June 2015 Current

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Argonne, Sullivan bridge headline summer road work PAGE 6

The man behind the Millwood Farmers Market PAGE 14

Camp Sekani served generations of local scouts PAGE 27

STORIES AND SCHEDULES FOR A SHOWCASE SEASON Congrats to class of 2015 graduates PAGES 28-32

NEWS

2 • JUNE 2015

Spokane’s original Otto

The Current

A Cup of Joe

Klein a catalyst of local baseball show for over two decades

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

At the season opener for the Spokane Indians in 1993, Otto Klein and the rest of the team’s administrative staff introduced fans to a nameless creature who would become the club’s official mascot.

Emanating from the rare “Spokaneasaurus” breed, the unique character was a creation of the front office and a company that specialized in dynamic representations of sports franchises. This particular conglomeration was part dinosaur, part canine and 100 percent Spokane. The only thing that remained was giving the cheerful lug a name.

Fan suggestions were narrowed down to three options during the homestand before the team turned to an applause meter at one game to determine a winner. Unbeknownst to Klein, a fellow employee included “Otto” on the list of options as a joke. It won going away.

Over two decades later, both Otto Klein and “Otto” the mascot remain key fixtures at Avista Stadium. While Klein may not be as popular as his fuzzy counterpart, he is one of the main reasons the team has led the Northwest League in attendance for the past 16 seasons and is acknowledged as a pillar of every Inland Northwest summer.

A native of Montana, Klein grew up in Missoula far away from any sort of professional baseball. He played tennis and basketball in high school before leaving Big Sky country to enroll at the University of Portland. His final two summers in college, he latched on with the Boise Hawks, one of the Northwest League’s newest teams.

After earning his business degree from Portland, Klein received a good referral to the NWL club in Spokane from his former employers in Boise. He began working for the Indians in 1993 and has been there ever since, rising to the role of senior vice president where he now oversees all the team’s marketing, sponsorship and advertising agenda and helps with ticket sales, concessions and day-to-day operations.

When Klein began with the Indians, he was one of four in the front office. Over the years, the team has added staff to handle ticket and sponsorship sales as well as other

CURRENT PHOTO BY CRAIG HOWARD

Otto Klein, senior vice president of the Spokane Indians, is starting his 23rd season with the Northwest League club this summer. The Montana native is also the namesake of the team’s popular “Spokaneasaurus” mascot, “Otto.” administrative duties. Today, the yearround employee roster stands at 15, while 265 workers are part of the game-day crew.

Now an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, the team drew an average of 5,240 fans per game last season, second among all short season, single-A franchises in the nation.

This year’s home campaign begins June 18 and runs through Aug. 30. As usual, the main draw of baseball will include no shortage of creative promotions including fireworks, concerts, raining money, createyour-own cheer contests, tortilla races, pizza box tosses and more.

The Current caught up with Spokane’s original Otto at Avista Stadium recently to talk about the upcoming season, the business of baseball and the challenges of being mistaken for a mascot.

Q. A.

Growing up in Montana, far removed from pro baseball, did you ever imagine you might spend your career connected to this game?

I really didn't, but I’m so thankful it's worked out the way it has.

We spent a lot of time outdoors fishing, hunting and skiing. Baseball was on TV, but we gravitated toward other things.

Everything was University of Montana football and basketball. As soon as I figured out I could make a living in any sport, I was hooked. It just so happened baseball was the one.

Q: What are some of the main differences with the team now compared to when

you started with the Indians in 1993?

A: We've grown and learned from our mistakes. One of the things that I'm most proud of is that we've never stopped building and we've always tried to be better than the year before. Every year we have a new project to improve the ballpark for the fans — new skyboxes, sound system, seats, scoreboard, etc. A lot of the credit goes to managing partner, Bobby Brett. He's always dreaming of new ways to improve the ballpark and now, thanks to our successful partnership with Spokane County and our stadium title sponsor Avista, we can put more money back into improving the stadium.

Q: This franchise goes back over a century and includes players and coaches that went on to reach the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. How much of your job is to shed light on that history and do you think most current fans are aware of it?

A: We take our history very seriously because we know that it's bigger than any one of us. The Indians have been in this community over 100 years and generations and generations of families have grown up with the team in their lives. We think about that a lot and are constantly reminded by people of all ages that have a story to tell. All of them start with, "I can remember when..." and you just stop and listen. We try to implement the history of the team into several branding pieces we do — our logo, our theme background, etc. — and we continue to honor individuals each year that have had an impact on Indians’ baseball with the

Rim of Honor at the stadium.

Q: The team seems to have made a real effort to collaborate with the Native American community and, in particular, the Spokane Indian Tribe. How would you describe that partnership?

A: The team was named after the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and they are extremely proud to have the community baseball team named in their honor. We meet with Tribal Council once or twice a year and talk about a variety of topics. I think there was a time years ago when we didn't know how to interact with the tribe for fear of being offensive and representing them the wrong way. Now, as a business, I think we know who we are. This has allowed us to embrace the partnership and be more proactive. The most recent example was when we changed the name on the front of our jersey from Spokane written in English, to Spokane written in Salish. This came after a conversation we had with them about how their Salish language is dying because very few people speak it fluently. To bring awareness to this, we made the change to our jersey, and it's been a very positive conversation piece. We didn't do it to be the first, we did it because it was the right thing to do. We even auction off the jerseys at the end of the season and donate the proceeds to tribal youth programs. I'm proud of our partnership and hope to expand it more in the future.

Q: Local fans obviously want the Indians to have a winning season and bring home another Northwest League title, yet one of the realities of minor league baseball is that it's step toward a higher level of baseball, not a final destination point.

How challenging is it to market a team that is constantly changing?

A: Our product is really about family affordable entertainment. Winning is just one of the byproducts. We can't control what happens on the field because it's all handled by our affiliate, the Texas Rangers, so we don't try to. What we can control is everything else. When someone comes to the ballpark, walks through the front gates and escapes into our world for three hours, that's our championship. Now we all want to win, and nobody more than us, but we understand there's more to the picture.

Q: Have there ever been any discussions about the team transitioning to full season single-A or even double-A with a schedule that would resemble Major League Baseball starting in April and running six months?

See OTTO, page 4

The Current

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4 • JUNE 2015

NEWS

The Current

OTTO Continued from page 2

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A: At one point years ago we put it out there to the fans and let them help us decide. Overwhelmingly, the answer was “no.”

The realities just aren't there. Our area is conducive to short-season baseball from June to September when the weather is the best. We always use the analogy, "Would you bring your family to the ballpark on a rainy night in April when it's 50 degrees and a school night?" That usually stops the conversation right there. We're also of that motto, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it."

Q: Avista Stadium underwent a major renovation in 2012 that included a wide range of improvements. What sort of feedback have you received from fans about the upgrade?

A: The analogy, "If you build it, they will come" speaks volumes. We've enjoyed record crowds and a large part is due to the improvements to the stadium. It's a clean, safe, family environment and people recognize our hard work.

Q: Speaking of the stadium, your field is consistently acknowledged as one of the best in minor league baseball. What's the key to your well-groomed grounds?

A: Definitely our partnership with the county and the ability to hire "baseball guys" to work on the field. We have a mentoring program with our groundskeepers and they take a lot of pride in having one of the best fields in the country. Our current groundskeepers keep in touch with former groundskeepers that have moved on to the Major Leagues. They can share information and keep the tradition alive. It's a big deal to win 'Field of the Year' honors and we've been lucky to win it 14 out of the last 16 years.

Q: Of all the teams in the country at the short season, single level, only the Brooklyn Cyclones drew more fans last year. Why do you think this area supports the team so enthusiastically each season?

A: A lot of credit goes to our sales staff and our family culture. Our ticket sales staff works all winter pounding the phones and making the calls in the offseason.

When the season comes around, we back it up with a fun family environment that people enjoy. There's a lot that goes into it, but people in this area support their sports teams and appreciate hard work.

Q: Finally, please set the record straight. Are you the original "Otto" and do you resent at all that the Spokaneasaurus mascot receives more autograph requests than you do each season?

A: I'm glad you asked this question. For the record, the answer is “yes,” I'm the original Otto and he was named after me years ago. But no, I don't mind he signs more “Otto-graphs” than I do. I couldn't write my name that many times if I tried.

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NEWS

The Current

Road preservation is season’s emphasis

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

The task of funding street maintenance in a city with well over 400 miles of roads can be a daunting one — especially without a grasp of acronyms.

A glance at the city of Spokane Valley’s amended Transportation Improvement Program — prioritizing projects from 2015 to 2020 — displays a substantial level of support from an alphabet soup of agencies and programs including the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant), CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality improvement program) and TIB (Transportation Improvement Board), to name just a few.

The revised road map of infrastructure upgrades was approved by a resolution of the City Council in March and brought the total number of projects tapped for this year to 22. While the overall cost checked in at $15,811,900, the lineup of outside entities chipping in means the city will only be on the hook for $4,753,300.

At Spokane Valley City Hall, the ratio of “7 to 1” has become a slogan for street preservation. Studies have shown that every dollar spent for street upkeep can mean saving $7 down the line for a complete road replacement.

Since 2006, the city has been guided by a comprehensive pavement management program that seeks to keep roads in stable condition through consistent monitoring and maintenance. In 2007, representatives of JUB Engineers, the company that worked with the city to organize the program, described how one mile of road could be properly sustained over a decade through approaches like micropaving and fog sealing. The same mile of street, if ignored for a decade, would carry a price tag of $2.4 million to replace.

Spokane Valley officials like Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard say the city would prefer to avoid “the endless catch-up challenge” currently faced by the city of Spokane when it comes to street repair. For years, Spokane roads became less of a funding prerogative until deteriorating surfaces finally led to a series of high-dollar bond initiatives.

“We don’t want to get to that point that Spokane did,” Woodard said. “It does take its toll. I think it ends up being another silent cost of government when you don’t keep those priorities and I think our citizens see that. It’s just like a house. You live in a house for 20 to 25 years and you don’t fix things, it won’t be sellable when you’re ready to leave. In the Valley, we continue to keep our priorities on public safety and infrastructure.”

This summer, the city will be concentrating on a variety of projects, some of which are already under way.

The Argonne Road Improvement Project officially broke ground on May 11 with revisions targeting better traffic flow between Trent and Knox. Through mid-June, the north/south arterial will be reduced to two lanes in both directions. The work will later shift to the Argonne/Montgomery intersection, where a new northbound right turn lane will be installed Changes to crosswalks will consolidate all east-west pedestrian traffic on Montgomery at Argonne to the crosswalk north of the intersection, while the crosswalk south of the intersection will be removed.

By late July, work is expected to move to the Argonne/Trent intersection. The project also includes signal/pole relocations or replacements at the Montgomery and Knox intersections. Ramps in accordance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) will also be added at the Knox intersection, according to city spokesperson Carolbelle Branch.

The Argonne upgrade will run a total of $1.7 million, with roughly two-thirds of the cost covered by the Federal Highway Administration with the remaining balance paid by the city.

Motorists traveling on the Sullivan Road Bridge will be crossing on the northbound section of the span — regardless of the direction they are headed — through the early part of next year as the southbound portion is taken down and replaced. The bridge, which carries around 26,000 vehicles a day, was reduced to two southbound lanes and one northbound lane on May 7. An estimated 24 percent of vehicles crossing the span are commercial trucks.

“Those whose destinations are outside the immediate project area may wish to use alternative routes,” Branch advised.

“Spokane Valley Mall traffic is encouraged to use Evergreen Road as an alternative to avoid congestion and delays. Flora Road via Broadway will provide an alternative for those heading to and from businesses located east of Sullivan on Indiana.”

A kick-off event for the bridge project was held Sept. 25, 2014, with Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos hosting the ceremony.

In 2012, the city secured $3.5 million from the state TIB to replace the southbound overpass, built in 1951. The project will also benefit from $8 million through the Federal Bridge Program and a $2 million grant from the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. The modified cost of the project is $15.3 million, with the city covering just over $2.3 million.

The entire Sullivan Bridge project should

CURRENT PHOTOS BY CRAIG HOWARD

The Sullivan Road Bridge replacement project means traffic reduced to two northbound lanes and one southbound lane on the northbound portion of the span this summer.

A project to improve traffic flow along the Argonne Road corridor between Trent and Knox broke ground in May. be wrapped up by late 2016 or early 2017.

The new bridge will be 65 feet wide with four lanes.

Steve Worley, senior engineer with Spokane Valley, who oversees capital projects, can recall another major project along Sullivan back in 2011 not far from the work going on this summer. The city tackled the intersection at Indiana and Sullivan near the Spokane Valley Mall that year, replacing asphalt with concrete as they had in 2009 at junctions where Sprague Avenue crossed with Pines, Evergreen and McDonald.

While the city may not have all the funds necessary to address every recommended preservation project each year, Worley said the City Council’s emphasis on streets has made a major impact in staying ahead of the crumbling curve.

“Our council has recognized how important it is to be proactive about maintaining the city’s street infrastructure,” Worley said.

The governing board has set aside $2.2 million of city funds — or 6 percent of the general fund budget — for several road preservation projects in 2015, including a renovation of Argonne from Sprague to Appleway. Work on Montgomery Avenue is tentatively scheduled to be bid at the June 9 council meeting and begin sometime in early-to-mid August. Construction is expected to last around four weeks and will include pavement repairs, stormwater drainage upgrades and sidewalk improvements to comply with ADA standards.

“There will be lane reductions, some driveway closures, as well as some full overnight closures when paving is under way,” Branch said of the Montgomery project.

“Access to businesses will remain available except during those full closures. We’ll con-

tact those affected directly.”

The refurbishing of three streets — Houk, Maxwell and Sinto — is on the June 2 council agenda for a bid award. The project is tentatively expected to start in late June and address patching, some reconstruction, an asphalt overlay and sidewalk and stormwater drainage improvements.

Returning to Sullivan, major preservation work will take place between Sprague and Mission this year. Woodard said the public works department will again make it a top priority to minimize the disruption on local businesses during the project.

When a complete reconstruction of Sprague took place several summers ago from Evergreen to Sullivan, Woodard said the impact on the nearby commercial sites was minimal.

“Every business I talked to, with the exception of two, said they never saw a dip in their clientele,” he said. “That was amazing.

We didn’t expect that. It was very well managed because of our staff here in the public works department. They kept the public and the businesses informed.”

The city also stresses responsiveness when it comes to citizens reporting road issues such as potholes. Concerns can be addressed on the city’s website, www.spokanevalley.org, or by calling 921-1000. Citywide traffic alerts are also available via email.

“I think the citizens of Spokane Valley recognize that roads are definitely a priority,” Woodard said. “I believe they see that our roads are drastically different from the neighbors around us. They understand that it means they won’t be paying for as many (vehicle) alignments. They thank us for that.”

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 7

The Current

8 • JUNE 2015

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The Current

JUNE 2015 • 9

NEWS

SVFD Report A total of 1,151 emergency calls were reported by the Spokane Valley Fire Department between April 23 and May 19: Fires* 66 Emergency Medical Services 942 Hazardous Materials 10 Motor Vehicle Accidents 86 Water Rescue 4 Building Alarms 31 Service Calls 12 *Types of fires include brush, commercial, residential, rubbish, vehicle and unauthorized burning calls

Highlighted calls • Vehicle-pedestrian accident — On April 24, an SVFD crew returning to quarters at Station 9 just after 6 p.m. came upon a motor vehicle-pedestrian accident at 26th and Pines. The crew provided medical assistance to the pedestrian, who was later transported to the hospital.

• Service call — The driver of a vehicle left with the motor running became locked out in the 15700 block of E. Broadway just after 11:30 p.m. April 24. The vehicle was illegally parked in a fire lane.

• Balcony fire — Fire investigators traced the cause of an early-afternoon balcony fire April 25 to a cigarette placed in a potted plant. The fire occurred in the 2400 block of North Wilbur Road and was quickly knocked down by fire crews. Potting soil is highly flammable.

• Garage fire — A mid-afternoon fire April 30 in a large detached garage in the 16900 block of East 27th Lane caused more than $30,000 of damage to the building and its contents. The fire was traced to a garbage can with rags used for staining that had been covered by sawdust, creating spontaneous combustion.

• Service call — Crews responded to the 11900 block of East Mansfield just before 1 a.m. May 3. A woman was locked out of her apartment with a 10-month-old inside.

• Motor vehicle accident — A twovehicle collision in the 23500 block of East Euclid just before 4 p.m. May 5 was blocking traffic when crews arrived. A pick-up truck was rolled on its side. Both drivers were treated at the scene.

• Water rescue — Multiple crews from SVFD responded to reports of a small private aircraft with an in-flight emergency on May 7. Shortly before 4 p.m., the Felts Field aircraft crashed into the Spokane River just east of Upriver Dam. The plane floated for only a few minutes before sinking in the river. In a response that eventually involved 11 agencies, rescuers extricated two adult men from the submerged aircraft and quickly began resuscitative efforts.

While attempting to access the crash site, a slow-moving freight train impeded and delayed the response of both police and fire responders with a multiple-minute delay. The National Transportation Safety

Board (NTSB) was dispatched to Spokane to conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.

• Kitchen fire — Food left unattended on a stove caused a fire just after 9 p.m. May 9 in the 10100 block of East Main. The fire spread to the cabinets before a neighbor with a fire extinguisher arrived along with firefighters. Crews worked to ensure the fire was out and provided medical assistance to the neighbor.

• Illegal burn —SVFD responded to a report of burned paper products in the men’s and women’s restroom trash cans on May 10 at Plantes Ferry Park, 12308 E. Wellesley Ave. The incident is under investigation.

• Apartment fire — Shortly after 8 a.m.

May 10, crews were dispatched to reports of an apartment fire at Big Trout Lodge in Liberty Lake. Upon arrival, light smoke in a single apartment was determined to be caused by smoldering hot lint in a clogged dryer vent.

• Service call — Crews responded to a report of a person in distress just before midnight May 10 in the 11900 block of East Mansfield. They assisted an individual who had become stuck in a mobility scooter.

• House fire — A house fire was reported in the 2700 block of N Bessie Road at 1:30 p.m. May 12. The fire is believed to have started on the back porch. Everyone inside the home made it out safely.

• Structure fire — A late-afternoon fire heavily damaged a third floor apartment on May 16 at the Whimsical Pig, 13303 E. Mission Ave. Twelve firefighting apparatus from SVFD and Fire District 8 responded to the two-alarm fire, quickly containing and then extinguishing the fire. Damage was limited to one apartment, which was heavily impacted. The American Red Cross coordinated housing for the displaced residents. The origin and cause of the fire is currently under investigation. A working smoke detector provided warning of this fire. One firefighter sustained a minor hand injury, but there were no reported civilian injuries.

• Rubbish fire — On May 17, SVFD crews responded to a reported brush fire in the 2700 block of North Rocky Hill Lane in Liberty Lake. The fire was found to be an illegal yard waste burn. The homeowner complied with firefighter instructions to extinguish the fire.

Emergency calls up During the first four months of 2015, SVFD responded to more than 4,930 emergency calls, an increase of 15 percent from the same time period in 2014. SVFD firefighters and paramedics responded to more than 13,800 emergency calls in 2014.

For more information about SVFD, call 928-1700 or visit www.spokanevalleyfire. com.

In Case You Missed It Two Valley seats contested While dozens of local offices cities, school boards and commissions will be up for election in November, mostly incumbents filed to fill them by the May deadline, with very few challengers stepping forward to create competitive races.

The chief exception was in Spokane Valley, where two of three spots that are up for election on the City Council drew challengers. For Position No. 3, incumbent Arne Woodard is being opposed by former Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey. For Position No. 6, incumbent Ben Wick faces challenger Sam Wood.

Current Mayor Dean Grafos is unopposed for Council Position No. 2.

Other competitive races include: • Incumbent Dan Dunne facing former City Council Member Josh Beckett for Liberty Lake City Council Position No. 3.

• Incumbent Robert Tollefson challenged by William Benson for Rockford City Council Position No. 5.

• Incumbent Mike Pearson up against challenger Kristopher Pockell for Spokane Valley Fire Department Commissioner Position No. 3.

School board positions in all four of the main Valley school districts — Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley and Freeman — all drew only one candidate.

SR 290 paving starting Repaving work on an eight-mile section of State Route 290 (Trent Avenue) from Sullivan Road to the Idaho state line will get started in mid-June, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Contractor crews will grind out the existing asphalt and resurface the highway with new asphalt during the course of the approximately 12-week project.

In addition, workers will place new centerline rumble strips, permanent pavement markings, guide posts and paint striping.

Resurfacing Sullivan Road from Trent to Wellesley avenues and Wellesley Avenue from Progress to Sullivan roads will also be included in the work.

EV passes levy East Valley School District voters approved a two-year levy to purchase new school buses on a special ballot April 28, with 53.1 percent of voters approving.

Also on the ballot, a Spokane Transit Authority measure that would have increased sales taxes three-tenths of one percent for a variety of service improvements was narrowly defeated, achieving just 49.6 percent of the vote.

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COMMUNITY

10 • JUNE 2015

The Current

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS May 29 | Dads & Dudes Night 6 to 9 p.m.,

HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Dads, sons, uncles and grandpas of all ages are invited for a night of fun and games at the HUB. Cost is $10 for a dad and dude; $3 for each additional dude. For more: hubsportscenter.org

May 30 | Liberty Lake Kiwanis Foundation Golf Scramble 1 p.m., Meadow-

wood Golf Course. Registration is $100 per golfer which benefits local kids by providing scholarships. To register or for more: www.libertylakekiwanis.org or 294-8500

May 30 | Silent auction and dinner for Lang family 5 to 9 p.m., Spokane Valley Eagles

Club, 16801 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley. Proceeds from the spaghetti dinner and auction will go toward helping the family of Chris Lang who suffered a traumatic brain injury in December.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more: www.gofundme.com/oac9hw

June 1 | Cooking Locally 7 to 8 p.m.,

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. With a wealth of regional resources available, cooking locally has become more feasible for the home cook. Joshua Martin, local chef and culinary instructor, talks about his experience with regional foods and farms and gives a cooking demonstration. For more: www.scld.org

June 2 | Navigating Your Credit 6 to 8 p.m.,

Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. Learn how to get free access to your credit report and understand what it means. Explore ways to increase your credit score, establish good credit, and deal with collection agencies. For more: www.scld.org

June 2 | Tea Time 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Otis Or-

chards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Not just a hug in a cup, tea also has many beneficial health properties. Sherri Davey, owner of Heavenly Special Teas, presents information about the health benefits of tea and the differences between types of tea. Sherri also gives a demonstration on properly brewing loose-leaf tea with samples for the audience. For more: www.scld.org

June 3 | Grange Potluck and Meeting

6 p.m., Tri Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. There will be a 6 p.m. potluck followed by a 7 p.m. meeting. New members are always welcome to join this community-based service organization. For more: 926-2517

June 4 | Give Yourself a Raise 6 to 8 p.m.,

Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. It’s time to take control of your money. Discover ways to succeed with your budget and avoid money troubles.

