The April 2013 Current

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NEWS

2 • April 2013

The Current

Current photo by Craig Howard

Bryan Collins took over as fire chief of the Spokane Valley Fire Department on March 4, replacing Mike Thompson, who retired after leading SVFD since 2005. Collins previously served as the assistant fire chief with the San Ramon Valley Fire District in Northern California.

Changeup at chief Collins brings 27 years of experience to new role at SVFD

By Craig Howard Current Contributor

Mike Thompson was approaching the halfway mark of his tenure with the Spokane Valley Fire Department when he ran into a fellow administrator from Northern California at a conference back in 2009.

Bryan Collins remembers being impressed with the standards of excellence Thompson and his team had established for the department nestled in a scenic corner of the Inland Northwest. It was recognized, Collins recalls, “as one of a handful of departments on the West Coast that has a really good reputation.”

These days, Collins is doing his part to build upon that legacy, replacing Thompson as the newest SVFD fire chief.

The Board of Spokane Valley Fire Commissioners unanimously selected Collins on Jan. 28 from a list of half-a-dozen final-

A Cup of Joe Newsmaker Q&A ists. He officially took over for Thompson — who had led the department since 2005 — on March 4.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Collins ventured outside his home state as a scholarship football player for Boise State University. Injuries cut his career short as a linebacker, and he returned to California to work for the 7UP Bottling Co. It was with the soda company that a co-worker encouraged Collins to look into the possibility of becoming a firefighter.

The vocation would take him on a journey of more than 27 years, most of those with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, where he worked as battalion chief for a decade. Collins most recently served as assistant chief with the San Ramon Valley Fire District in the East Bay, 15 miles from Oakland. It was nearly five years ago that Collins and his wife, Nancy, purchased a vacation home in the Coeur d’Alene area.

He retired from his position in San Ramon at the age of 50 in January 2012 and spent last summer in North Idaho.

See CHIEF, page 4

The Current

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The Current

4 • April 2013

NEWS

CHIEF Continued from page 2

Collins and his wife are parents to two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in vocational education and occupational studies from California State-Long Beach as well as a master’s in emergency services administration, also from Cal State-LB. He is an outdoors enthusiast — hiking, snowshoeing and biking top his list — and still roots for his old school on the football field.

The Current caught up with Collins at the SVFD Administration building a few weeks into his new role to talk about the duties of a fire chief, his plans for the department and the challenges of moving 700 miles to the north.

Q.

Did you have a career path charted out when you started as a firefighter? Was fire chief where you wanted to be at some point down the road?

A.

Yes, eventually. When I started out at 23, I do remember saying I’d like to be a captain someday, a fire captain, but I really wasn’t thinking about chief at that time. But during my career, as I was working in the fire service, probably within the first few years, I had an opportunity to see all of the structure inside a fire department and then I kind of made my mind up that I could be a chief officer, meaning a battalion chief, assistant chief, fire chief.

Q: What kind of shape do you have to be in to be a firefighter? This is not exactly a job where you’re at a keyboard or shuffling papers for eight hours a day.

A: It’s really a physical job in many respects, even when you’re doing emergency medical. You’re lifting patients off the ground. There’s a lot of physical stress in the job. As a firefighter, you’ve got 40 to 50 pounds of gear on and you’re working in a real hostile environment. You have to be strong enough to be able to withstand that. Firefighting is really not that different than it was 20, 30, 40 years ago. Some of the equipment has changed, but really the techniques and strategies are very much the same.

Q: When you think about the topography of the Bay Area and compare it to your new home in Spokane Valley, what are some of the similarities and differences when it comes to the job of fire protection?

A: There are some similarities in that Contra Costa County and the Bay Area have valleys and hills, but it does have urban cores where things are pretty flat. So, you have a mix there of urban, suburban and rural areas and they’re all fairly close together.

You have a little bit of that out here, the difference is it’s not as dense in the urban area.

The suburban areas here sprawl a little bit

more and then, here, you have timber. In the Bay Area, you have brush and a different kind of vegetation. It’s a little bit different. Down there you have more wildland/ urban interface.

Q: What will be some of your approaches to outreach in the community? I’m guessing you won’t be the sort of fire chief that sits behind a desk for most of the day.

A: As chief, I can do my part by talking to people, by getting out and talking to cities.

I can meet with leaders and talk to leaders about fire risk. We can do public messaging on our website. I think Spokane Valley has done a pretty good job of that to this point.

The true value in a fire department is being able to prevent a lot of those things. I’m trying to make the rounds and get to know the City Council members. That’s important to me because we’re their fire department. I’m their fire chief. It’s important for them to know who I am, to be able to get a hold of me, make a phone call. I also need to engage in what’s going on in their communities because that affects us. That is sometimes an overlooked piece in fire departments. You have to be part of the community. My biggest challenge is figuring out what that history and culture is here.

Q: You were in the Bay Area when the earthquake hit in 1989. What were some of your responsibilities in the aftermath?

A: I was actually at home, getting ready to watch the World Series. It was San Francisco versus Oakland and I went into work after the earthquake. I lived in Contra Costa County, so I was close to work. Our on-duty crews had been sent into Oakland where there was severe damage and Contra Costa had damage, but it wasn’t nearly to the extent as Oakland where they had the Cypress structure (freeway) collapse. I was focused on Contra Costa initially and then we got sent into Oakland later to work on the Cypress structure collapse where we did search and rescue inside the collapse, and there was a lot of work to do. There was some incredible work done in there by everyone. I remember an amputation in the field to get someone out and that person lived. Part of living in California is that there are so many disasters. You have wildland fire issues, earthquake issues.

Q: You’ve had a home in Coeur d’Alene for a few years. When did you first think you might want to join a fire department in this area?

A: I spent summer of 2012 in Coeur d’Alene, and that’s when I really got to know the area. That’s when I started thinking if I ever went back to work, it would be nice to maybe work up here instead of the Bay Area, but it would have to be a really good fire department. I saw the flyer in Spokane Valley and thought, ‘Oh my goodness, Mike must be retiring.’ I figured that would be a good fit. I could work in Spokane Valley and live close by. I filled out the application and just went from there.

Q: Mike Thompson earned so much

respect during his eight years here, helping the department earn international accreditation and leading the charge in a lot of other areas. What will it be like to try and replace someone like that?

A: Mike is a really well-respected guy in the fire service and locally here, too. He really took this department to a level that very few departments in the area and the state of Washington have reached. So, he did a lot of really good things, started a lot of new programs and did a great job with the financial situation here and made sure it was very stable. They’ve done a great job building new facilities and creating an administrative building. The thing about Mike is he’s a true professional and just did everything the right way. Probably my biggest challenge is not trying to be Mike or fill his shoes, because we’re different people.

We have a lot of the same values and vision.

His whole life has been about excellence. I have a lot of those same high expectations just like Mike did, accountability for high quality work because we’re spending the people’s money. I think people want to work for me because I stand for the right things. I talk to people, I’m very communicative. I sit down with them at the fire station. I listen to them.

Q: Can you talk about the support that SVFD receives from the community? Last August, the department passed another three-year maintenance and operations levy that accounts for over half of your annual budget.

A: I think it’s because they’ve been doing good outreach here to educate the community on what that tax is for. I believe that any community is willing to pay taxes for police and fire services that are well run and well managed, that they can see a tangible benefit from. There is some anti-tax sentiment going on, but even with those people, I think they generally support the taxes that meet that criteria. It’s our job to make sure we’re connecting with the community and providing them with a high level of return on investment and that they have a manager and staff that is doing a good job of managing their money. I think people are starting to look at their public agencies and say ‘What exactly are you doing for us?’ It’s important for us to know that it’s not just a fire department, it’s an emergency response agency who will be there for you.

Q: Tell me about your collaboration with the Board of Fire Commissioners.

This is a group that picked you unanimously to lead this department.

A: They set the policy and govern. I manage those policies — like a city manager would in the context of a city. It’s a really good, tenured group. Many of those board members have a lot of history and experience, not only here but with other boards.

I knew right away, when I met the board, that I was going to be able to communicate with them. They don’t tell me how to do my job and, conversely, I don’t tell them how to govern the fire department.

In case you missed it WIC expands hours Spokane Regional Health District’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is extending its hours at a number of locations, including at its Spokane Valley Partners office, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Beginning April 1, the site will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

WIC provides families with nutrition and breastfeeding education, as well as healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk and whole grains.

According to Washington State Department of Health and Human Services data, there are thousands of women and children in Spokane County who qualify for WIC services based on income alone, but who do not participate. For more information, call 323-2800.

Rotary Club of Spokane Valley seeks grantees The Valley Rotary Charitable Association is seeking organizations in need of grant dollars to fund work for the senior citizens and elderly in the Spokane Valley area.

The financial backing for the charitable trust was provided by the late Henry F. “Hank” Grinalds, who directed in his will that the funds be targeted “to assist the senior citizens and elderly of Spokane County (Valley only), including … housing and medical needs … and similar charitable activities to benefit the elderly in this area.”

For more on the Hank Grinalds Endowment or to request a grant application, contact the Valley Rotary Charitable Association at P.O. Box 14192, Spokane Valley, WA 99214.

O’Quinn gives ‘State of the County’ address Spokane County Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn delivered the 2012-2013 “State of the County” address March 8 to about 300 people gathered for a Greater Spokane Incorporated event at Spokane Valley’s Mirabeau Park Hotel.

The presentation focused on Spokane County’s role as a leader on a variety of initiatives and projects — from the new Regional Criminal Justice Commission to protecting the aquifer and establishing a new regional animal control system.

ChangePoint changes meeting point ChangePoint Fellowship, a community church that has long held services at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, is moving to a new location at 14415 E. Sprague Ave. in time for 11 a.m. Easter services, March 31.

For more information, call 891-0271.

The Current

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The Current

6 • April 2013

NEWS

Law Enforcement Report The following news items were among information reported by the Spokane County Sheriff ’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department during the month of March.

$16,000 in trading cards stolen from business Spokane Valley Sportscards, 9404 E. Sprague Ave., was burglarized sometime between March 21 and March 23, the business owner reported to deputies March 23.

The owner said $10,000 worth of vintage baseball and football cards were stolen as well as $6,000 worth of celebrity cards.

The owner of the business stated the sports cards are extremely valuable. Many of the cards are vintage 1950s and 1960s era.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone providing information in this case resulting in the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Call 1-800-222-TIPS or visit www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.

Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect the cash reward.

Citizens thwart theft in Rockford Spokane County Sheriff ’s deputies responded to the area of 1st Street and Spring Road in Rockford at 11:30 p.m. March 9 regarding a trio of possible theft suspects.

A victim stated he parked his GMC truck

on 1st Street and went into the Harvest Moon Restaurant earlier in the evening. Just after 11 p.m., a bartender came inside and asked who owned the GMC truck, explaining the passenger side door window was broken out. The victim and his passenger went outside and found the window broken and noticed a purse left inside was now missing.

Several people began looking for three suspicious men who had been observed earlier in the evening and located them in front of the church at 1st and Spring. They confronted the suspects, found some of the missing items from the truck inside a backpack of one of the suspects and called the Sheriff ’s Office.

Two 19-year-old men and a 15-year-old juvenile were arrested.

During the investigation, it was learned the suspects abandoned a van on the highway when it ran out of gas near Rockford before allegedly committing the crime.

The van had been reported stolen approximately from north Spokane three hours earlier.

All three suspects were charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor charges of vehicle prowling, theft and possession of stolen property.

Rockford bank robbed

a stop.

Just after noon March 18, Spokane County Sheriff 's deputies responded to a hold-up alarm at the Bank of Fairfield, 5 W. Emma St. in Rockford.

A teller told authorities the male suspect entered the bank, approached her register and handed over a note demanding money. The suspect fled the scene out the front door and was not located.

Anyone with information in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Kirk Keyser at 477-6611.

Deputy Hilton pulled in behind the Mustang and conducted a traffic stop. He learned the man’s driving privileges were suspended, and he had four misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear on previous DWLS charges.

Spinout leads to two arrests At 7:40 p.m. Feb. 28, Spokane Valley Sheriff 's Deputies arrested a 40-year-old male and 27-year-old female on multiple charges.

A deputy parked in the area of North Hutchinson and East Indiana in Spokane Valley observed a black Ford Mustang leave a parking lot by revving the engine and accelerating heavily, causing the tires to spin and lose traction. The driver continued to accelerate and eventually lost control of the vehicle and spun 180 degrees in the middle of the roadway, crossed into the opposite lane of travel and appearing to collide with the curb before coming to

Another deputy contacted the female passenger and asked if anything in the vehicle was hers since the vehicle was going to be towed. She said her purse was in the front seat of the vehicle, and she agreed to allow the deputy to search the purse for weapons before giving it to her. The purse allegedly contained clear plastic baggie containing heroin, a small folding knife, a pair of hard plastic “brass knuckles,” a small baggie containing methamphetamine and multiple used needles. The substances were field tested and both showed a presumptive positive result for the illegal substances.

The man was arrested for his four warrants and was issued criminal citations for reckless driving and DWLS. The woman was arrested on two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon. Both were booked into the Spokane County Jail.

The Current

April 2013 • 7

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The Current

8 • April 2013

3UP

During the March Millwood City Council meeting, Council members voted to correct a past oversight that releases Millwood Presbyterian Church from paying $1,000 it was going to owe the city. Last June, when Council approved vacating a portion of an alley located between Dalton and Euclid, the property and ownership was transferred to the church, and a $1,000 fee was assessed. The church requested the property be vacated for its planned $1 million expansion project on the south side of the church. While reviewing past files for another issue, City Planner Tom Richardson discovered a clerical error in which a June 2, 1980, ordinance originally vacated the property to the church. At the time, the ordinance was approved but never filed. The prior ordinance did not require the church to pay any amount to the city.

3DOWN

Adam Mortensen will be getting comfortable as the newest member of the West Valley School Board when the board reconvenes at 7 p.m. April 24. He attended West Valley schools and credits his West Valley education with preparing him for success in the school of engineering at Washington State University. After college, Mortensen moved back to Spokane and took an engineering position with Hi-Rel Laboratories. He recently served as the chairman for the Inland Empire Chapter of the American Society of Materials.

Rockford is getting ready for the annual Frog Regatta fundraiser, planned for April 20. Free hot dogs and games will be in the city park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the Regatta will begin at 3 p.m. Frogs may be purchased from several Rockford businesses for $5 to be raced down the creek. Prizes will be awarded for frogs that cross the finish line first, including a cool $300 for first place.

June 9, 2012 • 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Save the date: The 20th annual Liberty Lake Community Yard Sales will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8, 2013. Registration will open in May.

For vendor or general information, contact Liberty Lake Kiwanis members Pat Dockrey (pdockrey@gmail.com) or Scott Draper (scott.draper@edwardjones.com). For sponsorship information, contact Janet Pier at janet@valleycurrent.com or 242-7752.

