October 2015 Current

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NEWS

2 • OCTOBER 2015

Super at the start Shea enthused about new role as EVSD superintendent

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

When Kelly Shea dropped by a gathering hosted by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce last month, it wasn’t long before he recognized over a dozen people in the room.

“It was good to see faces I knew,” Shea said. “That’s how it is when you grow up in the Valley.”

This summer, Shea officially returned to the community where he was born and raised after being hired as the newest superintendent of the East Valley School District.

He took over on July 1 for interim Superintendent Tom Gresch.

The announcement was the latest in a series of shifts for the district, which saw Superintendent John Glenewinkel step down last February after the EV school board voted 4-1 to approve a mutual agreement

that released him from his contract with severance. Glenewinkel had drawn criticism for installing a K-8 system that became fully operational at the start of the 2013-14 school year.

Last September, longtime Board Member Mitch Jensen submitted his resignation letter, citing ongoing differences with his colleagues. In January, Mike Harris, another veteran of the board, also resigned. The pair has since been replaced by appointees Todd Weger and Laura Gates.

Last fall, Justin Voelker, Mike Novakovich and Fred Helms were ushered onto the board in a general election that signaled a change of guard in East Valley. Shea is fully aware of the transitions and turbulence that have defined the district over the last several years but says he “sees a great deal of hope in the air.”

“We can work together and grow together,” Shea said.

Shea graduated from Central Valley High School in 1982 and went on to earn his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Whitworth. He served as ASB president his senior year at CV and class president as a junior. Shea said mentoring and encouragement from teachers and coaches at CV proved critical to pursuing a college path, a direction that was novel in his family.

Shea began his career in education as a teacher with Spokane Public Schools. He

The Current

transitioned to the Mead School District as a principal then was hired by CVSD as principal at McDonald Elementary. He landed back at Mead as an administrator before serving as superintendent of the Sequim School District for the last three years.

Shea’s wife, Mary, has worked at Ponderosa Elementary for the past 21 years. The couple has two children, Keegan and McKenzie, both graduates of CVHS. The Current caught up with Shea recently, a month into his first school year as lead administrator of a district seeking stability and a fresh start.

Q.

Do you think growing up in the Valley and working at the Central Valley School District gives you a different perspective as EVSD superintendent than someone coming in from outside the area?

A.

I think growing up and living in the Valley gives me a sense of our community’s values and provides me a historical perspective. I also have a network of people whom I’ve known for a long time, who taught me, coached me or worked with me that serve as mentors. These relationships allow me to connect with a greater number of people as we build the kind of school district we want as a community. However, I also believe my

A Cup of Joe experience in other districts allows me to bring new and different ideas.

Q: What were some of your observations of EVSD when you were working at other districts in the greater Spokane area?

A: Most of my observations were based on what I would see and hear in the news.

East Valley has had some rough years which has led to a negative perception in the minds of many, including my own. However, now that I’m here I can say East Valley is far better than what many people may think. We have a talented and dedicated staff who are committed to serving our students, and I have also been extremely impressed with our kids. Each time I’ve had the opportunity to meet them, I am struck by how respectful and engaging they are.

Q: The EVSD board has undergone quite a few changes since the general election in 2013. How does a relatively new

See SHEA, page 4

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programs, and many of our students are enjoying a great deal of success. However, we Continued from page 2 know there is room for imboard affect your role as suprovement, and we have some perintendent? challenges ahead of us, but we will get there as long as we A: I think my role as superwork together. intendent remains the same in Q: You overcame the odds leading the school district reto earn a college degree and gardless of the board’s experiestablish a successful caence. The board has given me reer. How has your path inthe opportunity and responfluenced the way you look sibility to oversee all aspects at the power of education of the management of district to change the direction of operations while focusing someone's life? our energy and resources to inspire and improve student A: I would not be where success. However, in working I am today if it weren’t for with a relatively new board I the teachers and coaches I see a wonderful opportunity have had throughout my life. for us to learn and grow toI loved going to school and gether. I am very fortunate to was very fortunate to know CURRENT PHOTO BY CRAIG HOWARD have five people who are combefore I left high school that mitted to doing the right thing Spokane Valley native Kelly Shea took over as East Valley School District I wanted to be a teacher. My for kids, the district and the superintendent July 1. Shea came to EVSD following three years as teachers and coaches were superintendent of the Sequim School District. community. role models. They set high expectations and held me acQ: Your predecessor John countable. They inspired me Glenewinkel championed community involvement, are thorough in a K-8 system that drew criticism from a assessing the current facilities, recognize and sometimes flat out made me do things number of fronts. That system has now the changing landscape of education and I didn’t know I could or was too scared to been replaced. What is your opinion of create a facilities plan that will provide for try. They have encouraged and supported me even after I was no longer in their classthe K-8 format? the needs of our students today and be flex- room. So, yes, the power of the educational A: I’m not sure I have an opinion on the ible to meet the needs of our students in the experience has changed the direction of my K-8 format since I have not experienced future. As far as putting a capital projects life, and I firmly believe education is the key nor researched it. I know the K-8 system initiative on the ballot, it’s too soon for me for every kid, especially those who have a has been in place across our country for to say. similar background to mine, to become several decades, but for our community it Q: What is your opinion of standard- whoever and whatever they wish to be. represented a significant change. When I ized testing to gauge student progress?

Q: What would you say are the most grew up in CV, we had junior high schools, A: I understand the need for testing, and significant challenges facing EVSD right grades seven, eight and nine. Today, they have middle schools grades six, seven and it has its role. We have to have some way to now? What are you most enthused about? eight. I remember the concerns people ex- find out if students are learning. However, I A: East Valley faces the same challenges pressed about moving ninth grade to the struggle with the amount of testing we are most other district across the state face. high school and sixth grade to the middle putting kids through. I believe it is having How do we improve student learning? How school. Change is difficult, so it is impera- an adverse impact on how kids feel about do we operate effectively and efficiently? tive you do everything you can to commu- school, and I feel it can hamper them be- How do we communicate and connect with nicate with and listen to the community coming life-long learners, which we strive our families and community? How can we before you make any final decisions. With for. I believe the time required to complete be the best stewards of the resources prothat said, it’s equally important the commu- the testing requirements is pulling teachers vided? How do we inspire our students? nity participate during the process so when away from doing learning activities which But, one thing that stands out from the otha decision is implemented, people will work inspire kids, and I’m not sure our current er places I’ve been, is how do we learn from to make the change successful. For the re- testing is accurately telling us what kids re- our past while letting it go? We have had cord, East Valley does have a K-8 school, ally know and are able to do. When does a some difficult years, but it is time to heal as the Continuous Curriculum School, which kid who can create a computer program, a community. We need to build trust and compose a concerto, rebuild an engine or confidence today so we can build a greater is doing very well.

Q: The district has not passed a capital develop a business plan get to showcase tomorrow. Creating a positive culture focused on serving and inspiring our students facilities bond since 1996. What is your their abilities during standardized testing?

Q: What has been the feedback been is what drives me to work each day. take on East Valley buildings as they stand from students, parents and staff since you now and the chances of putting another Q: Finally, what have you enjoyed most were hired? funding initiative on the ballot? about your first few months leading the A: People have been very gracious to me district?

A: My perception of our buildings depends on which perspective I take. I have since my arrival. Right now I feel there is a A: Right now I’m on a pretty steep learnbeen in places where our buildings are sig- great deal of hope and optimism that things ing curve, and it’s exciting to learn everynificantly better, and I have been in places in East Valley will change for the better. Our thing I can about the culture and history of where our buildings are not. What’s im- task is to identify and share a common un- the district. However, the one thing I’ve enportant is that we focus on separating what derstanding of what needs to get better, and joyed most are the people — meeting them, we need from what we want and then pri- then we can focus on making the necessary getting to know who they are, listening to oritize. Building new schools or renovating changes so our hopes can become reality. their story, making connections. The relaand modernizing others is not a decision As I said earlier, East Valley is a better place tionships we create today will be the founthe district makes. It is one our community than some people may believe. We are do- dation for the great things we are about to decides. So, it is imperative that we, with ing great things through some innovative achieve.

The Current

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6 • OCTOBER 2015

NEWS

News Briefs McMorris Rodgers tours SV facility U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers joined Railway Engineering Maintenance Suppliers Association and National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association member L.B. Foster Company on Sept. 22 for a tour of their concrete tie manufacturing facility at 2420 N. Pioneer Lane.

The event featured representatives from Washington railroads, manufacturers, and contractors and national rail trade groups. During their time, the group

discussed the importance of the positive train control deadline extension and the 45G tax credit.

Specializing in rail products, L.B. Foster employs approximately 100 people at their Spokane facility, which they acquired from CXT Inc. in 1999.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the Chair of the House Republican Conference, the fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House, and the highest ranking woman in Congress. She also serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Padden presented with award Washington State Senator Mike Padden was presented with the 2015 Cultural Hero Award during a Sept. 19 gala by Healing the Culture, a non-profit pro-life educational group based in the Seattle area.

Camille Pauley, president of Healing the Culture, said that among Senator Padden’s key accomplishments are bills that he

filed this year to require parental notification before abortions can be performed on minors, as well as his sponsorship of a bill to ban so-called “wrongful birth” lawsuits, where doctors are sued for failing to detect disabilities that would have resulted in abortions of “imperfect” babies.

For more, visit www.healingtheculture. com.

Sen. Padden was awarded the Cultural Hero Award by (from left to right) Father Robert Spitzer, Camille Pauley and Steve Lovejoy.

Father Spitzer is the former president of Gonzaga University and co-founder of Healing the Culture with Camille Pauley. Steve Lovejoy is a board member of Healing the Culture.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Building Blocks

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers observes concrete tie quality testing during her visit to L.B. Foster Company in Spokane Valley.

SHEA

Shea receives award

home state and beyond.

Representative Matt Shea recently received ACT for America’s National Security Eagle Award for his work and dedication to the cause of national security. During his time in office, Shea has helped sponsor and pass several pieces of anti-terrorism legislation to help protect those in his

ACT for America is a national security organization that works to train citizens to recognize and prevent criminal and terrorist activity in the U.S. while preserving constitutional civil liberties. The award is issued annually to state lawmakers who show exceptional leadership in national security issues, a press release said.

CURRENT PHOTOS BY TREVA LIND

Construction of the new fire station in Newman Lake (Spokane County Fire District No. 13) is progressing as shown in these mid-September photos. Under construction at the intersection of Starr and Moffat, the roof sheeting and exterior walls were completed over a month ago. According to their website, the interior walls in the office/training area have been framed and flooring is in process.

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The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 7

NEWS

SVFD Report A total of 1,245 emergency calls were reported by the Spokane Valley Fire Department between Aug. 25 and Sept. 23: Fires* 95 Emergency Medical Services 990 Hazardous Materials 14 Motor Vehicle Accidents 81 Water Rescue 2 Building Alarms 53 Service Calls 10

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*Types of fires include brush, commercial, residential, rubbish, vehicle and unauthorized burning calls

Highlighted calls • Mobile home park fire — An early morning fire at 205 S. Park Road destroyed two mobile homes, an Avista utility pole and transformer. The fire began about 5:15 a.m. Aug. 27 near a shed located behind one of the burned mobile homes and quickly spread. Two residents in one of the homes made it out safely. The other mobile home was unoccupied. Crews put the fire out quickly, preventing the spread to neighboring mobile homes in the park.

A utility pole next to the shed burned and a transformer blew, dropping live power lines over the burning homes as SVFD crews were joined by Spokane Fire Department crews to battle the blaze. A total of 19 apparatus and support vehicles responded to the fire. The cause is undetermined, although a discarded cigarette is suspected.

Damages are estimated at $200,000, which includes Avista’s equipment.

• Hazardous materials — SVFD crews responded to a gas leak in the 13800 block of East 42nd Avenue shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11. A homeowner nicked the natural gas line with a shovel. The residents were evacuated, and Avista was called to repair the line. Call 811 before you dig.

• Vehicle fire —SVFD crews responded to a report of a vehicle fire outside Poppy’s Tavern at 415 S. Dishman Mica Road at 9:45 p.m. Sept. 12. Upon arrival, crews found a small pickup truck with the engine compartment and front tires fully involved in fire. Firefighters quickly put the fire out before it spread to a nearby commercial building. The driver reportedly tried to start the truck by pouring gasoline into the carburetor to prime it.

• Unauthorized burning — SVFD crews responded to a report of unauthorized burning in the 3200 block of North Wilbur Court shortly after 8 p.m. Sept. 19. The homeowner who was burning a large bonfire said he thought the burn ban had been lifted. Firefighters informed him that the burn ban is still in effect and instructed him to extinguish the fire immediately.

• House fire — Shortly after 6 a.m. Sept.

20, SVFD crews responded a structure fire in the 12100 block of East 10th Avenue.

See SVFD, page 9

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The Current

8 • OCTOBER 2015

Wood challenging incumbent Wick in SV

By Josh Johnson

CURRENT STAFF WRITER

If Goldilocks were a voter in the race for Spokane Valley City Council position 6, she would be tasked with determining whether a candidate was too conservative, not conservative enough or “just right.”

So seems to be the framing of the race between incumbent Ben Wick and challenger Sam Wood, who bills himself as the “just right” conservative in a community known by the ideology.

“He’s called progressive,” Wood said of the incumbent. “There are words like that used. That word isn’t necessarily the greatest word to be used for a person if you’re conservative. The Fourth District in the Valley is the most conservative in the state.

We’re called the capital of free Washington.”

For his part, Wick has heard the label, but doesn’t wear it.

“I see myself as a little bit of a conservative, sitting next to others much more conservative than myself,” he said. “People have tried to label me as a ‘progressive’ — along with a variety of other labels they have for me.”

So what does being conservative — or a little bit conservative — mean to the two longtime local residents aiming for a fouryear term on the City Council?

For Wick, 33, he points to a pragmatic approach that doesn’t look to raise taxes but also doesn’t miss opportunities to take advantage of maximizing funds. As an example of the philosophy, Wick said he advocated for dedicating a set amount of revenue to street preservation in order to avoid more expensive repairs down the road — spend money now to save later.

“For every dollar spent in preservation, you can save up to $8 in not having to reconstruct a road,” he said.

For Wood, 68, a philosophy of keeping government as small as possible and carefully weighing every expense is the driving force behind his conservative credentials.

“I’ve got a motto,” he said. “If you take care of the nickels and dimes, the dollars will take care of themselves. If you take care of the little things, you can be an efficient and effective city government and get out of the way as much as possible, unless you need to protect public health and safety.”

For Wood, that means a real emphasis and protection of local control and making decisions based upon Spokane Valley interests.

“I’m not a regionalist,” he said. “I believe the closer you keep the decisions, the better.

We want cooperation within the region, but we don’t want them to mandate to the Valley what they think is best for the Valley.”

Wick agreed that there are many times

that keeping all operations within the Valley is the best option, such as the recent decision to turn down a proposal to participate in a regional solid waste system in favor of forming a separate one for the Valley. However, he also warned against a perspective that does not value participation in regional dialogue and decision making.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been the only one (from the Council) the past four years to go to Olympia and D.C. to advocate with the local Chambers,” Wick said of trips organized by Greater Spokane Inc. and the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. “While I see that as being a part of the region, I view that as well as sharing what’s important to the Valley.”

Wick added that regional relationships have also provided “good insight,” allowing him the opportunity to pick the brains of peers facing similar issues elsewhere.

Both candidates shared a trio of priorities important to them as they seek office.

Wood said one of the main things he emphasizes when talking to prospective voters is volunteerism. As a SCOPE volunteer, he has seen how the program “saves the county and city approximately $2 million” annually.

“I really want to see that encouraged by the City Council, see more of those types of things that save the city a lot of money and gets people involved,” Wood said.

Wood also touted his long-time experience in real estate, including 19 years as an appraiser, as beneficial to the city’s process for updating its comprehensive plan, a task he said must be completed by 2017.

“One of the most important investments is the home,” Wood said. “We need to get the zoning and land use regulations so they create as little impact on people’s property rights and property values as possible. I can bring that expertise.”

Wood also emphasized economic development, particularly as it relates to helping small businesses he sees as handcuffed.

“There is so much government overregulation that hinders and stifles (business) growth,” he said.

For Wick, a focus on transportation has perhaps become his leading passion as a member of the City Council. Regionally, he has risen to the chairmanship of SRTC, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.

He has also taken the baton from decades of Valley leaders in championing “Bridging the Valley,” an initiative to build grade separation crossings at railroad intersections throughout the area.

He said earlier this year, he made three separate trips to Olympia (on top of a trip to Washington D.C.) to lobby for a project where the BNSF railroad intersects with Barker Road.

BEN WICK

SAM WOOD

AGE: 33

AGE: 68

HOME: I was born and raised in Spokane Valley. My family was actually one of the first families in the area, arriving before the state was formed, putting us on the Washington State Pioneers list. I am happily married to my wife, Danica, and we have two young girls named Sabriel (who is 3 years old) and Hermione (who is 1).

HOME: I have lived in the Spokane area my whole life, and I have a wonderful wife, two grown children and two grandchildren. My grandfather moved to the Spokane area in 1913 and started a restaurant called the Rivera.

OCCUPATION: IT Manager for Spokane Industries and current member of the Spokane Valley City Council EXPERIENCES: Current chair of the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Spokane Valley Fire Operations 101 Graduate, Spokane County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Graduate, Spokane Valley Kiwanis Member, past chair and five-year member of the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center Advisory Board, Spokane County Interstate Fair Superintendent, DECA state champion, ASEWU Executive Vice President. Volunteer for Bloomsday, Valleyfest and Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration. Graduate of East Valley High School and Eastern Washington University with a BS in computer science and a minor in communications.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: I enjoy watching movies, playing paintball, raising llamas and am very passionate about helping Spokane Valley be the best city we can be. Not only now, but in the future.

“Before I went down there, we weren’t even (part of) the package,” he said, adding that funding for the project was not only added, but survived until the last cut.

Wick said his “three big things” also include public safety and caretaking for the city’s contracts.

“We need to remain a contract city and not have duplicate efforts,” he said.

When it comes to claims to being the city’s “just right” choice, the challenger, Wood, asked voters to look at his list of endorsements, which include Wick’s Council colleagues Ed Pace, Arne Woodard and Rod Higgins as well as the entire Fourth District state delegation.