Learn how to make reachable goals so you won’t feel discouraged. Protect yourself with tips on how to recognize financial predators. For more: www.scld.org

June 5-6 | Friends of the Spokane Valley Library Book Sale 3 to 5 p.m. (Fri.) and 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m. (Sat.), Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Books, CDs, DVDs and videos will be available at this sale open to the public. Proceeds from book sales support various library programs, activities and services. There is a $10 admission free for the preview sale on Friday. For more: www.scld.org

June 6 | National Trails Day Liberty Lake

Regional Park, 3707 S. Zephyr Road. The 7.5 mile

loop trail is undergoing some improvements, and a group will be working on maintenance as well as trail realignments. For more: www.wta.org

June 6 & 13 | Washington State Parks Free Day On free days, visitors are not required

to display a Discover Pass. Camping and other fees are still applicable. The free days for this month are June 6 (National Trails Day) and June 13 (National Get Outdoors). For more: www.parks. wa.gov

June 6 | Pancake Breakfast 6 to 11 a.m., Tri

Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. Donations accepted. For more: 481-7447 or geje2@yahoo.com

June 6 | SV Shred Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Bring old paper documents, computer hard drives, disks and tapes for safe and secure destruction at this free event. For more: www.scld.org

June 6 | Therapeutic Horticulture 2 to 3 p.m., Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St. Presented

by Master Gardener Cathi Lamoreux. Learn about the therapeutic benefits of a peaceful garden setting and how you can use plants in your garden to promote wellness of your mind and body. For more: www.scld.org June 10 | Exploring Inland Northwest Outdoors 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Argonne Library,

4322 N. Argonne. Through words and pictures Craig Goodwin shares his journey and the lessons he’s learned from photographing the unique beauty of our region. He also shares practical tips on viewing the Northern Lights, local wildlife, and nearby wonders like Palouse Falls. For more: www.scld.org

June 13 | Liberty Lake Community Yard Sales 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organized by the Liberty

Lake Kiwanis, the sale typically involves hundreds of homes. For more: www.libertylakesplash.com/ yardsales

June 13 | Band Together for the Animals

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., SCRAPS Regional Animal Shelter, 6815 E. Trent Ave. SCRAPS welcomes the community to a celebration of its first year in its regional animal facility. Business spotlights, seminars, tours, door prizes, a quilt raffle, cake and giveaways. For more: www.spokanecounty. org/SCRAPS

June 14 | Flag Day June 20 | Soap Box Derby 8:30 a.m., Molter

Road near Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. The Spokane East Rotary Club is holding this 8th annual event for special needs kids. Those who have not pre-registered are welcome to come to the race, and the group will do their best to accommodate.

At the conclusion of the face, there will be a free barbecue. For more: www.spokaneeastrotary.org

June 20 | History of Film: Books to Movies & More 1:30 to 3 p.m., Liberty Lake

Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Larry Telles is an expert in historic films with a specialty in silent films. He will be presenting on the history of film, emphasizing books made into movies such as “The Wizard of Oz” and “Gone with the Wind.” For more: 232-2510

June 21 | Father’s Day, First day of summer June 22-25 | Brick by Brick 9 to 11:30 a.m.,

Valley Real Life, 1831 S. Barker Road. All things Lego and Minecraft will converge during this Vacation Bible School for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade. The VBS concludes with a family fun night on June 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. which includes inflatables, concessions and a short program. To register or for more: www.vrl. church

June 23-24 | Summer Movie Express

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

10 a.m., Regal Cinemas, Spokane Valley Mall, 14760 E. Indiana Ave. Choose from two movies each day: Nut Job and Annie. Admission is $1.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute. For more: regmovies.com

Rockford Pioneer Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 23 and 25 | Knights of Veritas

Spokane County Library District Valley

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. June 23, Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 10 a.m. June 25, Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, 2 p.m.

June 25, Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Travel back to the Middle Ages and experience medieval times. For children ages 5 and up.

For more: www.scld.org

June 25 | Online Couponing 7 to 8 p.m., Spo-

kane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Couponing doesn’t have to be extreme. Review popular apps, websites, and services designed to help you find savings, compare deals, and organize your coupons. For more: www.scld.org

June 30 | Issun Boshi 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.,

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. This hand puppet show tells the story of a one-inch samurai, based on the popular Japanese folktale.

For children ages 5 and up. For more: www.scld. org

June 30 | Supersized Games 2 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Play life-size versions of games. For tweens grades 4 and up. 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 Catholic Singles Mingle This group with no

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

CV Class of 1975 reunion A 40th class reunion will be held July 17-18 with a reception, golf and spa day, dinner and dance at Highlands Golf and Country Club. For more: www.cvclassof75.com Liberty Lake Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Town Square Park, 1420 N. Meadowwood. The market runs through Oct. 10.

For more: www.libertylakefarmersmarket.com Liberty Lake Library 23123 E. Mission Ave.,

Fridays and Sundays through Sept. 27, 10 S. First St., Rockford

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

by Bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m. For more: www. foe3433.com

Spokane Valley Kiwanis 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Valley Hospital Education Center, 12606 E. Mission. For more: www.spokanevalleykiwanis.net Spokane Valley Writer’s Group 6:45 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month, Lakeside Church, 23129 E. Mission. This supportive critique group welcomes adult writers. For more: 5704440

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.

MUSIC & THE ARTS May 28 to June 6 | “Deadpan” Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. With four songs of cabaret-style music and comedy, this musical will deliver murder, dinner club chaos and fantastic memories. Tickets are $15 at the door or online. For show times and more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

May 30 | Art Auction 6:30 p.m., CenterPlace

Regional Event Center, address. The Spokane Valley Arts Council is holding this 9th annual artist showcase and will award four Valley high school art scholarships. For tickets and more: www. spokanevalleyarts.org

May 31 & June 1 | Auditions for “Tikki Tikki Tembo” 6:30 p.m., Liberty Lake Commu-

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

nity Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. There are parts for all ages in this children’s show performing July 24 through Aug. 2. No preparation necessary. For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

Millwood Farmers Market 2 to 7 p.m.

June 7 & 8 | Auditions for “I’m a Celebrity” 2 p.m. (Sun.) and 6:30 p.m. (Mon.),

Wednesdays, Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road. The market runs through September. For more: wash_house_candies@yahoo.com

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 6:30

p.m. the first Monday of each month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. For

Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. There are parts for all ages for this reader’s theater performing June 26-27. No experience needed. For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

See CALENDAR, page 12

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 11

COMMUNITY

Community Briefs WV offering free summer meals West Valley School District is gearing up to serve free meals to hundreds of children this summer. The Summer Food Service Program is offered to all children ages 18 and younger. No registration or affiliation with West Valley is required.

Meals will be served at West Valley High School and Centennial Middle School from June 13 to Aug. 20 and at Ness Elementary School from July 27 to Aug. 20. Breakfast is available from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. with lunch served from noon to 1:15 p.m. For more, call 232-6092.

Wardrobes for Success launches Wardrobes for Success, a program to help Community Colleges of Spokane students purchase career clothes at a discount as they enter the workforce, is now available year-round through a partnership with the Arc of Spokane.

All students with a CCS student ID will be given a 50 percent discount every day of the week. In addition to clothing, The Arc offers household items, furniture and books that students can benefit from as well.

Performers needed for Folk Festival Performer applications for the 20th Spokane Fall Folk Festival are now available at www.spokanefolkfestival.org and must be returned by July 1. This year’s festival will be Nov. 14-15 at Spokane Community College.

For more, call 828-3683 or email fallfolkfestival@moxee.com.

Indians seeking host families The Spokane Indians are in need of host families for 30 players during the 2015 season. The primary function of the host family will be to provide accommodations.

Transportation and meals are not required, although some families choose to provide this on some level.

To learn more about hosting a Spokane Indians player, email Bob Johnson at hostindians@gmail.com.

HigH ScHool / Adult clASS 9 A.m.

WorSHip Service 10 A.m.

23304 E. Wellesley, Otis Orchards, WA

509-926-9552

Pool Opening Day theCealebrate

FREE Swim

rri S U M M va l o f ER!

Saturday, June 13, 2015 • 1 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a day of FREE Open Swim at all three Spokane Valley Outdoor Pools www.SpokaneValley.org/Pools

Park Road Pool 906 N Park Rd.

Valley Mission Pool 11123 E Mission Ave.

Terrace View Pool 13525 E 24th Ave.

FREE Summer Outdoor Movies at Mirabeau Meadows Park FRIDAY, JULY 24: PADDINGTON

STARTING AT 8:50 P.M.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21: BIG HERO 6 STARTING AT 8:10 P.M.

There will be movie-related crafts for kids led by Parks and Recreation staff an hour before the movie in the park Event Gold Sponsors:

Fun Fridays in the Parks in July

www.SpokaneValley.org/ MoviesInThePark Starting July 10, every Friday in July, enthusiastic Park Program Leaders will travel to two different prescheduled parks to engage park users in awesome fun. Participate every Friday at one park and get entered to win a swim pass for the month of August valid at all three Spokane Valley Outdoor Pools.

July is and Re Parks c re Month ation !

www.SpokaneValley.org/ParkPassport

Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation • 509-688-0300

The Current

LIBERTY LAKE LOOP #18

12 • JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY

SATURDAY

CALENDAR

July 11th, 2015

Continued from page 10

start times

June 13 | 3rd annual Stage2Stage Music Fest Noon to 8 p.m., Arbor Crest Wine Cellars,

Adult Race 8:00 a.m.

(4 mile run/walk course)

4705 N. Fruit Hill Road, Spokane. This festival features non-stop music, fabulous food and free admission! For more: www.arborcrest.com

Scenic course on paved roads, several hills Aid Stations at miles 2 & 3

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

Kid's Race following Adult Race

(1/4 - 1 1/2 mile, dependent on age) Course in and around Pavillion Park

place

2015 Summer concert series Arbor Crest

Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Road, Spokane.

Arbor Crest offers Thursday Performers on the Patio and Sunday Concerts on the Cliff where you can enjoy fine wine, music and spectacular views. For more: www.arborcrest.com

awards

Overall male and female winners in each age group

Pages of Harmony Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9:30

contact

a.m., Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road.

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

For more: www.pagesofharmony.org

See www.pavillionpark.org

registration

Spirit of Spokane Chorus Tuesdays, 6:45

Pre-registration before June 29 Adult race - $20 (includes shirt), $5 (no shirt) Kids race - $20 (includes shirt), $5 (no shirt) Late registration after June 29 Adult race - $10 (no shirt) Kids race - $10 (no shirt) (cannot order shirts after June 29)

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: 218-4799

®

CIVIC & BUSINESS

S POKANE BOY S INC.

You can also register on the day of the race at Pavillion Park

Please mail completed forms to:

Liberty Lake Loop/UPS Store 1324 N. Liberty Lake Road PMB #2121 Liberty Lake, WA 99019

REGISTRATION Early (before June 29): $20 (includes shirt) $5 (no shirt)

CITY

STATE ZIP

Late (after June 29): $10 (no shirt)

PHONE

T-SHIRTS Adult Sizes: SM MED LG X-LG Youth Sizes: SM MED LG (6-8) (10-12) (14-16) How did you hear about the race?: Splash Web site Race Rag

Please include payment with form

XX-LG

Gender: Male

Female

Kid’s Race Age Group: 6 and under 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12 Adult Race Age Group: 13-15 40-44 16-19 45-49 20-24 50-54 25-29 55-59 30-34 60-69 35-39 70+ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Word of mouth

Flyer in Businesses

Waiver: I know that running a road race is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter and run unless I am medically able and properly trained. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative to my ability to safely complete the run. I assume all risks associated with running in this event, including, but not limited to, falls, contact with other participants or animals, the effects of weather, including high heat or humidity, traffic and the conditions of the road, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of your accepting entry, I for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the race director(s), race volunteers, all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of participation in this event. I grant permission to all of the foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings, or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose.

Runner's signature (must sign to run)

Parent's signature if under 18 (must sign to run) DATE

DATE

June 6 | Hoopfirst 3v3 Basketball Tournament 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., HUB Sports

Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. This tournament is open to boys and girls teams entering grades four through 12. Registration cost is $95 per team. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

June 7 | Windermere Marathon and Half-Marathon 7 a.m. The full marathon starts

in Liberty Lake, while the half marathon begins at Mirabeau Park; both end at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. For more: windermeremarathon.com

June 13 | Race2Place 5th annual 5K/10K

9 a.m., Centennial Trail, Mirabeau Point Park, 13500 Mirabeau Pkwy. “Race For a Reason” R2P benefits families in crisis through Parker’s Place, a camp for families who have lost a child to terminal illness and Camp Goodtimes at Camp Reed which offers families affected by childhood cancer a cost-free week of summer camp. For more or to register: www.Race2Place.org

June 13 | Volleyball clinic 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Jerritt Elliot, head volleyball coach at University of Texas, is bring his training and instruction to Spokane.

Registration cost is $145 for U10-U14 players and $165 for U15-U18 players. For more: www. hubsportscenter.org

June 5 | National Donut Day 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Scrumdiddilyumptious Donuts, 1201 N. Barker Road. Free donuts for veterans, KXLY visit and more. For more: 924-5129

June 13 | Free Swimming at Spokane Valley Pools 1 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m., Park

June 6 | 2015 Symposium: The Biomedical Treatment Approach to Autism and ADD/ADHD 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mi-

rabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan. The Montessori Institute of America presents this symposium featuring Dr. Susan Ashley. Registration cost is $95. For more: www.miaworld.org or 710-3431

June 6-7 | The Farm Chicks Show 9 a.m.

to 6 p.m. (Sat.), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun), Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. This show features 300 creatively and carefully curated spaces with antiques, vintage and crafted goods. Admission is $8 per day. For more: www.thefarmchicks.com

June 13-14 | Spokane Gun Show Spokane

County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. For more: 208-746-5555

June 19 | Business Connections Breakfast 7 to 9 a.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel,

Payment Race Number

June 3 | Tai Chi 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. This gentle exercise routine stretches and strengthens muscles, and calms busy minds. Teachers from the School of Tai Chi Chuan use their unique method to guide you into this ancient practice. Open to adults and mature young adults of all fitness levels. Please wear comfortable clothing and thick socks. For more: www.scld.org

May 30 | Neighborhood grand opening

Union, 9208 E. Sprague Ave.

LIBERTY LAKE LOOP

HEALTH & RECREATION

1 p.m., Morningside Heights Drive, Spokane Valley. The public is invited for free ice cream and giveaways for kids at this sneak peek of the Greenstone addition of Morningside Heights. For more: morningsideheights@greenstonehomes. com

June 5 | Grand Opening PrimeSource Credit

Please make checks payable to

STREET ADDRESS

erty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. Tickets are $7 for this PG13 improv comedy.

For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

Recurring

Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake, WA

NAME

June 20 | This, That or the Other 8 p.m., Lib-

newdga.com

1100 N. Sullivan. John Dickson, Spokane County COO, will talking about leading big, hairy system improvements in the County. For cost and more: www.spokanevalleychamber.org

June 20 | Goat Show This three-ring show

is organized by the Northeast Washington Dairy Goat Association. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. For more: www.

Road Pool, 906 N. Park Road, Valley Mission Pool, 11123 E. Mission Ave., and Terrace View Pool, 13525 E. 24th Ave. Free swimming in celebration for pools’ season-opening day.

June 18 | Spokane Indians Opening Day 6:30 p.m., Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St.

June 20 | Girls’ All-State Basketball Classic 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids and seniors. For more: www. hubsportscenter.org

June 20 | Spokane Indians Fireworks Night 6:30 p.m., Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana

St. Game against Hillsboro sponsored in part by The Current.

June 22-24 | NBC Junior Basketball Day Camp 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., HUB Sports Center,

19619 E. Cataldo Ave. The focus of this camp is complete skills, but other camps will be offered throughout July and August that focus on ball handling and shooting. Registration cost is $160.

For more: www.nbccamps.com

June 22-26 | Skyhawks Volleyball Camp

9 a.m. to noon, HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. This co-ed program for ages 7 to 12 is designed for beginner to intermediate players and will incorporate lessons on teamwork and sportsmanship. Registration cost is $119. For more: www.nbccamps.com

See CALENDAR, page 17

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 13

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Activities all weekend in Liberty Lake!

JULY 24-26

@ PAVILLION PARK FRIDAY • Live music by The Ryan Larsen Band • Dance • Car show • Barefoot 3v3 Soccer with professional demos • Red, White and Brews 5K Run (Organized by Liberty Lake Running Club) • Taste of Liberty Lake, vendors, inflatables and more!

SATURDAY • Barefoot 3v3 Soccer & Bubble Ball • Petting zoo • Golf Cart Show & Shine • Liberty Lake’s Got Talent • Historical display • Foot Golf at Trailhead • Outdoor movie (Big Hero 6) • Taste of Liberty Lake, vendors, games, inflatables and more!

SUNDAY • Barefoot 3v3 Soccer & Bubble Ball • Taste of Liberty Lake, vendors, inflatables and more!

For full schedule, parking and shuttle info and more, visit:

www.libertylakewa.gov/387/Barefoot-in-the-Park

GET YOUR SMILE STARTED OFF RIGHT! SPECIAL OFFERS FOR NEW PATIENTS Free Teeth Whitening!*

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PROFILES

14 • JUNE 2015

The Current

From Texas teacher to market manager Bill King enjoys investing time, talents into growing Millwood tradition

By Sarah Robertson

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Farmers market season is upon us, but don’t tell that to Bill King, market manager of the Millwood Farmers Market.

While most enjoy the seasonal tradition of farmers markets, it is a year-round effort to organize and coordinate the colorful booths, entertainment and tasty treats.

With the help of his wife and No. 1 volunteer, Teri, King makes sure the market comes off without a hitch every Wednesday from late May through September.

“Bill gets along with people that nobody else gets along with; he just gets along with everyone,” Teri says of what she believes is the key to King’s success as market manager.

King also has a lot of experience work-

BILL KING Favorite restaurants Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Aracelia’s, Timber Creek Buffet

Favorite events Millwood Farmers Market, Chataqua in Chewelah and Colville Rendezvous

Favorite activity Visiting and riding his horses

Favorite thing about living in Spokane Valley The change of seasons (though the native Texan is not a big fan of snow)

ing with markets, events and festivals. The Kings owned a barbecue food truck in Texas and still make and sell candies through their business, Wash House Candies.

King is a native Texan, born in Del Rio. He lived there all his life before deciding

See MARKET, page 15

CURRENT PHOTO BY SARAH ROBERTSON

Bill King, pictured with his wife, Teri, is a longtime educator who is in his second year managing the Millwood Farmers Market.

Education Briefs Walker receives Focus Award University High School senior Kelsi Walker was one of four area students selected to receive a Focus Award scholarship of $2,000. The award was presented

by STCU and the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation to students excelling in career and technical education.

Walker plans to attend Spokane Falls Community College and then possibly pursue international business and marketing at a university.

Liberty Lake Kiwanis announces scholarship recipients The Liberty Lake Kiwanis Foundation recently announced the winners of their 2015 scholarships. A total of $10,000 was awarded to two former recipients and 15 high school students from the following schools: Former recipients: Haley Feider, University of Montana; Kelsey McCune, Eastern Washington University Central Valley: Trevor Brown, Olivia Clark, Courtney Lauer, Spencer Miller, Kathryn Munro, Abby Mae Pederson, Jenna Vasquez East Valley: Aubrey Cameron, Connor Ramm, Kathryn Sinn Spokane Valley: Gleb Liashedko, Leon Trotskiy University: Kellan Walls West Valley: Hannah Dedera, Gian Mitchell

Students join honor society Two local students were recently inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Andrea Gonder of Spokane Valley was initiated at Michigan State University,

and Kristopher Arnold of Otis Orchards was initiated at Boise State University.

These students are among approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

Seattle Pacific University Winter Dean’s List; 3.5+ GPA

Peplinski recognized by college

Spokane Community College Winter honor roll; 3.0+ GPA

During its annual Honors Day program in April, the University of Cumberlands (Williamsburg, Ky.) named Melissa Peplinski of Spokane Valley to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

In addition, Peplinski was one of 43 undergraduate students named as Hutton Scholars during the May commencement ceremony.

Colleges honor local students The following students from the Valley area were recently recognized by colleges for their academic performance or meeting graduation requirements. Information was provided via press releases submitted from schools or parents.

Belmont University Spring Dean’s List; 3.5+ GPA Spokane Valley: Conner Haidle

Emporia State University (Emporia, Kan.) Spring 2015 graduate Veradale: Tami Chapman, master of Library Science

George Fox University (Newberg, Ore.) Spring Dean’s List; 3.5+ GPA Newman Lake: Allison Momb Spokane Valley: Kristen Simpson

Oregon State University Spring graduates

Spokane Valley: Nicole M. Craigmile, bachelor of arts, cum laude,

sociology; Philip Dilse, bachelor of science, computer science; Mac P. Ovenell, doctor of pharmacy, pharmacy.