The initial community meeting for the University Road Overpass Study will take place at 6 p.m. April 17. The agenda for the meeting, which will be held at Spokane Valley City Hall, includes municipal staff and consultants presenting completed study work, including traffic counts and overall use patterns within the study area, as well as the project’s various goals and objectives. Organizers say the proposed crossing in the University Road area could help improve pedestrian and bike access to sites north of I-90, parks to the south and the future Spokane Valley-Millwood Trail.

The Current

April 2013 • 9

Three Up, Three Down features at-a-glance news of what’s coming UP in April or went DOWN in March.

Check out these six on this rendering of the Valley by homegrown artist Casey Lynch, and then turn the page for a breakdown of items by jurisdiction.

On March 19, the East Valley School Board unanimously reaffirmed its decision to move forward with the K-8 model. The board directed the administration to complete the move by moving pre-school and other appropriate programs to the building that currently houses the 8th grade (East Valley Middle School). Interested citizens and parents are urged to contact their respective building principals to be a part of the advisory committee that will help to ensure that this move aligns with district goals.

(The placement of news items on this artistic map do not necessarily denote the actual location of the item described.)

An arrest was made March 26 in connection with a morning bomb threat March 20 at Central Valley High School. Students were evacuated to a nearby church, and classes were cancelled for the remainder of the day as two Fairchild Air Force Base K-9 units cleared the school. Spokane Valley Sheriff's Deputy Cole Speer investigated and arrested a 15-year-old juvenile female student for making the threat, a felony charge. According to Speer's investigation, the threat was made because the suspect was not prepared for an assignment due in class. The juvenile female was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center.

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10 • April 2013

3UP 3DOWN Three Up, Three Down features at-aglance news from the Spokane Valley area: — what’s coming up in April — what went down in March Six of these items are represented on the artistic rendering of the Valley by local artist Casey Lynch on the previous spread.

CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY Compiled by Craig Howard

The Spokane Valley Public Works department will implement a spring sweeping action plan designed to keep municipal streets operational, improve air quality and protect stormwater infrastructure that supports the street system. The city contracts with AAA Sweeping LLC for sweeping services.

The initial community meeting for the University Road Overpass Study will take place at 6 p.m. April 17. Organizers say the proposed crossing in the University Road area could help improve pedestrian and bike access to sites north of I-90, parks to the south and the future Spokane ValleyMillwood Trail. See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

The city will continue to accept applications for its Community Recognition program with a goal of honoring those who have had a positive impact on Spokane Valley. Nominees must be residents of Spokane Valley, while businesses or organizations must be located within city limits. Nomination forms can be found at www.spokanevalley.org.

Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey took center stage on March 6 for a pair of “State of the City” addresses. Towey delivered a lunchtime presentation in the Community Room at the Spokane Valley Mall and followed it up with a talk at the CenterPlace Regional Events Center Auditorium that evening.

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation department held an open house on March 27 to discuss ideas for updates on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan gathered at a previous community meeting. The PRMP includes community requirements for parks and programming while providing an outline for the development of corresponding facilities.

The city celebrated its first decade of incorporation at CenterPlace on March 16. The well-attended occasion included a carnival, games and music as well as cultural presentations from representatives of the Colville, Kalispel, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane tribes. The Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane Valley Library and

The Current

news Spokane Valley Heritage Museum were also represented at the free event.

CITY OF LIBERTY LAKE Compiled by Craig Howard

Landscape architect Mike Terrell is expected to have design scenarios prepared by early April for the Liberty Lake Ball Fields. A committee overseeing the project has discussed the possibility of four baseball diamonds on the property.

City staff is scheduled to present a six-year street maintenance program at the April 16 City Council meeting. The longrange plan for investing in street improvements is expected to include plans for a road maintenance project planned for the 2013 construction season.

Council Member Dan Dunne will wrap up his chapter-by-chapter overview of the Liberty Lake comprehensive plan at the April 16 City Council meeting with a report on capital facilities. The Comp Plan 101 instruction began last year.

Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus announced that Sakti Hiatt would take over as the new police records clerk. A former employee of Spokane County, Hiatt replaces longtime clerk Bobbi Anderson, who is retiring to travel and spend more time with her family. Anderson began as a municipal employee in January 2007.

Liberty Lake City Hall hosted an open house on March 21 to discuss plans for traffic management during construction of the Harvard Road Roundabout. The approach is designed to mitigate the impact of the project on surrounding businesses.

Construction on the roundabout, which will be located at the intersection of Harvard Road, Mission Avenue and the Interstate 90 westbound off-ramp, is scheduled to begin July 8.

Finance Director R.J. Stevenson delivered a presentation on the history of sales tax in Liberty Lake at the March 19 City Council meeting. Revenue from sales tax reached a peak of $2.24 million in 2007 while proceeds for 2013 have been projected at $1.95 million.

CITY OF MILLWOOD Compiled by Valerie Putnam

The comment deadline on the city of Millwood’s draft Shoreline Master Program is 5 p.m. April 4, an extension of a past deadline. In March, the Millwood City Council reviewed a resolution outlining revised wording specifically in regard to public access on private property as part of its Shoreline Master Plan update. In light of the changes, Council agreed to accept additional written public comment and proposed amendments to the draft SMP. The plan may be viewed at www.cityofmillwood.org or at Millwood City Hall.

The next regularly scheduled Millwood City Council meeting is 7 p.m. April

9, and the next Millwood Planning Commission meeting is 6 p.m. April 29. Both meetings will be held in Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick. Call 924-0960 with questions.

The city of Millwood is planning a special Arbor Day celebration at 9 a.m.

April 13. A tree will be planted at a to-bedetermined location in the city. Contact city officials for more details as the event draws closer.

Millwood Presbyterian Church need not pay $1,000 to the city of Millwood, thanks to the discovery of a clerical error dating to June 2, 1980. While a 2012 ordinance included the fee, a prior ordinance did not require the church to pay any amount to the city. See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

Millwood City Council unanimously approved at $2,609.20 contract with Eastern Washington University’s Archaeological and Historical Services program to aid the city with requirements associated with the Buckeye Avenue Sidewalk installation project planned for later this year.This is in response to former Gov. Christine Gregoire’s November 2005 Executive Order to “protect archaeological and cultural resources that may be impacted as a result of state-funded projects.”

Company Ballet School and Performing Arts Center, 3201 N. Argonne Road, held a fundraiser March 16 that earned enough money for both the renovation of Company B dance floor and the June ballet performance of “Alice in Wonderland.”

TOWN OF ROCKFORD Compiled by Heidi Scott

Rockford is getting ready for the annual Frog Regatta fundraiser, planned for April 20. See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

The Freeman School Board will be meeting April 25 at Rockford City Hall.

May 4 will be Town Clean-up Day to prepare for the chipping event coming up later in the month. Both public and private land will be cleared of trash and yard debris.

The Rockford Youth Club will be volunteering at this event for people who need assistance clearing property.

The ongoing discussion of what to do regarding the town of Rockford’s contract for law enforcement services with the Spokane County Sheriff ’s Office is continuing. County officials sat down with Town Council members at what Mayor Micki Harnois said was a very productive meeting in March. Following the failure of a law enforcement levy on the February ballot, Rockford has proposed an amount it feels it can pay to renew the contract for 2013, and county commissioners must now decide whether to accept the offer. The town is required by law to provide law enforcement

services, but town officials have expressed trouble coming up with adequate funding to pay for the contract with the Spokane County Sheriff ’s Department.

Rockford held a Town Council retreat March 20. Time was spent visioning local programs, discussing where to cut and planning future expenditures. The financial future of Rockford and some reorganization within the council were also priorities at the retreat.

Rockford Town Clerk Darlene LaShaw is retiring. A probationary period in the clerk’s job has been instituted for Public Works Officer John Goyke, who has been appointed to take LaShaw’s place.

CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT Compiled by Josh Johnson

Enrollment will begin in mid-April for elementary, middle and high school summer school programs for Central Valley students. A variety of sports camps will also be offered again this year. Summer enrollment at Spokane Valley Tech is already under way, and sessions are filling quickly for the eight programs offered this year for students entering grades 9-12.

Registration is under way for the fourth annual 5K HEART Run, which will be held at 9 a.m. April 13 at University High School. Check in and packet pickup begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds from the $15 registration fee benefit homeless students and their families in the Central Valley School District through the HEART in Hand Outreach program. The program, among other things, helps these students obtain permanent housing, propane for heat, Christmas gifts and many necessary household items. Day of the race registration is $20.

For more, type the Central Valley PTA Council’s HEART in Hand program into a Google search and select its Facebook page.

Central Valley School Board members will consider adoption of new high school social studies curriculum on April 23. The decision is a culmination of a yearlong curriculum adoption process. Courses include World History, U.S. History, Civics/ Government, Psychology, Sociology, AP European History, AP U.S. History and AP Government.

Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year began March 7.

All-day and half-day kindergarten classes are filling quickly or already full in some schools. Across the district, K-12 enrollment is up more than 2 percent this year, causing classroom capacity issues.

School Board members honored six district-wide 2013 Meritorious Service Award recipients March 26. The award recognizes exemplary contributions in support of student achievement. Presented in four categories, district-wide honorees

See 3 UP, 3 DOWN, page 11

The Current

April 2013 • 11

news

3 UP, 3 DOWN Continued from page 10

include: Certificated Employees, Leanne Donley, Central Valley High, and Michelle Schimmels, McDonald Elementary; Classified Employees, Sandi Durrant, Broadway Elementary, and Dawn Faughender, North Pines Middle School; Community, Dr. Roger Lent, University High; Team, District Nutrition Services Team, Jeannette Beatty, Holly Berg, Farrah Johnson and Denice Kwate. Across the district, 79 individuals and 13 teams were nominated for the 2013 Meritorious Service Awards and were honored in each school.

An arrest was made March 26 in connection with a morning bomb threat March 20 at Central Valley High School. See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

EAST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT Compiled by Jim Ryan

The first annual East Farms STEAM Magnet School silent auction is scheduled for April 13. The event will be held at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley. The money raised will benefit every student at East Farms STEAM Magnet School. For more, call East Farms at 226-3039.

The East Valley School District is looking for students, parents, neighbors and church organizations to volunteer their services — and “green thumbs” — to help cultivate the East Valley School Farm and Community Garden. Crops grown at the 5-acre farm are donated to 2nd Harvest and East Valley School District, thus helping the community and students have the freshest produce available. While students use the farm as an outdoor laboratory during the school year, student participation drops dramatically in the summer months. For more information on volunteering, contact Lynette Romney at 230-9436 or momromney@earthlink.net.

Students who are looking to prepare for the Algebra End of Course Assessment (EOC), which will be taken in June at East Valley High School, can attend a “Math: Algebra Skill and Concepts” class from 9 a.m. to noon April 13 at EVHS. The class is free and available to current Algebra I students, students who have not passed the Algebra I EOC yet and students struggling with algebra concepts in their current math class.

Advanced Placement scores among East Valley students have made strides in recent years toward the national average.

In 2009, 29 percent of East Valley students who took an AP exam scored a 3 or higher. In 2012, that number increased to 54 percent. The state average for seniors taking these classes was 69 percent in 2012.

A score of 3 or greater generally qualifies for college credit. East Valley AP teachers

Dave McCarty, Debra McMichael, Jackie McNamara, Lori Jacobsen, Lori Merkel, Peggy Estey and Ryan Seidel were recognized for the improvements.

No construction bond will appear on the April ballot following the failure of a $65 million bond in February. The school district had at one time considered running a bond again, but decided against it, and so the March 8 deadline to put a measure on the April ballot came and went.

On March 19, the East Valley School Board unanimously reaffirmed its decision to move forward with the K-8 model.

See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

FREEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT Compiled by Jim Ryan

The Rockford Lions Club and FredNeck’s Frog Regatta on April 20 has a special twist this year, as Barb Gady from Freeman Preschool has been authorized to sell frogs that will benefit the Freeman Preschool/ Kindergarten playground fund. Half of the sale of each $5 frog purchased from Gady goes toward this cause, while the other half benefits the Lions Club causes. The frogs will float down Rock Creek April 20, and first place finisher receives a $300 prize.

The Freeman PTSA is looking for a few good adult mentors to work with high school volunteers to formulate an impactful community service project for the spring.

The adults would mentor the high school students in the development and organization of the project. For more information, call Lisa at 290-9625.

“Freeman Shock Group Night” is planned for 7 p.m. April 12. The Spokane Shock will be playing the Arizona Rattlers, and tickets through the promotion are $9.

The deadline for payment is April 9. For more information, email freemanptsa@hotmail.com.

In his “Well Project Report” to the school board in March, Superintendent Randy Russell reported GeoEngineers staff is reviewing a potential change in water rights with the drilling of the test well. The Department of Health will conduct a “sanitary control area survey” to make sure the site is suitable. The site will be “witched,” and drilling could begin later in the month.

Once drilled, pump tests and water quality tests will be required. Russell reported the district has exceeded carbon tetrachloride limits and incurred a water quality violation as a result. As required, a letter is being sent to parents and staff regarding the situation.

D.A. Davidson Representative Jon Gores told the school board in March that bonds sold in 2008 at 4.9 percent interest may now be eligible to be refinanced at a 2.5 percent rate for significant savings to taxpayers. The first 10 years of bonds are protected; however, bonds maturing after

See 3 UP, 3 DOWN, page 38

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The Current

12 • April 2013

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community

The Current

April 2013 • 13

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY March 29 | “Taste of Life” benefit 5:30

to 8:30 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside, Spokane. The public is invited to this distinctive dining experience in support of Hospice of Spokane. Tickets are $75. For more: 456-0438 or hospiceofspokane.org

March 30 | Community Easter Egg Hunt

Noon to 2 p.m., Valley Real Life, 1831 S. Barker Road, Greenacres. The hunt is open to children up through 5th grade. For more: valleyreallife.org

March 31 | Easter April 3 | Liberty Lake Children’s Academy Open House & Registration 10 a.m. to noon,

1322 N. Stanford Lane. The academy is registering now for the 2013-14 school year. For more: 9226360 or libertylakechildrensacademy.com

April 3 | NW Heritage Alliance Forum Speaker Series: Accessing History Electronically 6 p.m. Spokane Valley Library,

12004 E. Main Ave. Dr. Larry Cebula, EWU history professor, will speak on how to use today’s technology in your personal history search.

Presented by the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum and hosted by the Spokane Valley Library.

April 7-13 | Inland NW Baby’s Stuff the Bus Community Diaper Drive Donation

barrels will be located at participating Walgreens in the area. The bus will be at the Walgreens store located at Sprague and Sullivan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 13. The biggest need is for diaper sizes 5 and 6, but all sizes will be accepted.