“Why are those folks we elected supporting Sam Wood and not Ben Wick?” Wood

OCCUPATION: In 1972, I opened a restaurant called the Woodshed Pizza (at the same location as my grandfather’s restaurant) and operated it until 1998.

At that time, I started a real estate company called Wood and Wood Realty, which is still operating today. In 1996, I became a certified real estate appraiser, and in 2006 I opened my own appraisal company called Sound Appraisal Management.

EXPERIENCES: I am chairman of Carnhope Water District and have been on the board for over 20 years. I am also on the board of directors for SCOPE, and I am serving on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission. Besides these political committees and boards, I have also been a scout leader, golf coach for the First Tee Northwest and I currently serve on the missions board for Bethel Nazarene Church. I attended EWU and received a degree in journalism and business marketing in 1996. All of these life experiences have prepared me to serve effectively on the Spokane Valley City council. With your help we can make the Spokane Valley a great place to come home to.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: Golfing, fly fishing and ATV riding said. “Get that answered. Ask those guys.

They will give you the answer.”

Wick agrees that he is a bit of the exception as opposed to the rule when it comes to his place on a City Council that has “an average age of 60-plus right now,” but he sees that as a good thing.

“I have a young family,” Wick said. “I work full time. I’m about the only one on the Council who works for someone else right now. I understand working families, and as an IT manager, I understand technology. ... When (the Council is) together making a decision, I am able to look at it a little different.”

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 9

NEWS

SVFD Continued from page 7

Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the open front door, windows and attic of a split-level, single family home. A neighbor who observed the fire outside the front door of the home both called 911 and woke up the home’s occupant, who made it safely outside. The fire was spreading into the basement of the home when firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the blaze. Firefighters rescued two dogs from the home. The dogs were treated for smoke inhalation and recovered. A total of 14 apparatus and support vehicles responded to the fire. Damage to the residence is estimated at $60,000. There were no working smoke detectors in the home.

The fire was caused by a cigarette discarded in a potted plant on the front porch. Potting soil is highly flammable and has caused many fires in the Valley area this year.

• Motor vehicle accident — SVFD crews responded to a one-car rollover accident on I-90 westbound, east of Barker Road just before 3:30 p.m. Sept. 20. A truck was resting on its wheels with damage to all sides and roof. The female driver was removed to a long spine board through the passenger door. She was transported to the hospital.

• Brush fires — SVFD crews responded to a series of four brush fires between 12:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Sept. 21 in the 11400 block of East Upriver Drive, just north of the Denny Ashlock Bridge at the Centennial Trail trailhead, in the 4200 block of South Sullivan and in the 9000 block of East 44th Avenue. Crews quickly knocked down the fires before they spread to any nearby structures. SVFD investigators are working with the Department of Natural Resources to find the arsonist responsible for these fires, along with four additional fires in the Spokane area that night. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 928-1700.

• Garage fire — A total of 15 apparatus and support vehicles from SVFD and Spokane County Fire District 8 responded to a large structure fire in the 18700 block of East 8th Avenue shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 23. Crews found the attached garage of a single story home fully involved in fire.

There was one occupant in the home at the time the fire broke out, who got out safely.

Quick action by firefighters contained the fire to the garage. Damage is estimated at $70,000. The fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of peanut oil in freshly dried rags, still hot from the dryer.

• Annual SVFD open house — Join SVFD for a day of free family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Training Center, 2411 N. Pioneer Lane. Meet arson dog Mako in his final public appearance, squirt a live fire hose, try the Kids Firefighter Combat Challenge Course, enjoy hot dogs, watch live demonstrations by firefighters and much more! Info at www.spokanevalleyfire.com.

Every weekend through October 25th Fun, family activities • 30+ farms Apples, pumpkins, pears, squash, prunes and more!

Locally made candies, pottery and libations

www.greenbluffgrowers.com What’s fresh right now?

Head to the website and click on “Fresh on the Bluff” for the latest information from our farms.

The Current

10 • OCTOBER 2015

Incumbent draws challenge from former mayor

By Josh Johnson

CURRENT STAFF WRITER

At the Spokane Valley City Council meeting Sept. 22, a budget was presented that showed a growth of general fund expenses at about 2.7 percent from the previous year as opposed to a 1 percent benchmark the city was striving for.

Council members Arne Woodard and Ed Pace expressed the desire to hold the increase to 1 percent. While both suggested a couple of areas to cut, they emphasized a desire that those decisions ultimately be left to the staff. When pressed for specifics, Woodard said places could “certainly” be found to cut, but that it was the staff ’s responsibility to work within the parameters.

“If you give me enough time, we could go through (the budget) line by line, but the fact of the matter is, we’ve asked the staff to stay at 1 percent,” Woodard said.

This scene was a small discussion from a budget hearing, perhaps, but the role of staff in the governing process has become a central issue in Woodard’s re-election campaign. Challenger Tom Towey, a former Spokane Valley mayor and Council member himself who once served alongside Woodard, has criticized Woodard’s view of staff. Woodard, on the other hand, said Towey’s philosophy doesn’t provide an adequate check and balance to the “bureaucracy” staff represents.

While the two men share years of city of Spokane Valley experience between them, they offer a sharp critique of their rival’s approach to his job.

For starters, Towey believes cutting expenses back to 1 percent is irresponsible in a year where inflation is “going to be about 2.9 percent.”

“If we roll it back to 1 percent, can you imagine?” he said. “You can do that for one or two years, but you can not sustain it as a city with expenses going up 2.9 percent.”

On top of that, Towey said leaving the burden of cutting the budget to the staff without providing input is irresponsible.

“He says (cutting it down) is the city manager’s job,” Towey said. “So he’s going to get all the credit for rolling back city funds, but (City Manager) Mike Jackson is going to get the blame for cutting back services or staff.”

At the meeting, Woodard said exceptions to the 1 percent rule had been made in the past, but he didn’t see any extenuating circumstances that would require it in 2016.

“We’ve had budget surpluses, and why should we keep expanding the government itself to create a new base for next year to grow by another 2 or 3 percent,” he said.

As for treatment of staff, Woodard makes no apologies if any of his requests make their job harder.

“I take this very seriously,” he said. “I think the public elects Council people to be the go between for staff — the bureaucracy, if you will — and them. I don’t serve them, I serve the public, and the staff have figured that out.”

Towey said his problem is when Woodard takes this philosophy to the point of unnecessary friction, recalling instances when he said Woodard has undermined staff members making presentations.

“There is a difference between getting a presentation from staff and asking questions and actually questioning the expertise of a staff person,” Towey said. “We’ve got to get back to where we are working with staff instead of against them if we are going to be a city of the future.”

For his part, Woodard doesn’t argue with the assertion that he has ruffled his share of feathers.

“I believe in self-sufficiency, accountability, openness and honesty,” he said.

“Some people aren’t ready for that, so people call me blunt. I just don’t want to finesse everything to the point that I told you to go to hell, and you are looking forward to the trip.”

Leadership requires checks and balances, he said.

“I believe citizens want someone who will represent them and not a rubber stamp,” Woodard said. “I’m not calling Tom a rubber stamp, but he believes the staff directs everything, and you don’t need others who have that philosophy.

Bureaucracy builds on itself if there is not a check. We as City Council are that check.”

Towey doesn’t argue that he is fond of the staff — “the best thing that happened to the city was when we hired Mike Jackson,” he said — but he emphasized the importance of an environment that values teamwork.

“My main concern about Arne is that he’s not a team player,” Towey said. “In my opinion, he is a one of one; he’s not a one of seven.”

Towey said his priority in running to return to the Council has everything to do with this team mentality.

“We knew we were one of seven, and we were working together,” he said of the Council he led from 2010 to 2013. “That atmosphere is not there at this particular Council. It’s a struggle on this Council, and I think that we have to get back to the original thinking that we’re all in this together, and we work as a team to solve problems.”

ARNE WOODARD

TOM TOWEY

AGE: 62

AGE: 72

HOME: Lives in Spokane Valley with wife of 25 years, Charmagne. The couple blended two families and have seven children – five boys and two girls. Lifetime resident.

Home: I grew up in Trentwood and have lived in the Spokane Valley all my life. My wife and I raised two children who attended University High School. We are blessed with three granddaughters.

OCCUPATION: Realtor and longtime entrepreneur who has opened more than 15 businesses over the years, all operated in Spokane Valley. Current member of Spokane Valley City Council.

EXPERIENCES: City government; owned and operated a heavy earth moving business which got into the public works realm; Jaycees; Kiwanis; St. Mary’s Catholic Church; longtime donor to Spokane Valley Partners food bank (including 5,100 pounds of food donated from garden); home building and remodel; member, Spokane County Housing and Development Committee.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: Organic gardening and traveling

Woodard said his priorities for the next four years are guided by an overarching belief that every dollar spent is “the people’s money.” As such, “make sure every dime squeals twice before it gets spent,” he said.

Not only is this good government, but Woodard said it earns the trust of the people for the times when extenuating circumstances might require it.

“I’ve had business people and the public say that, ‘Hey, if you need more money in taxes we will support it because you guys have done a good job,’” he said.

Woodard listed sidewalks, the completion of City Hall and Appleway Trail as among his focuses for the next term.

He also emphasized the need to continually and consistently live out the city’s identity as a contract city.

“Competition creates better services for a better price, and it can be both, actually,” Woodard said. “I think we need to at least relatively regularly review vigorously every contract we have. ... We need to make sure we are getting the services we pay for and the services we want for the public.”

For Towey, the goals for the next four years are found in the “basics,” just as they were when he first came to the Council during a much more perilous financial cli-

OCCUPATION: I was employed with Rosauers for 32 years. Over the span of those years I had the opportunity to manager four of their stores, all but one located in the Valley. I’m now retired.

EXPERIENCES: I was privileged to be mayor of Spokane Valley from 2010 to 2013. I am also a former member of the City Council and Planning Commission. I have been involved in community service as a volunteer and for the past 19 years, including work at the public safety building, coordinator for the Centennial Trail patrols, program coordinator for Community Emergency Response Training, member of the Regional Health District steering committee on fall prevention for senior citizens. I am currently a member of the SCOPE Incident Response Team.

I attended West Valley High School, Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University, with a major in business.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: Running. I am running in my 48th marathon on Oct. 4 in Portland. mate.

“We are in a different situation right now,” Towey said. “We laid some fundamental foundations between 2010 and 2013 that they have the flexibility now to do a lot of benefit for the city. But I think we need to get back to the basics. There are certain basic services that any government is obligated to serve the people. ... Then if we have a dollar-ninety-eight left over, then we can do the frills.”

The former mayor described the current period, 12 years into the city’s history, as a “crossroads.”

“I think we’re at a critical point right now where I can help,” Towey said. “With my past experience and my knowledge of City Hall and how it operates, I think I can help, and that’s why I’m running. It’s as simple as that.”

The Current

Experience meets youth in SVFD race

By Josh Johnson

CURRENT STAFF WRITER

Incumbent Spokane Valley Fire Department Commissioner Michael “Mike” Pearson does not recall ever meeting his opponent, 27-year-old Kristopher Pockell.

Pockell, on the other hand, remembers Pearson, but only as the superintendent of his school district while he was attending Adams Elementary, Evergreen Junior High and Central Valley High School.

The respective advantages of experience vs. youth are touted by each candidate while seeking votes in the Nov. 3 election for Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner, position 3.

“Maybe unfortunately, I’m older,” said Pearson, 63. “So I have more experience. … I’m sure (Pockell’s) a great kid. I don’t know what his experience is.”

Pockell, a machinist at Romney Motion in Post Falls, is currently working on a degree in software development.

“Being a tech-minded person, I always can see in my life every day how technology can make things easier and cheaper, whether it be software or hardware that can make things easier,” he said. “I think having a younger person’s perspective as far as that goes could be a huge advantage to any government agency. Most of the politicians it seems like are an older generation. I’m not sure why that’s the case, but generally speaking they don’t have the same outlook and resources a younger person would as far as technology goes.”

For his part, Pearson said his strengths include familiarity and passion for the job, a long career in leadership and administration and an eagerness to ask a lot of questions in order to both understand the issues and make sure the processes and decisions of the fire department are sound.

Pearson was appointed to the SVFD post in 2012 from a loaded field of applicants that included two former Spokane Valley mayors. He is reluctant to take credit for accomplishments from the past three years, but said he counts the hiring of current chief Bryan Collins in 2013 and the implementation earlier this year of a mutual “automatic aid” agreement between local departments as proud moments from his time in office.

Pearson said his ongoing priorities include maintaining SVFD’s ability to meet its core needs with “zero bond indebtedness,” while also being properly resourced

See ELECTION, page 12

OCTOBER 2015 • 11

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The Current

12 • OCTOBER 2015

ELECTION Continued from page 11

to “fund our future.”

He is particularly excited about promoting and growing SVFD’s priority toward “community paramedicine.” He said while firefighters have long responded to medical or distress calls and were able to meet the immediate needs, there are situations where the department could also connect these people with resources to help with long-term needs as well. He said it is common for crews to respond to the same people a number of times for the same issue, and he would like to see the department’s ability to connect them with other agencies and resources improve. He said some movement and conversations are already in place, and that SVFD is in a position to be a leader in the community paramedicine movement.

As to other goals and priorities, Pearson listed the importance of taking a proactive approach to solving problems such as increasing health insurance and L&I rates as well as continuing to improve the training and diversity of firefighters.

“I would like to see more diversity in our firefighters,” he said. “Someday, I would like to see women, for instance. I’ve had

some resistance to that.”

Pockell took a more philosophical approach to his goals for SVFD. As someone who has held leadership positions in the Libertarian Party since 2006, he plans to “try to trim the fat, seeing what we could do to reduce the waste” while acknowledging he isn’t aware of ways the current fire commissioners are currently missing the boat. “(Running to be a fire commissioner) seemed like a place where I could actually affect change and work on bringing Libertarian ideas to the Spokane Valley,” Pockell said. “A lot of the people here really do have a Libertarian mindset but are unaware of what a Libertarian is. I think that small government and lower taxes are very popular around here.”

One thing Pockell said he did want to look into is lowering the fire rating used to calculate insurance costs for residents and businesses.

“How much would it cost to get (the lower rating), and would it make a good enough difference to offset the costs of getting there?” Pockell said.

Pearson said he saw Pockell promoting this movement on a campaign website, and reiterated that SVFD works proactively toward this end already.

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“He talked about getting the insurance rates down, and there’s a lot more to that than maybe the average person understands,” Pearson said, explaining that the fire department controls 40 percent of the data used to determine the fire ratings, and that they work with the local water districts, 911 boards, etc. who contribute to the rest of the calculation.

For Pockell, he said he offers a youthful, tech-savvy and Libertarian response to the current commission, but he has nothing but respect for Pearson.

“He’s always been a very nice person,” Pockell said. “I really don’t have anything bad to say about any choices he’s made as

fire commissioner. I’m not even sure of anything I would do differently.”

The person chosen by voters Nov. 3 will serve a six-year term beginning Jan. 1. The five-person Spokane Valley Fire Commission has one other position on the ballot.

Longtime commissioner Joe Dawson is running unopposed for a fourth term. He has served as a commissioner since 1998.

MICHAEL “MIKE” PEARSON AGE: 63

KRISTOPHER POCKELL AGE: 27 HOME: I grew up in Spokane Valley, where I attended Central Valley High School. The Spokane Valley is my home, and I believe it deserves the very best!

OCCUPATION: Machinist EXPERIENCES: I have been an active member of the Libertarian Party of Washington state since 2006. In 2006, I was elected as a member-at-large to the state executive committee of the Libertarian Party, an office which I held for one year. More recently, in 2014, I was elected as the Director of Region 7, an area that covers Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties. My main duties were to foster county parties and to represent the counties to the state executive committee.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: I volunteer with the Liberty Lake Community Theater, helping build sets and occasionally acting. I’m currently working on completing my bachelor’s degree in software development at Western Governor’s University.

HOME: Married and have lived in the Spokane Valley for over 30 years and have raised four wonderful daughters here, all attending and graduating from Central Valley schools.

OCCUPATION: Spokane Valley fire commissioner, retired educator and community volunteer EXPERIENCES: • Throughout my career as an educator I’ve been given the opportunity to work with large numbers of staff, several unions, to oversee the management of large sums of money and work with dedicated boards within our community who have focused on meeting the needs of their constituents.

• As a Fire Commissioner I have been able to apply the knowledge and experience that I gained through my educational leadership experiences, recognizing parallel operational procedures.

• Member of the Spokane Valley Career and Technical Education General Advisory Council, serving Central Valley, East Valley, West Valley and Freeman school districts.

• Served on the ‘Libraries Change Lives’ bond committee HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: Grandchildren, motorcycling, remodeling and building stuff

OTHER AREA RACES

Now accepting new patients Open six days a week • Walk-ins welcome!

LIBERTY LAKE CITY COUNCIL: Incumbent Dan Dunne faces a challenge from a former member of the Council, Josh Beckett. Coverage of this race is in the October issue of The Current’s sister publication, The Splash, and can be read online at www.libertylakesplash.com.

509-928-6700 | healthylivingll.com 1431 N Liberty Lake Rd, Ste B

UNCONTESTED RACES ABOUND: Spokane Valley area ballots will hardly be empty when they are mailed in October, despite the lack of competitive races. Several school boards and town and city government seats will be on the ballot but only drew one candidate.

(between Verizon and Jimmy John’s in Liberty Lake)

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 13

Ben Wick

Today’s Candidate for A Better Spokane Valley Tomorrow Priority 1: PUBLIC SAFETY “I support the contract that the City of Spokane Valley has with the Sheriff’s Department.”

Priority 2: STREET PRESERVATION “We need to keep our city streets pothole free. I will work to maintain good streets within the City of Spokane Valley.”