Liberty Lake: Nicholas Arnold Potter Otis Orchards: Megan Marie Fridley, Sarah Suzanne Fridley Spokane Valley: Emily Kaye Barkley, Emily Joy Winter

Greenacres: Johannah Brown, Emily Cabiad, Kevin Cao, Alec Doyle, Collin Geffrey, Matthew Howerton, Madelyn Klus, Alissa Maughan, Cody Sherrodd, Jordan Sowers, Mackenzi Taylor, Sydni Thomas, Valeriy Titov, Andrew Upton, Brian Wickstrom Liberty Lake: Jason Biggs, Reagan Biotti, Kelsey Bliss, Kelly Campbell, Adam Christensen, Danielle Cosper, Nicole Crist, Shenice Gillespie, Patrick Grady, Amy Guarisco, Tyler Gumm, David Hunton, Keith Hyle, Kaila Jones, Mallory Jones, Jamie Kappler, Diana Karptsov, Trapper Lee, Michael Marcus, Anton Melendezramirez, Jeromy Murano, Janelle Nguyen, Chad Ohl, Roman Oleynik, Jonathan Pool, Jaclyn Robinson, Tyler Scherf, Charlcie Sherrill, Michael Sherry, Kendyl Spencer, Brandon Stalker, Andrew Stewart, Heather Sutton, Daniel Taylor, Alicia Thornton, Lydia Tombarelli, Jessica Unruh, Sarah Vogel, Peter Welzig, Ashley Westegaard Spokane Valley: Sheldon Ahrendt, Maya Anger, Mccormick Anger, Michaela Arnold, Taryn Avena, Alona Burlakov, Nadine Burton, Elena Butov, Casandra Calvin, Tesslin Chambers, Austin Cook, Darren Corneliusen, Kimberly Curran, William Currier, Angelina Dedkov, Courtney Dixon, Nicholas Dyk, Stacey Emmerson, Mark Hankins, Richard Harrison, Katrina Hartzog, Sarah Mellem, Kaila Monaghan, David Morrison, Alexandra Morton, Nathen Osterholm, Jeffrey Paulus, Ashley Pearson, John Pearson, Eric Perry, Tracy Pierce, Kristen Portch, Wendy Pugh, Susan Quintana, David Rodriguez, Angelica Shcherbina, Riley Sine, Antony Sizov, Kristina Sizov, Samantha Slinkard, Kathrin Suprunchik, Erin Szott, Alexandria Vargas, Jessica Warren-Downey, Scott Webb

Spokane Falls Community College Winter honor roll; 3.0+ GPA

Greenacres: Cristina Burgess, Madeline Ewers, Laura Filardo, Jeremy King, Jared Krafft, Zakary Longoria, Sydney Martin, Trevor Peterson, Rachael Pursch, Adrienne Roberts, Emily Sharp, Victoria Simboli, Kaelyn Yandt Liberty Lake: Jessie Angle, Shawn Buck, Amanda Chandler, Mindy Curry, Chase Davis, Stephen Ertel, Seiji Furukawa, Amber Gimlen, Kathleen Hagmann, Noah Huth, Kelsey Long, Brittni Ludington, Claire McMichael, Trevor Mitchell, Jessica Neihoff, Stefanie O'Brien, Karissa Olson, Kyle Pagliaro, Christopher Pittella, Jordyn Sandford, Hong Sun, Cody Tibesar, Rhiana Whitehead, Bryan Wilson Mica: Christopher Hutton, Andie Olson Newman Lake: Michelle Deroetth, Lance Dickinson, Nicholas Hallowell, Paige Halvorson, Amanda Hutchins, Cassandra Ohl, Stef Spence-Marchand, Josue Torres, Jaia-April Xiong Otis Orchards: Becka Barrows, Alex Barry, Jessica Finney, Ashley Hamilton, Jacob Johnson, Robert Johnson, Kodiak Kunder, Sarah Lawrence, Ashley Marlow, Chad Mathias, Nicholas McMillan, Garrett Newbill, Anthony Pfau

Rockford: Jesse Kitterman, Aja Ellis, Amelia Van Voorhis Spokane Valley: Debra Acosta, Abdullah Alnajrani, Kellie Anderson, Nicholas Anderson, Nathan Anselmo, Seth Ashley, Shawheen Azizi, Michelle Ball, Heather Bauer, Brandon BeckGmeiner, Danielle Bennett, Natalie Benson, Palvi Bhatia, Ashlee Bishop, Brielle Bishop, Robin Bishop, Grace Blanchard, Robert Bonga, Noah Boyd, Rebecca Bramel, Anthony Brines, Cory Bromley, Daniela Brown, Dakota Brownfield, Brittany Bruegeman, Kendra Bruno, Teresa Brynestad, Jill Buckner, Mathew Bueckers, Trevor Burgess, Ashley Burke, Amanda Calhoun, Kori Carlquist, Kelsey Carrigan, Abriana Clark, Zawatti Clark, Allia Clemente, Jose Clemente, Cynthia Cobbs, Natasha Coleman, David Collins, Katherine Conley, Sarah Cope, Kylar Cory, Sarah Cottam, Erin Cowan, Benjamin Crocker-Beck, Tatiana Crumb, Madison Curtis, Tuan Dang, Serene Daniel, Alice Davies, Amanda Davis, Kara Degroff, Justine Del Medico, Dominica Devaney, Megan Diaz, Katrina Dorscher, Brittany Dugger, Jessica Dunning, Trevor Dzedzy, Stephen Eggers, Samuel Eschenbacher, Kristin Everhart, Zeke Farr, Karen Febus, Alexander Feliciano, Jessica Feliciano, Trent Ferster, Alexandra Figueroa, Karalynn Foo, Abigail Ford, Leslie French, Jay Friedman, Dane Frobe, Jessica Gaynor, Stefanie George, Christina Gerardy, Kimberly Gomez, Lauren Gordon, Nathanael Grady, Jamie Gray, Kathryn Hamilton, Tracy Hamilton, Kendra Hamm, Mackynzi Harm-Mcelfish, Derek Heaslet, Kathleen Hidlebaugh, Krystyl Hilts, Ashlee Hodl, Brandon Hoffman, Joshua Hombel, Isaac Hood, Christopher Hubbard, Nichole Hudson, Heather Jackson, Danyelle Jassman, Kimberly Jeffreys, Kylee Johnson, Amanda Jonquet, Ian Josquin, Enrique Juarez, William Kahler, Garret Kenney, Katie Kienke, Susan Kimble, Moriah Knowles, Krysten Kole, Alexander Lahman, Caitlyn Langley, Cassidee Lawrenson, Stephanie Leberman, Cami Lee, Samantha Lee, Alicia Levins, Kaylee Lines, Jonathan Lollar, Kevin Lonam, Jeffrey Long, Aaron Lyon, Garett Major, Bethany Marquette, Blake Marsh, Analisa Martin, Sara Martin, Elijah Matney, Erica Matney, Taylor Mauzy, Demetre McClain, Corey McGowan, Walter McNeilly, Zachary McWilliams, Brandon Melnick, Sarah Melvin, Holly Merrill, Cassandra Miles, Adam Miley, Shaun Moeller, Alejo Moreno, Taylor Morris, Judy Morrow, Mallory Munns, Tyffanie Myers, Ala Nasco, Nathan Navarra, Megan Nelson, Melissa Nelson, Lacey Nordby, Hailey Ortiz, Leah Pape, Trent Parkey, Olha Pavlovska, Sarah Pearl, Teagan Pease, Charles Pickett, Bethany Piehl, Kydell Postels, Gabrielle Powers, Ciera Price, Justin Redman, Adrianna Reyes, Elizabeth Rich, Amilya Riehle, Whitney Robinson, Sarah Rodgers, Jeffrey Roe, Cheyanne Rogers, Stephen Ross, Natalia Rudenko, Kjora Sande, Jodie Scalf, Karly Schuh, Jared Seckel, Davyd Shkurat, Amber Shults, Cedric Siegel, Breanna Sigmon, David Slater, Austin Sloan, Kayla Snider, Riley Sobosky, Adrienne Stansberry, Lydia Stewart, Bethiah Streeter, Jacqueline Swanson, Richelle Swinkels, Randall Sylvester, Cabrian Taggart, Simon Taylor, Kyle Taylor-Nunley, Marissa Terry, Meagan Thew, Quentin Thomas, Ashlee Thompson, Kelley Thorne, Stephanie Thrasher, Tanner Tietjen, Katrene Tokarenko, Gwynn Tougas, Allison Towey, Ryan Tucker, Luke Tyrrell, Brittany Vens, Allen Verhage, Katherine Wardsworth, Amanda Warren, Richard Weatherbee, Oryanna Weidner, Katy Welte, Frederick West, Christopher Whitmire, Daniel Willard, Anthony Williams, Rochelle Witter, Corri Woods, Scott Worley, Zijian Xu, Joshua Yang, Travis Yocom, Daniel Zabora Valleyford: Cherish Atkinson, Silas Uhder Veradale: Jacob Burgess, Rachel Burk, Tina Dowling, Justin Ellery, Timothy Lister, Angela Lucas, Jennifer McCoy, Rudolph Panasyuk, Daniel Ritz, Anna-Marie Shuster, Matthew Troxel

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 15

COMMUNITY

MARKET Continued from page 14

to retire in Spokane Valley, where Teri’s daughter lives.

As a proper Texan, King grew up on a ranch. He loved riding and breaking horses, and even earned a rodeo scholarship to college.

“It was the easiest scholarship to get,” he quipped.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

King’s 14-year-old grandson is already a champion bullrider in Texas, and King has the iPhone videos to prove it.

King decided to pursue teaching while at Sul Ross College in Alpine, Texas. He earned degrees in ranch animal science, biology and physical education and health.

Having three majors helped King in his teaching career as he taught mostly at small schools, where every teacher was required to be a “jack of all trades.”

He started his career teaching 7th and 8th grade reading and English and ended as a chemistry teacher, track coach and six-man football coach.

Teri likes to joke that King only married her for her son, Eric. Eric was a very talented athlete, and King wanted to recruit him for track and football.

The couple, both previously divorced,

met at a mutual friend’s backyard barbecue in 1992. In 1993, they married, and immediately after the ceremony, “we went straight to a scrimmage,” recalls Teri with a twinkle in her eye as King laughs remembering the busy day.

The couple is happy to spend their golden years in Spokane Valley, and King is glad to be part of the Millwood Farmers Market.

This is his second year coordinating the effort.

“I enjoy being around the people,” he said. “I just want to see it get bigger and better every year.”

Teri loves the positioning of the market in the street in front of Millwood Presbyterian Church instead of the parking lot.

“It gives it a real street fair atmosphere and makes it more of a neighborhood market,” she said.

The market, in its ninth year, will see some fun changes this year. King is very proud that the number of vendors is up from about 18 last year to 25 this season.

Vendors will be offering produce, bread, eggs and even pet rabbits.

King also notes that through a partnership with Catholic Charities, market vendors will be able to accept EBT and Fresh Bucks this year. This has been difficult in the past.

As well as partnering with Catholic Char-

ities, the market will also have WSU at the market offering gardening tips and SCRAPS promoting animal programs.

Teri has also been working over the winter on a weekly e-newsletter for the market.

It will feature a history of the market, room for recipes and tips and news. It will also have a “featured vendor” every week, as well as a photo section with “kids of the market,” “market treasures” and photos from the previous week’s market entertainment.

The Millwood Farmers Market was the brainchild of Kelly Hansen — then a teenager. She was looking for a project to build community in Millwood. With the help of

Millwood Community Presbyterian Church and Pastor Craig Goodwin, the market opened in May 2006. Hansen went on to receive the Chase Youth Award for her help with the market.

If you would like to volunteer or become a vendor at the Millwood Farmers Market, contact King at wash_house_candies@yahoo.com.

The Millwood Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 2 to 7 p.m. until Labor Day. The market is located on the street in front of Millwood Presbyterian Community Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road in Millwood.

CarverFarms.com

www.

U-pick strawberries, EARLY June.

Peas later in the month.

For more info: check our website & Facebook.

509-226-3602

1/2 mile north of Trent at 9105 N. Idaho Rd. (Newman Lake area)

COVER STORY

16 • JUNE 2015

The Current

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Volleyball, anyone? The sand courts at Browns Park at Pines and 32nd host several leagues and tournaments during the summer months. At right, kids navigate obstacles during a Spokane Valley YMCA event.

By Valerie Putnam

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

As the days grow longer and temperatures increase, Spokane Valley residents can look forward to a host of outdoor events, fantastic festivals and family fun.

Many of these events have engrained themselves in the community as tried-andtrue summer traditions, including Spokane Indians baseball, Millwood Daze and the Green Bluff Cherry Festival.

These and others — including some you may never have tried before — are included in our guide to this year’s diversions of summer.

Spokane Indians On June 18, the Spokane Indians kick off their new season with a home game against the Hillsboro Hops. The Indians have 38 home games scheduled (the full schedule is at www. milb.com) with nightly promotions throughout the season, such as Kids Operate the Ballpark Day to fireworks nights to $1 Family Feast nights.

For the second time, Spokane will also play host to the All-Star Game, held Aug. 4 at Avista Stadium. The 2015 edition of this classic will pit the top talents from the Northwest League to the best from the Pioneer League. Fourteen Major League Baseball franchises will be represented in the first-ever meeting between the two leagues.

Spokane Valley YMCA The “go at your own pace” 90 Days of Summer Challenge begins June 1 at the Spokane Valley YMCA, the first of dozens of events held throughout the summer. Participants earn points for checking in at the

Y to win prizes, along with an entry into the grand prize drawing for Beats by Dre Solo 2 headphones.

Healthy Kids Day is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 10 at the Y, 2421 N. Discovery Place. The free community event offers games, arts and crafts, demos and more.

The YMCA Hooops Tournament, an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, takes over the Spokane Valley Mall July 18 and 19. The tournament is for athletes entering the third grade up to adult. Volunteers are needed. For more, call 777-YMCA (9622) or visit ymcaspokane.org/hooops.

Take to the over 8,500 square feet of cement at the Spokane Valley YMCA outdoor skate park with three consecutive bowls and elevated features for grinding. Riders must wear wristbands and helmets and follow the posted rules. The park is open through Labor Day. Or reach new heights on the 21-foot climbing wall with routes for all levels of climbers.

It's a race of endurance as participants swim, bike and run to the finish line in the annual YMCA Kids Triathlon at 9 a.m. Aug. 2 at Spokane Valley Mission Park, 11123 E. Mission Ave. YMCA also offers a number of summer camps and day camps. For a complete list of summer programming, visit ymcaspokane. org/programs.

Volleyball Nothing says summer like sand and volleyball. Volleyball leagues and tournaments offered by Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation and the Evergreen Region Volleyball Association (ERVA) will take place throughout the summer at Browns Park, 3101 N. Pines Road. USA Volleyball membership is required to participate in all events. For more information, contact the ERVA office at 290-5552 or office@evergreenregion.org.

Youth tennis camps

Skyhawks offers tennis programs for ages 7 to 12. Week-long sessions begin July 6 and continue through the week of Aug. 10.

For more information, visit www.skyhawks. com or call 466-6590.

Spokane River activities Enjoy whitewater rafting or tubing on the Spokane River. Or follow the river along the Centennial trail. The 37.5-mile trail offers biking, running, walking, long boarding and more, complete with stunning views of the Spokane River. The trail follows a winding course between the Washington— Idaho state line and Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls. At its eastern border, link to the Liberty Lake Trails System or North Idaho Centennial Trail to extend your adventure.

Trap shooting Take aim at the second largest and oldest trap and skeet club in the Inland Northwest: the Spokane Gun Club, 19615 E. Sprague Ave. in Greenacres.

The club offers programs for all skill levels, including youth programs, ladies only and new shooter clinics. The club is also hosting the Washington State ATA Championship June 25-28.

For more, call 926-6505 or email information@spokanegunclub.org.

Archery Archers can take aim at designated targets on the 10-acre state of the art archery complex, Spokane Valley Archery, 3809 S. Linke Road in Greenacres. A member of the United States Archery Association, the complex offers a host of targets in an outdoor setting. Classes are available taught by Level II USAA certified coaches.

For more, call 924-3364 or visit www. spokanevalleyarchery.com.

Dishman Hills Nature is right in the Valley's backyard in one of several hiking trails through the 518-acre Dishman Hills Natural Area, 625 S. Sargent Road. For a trail map, go to

www.spokanecounty.org/parks/content. aspx?c=2911.

Cycling The third annual Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration presented by Valleyfest is July 26. Bicyclists have a choice of 10-mile, 25mile or 50-mile bike ride starting at the north trailhead at Mirabeau Point Park Meadows. Staggered start times for each course. For more, visit www.cyclecelebration.com

Race2Place In memory of Parker Brown, Race2Place takes place June 13 starting at Mirabeau Point Park starting at 9 a.m. The 5K or 10K run follows the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River and benefits Camp Goodtimes and Parker’s Place. This is a chiptimed race. For more, visit www.race2place. org.

July 4th Pennant Run Finish at home plate during the annual 4th of July 5K Pennant Run and 1K Little Sluggers Dash July 4 at Avista Stadium.

Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. For more, call 535-2922.

Green Bluff Green Bluff is home to the 37th annual Cherry Pickers Trot on July 16. Festivities begin with a hamburger and hot dog dinner at 5 p.m. and are followed by a Cherry Pit Spit at 5:30 p.m. and Tot Trot at 6 p.m.

The main event begins at 7 p.m. Participants start at Legacy Farms, 10321 E. Day Mt. Spokane Road, and transverse four miles of Green Bluff orchard country. Roads are closed during the race, so come early to ensure entry.

A Strawberry Festival (June 27-28, July 4-5) and Cherry Festival (July 11-12, 18-19 and 26-27) are also summer highlights.

For more, visit www.greenbluffgrowers. com.

See SUMMER, page 17

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 17

COMMUNITY

SUBMITTED PHOTO

At left, kids participate in the city of Spokane Valley’s summer parks and recreation program.

Above, the Millwood Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 2 to 7 p.m.

SUMMER Continued from page 16

Carver Farms The Valley’s destination for “u-pick” fruits and vegetables, Carver Farms is open all summer with strawberries kicking things off mid-June or sooner. Carver Farms is located at 9105 N. Idaho Road in Newman Lake.

For current hours and available crops, visit www.carverfarms.com.

Farmers Markets The Millwood Farmers Market, located at 3223 N. Marguerite Road, is open 2 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through September.

For more, visit facebook.com/millwoodfarmersmarket.

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Liberty Lake Farmers Market is open for business at Town Square Park. Special events are planned throughout the season.

For more, visit www.libertylakefarmersmarket.com.

Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation The city of Spokane Valley’s recreation department offers a wide variety of opportunities, including operating three outdoor pools to cool off this summer. Zip down the Park Pool slide at 906 North Park Road; Valley Mission Pool features a Zero Depth Entry feature, 11123 E. Mission Ave.; or

CALENDAR Continued from page 12 June 23 | Junior Golf Camp starts 9 to 11:30 a.m., Liberty Lake Golf Course, 24403 E. Sprague Ave. This camp for ages 9 to 15 runs Tuesdays through Aug. 4. Cost is $75 per student (with own clubs) or $175 which includes a new set of junior clubs. For more: 255-6233 June 27-28 | Hoopfest Downtown Spokane.

Besides claiming title to the biggest 3-on-3 tournament on earth, the event is also an outdoor festival with shopping, food and interactive entertainment. For more: www.spokanehoopfest. net

grab a tube and float lazily down the “river” at the Terrace View Pool, 13525 E. 24th Ave. Opening day is June 13.

The fourth annual Paws in the Pool is Aug. 23-24, with separate swim times for small and large dogs. Price is just $5 per dog per day, with a maximum of two dogs per person.

The city also provided free outdoor park programs June 15 through Aug. 13. A recreation assistant leads park goers in games, activities and crafts. Throughout the month of July, program leaders travel to area parks with bags full of tricks to engage park goers in recreational activities during Fun Fridays. Get your passport stamped for a chance to win a swim pass for August. Visit spokanevalley.org/ParkPassport for more information.

Spokane Valley Parks and Rec also offers summer day camps with themes like Campers of the Caribbean. For more on any of these city programs, navigate to “parks/ pools/rec” at spokanevalley.org.

Millwood Wading Pool Millwood City Park, 9300 E. Frederick, features a wading pool for the younger swimmer as well as a spray pad.

Millwood Daze The seventh annual Millwood Daze is Aug. 22. The 5K race starts at 9 a.m. followed by activities all day, including games, booths, prizes and the annual Red Wagon Parade.

June 28 | Coeur d’Alene Ironman The public is invited to cheer on competitors in this rigorous course that includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. For more: www. ironman.com

Recurring 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

Liberty Lake Ladies’ Nine Hole Golf Club 9 a.m. Thursdays, Liberty Lake Golf Course, 24403

Splash Down Splash Down Family Waterpark, 11127 E. Mission Ave., opens daily beginning midJune.

Senior Programs Summer is for the young at heart with senior programs available at the Spokane Valley Senior Center, 2426 North Discovery Place. Check out all the offerings at www. spokanevalley.org/seniorcenter.

Movies at Mirabeau Enjoy free summer movies in Mirabeau Meadows Park. There will be movie-related crafts for the kids one hour before show time.

On July 24, enjoy the comic misadventures of the young Peruvian bear, “Paddington,” showing at 8:50 p.m. “Big Hero 6” will play at 8:10 p.m. Aug. 21.

Arbor Crest Summer concerts at Arbor Crest, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Road, have highlighted many a Spokane Valley summer. Every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 24, immerse your senses in the sounds of local musicians at Arbor Crest’s “Performers on the Patio.” There is no cover charge. Sundays through Sept. 27, wrap up your weekend for “Concerts on the Cliff ” starting at 5:30 p.m. All tickets are $8 at the gate.

The third annual Stage2Stage Arbor Crest Music Fest is noon to 8 p.m. June 13. Performances by Benton & Gallagher, Darin E. Sprague Ave. For more: 928-6854

Liberty Lake Running Club 6 p.m. Thursdays, Twisp Café & Coffee House, 23505 E. Appleway Ave. The club meets for a three-mile run weekly through October. There will be a special run for Earth Day on April 16. For more: 954-9806

Hilderbrand, Nicole Lewis, Pink Tango Trio and Spare Parts Trio. Admission is free.

Or watch the sun set while listening to the music of the Spokane Symphony during one of two "Soiree on the Edge'" concerts planned. Music Director Eckart Preu and the Spokane Symphony will perform on consecutive Wednesday evenings, Aug. 12 and 19. Both performances begin at 7 p.m. at the Valley's most breathtaking concert venue.

For more, visit www.arborcrest.com.

Shakespeare Montana Shakespeare in the Park presents “Cyrano de Bergerac” Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake.

Libraries and Museum Valley libraries and the Liberty Lake Municipal Library offer summer reading programs for children and adults. Grab a good book to read while relaxing by the lake.

The Valley Heritage Museum is hosting the Smithsonian exhibit “Earth from Space,” open to the public at 12114 E. Sprague Avenue. Coming later in the summer will be the World War II-themed, “Victory in Japan and the Hanford Connection.” For more, call 922-4570.

And, of course, pick up copies of The Current all summer long and consult the Community Calendar to make the most of your Spokane Valley summer. basketball open gym, pickleball, Zumba and other recreational options available. For more: www. hubsportcenter.org

Trailhead Ladies Nine Hole Golf Club Play

Spokane Valley Women’s Evening Golf Club 4:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Liberty Lake Golf

for this weekly league at Trailhead Golf Course is Wednesday mornings April through September. For more: www.trailheadladies9.com or 879-7391

Sports opportunities HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Badminton,

All calendar listings were provided to or gathered

by Current staff. If you would like your event considered for the community calendar, please submit information by the 15th of the month to calendar@valleycurrent.com.

Course. This nine-hole club plays through Aug. 31. Membership fee is $50 (includes your GHIN); county pass is $30. For more: Spokanevalleywomensgolf@gmail.com or find “Spokane Valley Women’s Evening Golf League” on Facebook

LIBRARY

18 • JUNE 2015

ro e H y r e v E ory Has a St

Summer Programs kick off this month!

Every hero has a story; find yours at the library this summer.

Whether it’s superhero science, knights in shining armor, comic book characters, or birds of prey, there are activities for all ages, all summer.

Visit our website for program details.

SV Library to serve as summer meal site

By Mary Kate Koch

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Already committed to fighting the summer brain drain for students, the Spokane County Library District is now committing to fighting empty stomachs in the summer.

For the first time ever, the Spokane Valley Library will serve as a summer meal site for children ages 18 and younger who qualify for federally funded lunches during the school year.

“There is a very real need for this because these students don’t have access to federally funded school meal programs during the summer time,” said Library Services Manager Gwendolyn Haley.

When children experience food insecurity, meaning that they lack access to regular and nutrient-rich meals, they are at a higher risk for behavioral problems and impaired cognitive development. According to the Washington State Department of Health’s 2013 Chronic Disease Profile, one in nine households in Spokane County experiences food insecurity. Haley noted that more than 50 percent of students in the Spokane Valley area qualify for federally funded meals.

Schools can mediate food insecurity during the academic year, but children often lack such access during the summer months. Community sites can volunteer to host federally funded lunches during the summer, but the demand is not always met.

“There is plenty of money available for

meal sites, but there are not enough sites registered to participate,” Haley said. “That has led to a lot of discussion as to whether local libraries can help meet this need.”

Determined to help combat food insecurity, the SCLD will open the Spokane Valley and North Spokane libraries as meal sites during the summer.

“We selected the North Spokane and Spokane Valley libraries for three reasons,” Haley said. “The first was because there is an especially great need at these locations.

The second was because of the location.

There is not another meal site close to either of these libraries within walking distance for students. And third, these libraries have the staff capacity to help serve the meals.”