For more: inlandnwbaby.org

April 11 | Email Basics class 2 p.m.,

Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road. Learn how to send and receive messages, attach and download files, delete emails, deal with spam and more. For more: scld.org

April 11 | How Does Your Garden Grow? 7 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. This spring gardening program will offer useful tips and demonstration for getting your garden started. For more: scld.org

April 11 | Running Start Information Night

7 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair-Student Center Sasquatch Room, Bldg. 6, 1810 N. Greene St., Spokane. High school juniors and seniors, as well as their parents or guardians, are invited to learn more about earning college credits while completing high school. For more: 533-8062 or ccs.spokane.edu/runningstart

April 16 | Running Start Information Night 7 p.m., Spokane Falls Community College,

SUB Lounges A, B and C, Bldg. 17, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr., Spokane. High school juniors and seniors, as well as their parents or guardians, are invited to learn more about earning college credits while completing high school. For more: 533-3524 or ccs.spokane.edu/runningstart

April 17 | Adult Book Club 2 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Read the book “Favorite Monster” by Sharma Shields, and then join the discussion. For more: scld.org April 18-21 | Shrine Circus 7 p.m. (Thursday), 3 and 7 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.

(Saturday), 1 and 5 p.m. (Sunday), Spokane Valley mall. Tigers, elephants, acrobats, daredevils

and clowns in an old fashioned big top circus.

Admission is $10. For more: 747-0132 or elkatifshrincircus.org

April 20 | Practical Couponing 10 a.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E Wellesley Ave. Learn the basics of couponing such as how to get started, how to organize and what to do with expired coupons. For more: scld.org April 20 | Science Saturdays with Mobius 2 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Kids ages 5 and up are invited to come experience the explosive science of chemical reactions with Mobius. For more: scld.org

April 20 | Frog Regatta 3 p.m., Rockford City Park, Rockford. Free hot dogs and games will take place at the park from 1 to 3 p.m. Frogs may be purchased for $5 to race down the creek. Prizes will be awarded for frogs that cross the finish line first.

April 22 | Earth Day April 23 | Organize Your Finances Noon,

Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road.

Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union, learn how to develop an efficient bill-payment system as well as what records to keep and for how long. To register or for more: stcu.org/ workshops

April 24 | Estate Planning 101 6 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Sponsored by Sayre & Sayre, PS, this program will cover basic estate planning and the use of health care and financial powers of attorney. For more: scld.org April 25 | Budgeting 101 6 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Sponsored

by Spokane Teachers Credit Union, learn the importance of financial goals and the steps to establishing a successful spending plan. To register or for more: stcu.org/workshops

April 26 | Arbor Day April 26 | SCRAPS Reigning Cats and Dogs Auction and Chocolate Festival 6

p.m., 6815 E. Trent, Spokane Valley. Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the event) and include silent and live auction, pet pageant, raffle, appetizers and desserts. Proceeds benefit SCRAPS Hope Foundation’s animal medical fund.

For more: 477-2760 or scrapshopefoundation.org

April 27 | Become Debt Free 2 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union, discover how to get where you want to be with your finances with tools for debt-free living. To register or for more: stcu.org/workshops

April 27-28 | St. Joseph Fair Trade Festival 10 to 7 p.m. (Saturday) and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(Sunday), Parish Hall, 4521 N. Arden Road, Otis Orchards. Exit I-90 for Liberty Lake/Otis Orchards and follow the signs. For more: stjoeparish.org

Recurring CV Class of 1958 Reunion The Central Valley Class of 1958 is planning a reunion for August 17 along with a picnic on August 18. If you are a graduate or know someone who might need information, please call 255-6803 or 924-0099 or email jbboard58@q.com.

Griefshare 6:30 to 8 p.m., ONE* Church, 15601

E. 24th Ave, Spokane Valley. The group, which meets weekly on Thursdays until May 30, is a recovery support group for those who have lost loved ones. For more: 993-8276

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, teen anime club and writing clubs. For more: www.scld.org

Liberty Lake Library 23123 E. Mission Ave.,

Liberty Lake. Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, LEGO club, RLM women’s group, Spokane Valley Writers Group, beading club, computer drop-in class, knitting club. For more: libertylakewa.gov/library

Cribbage Club Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Puerto Vallarta Restaurant, 6915 E. Sprague. Meets September through May. For more: 489-0799 or carlvennes@hotmail.com

Rockford Crochet Class Saturdays, 10 a.m.

to noon, 229 South First, Rockford. Come and join the other participants at the weekly Crochet class held in the Rockford Community Center.

Other types of craft, sewing, needle work are also enjoyed. Stop in and stitch and visit with others.

For more: 291-4716 or rockfordwa.com/index. php/calendar

Spokane Valley Eagles 16801 E. Sprague.

Breakfast served Sundays 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bingo on Thursdays at 1 p.m. For more: foe3433.com

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

first and third Thursdays of every month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Adult writers are welcome; content guidelines will be sent on request. For more: 255-9489

MUSIC & THE ARTS April 5 | Broadway Calls 7:30 p.m., The Kave, 4909 N. Harvard Road, Otis Orchards. Broadway Calls is the sometimes pop, sometimes pun, always ultra-catchy band from Rainier, Oregon.

The night also will showcase Storm Normandy, Pretty Arcade, T-180 and STOE. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

For more: www.monumentalshows.com

April 11-13, 18-20 | “Urinetown” 7 p.m.,

U-Hi Theatre, 12420 E. 32nd Ave., Spokane Valley.

University High School students will present this spring drama. Ticket prices will be $10 presale and $12 at the door. For more: cvsd.org/university

April 12-13, 18-21, 26-28 | “I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick Various times,

Ignite! Community Theatre, 18014 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. This wildly funny duel over women, art and duty will leave attendees smiling long after the curtain closes. Advanced tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors/military and $15 for students. Tickets at the door will be $20. For more: www.ignitetheatre.org

April 27 |” Well Written” 7 p.m., Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake. Enjoy an adult evening out with a performance by Improv Comedy at the Lake as well as the feature production of a sophisticated comedy “Well Written.” Participants are invited to enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while checking out auction items. Tickets are $20 per person or $140 for a table of 8. To purchase tickets or for more: www.libertylaketheatre.com

CIVIC & BUSINESS April 5-7 | Spokane Home & Garden Show Noon to 8 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday), Spokane Convention Center, Spokane.

The 37th annual show will feature free seminars. Tickets are $8 (under age 12 are free) and are good for all weekend. For more: spokanehomeandgardenshow.com

April 5-7 | Spokane Gun Show & Flea Market Noon to 6 p.m. (Friday), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Saturday), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday), Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley.

Admission is $7 ($4 for swap meet only). For more: 208-746-555

April 10 | High Performance Transit All-Corridor Open House 4:40 to 7 p.m., The

Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St., Spokane. For more: stamovingforward.com

April 12-14 | Spokane Home Builders Premier Show Noon to 7 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday), Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. For more: 532-4990 or www.shba.com

April 13-14 | Spokane Bike Swap 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St, Spokane Valley. Admission is $5 per person (13 and under are free). Bikes are needed for this event, especially children’s bikes. Email lzickler@ahbl.com to arrange for bike pickup. For more: spokanebikeswap.com April 19 | Business Connections Lunch

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave, Liberty Lake. Program will be Biz Buzz (speed networking). Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program 12 to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $25 for members and guests, $35 for non-members. For more: spokanevalleychamber.org

April 19-21 | Spokane Women’s Show 5 to 8 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 7:30 a.m. to noon (Sunday), Spokane Convention Center, Spokane. The show will have informative presentations and shows featuring beauty, fashion, health and cooking in addition to vendors, lectures, exhibits, live music and entertainment. Admission is $5, and Race for the Cure participants get in free. For more: Washington.providence.org April 25 | “Tickled Pink” Spokane & N. Idaho Power Woman Networking Event

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Spokane Events & Catering, 10512 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. A free networking event mixing business with girls night out. Men also welcome. For more: Charitydoyl@ yahoo.com

April 26-28 | Custer Spring Antique Show 4 to 9 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday), Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. Over 200 dealers will showcase vintage treasures in all price ranges. Admission is $6 for adults; children 12 and under are free. For more: custershows. com

HEALTH & RECREATION March 29-31 | USA Volleyball Pacific Northwest Qualifier HUB Sports Center,

19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Play is also

See CALENDAR, page 21

14 • April 2013

community

The Current

Water, electricity shaped Valley’s development

By Bill Zimmer and Jayne Singleton Spokane Valley Heritage Museum

Water, electrical power and transportation are keys to the development of any community, and the Spokane Valley is no exception. Starting in about 1895 with the advent of irrigation in the Valley, farms and orchards developed rapidly, though some types of grass and grain had grown for many years without irrigation. Water was initially brought into the Valley in open ditches from area lakes and the Spokane River. The Corbin Ditch, in particular, was a major irrigation source.

In 1900, Albert A. Kelly, an established gardener, discovered the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, an underground river that flows beneath the Valley and further westward, after digging a 50-foot well. The Washington Water Power Co., a private electric utility, imported a motor for the test well. Kelly personally planted the poles and strung the wire for more than a mile to provide power for the first centrifugal pump used for irrigation in the area. Water pumped from his well flowed at the rate of 350 gallons per minute. Modern Electric Water Co. began pumping water from the aquifer in 1905. Vera Electric Water and Power Co. followed in 1908.

D.K. McDonald settled in the Valley in 1890, after serving three terms as Lincoln County Assessor. He was interested in Kelly’s success with the aquifer and was instrumental in bringing water from wells to Opportunity and Veradale, which was named after his daughter, Vera. McDonald had started the Early Dawn Dairy at Wilson Creek, and that same name was later used by Harold Anderson for his dairy in the Valley after he found a barrel of Early Dawn bottle caps from McDonald’s original dairy. In addition to his involvement in the development of the Valley, McDonald started a reclamation project near Bonners Ferry and irrigation projects in Twin Falls and Gooding, Idaho.

D.C. (Daniel) Corbin, who was primarily a “railroad man,” financed the first Valley gravity irrigation system. In 1899, he and his son, Austin, along with W.L. Benham, formed the Spokane Valley Irrigation Co. to bring water into the Valley from six different lakes. The “Corbin Ditch,” which was part open ditch and part wooden aqueduct, served an area north of the Spokane River. In 1905, he took over the Spokane Valley Land and Water Co., providing water to East Farms, Otis Orchards, Trentwood and Pasadena Park. In 1918, water was diverted at Spokane Bridge to the south side of the river to bring additional water to Greenacres.

A Valley of opportunity A monthly series on the heritage of the greater Spokane Valley Jan. Missionaries and Indians Feb. Bridge Builders and Ferrymen March The Lake Men April The Real Estate Developers, Land and Power May Immigrants claim their Valley June Irrigation July Depots and Platforms Aug. Purveyors of Leisure Sept. Commerce Oct. Ladies of the Valley Nov. Veterans of the Valley Dec. Old Timers’ stories Photo courtesy of Spokane Valley Heritage Museum

The south branch of the Corbin Ditch is pictured in this circa 1920s photo from the museum archive’s CID collection. This branch was built to bring water to Greenacres, helping develop Corbin’s Addition in that community.

Corbin was also involved in the agriculture that benefited from his irrigation efforts. In the 1890s, he began growing sugar beets after the U.S. government restricted the import of sugar from foreign countries. He bought 6,000 acres and built a sugar processing plant at Waverly.

The state of Washington paid growers a subsidy of one cent per pound. The Washington State Sugar Co. did well for a few years, but there was always a shortage of beets because it was more profitable for farmers to grow other vegetables and grain. To help with the supply of beets, Corbin planted 1,100 acres (400 in East Farms). Much of his workforce consisted of Japanese immigrants he paid $1 a day. Corbin sold the company in 1916, but the stock was practically worthless by the time of his death in 1918.

Among Corbin’s other business interests included railroads. His continuing efforts in building, buying and selling short-line railroads contributed directly and indirectly to the development of the Valley. In 1896, he built a railway from Spokane through Colville to Kootenay Lake, B.C., to serve mining, lumbering and passenger interests. In 1897-98, he was involved in building a railway to connect the north Idaho mines in Kellogg, Wallace and Burke to the south end of Coeur d’Alene Lake, and from the north end of the lake to Hauser Junction, where it joined the Northern Pacific. In 1910, he bought and traded property to build the Spokane International Railway

as a freight line from Spokane through Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry to Eastport, B.C., where it joined the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The railroads helped provide infrastructure for the rise of the apple industry in Spokane Valley. The early 1920s were the peak of apple growing in the area. There were more than 1.6 million apple trees providing eight different varieties of apples, transported to market by train. Major packing houses and cold storage warehouses were built to support the industry.

By 1925, growers began pulling out some of their apple trees due to diseases, insect damage, low prices, freezes and competition from Yakima and Wenatchee. Truck farms growing vegetables and berries began to take over.

Hundreds of acres of Hearts of Gold cantaloupes were planted.

As the population in the Valley continued to grow, real estate interests began to promote subdivisions of farmland into tracts for businesses and homes. Orchard Avenue was one of the early land developments in the Valley. The firm of Neely and Young, which had successfully promoted the Opportunity and Vera districts, bought out the interests of the previous developer, and in 1909 began selling land tracts ranging from ½ to 20 acres. Orchard Avenue had its own water system, park, school, general store and post office. Streets were laid out

and many trees planted. The project extended along Park Road from Mission to Pasadena Park.

On the transportation front, Spokane’s electric streetcar line, popular in the early 1900s, increased the region’s thirst for electric power, which was initially provided by private companies. As the automobile’s popularity provided the opportunity for more individualized travel, Sprague Avenue (Appleway) developed as the main thoroughfare through the Valley. Businesses sprung up to accommodate the traffic.

In 1919, Spokane Valley Airfield (later named Felts Field) was opened. The Spokane Valley Herald was first published in 1920.

The completion of Grand Coulee Dam in the early 1940s also had an impact on the Valley, making cheap electricity readily available. An aluminum plant, cement plant and the paper mill drew many people to the Valley, beginning the transformation away from a chiefly agriculturally based community. In the 1950s, with the population boom, most remaining orchards became tracts for housing. By 1990, the Spokane Valley was one of the fastest growing areas of the state.

Bill Zimmer is a retired educator and longtime West Valley School District board member, and Jayne Singleton is the executive director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. For more about this article or other aspects of the history of the Spokane Valley region, visit the museum at 12114 E. Sprague Ave. or call 922-4570.

The Current

April 2013 • 15

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By Tammy Kimberley Wave staff writer

Last spring Cole McDonald, 11, traded mats for the mound when he decided to try out to be part of a little league baseball team.

A wrestler for the East Valley Viper Wrestling Club, Cole has wrestled since he was age 5 and medaled at many tournaments. This Newman Lake kid started last baseball season as a rookie but ended as an all-star by developing skills and working hard with his teammates.

Prior to joining a team via Riverview Little League, Cole said his experience with baseball was playing catch with his brother and watching his parents play in a softball league. His dad, who has served as a volunteer wrestling coach with the Vipers, encouraged him to give baseball a shot.

After baseball tryouts, Cole was drafted for the little league Mariners team.

While he originally wanted to play an infield position, Cole discovered he had the skills to play another position — pitcher.

Even though it took a little while for Cole to adjust to baseball, Ben said Cole’s mental toughness, positive attitude and coachability helped him become a great player that the other players looked up to as a leader.