Priority 3: REMAIN A CONTRACT CITY measure of our success is that we are a contract city which means that we can Supported by ALL Merri Diacogiannis Spokane Valley Tom Dingus Mayors: Peggy Doering Michael DeVleming Dean Grafos Tom Towey Diana Wilhite Chuck Adolfson Virginia Adolfson Bill Anderson Darla Arnold Clint Branz Karen Burgard John Carroll

Matt Ewers Jeffrey Frank Paula Gano Allen Gardner Lori Gardner Bill Gothmann Myrna Gothmann Elizabeth Grafos Alana Gruss Brian Gruss Chuck Halfner Cindy Hallett

Tom Hallett Tara Haskins Tim Hattenburg Nathan Hauber Carol Isotalo Darryl Isotalo Sally Jackson Brandy Jones Joy Katterfeld Karla Kaley Arthur Keinath Ken Keto Sue Keto Ozzie Knezovich Bryce Leavenworth

Carly Leavenworth Jeff Long Hayley Luhn Katie MacKay Kay McGlocklin Dale McLaughlin Jessica McLaughlin Todd Mielke Betty Meyer Karin Morris Jan Munson Ken Nelson Monte Nesbitt Donna O’Leary Shelly O’Quinn

Amanda Papini Bernie Patton Mike Pearson Dena Perisho Mary Pollard Suzy Que Bob Race Sharon Race Ron Schmidt Dale Schnibbe Julie Shepard Gordon Spunich Chris Stein Malinda Stein Chuck Stocker

Paid for by Citizens to Elect Ben Wick 12018 E Frederick Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Greg Tenold Kathy Tenold Tyrus Tenold Rachel Ward Stacey Whitney Adam Wick Amanda Wick Danica Wick Diane Wick Terry Wick Tim Wick Ty Wick Rick Wilhite Taryn Wilson Cecil Whipple

“Ben’s attended the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy, stays engaged with issues of public safety, and understands the concerns facing the City of Spokane Valley. He thinks before he acts, is respected by his peers, and has my respect. I support Ben Wick.”

-Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich

www.electbenwick.org ben@electbenwick.org www.facebook.com\citizenstoelectbenwick

Public History Program

“1858: War Time & the Horse Slaughter Story” Photo courtesy of the Peltier Collection, Spokane Valley Heritage Museum Chief Joseph Seltice of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe represented his people at the Oct. 6, 1946, unveiling of the horse slaughter monument along the Spokane River near Liberty Lake. The monument recalled nearby events that took place in the same area in 1858 during battles between U.S. government troops and local Indian tribes, which will be the subject of the Spokane Valley Heritage Musuem’s 11th annual Heritage Program & Luncheon.

Saturday, November 7th, 2015 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Opportunity Presbyterian Church Event Room N 202 Pines Rd, Spokane Valley

Tickets are $20 and are available at the Museum

Please RSVP to 509-922-4570 ... seating is limited!

A fabulous luncheon, informative presentation and silent auction!

Your support of the event and auction benefits the Museum!

14 • OCTOBER 2015

COVER STORY

The Current

DETERMINATION DEFINED

ParaSport Spokane sets world-class standard for success in athletics, life

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

There was a time when the world of sports seemed a universe away for Krystle Horton.

The effects of scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine, made participating in athletics an uphill battle for the Spokane Valley resident. When it came time for basketball during P.E. class at school, Horton was far more at ease on the sidelines.

“I hated basketball,” she said. “I couldn’t get close to the hoop and didn’t have the cardio to get around.”

These days, the graduate of Central Valley High School and Montana State is a successful graphic artist and an elite wheelchair basketball player who travels to tournaments all over the nation. As part of a program called ParaSport Spokane, Horton says she has learned to emphasize ability over disability, potential instead of limitations.

“It’s helped me have a lot more confidence,” Horton said. “For example, if something happens when we’re traveling as a

team, I’ll speak up for myself.”

Horton joined Team St. Luke’s in 2003, a program founded by Teresa Skinner, a coach and trainer with a background in occupational therapy. Skinner approached Spokane-based St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in 1995 with the seemingly outlandish idea of a wheelchair rugby team. Over the next 17 years, the program developed national and international acclaim in track, basketball and swimming.

Skinner formed ParaSport Spokane in August 2013 and operates the program with the help of grants, donations, sponsorships and volunteers. There are now over 80 athletes involved in track and field, basketball and a strength and conditioning curriculum. Around 75 percent are youth, age 2 up to seniors in high school. Along with events throughout the world, ParaSport is represented at local happenings like Hoopfest and Bloomsday.

Skinner said she has seen how sports “can change your perspective on what is possible and that anything is achievable if you work hard for it.”

“Sports have an incredible impact on how you see yourself, how you see others, and how others see you,” she said. “The change that occurs is truly miraculous to watch and

Mike Lucas of Spokane Valley is a basketball player and wheelchair racer through ParaSport Spokane. He finished Bloomsday in less than an hour this spring.

See PARASPORT, page 15

SUBMITTED PHOTO

CV grad looks to build on international success at 2016 Paralympics

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

There was a time when Austin Pruitt could scarcely make one tour around the track at Central Valley High School in his racing wheelchair.

Within a few years, Pruitt was soaring to a world record in the 5,000 meters at a meet in Indianapolis, circling the oval 13 times at a supersonic pace of 11 minutes, 47 seconds.

A 2012 Central Valley graduate, Pruitt departed to London not long after receiving his high school diploma as one of three local athletes representing Team USA at the Paralympics. His teammate and fellow CV grad Amberlynn Weber also made the trip across the ocean, as did Kristin Messer.

“It’s amazing to be able to represent your country,” Pruitt said of his experience in London. “Not many people get the chance to say they qualified for any kind of Olympic team.”

Pruitt, who copes with cerebral palsy,

competed in the 100- and 200-meter races against an elite international field in front of 80,000 fans at Olympic Stadium. His fifth-place finish in the 200 was a whisker away from the bronze medal.

Pruitt captured the bronze in 2011 at the World Championships in New Zealand.

His high school track career includes 13 gold medals, including state records in the 100, 400 and 1,600, set his senior year. As a junior, he broke the 4-minute barrier in the mile by two seconds.

“Just to hear your name on the speaker saying you earned first place is something that sticks with you,” Pruitt said. “It makes me feel great to look back from where I started to where I am now.”

These days, Austin makes his home at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., 30 minutes from San Diego.

The goal here is to prepare and qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His coach is Joaquim Cruz, who sprinted to a gold for Brazil in the 800 meters at the 1984 Olympics and ran to a

silver in 1988.

Pruitt’s career in adaptive sports began on the track and field team at Greenacres Middle School. He gives Weber credit for encouraging him to turn out for Team St. Luke’s, a program that served as a springboard to success in state, national and international competition. Former Team St. Luke’s director Teresa Skinner, who now leads ParaSport Spokane, was also integral to Pruitt’s progression as an athlete and person.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at now without Teresa,” he said. “Up until I started, I didn’t know how high school sports were going to go for me. If you would have told me back then that I’d be at the Olympic Training Center seven years later, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

Now 21, Pruitt takes college classes at the center along with his training. Looking ahead to the Team USA qualifying meet next June in Charlotte, N.C., Pruitt says he will be ready.

“I’m not in this to waste my time,” he

CURRENT PHOTO BY CRAIG HOWARD

Austin Pruitt, a 2012 graduate of Central Valley High School, won 13 gold medals in his prep track career. He now resides at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., attempting to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics. said. “I love the process of training and learning and seeing the results. I just want to do my best.”

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 15

COVER STORY

PARASPORT Continued from page 14

be a part of. Being involved with this program is an honor that I treasure on a daily basis.”

Skinner has been part of the Team USA support staff for a pair of Paralympics — Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. Now, several ParaSport Spokane athletes are looking ahead to Rio in 2016. Skinner is quick to point out the expectations within the program translate to success far beyond sports.

“I can see that incredible potential in all of them,” she said. “I know they are so capable of being amazing athletes with integrity.

We talk about what they can do. We don’t ask them if they’re going to college, we ask them where they’re going to college.”

With the number of partial and full-ride adaptive sports scholarships growing at colleges across the U.S. and Canada, that prospect is even more attainable these days.

Between Team St. Luke’s and ParaSport alumni, dozens have gone on to attain college degrees.

Janelle Lucas of Spokane Valley is grateful her son, Mike, discovered ParaSport Spokane a few years ago. A double amputee, Mike has developed into a top-flight wheelchair racer and basketball player. At Bloomsday this year, he set and accomplished the ambitious goal of completing the 7.46-mile course in under an hour, finishing in 59:20.

“He’s quite a fighter,” Janelle said. “He doesn’t quit. Mike doesn’t know he’s not able to do stuff. He pushes through.”

Now a sixth-grader at Evergreen Middle School, Mike has aspirations to become a pro football coach and has Seahawks’ stickers proudly affixed to his leg prosthetics.

The CV football squad has adopted him as an honorary coach. When Mike started with the program at 7, track and basketball in a wheelchair proved to be more difficult than they appeared.

“It was kind of tough at first,” Janelle said.

“The coaches were phenomenal, though.

They wouldn’t let him give up. Eventually, he figured it out. It’s really boosted his confidence. He’s learned what teamwork’s about and made some great friendships.”

Isaiah Rigo began participating with Team St. Luke’s at the age of 6. Now a sophomore at Cheney High School, Rigo is part of the Blackhawks’ cross country and track teams and has qualified for the World Junior Track and Field Championships the

ON THE COVER SUBMITTED PHOTO

Darren Ugolini is a participant in the ParaSport Spokane program.

He lives in Spokane.

Honor roll

Achievements aplenty for local adaptive sports

By Craig Howard

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

From London to Lyon, France, from Chicago to Beijing, China, athletes from Team St. Luke’s and ParaSport Spokane have been hauling home medals and accolades for the better part of two decades.

Here is small sampling of their accomplishments since 2007.

2007 — Spokane hosts the National Junior Disability Championships, with 23 athletes from Team St. Luke’s qualifying.

2008 — A total of five athletes from Team St. Luke’s are included on the World Junior team, and 15 compete in the National Junior Championships (Piscataway, N.J.).

2008 — Chelsea McClammer from Team St. Luke’s is the youngest athlete named to Team USA for the Paralympics in Beijing, China. McClammer, 14, com-

petes in the 800 meters.

2009 — Team St. Luke’s has 17 athletes participate in the Junior National Championships (St. Louis) Amberlynn Weber from Central Valley High School wins three golds in weightlifting, along with four silvers and a bronze in track and field.

2010 — A total of eight athletes from Team St. Luke’s participate in the Junior National Championships (Chicago).

2011 — Weber, McClammer, Kristen Messer and Austin Pruitt qualify for the World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, bringing home four medals.

2011 — A quartet of athletes — McClammer, Weber, Messer and Bob Hunt — are part of at the ParaPan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, winning a dozen medals.

2012 — A squad of eight from Team St. Luke’s wins the title at the National Wheelchair Basketball Junior Division Championship (Colorado Springs, Colo.), defeating Grand Rapids of Michigan, 50-45, in the final game.

2012 — Messer, Pruitt and Weber compete in the London Paralympics as

part of the USA Track and Field team.

2013 — Isaiah Rigo of ParaSport Spokane is the youngest athlete to compete at the World Track and Field Championships in Lyon, France. Rigo would qualify for Worlds the following year in Stoke-Mandeville, England.

2014 — Michael Hoyt, Phillip Croft, Chance Wells and Zane Magin from ParaSport Spokane participate in the National Junior Championships (Des Moines, Iowa).

2015 — ParaSport Spokane once again sends an impressive contingent — Croft, Magin, Rigo and Spencer Kimbro — to the World Junior Championships, this time in Staadskinaal, The Netherlands.

2015 — A group of eight athletes from ParaSport participate in the Junior National Championships (Issen, N.J.): Michael Hoyt, Levi Jackson, Chance Wells, Mike Lucas, Kylah Lopez, Katie Kaczka, Elizabeth Floch and Sophie Munter.

2015 — Morrision, Rigo and Kimbro are included on the Parapan Am team for the competition in Toronto. Rigo earns a bronze in the 1,500 meters. The same trio will head to Doha, Qatar, for the World Championships this month.

FOR MORE To donate, volunteer or sign up for ParaSport Spokane, visit www.parasportspokane.org. ParaSport is currently recruiting teams to play in an ablebodied 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament fundraiser to be held this November in the Valley.

past two years. At the ParaPan Am Games in Toronto this summer, Rigo churned his way to a bronze in the 1,500 meters.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I first started with the team,” Rigo says. “Right away, it gave me something to focus on. I was improving and setting goals. Before, I really didn’t have much to do.”

These days, Rigo is known as a smiling, motivational presence for ParaSport athletes just starting out.

“It took me a while to get where I am,” he said. “I want to help others have fun and progress.”

In June, Rigo was named the Athlete of the Year for non-traditional sports by the Spokane Regional Sports Commission. Last year, another ParaSport athlete, Mikila Salazar, a West Valley High graduate, earned the same honor.

Isaiah’s dad, Robert, said ParaSport has been “a blessing” for his son.

“We knew he needed an outlet,” Robert

PHOTO CREDIT

ParaSport Spokane has gained a national reputation for its work with adaptive athletes, so much so that participants often travel a good distance to participate. Pictured on top of the podium is Spencer Kimbro, a state track and field champion who commutes regularly from Moses Lake. Also pictured is Yen Hoang, left. Distance prevents her from being a regular part of the ParaSport program — she is from Vancouver, B.C. — but spends a week or so most summers training in Spokane. said. “It’s helped him in school, in his social life. He’s looking at college now and wants to be an engineer.”

The guidance and encouragement from ParaSport coaches have been crucial along

the way, Robert said.

“Right away, Teresa was saying, ‘You can do this,’” Robert recalls. “She teaches them respect for everyone.”

See PARASPORT, page 36

COMMUNITY

16 • OCTOBER 2015

The Current

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS Oct. 2-3 | Inland Northwest Craft Beer Festival 4 to 8 p.m. Fri., noon to 8 p.m. Sat.;

Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. More than 100 types of beer from 30 craft breweries will be offered as well as live music, great food and baseball-themed fun. Tickets are $25 per person at the door, $15 with valid military ID and $5 for designated drivers. For more: 5352922 or www.washingtonbeer.com

Oct. 2-4 | Custer Fall Antique Show

4 to 9 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun.), Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Over 150 dealers will showcase vintage treasures in all price ranges. Admission is $6 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

For more: www.custershows.com

Oct. 3 | Fundraiser for Kim Quartararo

8 to 10 a.m., Applebee’s, 12217 E. Mission Ave. Kim is a Valley resident who was involved in a swimming accident during the summer that resulted in quadriplegia. Tickets are $10 and include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and beverages.

Oct. 3 | The Upriver Scrub 9:30 a.m. to

1 p.m., Harvard Road trailhead, Barker Road trailhead and Mirabeau Park. Volunteers are wanted to be part of a clean-up team. Trash bags will be provided. To register or for more: spokaneriver.net

Oct. 3 | Cheese Making Workshop

9 a.m., WSU Extension office, 222 N. Havana, #205. Learn how to make ricotta soft cheese and Gouda hard cheese using milk from Lucky Hook Goat Dairy in Mosses Lake. Cost is $65.

For more: www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/2188609

Oct. 3 | Evergreen Fire Station Open House 1 to 5 p.m., 1121 S. Evergreen. SVFD

invites kids of all ages to tour the newlyremodeled fire station, meet firefighters and paramedics, have your blood pressure checked and enjoy treats. For more: www. spokanevalleyfire.com

Oct. 3 | Latah Harvest Celebration 10

a.m. to 4 p.m., Latah Community Park. This festival in south Spokane County includes crafts, hayrides, food, music, games and a pie eating contest. For more: www. countryheartandhands.com

Oct. 5 | Financial Peace University begins 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays thru

November, Mirabeau Chapel, 3001 N. Pines Road. To register or for more: www. daveramsey.com/fpu.

Oct. 6 | SV Quilters Guild 6:30 p.m., Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway.

Potluck is at 6:30 p.m. followed by the 7 p.m. meeting. Jackie Wolff, previous owner of The Quilting Bee, is the featured speaker.

Oct. 7 | Tween Club: Zombie Invasion

4 to 5 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Tweens in grades 4 and up are invited to come make a zombie sock puppet, write some zombie haiku and play zombie tag.

For more: www.scld.org

Oct. 7 | Grange Potluck and Meeting 6

p.m., Tri Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. A potluck will be followed by a 7 p.m. meeting for this community-based service organization. For more: 926-2517 or geje2@yahoo.com

Oct. 8 | Post-Apocalyptic Survival: Film Series 6:30 to 8 p.m., Spokane Valley Library,

12004 E. Main Ave. Explore post-apocalyptic worlds through the intriguing genre of film.

Adam Harum will lead a discussion about “Blade Runner” (rated R). For more: www.scld. org

Oct. 9 | 2nd Harvest Mobile Food Bank

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road. Fresh produce and other groceries will be provided to all families in need of food assistance. Distribution is open to the public; no appointment or documentation needed. For more: 252-6270.

Oct. 9 | Men of Rotary Fashion show

6 to 8:30 p.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road. The Rotary Club of Spokane Valley is presenting this event that includes auctions, wine toss and food. Tickets are $50 each, with discounts available for purchasing a whole table. For more: 710-3013

Oct. 10 | SVFD Open House 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m., Spokane Valley Fire Department Training Center, 2411 N. Pioneer Lane. SVFD is celebrating 75 years of service with a day of free family fun. Meet Mako the Arson Dog, take pictures in fire gear, squirt a fire hose, enjoy hot dogs and beverages, learn about fire safety and prevention and watch live demonstrations by firefighters. For more: www. spokanevalleyfire.com

Oct. 10 | Into Africa dinner and auction 5:30 p.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel,

1100 N. Sullivan Road. This Partnering for Progress fundraiser will feature Africanthemed foods. The auction will benefit the work in the Kopanga/Giribe communities in Kenya. Cost is $65 for individuals, $500 for a

28th annual

Fall/Holiday Handcrafters Bazaar October 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Millwood Community Presbyterian Church 3223 N. Marguerite Rd, Spokane, WA 99212

Handcrafts, quilts, photography & baked goods All proceeds go to community needs.

For more information, call 924-2350

table. To purchase tickets or for more: www. intoafricaauction.org or 720-8408

Oct. 15 | Random Fandom 4 to 5:30 p.m.,

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to geek out on all things fandom-related including crafts, games, treats, and more. For more: www.scld. org

Oct. 16-18 | Washington State Quilters

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sun.; Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. The 2015 theme is “Vive LA Difference” celebrating all quilters and quilt styles, and the featured artist is Judy Bell.

Admission is $8. For more: www.wsqspokane. org

Oct. 16 | Fall craft show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. There is free admission to this craft show sponsored by the Spokane Valley Senior Center. For more: 926-1937

Oct. 16-17, 23-24 | Haunted Pool 7:30 to 10 p.m., Valley Mission Pool, 11123 E. Mission Ave. This event is best suited for ages 12 and older. Cost is $4 per person or $3 with a can of food. For more: www.spokanevalley.org/ hauntedpool

Oct. 17 | Find Your Family: Gift of Family History 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13608 E. Belle Terre Ave. Join others for this free event where with a few names of deceased ancestors, dates, and locations you can find out your connection to generations past. For more: www.giftoffindyourfamily.com

Oct. 21 | Spokane Valley Book Club 2 to 3:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Join fellow book lovers to discuss “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. For more: www.scld.org Oct. 21 | Harvest Dinner 5 to 7 p.m.,

Rockford United Methodist Church, 217 S. First Street. Cost is $8 per person and helps support local churches.