Starting on June 15 and running until Aug. 13, the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., will serve lunches Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

The Central Valley School District will provide the meals that the library hosts. The meal is a sack lunch that must be consumed on site; children will not be allowed to grab a lunch and go. Additionally, this program is only for children. Parents and guardians cannot be served even if they accompany children for the meal.

Haley stressed that food insecurity is a community issue that everyone needs to take note of, especially since the need is so great in the local area. Food insecurity has

adverse impacts on the academic performance and futures of community students.

“The community needs to be more aware of food insecurity issues,” Haley said. “We have great organizations like Second Harvest helping to address these needs. In the summer, food banks have a need for more high-quality protein donations like chicken, tuna and peanut butter to provide better nutritional balance to those in need.”

Although library staff will mainly serve the summer meals, Haley said that those interested in volunteering to serve meals can get involved by contacting her at ghaley@ scld.org.

allure was the freedom to choose whatever books I wanted to read with no assignments to complete. That same summer, I checked out every field guide to local wildflowers I could find in the North Spokane Library so I could identify the massive collection I was gathering and pressing between the pages of our World Book Encyclopedias.

At Spokane County Library District, we want kids and kids-at-heart to have that same experience. Discover your story with this summer’s theme, “Every Hero Has a Story.” Starting June 22, we have seven weeks of programs to engage, inspire and entertain youth of all ages.

Kids five and up can come to the library to watch medieval-style sword fights, rock out to family-friendly jams and discover heroic birds of prey. There will be programs throughout the summer, including a Late Night at the Library program, for kids entering grades three through five as well as a cardboard car drive-in movie night for the whole family to enjoy. For those with little ones at home, we have summer storytime

programs at all library locations.

Teens and tweens can try their hands at drawing comics, recycling comic books into new creations and even creating the perfect costume to cosplay their favorite fandom.

We’ve taken some games like Bananagrams and Yahtzee and supersized them for one event, and we’ll help turn a sandwich from a zero to a hero at another. Spokane Valley Library will host a special Library After Dark event for teens in grades 9-12, which includes a movie showing, crafts inspired by favorite fandoms and a game of life-sized Clue.

Summer is the time to engage your passions and learn something new. Our programs are sure to spark a youth’s curiosity and motivate them to explore on their own.

What turns a non-reader into a reader?

Finding a book that they love — the library can help!

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

SUBMITTED PHOTO

LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday Spokane Valley Library 12004 E. Main Ave. From June 15 to Aug. 13, the Central Valley School District will provide sack lunches at the library. The meals are for children only and must be consumed on site.

For more: 893-8400

Resource Review

Discover your summer story at the library

By Gwendolyn Haley

SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

www.scld.org

The Current

There’s something about reading during the summer that’s just magical as a child.

One year, I spent an entire day in my treehouse with my friend Darcie. We had snacks and the entire Anne of Green Gables series.

We must have read for over 10 hours (or until the sun went down). I think a big part of the

Brought to you by

Camp Invention caters to imaginative kids

By Mary Kate Koch

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Calling all kids: Get ready to imagine, build and create this summer with Camp Invention.

Camp Invention is an award-winning summer program for kids who loves to take things apart and rearrange pieces into new creations. The program runs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 22-26 for children entering first through sixth grades at East Farms STEAM Magnet School, 26203 E. Rowan Ave. in Newman Lake.

Organizers said the camp is for kids with active imaginations who love to learn with hands-on activities and do rather than just listen.

“This camp is for every child,” Leigh Harless, East Valley teacher and camp director, said. “I don't know a single child that doesn't already have the curiosity to explore. Really, think of this week as guided exploration.”

While there is plenty of games and outdoor play during Camp Invention, what

IF YOU GO ...

Camp Invention

June 22-26, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

East Farms STEAM Magnet School, 26203 E. Rowan Ave. in Newman Lake.

Kids entering the first through sixth grades are invited to attend this summer day program designed just for children with active imaginations who love hands-on learning. Cost is $220 per camper; family discounts available.

To register or for more: www.campinvention.org.

makes this program different is its focus on making science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fun.

“Camp Invention provides a great opportunity for inventive young minds to exercise their creativity and use their imagination in ways they don’t normally get to,” Harless said.

“Through real-world problemsolving challenges, they build things, take things apart, explore different types of technology and so much more. Many times, the students are having so much fun, they don’t even realize they are learning and developing new skills.”

But don’t just take the camp director’s word for it. Former Camp Invention students are more than willing to share what makes Camp Invention so special.

“It's awesome,” third grade student KJ Vanderpool said. “You can think outside the box and create anything!

I love the opening activities, classes, going to the supply room and building things. ” "It is exciting and you get to take apart things,” second grader Laina Harless said.

“You get to work with friends and meet new people. Last year we got to build a pinball machine out of cardboard and parts of a ra-

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Camp Invention, held each summer at East Farms STEAM Magnet School, offers games and activities geared toward hands-on, creative kids.

dio I took apart. We got to make cars and race them.”

Inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and members of the United States Patent and Trademark Office helped to design this year’s program called Illuminate. Illuminate activities include designing and building a brand new product from scratch. Campers rotate between building and creating activities to energetic outdoor games.

“Camp Invention students experience winning, success and victory, along with an

adrenaline rush that comes with competition among students and successful completion of challenging projects,” Harless said.

All of the camp instructors come from the Spokane Valley area, and many are also teachers at East Farms STEAM Magnet School. Camp Invention likes the small group environment to help with learning, so there will never be more than eight students for every one staff member. Campers are placed into groups based on their age and grade so that each activity is at the right difficulty level and no one gets bored or overwhelmed. These small groups also help campers to meet new friends their age who are interested in the same things. “[Camp Invention] is a good way to make new friends and to have fun during summer,” fourth grader Canon Pratt said.

The cost of the five-day program is $220.

Families registering two siblings get a $25 discount, and those registering three or more siblings save $50 per child.

For more information on Camp Invention or to register, visit www.campinvention.org.

The Current

20 • JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY

Chew on these tidbits about fruits and veggies Compiled by Sarah Burk

CURRENT GRAPHICS EDITOR

200

In recognition of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month in June, check out these facts about foods that provide needed nourishment to your body.

It is recommended that you eat five servings equaling one-half cup of fruit or vegetables per day.

Number of seeds in an average strawberry

Fruits and vegetables in fresh, frozen or liquid form provide many of the same benefits.

■

■

Kids Tell It Like It Is

In honor of Father’s Day, how does your dad make you laugh?

Compiled by Tammy Kimberley at Valley Christian School

“When I’m lying down on his bed, he treats me like a pillow and he lies down on me.”

“He tells crazy Russian jokes.”

Evelina Kopets, 11

Ian Craciun, 8

LOGY

POMO

7,000

The skin of items such as carrots, apples and cucumbers usually has the most nutrition.

■

Types of apples grown around the world

Pomology is the study of fruits.

■

You can speed up the ripening of a pineapple by standing it upside down (on the leafy end).

“My daddy sometimes runs into a wall just to make me laugh.”

Arella Gilmartin, 6

“He walks up and pretends he’s going to spank me, but he just claps his hand.”

Hunter Flaa, 7

■

140

Pounds of potatoes the average American eats each year

Carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, corn and asparagus are all examples of vegetables that can be found in a purple variety.

■

■

92

Percent water that watermelons are made of

400

Apples a tree can produce in one year

Most of the nutrients in a potato reside just below the skin layer.

■

A cucumber is actually a fruit, while bananas are technically herbs.

Apples, peaches and raspberries are all members of the rose family.

■ Broccoli contains more protein than steak.

Nelly Tsyukalo, 11

■

Unlike bananas and several other fruits, grapes can no longer ripen once picked.

■

“His ridiculous dance moves.”

Coffee beans aren’t beans. They are fruit pits.

■

Actually a fruit, it took a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1893 to make the tomato a vegetable.

“When he messes up when he’s cooking. He’s like, ‘Why would I do that?’”

Janaya Elkins, 11

“He tries to jump and do a cannonball in the lake but he ends up doing a belly flop.”

Blake Sturgis, 11

“He surprises me a lot with his weird karate movies.”

Karina Chernioglo, 11

■

In the U.S., more tomatoes are consumed than any other single fruit or vegetable.

■

One of the least popular vegetables, Brussels sprouts, is one of the best for you.

“He always tricks me and says there’s a spider on my hand.”

Jillian Elkins, 6

Mya Desgrosellier, 8

■

Sources: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-incredible-facts-about-eating-fruitsand-vegetables-that-you-probably-didnt-know.html; http://www.factslides.com/s-Fruits

“He plays pranks on me.

He hides when I’m in the bathroom, and when I come out he scares me.”

“He tickles me and my brother and sometimes he sits on me” Grace Wilson, 7

“He calls me silly names.”

Jacob Holder, 9

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 21

COMMUNITY

DOUGHNUT OR YO-YO?

Compiled by Tammy Kimberley | CURRENT STAFF WRITER Did you know that a pastry similar to doughnuts are called yo-yos in the country of Tunisia? The two round objects have other similarities, one being that they are both recognized annually in June.

In honor of National Doughnut Day on June 5 and National Yo-Yo Day on June 6, we have a list of facts about the items below. Decide if you believe each statement is about a yo-yo or doughnut, and then check your answers at the bottom of the page.

1. These were passed out to soldiers during WW 1 and WW 2 in order to help them feel less homesick.

2. This item first became popular in England and France in the late 18th century and wasn’t introduced to the U.S. until the late 1920s.

3. There are more than 10 billion of these are made each year in the U.S.

4. TV character Homer Simpson is in love with this item.

5. Flying Saucer — name of specialty doughnut or yoyo trick?

6. It was taken into space in 1985.

7. The largest one ever made weighed 1.7 tons and measured 16 feet in diameter.

8. Not just a popular fad, this item was the hit at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago.

9. The person believed to be the creator of this item sold his company to a man named Donald Duncan.

10. The first national day of this item was held in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.

Crafting food sculptures CURRENT PHOTO BY SARAH BURK

Wave invites kids to enter summer drawing While kids are often told not to play with their food, The Wave is asking kids to have a little fun this summer creating toothpick food sculptures. Marshmallows, gumdrops or fruits and vegetables all can make colorful building pieces. By connecting food items with toothpicks, you can create exotic animals, interesting shapes or enchanting houses.

Kids need to ask their parent’s permission prior to doing anything for this contest, of course. Once you’ve made your

creation, ask your parents to take a photo and email it to tammy@valleycurrent. com with your name, age, phone number and city you live in. All submissions received by June 30 will be entered in a drawing for a fabulous summer-inspired prize. In addition, some submissions may be featured in the August issue of The Current.

Kids in kindergarten through sixth grade who live or attend school in the Valley area are eligible to enter this contest. Only submit one entry per person, please. If you need ideas, searching online can provide suggestions on what materials to use.

Congratulations to Brynn!

She’s the latest

Summer is almost here, and local outdoor markets are open for business!

The Millwood Farmers Market operates from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, while the Liberty Lake Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

KiDDS Dental

Make the trip an adventure with this scavenger hunt. Enjoy the sights and sunshine while searching for the following items with your family at the market.

No Cavity Club winner!

Brynn won a $25 Target gift card and a photo session with

h a basket

f flowers Bouquet o spots Dog with r vine n a stem o Fruit still o tures taking pic Someone s Fresh herb cal” t says “Lo A sign tha

      tick  Honey s  Cookie ag le b  Reusab

 Bike wit  Lettuce irt  Plaid sh

tanyasmith.net

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

Grow Up Smiling!

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

891-7070

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

Answers to “Doughnut or yo-yo” quiz: 1. Doughnut 2. Yo-yo 3. Doughnut 4. Doughnut 5. Yo-yo 6. Yo-yo 7. Doughnut 8. Doughnut 9. Yo-yo 10. Doughnut

The Current

22 • JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY

Date Posting Posting Date May 11 ,May 201511 , 2015 Posting Date May 11 , 2015

Because everybody always pushes it around.

Why is a revolving door so sad?

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 23

Celebra�ng our Students!

On May 28, over 400 students, families, educators, businesses and community leaders gathered for the PACE Awards to celebrate 48 excep�onal students of good character and the “best prac�ces� of three PACE partners.

This is our fourth year and we are deeply grateful to our underwriters for making this event a reality.

Launched in September 2010, the PACE program promotes the importance of good character through partnerships with schools, businesses, public agencies, residents, faith-based organiza�ons and community service groups.

PACE has grown to include nearly 200 partners and 48 schools all working together with families to promote good character across the Spokane Valley.

2015 PACE Awards Thank You to Our Underwriters!

Platinum Venue Sponsor

2015

Gold Sponsors

PACE AWARDS MAY 28, 2015

Silver Sponsors

Bringing Character to Light STORE #5883

Bronze Sponsors

JOIN US! PACE schools and partners promote monthly character traits through mul�-faceted communica�on, mo�va�on and educa�onal programs. Becoming a PACE partner is free and easy! We'll supply posters and a monthly e-newsle�er full of ideas to recognize and celebrate good character in your own organiza�on!

www.pacecommunity.org / 228-5530

facebook.com/PartnersAdvancingCharacterEduca�on RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY CITIZENSHIP CARING FAIRNESS HONESTY DILIGENCE TRUSTWORTHINESS COURAGE INTEGRITY GENEROSITY GRATITUDE

Spokane Valley Sunrise Club

Media Sponsor

Table Sponsors

PACE Advocates

In-Kind Support

Cameron Reilly Construction Kiwanis Club of Liberty Lake Liberty Lake Lions Club PEMCO Insurance Rockford Lions Club Spokane East Rotary Club Spokane Valley Ear, Nose, Throat Yoke's Fresh Market

BBB Center for Character Ethics Ethics Talk Lithograph Reproductions, Inc. Quality Hardwood Floors Scott Ralph DDS

Air with a Flair The Current NBS Promos The Ovation Company Simply Northwest Spokane Shock

The Current

24 • JUNE 2015 Brought to you by

About and for Valley seniors

Classes prove art can be an acquired skill

By Staci Lehman

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Vincent van Gogh may be one of the most well-known artists of all time, but he didn’t become famous until later in life. In fact, many of his most acclaimed pieces were painted in the last two years of his life, proving that it’s never too late to master something new.

That’s what some people at the Spokane Valley Senior Center, located inside the CenterPlace Event Center, are doing.

They’re learning the technique behind several different kinds of art.

The Spokane Community College’s Act 2 program sponsors classes they call “continuing education for those who are retired or preparing for retirement.” Courses on history, photography and learning new languages are available all over the community for mature adults. At CenterPlace, the art classes are very popular. The catch: You have to be over 50 years old to take advantage of them.

Instructor Linda Schneider, a Liberty Lake resident, teaches several art classes, including painting, colored pencils and her specialty, calligraphy. She has been teaching for 47 years and travels to many states, and other countries, to do so. Schneider even designs cards for a greeting card company and has worked with the head calligrapher for the White House.

She says one of the first things she teaches students is about the contrast between light and dark. “An eraser is just as important as a pencil,” said Schneider; to smudge, soften or remove lines or shading. “Value is king and color is play.”

Schneider often tells the students in her sketching class to squint when looking at their work. This helps to see the value, or contrast, between light and dark. Students

Spotlighting timely needs our community can meet together To our friends and neighbors in the greater Spokane Valley:

CURRENT PHOTO BY STACI LEHMAN

Sketching instructor Linda Schneider coaches student Evelyn Neis on technique. are also sent to the restroom on occasion to look at their sketches in a mirror. This also helps to draw out the contrast and make it more obvious.

Student Linda Jansen said she was surprised to learn that a lot of drawing and sketching is simply technique and knowhow.

“I always thought you could draw or you couldn’t,” she said. “We were always taught that you have to be born with the talent. I was surprised to find that you can learn it.”

To show how to improve lines and make objects appear more realistic, Schneider uses tracing paper placed over a student’s page to demonstrate corrections. When the paper is removed, the students make the changes. Schneider says that if she makes these fixes for them, her pupils don’t learn as much as they would doing it themselves.

She also insists it’s not her teaching that turns a student into an artist.

“Some of my students say, ‘Thank you for making me a good artist,’ and I say, ‘That’s not what I did. My job is to find the artist within you and pull it out,’” Schneider said.

Evelyn Neis, a student in Schneider’s

sketching class, says that’s what happened with her. Neis had always wanted to draw, but her job — and travelling for it — kept her too busy. The first thing she did after retiring recently was to find an art class through CenterPlace’s Senior Center. After having been drawing for only a few months, Neis says it’s gratifying to see how far she’s come already.

“It’s amazing to me that we can draw something that you can tell what it is,” she said.

Neis plans to continue to take lessons through Act 2 as long as she can and has a long-term goal in mind.

“I’m striving for my horse,” she said.

“That’s my ultimate. Very few people can draw horse’s heads well, and I want to be one of them.”

Another student, Retta Pew, has already surpassed her original expectations.

“A friend said let’s take this class, and I’ve been coming back ever since,” said Pew. That was four years, and many classes, ago.

Students Neis, Pew and Jansen all agree

See ART, page 25

Did you know that in 2014, 8,613 local families received clothing through the Spokane Valley Partners Clothing Bank? That number is even more incredible when you realize that the clothing bank is entirely volunteer-managed and operated.

Right now, those volunteers need help from the community, as supplies are low. While the Clothing Bank provides clothing, shoes, diapers, newborn layettes, personal care items and even small kitchen appliances or household items, there are two needs in particular to draw your attention to. These two needs aren’t often met unless Spokane Valley Partners specifically draws attention to them: 1. Children’s NEW underwear Kids are always going through — and growing out of — underwear, and this is one of those rare areas where donated clothing should really be in new condition. Low-income families really struggle in this area, and our local kids should not have to be in a situation where they rely on ill-fitting underwear or have to go without.

2. Men’s clothing The clothing bank currently has mostly empty racks in its men’s section. Men’s clothing of all kinds are in extremely short supply.

Most of the generous clothing donations that come in lack in these two critical areas. As a community, let’s respond and help Spokane Valley Partners continue to meet the needs of local families in this area.

You can drop off donations to Spokane Valley Partners at 10814 E. Broadway Ave. or call 927-1153.

Sincerely,

The Arger Family Investing in Spokane Valley since 1979 Local owners of Evergreen Fountains, sponsor of The Fountain senior spread in The Splash and The Current

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 25

COMMUNITY

Trivia Test 1. HISTORY: When did the U.S. Supreme Court become a nine-member body?

2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: The image of “Rosie the Riveter,” a woman working in a factory, arose from which war?

3. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What animal’s diet consists mainly of eucalyptus leaves?

4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of the Czech Republic?

5. MYTHOLOGY: What was the name of Orpheus’ beloved wife, doomed to die from a viper bite?

6. GAMES: In poker, what is a full house?

7. MEDICINE: What causes rickets in children?

8. LAW: What is the legal definition of “chattel”?

9. ETIQUETTE: Who is traditionally supposed to host the bachelor’s party for a groom?

10. MUSIC: Who composed the opera “The Magic Flute”?

— 2015 King Features Syndicate Inc.

ART Continued from page 24

that they also enjoy their weekly art class as an occasion to socialize and talk to others with similar interests. It’s not all visiting and sketching, though. Schneider gives homework assignments many weeks. This week, it is to observe trees in their neighborhoods, as that is what they’ve been sketching this session.

For those who aren’t into drawing faces, animals and landscapes such as trees, there are many other classes to take advantage of.

Cartoon drawing and multi-media painting are just a few of the options that other instructors teach at the Senior Center at CenterPlace. Examples of student works of all kinds are on display through June 23 throughout CenterPlace’s Senior Center, and the public is encouraged to stop in and take a look.

Outside of CenterPlace, other area senior centers and churches host art classes as well. Summer classes begin in June and July, with 200 different courses to choose from.

Class fees are based on the hours involved but are all very affordable, due to being partially paid for through state funding to the Act 2 program.

And the best part — no previous drawing or art experience is necessary. To find available classes or register, go to www.sccel.spokane.edu/Act2 or call 279-6027.

Answers to Trivia Test

1. 1869, set by Congress 2. World War II 3. Koala 4. Prague 5. Eurydice 6. Three of a kind and a pair 7. Vitamin D deficiency 8. Personal property 9. The best man 10. Mozart

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Daily Tours Locally Owned and Operated by the Arger Family

•

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

The Current

26 • JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY

PACE honors 48 students at annual event FROM STAFF REPORTS

More than 400 guests were expected to gather May 28 at Mirabeau Park Convention Center to celebrate local students who were identified by schools as personifying the Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) character traits.

Educators from 48 Spokane Valley, Freeman and Tekoa schools each selected one student to represent their school and be honored for their good character.

In addition, three local businesses were to be recognized with PACE Partner “Best

Practice” awards for their strong, ongoing support of PACE and good character in our community. The awards were presented to The Current, Ellingsen-Paxton Orthodontics and Yoke’s Fresh Market.

The students recognized are below. For more, visit www.pacecommunity.org.

Elementary schools Hyrum Aballay, Grade 5, Progress Elementary School; Alesiya Abramchuk, Grade 5, East Farms STEAM Magnet School; Seth Bachman, Grade 5, Pioneer School; Rachel Conrad, Grade 5, Opportunity Elementary School; Zoe Crockett, Grade 5, Sunrise Elementary School; Josilynne D’Angelo, Grade 5, Otis Orchards School; Teodoro “Teo” DiazGopar, Grade 6, Trent School; Ashlynd Furtney, Grade 5, Adams Elementary School; Tyler Furukawa, Grade 5, University Elementary School; Jacob Geiger, Grade 5, Seth Woodard Elementary School; Emma Glore, Grade 6, Trentwood School; Alle Herzog, Grade 5,

First-place band

Pasadena Park Elementary School; Melanie Jones, Grade 5, McDonald Elementary School; Caden Kaiserman, Grade 6, Valley Christian School; Maria Kamau, Grade 5, Broadway Elementary School; Annika Kemp, Grade 4, Washington Academy of Arts & Technology; Kennedy Kreider, Grade 5, South Pines Elementary School; Delani Lehn, Grade 5, Tekoa Elementary School; Jonathan Harold, Grade 5, Greenacres Elementary School; Kylie Heaton, Grade 5, Chester Elementary School; Nolan Holt, Grade 5, Freeman Elementary School; Makayla Peterson, Grade 5, Arthur B. Ness Elementary School; Annemarie Rau, Grade 5, Liberty Lake Elementary School; Telli Rivas, Grade 5, Orchard Center Elementary School; Jackson Vinic, Kindergarten, Central Valley Kindergarten Center; Erik Wolfrum, Grade 5, Ponderosa Elementary School

Secondary schools Krista Anspach, Grade 11, East Valley High School; William Bryant, Grade 10, Spokane

Caring for Partners

Valley High School; Kylar Cahalan, Grade 8, Greenacres Middle School; Talitha Call, Grade 7, Spokane Valley Learning Academy; Cameron Conner, Grade 12, West Valley High School; Greta Dauer, Grade 10, Barker High School; Jaiden Davis, Grade 8, Centennial Middle School; Natalie Donahue, Grade 8, Continuous Curriculum School; Gabe Grabowski, Grade 12, Central Valley High School; Kimberly Groom, Grade 12, Tekoa High School; James Helm, Grade 12, Spokane Valley Tech; Grant Hill, Grade 8, Summit School; Vanessa Ivie, Grade 8, East Valley Middle School; Amanjot Kaur, Grade 8, North Pines Middle School; Iavis Kopets, Grade 8, Valley Christian School; Meg Neely, Grade 8, Freeman Middle School; Tate Orndorff, Grade 12, University High School; Jami Pratt, Grade 12, Freeman High School; Matthew Ranniger, Grade 8, Horizon Middle School; Dustin Santora, Grade 8, Bowdish Middle School; Isaac Smith, Grade 8, West Valley City School; Kyle Thiede, Grade 8, Evergreen Middle School

At your service

West Valley School District Beginning Band, under the direction of Jim Loucks, took first place in its division at the Junior Lilac Parade May 9.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lions recognized

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Rockford Lions Club was honored April 24 for its efforts supporting the youth of the Freeman School District.