Cole said baseball provided different challenges than wrestling, and he learned a lot from his first season.

“Baseball is not as physical (as wrestling),” he said. “It's more team than individual.”

Cole said his teammates helped him learn the nuances of baseball, such as the correct batting stance. He said they also helped him become faster by competing against one another while running the bases.

His hard work and determination paid off when he found out he made last year’s All-Star team. Ben described this as “very rare” for a rookie, but said Cole’s mental toughness and athletic ability enabled him to pick up skills quickly.

“My dad played shortstop (in a softball league), so I wanted to give it a try,” Cole said. “But then when I got on the mound, I guess I was pretty good.”

When this season starts in mid-April, Cole will move up to the Majors, which he described as a faster league. He’s been preparing by going to the batting cages and playing catch with his brother, but he said he’s most looking forward to seeing some of the friends he made last year and striving toward making the All-Star team again.

Last season’s coach, Ben Abshire, said Cole’s biggest strengths were his speed and his arm, noting that Cole became the team’s go-to pitcher.

As great as his first year was, Ben said he believes Cole has many great seasons ahead of him, as long as he wants to keep playing.

“The team quickly knew that if we had a tough game coming up, Cole was the one to take the hill,” Ben said.

“With his athleticism and determination, he could develop into a great player at higher levels,” he said.

Submitted photos

Cole McDonald, 11, served as pitcher and shortstop last season for his Riverview Little League baseball team, the Mariners. An avid wrestler and football player, last year was the first time Cole played with an organized baseball team.

Cole McDonald Age  11 Parents  Rory and Sarah McDonald Siblings  Brother, Randy; sister, Emma Pets  Two cats, two dogs School  Sixth grade at Otis Orchards Elementary Interests  Baseball, football, wrestling, playing on trampoline Favorite baseball team  Seattle Mariners

The Current

April 2013 • 17

community

Take me out to the ballgame B) 2

By Tammy Kimberley Wave staff writer

C) 3

With opening day right around the corner, there’s no better time to brush up on some baseball trivia. In honor of the nine innings played in the sport known as America’s favorite pastime, complete the multiple-choice quiz below. When you’re done, check the bottom of the page to see how you scored.

1. How many games does a Major League Baseball (MLB) team play during the regular season?

A) 106 B) 126 C) 162 D) 200 2. What MLB player was named Rookie of the Year in 2001?

A) Jay Buhner B) Ken Griffey Jr. C) Alex Rodriguez D) Ichiro Suzuki 3. How many teams did Babe Ruth play for in the big leagues?

A) 1

D) 4 4. What retired NBA basketball player tried out for the Chicago White Sox in 1994?

A) Kevin Durant

A) Cooperstown, New York B) Kansas City, Kansas C) New York, New York

B) LeBron James

D) Seattle, Wash.

C) Magic Johnson

8. What MLB stadium is famous for the ivy growing on the outfield wall?

D) Michael Jordan 5. How far apart are the first and second bases on a MLB field?

A) 75 feet

A) Dodger Stadium B) Fenway Park C) Safeco Field

B) 90 feet

D) Wrigley Field

C) 100 feet

9. When did the Mariners have their first winning season?

D) 125 feet 6. Who are the only father/son MLB players to homer in the same game?

A) Bobby and Barry Bonds B) Tito and Terry Francona C) Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. D) Cal Ripken Sr. and Cal Ripken Jr. 7. Where is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum located?

Kids Tell It Like It Is

A) 1991 B) 1995 C) 2001 D) 2005 Sources: www.party411.com/baseball-trivia.html, www.funtrivia.com

Wave awards contest winner

In honor of Earth Day, what are some ways kids and their families can take care of the world?

Compiled by Tammy Kimberley from West Valley City School students at the Outdoor Learning Center “Reduce, reuse and recycle. Be resourceful and use only what you need.”

“Attend an Arbor Day event.

Forests are disappearing, so we need to replace the tree population.”

“If you’re on a hike, take out whatever you bring in. If we leave garbage, it won’t be good for any of us.”

Toby Andres, 12, 7th grade

Reyna Flores, 13, 7th grade

Valencia Burgess, 13, 7th grade

“Walk to places instead of taking the bus. Also, help clean up the river and other water areas.”

“Plant trees and vegetation around homes to create more healthy air for our communities.”

Brier Demakis, 11, 6th grade

Colton Ellingson, 11, 6th grade

“Try to use less.

Turn off the faucets when you’re brushing teeth and turn off lights when you leave a room.”

Victoria Cochran, 12, 7th grade

In the last issue, The Wave offered a poetry contest and received several limerick poems.

The judges selected Aster Tyrie’s poem as the winning entry. The 8-yearold girl attends school at Freeman Elementary. For her prize, Aster received a $20 gift certificate to QuizTyrie nos on Pines Road in Spokane Valley.

Here is the limerick of our lucky winner:

Going to the dentist can be fun and easy!

We’ve got convenient hours to fit your family’s schedule.

Evening, early morning, and Saturday appointments available.

Call to schedule an appointment today!

509.891.7070 New patients welcome

Check out our Facebook page for contests and events.

There once was a boy named Blue Who decided to take off his shoe.

It stunk so much, He lost his lunch, And it made him get the flu.

Thank you to all the kids who wrote a poem, and be sure to watch for more contests in future issues of The Wave!

1327 N. Stanford Lane, Suite B Liberty Lake, WA

www.GrowUpSmiling.com

Answers to Take me out to the ballgame from above: 1-C, 2- D, 3-C, 4-D, 5-B, 6-C, 7-A, 8-D, 9-A

The Current

18 • April 2013 Brought to you by

About and for Valley seniors

The art and science of Kathy and David Williams

By Jocelyn Stott Current Contributor

You could say David and Kathy Williams are retired, but they aren’t exactly sitting around assembling jigsaw puzzles.

Their lives are filled with travels and activity — just the way it’s always been for them.

“Age doesn’t seem to be who you are,” said Kathy, 67. “I mean, I feel the same inside, I keep doing all the things I’ve always done. Maybe a little slower.”

For David, 71, the active life even includes a little bit of consulting work. After a 32-year career as a metallurgical engineer for Boeing and Kaiser Aluminum, David has independently consulted with companies expanding into Siberia, Indonesia, South Africa and Romania, just to name a few exotic places.

“Most of the expansion, unfortunately, is happening overseas,” David explained.

In one year, David traveled to China four different times consulting.

Kathy says she doesn’t usually go on those trips due to the rigorous schedule David must keep. A retired medical technician, Kathy has taken up painting, watercolor primarily, since she discovered an allergy to the oil paint fumes.

“Some days I’m an artist, other days just a painter,” she said with a chuckle.

“I’m a non-artist,” quipped David. “But I will say, she paints excellent pictures of sea turtles!”

The duo has been retired officially since the early 1990s, and they enjoy downhill skiing on Mt. Spokane each Wednesday with the Prime Timers Club and hikes with friends — or, as Kathy puts it, “fun, old people like us.”

David also likes to volunteer as a mentor with SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives).

The Williams have lived in the greater Valley area for more than 40 years, raising two sons, Nathan, 37, and Benjamin, 39.

Kathy grew up in North Spokane, attending Shadle Park High School and University of Idaho. David grew up near Birmingham, United Kingdom, moving to the United States to take a job at Boeing in 1968, “the day before Robert Kennedy was shot,” he recalled. The couple met in a pizza parlor in Everett, Wash., where Kathy had an internship. About a year later, right before Boeing laid off about 25,000 employees, David took a

Current photo by Jocelyn Stott

David and Kathy Williams have lived in the greater Spokane Valley for more than four decades.

fast facts DAVID AND KATHY WILLIAMS Married 43 years Hometowns Kathy, Spokane; David, near Birmingham, United Kingdom Shared passion World travel Favorite destination Any place that has both interesting architecture or civil engineering and art galleries Regrets in life None job at Kaiser Aluminum in Trentwood, bringing them back to Kathy’s hometown. In 1970, David and Kathy were married and settled in Veradale and later, Liberty Lake.

While their boys were growing up, the pair spent much of their time on their activities and sports (tennis), and David coached select soccer, which had them traveling all over the Northwest, the couple recalled.

Kathy said when her boys moved on, it was hard for her at first, but she loves having grandchildren and she believes staying active is part of evolving into the next phase of life.

“You really have to retire to something, rather than from something. You can’t just sit down and be done,” she said.

Kathy and David have traveled to Honduras, Spain, Italy, Kauai, New York — just to name a few places — and the thing they most look for in a destination is a place that has great art attractions for Kathy and architectural or engineering features that can be appreciated by David’s scientific mind. One of their more recent excursions was to Mesa Verde, Colo.

“I love to think about all the amazing features of ancient civilizations,” David said. “I think we can really learn from that. … Travel is a great way to educate yourself.”

Kathy said she likes to stay apart from the crowds so she can avoid the herd thinking that can limit her from seeing some of the more out-of-the-way places.

“I think keeping an open mind gives you a richer life experience,” she said. “I say, don’t listen to what everyone is saying — make up your own mind.”

Clearly, the Williams have a formula

for a happy life — neither one of them could come up with anything they wish they’d done.

“My bucket list has gotten pretty short — I’m really pretty satisfied,” Kathy said.

“We were born in a pretty fortunate time,” David added. “I always like to look ahead.”

They both said looking ahead is what has them optimistic about future adventures.

They’d like to see Alaska, Argentina and New Zealand. Hawaii is a place the two have gone a few different times for as long as a six-week stretch.

Kathy also looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren.

“That’s an adventure,” she said.

The Current

April 2013 • 19

TRIVIA TEST 1. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is Mount Ararat located?

2. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “The Color Purple”?

3. DANCE: Who wrote the score for the American ballet “Rodeo”?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president served as a congressman in the House of Representatives after finishing his presidential term?

5. HISTORY: What was the year of the first

Whether to keep, or trash, these collectibles ‘Collecting’ column by Larry Cox King Features Syndicate

Q: I have a picture of John Glenn and two astronauts who were the first to land on the moon. It is a hologram from 1969.

What is it worth? — Steve, Orlando, Fla. A: I found one of the holograms from 1969 at an online auction. It sold for $95 and included a clipped signature of Glenn's.

Q: I have a cup and saucer with a "golfer" design of a man with clubs. It was made by Susie Cooper and is probably from the 1940s or '50s. Is this a keeper?

I paid $10 for it at an estate sale. — Bob, Homestead, Fla. A: Susie Cooper was first affiliated with the A.E. Gray Pottery Company in Henley, England, during the early 1920s. Eventually, she was offered space at Crown Works in Burslem, and it was there that she really established her reputation. During the 1960s, she was chief designer for the Wedgwood group. In 1979, she received the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honors List.

After a search, I found several cup and

community Thanksgiving feast in the New World?

6. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a hand?

7. MEDICAL: What is a common name for the medical condition alopecia?

8. TELEVISION: What was the theme song to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”?

9. ART: In what U.S. city is the National Gallery of Art located?

10. MOVIES: What was the name of the 2004 movie with the tagline, “A True Underdog Story”? © 2013 King Features Synd., Inc. saucers designed by Cooper similar to the set you have, mostly priced in the $90 to $150 range. Keeper, I'd say.

Q: I have eight Boy's Life magazines from the 1960s, and I am wondering if they are worth keeping. — James, Hooksett, N.H. A: Not really, since most of the copies of this magazine I've seen from this period have been priced for about a dollar an issue.

Q: I have several series of books for children and would like to find out how much they might be worth. They include several volumes in the "Little Prudy" series from the 1890s. — Doris, Alton, Ill. A: I checked with several used- and rare-book dealers, and they seem to agree that most of the titles in the "Little Prudy" series sell in the $10 to $25 range depending, of course, on condition and rarity.

To see if there is any interest in them in your area, check out the used bookshops in your city. Most dealers are knowledgeable and willing to help.

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol.com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is unable to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

Where Wellness Is A Way Of Life

Answers to Trivia Test 1. Turkey; 2. Alice Walker; 3. Aaron Copland; 4. John Quincy Adams; 5. 1621; 6. Four inches; 7. Baldness; 8. “Love Is All Around”; 9. Washington, D.C.; 10. “Dodgeball”

Spring Move-in SpecialS

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

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

20 • April 2013

local lens

The Current

Celebrating a decade for the city of Spokane Valley

The CenterPlace Regional Event Center was buzzing March 16 in celebration of the city of Spokane Valley's 10th birthday. Vendors, cake and presentations highlighted the event.

Current photos by Josh Johnson

GMS students host China Fair

A view of health, wellness in the Valley

Submitted photo

A variety of vendors filled the CenterPlace Regional Event Center at the end of February for the “Get Connected” event presented by the Healthy Communities Network. Organizers estimated about 200 people attended. Their next event will take place May 10 at the HUB Sports Center.

Current photos by Tammy Kimberley

Students in sixth grade held a China Fair at Greenacres Middle School in March, where they researched a topic and created a display around their theme. Visitors to the fair were able to hear presentations about Chinese culture, learn about the history of the country and taste samples of Chinese food.

Principal on Parade selected from Ponderosa Principal Jerrol Olson of Ponderosa Elementary School was selected to be the Principal on Parade at Spokane’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Both he and Lucy Tivis, the student who nominated him, were surprised during a school assembly in March with the news. In addition, the school received a $1,000 donation from STCU and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, co-sponsors of the contest.

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 photo

The Current

April 2013 • 21

lOCAL lENS/community

Setting sights on eagles

VCS takes state Knowledge Bowl title The Valley Christian School Knowledge Bowl team won the state championship March 23 for the 1B classification.

This was the 13th consecutive year a VCS team was represented at state. Team members Armand Santone, Zach Tabish, Tim Swank, Connor Gilbert, Joey Segalla and Ben Terry kept their heads while answering nearly 350 questions over the course of the day.

Submitted photo

Students from Centennial Middle School went on an eagle watching field trip as part of their ecology class curriculum. CMS teacher Heather Wright wrote for and received a teacher grant from the West Valley Education Foundation, which helped pay for students to participate in this experience on the Lake Coeur d’Alene Eagle Cruise.

WV educator honored by KHQ/EWU

Submitted photo

Knowledge Bowl team qualifies for state Lauren House, a Contract Based Education teacher in the West Valley School District, was recently selected as KHQ/ EWU Teacher of the Month. House (center) was nominated by student Alex Maughan (second from left).

The West Valley High School Knowledge Bowl team finished second at a recent meet, making them eligible for the state tournament.

Team members include Rixana Jopson, Gail Gallaher, Connor Gore, Kyle Hansen, Josh Glass and Kevin Cao.

Submitted photo

CALENDAR Continued from page 13 scheduled at the Spokane Convention Center and Eastern Washington University for this event, one of the largest annual events in the Spokane area.

For more: pacificnwqualifier.org

April 1-4 | Spring Break Multi-Sport Camp 9 a.m. to noon, HUB Sports Center,

19619 E. Cataldo Ave. Kids in grades 1 through 6 are invited to this camp which will cover the basic skills in multiple sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer, kickball and more.