Oct. 21 | Navigating Your Credit 6 to 8

p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. Learn how to get free access to your credit report, increase your credit score, establish good credit and deal with collection agencies. For more: www.scld.org

Oct. 22 | Give Yourself a Raise 6 to 8 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne. Discover ways to succeed with your budget and avoid money troubles, and protect yourself with tips on how to recognize financial predators. For more: www.scld.org Oct. 23-24 | Friends of the Spokane Valley Library Book Sale Spokane Valley

Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Presale: 3 to 5 p.m. Fri., $10 admission; $3 Bag Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Proceeds from book sales support various library programs, activities and services. For more: www.scld.org

Oct. 23-25 | Man Show 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fri., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sun.; Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. The show will display products and services essential to a man’s

See CALENDAR, page 23

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 17

40TH annual

E FRE SION S I ADM

Friday, October 16 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sponsored by

Spokane Valley Senior Center at CenterPlace 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley • 509-926-1937

Interested in selling some of your craft items?

8' tables $10 ea. • Contact Karen at 926-1937

The

FUN is in the FIND!

Everything from RARE TO RETRO

October 2-3-4, 2015 Spokane Fair and Expo Center 4 0 4 N H AVA N A S T | S P O K A N E , WA

FRIDAY 4PM-9PM SATURDAY 10AM-6PM SUNDAY 10AM-4PM CusterShows.com

$6 ADMISSION FREE PARKING

509.924.0588

BUY OU T THE FARMERS

2015 Market Season is Soon Coming to a Close These remaining weekends are your last chance to enjoy a wonderful slice of the delicious Veraci Pizza or a fresh burrito from Lenny of Jalapeno Heaven, as well as being your last opportunity to stock up on locally grown foods for the winter.

FARMERS MARKET L i b e r t y

L a k e

SHOP • EAT • CONNECT Every Saturday 9am -1pm Visit us at LLFarmersMarket.com or find us on

LIBRARY

18 • OCTOBER 2015

Writers welcomed to novel workshop SCLD hosts mini conference to kick off NaNoWriMo

By Valerie Putnam

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Our fall Thrive series invites you to embrace art and culture with Shakespeare performances, musical quartets, film series, and more.

Discover enriching programs based on themes found in Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning novel, Station Eleven.

Visit scld.org/thrive for class details.

Is it possible to write a novel in just 30 days?

Spokane County Library District and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) believe it is.

NaNoWriMo, a national nonprofit founded by Chris Baty, challenges aspiring authors to pen 50,000 words during the month of November. Since its beginnings in 1999, NaNoWriMo has grown from 21 participants to having over 400,000 writers from 200 countries participate last year.

“There were 1,744 registered participants from Spokane in the 2014 NaNoWriMo,” SCLD Youth Collection Development Librarian Sheri Boggs said.

To kick start the local community’s creative juices, SCLD is hosting an all-day NaNoWriMo Mini Conference.

Writers can begin the NoNaWriMo challenge October 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Moran Prairie Library, 6004 South Regal in Spokane. The event is free and open for anyone 16 years and older. Participants can register on line at www.scld.org.

“Writing can be such an isolating activity,” Boggs said. “Events like this are both educational and social, encouraging a community of mutual support. These workshops are a

IF YOU GO ...

Spokane County Library District will present a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Mini Conference on Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Moran Prairie Library, 6004 South Regal in Spokane.

The event is free and is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information, visit www.scld.org.

For more on National Novel Writing Month, visit nanowrimo.org/about.

In addition to its NaNoWriMo participation, SCLD is also supporting the local writer community through the Oct. 5 launch of BiblioBoard.

“This is the first time a product like this has been offered,” SCLD Communication and Development Officer Jane Baker said.

“It provides a larger audience for our local and self-published authors.”

BiblioBoard is an online tool designed to help connect local authors with readers.

Authors can publish their work through the SELF-e and Indie Washington digital selfpublishing platforms.

“Authors can publish work to share with readers in Spokane County, throughout Washington state or even across the U.S.,” Baker said.

Readers must set up their Biblioboard account through the SCLD web site. Once registered, readers can read published work.

Anyone can publish work on the site, and there will be no size restrictions for entries.

Library Journal will be monitoring Biblioboard.

Book Review

‘Station Eleven’ goes beyond traditional, post-apocalyptic fiction

By Gwendolyn Haley

SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

www.scld.org

low-risk way to invest in yourself and your dreams of being a writer.”

SCLD has participated in the NANoWriMo for several years. Its involvement includes hosting writing workshops at different library locations and last year’s 25-hour write-in.

“This year we wanted to consolidate our NaNoWriMo events into one big all-day celebration,” SCLD Library Services Manager Gwendolyn Haley said. “We designed an event that would let them hone their craft while connecting with other likeminded writers.”

Participants can register on line at the NaNoWriMo web site and then follow the step-by-step process outlined on the site.

Writing begins on Nov. 1 with the goal of a completing a 50,000 word rough draft by Nov. 30. That is equivalent to writing an average of 1,600 words every day.

Participants’ word counts can be tracked via the site. Beginning Nov. 20, writers can paste the full text of their novel to start the validation process.

NaNoWriMo incorporates web-enabled programs including Youth Writers, Come Write In and Camp NaNoWriMo. These programs are designed to “foster self-expression” while building local and global communities. As part of NaNoWriMo, Come Write In will partner with 700 libraries, bookstores, and other neighborhood spaces this year to provide free resources to build local creative communities.

The Current

In most disaster movies, the story ends when the heroes survive the earthquake, tsunami, plague or other disaster, manmade or otherwise. But really, that’s just the beginning of the most interesting and terrifying part of the story. That’s certainly the case in “Station Eleven,” Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning novel and this year’s Spokane Is Reading selection. The story is set during a time when the world as everyone knows it ends as the result of a devastating

flu pandemic. Twenty years later, pockets of survivors have formed small settlements.

The Traveling Symphony, a small troupe of actors and musicians, move between these settlements, dedicated to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive.

Mandel begins her story with the death of actor Arthur Leander during a production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” which occurs on the same night the dreaded pandemic arrives in Toronto. Arthur’s life serves as the common link between the various narrators of the story, among them Arthur’s best friend, the young actress who witnessed his death onstage, and the paramedic-in-training who tried to save his life. The narrative moves seamlessly through time, from flashbacks to Arthur’s early career and later success to present-day accounts of the various survivors. Mandel spins a gripping tale, one that I couldn’t put down.

I loved this story, and I’m not a huge fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. The idea that people not only survive but continue to create inspires me. If you also prefer the apocalypse with a side of hope, may I also offer these suggestions: “A Canticle for Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller Jr. and “The Postman” by David Brin. In Miller’s book, the monks of the fictional Order of Leibowitz struggle to preserve surviving remnants of man’s scientific knowledge until the day the outside world is again ready for it. In Brin’s book, a traveling storyteller borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker and is transformed unwittingly into a symbol of hope for America’s future. Visit the library to find all of these post-apocalyptic stories and more.

Gwendolyn Haley is a library resources manager at Spokane County Library District.

Brought to you by

By Tammy Kimberley

CURRENT STAFF WRITER

Would you like to travel back to the year 1545 to try turkey legs, dancing and being knighted after completing a quest? Or how about observing a live joust, participating in mock combat and watching fairytales come to life?

Then you might want to step back in time at the Spokane Renaissance Faire!

Several area youth, along with other local performers, will be entertaining attendees with these activities and more Oct. 3 and 4 at the fifth annual event.

Trevor Barnes and his sister Kira Barnes were looking to get more involved in theater after finishing a spring show at Central Valley High School. He saw a poster about the Faire and talked with his dad, Kyler Barnes, about trying out for this year’s event, even though none of them have participated before.

“The Faire has a sort of Disneyland appeal to it, an escape from everyday life,” Trevor, 17, said.

His siblings—Kira, Brooke and Renner Barnes—decided to give it a shot as well.

Participants try out for parts, and then the cast director decides on roles based on talent and potential. Everyone who tries out receives a part of some sort.

At first, 10-year-old Renner Barnes wasn’t sure he wanted to be in the Faire.

But then he thought it might be fun to hang out with his dad and siblings. After trying out for a part, he was cast as an apprentice rat catcher with his dad being the master rat catcher. At the Faire, they may be seen starting up a game of “rat pucking,” a game that Renner described “sorta’ like golf.”

The kids said every actor is allowed to develop his or her own character, as well as the costume, and the organizers provide insight and recommended websites with

information on the Renaissance standards.

“It’s like a passage through time,” said Kira, 15, who plays a villager. “The fair shows how people—even children—lived and danced and played. It’s like watching a movie, while being a part of it and interacting with the actors.”

Hosted by the Spokane Entertainer’s Guild since 2011, much of the funds raised through the weekend event are donated to 2nd Harvest Food Bank along with other local charities.

Monique Tarkington, Faire Director and also a talented seamstress, said the group tries to be as historical as possible. Many of the actors learn from others who have played their parts and walk away from the experience with greater knowledge of the Renaissance era.

“They learn from others, and we also have a manual that can be passed down and studied,” she said. “Kids learn how to dance, about rank and etiquette, and how to greet nobles. Some are on event combat teams.”

She explained that the story set up for the Faire is a good court and evil court vying against one another. While visiting the Faire, kids can go on quests, watch jousts, fight in a boffer ring (mock combat using Styrofoam weapons) and be entertained by the F.B.I. (Fables By Invention).

“It’s a fun simulation of what happened during that time,” said Brooke, 12, who is playing a shepherdess. “That time period was the coolest.”

The Barnes kids said much of the preparation involved learning the background of the times and how to talk in appropriate accents. But they also attended meetings and helped set up and paint the stage in the week leading up to the fair.

Peyton Cooley, 16, has been participating in the Spokane Renaissance Faire almost since its beginning. Before that, he

CURRENT PHOTO BY TAMMY KIMBERLEY

Above: Renner, Brooke, Kira and Trevor Barnes show off the costumes they have created to play their roles in the Spokane Renaissance Faire. The dragon statue they are standing by was a gift from their grandparents.

At right: Peyton Cooley, who has been acting in Renaissance Faires since he was 8 years old, has been cast at the court jester for the October event.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

was cast in the Northwest Renaissance Festival since the age of 8.

“A Renaissance Faire is as close as you can get to stepping into real renaissance England,” he said. “There is jousting, sword fighting, turkey legs, merchants and renaissance entertainment.”

At this year’s fair, Peyton has been cast as the court jester where he will be able to joke, juggle, perform acrobatics, and entertain the patrons. He said that the annual Faire is an important part of his life, where children and their families can come to have an amazing time.

“The Faire has been a large section of my childhood and growing up,” he shared. “It is a magical place that I have always, and still do, look forward to.

The Current

20 • OCTOBER 2015

COMMUNITY

Spark your interest in fire prevention Compiled by Tammy Kimberley | CURRENT STAFF WRITER

30

Seconds it can take for a flame to become a major fire

1 out of 3

American households that have practiced a home fire escape plan

40,000

Pets die each year in house fires

Safety tips ✔ Ask your parents to install smoke alarms on every level of your house. Remember to replace batteries twice per year. ✔ Place fire extinguishers throughout your home, and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use them.

✔ Keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of young children. ✔ Never leave food unattended on the stove. ✔ Blow out candles and turn off space heaters before you leave a room or go to sleep. ✔ Avoid plugging multiple appliance cords into the same electrical socket.

In advance, develop an escape plan.

With your family, create a blueprint of how to escape in case of fire. Include two ways to get out of every room, in case one is blocked by flames or smoke.

Test to make sure windows are not stuck and screens can be removed for easy escape.

Determine who will assist those who need help (the very young or those with disabilities) in advance.

Decide on a meeting place for all family members a safe

distance away from the house.

11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Time during which half of home fire deaths happen

20

911

Percent of homes with smoke detectors that don’t work

Number to call to report a fire Sources: www.safekids.org, www.firesafetyforkids.org

Call the fire department once you have escaped.

Practice your plan. Get a stopwatch and see how fast

your family can escape.

If a fire comes ... ✔ Never hide in closets or under beds — go outside! ✔ Don’t waste time getting dressed or gathering valuable items. ✔ To escape, fall and crawl.

It will be easier to breathe if you stay low while getting out.

✔ Always use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. ✔ If your clothes are on fire, stop, drop and roll. Shout for help. ✔ Never go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters who have the clothing and equipment to safely rescue people.

COLOR Compiled by Tammy Kimberley | CURRENT STAFF WRITER

In honor of National Color Day on Oct. 22, decide whether each of the statements below are true or false. Then check your answers at the bottom of the page.

T or F 1. The first color a baby sees is red.

T or F 2. The word color is derived from a Latin word “colos” which means “a cover.”

T or F 3. The color wheel was invented by Picasso.

T or F 4. Blue is the favorite color for about half of the world’s population.

T or F 5. School buses are yellow because yellow gets your attention faster than any other color.

T or F 6. A shade of a color is made adding white to the base color, while a tint is by made adding black to the base color.

T or F 7. Research shows that mosquitoes are attracted to bright colors like orange and yellow.

T or F 8. Chromophobia, also known as chromatophobia, is an irrational fear of colors.

T or F 9. One out of 12 males are colorblind.

T or F 10. A combination of yellow and red makes you hungry.

T or F 11. Bulls are attracted to the color red.

T or F 12. Bees and butterflies can see colors that humans can’t see with their range of vision extending into the ultraviolet.

Sources: www.kidsworldfun.com/amazing-facts-about-colors. php; www.colormatters.com/color-matters-for-kids/how-animals-see-color

Answers to Casting some light on color: 1) True; 2) True; 3) False. It was invented by Sir Isaac Newton. 4) True; 5) True; 6) False. Swap the tint and shade to be correct. 7) False.

They are attracted to dark colors, especially blue. 8) True; 9) True; 10) True; 11) False.

Any moving object, including a cape, becomes a target for bulls. 12) True

By the numbers ...

Casting some light on

Answers to Kernels of knowledge about corn: 1) B; 2) D; 3) A; 4) C; 5) B; 6) D; 7) C; 8) A; 9) C; 10) D

The recent wildfires in our state have made everyone aware of the danger of fires as well as how to best prevent them. October is National Fire Safety Month, and The Wave would like to share some information about how you and your family can lessen the risk of fires and be prepared if a fire were to come to your home.

The Current

Kernels of knowledge about corn Compiled by Tammy Kimberley

OCTOBER 2015 • 21

COMMUNITY

  Harvest some local fun    Celebrate October by taking part in these autumn activities geared just for kids!

Valley Mission Haunted Pool Oct. 16-17, 23-24; 7:30 to 10 p.m.

11123 E. Mission Ave., Spokane Valley

CURRENT STAFF WRITER

While the seasons may force a shift from enjoying fresh corn on the cob to finding your way through corn mazes, this crop plays a huge role in history as well as our eating habits. In the early 20th century, a farmer could hand pick approximately 100 bushels of corn in a nine-hour day.

Today, a modern combine can pick this amount in seven minutes.

Did you know that corn will always have an even number of rows on each cob? Or that corn can be classified as a vegetable, grain and a fruit? See what pops into your head about this widely-grown crop as you review the multiple choice questions. Answers can be found at the bottom of page 20.

❶ On average, an ear of corn has…

There will be no swimming; rather, the pool will be converted into a haunted house designed to scare.

Intended for ages 12 and up, admission is $4 per person or $3 with a canned food donation.

For more: www. spokanevalley.org/ hauntedpool

“Hansel and Gretel” Oct. 16-25, various times Theater Arts for Children 2114 N. Pines, suite 3, Spokane Valley

A. 150 kernels in 10 rows B. 400 kernels in 12 rows C. 800 kernels in 16 rows D. Over 1,000 kernels in random rows

A. 75 B. 150 C. 1,000 D. 3,500

❷ About how many kernels make up a pound of corn?

❼ A bushel of corn can sweeten how many cans of soft drinks?

A. 330 B. 555 C. 1,000 D. 1,300

A. 4 B. 40 C. 400 D. 4,000

❸ Maize, another word for corn, comes from an Indian word meaning what?

❽ As of 2012, which country pro-

A. “Sacred mother” or “giver of life” B. “Stalks of goodness” C. “Sweet bits of deliciousness” D. “Yellow pieces”

❹ Who was believed to be

responsible for bringing corn from the West Indies to Europe?

A. The pilgrims B. Indians C. Christopher Columbus D. King Ferdinand

❺ Corn is produced on every

continent expect which one?

A. Africa B. Antarctica C. Asia D. Australia

❻ There are how many different

uses for corn products?

Find out what happens when a brother and sister are tempted by candy in this Grimm classic performed by local children. Tickets sold at the door.

For more: Search “Theater Arts for Children” on Facebook

Liberty Lake Library Halloween party Oct. 29, 5 to 7 p.m.

Liberty Lake Municipal Library 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake Toddlers up to age 10 are invited to come in costume for carnival games, a cake walk and crafts. Pictures will be available for a $2 donation.

For more: www. libertylakewa.gov

The Rockford Lions Club will host a bonfire in Rockford Park with hot dogs and cider, and the McIntosh Grange will have a cake walk, games and prizes for kids 12 and under. Also, the Rockford United Methodist Church will be spooking up the churchyard and handing out candy.

KiDDS Dental Great Candy Buy Back Nov. 2, 4 to 8 p.m.

1327 N. Stanford Lane, Ste. B, Liberty Lake Kids can bring unopened candy and trade for $1 per pound plus goodies donated by local businesses. The excess candy is sent in holiday care packages to troops serving overseas.

For more: www.growupsmiling.com

He’s the latest

KiDDS Dental No Cavity Club winner!

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

A. U.S. B. Mexico C. Spain D. Zimbabwe

❾ Which of the following states produce over one-third of the total U.S. corn crop?

tanyasmith.net

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

A. Illinois B. Iowa C. Both D. Neither

891-7070

❿ How many ears of corn did the world-record holder eat in 12 minutes?