More than 250 volunteers from Comcast spent the better part of April 25 assisting with various tasks at Spokane Valley Partners. Projects included painting, cleaning and working at Partners’ Community Gardens location. The effort was part of the 14th annual Comcast Cares Day.

Pass the pie

More than 1,000 community members attended West Valley School District’s recent Community Appreciation Block Party. The event included entertainment and a free dinner, served here by, from right, School Board President Robert Dompier, Student School Board Representative Rachel McGlothlen and School Board Director Bob Wentworth.

Keeping score

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Shutterbug Snapshot

This family of marmots was spotted near the Centennial Trail in May and captured on camera by Liberty Lake resident Michael Hassett.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO

From left, Robyn Nance of KXLY, Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard and Jaycee Rogers of AMR judged a pie contest at Spokane Valley’s Brighton Court Assisted Living on April 22.

Thanks to the generosity of a volunteer alumni group that raised the money, the recently dedicated Jack Spring baseball field at West Valley High School now has a new electronic scoreboard.

HISTORY

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 27

Camp Sekani served Inland NW scouts for decades Site now home to disc golf, bike trails

By Tyler Robbins

SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

On a yearly basis, the Inland Northwest is voted as one of the top places to live for people who love the outdoors and adventure. There’s Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Spokane River, Centennial Trail, Turnbull Wildlife Refuge as well as numerous hiking trails all just a short drive away from anywhere. The ability to be in Spokane Valley one minute to feeling isolated the next has always been a perk about living in the area.

One of America’s oldest and most revered organizations agrees. The Inland Northwest has a rich tradition and partnership with the Boy Scouts of America.

To this day, scouts are very active in our community. Eagle Scouts are produced, many of whom have taken advantage of our resources and rich history to complete their training and final project. The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum has been the beneficiary of several Eagle Scouts projects.

The Boy Scouts and the Inland Northwest cannot be mentioned together without a mention of Camp Sekani. Camp Sekani was and in some ways still is Spokane Valley’s summer fun headquarters. Sekani was defined in 1908 with other Spokane Parks and means, “Children or Dweller of the Rocks” in Salish. The camp is located above the Spokane River on Upriver Drive just past Pasadena Park Elementary.

For 30-plus years in the early 20th Century, Camp Sekani served as the city’s premier Boy Scout camp.

Scouts followed the “serve yourself and save” program.

This meant the camp was free in a sense. Instead of paying the camp fee, boys would provide and prepare their own “grub and blankets.” Scouts would also perform camp work for badges and points that would go toward receiving the Honor Camp Em-

blem at the close of camp. Scouts would also bring their pup tents to set up in specified areas in the camp. For the less adventurous and younger scouts, cabins and a bunk were provided. The scouts in the cabins were still expected to prepare their own meals.

The camp was built to accommodate over 200 scouts and scout leaders at a time. In the summer of 1929, however, leaders planned a large retreat at Sekani for upwards of 500 BSA members. As the deadline approached, the Boy Scout and camp leaders were unable to secure the extra bunks needed from Fort George Wright. The Army stated that the use of the bunks was unauthorized and were to only be made available in “emergency” situations. The camp was forced to cut enrollment to about 250 campers on a first come, first served basis.

Camp Sekani would go on to become a favorite not only in the Valley but region wide.

Sekani was “a mecca for boys throughout the city,” according to a Spokesman Review article from the 1940s.

Open year round, Sekani was open to scouts Fridays after school until Saturday at sundown during the school year and open every day during the summer session from early June until late September. Minnehaha buses would pick up campers and drop them off just a short hike away from camp. Sekani was an “ideal place for Scouts to hike and gain added experience in overnight camping, cooking of meals, axemanship, wood lore, nature study and other kindred studies.” In 1928, 32 members of Troop 36 hand carved and painted a totem pole that stood 30 feet tall.

The camp was perfect for older scouts looking to challenge themselves. In August 1937, nine campers set out on a three-day hike. The scouts were dropped off at Newman Lake.

From here, they were to follow the Thompson Creek side of Mt. Spokane all the way to the top.

In May 1945, a ranger course was constructed on site and made available for scouts age 15

and older looking to meet the physical requirements needed to become part of the emergency service corp. The scouts were “required to crawl under some obstacles, through and over other obstacles, walk across water hazards on logs and stepping stones and other types of handicaps.” Earning a spot on the emergency service corps meant that these boys were “ready for duty for any emergency that may occur.” May of 1945, huh?

Interesting timing.

Sekani was also a place for numerous non-scout activities, allowing the boys to be boys. A camper favorite was the Olympic-sized, concrete pool on site. On hot days, the pool was packed with dozens of campers during the morning and afternoon recreational swimming sessions. The camp was also a hot spot for youth baseball. The camp was the site for a scout troop baseball tournament. The tournament reached 12 teams in 1927. At night, indoor baseball activities were done to field a camp all star team that would face off against Camp Cowles at Diamond Lake for the Spokane Scout’s title. Just staying at Sekani gave any boy the opportunity to make the team.

In 1928, the Sekani “Sluggers” beat the Cowles “Cougars” 6-4 before an estimated 200 spectators at Diamond Lake. A large wiener and marshmallow roast were planned as a celebration at Sekani following the win.

Following World War II, the camp fell on hard times and vandalism became a devastating problem in maintaining the camp. With funding cut and things looking bleak for Camp Sekani, the Associated Lions Club came to rescue in the 1950s. With help from chapters citywide, the Valley Lions Club chapter was able to rehabilitate the camp back to working order. From this point on Camp Sekani was, “maintained for the benefit of the Boy Scouts.”

In 1982, Sekani’s summer camp schedule had lost most of its Boy Scout notoriety and offered camps to all children ages 5-12; camps included Pioneer

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

The totem pole above was hand-carved and painted in 1928 at Camp Sekani by 32 members of Boy Scout Troop 36. It stood 30 feet tall.

Hardworking Boy Scouts would earn Honor Camper badges (like the one at right from 1929) at the conclusion of Camp Sekani.

Camp, Native American Indian Camp and Wilderness Camp.

Today, Camp Sekani is going through another reboot and is open to the public. Biking trails and an 18-hole disc golf course now stand where thousands of former Boy Scouts and children spent their summer vacations.

Hole 2’s tee pad sits poolside, while hole 17 sits in the foundation that once flew the Camp Sekani flag. Bike trails and jumps now run like veins across Beacon Hill.

While nearly all of the old buildings have been demolished, it is still easy to see why Camp Sekani was the Inland Northwest’s Boy Scout mecca.

Tyler Robbins is a research archivist for the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum and a history graduate of Eastern Washington University. 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.

The Current

28 • JUNE 2015

Congratulations, Class of 2015!

Editor’s Note: Commencement ceremony information is listed after school name.

Graduation lists were provided by schools with information available as of May 15.

Barker High School J U N E 4 A T 6 P. M .

ONE* CHURCH 1 5601 E. 24TH AVE., SPOKANE VALLEY Cale Allinger • Tristan Barnes • Andrew Barton • Connor Beale • Chad Bishop • Haili Bodie • Destiny Bonser • Austin Bozarth • Violeta Bozhko • Austin Braas • Kaylee Braas • Lucky Brazeau • Emma Brockmier • Caden Brown • Jacob Brown • Ariel Bushnell • Tamira Callantine • Timothy Christoffersen • Arik Clark • Ammon Clarkson • Moriah Davies • Kim Diep • Cody Dorn • Lilian Drummond • Dustan Dylina • Emily Eglin • Victoria Elliott • Kristen Ellis • Henry Ernst • Catherine Ferriss • Kassandra Fields • Daylon Fitzhugh • Jessica Flood • Kody Florence • Shae Ford-

Conner Sterling Alford • Sako Allen • Lucas G. Allinger • Ian James Allison • Madison Lynnae Ambriz • Kasey Joe Ames • Gregory Dmitri Anderson • Madisyn Anest • Michaela Noel Arnold • Gurkirat Atkar • Andrew Austin Augustini • Jackson David Axtell • Ryan Travis Baker • Jason Tayler Bakke • Tristan Lee Balduff • Taylor Baldwin • Rebecca Kenzie Balen • Alaina Marie Bates • Megan Nicole Batson • Gunnar Matthew Bauska • Valerie Ruthann Beale • Hannah Jo Riley Beattie • Dejha Monique Becker • Morgan Sierra Bedard • Joseph Thomas Belknap • Kali Bennett • Austin Bergdahl • Seth Philip Berkowitz • Elizabeth Ann Bernbaum • Amy Lynn Blyckert • Angela I. Bobrov • Lauren Rae Bonsignore • Beverly Boudreau • Parker Jackson Bowden • Jessica Boyer • Emily Olivia Boynton • Mackenzie Bradford • Sanower Brar • Brandon D. Brennecke • Hailey Michelle Britain • Zachary D. Brommer • Sakeedra Faye Brooks • Trevor Scott Brown • Erika Christine Burk • Alexander Scott Burrington • Austin Conner Burrowes • Rachel Anne Butler • Emily Rae Cabiad • Serik Cader • Ford Anthony Call • William Calligan • Caitlin Ann Calvert • Sarah Louise Calvert • Lauren Anne Campanella • Connor Joseph Campbell • Giavanna Luise Caravello • Mariah Rae Carl • Dani Marie Carlton • Jordan Douglas Carney • Brandon Wayne Caroon • Nathan David Cartee • Lila Cassandra Carthens • Julieann Eileen Carver • Brett Michael Castillo • Megan Starlene Chavez • Edmond Cong Chen • Brian Nicholas Choate • Olivia Alexandra Clark • Celynna M. Cobbs • Kaitlyn Marie Compton • Brock Vincent Cone • Ashlyn Arlene Conrad • Braden Levi Corigliano • Elizabeth S. Covillo • Jake Christopher Cowell • Crystal Desiree Crabtree-Carff • Chanse Kincaid Cramer • Matthew T. Crawshaw • Mitchell T. Crawshaw • Sarah Renee Creach • Conner Samuel Crowe • Caylus Q. Cunningham • Terra L. Cunningham • Shannon LeeAnn Currier • Michelle Emilie Czarapata • Daniel Lee Dach • Liam Patrick Davidson • Austin James Davis • Logan Gabriel Davis • C J William Davis • Matthew James De La Rosa • Patrick Dean • Trent Michael Dean • Brittany Sueann DeBoer • Joshua Scot Deckard • Caleb Andrew Dederick • Angelina L. Dedkov • Briton Theodore Demars • Elizabeth Paige DeReu • Megan Alyssa Dimmler • Alyssa M. Donelan • Owen David Doop • Brooke Danielle Duclos • Ryan Duggan • Lee Lavelle Dupree • Taylar Dyk • Randy James Edwards • Jacqueline Aileen Englehardt • Andrew Joel Enzler • Isabella Yasemin Erdem • Kathleen Elizabeth Ernst • John Chas Estey • Alana Mae Evey • Danyaal Babar Farooq • Jack Ryan Fay • Andrew Michael Ferrara • Cassondra S. Fielding • Lydia S. Fields • Brandon

Central Valley High School J U N E 6 AT 1 1 A . M .

M C C A R T H E Y C E N T E R AT GONZAGA UNIVERSIT Y 8 0 1 N . C I N C I N N AT I , S P O K A N E William Fife • Nicholas J. Foley • Rusty M. Ford • Isiah Paine Forney • Chad Russell Fotheringham • Chase Dallas Fox • Cordell Wyatt Fox • Payten S. Fox • Avery Alex Frank • Jack Ryan Frater • Joshua Garrett Gabert • Sinah Karime Galindo • Ashlynn Nalani Garcia • Viviana F. Garcia • Alexander Roberto Garza • Maxim E. Gerasimchuk • Ethan Elijah Gering • Colin David Gessler • Wesley M. Giachetti • Denisha Archelle Gill • Kyla Claudine Glenn • Sydney Paige Goldfeldt • Kaitlin Ruth Goltz • Nicolas Marc Gomiero • David Gonzales • Gabriel Michael Grabowski • Johnathan Wayne Graham • Blake David Griffiths • Carolyn Marie

Zumwalt • Mariya Garbuz • Jennie Giese • Leighla Glessner • Cameron Goodnight • Katelyn Gordon • Grace Greco • Jacquelyn Greer • Kane Haliwel • Michael Harbison • Maggie Harrison • Bryan Hawkins • Landon Henderson • John Henry • Zachary Henry • Rebekah Herner • Lakota Hilburn • Katelyn Huested • Christian Hunt • Ashley Jennen • Kobi Jennings • Alyssa Johnson • Isaiah Johnson • Megan Kaiser • Pavel Kanyushkin • Andrew Loberg • Dylan Long • Marcos Lopez • Kendria Mason • Makayla Michael • Diego Morales • Maddison Moxcey • Michael Nazworthy • Kyra Nicholls • Nicholas Ogden • Taylor Parkins • Alexxa Peters • Anthony Platt • Jacob Poitevint • Christopher Prindiville • Peighton Quaintance • Jacob Rathbone • Seth Rose • Jacob Ruggles • Taylor Rupert • Emily Schelin • Brittany Schimmels • Max Sloan • Drake Snyder • Jordan Sproles • Tucker Sproles • Brianne Stallard • Casie Stephens-Harris • Kylie Swenson • Chelsea Wagemann • Kailey Wagner • Samuel Weishaar • Jacob Wick • Nicole Williams • Alora Witcher • Kori Woodard • Lev Yakovlev • Saul Zamarron-Perez

Grilley • Abraham Yoseth Guerrero • David Israel Guerrero • Connor George Guinn • Vicki Lin Guo • Josiah J. Gutierrez • Iana Gutulenco • Kailie Leanne Hamilton • Patrick Douglas Hammersley • Alexis Margaret Jayne Hammond • Michael R. Hannan • Hailee Jene Hansen • Taylor Marie Hansen • Nathan Hanson Harman • Telara M. Harper • Natalie Cecilia Harrington • Nicholas John Harris • Amber Nichole Harrison • Paige Elizabeth Harrison • Scott Michael Harward • Hannah Nichole Harwood • Jennifer Jean Hatch • Madison Ann Hawkins • Soren Lee Hawkins • Caleb Joseph Hayes • Matthew David Hays • Stephen Heintz • Dylan Douglas Heiser • Ashley Ann Heldreth • James Allen Helm • Wesley Adam Helm • Juan Antonio Hernandez • Jacob David Herrin • Bryson Scott Hiestand • Matthew Robert Hilbert • Patrick Noah Hilbun • Aidan Christopher Hildebrand • Charis Brianne Himebaugh • Kyle D. Hinman • Shelby Ray Hogsed • Darren Bradley Hohn • Lucy C. Horton • Ryan Andrew Hotchkiss • Kaiha Brooke Hovanec • Madison Rose Hovren • Liam Walker Howard • Zachary L. Howe • Sean Thomas Hubble • Isaac Clayton Humble • Jared M. Hunt • Keith L. Hyle • Miranda Jackson • Madeline E. Jarvis • Kyley Rachelle Jenkin • Jedidiah Scott Jensen • Spencer Wayne Jensen • Ashley Joanne Johnson • Robert A. Johnson • Brianna N. Jones • Derek Taylor Judge • Jordan Isaac Justus • Sarah Jydstrup • Robert Grayson Kable • Oksana Aleksandrovna Karptsov • Yelena A. Karptsov • Evan Shepherd Makana Kern • Mariam Laura Khoury • Evan John King • Trevor Anthony Kokot • Albious Konet • Julia Aleksandrovna Kopets • Molly Lynn Kovac • Siera Shea Kramer • Zachary Daniel Ladd • Nicole Alyssa LaFord • Preston Lantzer • Emma Rose Larson • Courtney Janice Lauer • Angelina P. Lavrova • Derick Wesley Leggott • Victoria Regina Leichner • Robert Daniel Lemley • Freya Celine Lemon • Leandro Marcos Lessin • Jacob Lindley • Alicia R. Linerud • Karissa May Lopez • Hunter Douglas Lorenzen • Henry Roger Lorge • Kevin Thomas Loy • Jesse Mauro Luna • Hailey Marie Lundblad • Megan Riley Madrian • Tristan Edward Malone • Gurmani Kaur Mann • Jamie LuEllen Manning • Matthew Thomas Manza • Joseph Wayne Markquart • Anika Esther Martin • Tristin Tyler Martin • James Keaton Mask • Andrew Bryan Matheison • Andrew Bryan Matheison • Bart James Matteson Jr. • Kara Nichole McCarthy • Brian L. McCaslin • Keisha Ann McClellan • Brady Joseph McClung • Brockton Alexander McDaniel • Ryan M. McDowell •

See CLASS OF 2015: CVHS, page 29

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JUNE 2015 • 29

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CLASS OF 2015: CVHS Continued from page 28 William McGhee • Melissa Mae McGuire • Nicholas Sage McInnes • Conner McKeen • John William McLain • Bryce Zachary Melaas • Ciara Maria Melville • Kati Meng • Gunnar C. Merkel • Taylor Christopher Merkley • Jane Estelle Merriman • Luke Merritt • Hannah Marie Miller • Spencer Martin Miller • Taryn Miller • Wyntir Rose Millspaugh • James Mitchell • Kristal A. Mitchell • Nickole Josefine Molina • Tori Michelle Molloy • Kayla Beth Monson • RaSasha Kareemah Montgomery • Adam William Moore • Nick Jefferson Morrow • Christian Morse • Killian Ashton Mosley • Elliot Moua • Megan Rebecca Mullin • Kathryn Jean Munro • Paige Monique Murphy • Karendeep K Nagra • Alexandra Ann Neal • Jackson Alan Neal • Oksana Nedashkovskaya • Dylan Jon Neil • Alissa Kaye Nelson • Collin Richard Nelson • Andy Nguyen • Austin Nguyen • Justine M. Nguyen • Caleb N. Nicholls • Darby D Nicholson • Mikel Alan Niles • Kara L. Nitteberg • Young June Noel • Andrew Taylor Norfolk • Korbyn Rae Nunez • Megan Kathleen Nutley • Sheyenne Nicole Ochoa • Mackenzie Marie O’Dea • Kelsey Paige Odekirk • Alayna Janelle Ola • Alise Olson • Brittanie Carmita Ontiveros • Sidney Carlisle Orr • Jeremy Dayle Orth • Dillon Ota • Kendra Lynn Page • Wryan Burton Parr • Alysha Rae Patterson • Taylor Rae Paulus • Abby Mae Pedersen • Colton Alexander Pegram • Colton John Peha • Andrew Lauri

Peltonen • Emily Jane Peters • Lauryn Michele Peterson • Nathan Paul Peterson • David Clement Piatt • Drake Lee Piccoli • Patrick K. Piche • Charles Joseph Pier • Alexander Scott Plagman • Stephen Kyle Plaisance • Jared Thomas Ployhar • Kaylee Michelle Plumb • Rachel Elizabeth Poshusta • Caroline Ann Potts • Joshua O. Pozzi • Makinzee Autumn Price • Mitchell T. Pridemore • Britney Jo Pugh • Dakota Robin Pyles • Robbi Marie Quinn • Brooke Marie Ralston • Jordyn Nichole Reed • Matthew Thomas Reeves • Brendan Allan Reimer • Olivia Hope Renfro • Daniel Caylor Riordan • Tracy James Robeson • Sarah Jane Robinson • Taylor Nicole Rohm • Kazlyn Magnin Trinity Roullier • Jacob S. Rountree • Joseph Michael Ruscio • Olen Pierce Russell • Sidney Ruthenbeck • Chaleena Marie Rutledge • German V. Santiago • Blake A. Sattler • Aaron Lee Sauther • Tyler Timothy Schaefer • Rachel Marie Schilb • Brandon Tyler Schumacher • Caroline Renee Schwartz • Logan Elizabeth Schwartzenburg • Alexander Nathaniel Seckel • Robert Jacob Sells • Hailey Elizabeth Sessions • Taylor Ann Sessions • Madyson Rose Seward • Matin Shaarbaf • Caitlin Nicole Shirley • Aleks A. Shiva • Cassandra Jo Sholtz • Chloe Abigayle Sholtz • Alexis Ann Sicilia • Henry Miller Simboli • Madison Taylor Sipes • Kristina Nikole Sizov • Braden David Skinfill • Amanda Lynn Smith • Collin C. Smith • Marcus Allen Smith • Cody Cole Smithers • Shannon Hope Soderstrom • Michelle Elaine Sommer • Ka Ram Son • Tristin Rosalio Sparks • Hannah R. Spine • Hailey Nikole Spooner • Samantha Andrea Spratt • Brooke Linn Squires • Ian Scott St. John • David Michael Stanley • Tanner James Stephenson • Chandler Matthew Sterling • Aaron R. Stintzi •

Dishman Hills High School J U N E 3 A T 7 P. M .

NEW LIFE CHURCH 10920 E. SPRAGUE AVE., SPOKANE VALLEY Austin J. Babington • David Baluyut • Savannah S. Barron • Ciera D. Bays • Brett B. Beeler • Haleigh A. Bonlie • Rachael L. Boyd • Madisen R. Bretthauer • Kaitlyn I. Brocher • Jessie L. Brosam • Brady Burcham • Quinn C. Calligan • Courtney M. Canaan • Mikyla D. Carpenter • William Casey • Christina M. Casserino • Haley R. Chapman • Austin Christian • Hannah Cochran • Kanisha J. Coleman • Thomas Connors • Kaitlin M. Cooper •

Cordelia Achen • Conner Alderete • Andrew Allen • Tiffany Allen • Joshua Andersen • Madisyn Atchley • Taylor Bacon • Sarah Baird • Matthew Ballensky • Gabriel Bancroft • Nicole Behar • Madisyn Benge • Colt Benoscek • Thomas Bise • Jeremy Bledsoe • Ethan Boswell • Alexander Bowdish • Mayson Bradford • Ehlana Brake • Ryan Brou • Casey Brown • Melissa Browning • Ryan Brown • Colette-Janae Buck • Thomas Busse • Mersadies Butcher • Sarah Byrne • Nathan Cabbage • Aubrey Cameron • Courtney Camyn • Casey Canright • Alyc Carpenter • Keegan Channell • Grant Chavez-Larsen • Beilie Child • Nicholas Clizer • Jasmine Coleman • Bradley Colglazier • Jayde Conger • Brittney Cooper • Brian Cooper • Anthony Cousins • Scott Crites • Lane Crothers • Justin Cummings • Melanie Cunnington • Ricky Davis • Kirsten Delp • Ross DeWitt • Jared Dittmer • Jessica Doll • Elaina Edelen • Daisy Escontrias • Braden Fail • Jacob Farman • Alexander Farrell • Rebecca Fitzgerald • Rachel Fletcher • Britnie Friend • Chelsea Fry • Karen Garcia • Taylor Gay • Justin Gethers • Tala Gifford • Bailey Gilbert • Whitney Givas • Kevin Gladden-Krant • Tyler Glines (Wood) • Terrin Goodhue • Elizabeth Goodwater • Emily Goodwater • Payton Goodwin • Joshua Graham • Derrik Gratz • Trent Groscop • Mackenzie Grytdal • Ryan Haight • Sean Haight • Serena Hanes • Colton Hanson • James Harmon • Miranda Harrison • Eli Hartshorn • Taylor Hautala • Caiden Herndon • Colton Herron • Aaron Hilfiker • Preshelemiah Hitgano • Matthew Hourigan • Chase Hoyle • Janelle Hudson • Sara Huff • Matthew Hughes • Taylor Huhs • Brittany Hulse • Jared Hunt • Zachary Hunter • Bryan Hutchins • Tatianna Ibarra • Evan Jacobson • Kaley Jacobs • Chamberlain James • Christian James • Chandler Jamison • Jess Johnson • Nathan Jolstead • Reilly Jones • Ajanay Joyner-Hillard • Joshua Kaiser • Jaren Kelley • Damon King • Jaymee Kleweno • Scott Kopczynski • John Korchemniy • Brandon Kroll • Mina Lamb • Brianna Lasso • Nathan Laughton • Aislinn

East Valley High School J U N E 8 A T 8 P. M .