Cost is $100 per person. For more: 927-0602 or hubsportscenter.org

April 1-4 | USA Boxing National Champions 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., HUB Sports

Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. The preliminary rounds are being held at the HUB, while the championship rounds will be held at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. For more: 927-0602 or hubsportscenter.org

April 6-7 | Eclipse Volleyball Tournaments HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. For more: hubsportscenter.org

April 13 | CV 5K Heart Run 9 a.m., University

High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave., Spokane Valley.

Proceeds from this 5K run benefit Central Valley’s HEART in Hand outreach program that provides help for CV students who are in temporary or transitional housing. Entry fee is $15 if registered

by April 2 (or $20 if after this date). Registration is available online: estoresbyzome.com/heartinhand. php. For more: 701-1912 or cvptaheartrun@ yahoo.com

April 13-14 | INK Volleyball Tournaments HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. For more: hubsportscenter.org

April 14 | USA Sitting Volleyball Noon to

4 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. The public is invited to come learn the fast-paced game of this paralympic sport during a free clinic. An exhibition game will take place at noon followed by an open skills clinic at 1 p.m.

Everyone—able-bodied and disabled, young and old, male and female—is encouraged to participate. To register or for more: 290-5552 or Lindsay@evergreenregion.org

April 19 | Lutherhaven Camp Fest & Dodgeball Tournament 5 to 9 p.m., HUB

Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. This free event, which is open to the public, will provide camp games, crafts, face painting and more fun with Camp Lutherhaven staff.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned

Submitted photo

food item for Second Harvest food bank. For $10 per team, groups can register in the family or competitive division in the dodgeball tournament.

All proceeds benefit Lutherhaven Ministries. For more: lutherhaven.com

April 20 | Lilac City Roller Girls 5 p.m., Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. For more: lilaccityrollergirls.com April 20-21 | Evergreen Region Volleyball Championships HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. For more: hubsportscenter.org

April 23 | Autism seminar 6 p.m., Healthy Living Liberty Lake, 2207 N. Molter Road, suite 203A. The public is invited to learn how you or your child can be successfully treated for autism and how to correct the underlying metabolic defects without drugs. For more: 924-6199 April 26-28 | Washington State Level 5/6 Gymnastics HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. For more: 489-5867

April 27 | Race 2 Place 9 a.m., Mirabeau

Park, Spokane Valley. Proceeds from this scenic, out-and-back 5K/10K along the Centennial Trail benefit Parker’s Place, a camp for families who have lost a child to terminal illness or tragedy. To register or for more: race2place.org

April 27 | DanceFest 2013 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., West Valley High School Auditorium, 8301 E.

Buckeye, Spokane Valley. Sponsored by Inland Northwest Dance Association, this free festival will showcase all forms of dance performed by people of all ages and abilities. The event will also feature vendors, workshops, a silent auction and raffle. Light lunches and snacks available. For more: www.indaspokane.com or 927-0972

Recurring Bloomsday 2013 Online registration for the

12K race that starts and ends in downtown Spokane on May 5 is available until April 21; mail-in registration deadline is April 16. Entry fee is $17. For more: www.bloomsdayrun.org

Trailhead Golf Lessons Trailhead Golf Course,

1102 N. Liberty Lake Road, Liberty Lake. Programs are available for youth and adults. For more: 9283484 or libertylakewa.gov/golf

Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon Early registration for the May 19th

race that runs from Liberty Lake to Riverfront Park is available until March 31. For more: windermeremarathon.com

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.

22 • April 2013

community

The Current

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Submitted photo

Inland NW Baby Founder Jesse Sheldon poses with donations at a past Stuff the Bus Community Diaper Drive.

Stuff the Bus drive sets ambitious goal Event will be final one for Inland NW Baby founder

By Josh Johnson

IF YOU GO ...

Stuff the Bus Community Diaper Drive April 7-13

Current Staff Writer

Central Valley High School senior Jesse Sheldon believes he has another huge growth spurt in him.

As a freshman, he put on the inaugural Stuff the Bus Community Diaper Drive and came up with 15,000 diapers for the organization he founded to help meet the basic needs of children: Inland NW Baby.

As a sophomore, the second annual drive netted 25,000 diapers, followed by 50,000 during his junior year, when Walgreens jumped on as a retail sponsor and set up donation barrels at their Spokane-area locations.

This year is Sheldon’s final drive before

Retail sponsor Walgreens will have donation barrels at all Spokanearea locations in push for ambitious 100,000-diaper goal.

For more: www.inlandnwbaby.org heading off to college and handing the Inland NW Baby reins off to someone new.

The weeklong event, April 7-13, is looking to gain 100,000 diapers to meet the needs of local kids.

Walgreens has returned as a retail sponsor and will have diaper sales on all week,

See STUFF THE BUS, page 23

Registering Students for 2013-14 Quality Academic Programs Safe Environment and Strong Moral Foundation Promoting Community Service Preschool — Ages 3 to 5 Full Day Kindergarten Before and After School Care Options for Home Schooled Students Tours every Wednesday from 9:30-2:30 Private Visits or Tours Arranged

501 N. Walnut | Spokane, WA 99216 | 926-7987 | www.st.johnvianney.com

The Current

April 2013 • 23

community

Buying books by the school-load Local Rotary program provided books for 2,649 students

Students at Ness Elementary School share the excitement of their new books received through the Rotary Club of Spokane Valley’s Books for Kids program.

By Josh Johnson Current Staff Writer

Kay Bryant was walking down the hall of a local elementary school one day during a book sale, when a mother and two kids walked passed a spread of shiny new titles.

“Mom, can we buy a book?” the kids asked.

Bryant recalls the deeply sad look of the mother as she replied, “No, I can’t afford to buy you a book.”

The random encounter had a profound impact on Bryant, who decided to pitch an idea to the Rotary Club of Spokane Valley, where she was a 20-year member and past president: What if they were to buy books for local kids?

And so in 2010, the Books for Kids program was founded, and through club fundraising, the club was able to purchase a book for every student at Broadway Elementary School. Now in its fourth year, Books for Kids distributed books this past month to 2,649 students in six Valley elementary schools — Trent and Trenwood in the East Valley School District, Ness and Orchard Center in the West Valley School District, and Broadway and Opportunity in the Central Valley School District.

Most of the schools paired the distribution of the books with “Read Across America” events and the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

At Ness Elementary School, Librarian Ashley Bell described the scene as “like a big birthday party all day.” The school scheduled guest readers from area sports teams, the Rotary Club and other personalities to

STUFF THE BUS Continued from page 22

and Sheldon said Inland NW Baby has even purchased radio spots for the first time, and a pair of live remotes have been set up to help promote the event during the final April 13 push.

The Central Valley pep band, which has performed every year, will play at the Sullivan Walgreens, and several businesses have stepped up to captain various store locations, holding up signs and asking for donations. The biggest need is for sizes 5 and 6 diapers.

Sheldon said Inland NW Baby also hopes to raise money during the event (the organization’s website lists a $10,000 goal).

Submitted photo

read to classes, Dr. Seuss was celebrated and the library was decorated in spectacular fashion. One by one, classes were called to the library to pick out the books, which were purchased by school staff using Rotary funds to help match the books with the appropriate reading levels.

“I think the idea of a group like the Rotary reaching out to a school for no reason —and the amount of happiness it brings to our kids — I think that’s really special,” Bell said. “To me, that’s a big deal.”

Bryant said the club has purposefully selected schools with a high percentage of children on free or reduced lunch for the distribution.

“A lot of our students don’t have a lot of books at home,” Bell added. “So it’s kind of like Christmas, something special they get to do. … Some of them ask 30 times if they need to give it back. It’s a big deal that they don’t have to give it back.”

Bryant’s career has been intertwined with education — she even served a dozen years on the Central Valley School Board — and so spearheading this project with the Rotary Club made for a perfect fit.

“We have purchasing power to get the diapers cheaper than the general public,” he explained.

The event will be the final one for Sheldon, as he plans to head to college and pass the organization’s reins off to someone else. While he is excited for what’s next, he has far from moved on. Aware that the organization he founded as a 14-year-old freshman has provided help to countless Inland Northwest families during a timeframe that has overlapped with a troubled economy, Sheldon analyzes the way the needs have shifted in the past four years.

“The need is changing,” he said. “The need is always going to exist, but it’s changed.

Today, there are more people in need than there are in poverty. There’s a distinction.

Especially with these economic times, some of the people that we help would be consid-

ered middle-class families; it doesn’t mean they aren’t in need. … We’re a need-based organization, not an income-based organization.”

The Book for Kids project made a major leap forward this year from two to six schools with the help of additional funding from the district level of Rotary International, but Bryant hopes more people will get involved so the program can continue to grow. She said the club’s annual October fundraiser, a fashion show called “Men of Rotary,” is one way the public can support the cause, as is making a donation to the club earmarked for Books for Kids.

The eventual goal is to expand the program to every elementary school in all three of the Valley school districts.

“We want it to grow,” Bryant said. “We do not intend to stop at six schools.”

CHURCH DIRECTORY Greenacres Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

A traditional, family oriented church.

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 AM 18010 E. Mission - 926.2461 Established 1902 Member of CUIC

The inTersecTion church www.theintersection.info 905 N. McDonald Rd. • Spokane Valley Sunday Service: Traditional 8:30 a.m.

Contemporary 10:30 a.m.

924-3705

• Strong Academic and Moral Foundation • Preschool and Kindergarten Programs • Community and Service Focus • Before and After School Care

Preschool-Eighth Grade Scholarship Joining Values Over 50 years of academic excellence

MaSS TiMES:

Saturday Vigil - 5 p.m.

Sunday - 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m., except Wednesday which is 8:15 a.m. adoration Reconciliation

The last Wednesday of every month 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, 4-4:30 p.m. or by appointment

Pastor Fr. Joseph Bell Assoc. Pastor Fr. Charles Skok Deacon Kelly Stewart

St. John Vianney Church

As for the future of Inland NW Baby without him, Sheldon foresees bright times ahead.

503 N. Walnut | Spokane Valley 99206 926-5428 | admin@sjvchurch.org

“I’m excited for both Inland NW Baby and me,” he said. “I see it continuing to grow. We’re in a transition period where we don’t know exactly where it’s going to go. At the moment, it’s a mystery, which is exciting for me.”

YOUR CHURCH GOES HERE

While he is leaving the organization behind, he plans to use his experiences founding Inland NW Baby for future benefit.

“I will take what I learned, and help more people elsewhere,” he said.

For as little as $7 a month, area churches can share service times, special programs or upcoming events in The Current. Call or email to learn more about the Church Directory: 242-7752 or advertise@valleycurrent.com.

business

(Or fried. Or salty. Or wrapped in bacon.) It’s The Current’s second annual appetizer bracket.

the sweet 16

24 • April 2013

About this bracket All 16 of the appetizers on this page were sampled by four regular, local guys on Thursday, March 21. The brave men ordered four appetizers at four different Valley sports bars (separated into the four “regions” on this page) over the course of the day. Before eating them, the appetizers were seeded 1-4 at each restaurant based upon anticipation and buildup provided by the menu or the server. As our panel found time while watching 16 games of basketball, they advanced appetizers through the bracket in order to declare one grand champion. The spread on this page includes the round-by-round results, and be sure to check out commentary from the day — including special alltournament awards — on pages 26-27.

Appetizers and games: a beautiful day

The Current

1 | Home Fried Chips These freshly fried potato chips, delightfully seasoned, were made even better by owner Pete Abbey’s special dipping sauce recommendation. $3.99

4 | Chicken Drummies Nine pieces of chicken drumsticks served with a choice of special sauces. $8.99

Current Column

I am not even going to pretend to claim that I am working hard today.

Four buddies. 16 games. 16 appetizers. 1 opening tip and 1 final horn.

As Bono would sing, “It’s a beautiful day.”

The crew gathered at my house for our pregame prep and chat. As a coach, I pondered if I needed to give a nice motivational speech before we got started. I could talk about hustling from location to location,

See APPETIZERS, page 27

Home Fried Chips The Drummies were good, but the chips were surprising standouts from the first bite.

2 | Gizzards The FredNeck's team says they often run out of fried gizzards, they are so popular. We ordered the large basket, 16 ounces. $8.99

3 | Inferno Chicken Wings Nine pieces of hot and crispy chicken wings, also with multiple sauce options. $8.99

Inferno Chicken Wings The gizzards were an experience for us all, but the wings brought more familiarity and comfort to our palate. Next time, we will leave the gizzards to their niche fan base. The wings were hot, but they were at their best when dunked in a sweet red sauce that complimented the fire without neutralizing it.

1 | Teriyaki Wings Chicken drums and wings tossed in teriyaki sauce and served with sides of ranch and Bleu cheese dressings. $9.99

4 | Onion Rings Thick sliced sweet onions dipped in beer-batter and deep fried. Served with tartar sauce. $8.99

By Chad Kimberley

FredNeck's Region

Teriyaki Wings Onion rings were solid, but it would have taken a true ringer to upset the highly favored wings. Teriyaki wins going away.

2 | Chicken Quesadilla Fresh tortilla filled with chicken, cheddar, pepper jack, tomatoes, olives and onions. Grilled and served with salsa and sour cream. $8.99

3 | Calamari Strips Tender calamari strips breaded, seared and served with side of chipotle mayo. $10.99

Calamari Strips You would think, as True Legends was the last round of appetizers, that everything would start tasting the same. The calamari caught all of us by pleasant surprise.

True Legends Region

The Current

April 2013 • 25

The Ref Region the winner: Sweet chili wings and fries And to think the defending champion Sweet Chili Wings from The Ref almost didn’t enter this year’s contest. We were going to branch out — try the sweet chili sauce on the pork wings instead. The kitchen was out of the pork, so our champ returned and was the unanimous victor again, even with an expanded team of guys voting on the bracket. If there is a third annual Sweet contest next year, the line in Home Chili Vegas will heavily lean Fried Wings toward the sweet Chips and Fries chili wings.

We were loving the wings, but we didn’t expect to love the chips so much. And for that price!

Calamari Strips There was a lot of debate, as we could have nearly scored three orders of chips for the price of one basket of calamari. But this isn’t ultimately a contest about cost; it’s one chip vs. one squid. Still an awfully close contest, but the calamari prevails.

All four of us easily agreed.

The wings marched through The Ref region with ease. A standout and favorite heading into the Final Four.

Sweet Chili Wings and Fries Less wings than if you order a “double slugger” for three bucks more, but the fries were worth it as an accompaniment.

(Plus, it’s not like we were going to go hungry for lack of portion size.)

Steak Bites With the word “steak” in the title, our expectations were maybe a little higher than they should have been. Even still, the bites easily staved off the skins to advance.

Even those of us who would never order seafood thought this squid was worthy of our Final Four. Props must also be given to the dipping sauce.