Sources: www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/corn.html; www.dairymoos. com/interesting-facts-about-corn/

Oct. 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Congratulations to Kai!

duced the most corn in the world?

A. 6 B. 12 and a half C. 24 D. 33 and a half

Halloween in Rockford

1327 N Stanford Ln, Ste B, Liberty Lake

www.GrowUpSmiling.com Find us on Facebook for more fun!

8th

Annual

NOV. 2 4

to

8 p.m.

KIDS! Bring your candy to KiDDS Dental Earn $1 per pound • Win prizes • Support our troops The candy must be unopened and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Current

22 • OCTOBER 2015

COMMUNITY

Posting Posting Date Date September September 14, 14, 2015 2015

Posting Date September 14, 2015

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 23

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

arm knitting of infinity scarves are some of the activities. For more: 892-4412 or 291-3722

Continued from page 16

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

lifestyle. Admission (good all weekend) is $8 for seniors/military/children 7-12 are $8 and children 6 and under are free. For more: www. manshowspokane.com

Oct. 24 | Fall/Holiday Handcrafters Bazaar 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Millwood Community

Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road.

This 28th annual event will feature handcrafts, quilts, photography and baked goods. Proceeds support community needs. For more: 924-2350

Oct. 24-25 | Coin & Stamp Show 10

a.m. to 4 p.m., Centerplace Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Buy, sell and trade at over 50 tables with dealers from all over the Northwest. Admission is $2; kids 12 and under are free. For more: www.iecc-wa-org.

Oct. 29 | Meet the Author: Emily St. John Mandel 1 to 3 p.m., CenterPlace

Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Spokane is Reading welcomes author Emily St. John Mandel and her book, “Station Eleven.” Mandel will first appear 1 p.m. at CenterPlace and then 7 p.m. at The Bing Crosby Theatre. For more: www.scld.org

Oct. 31 | Halloween Oct. 31 | Halloween in Rockford 5:30 to

7:30 p.m. The Rockford Lions Club will host a bonfire in Rockford Park with hot dogs and cider, and the McIntosh Grange will have a cake walk, games and prizes for kids 12 and under. Also, the Rockford United Methodist Church will be spooking up the churchyard and handing out candy.

Recurring

Spokane County Library District Valley branch locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards and Spokane Valley. Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. For more: www.scld.org

Spokane Valley Eagles 16801 E. Sprague.

Breakfast served Sundays 9 to 11:30 a.m.

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

Oct. 3 | Traveling Symphony: Whitworth Quartet Concerts 1 to 2 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; 3 to 4 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave.; 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Listen to a quartet of Whitworth music majors perform a series of melodies, both classic and modern, in the library’s comfortable atmosphere. For more: www.scld. org

Oct. 5-6 | Auditions for “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” 6 p.m., Liberty

Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. This show performs Dec. 10-19. For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

Oct. 5-6 | Auditions for “Christmas on the Concourse” 6:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Partners Building, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Performances will be Dec. 11-20. For more: www.igniteonbroadway.org/auditions

Oct. 12, 15 & 17 | Shakespeare Selections 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Oct. 12),

MUSIC & THE ARTS

Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne; 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Oct. 15), Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave.; 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Oct. 17), Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Ignite! Community Theatre celebrates the Bard with small troupe performances that include lectures, scenes from Shakespeare’s plays and audience participation. For more: www.scld.org

Oct. 2-3, 8-10 | “The Elevator” 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 | Dessert and a Show 7:30 p.m.,

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: 570-4440

(also 2 p.m. Oct. 3), Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. Tickets are $12. For more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

Oct. 2-4 | “Play On!” 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat and 2 p.m. Sun., Spokane Valley Partners Building, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Tickets for this comedy are $15 at the door. For more: www.igniteonbroadway.org 

Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan Road. The CVHS Marching Band and Color Guard will perform at this free event followed by dessert in the Commons. For more: cvmbPublicity@hotmail.com

Oct. 24 | This, That or the Other 8 p.m., Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. Tickets are $7 for

Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m., Hobby Lobby, 13902 E. Indiana. There is a small fee for materials. For more: 991-6159

Pages of Harmony Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road. If you enjoy singing, you’ll love the four-part a cappella harmony of this men’s barbershop chorus. For more: www. pagesofharmony.org Spirit of Spokane Chorus Tuesdays, 6:45 p.m., Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. For more: 218-4799 Spokane Valley Camera Club 7:15 p.m., third and fourth Monday of the month (September through April), Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District building, 22510 E. Mission Ave. All levels of ability—students through experienced photographers—are invited to learn. Social events include field trips and workshops. For more: 951-1446 or www.sv-cc.org

CIVIC & BUSINESS Oct. 9-11 | Home Idea Show Noon to 8

p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun.; Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Visitors will see the latest products and services to make their next home improvement project a success.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, and free for children 12 and under. For more: www.spokanehomeshows.com

Oct. 16 | Business Connections breakfast 7 to 9 a.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel,

1100 N. Sullivan Road. Cheryl Kilday, president and CEO of Visit Spokane and board chair for the Washington Tourism Alliance, will talk on the plans for a state-wide tourism program and what it means for local businesses. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for future members (price goes up $10 after Oct. 12). For more: www. spokanevalleychamber.org

Catholic Singles Mingle This group with no dues is for single adults of all ages. For more: www.meetup.com/Catholic-SinglesMingle

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

Oct. 16 | Harvest Moon & HalloWine Auction 5:30 to 9 p.m., Mirabeau Park

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 6:30

Ignite! Community Theatre will host a final weekend of performances for “Play On” Oct. 2-4 at the Spokane Valley Partners building, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door.

Rockford Crochet Class 10 a.m. to noon,

The comedy about the offstage and onstage antics of a community theater group is directed by Adam C. Sharp. Cast includes (front) Brighid Rau; (middle row) Kim Roberts, Gail Cory-Betz, Tanya Morton-Brownlee, Jordan Fugitt; (back row) Jerry B. Uppinghouse, Lisa Michelle Johnson, Moira Moore, Troy Heppner and Phletha Wynn-Hynes.

Saturdays. The Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St. Hairpin Lace, knit, embroidery, needlepoint and

Basket-making class with pine needles

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. This show will feature all scales of model trains and model train supplies, operating model railroads, railroad art, artifacts, photos and videos.

Admission is $6; children 12 and under are free. For more: www.rivercitymodelers.org

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

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

Recurring

Oct. 11 | Spokane Model Train Show

ACT 2 senior classes Affordable classes are offered through Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more: www.sccel.spokane.edu/ACT2

Liberty Lake Library 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, children’s story times, LEGO club, computer drop-in class, knitting club and more. For more: www. libertylakewa.gov/library

this PG13 improv comedy. For more: www. libertylaketheatre.com

Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road. The Inland NW Business Travel Association is holding their annual fundraiser to benefit Northwest North Pole Adventures Spokane Fantasy Flight. Cost is $45 a person. For tickets and more: www. inbta.org

Oct. 17 | Rockford Lions Club auction

Harvest Moon Restaurant, 20 S. 1st Street, Rockford. The club is requesting donations for the second annual auction to benefit activities in the community.

Oct. 22 | Witches Night Out 3 to 8 p.m. Participating retailers include Simply

See CALENDAR, page 38

The Current

24 • OCTOBER 2015 Brought to you by

About and for Valley seniors

Spotlighting timely needs our community can meet together

Members of Striders Inland Northwest make their way through Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley on a recent September morning.

Striding toward a healthier golden age Story and photos by Staci Lehman CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

“There are ten things recommended for healthy aging,” said Carol, a coordinator with the Striders Inland Northwest (INW) group. “The number one thing is don’t act our age.”

Other members of the Striders are taking her literally. Joyce, celebrating her 90th birthday, walked over 1,400 miles between May and September of this year, even while on a cruise to Alaska.

Bob is a former Strider instructor who had pancreatic cancer, followed by chemotherapy and serious complications. He was in the hospital for almost a week recently.

Just nine days after being released, he was back walking with the group, pushing his own wheelchair.

Colleen lost her husband last March after 36 years of marriage but hasn’t let it defeat

her, still walking three days a week.

“It gives me a reason to get up in the morning and get going,” she said. And many others expressed that they feel the same.

Striders INW is a non-profit community walking and exercise program that promotes physical and mental health through walking and other activities. The group is actually made up of two separate groups, the Spokane Valley Striders and the Coeur d’Alene Striders, who come together often for exercise and friendship. Between the two groups, there are about 150 members who track the thousands of miles they walk each year.

Striders are open to people of all ages but participants are mostly senior citizens because classes and organized walks usually take place during the day. Some members bring their grandchildren and, on occasion, mothers and their children will come.

The Striders season goes from September of each year through May. During that time, there are stretch and strength training classes each Monday and Wednesday taught by certified instructors in both Spokane Valley and Coeur d’Alene. Following the classes, many participants head to either the Spokane Valley Mall or Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene to get some walking miles in. Others walk their own preferred routes in smaller groups and some walk alone, depending on their preferences and availability.

Over the summer, the two regional groups get together for a planned walk every Wednesday, going to different areas

IF YOU GO ...

Striders INW

Coeur d’Alene Casino Fundraiser Tuesday, Oct. 13 Bus picks participants up at 10 a.m. at 1470 W. Hanley Ave. in Coeur d’Alene, then departs from the casino at 4 p.m.

Cost is $20 per person. Package includes transportation from the pickup point, $15 extra play cash, cookie reception and $10 meal voucher. In addition, those who sign up to be Strider INW members receive an additional $10 extra play cash. All proceeds benefit Striders INW. Space is limited, so reserve your seat by Oct. 6 by calling Carol at 926-1697 or Joyce at 208-772-3417. in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. You can see them on the Centennial Trail, walking around Mirabeau Park, near Kendall Yards, at various wildlife refuges, Greenbluff and in various parks and natural areas around the region. Most walks are between two and three miles long and usually offer a shorter route option to suit people of all abilities.

Striders INW recently kicked off their 2015 season with a walk around the Valley YMCA. As they do four times a year, the walk was followed by a social get together, refreshments and presentations. Representatives from the Spokane County Animal Regional Protection Service (SCRAPS) were on hand with two dogs to talk about the organization and the advantages of owning a dog or other pet at any age. They also encouraged the Striders to volunteer to walk dogs, as they are already walking on a daily basis anyway.

See STRIDING, page 25

To our friends and neighbors in the greater Spokane Valley: Did you know that Spokane Valley Partners now has a separate clothing bank specifically for career clothing?

Recently, the organization separated out items from the clothing bank that could be used for job interviews or career clothing and put them in a separate area to reserve for people who need wardrobe assistance when it comes to getting back on their feet with a job.

In the coming weeks, Spokane Valley Partners will be working with Humanix as well as local libraries that feature career and job resources to help people looking to enter into the workforce get connected with resources to jumpstart their success.

This fabulous program needs your help, however. The clothing bank is looking for donations of careeroriented clothing — shirts, slacks, shoes, ties, belts, jewelry, etc. — to help stock this now separate service operated by Spokane Valley Partners.

Retired residents and anyone looking to lend a hand are asked to revisit their closets looking for clothing that could be donated. As usual, men’s clothing is the least-donated, so thereby is in the biggest demand.

Donations can be dropped off at 10814 E. Broadway Ave., or call Spokane Valley Partners with any questions at 927-1153.

Thanks for joining us in helping our career-seeking neighbors get the assistance they need to get off on the right foot.

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

OCTOBER 2015 • 25

COMMUNITY

STRIDING Continued from page 24

Another speaker talked about the Washington State Long Term Care Omsbudsman Program that monitors and advocates for quality of life for people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and boarding and adult family homes.

These meetings, and getting together to walk on a regular basis, also provides a social outlet that becomes more important as people age.

“Besides the exercise, it’s about the camaraderie,” said Molly, a longtime member of the Spokane Valley Striders. “If someone doesn’t show up, we check on them, and if someone is sick we send them a card.”

Colleen, who recently lost her husband, agrees.

“They were a great support group,” she said of the four women she usually walk with, but also the larger group as a whole.

She, in turn, supports others. While Colleen is a fast walker and had no problem negotiating the path around Mirabeau Park, she often walks at the mall because some of her walking partners require flat ground

for their walkers or less hilly terrain due to heart conditions.

That loyalty also extends to the area businesses that support the Striders. Over 60 sponsors help pay for not only printed materials, facility rentals and other expenses, but also donate prizes that walkers claim when they hit certain milestones. Bob says the gift cards to local restaurants like Azteca, Noodle Express and Halletts Market has gotten him to try places he usually wouldn’t and he keeps going back, as a way to thank them for their support.

Jack says his tradition is to walk every Friday morning, then go out to breakfast at one of the sponsor restaurants. And, because of the 970 miles he has walked since joining the Striders last May, he doesn’t have to feel guilty about splurging on calories a little.

“I lost 20 pounds without having to give up any of my favorite foods!” he said.

If you are interested in becoming more active and joining Striders INW, check out their website at www.striders-inw.org or call Carol at 926-1697 or Judy at 509-892-1293.

Membership fees are kept very affordable at just $15 a year in order for everyone to participate, including those on fixed incomes.

Former Striders instructor Bob doesn’t need his wheelchair despite only having been out of the hospital a little over a week following treatment for cancer.

Where Wellness Is A Way Of Life • Independent Living • Light Assisted Living • Walking Trail • Wellness & Fitness Center • Gourmet Chef • Cottage Homes • Swimming Pool & Spa • Assisted Living • Bistro

Daily Tours Locally Owned and Operated by the Arger Family

•

Move-in Specials

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

26 • OCTOBER 2015

HISTORY

The Current

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUKE WILLIAMS COLLECTION, SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM ARCHIVES

Despite the tough times, many businesses opened in the Valley during the Depression years, including Halpin’s, the original location of which was near the intersection of Pines and Sprague.

Opportunity State Bank (left) located near the modern-day intersection of Pines and Sprague, did not survive the Depression, closing in 1931.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIDNEY SMITH COLLECTION, SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM ARCHIVES

Valley showed resilience through Depression

By Tyler Robbins

SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

In October 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worse. The stock market crashed the week of October 24-29, and the country slipped into The Great Depression.

With banks closing left and right and unemployment skyrocketing, poverty spread throughout the U.S. in rapid fashion. Almost nowhere was safe, and soup kitchens and Hoovervilles became commonplace almost overnight.

Spokane Valley was no different. The Opportunity (1931) and Dishman (1932) banks went under in the short couple of years following Black Friday. The Spokane Valley State Bank in Millwood was forced to apply for Federal Deposit Insurance, following the lead of the majority of banks nationwide.

Unemployment ran high, and many Valley businesses changed hands. Farmers were also hit hard. In order to pay taxes, many farmers and orchardists were forced to sell off land. The county was soon unable to provide relief to affected families, and the state had to step in. Later in the Depression, relief was mostly provided through the federal government and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.

There are lots of examples of the New Deal in Washington, most notably the Grand Coulee Dam. There are many bridges, parks and trails throughout Spokane and Spokane Valley with the New Deal’s name literally written on it. Next time you are in the Dish-

man Hills, take a closer look at some of the trails and small bridges, and you’re bound to see CCC, WPA or some other initials and a year etched into them. The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and WPA (Works Progress Administration) were programs of the New Deal aimed at creating projects — and in turn creating jobs and income through the government (state and federal) for civilians.

An example of the New Deal in the Valley was the “All Valley Park.” Never heard of it? That’s because nothing permanent ever came of the project. In 1938, with help from state and federal funds, the WPA began plans for a park the entire Valley could call its own. Before Riverfront Park, plans were being made for the 150-acre All Valley Park in the failing Pinecroft area. There were to be tennis courts, hiking, picnic areas, etc.

Before much real construction could take place, World War II intervened, taking workers for the war effort, and the plan was discontinued. Although no park ever came to fruition, tons of dirt and boulders were moved, providing steady work and income for many Valley men in the closing years of the Great Depression.

During a time of great need, the Valley didn’t always need help from the government. The people of the Valley helped themselves as well. Farmers pitched in to help each other, and businesses helped other businesses. The Valley established its own chapter of the Kiwanis during the Depression. Its goal was to provide relief to some of the families and parts of the city

most affected by the Depression. During its infancy, the club itself suffered from lack of funding but was kept afloat by the more affluent members and families of the Valley.

During the 1930s, the club would provide home improvements for stricken families, improvements to city properties, like restrooms in Valley parks and even provided the Valley with its annual Christmas tree for underprivileged children. The Kiwanis got its start during the Great Depression and has remained a part of the Valley ever since.

Like the Kiwanis, some notable Valley businesses got their start or laid their foundation during the rough years of the 1930s.

The ’30s saw the birth of names like Mission Funeral Home (Thornhill Funeral Home) in 1934, Peter’s Hardware in 1934, Halpin’s

in 1936 and Safeway in 1937. Also in 1939, the acreage that would become Spalding Wreckage was purchased by Dolph and Max Spalding.

During the Great Depression, the Valley found itself in the same boat as the rest of the country but didn’t flinch. The people came together to help each other and keep our little group of townships afloat and poised to grow for the future.

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.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KING COLLECTION, SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM ARCHIVES

This Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club (members pictured here in 1934) was formed during the Depression with the goal of providing relief to some of the families most impacted by the brutal economy. With such a proud heritage, the club remains active to this day.

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 27

COMMUNITY

Valley Chamber

Nonprofit Spotlight

Partnering for Progress

HIGHLIGHTS

Description

The mission of Partnering for Progress is to help provide access to health care, education, sanitation, clean water and economic development to residents in developing countries.

Founding In June 2007, the lives of four volunteers from Spokane were changed when they traveled to Kopanga, Kenya, as medical volunteers. Dr. Michale Mainer, Stacey Mainer, Sandy Ivers and her son Nick worked at a small, understaffed, inadequately supplied clinic to treat malnourished infants, pregnant women, children and adults with a variety of conditions. The group was determined to find a way to help the people of this region, and by 2008 they had established Partnering for Progress to ensure the Kenyan people access to health care, sanitation, clean water and educational opportunities.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dr. Tyler Gunderson from Wenatchee examines a patient as part of a dental team during a Partnering for Progress trip to Kenya.

Below, Villagers in Kenya recently received goats as part of the economic develop program sponsored by the Spokane-based nonprofit.

Who benefits Volunteer teams work in Kopanga/ Giribe, a community of several villages in southern Kenya, twice year to assist residents in the areas of health, education, water/sanitation and economic development.