INB PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 3 3 4 W. S P O K A N E FA L L S B LV D . , SPOKANE

Nicholas Jeffrey Stockdale • McKenna Drew Stocker • Brady Raymond C. Stone • Tucker James Stout • Shane Patrick Stretch • Maria Madeleine Strom-Hval • Kathrin Suprunchik • Leonid V. Susin • Michael L. Swanson • Sidney Chrisdan Swenson • Natalie Christine Swesey • Maxwell Robert Patrick Sykes • Cody J. Szabrowicz • Trevor Rory Talkington • Tyler Cheyanne Tanner • Mackenzi Alissa Taylor • Jorge Staly Tecca • Kyle Donn Terrell • Keegan Tews • Alexia L. Thiede • Danielle Rose Thompson-Finn • Gaebriel Scott Thorson • Jake Caleb Tinsley • Ross Charles Tisdale • Adam Allen Todd • Cheyenne Nicole Travis • Geremy Allen Tripp • Kristopher Douglas Tripp • Jasmin L. Troyer • Matthew A Trumbull • Bao Bao Truong • Nikolas J. Tsakeredes • Paige Aubrey Tucker • Ashtyn Michelle Turnbow • Seyjil Shantha Turpin • Hannah Jane Van Matre • Amber N VanCurler • Matthew Tyler VanDenBerg • Jenna Noelle Vasquez • Shayla Keikiauliilani Vegas • Curtiss W. Vick • Zoya Elizabeth Voelker • Kimberly B. Wagstaff • Jakekeyda Quanzessdreek Jr. Walker • Jenny Ann Walker • Cassidy Ann Ward • Bryse Nicole Warner • Makenna Carol Wasteney • Madeleine G. Waters • Nolan Alexander Watts • Brooklyn Sarah Webb • Roxanna Louise Webster • Keely Maureen Weisbeck • Alana Westcott • Colton Shawn Westley • Liberty Anne Wheeler • Sarah Jae Hee White • Thomas Mark Whiting • Justin M. Whitley • Sophia Elizabeth Whitsett • Tyler Edward Wiggin • Rachel Megan Wight • Lauren Elizabeth Williams • Steven Willus Wilson • Matthew Winegarden • Melissa Paulina Woehl • Elena Marie Wolf • Victor Xie • Victoria Yakshin • Kenneth Ryan Yergen • Noel June Young • Katelyn Zarecor • Wyatt Alan Zier

Tirhas Daniel • Haylee R. Delzer • Kindra Denman • Jason R. Dillon • Marquelle Duncan • Eric W. Eickemeyer • Shala M. Elliott • Devyn M. Eustice • Jacob A. Eveland • Cory B. Faber • Michael A. Farley • Kelsey Foote • Mathew R. Fimpel • Marisa Garza • Jonathan K. Graham • Spirit Hammond • Emanuel D. Hanks • Aaliyah F. Hellmann • Codey D. Hornbeck • Bret T. Howerton • Kendall Jeppesen • Chellsi Jodon • Tyler Joplin • Dillon M. King • Samantha King • Chase C. Klassen • Christopher R. Kraus • Carolyn M. Shaffer • Alexis L. Lawrence • Julia D. Lettrick • Chase B. Lusk • Andru J. Maughan • Citlaly S. Mendoza • Clayton E. Miethe • Christina K. Mitchell • Frank Morgan • Melissa R. Moss • Marlyann Note • Sabrina A. Oversby • Joseph S. Parker • Dylan M. Patterson • Elianna L. Pena • Jessica E. Phillips • Brendan R. Pierce • Porter C. Pleger • Sierra B. Plummer • Kayla S. Posey • Dylan J. Putnam • Jacob A. Riffle • Lauren Rogers • Alyssa T. Rose • Kalani Salboro • Dillon C. Simpson • Chianti R. Speaker • Daniele M. Stone • Kenneth Sutton • Makenna S. Tarbert • Eko R. Taylor • Ceila E. Vangrimbergen • Sterling R. Wallace • Austin S. Wammock • Conner P. Weber • Kyle White

Lautenbach • Alison Lee • Kylie Lemley • Alyssa Lightfoot • Tylor Lindsley • Rachel Loe • Keenan Long • Douglas Lowell • Olivia Lueders • Rachel Lunstroth • Ibzan Marrero Tejeda • Kenny Martinez • Austin Mathias • Rebeka Maxwell • Michael McCalop • Shawna McIntyre • Mercedi McKennett • Dillon McKinnon • Claire McMichael • Bailee McNannay • Madison Meade • Gabriel Meyer • Caitlin Miller • Douglas Millmaker • Abigail Mills • Tristan Mitchell • Austen Moody • Dakota Moore • Andrea Morris • Taylor Morscheck • Kilei Motz • Hunter Mullin • Brittany Nelsen • Olivia Nemec • Tim Ngo • Daniel O’Hair • Breanna Orlowski • Kortney Pace • Sheldan Patrick • Alyssa Perkins • Kaleikaumaka PetersonMeyer • Moriah Poler • Ginger Polner • Krystal Potter • Hayley Primm • Corey Puckett-McSparrin • Connor Ramm • Ashleigh Rasmussen • David Ratautas • Devon Rennaker • Ethan Rich • Jordan Richardson • Siara Rodrigues • Cody Roller • Summer Romney • Ashlea Rookstool • Clarissa Ross • Zachary Rowland • Mark Rudnitskiy • James Russell • Tyler Sager • Madisen Schau • Abbagail Scott • Lindsey Scott • Morgen Shay • Cody Sherwood • Seth Shryock • Myles Siegel • Tawni Sinclair • Kathryn Sinn • Emily Sior • Wyatt Skeen • Hailey Smith • Kylee Sparks • Ian Spendlove • Shalyn Stack • Zakarji Stahlman • Terron Standifer • Ashley Start • Chad Stevens • Thane Stevens • Kenia Stokes • Ricky Street • Kody Summers • Christina Sweeney • Ashley Taylor • Mariana Thompson • Keith Thulon • Jonathan Tipton • Kaitlynn Trask • Rebecca Tschritter • Asa Vallone • Logan Vietzke • Kody Vigesaa • Baillie Wallace • Jazzarae Watson • Shawn Wayne • Sabrina Webb • Cheyanne Weikle • Corey Weyant • Cheyenne Williamson • Jaeger Williams • Matthew Witter • Devon Woods • Wayne Woods • Matthew Wright • Marisol Zalpa • Andre Zelepukhin • Karina Zhuk • Mikayla Zivic • Branden Zurfluh

See CLASS OF 2015, page 30

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CLASS OF 2015 Continued from page 29

Freeman High School J U N E 1 3 A T 1 P. M .

FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM 14626 S. JACKSON ROAD, ROCKFORD Brayden Aller • Michael Andrews • Grady Arnzen • Brydon Arredondo • Miranda Atwood • Jeremy Branon • Drew Brereton • Michael Cahill • Casey Christiansen • Addysen Clark • Isaiah Crane • Emily Dearman • Abigail Denmark • Alyssa Doloughan

Gonzaga Preparatory School M A Y 3 0 A T 1 P. M .

INB PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 3 3 4 W. S P O K A N E FA L L S B LV D . , SPOKANE * This list includes G-Prep graduates from the Valley area only.

William Dutch Alles • Alexander Prokey Arger • Daniel Haden Bahr • Brooklynn Ann Barton • Sean Dean Brown • Timothy Paul Canty • Zachary David Courson • Sarah Anne Deckard • Brock Daniel Dinneen • Katie Barbara Farrell • Jackson Allen French • Crystal Monique Garcia • Eric Andrew Holden • Kerrigan Edward Hough • Lucas Neal Humble • Katelynn Elizabeth Jentges • Audrey Elizabeth Kennar • James Michael Kolb • Zachary Allen Clyde Laird • Cameron Carl Lind • Martha Ann Oberg • Martha Ann Oberg • Hope Elisabeth Peterson • Hannah Faye Rash • Megan Elizabeth Schleich • Jacob Ryan Schlomer • Nichole Megan Timoney • Wyatt Thomas Uhling • Kaitlyn Rose Venner • Joseph Darius Verchota • Touhmongzone DJQ Vue • Jacob Michael Winkler

• Devin Douglas • Ruby Falciani • Jack Fergen • Justyna Folsom • Konner Forshag • Grandin Garst • Preston Gibson • William Gilbertson • Teigan Glidewell • Markus Goldbach • Madison Groves • Chaz Halstead • Peter Hansen • Matthew Harris • Monite Holliday Potter • Preston Hoppman • Johanna Jackson • Stormy Killpack • Jesse Lara • Ryan Leason • Anna Lee • Moriah Longhurst • Asriel Lynn • Mason Mackleit • Hope Mathews • Morgan McGarity • Connor McVay • Kalista Mettler • Kyle Miller • Andrew Mitchell • Benjamin Mitchell • Katherine Ophus • Devin Pavlischak • Matea Ped • Jacob Phipps • Abigail Pintar • Jami Pratt • Aaron Ray • Patric Rokus • Shenoa Rush • Alexandra Saeger • Jesse Schmidlkofer • Josephine Schultz • Abraham Schweiger • Damar Sewell • Benjamin Sharpe • Emma Sheldon • Billy Sims • Colbi Smith • Derek Smith • Austin Stark • Isaac Stokoe • Derek Trumble • Rachel Underwood • Erynn Waite • Taylor Walker • Spencer Warnecke • Hanna Watkins • Bethany Williams • Hannah Willamson • Kyla Wright

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy J U N E 5 A T 7 P. M .

VALLEY FOURTH MEMORIAL CHURCH 2303 S. BOWDISH, SPOKANE VALLEY

Taichak Auden Chu • Haeden David Coffey • Cassandra Lynn Damiano • Hannah Grace Dierdorff • Natalya Alexis Ferch • Timothy Dean Fisher • Delaney Tate Gold • Neal Ethan Gray • Trent Christen Gray • Lydia Sol Kim • Noah Michael Kim • David Richard Knecht • Kalianna Kiara Lundin • Timothy Basil Potter • Sydney LuRae Schlect • Baylee Frances Schneider • Hannah Rose Siglin • Jordan Erik Strandness • Madison Lynn Tan • Philip Benjamin Tate • Amelia Faith Wall • Rachel Anne Yates

Spokane Valley Transition Program J U N E 4 AT 2 P. M .

SPOKANE COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE AUDITORIUM 1 8 1 0 N . G R E E N E S T R E E T, S P O K A N E

Saint George’s School J U N E 1 2 A T 2 P. M .

SAINT GEORGE’S SCHOOL 2929 W. WAIKIKI ROAD, SPOKANE *This list includes Saint George’s graduates from the Valley area only.

Matthew Lazarus • Ryan Wells • Aaron Withers

Spokane Valley High School J U N E 4 AT 6 : 4 5 P. M .

SPOKANE COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE AUDITORIUM 1 8 1 0 N . G R E E N E S T R E E T, S P O K A N E Luke Andersen • Mitchell Fenton • Emily Getz • Michael Goleeke • Ethan Joyce • Angelina Kaskevica • Kaitlyn Lehan • Gleb Liashedko • Jason Long • Taylor Lundean • Amy Malm • Alexander McKeen • Alexander McMinn • Baylen Newman • Aleksandr Pisarenko • Samantha Pugh • Cameron Sanders • Joseph Sanders • Leon Trotskiy • Mariya Vasyukhnevich • Carson Wells • Keaton Wells • Fredrick Woolway

Donavan Abele • Gabe Aguilar • Mara Backstrom • Andrea Barlow • Debrah Bettelyoun • Tristan Bolen • Madisen Brooks • Shaylind Bucchino • Benjiman Charbonneau • Veronika Chebotarev • Malek Chreiki • Alina Chubenko • Mikayla Churchill • Terry Cleaver • Tristyn Clure • Feather Condon • Brianna Conner • Mackenzie Crable • Tayler Crandell • Dylan Cronkhite • Wesley DeBolt • Jeneva Delcioppo • Nichole Dexter • Jasmine Dorman • Alexas Douglas • Derek Dunphy • Autumn Englehardt • Samuel Estabrooks • Lance Gehner • Courtney Gomes • Larissa Gotishan • Nathaniel Halperin • Shane Hoisington • Sydney Jaksich • Kaili Johnston • Lionel-Leonard Johnson • Tristan Johnson • Cyndi Klumpp • Jasmine Lavoie • Anastasiya Levin • Alexander Marsh • Richard McKinley • Shelbey Morse • Luke Naccarato • Pamela North • Danielle Pace • Zachary Parker • Levi Parsley • Alyssa Pendleton • Austin Ray • Amanda Rothrock • Sierra Sevy • Tabytha Slayton • Virgil Stensgar • Ashley Svoboda • Timothy Titus • Kaylynn Treece • Brianna Ulbright • Kevin Vazquez • Danielle Wagner • Natasha Watson • Jorden Weidner

The Current

Jared Abrams • Philip Acevedo • Lucas Ray Adams • Michael Thomas Ady • Ronni K. Anderson • Zachary Anderson-White • Nicholas Arellano • Lacy Jane Arnold • Gabriella Avakimian • Kyla Babin • Taylor Joseph Daniel Baggarley • Andrea Louise Baird • Dalton Kodie Ball • Courtney Leeann Ballinger • Desiree Betsy Barnes • Ryan Bartlett • Hayden Bash • Karmen Ryley Beaty • Ryan Malik Benane • Miranda Jolene Berg • Aspen Cole Bergland • Tajr’e R. Bixby • Gabriel Blackwood • Jessica Kathleen Blackwood • Keeley Rae Blanchard • Robert Boerema • Jake Tanner Borgford • Alaina Bowers • Taylor Nicole Bowles • Lucky L. Brazeau • Maddison Shea Breedlove • Austin James Brinkman • Abraham Brown • Alexander Gerald Brown • Amber Nichole Brown • Lauren K. Brown • Tyler Micheal Brown • Brandon Ross Bruhn • Brittany Burcham • Tiffany Lucille Burns • Alexander Dionisio Campbell • Noah Nathanial Cannon • Ethan L. Cantrell • Sarah Lynn Carpenter • Crystel Michelle Castillo • Demitri Wolfe Chamberlain • Luke David Chilberg • Collin D. Christanson • Drew Anthony Cicchetti • Brandon J. Clark • Camille Clark • Carson G. Clark • Derek P. Clark • Joshua Aaron Clegg • Noah James Coble • Landon Earl Coffey • Shyanne Aliyah Comella • Brianne Marshee Conner • Erica N. Coston • Dylan Jeffrey Cowett • Hunter John Cross • Ceyerah Marie Curtis • Shilah Grace Cutlip • Alexander Daniel Dacier • Samantha DeAnn Daniel • Morgan Elizabeth-Arlene Daugherty • Julee Madison Davies • Kathryn Tessa Davis • Dillon Lee DeChenne • Alexus Burnay DelaCruz • Madison Alexandra Denham • Olivia Grace Dingus • Nicholas William Dixon • Lennert Alexander Dixson • Aaron Robert Thomas Donicht • Alexandra L. Douglas • Megan Elizabeth Dumaw • John Michael Dunham • Jordyn Michaella Eakins • Bradley William Earl • Kailey N. Earle • Stephen A. Eggers • Sierra Lahn Ehlert • Katie Anne Eller • Austin M. Elloway • Gerardo Escamilla • Benjamin Lee Estes • Trenton Anthony Fales • Paige Michele Faraca • Emilie Farrell • Cuinn Rios Fey • Steven Gary Nickolas Fitrakis • Mason F. Fitzhugh • Lucas M. FitzSimmons • Adrienne R. Fleck • Carlos A. Flores • Aziza L. Foster • Ashley Rae Fowlkes • Garret Andrew Fox • Jordan Taylor Fraser • Hayley Carrie Gaffney • Jackson C. Ganas • Manuel Armando Garcia • Marissa Danielle Garcia • Michael D. Garrison • DeCoteau Rae Gayton • Trinity Jo Gebeke • Annie C. George • Gabriel W. George • Therin M. George • Rachel Lynn Getty • Emily A. Gilden • Casidy Ann Giles • Austin J. Gillam • Lance I. Godfrey • Alexander Valentinovich Godun • Joseph Carl Golden • Andrew Joseph Gottlob • Nicholas Brian Gottlob • Sierra Green • Matthew F. Greve • Jessee Josef Griffin • Thomas R. Gunion • Ivey D. Gutierrez • Madison Marie Haase • Reid Austin Haight • Jessica L. Hall • Ryan Steven Hammond • Rylee Madison Harlan • Rachael E. Harreld • Jonathan Hartley • Zachary J. Harvey • Monica Kathleen Hauck • Bryan A. Hawkins • Austin J. Hernandez • David John Hetrick • Benjamin Bradley Hewson • Austin S. Hibbs • Emma Elizabeth Hildahl • Brian Lawrence Hill • Megan Rose Hills • Sarah Ann Kaneda Holder • Justin Richard Hombel • Casidy Lynn Horseman • Caitlyn Marie Horton • Jacob Nicholas Howard • Brooklyn Mariah Hughes • Colton Royce Hughes • Tanner Lee William Hynes • Andrew James Jackson • Tristin Connor Jennings • Jacob Johnson • Rebecca Lynn Johnson • Rielly Erin Johnson • Rachael Marie Johnson-Trull • Robin Nicole Johnston • Jacob Michael Jones • Olivia Michele Jones • Savannah Tash Jones • Whitley Kay Lynn Jones • Marc Trinidad Jordan • Andres Juarez • Emily Juarez • Mariah Judkins • Ryan Micheal Jurney • Thomas M. Kabel • Sean Karvoski-Flanagan • Leelia Angelica Katzang • Emma RaeAnn Kennedy • Connor R. Kenworthy • Payton Jade Kiehn • Madison Leigh Killinger • Connor K. Kindley • Pierse Josiah Knowles • Samantha Jean Korff • Alycia Rene Kubes • Corian Nicole Ladd • Joshua Robert Landrum • Jessica Lane • Olesya Lavrova • Sarah Anne Lawrence • Bryce M. Lebaron • Kayla Jo LeDoux • Desiree Lessiak • Andrew Leverence • Brady Alexander Linerud • Shelsi Marie Lissy • Brianna Little • Robert Lee Little • Marolinda Lokboj • Russell Stewart Looney • Shawnee Leanne Loosmore •

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COMMUNITY

University High School J U N E 6 A T 3 P. M .

MCCARTHEY CENTER AT G O N Z AG A U N I V E R S I T Y 8 0 1 N . C I N C I N N AT I , S P O K A N E Reilly Nicole Lucas • Kayla N. Lutz • Christian Ivan Macias Gomez • Logan G. Macy • Olivia L. Maningas • Gina Kelly Martin • Zachary John Martins • Haley Anne May • Kyler R. McBreen • Mason C. McCoy • Danessa Joan McDaniel • James Russell McDonald • Payton S. McDonald • Quinton Steven McDonald • Scott Edward McKinley • Jarrett James Charles McLeslie • Brandon A. Melnick • Tessa Elyse Merritt • Trevor John Mertens • Adrienne Lea Meyers • Steven Leroy Michael • Annie S. Miller • Layne Xavier Miller • Patrick Joseph Miranne • Sarah Marie Monsey • Lillian Shaye Montgomery • Calynn Elizabeth Moore • Katlyn Renee Moos • Txufeng Matthew Moua • Stuart T. Moyer • Lluis Mulero • Teylor D. Mulligan • Christopher D. Najera • Elaina Nelson • Erin Nicole Nielsen • Kavan R. Nielson • Steve Basim Nimri • Nicole Kelly Nordquist • MacKenzie Norman • Jason Dean Nowell • Alisha Lynn O’Bannon • Ryan P. O’Dea • Evan Charles Oeflein • Ethan Alexander Ricardo Oliver • Seth Anthony Olson • David Tate Orndorff • Christopher David Osborn • Jennifer O’Shaughnessey • Diana Whitney Ousley • Peyton S. Owen • Audrey Ozanne • Racheal V. Parker • Richard J. Parkins • Joshua David Patchett • Wyatt Patterson • Kyra Genevieve Pauley • Benjamin Payseur • Zachary Payseur • Jacob A. Perdue • Conner James Perrin • Steven Ryan Pesch • Dallas Allen Phelps • Selah R. Phelps • Samantha Pickett • Huber Piedra • Jason Charles Pierre • Sonny L. Plantz • Shaylee R. Polk • Jaedyn Rachelle Pope • Jeremie Del Pope • Colby J. Potts • Dylan Brett Rabideaux • Rylee E. Rassier • Alek Christopher Reiber • Jorge Reyes • Mitchell Davis Rhodes • Blake Andrew Riley • Tyson Ristau • Makhyla Natasha Robbins • Isaac William Roberts • Taylor Roberts • Jacqueline J. Robirts • Benny C. Rodriguez • Jeffrey Roger Roe • Austin M. Roedl • Seth Rohrenbach • Rachel Anne Ross • Bradley Rust • Allie A. Rutledge • Karley Devan Sabo • Kjora Sande • Anthony J. Santora • Amy Schipper • Garrett Michael Schmerer • Brienne Lenae Schmidt • Katelyn D. Schmidt • Brandon James Schoer • Jacey Rae Schuh • Cody M. Schwedland • Michael A. Scott • Megan Darlene Seely • Joseph Michael Segalla • Katie Elaine Seigendall • Isaac J. Selzer • Savannah N. Severson • DeAundra Marie Shackelford • Jessica Larae Shill • Austin Grant Shilliam • Samuel Shutt • Taylor Dayle Sibley • Jaden Siler • Roshanna Leigh Silva-Freeman • Shantel Nichol Singh •

Valley Christian School J U N E 6 A T 1 P. M .