4 | Sweet Potato Fries Golden delicious sweet potatoes served with house-made sweet BBQ sauce. Full order. $6.99

2 | Steak Bites Tender bites of steak sauteed with fresh onions and mushrooms served alongside a horseradish dipping sauce. $9.99

3 | Potato Skins Crispy potato skins loaded with cheddar, bacon and green onion. $9.99

Five bacon-wrapped prawns, deep fried and served with cocktail sauce. $8.50

Sweet Chili Wings and Fries Calamari Strips

This is a modification of The Ref’s “Pigskin Wings” menu order. They were out of the pork wings with sweet chili sauce, so we substituted the chicken wings instead — the same dish that won The Current’s bracket last year. Served with fries. $9.99

1 | Bacon Wrapped Prawns

Sweet chili wings and fries

At some point, all good Cinderella runs must end. A dish with the word “artichoke” made our Final Four. Didn’t see that happening. But dethrone a defending champ? Don’t see that happening. The sauce truly makes these wings, and if that weren’t enough, they have first-rate fries coming off the bench.

1 | Sweet Chili Wings and Fries

Artichoke Parmesan Dip In our closest contest of the tournament, the artichoke prevailed in a split decision.

Artichoke beating bacon-prawns?

Yes, it was really that good — to three out of the four of us, at least.

Bacon Wrapped Prawns Talk about David vs. Goliath.

But in this battle, the cheesebread laid down and allowed itself to be utterly whipped. The prawns win in a landslide.

Artichoke Parmesan Dip Sure, we may have been feeling the need for a little green in our diet, but this dip earned it.

The nachos were good, but not special, allowing an easy upset.

Bolo's Region

4 | Garlic Cheesebread Sourdough bread smothered with garlic butter, monterey jack and cheddar cheeses. Baked and served with marinara sauce. $5.95

2 | Señor Bolo’s Macho Nachos Tortilla chips smothered in cheese, seasoned beef or chicken (we chose the chicken), refried beans, tomato, olives, green onions, jalapeno peppers, sour cream and guacamole, served with salsa. $10.95

3 | Artichoke Parmesan Dip Artichokes and Italian parmesan cheese blended with secret herbs and spices. Served with garlic baguettes for dipping. $7.95

The Current

26 • April 2013

the ROSTER

BUSINESS

Who picked The Current’s 2013 Appetizer Final Four and crowned its ultimate champion? Uh, these guys …

Matt "I'll-take-yourleftovers" Goldbloom

Jay "Bracket Master" Rivera

Chad “Bacon Lover” Kimberley

Josh "Fry Daddy" Johnson

Age: 31

Age: 36

Age: 37

Age: 35

Height: 6-2 (That is, if Chad is really 6-0)

Height: 5-11

Height: 6-0

Height: 5-9

Weight: 175 pounds,

Weight: Trying to

Weight: 180 (circa

Weight: 170 (before

avoid finding out

1996)

appetizers)

Job: Credit specialist

Day job: Teacher

Day job: "Paperboy"

at Sterling Bank

and coach at Valley Christian School

for The Current

wet

Day job: Insurance Favorite team/ player: Gonzaga

Favorite player/ team: Illinois/Mike

Favorite team/ player: Gonzaga/

Favorite team/

Bulldogs/Kevin Pangos

Hart for 2013

player: Iowa Hawkeyes / B.J. Armstrong

Mike Hart

Best basketball moment: The final buzzer

Best basketball moment: The sense

Best Basketball Moment: Watching

Best basketball moment: Marquette's

of the GU game, solidifying I would not be watching the first 16 vs. 1 seed upset in history.

of relief in the room when Pangos hit the three at the end of the second half against Southern.

Louisville dominate and wishing I could change my tournament pick from Kansas to Louisville.

ridiculous, late-game 3-point barrage and last-second layup to avoid an upset against Davidson.

Three adjectives for an ideal appetizer:

Three adjectives for an ideal appetizer:

Three adjectives for an ideal appetizer:

Three adjectives for an ideal appetizer:

Fried, greasy, salty

Simple, fried, not-a-vegetable (I know it's not an adjective, but it’s important)

Bacon-y, sweet, chili

Meaty, saucy, fried-y

One shining moment: Realizing I was the only one in our group to still own my MAN card after the other three voted Artichoke Dip into the Final Four over the prawns.

One shining moment: When Jay made like

One shining moment: Watching the faces of Jay, Chad and Josh as they bit into a gizzard for the first time, while they simultaneously contemplated, "what EXACTLY is a gizzard and why is it so CHEWY?"

One shining moment: The perfect bracket I had … until the second game ended.

a drug dealer and flashed a package of PeptoBismol chewables on the way to the first stop.

I took comfort in knowing that — for a price — I had a hookup if things headed south.

the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM bartender seemed amused at her opportunity to twice clarify the matter for our party with a, “Wrong one, honey,” before pointing us in the right direction.

Lest all the focus be on the food and the basketball, there was much to be said for the establishments where we spent our day. The following honors are doled out for standout performances by the sports bars themselves.

Best alternative programming: The Ref

Best overall atmosphere: The Ref

We don’t know if it was by request, by accident or just a temporary confluence of noncompetitive games, but for one precious minute, a PBS Kids cartoon began playing on one of the main scoreboard bar screens at The Ref. Of course, right when we started catching onto the plot, it was back to the NCAA Tournament. Oh well.

A repeat winner in this category, as this open setup and scoreboard bar also features multiple options for seating (a couple of us lounged in nearby leather chairs before returning to the table after the food was prepared).

Best assist: Bolo’s Our annual award for all-star service goes to Bolo’s, although we were far from mistreated wherever we stopped. Our Bolo’s waitress gets the nod though, in part because she thrived despite being incredibly busy — our stop corresponded with the Zags game.

She consistently ensured we were well taken care of, timed our appetizers with the start of the game on our request and was relentless in a tougher-than-expected challenge to get all four games playing in our viewing range. Come to think of it, we should have left an even higher tip.

Best TV: True Legends Once again, True Legends wins the category with its 230-inch HD projection TV. There is a wow-factor here that a photo can’t express.

Best team of appetizers: True Legends This was a tough category, but for top-

Best impression of a biblical plague: FredNeck's The place was littered with frogs. Must be the fundraiser for the fundraiser Frog Regatta the joint helps organize each April. Check out this year’s version April 20 at Rockford City Park, starting at 1 p.m.

Clockwise from above: Best overall atmosphere, The Ref; Best team of appetizers, True Legends; Best restroom signage, The Ref. to-bottom goodness, True Legends didn't have a miss of the four appetizers ordered.

The surprisingly strong calamari anchored a solid lineup.

Best restroom signage: The Ref Basketball theme with clearly identifiable symbols made it easy to find our way to relief from anywhere in the establishment.

Best wireless password: The Ref The defending champ in this category hasn’t changed the wireless password from what won it all last year — and no, we’re still not giving it away.

Best women’s restroom: Bolo’s OK, our table was near the women’s restroom, and not all of us realized the men’s room was on the other side of the establishment. A couple of us, who we will only identify by the first initial of “J,” “loitered” near the lady’s option while trying to find its male counterpart. The friendly

Place we’d go back to in the offseason: FredNeck's FredNeck’s had the most creative environment (you gotta be there to understand) a friendly feel and you can get a lot of food there for not a lot of dough.

These are all important factors for thirtysomething family men. Also, it’s rumored to have incredible burgers, so there’s that.

the STARTING FIVE

The Current

April 2013 • 27

BUSINESS If you throw the brackets out and reseed the 16 appetizers based upon the best five, our panel agreed it would look something like this.

1. Sweet Chili Wings With Fries, The Ref There was no denying the defending champion this year. The sauce … the meaty wings … the smooth and sweet taste … and some of the best fries we’ve had from anywhere — it’s a champion order.

2. Calamari Strips, True Legends Grill If you play with this order a little

APPETIZERS Continued from page 24

sharing the food, and everyone working together to accomplish our goal.

Please.

There is no motivational speech needed.

We are watching games and eating.

Opening tip goes to Michigan State. We are under way.

Two games currently going on and we have one major problem: Our fearless leader, Josh, has yet to arrive. He is working. We need to fix that problem.

Matt, Jay, and I head down to the office to kidnap Josh from his work and are faced with our first major decision: take the elevator or the stairs.

Wisely, Matt says we need some pre-appetizer exercise. We take the stairs, we grab our fourth and we are off to Rockford.

First Region: FredNeck's

the VENUES

We walked in, after the owner Pete gra-

bit, True Squid Legend would actually make a great Hoopfest team name. Also, the order was great. It didn’t taste too “seafood-y,” allowing it to appeal to a broader group of taste buds, and yet it was crisp and distinct. Great supporting role played by the chipotle mayo, too.

3. Home Fried Chips, FredNeck’s There’s no denying their value for $3.99, particularly when fries and onion rings at other places could ring up twice that. But they made the starting five with big taste, spoton crispiness and wonderful compliments of seasoning and sauce.

ciously opened the doors a few minutes early for us, and entered into a truly unique establishment. The décor was unique and colorful, and the games were on both a big screen and several smaller televisions spread around the bar.

FredNeck's Saloon and Beanery has R.C. soda on the tap. How cool is that? No one has R.C. in the can, bottle or on tap. FredNeck's also has fried gizzards as an appetizer. R.C. definitely wins that battle.

We had a blast at FredNeck's, as Pete joined us at our table and brought us all kinds of fried goodness, including chips, which became our No. 1 seed in the region.

I don’t picture chips as a No. 1 seed, but as Jay said, “The chips are like Gonzaga. People don’t believe they should be a No. 1.”

Good food. Good conversation. And most importantly, my bracket is intact through the first few games.

Second Region: Bolo’s Never been here before, and as the four of us settled in for what would be our longest stay of the day (built around watching

4. Artichoke Parmesan Dip, Bolo’s If you are at a sports bar and worried about not getting enough greens in your diet, first off — you’re at the wrong place. But this starter, which we are not claiming is in any way a health food, took our panel by surprise. The only knock: We ran out of the garlic baguettes before we ran out of the dip.

A couple of us even started using the garlic cheesebread to dip with.

5. Bacon Wrapped Prawns, Bolo’s Bolo’s becomes the only estab-

the complete Gonzaga game), I saw on the menu what would be considered a beautiful sight: bacon-wrapped prawns.

First off, anything that has bacon wrapped in its description is typically a win-win for me, and then you add in the prawns, and this became a slam dunk for me. The appetizer came with five prawns.

We have four guys. Paper, rock, scissors needs to decide who gets the fifth. I knocked out Jay in the first round, while Josh picked himself up a win over Matt.

Scissors takes paper and I down the final prawn.

The beauty of this stop was the games.

We experienced what I consider the trifecta of watching. We had the major upset alert (No. 14 Davidson trying to take down No. 3 Marquette); we had the buzzerbeater moment as the “mouthguard” of St. Mary’s air-balled an attempt to beat Memphis (added bonus Marquette getting a layup to hold off the upset with one second remaining), and we had the local flavor of GU kicking off the tournament.

The Zags game did not go as planned.

lishment with two orders in our starting five, although both just missed out on our top tier. What they do here is take one of the best foods found on land and wrapped it around one of the best foods ever found in the sea. So why does it taste like heaven?

Off the bench After these five were set, there was some straggling debate on which appetizer should be the first off the bench. The Ref ’s steak bites got some love, as did the wings (inferno and teriyaki) from FredNeck’s and True Legends, respectively.

The game was close throughout, and I was sitting next to Matt, a Gonzaga fan and alum. He looked sick. I am guessing it wasn’t the appetizers. I did have one moment of pure joy. My oldest daughter, Bri, called me the minute she got home because she wanted to know what channel the GU game was on. This is an official proud dad moment.

Kevin Pangos hits a huge three late. The crowd at Bolo’s both cheered and let out a collective sigh of relief. Gonzaga would not make history by becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16. Off to our next stop.

Third Region: The Ref Walking into The Ref is like going home again. First off, I love the environment with the large scoreboard screens right smack dab in the middle of the restaurant, and we were coming back to revisit our defending champion in this appetizer bracket: the sweet chili wings. I love these wings. (Josh and I voted them tops in The Current’s inaugural eight-appetizer competition last year.)

See APPETIZERS, page 28

FredNeck's Saloon and Beanery 130 W. Emma St. Rockford

The Ref 14208 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley

Bolo’s Bar and Grill 116 S. Best Road Spokane Valley

True Legends Grill 1803 N. Harvard Road Liberty Lake

28 • April 2013

Highlights from your Chamber

Chamber launches Tools for Business Success

We are pleased to announce a new resource for the Greater Spokane Valley area — a new website overflowing with information for businesses, whether you are brand new or long established. Visit our new tools site for all the local, state and federal programs to start and grow your business — all in one place!

Tools for Business includes access to free business tools, one-on-one help, government requirements and even a list of forms that are due in the coming weeks. This is a toolkit for businesses of all stages. New businesses will find resources for business planning and formation. Existing businesses will find help for hiring and managing employees, green resources, disaster prevention and improving business quality. You can also find sources for funding programs, help with selling to the government or selling globally, and much more.

Chamber events in April

April 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Government Action committee meeting, Valley Hospital Education Center, 12606 E. Mission.

Program: TBA. Cost: $20 (includes lunch).

Register at spokanevalleychamber.org.

April 4, 4:30 to 6 p.m., H & R Block Open House, 11017 E. Sprague. Ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.

April 11, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Business/Education Committee meeting, location and program TBA. April 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Business Connections LUNCH, HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Program: Biz Buzz (speed networking). Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Cost is $25 for members and guests, $35 for non-members. Register at spokanevalleychamber.org.

April 23, 4 to 6 p.m., “Meet the Chamber” member reception, Decade Awards, 11115 E. Montgomery Dr., Ste. B. Ribbon cutting and certificate presentations at 5:30 p.m.

BUSINESS

The Current

Pryor’s dining experience unique, worthy of repeat IF YOU GO ...

By Kyle Hansen Critics on Bikes

Pryor’s Restaurant 24706 E. Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards 509-226-3707

You’ll find a link that will take you there on our home page at spokanevalleychamber.org.

April 25, noon, Transportation Committee meeting, Longhorn Barbecue, 2315 N. Argonne Rd. Program: TBA. Be sure to check our website at spokanevalleychamber.org for more details and updates.

New members Please join us in welcoming the following members who have recently joined the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce: Adam Matheny Insurance Agency/ American Family Bear Creek Lodge Clear Channel Media Global Fitness Larry Cundieff-Independent Brand Partner Maggie Breens Montana Private Reserve SimplexGrinnell Take Shape For Life The Otis Grill Truckland – Crossroads Automotive Group Wolf Creek Steakhouse & Catering

The dozens of farm tools, cleavers and machetes with deer antler handles decorating the walls made one thing clear the second I stepped inside Pryor’s Restaurant on my first visit: Eating there would be an experience that I wouldn’t find anywhere else.

It was a first impression that Pryor’s worked hard to keep. As soon as I found a seat, I was greeted with a smile by a waitress, who answered questions about anything from the homemade quality of the clam chowder to the score on the Gonzaga game, with bubbling enthusiasm. I was given recommendations for dishes even without request, and they arrived as quickly as can be expected of a decent lunch.