A nutrition program called The Power of Milk serves under-nourished babies, and young girls receive reusable sanitary napkin kits courtesy of the nonprofit. The group

Washington remains the only state that does not have a state-wide tourism program. In 2011, the Washington Tourism Office closed and a grassroots effort was launched by tourism industry leaders to advocate on creating a sustainable funding model for tourism promotion.

IF YOU GO ...

Into Africa Auction and Dinner When: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 Where: Mirabeau Park Hotel What: Learn about the programs Partnering for Progress offers in Kenya while enjoying an African-themed dinner and auction items.

Tickets: $65 per person, $500 for table of eight or $650 to be a table sponsor For more: www.intoafricaauction.org or 720-8408

See NONPROFIT, page 29

West Valley School District went through a rebranding process during the summer that included implementing the use of a new logo and unveiling anew website.

The new logo continues to use three mountaintops to represent the Valley as well as a swoosh to represent the river that flows through the district. The new website will enable parents to connect with the student data center as well as other social media. For more, visit www.wvsd.org.

Colleges honor local students The following students from the Valley

The Washington Tourism Alliance was established as a not-for-profit organization. The WTA worked to introduce legislation during the 2015 legislative session and progress was made. Although the bill is still alive, funding has not yet been secured.

In this informative program, our speaker, Cheryl Kilday, President & CEO of Visit Spokane and current Board Chair for the Washington Tourism Alliance, will present information about the plans for a state-wide tourism program and what it means to your business:

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.

Washington State University Summer Dean’s List, 3.5+ GPA

Greenacres: Mariya Vasilyevna Sichkar Liberty Lake: Hanna Christine Bledsoe, Lauren Lynnette Schilb, Spencer Kyle Stephenson, Austin Tyler Wittman Newman Lake: Megan Elizabeth Dusenberry, Bryn Gernon Lloyd-Davies Spokane Valley: Kimberly Dawn Arambul, Erin Lynne Boland, Sabrita A Cohen, Zoey Maureen Henson, Patricia Marie Howard, Katarina Jeanne Meinzinger, Kendra Alexis Morscheck, Robyn Marie Supnet Valleyford: Makayla Rachel Coffey Veradale: Austin Montgomery Brekke, Petra Ali Frandsen, Charlotte S Schmitz

T HE

SPOKANE VALLEY

Oct. 16, 7-9 a.m.

Mirabeau Park Hotel 1100 N Sullivan Rd, Spokane Valley $25 - Members ($35 after October 12) $35 - Future Members ($45 after October 12) UNDERWRITTEN BY:

November 20 Annual Meeting Keynote by Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer, III

• Determine whether you’d like to join the cause to establish a state-wide tourism program for Washington state

GREAT ER

Business Connections

»

• Update on the legislative plans for the Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA)

FOR

INNOVATE.

S AV E T H E D AT E

• What challenges need to be addressed in the next legislative session

Education Briefs WVSD introduces new look

EMPOWER.

Building a Plan for Tourism in Washington

What they do The nonprofit organizes bi-annual medical/education trips to Kopanga to provide care and educate local medical providers.

The group has also raised funds to build a new medical facility and have funded scholarships for students.

CONNECT.

»

December 18 Business Connections Lunch “Stories of Good Will”

For more information or to register, visit: spokanevalleychamber.org

The BIG 5 initiatives for the Greater Spokane Valley were announced in September.

Learn more at spokanevalleychamber.org

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

PROFILES

28 • OCTOBER 2015

The Current

Making math fun comes naturally to Conklin

By Treva Lind

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

Making math real for students is part of the equation for University High School teacher Mike Conklin.

Sometimes, that means Conklin mixes in trivia games and plays the guitar.

Most times, he strives to ensure that students can relate to the subject, perhaps creating lessons or class discussions that apply to careers or get students actively involved in solutions. This summer, Conklin received national recognition for his work as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The $10,000 award is granted by the National Science Foundation.

Conklin received this year’s honor as one of 108 teachers — two each from the 50 states and four other U.S. jurisdictions — with recipients travelling to Washington D.C. for the recognition. Conklin and his wife, Tanya, went on the trip July 28-Aug. 1.

The honorees attended a July 30 award ceremony, received a certificate signed by President Barack Obama, and visited the White House July 31.

“Something that’s a little humbling about being designated with the award is just about everything I do in the classroom is through some collaboration, either with other teachers or someone in the district,” Conklin said in September. “It’s a little strange to be singled out because we all work together. We all offer similar lessons, but we also bring different strengths.”

An educator for 19 years, Conklin has spent the past 10 teaching at U-Hi. Currently, he serves as the mathematics department chair and teaches AP Calculus, Algebra II and a computer science class.

He also has taught drawing and served as a school yearbook adviser.

“Mike enjoys bringing a visual take on math to the classroom whenever possible, and an occasional song or two. He is certified in art education,” said an award description.

U-Hi math teacher Tamara Anderberg, who nominated him, said Conklin’s many strengths include leadership, being a good

Age

MIKE CONKLIN

42

Favorite hobby I play guitar.

Best strategy game Tetris. I’m pretty good at that.

Top Washington D.C. memory Meeting people I’ve admired.

Specifically, the president and University of Maryland physics professor, Dr. S. James Gates.

Best tip for teaching math Make it real

CURRENT PHOTOS BY TREVA LIND

University High School’s Mike Conklin was recently recognized nationally with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (at left). Below is one of the T-shirts he designed for each year’s AP Calculus students to wear at AP testing.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

mentor and a constant willingness to help students and others who need support. She credited his teaching as both creative and forward-thinking, including use of technology.

“He’s an innovator,” Anderberg said. “I think students really respect him. A lot of times he designs instructions to help kids figure out the problems without telling them the answer. Every day is a little different in his classroom.”

She gave examples of Conklin having students do math problems but also bringing in trivia, a year-end math Olympics, math puns and three-digit bowling.

“He’ll take ideas that someone has, and he makes them better,” she said. “Personally, he’s been a mentor to me and helped me to be a better teacher. He’s a good listener, and very constructive with feedback.”

Tyler Kennedy, 21, is a former student and now a senior at Eastern Washington University majoring in math. He plans work in the financial sector.

“There are very few teachers you encounter who have the ability to make learning fun and learning truly worth pursuing,” Kennedy said. “Very rarely can you get a student passionate about learning, especially for a subject like math.

Mr. Conklin does it extremely well by being helpful, encouraging, and demonstrating how math can be beautiful, artistic, enjoyable to do and fun, just like music and sports.”

Remembering the Washington D.C. trip, Conklin said part of one afternoon included Obama speaking to award recipients and taking a group picture. He then shook hands with individuals.

“He said all of our names back to

us,” Conklin described. “He said, ‘Thanks, Mike, for all you do.’ I’ll have that engrained in my head for a long time. It’s pretty surreal.”

Other trip highlights included workshops and speakers, he said.

The teachers met in small groups and exchanged ideas.

“It was a pretty action-packed five days,” he said. “Most of our meals were either working meals or we had speakers. One day we spent at the National Science Foundation.”

At NSF, topics included the latest brain research and the accuracy of clocks. The latter is critical for computer processing and GPS systems.

“They’ve just developed a clock that is much more accurate than the current atomic clock,” he said.

“I’m teaching a new computer science class and talking about this

information has already come into play.”

Of his teaching style, Conklin said bringing fun into the classroom is actually a byproduct of how he relates to math and shares concept with students.

“Often the use of games and music is how I think about the math,” he explained. “One thing people dislike about math is it just seems like a bunch of rules. I like to think of math as a bit more dynamic. I like games and silly memorization of numeric devices.

“Having it fun is good, but I want it to be meaningful. I’d like to think I do a pretty good job on both.”

He’ll often think about ideas to try in the classroom while driving to school from his home in Rockford. He and Tanya have one daughter, a second-grader.

Conklin grew up in Northwest Indiana and drew a picture in kindergarten saying he wanted to be a teacher because educators help people learn. Making math relevant to individuals’ lives means different things to different people, he said.

“For some people, math is real enough, and they can get into it just for the pure sake of math,” he said. “For some people, math is more real by showing them the more visual aspect of it, either with graphs or physical models, and for some people, it’s show me how I’ll use math in my future job as a graphic artist.

“The more I get to know students, that makes it easier too.

Usually, once you get them hooked, they’re with you the rest of the time.”

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 29

COMMUNITY

Community Briefs Rotary Club holds fashion show The Men of Rotary Fashion Show will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road. The night will include dinner and a show, live and silent auctions and games.

Tickets are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. Proceeds provide scholarships for local students via the Rotary Club of Spokane Valley.

To purchase tickets or more, call 9245672 or 714-2629.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office hosts Citizens Academy Registration is open for the fall Citizens Academy put on by the Spokane County Sheriff ’s Office. The class begins Oct. 5 and runs Monday nights through Nov. 23 at the Spokane Valley Precinct, 12710 E. Sprague.

The eight classes will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to meet deputies, learn about the training and challenges, and explore the different unit assignments. A background check is required.

To register or for more, call 477-2592 or email crjohnston@spokanesheriff.org.

Great Candy Buy Back to be held Nov. 2 KiDDS Dental is offering kids $1 per pound of candy during their annual buy back from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Liberty Lake office, 1327 N. Stanford Lane, suite B. The candy must be unopened and children must be accompanied by an adult.

NONPROFIT Continued from page 27

also provide scholarships to over 10 high school kids a year, as secondary education is not free in Kenya.

Partnering for Progress recently started an economic development program with goats and chickens, and farmers are now being trained in an agriculture pilot about growing grains and vegetables. Volunteers have built water tanks and installed water pumps in several villages and always stress importance of safe drinking water. This is all in addition to the medical, dental and optical teams sent to treat patients and work with community health workers to educate on nutrition, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, etc.

How you can help Partnering for Progress organizes two trips to Kenya every year in the fall and early winter. Volunteer opportunities are available for medical professionals, educators, engineers and business people to share their expertise and make a difference in the lives of those in south Kenya.

Volunteers pay their own expenses, which

Banner Bank is helping by giving away cash, and other businesses are contributing non-sweet goodies to exchange for candy. The sweets are shipped to an organization dedicated to serving troops by delivering the candy overseas in holiday care packages.

For more, visit www.growupsmiling.com.

CV craft show slated for November

A holiday guide for the Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake and Rockford areas

A fall craft show benefiting the Central Valley High School marching band and color guard is scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school, 821 S. Sullivan Road.

Admission is $2 at the door. For more information, email cvmbpublicity@hotmail.com.

Exchange program seeks reps ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for volunteers to serve as area representatives in the community. ASSE provides academic year and semester exchange programs in the United States for high school students from around the world.

Duties include recruiting and screening prospective host families, interviewing students to study abroad and supervising exchange students, a press release said.

Area representatives are compensated based on the number of students they supervise.

For more information, call 800-7332773 or email asseusawest@asse.com.

tio

are approximately $2,800.

You do not have to be a world traveler to make a difference in Kenya. The group is also in need of volunteers of various skills to serve on local committees in the areas of health, education, communications, water/ sanitation and the annual auction.

For more, call 720-8408 or visit www. partneringforprogress.org/volunteer.html.

To learn more Attend the Oct. 10 event called Into Africa event, the largest fundraiser of the year for Partnering for Progress. Held at the Mirabeau Part Hotel, guests will be treated to African-themed foods complemented by American cuisine. The program will include videos from recent trips as well as a silent and loud auction.

Interested people can also sign up to receive a monthly electronic newsletter with current news at www.partneringforprogress.org.

Do you know of an organization in the greater Spokane Valley area that should be featured as a Nonprofit Spotlight? Tell us at editor@valleycurrent.com.

“Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a special cover section that will champion what the Valley area has to offer in the way of gifts and food. Advertise in this holiday guide aimed at area consumers and businesses — and as a bonus we’ll include your idea as part of our story featuring can’t-miss local gift ideas. Restaurants are encouraged to advertise and contribute a tantalizing menu item for our article on dining out.

On November 23 and 24, the guides will be distributed throughout the greater Valley area via The Splash and The Current. The December issues are strategically scheduled to land before Thanksgiving, just in time to remind residents about supporting local businesses on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28) and throughout the holiday season.

1/4 PAGE: $325

1/2 PAGE: $650

* Contract discounts apply

1/2 PAGE: $650

Display ad with submitted menu item or gift idea: Display ad (submitted gift idea or menu item will be printed if space is still available):

FULL PAGE: $1300

The Current

30 • OCTOBER 2015

WV welcomes back students

Shutterbug Snapshots

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

While at Newman Lake on a recent Saturday morning, Michael Hassett was able to photograph a muskrat, river otter and a white-crowned sparrow.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

West Valley School District Superintendent Gene Sementi administers the Oath of Office to student representative Kalaya Volmar, who will serve on the board for the 2015-2016 school year.

Testing their agility

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Orchard Center Elementary first-grade teacher Jennifer Miller welcomes a new student to her first grade class on the first day of school.

Julie Dickson of Otis Orchards runs the course with her dog Story, a Shetland Sheepdog, during the AKC Agility trial at East Farms Elementary in August. Eric Dickson, who also competes in agility, shared this photo as well as one of Story going over one of the jumps on the course.

Moving with purpose

WVHS cheerleader Danielle Matson poses with a group of new students during the LinkCrew orientation prior to the first day of school.

Local Lens

Share your snapshots for The Current’s photo page. Email photos@valleycurrent.com with scenes from around town, community events and group photos.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Local kids participate in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics and cheer classes offered by KidFIT at the HUB Sports Center.

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 31

LOCAL LENS

CURRENT PHOTOS BY BOB JOHNSON

Valleyfest kicked off its 26th anniversary on the last Friday of September with its annual Hearts of Gold Parade along Sprague Avenue. A beautiful weekend of weather drew adults and kids of all ages to Mirabeau Park Sept. 25-27 for a car show, activities, entertainment, races and its signature Hot Air Balloon launches.

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Magnesium Rd Mother E Nature showing off her vibrant fall Lincoln colorsAvesignals it’s time for SInland NorthtM west builders to show off the latest trends in home design and construction. ul c h Rd wG g i These homes can be seen duringE the 11th B E Francis Ave annual Spokane Fall Festival of Homes, sponsored

by Ave the Spokane Home Builders E Rowan Association (SHBA). The Festival comE Wellesley Ave pletes its two-weekend run Oct. 2-4.

395 “It is a nice opportunity to meet local builders and subcontractors if you’re thinkDr ” E Euclid ve E FrederickaAvehome, ing ofAvebuilding or remodeling er ve A a Marketing Communications 2SBHA Indianand Spokane N r Director Nichole er D Kerns said. “Also, it gives v i r p U people greatEdecorating Mission Ave or remodeling ideas for their current homes.”

A lvfree community event, the Festival 290 d W Spokane Fal ls B showcases 31 homes Sprague in Ave 26 different devel#285 e #281 opments from 19 local builders.

E Hartson Ave E Roc “Personally I love seeing the floor plans, kw od designs and finishes that the builders come B l vd 14th Ave E Glenr“Getting up with each year,” Kerns said. a ose R d S Southhow glimpse into east other people’s homes look inside is exciting and gives me fun ideas for 29th Ave chagrin.”

29th Aveown home — to my husband’s my 32nd Ave This year, the event features three host 37th Ave 37th Ave Dr site developments; Elk Ridge Heights in6 the Spokane Valley, Eagle Ridge in South SpoCreek at and Ponderosa Ridge S P in the northwest kane alo Qualchan GC u orke 53rd Ave area of Spokane. Each sitesewill offer Cevent Hw 57th Ave y 5 guide magazines with maps and builder in63rd Ave E Custer Ln 1 2 formation. en Bur 3 “We beginning yourr Rtour at 195 recommend d at one of our three Host sites,” Kerns said. ng Most y of the homes in the Festival are White Rd for sale. The average price of the homes is $433,295, with the median price $395,000.

“Numerous homes are sold as a result of the Festival,” Kerns said. “Some of those homes are the ones included in the show, and some are homes from builders participating in the show that meet buyers then sell homes that weren’t in the Festival.”

Dave Largent, President of Dave Largent Homes, is participating in his sixth year. He says the event brings in a large number of potential customers to view the homes who he might not have the opportunity to meet otherwise.

“On average we generate two to four additional custom homes that are directly associated with the Fall Festival of Homes,” Largent said.

Largent and Camden Homes are the featured builders in the Valley’s Elk Ridge Heights host site. The site is an upscale, gated community with view lots.

“There is a nice mix of families with young children to empty nesters who still want a nice house but don’t need quite as much space,” Largent said. “I looked all

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Fall Festival showcases 31 homes, 19 builders 2

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MAP COURTESY OF SPOKANE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

To see a complete map and list of participating homes and restaurants go to www.spokanefestivalofhomes.com

IF YOU GO ...

Oct. 2-4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The free community event features new construction in the Spokane, Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake communities. In the Valley and Liberty Lake area, 11 builders will feature 15 homes in 14 different developments.

The list at right represents these show homes. Not shown on this section of the map, homes 1 through 6 are located south of I-90 in the Spokane area and 22 through 31 are north of the freeway in Spokane.

VALLEY AND LIBERTY LAKE HOMES 7 Camden Homes 13202 E. San Juan Lane*

15 Greenstone 19925 E. Knox Court

8 Dave Largent Homes 4327 Henrys Fork Lane*

16 Hayden Homes LLC 18914 E. Grace Avenue

9 Paras Homes LLC 11210 E. Flagstone Lane

17 Markham Homes Inc. 17012 E. Baldwin Avenue

10 Split Diamond Construction LLC 2530 S. Man O’ War Lane

18 Sullivan Homes LLC 5305 N. Del Rey Drive

11 Greenstone 1817 S. Morningside Heights Drive 12 Eric Madsen Homes LLC 16607 E. 10th Avenue 13 Gordon Finch Homes Inc. 400 N. Timberfield Lane, Unit K 14 Greenstone 24991 E. Stonecrest Court

19 Monogram Homes 11728 E. Rivercrest Drive 20 Paras Homes LLC 8506 E. Hazelwood Lane 21 Paras Homes LLC 5409 N. Radium Lane *Denotes host site

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 33

BUSINESS

Pizza perfect!

Compiled by Alyssa Agee THE MONTHLY YELP

Survey says: pizza. With all that hot, cheesy goodness, it's a favorite for almost everyone. Go ahead and nestle up to a piping hot pie from one of these great local spots.

Brother’s Office Pizza 13221 E. 32nd Ave. “Seriously delicious handcrafted drinks & pizzas! And the best part is it’s right in my neighborhood! The Garlic chicken with artichoke has my vote hands down.”

