but the fact that he loves them.

He believes that the arts are very important and works with the council to share that with the community.

“We wanted to improve arts and culture in the area,” he said.

“The first thing we decided to do

IF YOU GO ...

What: Dedication of “The Dance of Sun and Moon,” a bronze sculpture Where: Southwest corner of Discovery Playground (2426 N. Discovery Place) When: 4 p.m. March 26 Cost: Free was purchase a bronze sculpture to give the Valley an identity in the arts.”

That sculpture stands 8 feet tall and was the one created by McKellar called “Working the Line,” depicting a mountain man-trapper.

A few years later, the council donated the other sculpture, called “The Berry Picker,” created by the late Nancy Powell McLaughlin. It also stands 8 feet tall.

For the third piece, the council commissioned McKellar once again to make “The Dance of Sun and Moon.” McKellar describes it as his interpretation of a legend that is common around the world, in which the sun and moon are husband and wife who only see each other, briefly, twice a day as they pass in the sky. This piece will dwarf the other two, at 18 feet tall. Its location is such that when road construction is complete on a through-road, traffic near it will increase tenfold.

McKellar and Harken have known each other for many years, as they are both dentists.

McKellar, however, left dentistry to pursue his art full time in 1994.

“It's a hobby that got out of control,” he said.

The arts council raises money for these sculptures and other initiatives through an annual Artists' Showcase. The showcase features artists from across the Western United States and Canada, and brings their art to the Spokane Valley for an auction, giving locals a chance to bid on these unique works. They also accept donated artwork from personal collections for this auction and have been working on

applying for grants. This year’s 9th annual event is being moved to the late spring. It is scheduled for May 30.

The arts council, which has a 13-member board, is currently working on generating funds to donate a $1,000 scholarship to each of the four Valley high schools for students pursuing careers in the arts. Qualifying applicants will be invited to show and sell their work at the 2015 auction.

They are also working with officials to help plan the future City Hall building and have worked with local businesses, such as the Spokane Eye Clinic, in a curatorial role to help them choose art for their offices.

Additionally, Harken plans eventually to donate his collection — or, what's left of it after his children get their pick — to the city. He has been talking to representatives of the city about using the collection to establish a museum in the Valley.

On March 26, McKellar will drive the sculpture to CenterPlace from Colville on a flatbed truck. It will be placed on a concrete pad, and the ground will be backfilled behind it in plenty of time for the 4 p.m. celebration.

The dedication will be attended by representatives of the City Council and the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. Local public television channel KSPS is working on a documentary about McKellar and the sculpture and will be there to film the dedication.

The documentary, which is tentatively scheduled to be finished by summer, will be shown on a number of public television channels, informing viewers about the arts and the city of Spokane Valley.

At the dedication, the mayor, McKellar, and Harken all plan to speak.

For more on the Spokane Valley Arts Council, its scholarship program or the upcoming Artists’ Showcase, visit www.spokanevalleyarts.org. Memberships to the organization are also available. They start at $25 for an individual, $45 for a family, $95 for a business and $250 for a patron.

The Current

32 • MARCH 2015

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