The meals at Pryor’s are satisfactory.

There could be more clams in the chowder, and the Little Joe, a salad with chili, Fritos and cheese, has a little too much onion for most people, but there are lots of great options to choose from. The East Farms burger, a hamburger with bacon, two kinds of cheese, ham and barbecue sauce, has more than enough ingredients to be filling, and each layer seems to stand out and add to the flavor very nicely. The fries are crisp and subtly salty, and the fried fish is battered to just the right consistency and not soaked in its own grease as is usually the case.

APPETIZERS Continued from page 27

I was excited to watch my major upset pick South Dakota State knock out the Wolverines. Oops. And then somewhere in the middle of the games, PBS and a cartoon broke out on one of the televisions. Double oops.

Thankfully, the wings saved the day. Have I mentioned I love these wings?

I really believed that this day would be pure joy and have no work involved. I was wrong. By this time, we all are feeling a bit lethargic. We have had 12 different appetizers. We have eaten more fried entities than I knew existed. And we still had one more place to go. This is becoming hard work.

1421 N. Meadowwood Lane • Liberty Lake, WA 99019 • Phone: 509 924-4994 www.spokanevalleychamber.org

On the way to the car for the final stop, Matt shared the truest statement that has ever been spoken. “I can’t wait to _______.”

I will let you guess what that final word was.

Critics on Bikes rating: +3/4 Bike Lane Pryor’s serves a variety of family-sized meals that make them unique to most restaurants. Customers can order 2 gallons of clam chowder for $50. The Strips ‘n Fries family plan is a feast of 12 chicken strips, a large order of fries, tartar sauce (which can also be bought separately by the pint), and the gang’s choice of either four coleslaws or a pint of clam chowder for $23.25. These family-friendly menu items are a great value for a group that make eating out much more affordable.

Pryor’s restaurant gives good food, great service and a one-of a kind dining experience. While slightly better meals can be found elsewhere in the Valley, the atmosphere and friendly attitude toward customers sets Pryor’s apart from many other restaurants of its kind. I’m sure my first visit won’t be my last.

Critics on Bikes is a monthly column written by Kyle Hansen, a lifelong Millwood resident and junior at West Valley High School.

Local businesses are reviewed on a four-point rating system: ¼ (road rash); 2/4 (flat tire); ¾ (bike lane) and 4/4 (Tour de France).

Final Region: True Legends I feel the coach side of me coming out. I need to give a speech about having a great fourth quarter, finishing strong, eating to the buzzer and being mentally tough.

My mind is squash.

Thankfully, the appetizers are way better than squash. Despite this being appetizers 13-16 in a nine-hour period of time, I truly enjoyed the final round of eating. And at True Legends, you can’t beat the main screen right over the bar. Crisp, clear picture which makes for basketball-viewing bliss, although I am confused why I keep hearing the singing of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Pink instead of the commentating of Charles Barkley.

All the appetizers were great at True Legends, and I even had the opportunity to watch Jay eat his first onion ring … although how does a 36-year-old make it this long in life without eating an onion ring? I forgive Jay, my fellow Cubs enthusiast, as

See APPETIZERS, page 29

The Current

April 2013 • 29

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APPETIZERS Continued from page 28

we get to bond over the fact that the True Legends ticker was giving updates on Cubs spring training news. Gotta love that fact.

Finally, it was time to leave. As Matt and I slowly sauntered to our cars, very few words were needed. We pointed our cars toward our homes, and I watched the final horn from the first day of the tournament from the comforts of my couch, thankful that my bathroom was a short roll away from said couch.

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It had indeed been a beautiful day.

Postscript: Sadly, the Gonzaga Bulldogs dream season ended in the round of 32.

There is very little left to cheer for in the NCAA tourney, as my bracket has been trashed, and the local team is out. But one thing remains: At the time of this writing, my Iowa Hawkeyes are currently in the NIT Elite Eight, and there is PLENTY of room on that bandwagon if you want to join me.

Chad Kimberley is a sports aficionado and teacher at Valley Christian School.

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The Current

30 • April 2013

BUSINESS

From the trumpet at Bowdish to Señor Froggy Ryan Heaton has exhibited first-chair talent in hospitality industry

By Craig Swanson Spokane Valley Scoop

I have known Ryan Heaton, owner of the Valley Señor Froggy and Bruchi’s restaurant, since about 1973, when he and I played trumpet at Bowdish Junior High.

I was a consistent third or fourth chair below Renny Smith and Teresa Tsalaky, while Ryan, who was a year younger, normally sat far below.

Everyone hated those surprise tryouts that publicly and painfully exposed our lack of musical talent and lazy practicing habits. Anything could happen. More than once, I sat at the bottom after a humiliating attempt, only to look up the line to see Ryan beaming back down at me from my old chair after he had pulled off an unusually good performance.

Even on his best trumpet days, I would not have put him on my most-likely-tosucceed list. It was not until high school when he began busing tables at the Valley Red Lion that it became apparent he possessed first-chair talent in the hospitality field.

One year out of high school at age 19, he was managing The 1881 Room at the Sheraton Hotel downtown. Back then, Patsy Clark’s was its main competition — today it would be Churchill’s or Spencer’s, which is at the 1881 Room’s former location.

After problems developed with a new general manager, Ryan thought he could do better and so applied for the manager position when it came open at the neighboring Casablanca restaurant, owned by the Omni Corporation.

They liked the looks of the kid but not the idea of him running a place where he was not old enough to go into the bar, especially when its nightclub was downtown’s hottest. They lured him away by offering him a better salary and a manager position at the company’s Taco Time

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on Division.

At one time, Omni had a big operation in Spokane. The company owned Casablanca, all the Taco Times, Fuddruckers and the Rocking Horse Saloon. Ryan became a key team player who was moved around to run other local Taco Times for a few years.

Then Omni sent him to California to open a new Fuddruckers before coming back to open and manage the new Spokane Fuddruckers, a gourmet hamburger franchise. By the time he was 25, Omni put Ryan at the helm of its starship, The Casablanca, where he was in charge of four assistant managers and 95 employees.

After meeting Dave Hooke at a golf tournament, Ryan decided it would be better to raise his two young boys on fast food. The plan was that he would be allowed to buy into Dave’s local franchise, Señor Froggy, a move designed to help fund Dave’s retirement and secure one for himself. That was 23 years ago, and things have progressed nicely, with Ryan owning the Valley Froggy’s and another on Division and Indiana.

The nice progress has come through a battle of wits and hard work against difficulties like relentless national competition, an abysmal economy and a traffic shift that did not work in his favor. Ryan has kept his Froggy’s hopping by using two key strategies.

One of the strategies was cutting-edge when he became a Bruchi’s franchisee and co-branded it together with his two Señor Froggy locations 11 years ago. He was the first in Spokane to implement this nationwide trend, offering two original Spokane franchises in one location.

Beyond menus that complimented one another, Ryan worked well with Bruce Greene, founder and owner of Bruchi’s, having known him from the Casablanca days when Bruce was an assistant manager under Ryan. Currently, they are partners in the new Cheney Bruchi’s, and up until January, Ryan ran the Northtown and Valley Mall Bruchi’s.

From left, team members Stormy Rumple, Maiya Jeffers, Ryan Heaton, Jessica Simmons and Francis Lutey stand outside the Spokane Valley Señor Froggy and Bruchi’s restaurant.

Heaton is the owner of the franchise.

Submitted photo

Knowing a year in advance he would be losing his lease at the malls, Ryan took the co-branding concept to the next level — coco-branding — and brought in Italian Express, another local franchise that had been started by Dave Hooke with recipes provided by Luigi’s owner, Marty Hoberg, who had been one of Ryan’s busboys at the 1881 Room.

The second strategy Ryan has implemented is himself. He will tell you he believes he has been at the same location for 23 years because Señor Froggy delivers a consistent, quality product for a good price. While that may be true, Ryan is the one who has ensured those standards day in, day out. He is hands-on and works every day, 40 hours a week. When you combine that work ethic with a first-chair talent for playing to a room full of diners, the Froggy is going to make it even in the rough waters of the Spokane Valley fast food pond.

When I took Mom to lunch there the other day, he took our order at the counter and delivered the meal. It occurred to me how unusual it is at a fast food place for anyone, let alone the owner, to bring the food out even though it seems like a pretty simple but accommodating service to provide. I guess it is something only an owner who enjoyed working with his crew and serving his customers would be

happy to do. I would imagine most owners would not enjoy either.

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I could tell Ryan, however, is the oddball. He is happy to be doing what he is doing and to be where he is at. As I sat looking up at him from my chair as he cheerfully cleared our table, I recognized that look of contentment on his face from 40 years before, and I knew it was genuine.

Craig Swanson and his wife, Elaine, operate a blog and newsletter called Spokane Valley Scoop. A graduate of University High School, Craig is a lifetime resident of Spokane Valley. The Spokane Valley Scoop can be read online at spokanevalleyscoop. wordpress.com.

Biz Notes Ship It Now opens in Valley Offering shipping, custom packing, photo copies, mail box rentals and other small business services, Ship It Now opened recently at 12510 E. Sprague Ave. The store, owned by 30-year shipping veteran Paul Neustrom, is a full-service

Ship It Now is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday hours

Biz Notes features Valley-connected business items. Contact The Current with business news at editor@valleycurrent.com.

The Current

April 2013 • 31

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32 • April 2013

The Current

At the Liberty Lake PORTAL

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Walt Disney once said, “Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until In a world where fraud, abuse, and deceit are encountered daily, the team at Profesit’s done right.” sional Investigators International (Pii) lives by the words of founder and principal, Bob Rhett Barney would add one more thing to Walt Disney’s advice, and that is “Protect Davis: “Our contract guarantees us the independence to conduct an impartial and your idea.” As an Intellectual Property lawyer who just moved into his new executive professional investigation. Our primary obligation is to the truth.” For Bob and Linda suite at the Liberty Lake Portal, Rhett works daily with individuals and organizations Davis, and their team of 17, the who are pouring time, resources, and their hearts into developing great ideas. And silver lining is truth. “Without yet, in today’s world of shifting morality, the sharks are out there, waiting to borrow the a doubt,” Linda explained, “the hard work of another person as their own. most rewarding experiences in Barney IP is classified as an intellectual property boutique. Rhett specializes in tradeour day to day work have to do mark, copyright and patent law, along with the licensing of ideas to help entrepreneurs with those moments of truth.” protect their dream as they work to turn ideas into a successful business venture. He From the simple background also works to find creative solutions for those clients who find themselves subject to check to the complex cases copyright infringement. in abuse or corporate fraud, When Barney IP opened in Liberty Lake, his client base was primarily from outside the group at Pii is committhe country. But in the short time Rhett has occupied his executive suite the client base ted to “applying their skills as has grown to include several local clients. “I didn’t see that coming,” Rhett confessed, investigators for the benefit of “but it has been very cool to watch it happen. The Portal is giving me certain business corporate entities and individopportunities and business connections along with the chance to develop a different ual citizens around the world,” flavor in my business.”

Members of the Pii team collaborate in their as stated by Bob Davis on their With his wife Brittney and their soon to be 4 daughters, Rhett makes his home in daily search for truth. website.

Liberty Lake. “Being involved in the community is important to me,” Rhett said. With “Our highly professional staff has a vast array of experience from local and state law Barney IP offices so close to home now Rhett feels more able to balance work, family enforcement, FBI, corrections, education, counseling, insurance and finance as well and community. And thanks to management at the Liberty Lake Portal, the transition period has been seamless “Bob Olson as legal/litigation,” Linda explained. “We’re not just people who stops by every single day and asks if there thought they wanted to be investigators. We are a multidisciplinary is anything I need,” Rhett mentioned. “My collection of award winning experts in various fields, equipped to new office has given me the opportunity to handle a wide range of investigative needs.” be a part of this community in more than At Professional Investigators International, the team offers a law one way, and to grow my clients in the local enforcement type response and investigative expertise as it pertains market.” to sexual, physical or emotional abuse and sexual harassment. InRhett helps his clients protect designs, vestigating unwelcome sexual advances and other verbal or physical marketing materials, logos, etc., so they harassment is also part of what Linda and her team offer at Pii. have the tools to fight back when someone From the corporate arena, a client may seek assistance from Pii if attempts to manufacture, import, or offer they suspect tax fraud, insurance fraud, records concealment, illegal for sale what is already legally protected. political donations, improper payments and any other number of And while copyright infringement lawsuits illegal practices. Or a business may simply need to obtain a compreare common, Rhett considers this approach hensive personal profile with regards to an individual being considrather inefficient. “Once you’ve taken the ered for employment. “We search for important information such court route, you’re committed to a lot of as bankruptcies, tax liens, judgments and notices of default in their money, and generally a very slow, cumberIP Attorney Rhett Barney enjoys the natural light of his records,” Linda explained. “Driving records are searched to identify executive suite in the Liberty lake Portal some process you hope will end in your traffic convictions, moving violations and prior accidents. One of the favor,” he explains. most important aspects of the legal background investigation is a By contrast, Rhett points out that if you’ve taken the proper steps to establish ownerthorough search for prior litigation,” she added. “The investigation may include searchship of your ideas, ”There are a lot of creative ways to protect your intellectual property es in several jurisdictions in the event the subject has a frequent relocation history.” without having to go to court.” For example, a simple ‘cease and desist letter’ accomAnd while a large percentage of the Pii clientele is international, a fair amount of panied by evidence of copyrights, trademarks and patents, can very quickly communicate to a competitor that they are treading in dangerous territory in their attempts to searching occurs from within the walls of their office in the Liberty Lake Portal. Linda, use your intellectual property. and the Pii team have been in the Portal for two years. When asked what made this So for those who are working to turn a great idea into a thriving business, don’t forget location appealing to their business model, she explained, “The Liberty Lake Portal to check with Barney IP about what you can do to protect your ideas and make your team is so innovative, creative, responsive, and visionary. Those are the descriptors of business successful. our company as well. When you’re the best in the world at what you do you like to be with someone who is the best in the world at what they do.”

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The Current

U-Hi softball looks ready for usual dominance

By Mike Vlahovich Current Contributor

Hardly a year goes by that a Jon Schuhcoached University High School softball team isn’t in the hunt for a Greater Spokane League championship and state trip.

The Titans, following a four-year state drought, have qualified the last three years in Class 3A, and Schuh had a hand in 10 successive state 4A trips through 2005.

Nothing should change. In a preseason one-run loss to Idaho state runner-up Lake City, they roughed up Idaho’s top pitcher, Casey Stangel, who scarcely allowed a run in three previous seasons, for six runs on 10 hits.

“We bring back a pretty experienced group,” Schuh said. “Brittany Hecker has been throwing with us since her freshman year and is the returning GSL MVP.” A transfer from Newport, Alex Douglas will provide backup and bolster the offense.

Veterans Karly Schuh and Taylor Morales make U-Hi strong up the middle defensively. Third baseman Brooklynn Tacke, outfielder Kendra Bruno and first-base/ designated player Hannah Wesselman have power potential. Outfielders Ryelynn Mendoza and Rachael Johnson provide speed, and Lacey Awebery takes over fulltime at catcher.