— Ashley H. Caruso’s Sandwich and Pizza Co. 2314 N. Argonne Road “Yes, it is called a sandwich shop. However, Caruso’s has the very best pizza in the Valley! Always prepared to perfection.

And the service is pleasant and accommodating.” — Diedre N. Pizza Pipeline 9407 E. Trent Ave. “We got a large Meatie Supreme to go.

River City Pizza and Pasta It was one of the best pizzas I have had in a long time. The amount of toppings was more than I have ever seen from a pizza place! I have gone back two times this month and will continue to return.” — Matt T. River City Pizza and Pasta 4707 N. Harvard Road, Otis Orchards “We made our own veggie pizza, and it was delicious. The second time we got pizza I called for carryout, and we got the taco supreme pizza (which came with a container of lettuce, salsa and sour cream) and the chicken garlic pizza. They were both extremely delicious.” — Joel H. Yelp has been connecting people with great local businesses since 2004. Sign up for weekly emails at Yelp.com.

Biz Notes Shops host Witches Night Out Several Valley retailers are combining efforts to sponsor a night of tasty treats, instore specials and Halloween fun on Oct. 22 from 3 to 8 p.m.

During Witching Night out, there will be a chance for attendees to win over $1,000 in prizes. Shoppers are also encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes.

Participating shops include Simply Northwest, 11806 E. Sprague; The Trellis Marketplace, 4102 S. Bowdish Road; Jema Lane Boutique, 613 S. Pines Road; Trovato Interiors, 18 S. Union Road; The Treasure Trove, 12415 E. 1st Ave.; and Crush Coffee Bar, 13421 E. 32nd Ave.

North Palouse Chamber seeks members The North Palouse Chamber of Commerce is looking for businesses and individuals who want to help grow local communities including Mica, Valleyford, Rockford, Fairfield, Latah, Waverly and Spangle.

Started 12 years ago, the Chamber provides scholarships, recognizes businesses and other services to the community. Current officers include President Randy Russell, superintendent of Freeman School District; Vice President Deb Carney, owner of Zythum Brewery in Fairfield; Secretary Kyle Rydell, superintendent of Liberty School

District; and Treasurer Debbie Ashmoore, Bank of Fairfield in Rockford.

The next Chamber meeting will be held 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Latah Town Hall, 108 E. Market St. All are invited to attend.

Current, Splash to publish holiday gift guide Local businesses are being offered an opportunity to showcase local gift ideas and menu items in the “Eat, Shop and Be Merry” holiday guide. The guide will be distributed Nov. 23-24 throughout the greater Valley area and will remain on newsstands until Christmas.

Cost starts as low as $325 to be a part of the 18,000 copies that will be included in the December issues of The Current and The Liberty Lake Splash. In addition, those who advertise in this special section will be allowed to submit an idea for a story featuring can’t-miss gift ideas as well as an article on tantalizing menu items. Deadline to reserve an ad and submit a gift idea is Nov. 2.

The Current is also soliciting input from readers on the best gift ideas and menu items that can be found in the Valley area.

Watch the Current Facebook page or email editor@valleycurrent.com with your recommendations for Valley dining and giftbuying.

CURRENT PHOTO BY DANI GUARISCO

Ammo, a 3-year-old black mouth cur, tackles a hydrotherapy session recently at K9 Country Club.

A walk in the water Hydrotherapy option offered to local dogs

By Dani Guarisco

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

When a dog is sick or injured, an owner will often do whatever it takes to get the pet back to fetching tennis balls and chasing the mailman. After all, this is man’s best friend we’re talking about.

K9 Country Club, 19223 E. Appleway Ave., is helping the cause of dog health with a technology called hydrotherapy.

Ammo, a dog in the program, entered the “tank” of the treadmill during a recent visit through a gate. As he starts walking on the treadmill, the tank fills with water almost to Ammo’s chest. The speed adjusts accordingly, so Ammo is not overwhelmed. He walks for 15 minutes as his owner encourages him. The whole process is over in less than 20 minutes.

“Even just after a few sessions, like three or four, we could already tell the way he walked that he was walking better,” said Ammo’s owner, Frannie, who asked that her last name not be used for this story.

“It’s amazing how quickly it helped him; he’s already walking straighter.”

The 3-year-old black mouth cur had surgery on his back right knee after tearing a ligament, but after coming in twice a week for about a month, Ammo is show-

ing results. Ammo is also taking supplements recommended by K9 Country Club. The result: Ammo is losing weight and gaining muscle.

“We are making him healthy from the inside out,” said K9 Country Club owner Nick Lungu.

Lungu said on top of surgery recovery, hydrotherapy also helps dogs needing to lose weight or dealing with arthritis.

Depending on the problem and the dog, walking time could vary and the therapy process could last three to six weeks.

"With physical therapy in water, there’s no impact. It’s not like running on a sidewalk — there’s no impact on his joints," Lungu said of Ammo. “It’s easy on his bones because he is supported by the water around him.”

As Ammo helps himself to a drink during the walk, Lungu assures that no chemicals are added to the water.

“What I like most about it is that he’s excited to come and walk,” Frannie said.

Lungu said dogs must go through an evaluation process to make sure the treatment is right for them. He said the technology allows for a variety of speeds, and even has a feature that has the dog walk backward to work different muscles.

“Hydrotherapy is definitely the way to go,” Lungu said. “It’s the healthiest way to go for recovery and preventative care.”

34 • OCTOBER 2015

SPORTS

The Current

Clayton bringing new dimension to EV

By Mike Vlahovich

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

In his first five starts as East Valley quarterback, East Valley’s Dante Clayton put up numbers that even Seattle Super Bowl champion QB Russell Wilson could envy.

Since taking over the Knights helm for the final three games of the 2014 season and first two this year, Clayton was unbeaten and produced a mind-boggling 21 touchdowns. He added another in game three, but had three interceptions as the win streak emphatically ended, ironically by five passing touchdowns from Post Falls.

If you thought he couldn’t duplicate the six-touchdown season-ending effort against North Central on 13-for-18 passing and 251 yards last year, he opened this season 17-for-20, 257 yards passing and another six TDs against Deer Park, then backed that against Lakeland with four more touchdowns through the air, plus one on the ground.

Clayton’s understated analysis? “It really is just exciting to think about. It was just …

I don’t even know … just a lot of preparation and a lot of watching film.”

Let EV coach Adam Fisher add perspective: “He reads the proper guy and makes the proper throw. Sometimes it’s not the most glamorous throw, but his throwing percentage is the highest we’ve ever had in 16 years.”

Indeed Clayton’s throwing motion is more sidearm pitcher than classic over-thetop style of a drop back NFL QB. But his form belies his stats. He had scant turnovers before rugged Post Falls, and in the Knights hurry-up offense efficiently found his receivers.

“As goes my form,” the skinny 6-foot-1,

Sports Brief

160-pounder laughingly said, “it is a little unorthodox, I guess you could say. I never really had the strongest arm or was able to throw the deepest ball.”

Part of that, he added, is because he needs to strengthen his shoulders and gain weight.

EV’s fast-paced offense has played a big part in his success. He’s able to pass on the run and put pressure on defenses.

“The goal is to take your three steps and get (the ball) out quick,” Clayton said. “We want to be able to go, go, go, get down the field and put points on the board. It doesn’t seem like you’re putting many points on the board until you look up and see it.”

People come up and ask him how many scoring passes he’ll have in the upcoming game.

“It’s not really on my mind, but I tell them, ‘just enough to win,’” he said. “I don’t care how we get there, whether it’s running or passing, I want to get one more point than the other team.”

Clayton was a wide receiver in football until he was asked to become a quarterback in the eighth grade.

“I’d been throwing the ball a lot, and coach said I had a pretty strong arm,” Clayton said. “He asked me to be the quarterback and I turned out, really liked the position and decided that was the way to go.”

Last year he was backup to second-year starter Connor Ramm. Two-thirds through the season, Fisher said they had “a little bit of a need” for a receiver and knew Ramm would be the one. Clayton, who made cameo appearances in a few earlier games and played a half against West Valley, was ready to go.

“He’s a very coachable guy which makes it

CURRENT PHOTOS BY MIKE VLAHOVICH

East Valley’s Dante Clayton is finding success leading the Knights’ offense as quarterback.

really enjoyable,” Fisher said. “He’s the kind of guy who takes a mistake really hard. He really cares.”

In the second game of the season he lost his only fumble and came to the bench with tears in his eyes, Fisher said, and had to calm his emotions.

East Valley is a team that historically hung its hat on the running game, but the

HUB readies for fall

CV track star inducted into Inland Northwest Hall of Fame The Spokane Sports Commission recently released the names of inductees into the 2015 Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame.

Central Valley High School track standout Annette Hand Peters will be one of the athletes inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Peters took the 4A state title for the 1,600 meter run in 1983 and holds three national USATF titles for the 1,500 meters in 1993 and the 3,000 meters in 1993 and 1994. She made eight national teams and competed in the 1992 Olympics, along with seven world championships.

The public is invited to attend the induction ceremony 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Area. Tickets are on sale for $30 and can be purchased at www.spokanesports.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

The HUB Sports Center recently refinished its floors as well as replaced lights and put up a new mural on the east side of the building in anticipation of a full season of activities and events.

last four years it is a team with more balance. Dante Clayton has added a different dimension with his feet and unorthodox arm.

“This year we’re going to pass more than run it, I can tell you that,” Fisher said.

The hard-working quarterback, who also was EV’s second-leading scorer in basketball, is the reason why.

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 35

SPORTS

Fantasy sports can seriously bruise an ego — or worse

By Mike Vlahovich THE FINAL POINT

The smell of autumn is in the air with its crisp days and nights, the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. “Are you ready for some … (fantasy) football?”

What? Did you think we were talking about our local high school and college teams — who by the way are doing just fine — and travails of the Seattle Seahawks?

This is serious business. It’s gambling’s latest multi-million dollar windfall. On a lesser scale, the innocent neighborhood leagues are more for fun, but have us tearing our hair out.

I’ll admit I’m a wreck this time of year — 18 weeks filled mainly with Sunday (Thursday, Monday) agony.

Early returns mixed for Valley teams

By Mike Vlahovich

CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

It’s been a mixed bag for Valley high schools so far this fall.

University (4-0) and Central Valley (31) are in the Greater Spokane League football hunt.

The Bears and Titans, one-two in GSL volleyball and state qualifiers last year, will again be bunched in a four-way race, and Northeast A League power Freeman is unbeaten to date.

West Valley had the early lead in Great Northern League girls soccer, while newlook CV so far hadn’t missed a beat.

University’s boys and Central Valley girls, state cross country teams a year ago, will be tough again this season.

Herewith some early highlights to the league seasons:

This harkens back more than 30 years ago during a seemingly innocent time when the late Valley advertising salesman and sports broadcaster Dick Wright and I picked the winners in a Vera Water Power newspaper advertisement: “Dick’s Picks and Mike’s Likes,” much like The Spokesman-Review’s current battle between prep writer Greg Lee and KHQ’s Sam Adams, with a dinner on the line.

I’m ashamed to admit that once I kicked a moon boot in frustration over the week’s outcome that barely sailed over my infant son’s head and shattered a tall glass swan ornament. My wife, Tambra, ushered me out of the house to cool down. It wasn’t my finest hour.

You’d think I learned a lesson. But no-o-o.

That graduated into a Fantasy Football league among friends. Along with my now grown son, Jared — evidently subliminally influenced by the flying boot — we made hay. He’s a San Diego fan and tight end Antonio Gates was our go-to guy for several years.

You’re glued to the TV morning to night, emotions rising and falling like

the stock market; euphoric with every touchdown, extra point and field goal or interception; dejected with every fumble, penalty or stop near the end zone (unless, of course, we had the kicker).

More recently, my brother-in-law, who lives in Arizona, formed a 28-member league of friends and family appropriately named Dry Heat, in the free-to-join CBSsports Fantasy website where you pick the winners of each NFL game. The games are listed each week on the website complete with percentages indicating probable outcomes.

You kick in a few bucks and sell your soul. In order to stave off day-long torpor, I’m reluctant to watch any games other than the Seahawks (that’s been disappointing enough.)

Last year, I got off to such an abysmal start that I devised a plan — and it worked. I picked the favorites by playing the percentages and checking the odds. If the games are too close to call I’d always pick the home team. I gained significant ground and actually got my entry fee back, but it mainly was a moral victory.

A sportswriter shouldn’t be embarrassed.

The first week this year I picked St. Louis over Seattle and roared to a 12-2 start. But I ignored my philosophy two weeks in a row, picked against some home teams and got bit. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. It was worse the following week.

My wife joined for the first time. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em I guess. And wouldn’t you know, she won the second week’s pot, shared first place while I tumbled to eighth after an ignominious 5-11 week. Tam is smarter, more athletic, better looking and has been the rock in this 35-year partnership. Still, this male ego was bruised.

Columnist Norman Chad (Couch Slouch) pointed out that Fantasy Football is gambling in another word. It’s big money with all its inherent risks of addiction and financial ruin. I concur.

Gotta go now. CBSsports just emailed.

My picks are due.

Football

Tanner Sloan had passed for 398 yards.

Gage Connole and Alec Doyle had done the lion’s share of rushing. Ben Craig, Rhett Foley and sophomore Edwards were Sloan’s main targets.

In East Valley’s season opener, Colin Spendlove had five touchdown receptions as Dante Clayton’s go-to receiver. EV started the season 2-1.

West Valley added sophomore soccer player Chase Howat, who kicked three field goals in his debut. Junior quarterback Hunter Wright passed for four touchdowns and rushed for another.

Freeman has new faces, but the same result — except against Pullman. In one game, the score was Jack Paukert 24, Newport 0 early in the second quarter of the Scotties’ eventual 49-7 rout. He finished with five touchdowns in the game and a total of eight for the season.

In the season opener against Timberlake, Freeman showed a number of ways to score. Special teams: Paukert with a 68-yard punt return and Ben Darcy via a 94-yard kickoff return. Defense: Darcy on a fumble return. Offense: two TDs, including Pauckert.

tral Valley came from two games down to beat Mead.

The Titans have been led, as expected,

by Rachel Schlect, who has been the kills leader usually in mid-to-upper double digits. Kendall Collins took over at setter and twice has set 42 kills. Seniors Daryn Griffith, Kaiti Pannell and Sonja Bertrand are other key performers.

Veterans, kills leader Keann White, setter and serving standout Jade Rockwood, her twin sister and defensive star Meghan Rockwood, plus state track placers/volleyball standouts Hannah Reiman and Sydney Johnson, have been CV bell weathers.

East Valley’s Jordan Phelan took up where she left off as leading hitter for the Knights, averaging nearly 15 kills per match. Sophomore Sidney Frogge has set her up and veteran libero Brooklynn Juris leads kills on a team that has seven sophomores.

WV is still struggling, but has gotten solid play from Taija Williams and Jordyn Rauer.

Freeman got off to an 8-0 start, led by Hayley Damon, Alisha Straw and Bayley Steger.

A year ago, the Titans had the secondbest record (6-4) among GSL 4A teams, but missed the postseason, and Central Valley won but three games.

The Bears have already won as many games as all of last year and U-Hi should be 5-0 (1-0 in the 4A division) going into the meat of their five-game 4A division schedule.

U-Hi has outscored its opponents by an average 41-9 score, averaged 444 yards of total offense, including 575 against Sandpoint and held Ferris to one first down and a mere 58 yards in their third win. Treivon Tuggles had a 206-yard rushing performance against Sandpoint.

Quarterback Logan O’Neill passed for over 200 yards in each of the Titans first three games, totaling 817 yards with eight touchdowns. Tanner Chase and Griffin Thorson have been his main targets.

CV let their season opener get away against Coeur d’Alene, squandering a 23-8 lead at halftime and a 30-16 lead late in the third quarter of their 37-30 loss.

Since then, the Bears are unbeaten, topping Lewis and Clark 21-3 in a league counter dominated by defenses.

Jordan Talifili, a 300-pound junior, blew through Tigers linemen, scattering them like so many bowling pins. The game featured a 40-yard option pass from Conner DeGeest to Jace Edwards.

A third of the way through the season,

Volleyball What to expect in the Greater Spokane League?

Consider this: University defeated Gonzaga Prep in five games, and the Bullpups rallied from a 0-2 deficit to win three games to beat Central Valley. Then Cen-

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

Soccer CV’s girls soccer team has only four seniors on this year’s roster that includes seven freshmen, but the two-time defending state champions had lost just once before

See NOTEBOOK, page 37

36 • OCTOBER 2015

OPINION

Responsibility requires 100 percent

By Mike Conklin

SPLASH GUEST WRITER

I have, essentially, two expectations for my students—to be responsible and to be respectful. A couple of weeks ago marked the beginning of a new school year, and my students had the chance to brainstorm ways that they can demonstrate responsibility and respect as students in their math classroom. I was impressed with the ideas they generated. A great deal of the responses related to responsibility focused

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— William Penn

on completing homework and preparing for tests, but some took the idea a step further. The idea of getting work in advance for upcoming absences was expressed a number of times; also mentioned multiple times were getting help when needed and being on time. These are all great ways to express responsibility, but if I could instill a three-part sense of responsibility this year to them, I will consider the year to be a success (and math fluency will most certainly be a by-product).

Now to the three parts: 1) Knowing what needs to be done; 2) Doing what needs to be done in a timely manner; and 3) Seeking ways to either improve upon what’s been done or continue to perform at a high level. Often, demonstrating responsibility as a high school student involves following directives from others (parents, teachers, coaches, etc.). As we gain independence, responsibility involves taking more initiative, and in order to do that, we need to know what needs to be done and not always expect others to tell us. How do we get it all done? The students in my classroom tend to be some of the busiest at our school. Ambitious and social teenagers sometimes overlook time management as a means to be responsible.

This past summer, I attended a “working breakfast” in which we heard from worldrenowned physicist Dr. S. James Gates. I had the pleasure and honor of sitting with Dr. Gates during the breakfast portion of the meeting. One of my fellow attendees at the table asked Dr. Gates how he is able

The Current

Editorial Cartoon

to be involved with and give attention to many different projects, committees, speaking engagements, etc. He chuckled, paused for a moment and then shared something quite simple, yet profound: “At any given time, whatever is getting my attention gets 100 percent of my attention.”