VALLEY REAL LIFE CHURCH 1831 S. BARKER ROAD, GREENACRES Alexander Aguilar • Mahilet Ainuu • Ivan Beliaev • Seterra Bell • Haley Cochran • Brandon Ojogho • Megan Oliver • Aimee Patton • Peter Reese • Eedy Robinson • Angelika Stefoglo • Ziwen Su • Jiawen Sun • Violetta Tsyukalo • Julia Vorobyev

Deshaun Singleton • Nicole Marie Singleton • Daniel Sergy Sipko • Brittany N. Sisco • RiLee R. Skidmore • Chase Austin Smith • Jared Andrew Smith • Joshua C. Smith • Jhaziah CeShon Solomon • Johnathon M. Somerlott • Jaime L. Sprinkle • Arika Marie Starnes • Jaden Marie Stevens • Lynsey Stewart • Emily J. Stites • Kaitlynn Mariah Stobart • Jacquelynn A. Stoeser • Thomas David Strader • Joslyn Marie Streng • Harlie Demorise Stuart • Gillian Mae Stubbers • Foreign Exchange • Dalton Summers • Thane Sutherlin • Cameron Swanson • Dereck Paul Swanson • Nathaniel Swindle • Brookelyn Syme • Julia Ann Syverson • Madison F. Szelag • Brooklynn P. Tacke • Raymond Allen Tahkeal • Foreign Exchange • Abi Anne Tallman • Mack Tate • Cole Jonathan Taylor • Nathanael Tesdahl • Clara Ruth Thompson • Quadree Jamahl Turner • Geoffrey J. Tusberg • Victoria Rose Unruh • Anastasiya A. Usova • Mykel Raej Vanek • Katlynn C. Verhaag • Tanner Michael Vigesaa • Carissa M. Vogel • Joseph R. Wagoner • Currin Margret Wakefield • Brittany Elizabeth Walen • Kelsi Ann Walker • Lauren Elizabeth Wallis • Jessica Michelle Walls • Kellan Donovan Walls • Justin Lee Warden • Jennifer Warren • MaKayla Ann Washington • Hunter Lynn Watson • Sydney Nicole Weiler • Kara J. Welter • Dray Carter White • Joshua M. White • Ashlyn Elisabeth Whitmire • Andy Whitmire • Haley Nicole Whitney • Bryce Jeffrey Williamson • Aryanna Naomi Wilson • Dylan Michael Wilson • Madisen Rose Winebarger • Amanda Elizabeth Wisener • Jeff Wiyrick • Steven Franky Wolfe • Ashley Alana Woods • Emily Nicole Wrenn • Polina Yasinskaya • Mark Sergey Zolnikov

The Washington Academy of Arts and Technology J U N E 8 A T 8 P. M .

SPOKANE OPERA HOUSE 3 3 4 W. S P O K A N E FA L L S B LV D . , SPOKANE Larain Algea • Cameron John Angeleri • Monica Armenta • Mark Sayer Avena • Taryn Avena • Cuyler Allen Bean • Claire M. Berry • Kelsey Beveridge • Chance Taron Blackburn • Jazzmin Josephine Block • Devon Renee Bond • Casey Aaron Brown • Aliza Deanna Cioffi • Kestle Mae Coley • Christmas Carol Cox • Mackenzie Elizabeth Crable • Joshua James Dowis • Austin Dykstra • Rachael Anne Eaton • Jesse Lee Eckart • Andrew Scott Frazier • Karen Rocio Garcia • Kylee Ryan Geissler • Morgan Danielle Haberlack • Zackary Michael Hahn • Bodee Hart • Lauren Heinlen • Brian Scott Hendrickson • Jocelynn Hernandez • Robert Johnson • Tye Allen Johnson • Sharon Leann Jones • Oksana Ivan Kleenkin • Trevor Knopp • Trevor Jacob Krum • Jacqueline Lourdes Lucas • Megan Moses • Ethan Grant Nesselrode • Thomas Ray Nicholas • Shelby Marie Olsonberg • Roman Peskov • Moriah Joy Poler • Ginger M. Polner • Andrea Chloe Roemer • Lauren Haley Rogers • Yana Sarioglo • Dakota R. Saunders • Ramon Jacob Seiler • Rilee L. Short • Benjamin Joshua Solano • Estrella M. Solorio • Emily Kathleen Stangel • Hayden C. Stevens • Kaitlynn Dee Trask • Logan S. Vietzke • Cody Allen Walker • Darian Eric Walker • Cornelius Walter • David Walter • Titus Walter • Joshua Thomas Weis • Austin S. White • Eric Yakshin

See CLASS OF 2015, page 32

The Current

32 • JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY

CLASS OF 2015 Continued from page 31

West Valley High School J U N E 7 A T 4 P. M .

INB PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 3 3 4 W. S P O K A N E FA L L S B LV D . , S P O K A N E Brendon Thomas Algeier • Brandon Lee Armstrong • Carmel (Rose) J Arnold • Austin James Auckerman • Sidney Jade Barkholz • Mack David Morgan Baxter • Mariah Marie Bechtel • Zachary Kenneth Bee • Jacob Michael Bellagio • Corey E. Bennett • Carter James Bergman • Noah David Berndt • Allison Marie Black • Alonzo Bran • Shannon Alene Brandvold • Joshuwa Scott Branson Foster • Sarah Christine Brodhead • Tanner Shay Bryant • Anders Robert Burgess • Brittany Lynn Burrill • Gage Tanner Burris • Allen James Busse • Kathryn

Laurann Butler • Adriana Calderon • Lily Helen Campbell • Logan Carrigan • Joshua Cepeda • Alea Alexa Charon • Valentin M. Chernev • Devin James Clark • Katya Rina Clevett • Kelly Marie Clinton • Deandra Elizabeth Cloy • Tyler James ColeBotner • Makenzi Hope Conger-Birkner • Cameron Norbu Attwood Conner • Ethan W. Cook • Colton Christopher Cox • Elijah James Creveling • Hailey Deann Crowder • Taylor Raye Cummings • Casey Eric Dalager • Devin Lee Allen Dalton • Deliece Michael Davis • Elizabeth Mary Davis • Nathyn Taylor Davis • Thomas Blake Davis • Wyatt Samuel Davis • Hannah Jolene Lynn Dedera • Rainey Suzanne DeFord • Paul Allen Denny • Halie Ann DeVleming • Hayden Michael Dougherty • Garrett Nathaniel Dubois • Nicholas Daniel Dunlap • Kathryn Rose Durheim • Aleksey I. Dyfort • Cameron Phillip Edwards • Davien Marie Engeberg • Devin Michael Estrada • Sallie L. Fa’Asala • Ivy Marie Fanto • Shelby Ann Fast • Zachary Chase Feist • Cheyenne R. Fenstermaker • Cole A. Flett • Breandan M Fluno • Anastasia Rose Lappi Frattali • Nathaniel Francis Freeman • Karli Louise Gabbert • Jenna Grace Gail • Grant William Gallaher • Cidia M. Garcia • Austin Lee Gasper • Maximillian Silver Goldsmith • Liliya Gorbenko • Kevin Patrick Goulding • Bradley Kincaid Graham • Margaret P. Gulliford • Emily Nichole Halperin • Chandler Wyman Harper • Christopher James Hatten • Austin Allen Hehr • Martin L. Herford • Erin Kathleen Higbie • Mcallister Maureen Highberg • Samuel Clayton Hirst • Jessica Rachel Hobbs • Macey Rae Howe • Jay Douglas Ivins • Alexandra Leigh Nicol Jackson • Hope Joy Jackson-Doney • Shelby Mustang Janis • Emily Sara Johnson • Kathleen Shannon Kearney • Sydney Alison Kearns • Karli Jo Kemmish • Hailie Christine Knapp • Katerina Marie Knorr • Austin Robert Kratzer • Samuel Don Krueger • David Gabriel Kush • Aaron Larsen • Carly Nicole Larsen • Austin Robert Lee • Tonya Ann Lewis • Hunter Daniel Liberg • Marissa Jo Lopez • Collin Alexander Luhn • Baylie Nicole Lysek • Lucy Oanh Ma • Skylar Rose Macklin • Marissa Lynn Macomber •

Ashley Jo Maddox • Garett Allen Major • Jace David Malek • Joci Rose-Ann Maravilla • Evan Willis Martinson • Breanna Marie Matthews • Kylieanna Alexandria Mattingly • Giannina Angelique Mauro • Stevee Jo R Mauro • Matthew McKillip • Emma Lee McLaughlin • Jeremy Bernard McManaway • Bailee Rose McNeel • Isabella Maria McSpadden • Christian M. Medlen • Tabbitha Rae Meier • Dillon E. Meleney • Brant Patrick Merrell • Joshua William Miller • Gian Ladd Mitchell • Jacob M. Mitchell • Kristy-Anna C. Mitchell • Zidkijah Douglas Moline • Stephanie Nicole Moreau • Taylor James Morton • Matthew Kelly Myers • Tesa Neel • Kennedy Michelle NelsonMcLaughlin • Hannah Rene Nielsen • Natalie K. Noble • Hallie Brinn Nordhagen • Matthew Loren Norman • Elizabeth Rose Nunley • Nicholas Osborne • Trystan R. Osborne • Skylar Bret Ovnicek • Jazmine Lyn Payne • Alexander William Pelatti • Samantha Ayary Peralta • Samantha Marie Pfeifer-Brown • Austin Reay Pinkerton • Matthew James Potesky • Alexsandra Dorothy Powell • Jacob Chad Powers • Tristan Michael Prekker • Katie Louise Preston • Kaitlyn Elizabeth Price • Suzanna Rachel Prichard • Chase Miles Propst • Kelsie C. Rainwater • Jaycob Chase Ratzlaff • Brandon Louis Ray • Jasmine N. Reed • Kiah Mackenzie Rhoads • Anthony Jerome Rice • Johnathan C Rice • Derek Alan Ridenbaugh • Caleb Richard Jame Robichaud • Marina Alexis Rodriguez • Megan Salazar • Kacie Salmon • Jenna Nicole Schafer • Dylan Conrad Schmidt • Samuel Schweiter • Kensley Ann Secrest • Devin Mikel Self • McCall Whitney Skay • Mason Taylor Slovarp • Austin G. Snell • Kiera Isabel South • Rayanne Janelle Spang • Cody Lee Stamey • Madelyn Stiles • Jacob T. Straka • Abigail Lee Swanson • RoseMarie L. Tait • Amanda Jordan Tate • Jerren Patrick Tate-Spencer • Tyler Anne Thompson • Hannah Marie Tobler • Samuel Anthony Tombari • Lam H. Tran • Spencer Clinton Transue • Allison Lacey Tremblay • Jake E. Vanstralen • Ilya S. Varvalyuk • Destiny Lachele Vaught • Michael Henry Velardi • Sara Eva Wagoner • Sydney Renae Wallingford • Elizabeth Ashley Way • Jaylynn Claire Weiss • Olivia LoRita White • Sophia Renee Wiley • Madison Lynn Wilhelm • Morgan M. Williams • Sarah Fay Williams • Joseph W. Wright • Amanda Dawn Young • Amiyah M. Young • Zakary Todd Zuck

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The Current

BUSINESS

JUNE 2015 • 33

Valley Chamber

Jacob Borg is the owner of Pointe Pest Control, specializing in rodent and bug elimination. The business is based in Spokane Valley at the Spokane Business & Industrial Park on Sullivan Road and now includes seven branches in three states.

CURRENT PHOTO BY CRAIG HOWARD

Critters no competition for Pointe Pest Control

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

While a student at Boise State University, Jacob Borg took a class on entrepreneurship and turned in a paper on starting a pest control company.

Years later, Borg remains studious, although these days he is managing a thriving business instead of writing about one.

Pointe Pest Control, with its headquarters in the Spokane Business & Industrial Park on Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley, has emerged as a leader in its field since Borg started the venture in 2007. With seven locations in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, the company now includes around 75 employees.

“I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of pest control,” Borg said. “I also enjoy seeing employees develop and progress and the learning and development that takes place.

We have been lucky to work with some really amazing people and certainly one of my favorite things is being around all of them each day. This is a family business. Not because Pointe Pest Control is owned by me and my family but because the people that work here and stay with us feel like family.”

Borg got his start in the industry with Orkin Pest Control, selling products door-todoor. He remained with the national chain through college, learning the realities of the competitive field far from the comfort of a chair and desk. After earning his degree from BSU, Borg was hired by the University of Phoenix, a transition that brought him to the Spokane area.

Borg left the University of Phoenix in 2004 and relocated to Omaha, Neb., where he was reunited with Orkin. He spent a year in sales, putting away his money with aspirations to start his own company. By the time he returned to the Inland Northwest, Borg was ready to embark on his own.

When Pointe Pest Control originated

with 15 branches throughout the country, Borg helped open up the Northwest market, selling the company’s first account in Seattle. Over time, most of those branches were bought up by the national syndicate Terminex. Now only Borg’s three-state operation remains along with Pointe Pest Control offices in Chicago and the Philadelphia/New Jersey area.

Of the half-a-dozen companies Borg has acquired under the Pointe Pest Control banner, five of them have been in the Spokane/North Idaho area. The network now includes Washington communities like the Tri Cities, Walla Walla, Othello, Clarkston, Pullman, Ellensburg and more. Oregon branches have been established in Bend, Salem, Eugene, Albany and Corvallis.

Borg said hard work and a dedication to learning have paved the road to his success.

“I was committed to education at an early age,” Borg said. “I wasn't outstanding in high school, but I did what it took to get by and do OK. In college, I learned how to excel. I studied business and marketing and had four internships. I was able to get a lot of experience in various businesses from technology to construction and finance.”

Borg says a focus on what the company does best has made the difference. The emphasis is on residential and commercial pest control, termite service, bed bug remediation and attic and crawl insulation and pest exclusion. Unlike some of his competitors, you won’t find Borg marketing lawn maintenance, pruning, landscaping or help with holiday lights.

“For now, just being an expert in these five areas is very consuming,” Borg said.

“We haven't diluted our expertise by trying to be experts in too many things at once.

Down the road, we could offer additional services, but for now these have kept us very busy.”

See POINTE, page 34

HIGHLIGHTS

CONNECT.

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

» June 19 – Business

Connections Breakfast Program: “Leading Big, Hairy System Improvements at Spokane County” presented by John Dickson, COO, Spokane County

» July 17 – Business

Connections Lunch Program: “Leadership and Storytelling” presented by Joseph Albert, PhD, Gonzaga University

For more details, visit the Event Registration tab at spokanevalleychamber.org

EMPOWER.

INNOVATE.

Building the

BIG 5

for the Greater Spokane Valley region We invite stakeholders in the Greater Spokane Valley to join us in developing the vision for moving the community forward. In partnership with Thought Exchange, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber is leading the effort to build a collaborative, inclusive community agenda for the future, focused on five measurable goals — the BIG 5 for the Greater Spokane Valley region.

• What are some things you appreciate about living and working in the Greater Spokane Valley?

• What are some of your concerns about living and working in the Greater Spokane

Save the Date for

Valley?

Annual Golf Tournament

• What are some things you think the

August 6 Sponsorships are available

Greater Spokane Valley should be nationally recognized for?

Through a series of online town halls, the BIG 5 for the Greater Spokane Valley will unearth the five most-treasured community initiatives to impact our region for many years to come. The BIG 5 serves as a rallying point for the Greater

New members

Please join us in welcoming the following members who have recently joined the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber: Edward Jones Financial Services — Ty Barbery Planet Fitness Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc Garden Plaza of Post Falls GrowIT Media, LLC

Spokane Valley community — business leaders, visionaries, elected officials and citizens — to join together to create a unified vision for the future of our community.

Join in the conversation. Share your voice in this exciting process as we shape the future by building our BIG 5 for the Greater Spokane Valley.

Visit: spokanevalleychamber.thoughtexchange. com/invitation #GSVBig5

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

The Current

34 • JUNE 2015

BUSINESS

Biz Notes STCU promotes Lentz Rich Lentz was recently promoted to director of consumer lending for STCU. Lentz, a Spokane Valley native, joined the credit union in 2005.

LENTZ Since that time, he has served as consumer loan manager, lending center manager and consumer loan manager.

PrimeSource expands to SV PrimeSource Credit Union will celebrate the grand opening of its Spokane Valley location at 9208 E. Sprague Ave. on June 5.

“We’re excited at this opportunity to expand into Spokane Valley,” CEO Margaret Burkholz said. “… We are confident growing into the Spokane Valley location will allow us to serve our membership even better.”

Carraway named CEO and chairman Daniel Carraway was recently named chief executive officer and chairman of the board for MPM Technologies Inc. of Spokane Valley.

"We are tremendously fortunate to find someone with Dr. Carraway's moral integrity, business acumen and industry prominence to lead MPM into the future," MPM board member Ryan Skinner said.

Pacific purchases Valley lot Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, a

POINTE Continued from page 33

Borg tells the story of interviewing Doug Dufur, his first route technician, for a job in Spokane Valley. He was working for another pest control company at the time.

“I asked Doug if he was the best technician working in the area,” Borg recalls. “He said that if he wasn't the best, then he was certainly one of the best out there. I liked his answer. Not too arrogant but confident that he could take care of customers and handle problems and be one of the best out there.”

Dufur is now the company’s service supervisor for the Spokane, North Idaho and Lewiston areas.

“When we started, I knew the kind of company I wanted this to be,” Borg said. “I didn't know exactly how it would take shape over the years, but I knew from the beginning that I wanted to compete with the best of the best. We are committed to hard work, taking care of people, problem solving with

Chehalis, Wash.-based eye care business, has purchased a nearly 2-acre property at 16818 E. Desmet Court, near Providence Medical Park Spokane Valley.

The business plans to build on the vacant land but doesn't have a set date, said Marlin Gimbel, director of professional relations.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Museum planned at Felts The Western Aviation and Honor Point Military and Aerospace Museum will be part of the new the multitenant 40,000-squarefoot Felts Field General Aviation Flight Center. Construction of the $2.8 million center began in May and is scheduled for completion by year's end.

Honor Point leadership and volunteers had been working for the past 15 years to find a home for artifacts that were part of the former Fairchild Heritage Collection.

Breakfast House opens on Sprague A new breakfast and brunch restaurant, The Breakfast House, opened recently at 11516 E. Sprague Ave. Open from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, the restaurant serves traditional breakfast items as well as a lunch menu featuring a variety of salads and sandwiches.

Price receives honor

Carstens to lead SCC Ryan Carstens has been selected to serve as the next president for Spokane Community College. He will assume the new position this July.

Carstens previously served as the vice president for academic affairs at New Mexico State University. His experience encompasses over 30 years of higher education leadership and administration.

CARSTENS Carstens replaces Scott Morgan, who has served as president since July 2012 and has been with the community college district since 2003 in leadership roles.

Crockett joins Wolff and Hislop Spokane Valley law firm Wolff and Hislop has changed its name to Wolff, Hislop & Crockett PLLC. The switch is thanks to the arrival of Brad Crockett to the firm, joining Jamie Wolff and Scott Hislop to provide litigation support to the services to clients. The firm, with specialties in the areas of business, estate planning, elder law and real estate, is located at 12209 E. Mission Ave., Suite 5.

Mellie Price, brand manager at Global Credit Union, was named Advertising Professional of the Year by the American Advertising Federation Spokane. The first inhouse creative staff to be recognized with this award, she has worked for Global for 8½ years.

Dickson hired at INHS

the right attitude and working with integrity. We also feel strongly that the people that we recruit to be part of our system and company make the biggest difference.”

Despite having a regional presence, Borg said the company appreciates having a home base in Spokane Valley.

“Being central to our service and coverage area has been critical,” he said. “It means easy access to our customer base, fair rents, access to freeway and very little traffic or congestion.”

Borg also makes it a point to support local causes, stepping up to help nonprofit agencies like SNAP and Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington when they refer low-income clients with pest issues.

“When we help those folks, we’re not thinking about the money we lost, we’re thinking about trying to make a positive difference,” Borg said.

The company has also recently introduced a scholarship program for local high school students. This year, a total of three recipients from Washington, Idaho and Or-

egon were awarded a $750 prize.

During the summer months, Borg’s crews receive calls to address spiders, ants, wasps and rodents, adding that “many insects will be in full force this coming season.”

“In the summer, all pests are typically at their peak inside and outside of homes and businesses,” Borg said.

As for the future, Borg said Pointe Pest Control may continue to grow, but not without making sure quality and customer service remain at the top of the priority list.

“We like what growth does for our company and we like the opportunities that it brings to our employees, but we are committed to growth only if we can continue to be the best in our industry in the geographic areas we cover or the service we offer customers,” Borg said. “We definitely want to be the best pest control service option in Idaho, Washington and Oregon for years to come. After that, we’ll have to wait and see.”

For more about Pointe Pest Control, call 590-4100 or visit www.pointepest.com.

Fianna Dickson has joined Inland Northwest Health Services as its senior marketing and communication specialist. Dickson has 10 years of health care experience, most recently with Confluence Health in Wenatchee.

CorkHouse Kitchen & Bar

A place on the patio Compiled by Alyssa Agee THE MONTHLY YELP

Holy sunshine! Not much can beat those warm rays, unless you happen to have a drink or some tasty bites in hand as well. So break out the shades and park it — here are a few great spots that boast patio perfection.

Twisp Café, 23505 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake “Coffee is great and the baklava is even better! Plenty of seating inside and out.

I always enjoy my coffee chat at Twisp!”

— Connie R. CorkHouse, 1400 N. Meadowwood Lane, Liberty Lake “Our favorite place to visit is the patio for breakfast. ... We have enjoyed everything we have ordered but especially like the omelets. ... We look forward to returning very soon!” — Brian C. Little Euro, 517 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley “So cute, great atmosphere, clean ... and delicious! The patio was wonderful and the staff was fantastic. And of course, melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls. Yep. I'm going back!” — Kaylee B. Shamus’s Sandwich Shop, 1014 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley “Awesome sandwich shop. The staff are very friendly. The sandwiches are delicious and huge. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed a very nice lunch.” — Megan H. Ambrosia Bistro and Wine Bar, 9211 E. Montgomery Ave., Spokane Valley “Ambrosia's atmosphere is diverse; perfect for a power lunch, casual meal with family, or intimate dinner. Whatever the occasion, it can be enjoyed inside or you may choose to relax outside.

During the summer, indulge in a late dinner on the patio. You will be treated to an incredible view of the sunset on the western horizon.” — Janet M. Yelp has been connecting people with great local businesses since 2004.

Sign up for weekly emails at Yelp.com.

The Current

SPORTS

JUNE 2015 • 35

Teammates since fifth grade wrap up Whitworth career

By Mike Vlahovich

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

It may stretch the imagination to say that baseball player Nick Motsinger is the yin to Thomas Wakem’s yang.

They are different physically, play different positions and have different personalities.

“I was the undersized guy,” Motsinger explains. “I was 5-8 or nine. I was just a scrappy little player. He was more of a power guy. (And) he’s a little louder than I am.”

Living together for three years could result in differences of opinion.

“Nothing’s perfect,” Wakem said. “You get tired and start butting heads.”

Still, playing baseball together for more than a decade on youth teams through high school to their subsequent graduations at Whitworth University, certainly jibes with the Chinese night and day philosophy that apparent contrary forces are actually interdependent.