Even in this age of multi-tasking, Dr. Gates’ words make so much sense. I find myself trying to accomplish multiple tasks at once and end up taking much more time to complete these tasks often at a much lower level than had I approached each task individually. I have already been able to share Dr. Gates’ 100-percent tactic with a number if students this year. The phrase “Giving 100 percent” is certainly more meaningful to me now.

I have already caught myself on a number of occasions this school year getting distracted as I try to give my undivided attention to the task at hand. If a task is worthy of me taking responsibility for getting it done, doesn’t it deserve 100 percent of my focus for at least a given stretch of time? I would hope so.

Mike Conklin teaches math and computer science at University High School. He has been at U-High for 10 years and is entering his 20th year of teaching overall. While a strong believer in individual responsibility, he is known to give gentle shoves to get students back on track. He volunteered his time to be the PACE guest columnist for the month of October.

SPORTS

PARASPORT Continued from page 15

A variety of conditions serve as qualifiers for the ParaSport program, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputations, arthrogryposis, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, visual impairments, amniotic band syndrome and more. Skinner sums it up by saying that those on the team are dealing with “any kind of physical disability that interferes with them playing stand-up sports.”

Skinner said that many ParaSport athletes are able to walk while some have never used a wheelchair.

“They are still eligible to play wheelchair basketball, because they have a disability,” she said. “With track and field, they can stand to throw or run or they can opt for wheelchair racing or be seated for field events.”

Tomie Zuchetto helped Skinner form the foundation for Team St. Luke’s and now serves as ParaSport head basketball coach and track and field assistant.

“What I like most is the way lives are changed through participating in sports,” Zuchetto said. “After a very short time they discover that they can be athletes. They begin socializing with other kids with disabilities and all of a sudden they don’t feel different anymore.”

The only down side of traveling to a range of international events, Skinner said, is the contrast between the way adaptive sports are viewed in other parts of the world as compared to the U.S. In London, each session of the Paralympics featured a sold-out crowd of 80,000 energetic fans. Athletes were routinely asked for autographs and perceived as celebrities.

“Returning home can be discouraging just based on the way they are treated,” Skinner said. “I wish Americans would see

them as the amazing athletes they are and not focus on the disability.”

With a main office in Spokane Valley, ParaSport has also incorporated the PACE program — Partners Advancing Character Education — utilized by each school district in the greater Valley area. Each month, a separate character trait is emphasized. Respect, courage, diligence, gratitude and the rest of the dozen are all integral to the ParaSport agenda, Zuchetto says.

“First and foremost, we are working toward creating athletes with integrity,” she said. “We talk about the PACE character trait of the month at all of our practices and incorporate it into discussions of how that particular trait is displayed. The kids really do a great job identifying how these character traits not only fit in the sports they are participating but they also are traits we want to have in our school, work and with our families.”

While the majority of ParaSport athletes

hail from the Spokane area, some come from places like Yakima, North Idaho, TriCities and Seattle. For Spencer Kimbro, the commute from Moses Lake is simply part of participating in a world-class program that has become his extended family.

“I would definitely recommend it to any kid with a disability,” said Kimbro, who was born with spina bifida, a spinal cord defect.

“It’s really helped me through different life experiences. It’s given me skills and taught me to be independent.”

In May, Kimbro won titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters at the state track and field championships in Tacoma. Only a sophomore, he is competing in cross country this fall and looking ahead to loftier goals like qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics.

“I get a lot of support,” Kimbro said. “Now people don’t see me as a kid in a wheelchair, they think of me as a regular person, a regular athlete.”

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 37

SPORTS

Volume 4, Issue 10 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Josh Johnson

GENERAL MANAGER

Tammy Kimberley

Sarah Burk

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

sarah@valleycurrent.com

CIRCULATION Dean Byrns Stefanie Byrns Mike Wiykovics

circulation@valleycurrent.com CONTRIBUTORS

Alyssa Agee, Dani Guarisco, Gwendolyn Haley, Craig Howard, Bob Johnson, Staci Lehman, Treva Lind, Valerie Putnam, Tyler Robbins, Mike Vlahovich

On the cover: Submitted photo

About

The Current 23403 E. Mission Avenue, Suite 102 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 P: 242-7752; F: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com

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

NOTEBOOK Continued from page 35

heading into the meat of their GSL schedule, which featured a Sept. 30 home match against league favorite Mead.

Eleven different players had scored, led by sophomore Kaelyn Barnes, who recorded 11 goals in the team’s five reported matches.

University’s Julia Adair and Kelsey Crosby have been the Titans’ scoring leaders.

West and East Valley are waging war again. Their first meeting went to a shootout, won by the Eagles.

Ashley Meyer leads the state veterans in goals with seven at last count, with support from Jenna Sullens and Paeton Ferguson.

Maddie and Skylar Bastin have combined for 11 goals for the Knights, who lost a non-league match 2-1 to Mead, the GSL favorite.

Freeman’s Brynn Van Orden may be a rookie, but she’s played like a seasoned veteran. In five matches, she scored 10 goals, including a hat trick, and four-goal outbursts. Another freshman, Lindsay Balkenbush, has added four scores.

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University, seventh in state last year with only one senior, started the season 2-0 with impressive depth. Isaac Barville won the initial race, and Hunter Simpson was the top finisher during week two.

Claire Dingus, who emerged last spring, has been a double winner, defeating 3A state fifth-placing Micaela Kostecka from Mt. Spokane.

Central Valley girls cross country historically starts slow and peaks in the postseason.

This year, the Bears faced the other schools favored in the league, Mt. Spokane and Lewis and Clark, out of the chute, and all three tied, a rare if not unprecedented outcome.

Briegan Bester finished third overall, but the next week, CV was victorious over North Central and Ferris, as was Bester.

West Valley’s boys beat East Valley’s boys, and state title hopeful Brittany Aquino led the Knight girls to victory.

Softball University’s unbeaten softball team has rocked the GSL per usual. Gracee Dyer drove in nine runs as she and Lexi Ivankovich each hit grand slam home runs in a 34 (that’s right) to 1 victory in its season opener. Kirsten Anstrom had a 6-for-6 game and had 16 hits overall.

The Central Valley battery of Aubry Williams and Maci Peha had combined for 18 hits, Peha sharing the team lead with Aimee Gores at 11 apiece for the 3-2 team.

Clark’s Tire and Automotive • Family Medicine/Healthy Living Liberty Lake Greenstone • K9 Country Club • Liberty Lake Family Dentistry Liberty Lake Orthodontics • Liberty Lube • Post Falls Family Dental Spokane County Library District • Thrivent Financial • Weishaar, Sue Weishaar D.D.S.

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

Amaculate Housekeeping 4 Carver Farms 6 Central Valley Theatre 5 Citizens for Sam Wood Insert Citizens to Elect Ben Wick 13 City of Spokane Valley 5 City of SV - Valley Mission Haunted Pool 16 Clark’s Tire & Automotive 3 Committee to Re-Elect Arne Woodard Insert Cornerstone Pentecostal Church 6 Evergreen Fountains 25

Family Medicine Liberty Lake 12 Green Bluff Growers 9 Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council 4 Jim Custer Enterprises 17 KiDDS Dental 21 KidFIT Spokane 3 Liberty Lake Family Dentistry 5 Liberty Lake Farmers Market 17 Liberty Lake Orthodontics 3 Millwood Community Presbyterian 16 Northern Quest Resort & Casino 40

Otis Orchards Community Church Simonds Dental Group Spokane County Library District Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Spokane Valley Fire Dept Spokane Valley Heritage Museum Spokane Valley Senior Center Valley Hospital Valley Hospital Weishaar, Sue Weishaar D.D.S.

Service Directory

4 40 18 27 17 13 17 7 11 2 38

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The Current

38 • OCTOBER 2015

SERVICE DIRECTORY CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING LOCAL & EXPERIENCED

Remodeling contractor: Licensed & bonded, PETERC*152RE. 29 yrs. experience, references. Decks, patios, garages, roofing/roof repair, sheetrock repair, minor plumbing (broken pipes, frozen water lines, hot water tanks installed, etc.). All remodeling needs. Small jobs welcome. BBB accredited. Call Bruce, 710-4541.

EVENT & MEETING FACILITY HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? The Tri Community Grange Event Hall is an affordable and ideal location for parties, receptions, dances, reunions and meetings. Full kitchen, stage, piano, tables and chairs, handicap accessible, large parking lot and free signage. Call Gary at 509-481-0727 or email geje2@yahoo.com.

LAWN & GARDEN

509.928.3995 • marlewormgrowers.com 24411 E Joseph Ave, Otis Orchards, WA

MEDICARE INSURANCE

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MEDICARE. Mary Sloan Independent agent specializing in Medicare

• Supplements, Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans • Worked with Medicare plans exclusively for 8 years

Contact me with any Medicare questions: 509-842-4116 PAINTING HEINZ PAINTING & HANDYMAN Hardworking, honest, and on time. Free estimates!

This is the year to get your home painted by a true professional. Call today! Dave Heinz, 509-953-8093.

WA Licensed, Bonded, and Insured, HEINZPH924BW. Numerous satisfied Valley customers.

TREE SERVICE AFFORDABLE ARBORIST Year Round Tree Service 60 ft. Bucket Truck Removals • Thinning • Pruning • Shaping Lot Clearing • Stump Grinding Residential & Commercial • A+ Rated BBB Member Affordable Arborist Tree Care, Inc. 509-879-0577 Veteran Owned & Operated WA Lic#AFFORAT935KG

VALLEY PARENT CO-OP PRESCHOOL NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL! Valley Parent Co-op Preschool is a birth to 5 preschool program operated by parents in a cooperative effort with the Community Colleges of Spokane. It is a playbased program that combines parent education with a rich learning experience for you and your child.

Classes are M, W & F. For more info, call 509-720-9209.

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY

FALL FESTIVAL Continued from page 32

around the Spokane area for a development to build houses on over the next five years, and Elk Ridge stood out above the rest.”

According to Largent, his homes feature materials not seen in the area before.

“Two of them that stand out are the master bath tile and kitchen quartz counters,” Largent said.

One of the largest new construction shows in the Inland Northwest, Kerns believes if a person spent about 15 minutes in each home with an estimated drive time of 15 minutes between all the homes, the entire show would take 15 hours to see.

“The great thing about the Festival is that you can target an area of the city to visit,” Kerns said. “You can see as many or as few homes as you’d like over the two weekends.”

SHBA estimates attendance averaging between 3,000 to 5,000 viewers each year during the consecutive weekend event.

"It's a great chance to see what is out there and get a feel for the builder they would feel comfortable having a house built by,” Largent said. “The type of home they build, the attention to detail and overall style and feel of the home.”

The Festival of Chefs, which debuted

CALENDAR Continued from page 23 Northwest, 11806 E. Sprague; The Trellis Marketplace, 4102 S. Bowdish Road; Jema Lane Boutique, 613 S. Pines Road; Trovato Interiors, 18 S. Union Road; and The Treasure Trove, 12415 E. 1st Ave. Shoppers are invited to dress up in a favorite costume and shop hop to enjoy tasty treats, in-store specials and a chance to win over $1,000 in prizes.

Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 | Mt. Spokane Ski Swap Spokane County Fair and Expo Center,

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Among the homes participating in the Fall Festival, this Dave Largent home (above) is in Elk Ridge Heights and serves as the host site for the Spokane Valley area.

At left, this participating Gordon Finch home is located in Liberty Lake near MeadowWood Golf Course.

last year, will not be a part of the event this year. Last year, the Festival partnered local restaurants with builders to serve food and drink samplers in the homes.

“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Festival of Chefs will not be held this year,” Kerns said. “We are hopeful that it will return next year.”

p.m., CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. Booths, lectures and a psychic panel are all part of this festival. Admission is $6. For more: www.holisticfestivals.com

Presbyterian Church, 5305 N. Harvard Road, Otis Orchards. Blood pressure checks also available.

Oct. 17-18 | HUB Hustle Basketball Camp 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., HUB Sports Center,

19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Boys and girls teams in 6th through 8th grade are invited to participate. Cost is $200 per team if registered

by Oct. 8. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

Oct. 24 | Superheroes vs. Villains Pickleball Tournament 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

404 N. Havana St. Buy new or used gear or sell your used gear. More than 22,000 items will be available at the Swap, for all skill levels and price ranges. Purchase admission tickets online and receive special benefits. For more: www. skipatrolskiswap.com

HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Join the North Idaho Pickleball Association for this blind draw, round robin tournament. Cost is $35; registration ends Oct. 9. Superhero or villain attire is required, and proceeds benefit pediatric oncology at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

HEALTH & RECREATION

Oct. 24 | Superhero Dodgeball Tournament Noon to 7 p.m., HUB Sports

Oct. 3 | Warrior Camp MMA Event 7 to 10:30 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. The cost of admission for these live MMA Cage Fights is $20-30. Tickets can be purchased at Warrior Camp, 5027 E. Trent in Spokane. For more: www.warriorcampfitness. com Oct. 10-11 | Breakthrough Basketball Camp 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., HUB Sports Center,

19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Chris Oliver will fun this 2-day skill camp for high school and middle school players. Cost is $210 per player. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

Oct. 10 | Holistic Festival 10 a.m. to 6

Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Junior high, high school and adult divisions available. Cost is $75 per team; registration ends Oct. 16.

Proceeds benefit pediatric oncology at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. For more: www. hubsportscenter.org

Oct. 25 | NBC Volleyball Skills Clinic

9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. This clinic is available for girls in 4th through 8th grade.

Cost is $39 per one session or $70 for both. For more: www.hubsportscenter.org

Oct. 17 | CPR skills and practice session 10 a.m. to noon, East Valley

Oct. 22 | Pediatric First Aid and CPR/ AED class 5 to 9 p.m., Providence Medical

Park, 16528 E. Desmet Court. Cost for the 4-hour course is $55. For more: washington. providence.org/events/phc/pediatric-first-aid/

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 Running Club 6 p.m.

Thursdays, Twisp Café & Coffee House, 23505 E. Appleway Ave. The club meets for a threemile run weekly through October. For more: 954-9806 Sports opportunities HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake.

Badminton, basketball open gym, pickleball, Zumba and other recreational options available. For more: www.hubsportcenter.org Yoga in Rockford 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays,

Rockford Park. When the weather doesn’t allow, classes will be held in Dave’s Autobody.

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.

PARTING SHOTS

The Current

OCTOBER 2015 • 39

Chamber unveils

‘BIG 5’

Initiatives intended to create visionary plan for greater Valley

By Josh Johnson | CURRENT STAFF WRITER SPOKANE VALLEY — And then there were five — the “BIG 5.”

Following a months-long process of gathering community-wide input that generated more than 1,000 ideas, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce unveiled the selected quintet at a special breakfast event Sept. 25 at CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Park.

The BIG 5 concept, originally proposed

by Chamber President and CEO Katherine Morgan when she was hired a year ago, is intended to focus the Chamber’s energies around a visionary gameplan as it engages with its membership and community. Morgan described it as “the five mileposts, the five moments, the five markers, the five big initiatives that this community together will work toward to change this organization and this greater Spokane Valley for many years to come.”

The local business leaders who introduced each of the BIG 5 ideas shared that each is intended to “inspire economic growth and community vitality.” The five ideas:

Idea 1: “Promoting and protecting the vitality of the outdoors” Denny York, President and CEO of Fairmount Memorial Association, said the first idea was uncovered in several comments gained during the input-gathering process that highlighted the Centennial Trail, Spokane River, parks and various outdoor recreational opportunities — “it’s like we’re living in a resort,” he reported one person said.

“Through collaboration with business, government entities and citizen groups, this initiative encourages opportunities to enhance the quality of recreation, nature and parks while stimulating economic growth,” York said.

Idea 2: “Promoting the Greater Spokane Valley as an emerging leader in high-tech manufacturing” Kevin Person, CEO of Wagstaff, an aluminum casting company in Spokane Valley, shared comments from the process

that pointed to the possibility of manufacturing growth, including available real estate and the need to provide great jobs for a talented local workforce.

“Some of you might ask, ‘Why do we worry about manufacturing and these types of jobs?’” Person said. “You may hear comments from others that manufacturing is dead in America. Manufacturing is making a comeback in the U.S. Consumers are demanding innovative, high-quality products to meet their needs. Manufacturing companies pay high wages to their employees.”

CURRENT PHOTOS BY JOSH JOHNSON

A crowd gathered for breakfast at CenterPlace Sept. 25 to hear the unveiling of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “BIG 5” ideas. Right outside the meeting space, the Chamber Foundation held a golf ball drop fundraiser (left) as nearby hot air balloons reminded attendees of the launch of Valleyfest weekend.

Idea 3: “Integrating business and education to create the workforce of the future” Ben Small, Superintendent of Central Valley School District, shared comments emphasizing the importance of education and its relationship with the success and health of the community. He said CVSD parents have said they want students to have a “career-relevant education,” and he emphasized the importance of partnership between the educational and business communities. This will allow educators to better prepare students with the skillsets local businesses require.

“Why is education important?” Small asked. “Three words: talent, talent, talent.

Our economy in Spokane Valley depends on talent, talent, talent.”

Idea 4: “Growing medical research from concept to cure” Greg Repetti, CEO of Valley Hospital, said that some of the Chamber’s research indicated that a significant target for Spokane Valley economic development is an emerging medical community, particularly as a pair of medical universities are emerging in Spokane.

“Education and medical research will thrive as the medical schools grow in this community,” Repetti said. “And we are blessed in this valley with land, with energy, with professional people that want to work together to create a strong biomedical research and biomedical care industry located in this valley.”

Idea 5: “Building an enterprising identity for the Greater Spokane Valley region” Sharelynn Moore, global vice president of marketing and public affairs at Itron, shared comments from the Chamber’s input-gathering process that indicated a feeling of a lack of identity among some Valley residents. Moore said that as Itron recruits not only locally, but internationally for jobs at its Liberty Lake headquarters, a strong community identity is important to help recruits “be as excited about living here in this greater Spokane Valley region as we are.”

“This initiative defines and promotes our region for its quality of life, dynamic

workforce, vibrant research, manufacturing and technology industries,” Moore said.

What’s next?

Barry Baker, president and CEO of Baker Construction and past chair of the Chamber, closed the event by sharing that the organization will set annual, measurable goals toward each of the five initiatives and share progress reports publicly.

He invited the entire community to be involved in the process.

“I want to stress the importance of what we are doing here today,” Baker said.

“What we are doing is planting seeds for trees that some of us will never enjoy the shade of. But our kids will, and our kids’ kids will, and that’s important.”

The Current

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