After starring at University High, Wakem and Motsinger, as freshmen, helped Whitworth to its first postseason baseball appearance in 21 years, subsequently earning them a trip to the NCAA Division III national tournament.

This spring, they completed illustrious four-year college careers with a bookend trip to the postseason.

The Pirate’s second D-III regional had a distinct Valley feel. Joining the pair as integral parts to the success were ex-Central Valley pitcher Cory Mack, a transfer two years ago, and freshman JT Phelan, a fouryear multi-sport star at East Valley who also plays football at Whitworth.

Mack was 9-7 (5-3 this year) and struck out 83 batters during his two seasons.

Rookie Phelan batted .323 in 36 games this year and pitched a bit.

‘WAR’ on the overanalysis of baseball

By Mike Vlahovich THE FINAL POINT

2014-15 sports year.

Herewith a sampling of Valley accomplishments:

“It was fine with us. We knew we were better than that. We could compete with anybody.”

By Mike Vlahovich

U-Hi, Freeman baseball to state

Spring offered a mixed bag for Valley high schools. Some rolled into postseason competition; others had hopes dashed.

State tournaments May 29-30 (happening as this issue of The Current is hitting the streets) brought down the curtain on the

Predicted to finish last during a year of uncharacteristic balance, University went from middle of the GSL with a 10-8 record to the state round of 16.

“I thought it was (a mistake) that we were picked last in the league. Really?” second-year coach Tom Hoiland said.

As it was, U-Hi split with or swept every team except Mt. Spokane, entering district as the number two seed. The Titans blanked Mead 2-0 behind the twohit pitching of Titan star Jared Smith and advanced as the Greater Spokane League No. 2 seed to regionals.

I remember covering a baseball game many years ago when a base runner suffered a minor injury sliding into a bag. His legendary if crusty manager raced out to check on him, muttered “rub some dirt on it!” — and ran back to the dugout.

That was his idea of coaching strategy.

These days, you need to have a doctorate in sports if you want to remain in the game.

Baseball has gone to WAR (not literally; it’s an acronym for Wins Above Replacement), invoked the name of military maneuvers — OPS — as the game and all sports have been hijacked by sabermetricians (sports geeks) and their TWA (the world of analytics, not the defunct airline).

It’s a far cry from the days when a player was simply instructed to “see ball, hit ball/ field ball, throw ball.”

So I went to Wikipedia to make heads or tails of this trend toward analytics and, being old and of unsound mind, came away more confused than ever.

I get WAR. It is the sum of a player’s total contribution to the cause compared to that of a player who takes his place in the field (I think). And OPS (On Base Plus Slugging) determines a player’s ability to get on base plus hit for power.

But the more you read the more confusing it gets, and I feel like I’m among the DIPS. I can never view a baseball game the same way. Bygone are the days of turning on the TV, cracking a beverage and root, root, rooting for the home team.

There were too many acronyms to try and explain, but I wrote down some of the more intriguing ones.

SABR is the Society for American Baseball Research. Bill James, its architect, called it the “search for objective knowledge of baseball.”

Evidently, runs, hits, walks, strikeouts, runs batted in and batting average; winslosses and earned run average; put outs, er-

See NOTEBOOK, page 38

See FINAL POINT, page 37

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Whitworth first baseman Thomas Wakem, above, looks for the call after applying a tag.

Shortstop/third baseman Nick Motsinger, below, readies to fire to first. Wakem and Motsinger wrapped up their collegiate baseball careers this spring. The U-Hi graduates have played baseball together since fifth grade.

The relationship of Motsinger, a shortstop-third baseman, and Wakem, a first baseman-outfielder, goes back to the fifth grade, when they joined the same Pony League team. It carried on through high school, where both made the Titan varsity as sophomores and Whitworth, where Motsinger started all four years.

He says he never played on a traveling team in high school, preferring American Legion ball and spending summertime with his friends and family. He did attend some college prospect camps and caught Whitworth coach Dan Ramsay’s eye.

“Honestly I wasn’t recruited by anyone else too much,” said Motsinger, a Greater

See WHITWORTH, page 39

Dozens of Valley athletes advance in postseason CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

36 • JUNE 2015

The necessity of integrity

By Marlene “Marti” Hollenback

CURRENT GUEST COLUMN

The Internet definition of integrity is, “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” Another source identifies integrity as, “The characteristic of behaving and thinking congruently with one’s personal values and beliefs. Put another way, integrity is doing what you believe to be right, irrespective of the costs, downside, hardships involved.”

For purposes of this article, I will incorporate the Partner Advancing Character Education definition of integrity, which is, “Living a set of values which includes honesty, respect for others and a sense of personal responsibility.” This definition defines me as a person and the manner in which I run my company, Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep.

From the personal perspective, a high level of integrity is one of the most important characteristics a person can possess and is important in every aspect of an individual’s life. Integrity comes into play in everything we think and do; it’s everything we are in every facet of our lives — personal, academic and professional. It takes having the courage to do the right thing, no matter what the consequences will be.

People who demonstrate integrity draw others to them because they are trustworthy and dependable. Their values, beliefs and character speak loudly through their behavior. Having integrity means being truthful and honest. It means being reliable. It means trying to build rather than trying to break, help rather than hurt, connect rather than crumble. Possessing integrity means being authentic — yourself — whether people are watching or not.

This does not mean a person with integrity is perfect; it means a person having integrity will step up. An individual with integrity will accept responsibility for their actions, have remorse and have an understanding of what went wrong and why it happened so they can put a plan in place to ensure it won’t happen again.

OPINION Integrity is similarly vital in business.

There is a dynamic relationship between integrity and ethics where each strengthens, or reinforces, the other. An organization’s success depends on the integrity of its employees. A person who has worked diligently to develop a high standard of integrity will likely transfer these principles to their professional life. Possessing a high degree of integrity, a person’s word and deeds will be in alignment with the ethical standards of the organization. Personal integrity is the foundation for ethics — good business ethics encourage integrity.

Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it takes only a second to lose, so a business must never allow anything to happen that would damage its integrity. Employers value employees, who maintain a sense of honesty and integrity above all else. Good relationships are built on trust. Successful businesses work to gain the trust of customers, and it is the responsibility of each employee to use their own individual sense of moral and ethical behavior when working with and serving others within the scope of their job.

It is essential that a business have a written set of guidelines as an internal system of principles that guides the behavior of its workers and management.

These principles will help them conduct their actions in accordance with the company’s values and ethical standards.

Severe problems result in the personal, professional and political arena when anyone, at any level, acts without integrity. When an organization’s reputation is damaged, there ensues a tragic loss of both customers and good employees.

The core principles of integrity are virtues such as compassion, dependability, generosity, honesty, kindness, loyalty, maturity, objectivity, respect, trust and wisdom. In addition are citizenship, caring, fairness, courage and gratitude — the PACE Character Traits not already referred to in this article.

Virtues are the valuable personal and professional assets employees develop and bring to work each day. The sum of all virtues equals integrity.

Marti Hollenback is dealer principal/ president of Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep in Spokane Valley. She started in the automotive business managing the family dealership in 1995 after a 25-year career as a registered nurse. Hollenback serves on the PACE board, is a Valley Hospital trustee, is the Washington State Director of the National Automobile Dealers Association, and serves on the executive committee and board of the Washington State Automobile Dealers Association. She was recently named the Harry E. Nelson “Citizen of the Year” by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Current

Letter to the Editor Town Hall regarding intersection was success On April 21, the Tri-Community Grange in Newman Lake sponsored a Town Hall Meeting with local officials to address traffic concerns at issue for several decades. The intersection of Starr Road (a county road) and Trent Avenue (Highway 290, a state road) sees up to 18,000 vehicles per day with a number of collisions and, in 2013, the deaths of a husband and wife.

Tri-Community Grange members contacted local news media and passed out over 600 flyers to local residents’ homes and businesses. To emphasize the event, a spaghetti feed was hosted four days before to bring residents together and advertise the event.

Invited guests spoke to the traffic and safety issues and answered questions. Over 150 Newman Lake residents attended the Town Hall meeting. Department of Transportation representatives presented engineering diagrams and discussed the three-month road improvements. Mr. Harold White answered questions from the audience, and local officials presented their perspectives about the intersection. The most heart-felt talk was from East Valley School District Interim Superintendent Tom Gresch, who advocated for both short-term and longterm solutions to the intersection. He noted the safety impacts for school bus drivers and parents transporting their children across this very busy intersection. Over 350 children are served by EVSD in this area, which adds to safety concerns when those children become teenage drivers.

This summer, DOT will be addressing low-cost, short-term solutions to modify driver behavior, such as installing solar flashing speed indicator signs about 1/4 to

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A standing-room only crowd attended a Town Hall Meeting considering a dangerous Newman Lake intersection on April 21.

The meeting was held at the Tri-Community Grange.

1/2 mile before the intersection, embedding and increasing paint size lane strips and adding center rumble strips. DOT offered to conduct a traffic study one month after the highway improvements are completed in September.

County Commissioner Todd Mielke encouraged residents to contact state legislators to address transportation budget issues for the upcoming years.

The Tri-Community Grange members will discuss their next strategy at future meetings to keep the momentum going, as several residents contacted Grange members volunteering to continue to follow the traffic issues. Local law enforcement officials also offered to provide emphasis patrols.

The Tri Community Grange was very proud to initiate and sponsor this most important community-wide event.

Denise Smart

Member, Tri-Community Grange Newman Lake

The Current

JUNE 2015 • 37

SPORTS Volume 4, Issue 6 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

Alyssa Agee, Gwendolyn Haley, Craig Howard, Staci Lehman,Mary Kate Koch, Treva Lind, Valerie Putnam, Sarah Robertson, Tyler Robbins, Mike Vlahovich

On the cover: Current design concept by Sarah Burk

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FINAL POINT Continued from page 35

rors and fielders choices weren’t enough to sate these guys. They needed to know the whys.

You could say they have too much time on their hands, but baseball front offices today are using sabermetrics to look beyond the obvious as they undervalued bargain talent: a player’s intangibles. “Money Ball,” Billy Beane’s approach to building a success in Oakland with low-budget athletes, became the poster child.

All well and good, but it still left me confused.

We have VORP (Value Over a Replacement Player), determining the number of runs produced by a player over his replacement.

BABIP is batting average on balls in play (isn’t that what a player is supposed to do?)

There are DIPS, FIPs and LIPs. DIPS (Defense Independent Pitching Statistics) determine a pitcher’s worth excluding fielders other than the catcher. The FIP and adjunct xFIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is a math equation — home runs plus walks minus strikeouts divided by innings pitched.

LIPs are not for smacking, but for valuable Late Inning Pressure Situations. We once called these guys “clutch.” This is a study to determine if there are. Coulda just asked me. Yes. Bear with me: There’s PERA (Peripheral Earned Run Average) that takes into account the quirks of the varying baseball stadiums plus luck.

There’s DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) measuring the runs saved or cost by a defender relative to the average fielder.

There’s FRAA (Fielding Runs Above Average) that rates a player by comparing plays made to the average of those made by players at the same position.

There’s UZR (not the weapon, but Ultimate Zone Rating) that compares a “fielding event” with similar ones in the past.

And my favorite is Pythagorean expectation. It’s a math equation resembling the Pythagorean theorem (for all you math whizzes out there) that goes like this: Wins = runs scored squared over (runs scored squared plus runs allowed) = 1 over 1 plus (runs allowed/runs scored) squared. What that determines is how many games a team should have won based on the number of runs scored and allowed.

Whew! Hope it makes sense to you. Me, I’ll rub a little dirt on my spinning mind, grab a beverage, turn on the TV and pray that the Mariners “see ball, hit ball.”

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

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Service Directory 38

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SPORTS

NOTEBOOK Continued from page 35

There they edged Central Valley 4-3 with Smith on the mound and in eight innings upset Gonzaga Prep to reach state.

Mitchell Rhodes’ off-season hard work, Hoiland said, landed him third in the batting order even though not playing summer ball. “He was a great surprise.”

Brian Hill, who Hoiland said has been coming to U-Hi camps since age 5, had a torrid finish to the season and overtook season-long leader Smith for the GSL batting championship.

“There’s nothing more gratifying than state,” Hoiland said of his committed team. “You put that time in and get that award. After beating Gonzaga and seeing the elation on the kids’ faces, that’s what it’s all about.”

U-Hi was finally picked off by Gig Harbor at the state tournament and wrapped up the season 13-10.

Freeman captured the Northeast A League and entered state with an 18-3 record. The Scotties were slated to face Hoquiam in the state semifinals May 30. The route to the final four began by blanking Medical Lake 5-0 on one-hit pitching by McKabe Cottrell and Jake Phipps. Cottrell and Phipps also picked up a 5-4 win over Colville for the district title, running Cottrell’s season record to 8-0.

Phipps had a two-run triple and Ian Johnston had two hits and two RBIs. Wins over Zillah and Connell in the state tournament propelled the team to the 1A final four.

Not as fortunate was Great Northern League champion West Valley. The Eagles won the league by four games and beat Cheney 11-10 for the district title. But they ran afoul of East Valley-Yakima 2-0 in regional, ending their season.

U-Hi softball carries on The young Titans finished second in league behind Class 3A Shadle Park, which last year eased them out of a state trophy.

Now 4A, District champion U-Hi (18-4) fell just short of a sixth straight state trip and 16th overall with a regional loss to Richland.

To reach regionals, the Titans beat Lewis and Clark 7-4 and Central Valley 11-1. CV joined them as No. 2 seed. At regionals, Central Valley’s journey also ended at the hands of Richland in a 6-3 defeat.

U-Hi had four of the top 10 hitters in league, freshman Gracie Dwyer (third at .542), sophomore Alex Surby (.537), Rachael Johnson (.515) and Kirsten Anstrom (.508).

Johnson and Surby were one-two in runs scored, two-four in hits. Anstrom, pitcher Alex Douglas and Dwyer finished firstthrough-third in triples, Surby hit four home runs and was second behind Johnson in stolen bases.

CV’s Shayla Vegas finished second in GSL batting with a .583 average, but had the most hits, and a league high 31 RBIs. She scored 27 runs (third), hit 7 doubles (third) and 4 home runs (fourth). She added four more hits in the playoffs.

jumps of 6-foot-11 and 15-feet respectively.

Isaac Barville’s crisp district 1,600 meters time of 4:15.05 beat Central Valley’s Briton Demars.

Central Valley boys and girls have several top-ranked athletes, including Anna Fomin, who ranks first in the 400 meters with a 55.5 time and Hailey Christopher, second in the high jump at 5-foot-4.

During district Fomin (400-200 sprints) and Briegan Bester (800-1,600) were double victors, and CV won two of three relays while piling up 257 points to runner-up Mead’s 126. CV’s boys and girls teams swept the regional titles.

Freeman has the second-best girls 1,600 relay time in 1A, made up of AnnaBelle Schweiger, Madison Rubright, Tessa Gilbert and Alyssa Zimmerman.

Valley Christian’s Michael Campbell is ranked in 1B in two hurdles races and the 800 meters. Megan Olliver, Anjelika Stefoglo, Adrienne Valenti, Courtney Strunk and distance runner Julia Vorobyev make up two solid sprint relay teams.

Track gets serious

Bear soccer advances

State meets were the goal of a wealth of track and field runners, led by the East Valley senior duo of Scott Kopczynski and Chad Stevens. They are ranked one-two in both the 1,600 and 3,200, where last year they finished first and third, and onetwo respectively. Their times of 4:17.73 and 4:19.43 in the former and 9:03.29 and 9:11.33 rank one-two in State 2A. Teammate Brittany Aquino and West Valley’s McCall Skay have distance times that rank among the top five.

Numerous locals are ranked statewide among the top eight. WV hurdler Mac Baxter’s 14.38 high hurdles and 37.84 intermediates are second and first. The Eagles two relay teams featuring Martin Herford, Taylor Morton, Teven Duke, Zech Herford, Ethan Cook and Baxter, also rank second and first in 2A state. Alex Dyfort has the third best discus throw and Josh Miller, at 15-0 is among the state’s best.

U-Hi high jumper-pole vaulter Noah Martin is at or near the top of 4A with

On the heels of CV girls’ second straight state championship last fall, the unbeaten Bear boys (18-0) helped coach Andres Monrroy to his second trip this year, making the final four in Puyallup May 29-30.

They did so in dramatic fashion, beating Pasco 1-0 in extra time following a gameending golden goal by Brian Choate, putting him second on the team with nine goals. JD Hauenstein was CV’s scoring leader with 16 goals. Two others, Nathan Grinalds and Noah Whitman, had eight on the season.

Tennis champs University’s girls tennis team won the district championship over Central Valley 66-55.

Kyra Harames of CV was singles champion at districts and regionals, where she knocked off Pasco’s Eden Snider in straight sets for the title, 6-1, 6-2. The doubles team of RiLee Skidmore and Katelyn Schmidt won doubles at both districts and regionals to secure a state tournament return.

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PARTING SHOTS Cyclists share weekly rides, camaraderie, pizza The Current

JUNE 2015 • 39

By Treva Lind

“The cycling club was born out of trying to get people together and do something for Spokane Valley resident Steve Woodard fun and camaraderie and get other people has enjoyed cycling since the mid-1980s, out for rides,” he said. “The pizza place so just over a year ago he emailed friends made it nice where we can meet, head out about starting a group for regular weekly and then go to the restaurant afterward and have pizza together, laugh and tell jokes and rides. stories.

A dentist, Woodard jokes that only two “… At the restaurant, we know usually people showed for the group’s first week in lots of people, friends and neighbors. We spring 2014: himself and his daughter. The know the owners and sometimes they make next week drew six riders for the fledgling Spokane Valley Cycling Club, which now at- special pizzas for us, like a taco pizza or a tracts up to 22 cyclists each Wednesday at 6 Thai pizza.”

The club’s routes vary, sometimes taking p.m. for informal 16- to 20-mile rides. in the Centennial Trail, Highway 27 or in The group departs from near Highway 27 and 32nd Avenue, next to a STCU branch the Saltese Flats area and along Henry Road. and a small retail center. The location is pur- Other times, they head toward Ponderosa posely chosen near a favorite neighborhood or Liberty Lake areas.

Spokane Valley Cycling Club isn’t the eatery, Brother’s Office Pizzeria, where most only group taking wheels of the clubs’ participants to some of the same roads. gather after the rides to Woodard said they someshare pizza, stories and IF YOU GO ... times see groups from The laughter.

Bike Hub or Wheel Sport Spokane Valley “On average, we’ve had while out cycling. about 12 to 14 riders each Cycling Club The group founded by week,” Woodard said.

6 p.m. Wednesdays Woodard includes people “When this started, I sent who have at least some cyabout 10 emails to people Meets at parking area near cling skills but with varywho I knew would like to 13221 E. 32nd Ave. ing levels of experience. do this. Gradually, people Group varies routes from lot Woodard said members would call me or email me make it a point to stay close and say, ‘Would you add For more: to riders who may have a me to your list?’ steve@drwoodard.com bit slower pace. Anyone is “I probably have 55 peowelcome, he said. ple or so on my list now.”

“It’s really meant to have Woodard said he used to enter many organized cycling rides but everyone of whatever riding capabilities now just wants to stay fit and gather with feel welcome,” Woodard said. “We wait for friends who enjoy the sport. Spokane Valley people. We don’t leave them behind. There Cycling Club keeps the weekly rides infor- might be a bit of separation for a while, but mal, usually with a route decided the day of we go back to other riders.

“There’s not a requirement that you have the group’s meeting.

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

WHITWORTH Continued from page 35

Spokane All-League selection. “I felt overlooked a bit, which put a chip on my shoulder.”

He started all 48 games on the Pirates sixth-place national finisher, batted .323, drove in 34 runs and made first team AllNorthwest Conference. He was honorable mention All-NWC as a sophomore and junior leading the team in runs scored and walks and tied for home runs last year. He completed his career by hitting .308 with six doubles, a triple and two home runs.

Wakem had an astounding league-MVP and all-State senior baseball season at U-Hi. The three-sport athlete batted an otherworldly .627, was on base 74 percent of the time for the 3A district champion Titans while hitting five home runs and a GSL-

leading 12 doubles, 32 runs and 42 RBIs. He set career records in home runs and RBIs. “I think there was a stretch in the middle of the season when I thought I couldn’t get out,” he said. “I was seeing the ball really well and just doing my best to put a good swing on it and let the chips fall where they may. They dropped my way more often than not.”

He drew interest from several Division I universities, but only Gonzaga offered a non-guaranteed walk-on position.

By then, Motsinger and a host of Spokane baseball players signed with Whitworth. Wakem joined them. The Titans became roommates for their final three years of college.

Wakem played sparingly his first two seasons, but as a junior hit .325 and tied for the team lead in RBIs. This year he hit .285 with 10 doubles and four home runs.

CURRENT PHOTOS BY TREVA LIND

Members of the Spokane Valley Cycling Club ready for a ride recently from their launching point near Brothers Office Pizzeria. Ride founder Steve Woodard is wearing the red helmet. to be a superstar cyclist. It’s really about having fun with folks in a group, and we get some exercise as well.”

Last year, group members also decided to band together to support the community services of Spokane Valley Partners. Members sought sponsors and gathered $5,000 to give to the Partners organization this past fall.

Although Woodard sends out a weekly emails about rides between April and October, not everyone makes it every Wednesday. Woodard’s wife, Lisa, and his son also go on some of the weekly rides, as does his daughter, who is a teacher.

Woodward has lived in the Valley about Making the NCAA nationals as freshmen, a Pirate first in Division III, and regionals this year provide memories they’ll never forget.

“Our freshman year, we had a bunch of guys who were really close and the senior class took us under their wings,” Wakem said.

Motsinger added, “We didn’t have expectations going in. It was exciting getting a bid to regionals. We were clicking on all cylinders and eventually won that thing and ended up going to the World Series.”

Careers concluded, what the two players remember most are the celebratory dogpiles.

After earning their trip to nationals, Wakem said, “Everyone ran out on the field and dogpiled. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had and got to share it with Nick.”

23 years and worked as a dentist nearly 30 years. He operates out of a dental office at 1020 S. Pines Road. His involvement now in founding a community cycling club has benefits beyond staying in shape, he said.

“What I’ve enjoyed most about the club is it’s been fun to hear people talk about how much they look forward to Wednesday night,” he said. “They like that it’s in the middle of the week, and people say, ‘I can ride and then go have pizza and there’s a lot of laughter.’ People have a good time chatting.

“It’s fun to see how something like this can get people excited about going out and exercising, and then sitting with your friends and laughing. That’s what really matters.”

“We wanted to get back and dogpile every year,” Motsinger said. “It didn’t really pan out well the next two years.”

This year, following a slump after winning 10 straight games, the 28-15 Pirates won six in a row for the regional berth where they were ousted in two games.

As they sat on a hill following their exit in Tyler, Texas, two fast friends took their cleats off for the last time after nearly two decades of playing baseball. Emotions poured out and tears flowed.

The finality hasn’t set in yet. They are about to embark on new careers, Motsinger preparing for physical therapy school, Wakem planning to go into law enforcement.

“Once it’s said and done,” said Motsinger, “you’re going to look back on all those tough days and stuff and say it was all worth it.”

The Current

40 • JUNE 2015

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