“So far early in the season, we are hitting the ball well, but as always with this sport, pitching and defense will be the key,” Schuh said.

The Titans reached the state semifinals last year, just missing a top-four trophy.

This year, said Schuh, past state experience has his veteran team intent on bringing one home.

Eagles chasing repeat West Valley is coming off a 29-2 State 2A third-place season, both losses by a single run.

A 2-1 defeat in the second round of state forced the Eagles to surmount an obstacle by winning four straight games, three of them on Saturday, to bring home the trophy.

Coach Paul Cooley is hopeful for another playoff run with a veteran team, but this year the onus is more on defense after two of his key pitchers graduated, including Kelli Peckham now starting at Northwest

sports University in Kirkland.

“Jess Mitchell was our third pitcher,” Cooley said. “She’s a good pitcher, not a slouch by any means.”

But, he added, she’s more finesse than power, and he expects more balls put in play for the defense.

Offensively, the Eagles have plenty of punch with virtually all position players coming back. Last year, they scored 282 runs in 31 games with sophomore Natalie Noble’s batting average approaching .700 and Cassie Finn hitting in the .600s.

Besides Noble and Finn, catcher Katelyn Sage, off to a strong start, infielder Bailey Castor and outfielder Jackie Noble were All-GNL. Transfer sophomore basketball standout Erin Higbie is just as formidable in softball, where she opened the season 7-for-9 at the plate.

“We’ve got a lot of experience. Most have played since they were freshmen,” Cooley said.

U-Hi baseball aims high With six returning starters, four of them juniors or sophomores, don’t expect a dropoff for a Titan program accustomed to success even though the overall roster is young.

“We may be young by age, but not experience,” coach Scott Sutherland said. “Most of these kids have already played a full year of varsity baseball despite the fact we only have three seniors. They take the game very seriously.”

Pitching and defense should keep them in the thick of things until hitting comes around.

“We should have a solid starting rotation, with Davis Hill, Jeff Beaty, Travis Seek and Jared Smith,” Sutherland said.

Hill, a junior, is the only one with varsity

Spokane-North

April 2013 • 33

experience. T.J. Thies, coming off labrum surgery is the “wild card,” Sutherland said.

The infield returns intact with seniors Collin Deyarmin, Matt Adams and sophomore Garrett Schmerer among them. Austin Stannard was a second-team All-GSL outfielder last year.

“Our infield may be our biggest strength,” Sutherland said. “The biggest addition will be sophomore (Montana) transfer Jared Smith at catcher. He is the real deal.”

The U-Hi goal, Sutherland said, is to be playing its best ball come playoffs.

Quick hits Spring sports make up half of the 18 offered in the GSL. Besides baseball and softball, boys and girls track, golf and tennis plus boys tennis is underway … U-Hi girls golf has been bolstered by freshman Hanna Gropp, who with returning state qualifier Katie Ochoa helped the Titans to a fifth place finish in March’s Shriver Cup. Gropp led the way with a 10th place finish and score of 93. … Last year, U-Hi’s Rielly Smith and Tyler Burns finished seventh and eighth among 3A boys golfers. … Titan boys tennis returns regional qualifier Josh Ramsey and varsity teammates Chris Osborn and Tyler Bates on a young 30-player roster. … U-Hi has a new boys soccer coach, Scott Kerwien. Four starters return, among them fourth-year midfielder Chris Donich and three-year veterans — forward Trevor Martin, midfielder Jamie Adair, defender Dallas West and goalkeeper Quinn Howe. … In the 50-some years of East Valley cross country and track and field, there have only been two boys coaches: Howard Dolphin, and his former state mile champion, Dave McCarty. There since 1977, McCarty is in his final season. Among his returners is 14foot state placing pole-vaulter Willie Stautzenberger.

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34 • April 2013

SPORTS

FIFTH ANNUAL MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON

SUNDAY

MAY 19 TH - 2013

Liberty Lake to Riverfront Park Spokane, WA WindermereMarathon.com

The Current

EV soccer standout anxious to return Record-setting senior scorer Adam Talley missed start of season with injury

By Steve Christilaw Current Contributor

Adam Talley is experiencing a few firsts in his senior boys soccer season at East Valley. Just not the kind of firsts the standout striker wanted to experience.

For one, the fastest, most dangerous goal scorer in the Great Northern League has been sidelined for the first time in his high school career.

“Essentially, what I have is a deep, deep bruise on my hip pointer,” Talley explained.

“It’s painful.”

Almost as painful as having to watch idly by while his team loses a pair of league games to Pullman and Cheney, both by identical 3-0 scores.

“I can’t remember the last time we were shutout, and we’ve never lost a game by three goals while I’ve been here,” Talley said.

“It was hard to watch. I know this: I’m going to be back out there for the next game. My doctors told me that running and playing aren’t going to do any further damage. It’s just going to be painful for a while, and I think I can play through that.”

That will likely mean that Talley will not be at full speed for a while, but that won’t diminish his effectiveness too much.

“The first thing people notice about Adam is his speed, but that’s not his whole game,” coach Jeff Paulus said. “He has a great set of soccer skills. He’s got a great shot and exceptional ball skills. He’s a very good passer, too. When you add that to his incredible speed, he’s a very dangerous striker.

“The other thing about him is that he’s an unselfish player. He has a lot of confidence in himself, but he’s not cocky at all.”

Talley’s self-confidence has been evident, and justified, since he first walked onto the East Valley practice pitch as a freshman.

“He’s been our leading scorer since his first day,” Paulus said. “But I think he’s probably been the best player on whatever field he’s on since he started playing the game.”

Just having Talley on the field makes a difference for the Knights. Defenses go out of their way to find ways to, if not stop Adam Talley, then to at least slow him down.

Not that they’re able to.

“I get double-teamed a lot,” Talley said.

“They’re always putting two players on me, but that just means one of my teammates is open. I’ve never had any trouble getting

Current photo by Steve Christilaw

Adam Talley heads downfield during practice at East Valley High School. Talley was injured for the Knights’ first two league soccer matches, both losses, but the senior and defending Great Northern League scoring champion hopes his return sparks the Knights. around a double-team.”

Despite all that defensive attention, Talley notched 25 goals for the Knights a year ago during an injury-plagued season that ended in a loss during the district playoffs.

Two years ago the Knights reached the state Class 2A semifinals, where they lost, 1-0, to Lynden before bouncing back to earn the third-place trophy with a 2-0 win over Hockinson.

“We’re not going to let that (early exit) happen again this year,” Talley said. “We’re still intent on winning the league, but with two losses we don’t have any cushion at all the rest of the way. We want to get back to state.”

Talley admits he’s already thinking about next year. He accepted a scholarship to play next year at North Idaho. Teammate Kurtis Kannenwischer also will play for the Cardinals next year.

“I’m excited about playing at the next level,” Talley said. “And I think it’s cool that I have teammates that I can continue to play with.”

Paulus expects both to have success in Coeur d’Alene.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Kurtis will start for them as a freshman on defense,” he said. “And Adam has the talent to be the best player on the team at the next level, too. He’s just got to decide whether or not he wants to put in the work necessary to make himself the best player. He has the tools, and he has the talent.”

The Current

April 2013 • 35

SPORTS

Valley natives perform at NWAACC tourney

Gathering gear for the Ukraine

Current photo by Jocelyn Stott

Steve Rasmussen, Ken Butner and Dave Barnes stand with baseball gear at Kimmel Athletic Supply. The men are all assisting in sending baseball gear to the Ukraine in support of Peace Corp volunteer and Liberty Lake native Bailey Wolff, who is engaging an interested community through baseball in a beat-up lot near where he serves. The Current’s sister publication, The Splash, wrote a story about Wolff earlier this year, and since then members of the community have been gathering supplies to send to the Ukraine. Rasmussen, one of Wolff’s former baseball coaches at Central Valley High School, used money donated by people who saw The Splash story and wanted to help to purchase supplies at Kimmel. Butner, who also has coaching ties to CV and is Kimmel’s sales manager, and Barnes, Kimmel’s COO, are talking about accepting donations of used gear at the stores to send to Ukraine as well.

CV soccer celebrates thrilling win

Submitted photos by Bob Johnson/Spokane Sports Shots

Brady Bagby, a sophomore for the Community Colleges of Spokane Sasquatch, attacks the rim during a semifinal loss against Everett in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Tournament held March 2-5. Bagby, a former West Valley High School standout, was named second-team all-tournament. He was also a first-team all-star for the East Region of the NWAACC.

Submitted photo by Erik Smith/eriksmith@smugmug

The Central Valley Bears defeated Eastmont 4-3 at the Apple Bowl in Wenatchee March 16 on a last-second goal by Robert Kissinger-Smith. Teammates swarmed Kissinger-Smith following the dramatic score.

On to state

CCS freshman Jared Miller, who played last year at University High School, helped the Sasquatch to a third-place finish at the tournament.

CCS freshman Alicia Christiansen, a former East Valley High School player, boxes out against Clackamas during a NWAACC tournament game.

The women’s team did not place at the tournament but finished fourth in the East Region during the season.

The University High School girls basketball team was among a number of local schools who advanced to the state tournament to cap off a successful winter season. The girls wrapped up their season with a sixth place finish in the 3A classification.

Submitted photo by Erik Smith/eriksmith@smugmug

The Current

36 • April 2013

sports

Windermere Marathon paves new route

By Josh Johnson Current Staff Writer

The fifth annual Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon on May 19 will be even more connected to the greater Valley community than in previous installments, thanks in large part to a literal change of course.

After launching from Post Falls in years’ past, the 2013 marathon will start at Liberty Lake’s Rocky Hill Park and essentially run a Bloomsday-equivalent distance in that community before hopping on the Centennial Trail to head west toward the finish line at Riverfront Park.

The half-marathon will again start near Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley, more specifically near the Pinecroft Business Park, 12310 E. Mirabeau Parkway. Parking will be available at the Jigsaw/Data Corp. parking lot at 12825 E. Mirabeau Parkway.

Race time for both events is 7 a.m.

The full marathon is a USATF-certified Boston Marathon qualifier, and Executive Race Director Elaine Koga-Kennelly couldn’t be more thrilled to have it starting in Liberty Lake.

“It’s so refreshing to deal with the city of Liberty Lake because there is no real dealing

FOR MORE The Windermere Marathon has an early registration deadline of March 31, after which registration increases $15 for both the full and half events. For more information or to register, visit www. windermeremarathon.com.

to be done,” she said of all the details that went into getting a course change finished and certified in the city. “They rolled out the red carpet, were very welcoming and make things as easy as possible.”

Koga-Kennelly said total registrations for the event are coming in ahead of last year’s pace, and about 1,800 participants are expected, about 1,200 of whom will participate in the half-marathon.

That starting line for that event was moved slightly this year as well to take it a little further from log-jamming the already-busy CenterPlace and Spokane Valley YMCA campuses, hence the parking at Jigsaw/Data Corp.

Also new this year is a Carbo Load Pasta Dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 18 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel.

Koga-Kennelly, who has completed 101 marathons and five ultra-marathons herself,

said she has tried to make changes to the event that will make it even more appealing for the runner. While the event is a fundraiser, she has found sponsors to provide some “extras” such as a long-stemmed lilac rose for each finisher and a complimentary victory stand photo. She said she has also spent hours working with designers on the medals given to finishers as well as the long-sleeve micro-smooth race shirt — even the color-coded, custom-designed bibs have received special attention.

The 200-feet net drop of the relatively flat race course also makes it an ideal Boston qualifier, Koga-Kennelly said.

“Most importantly, we want this to be a fun event and accessible to average runner and first-time runner,” she said. “We are staying open until the last runner comes through.”

Windermere Marathon Executive Race Director Elaine Koga-Kennelly sports the 2012 microsmooth race shirt given to participants. This year’s version will be a “stunning purple” that appeals to both men and women, Koga-Kennelly said. She said the timing of the color corresponds with the 75th anniversary of the Spokane Lilac Festival, which is held on the same weekend as the May 19 race.

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Submitted photo

Liberty Lake, Valley will host starts for May 19 event

The Current

opinion

Relationships start (and remain) with trust

By Chelsea Dannen CURRENT Guest Column

The Better Business Bureau’s tagline is “Start with Trust.” Most people see those words with the logo and assume the message is directed toward businesses to create more trustworthy relationships with their customers. This is absolutely true!

Transactions are relationships. Take for example the person who makes your morning latte or the person who mows your lawn. You would not likely choose that coffee stand if you didn’t trust them to give you the right change back, nor would that landscape company work for you if they didn’t trust you to pay them for services rendered. Business owners are bosses, co-workers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Trustworthiness starts at the core and radiates out into each facet of our lives.

Last year I had to buy four new tires for my car. Having never purchased tires, I found a BBB accredited business nearby with a good record. Immediately after arriving, I felt comfortable with the manager of the store. I was given a quote, and after a few heart palpitations at the cost of new tires (aren’t they just rubber?), I made my choice.

I left my car at the shop for the day and had a friend drop me off that afternoon to pick up my car and pay for the tires.

When I arrived, I was horrified to realize I had forgotten my wallet at the office. I was humiliated! I tried to apologize and asked if I could come back later, but the

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

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

— William Penn

manager threw me my keys and said, “No problem! Just call me with a credit card number when you get home.”

I was dumbfounded. He trusted me — a new customer — to drive away with nearly $1,000 worth of merchandise and labor cost! Not only did he trust me enough to leave with my brand new tires, but I also realized how much faith I had to put in him to run my credit card number for the agreed upon amount.

It would have been simple to add a few dollars onto my tab as I likely wouldn’t have noticed since I wasn’t there to sign the receipt.

I believe that company truly started and ended our transaction with trust. I continue to frequent that tire shop for oil changes, tire needs and anything autorelated. This isn’t much different from any other relationships I have. Friends, family and significant others all expect trust out of a relationship with me. My strongest relationships are with people who will do what they say, respect my privacy and have my best interests at heart.

Aspire to start with trust the next time you start a new relationship — professional or otherwise. Here are a few great reminders to simply be more trustworthy. Tell the truth — all of it! Do what you say you’re going to do. Be brave; tell the truth even if it’s difficult. Keep confidential information to yourself.

Although these reminders seem like common sense, many situations we face aren’t clearly black and white. Remember you are half of each relationship in which you participate. Would you trust you?

The more you embody trustworthiness, the more likely you are to attract people who share your same values.

Whether you are working with a new company or deepening friendships, start off on the right foot. Start with trust.

Chelsea Dannen is director of communications for the Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana. In addition to her marketing role to businesses and consumers, she specializes in speaking to high school students on ethics and educating seniors and senior caregivers on the threats of scams.

Dannen has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University with majors in marketing and management. She wrote this column as part of a monthly series highlighting the Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) trait of the month. The trait for April is trustworthiness.

Editorial Cartoons

April 2013 • 37

The Current

38 • April 2013

NEWS Volume 2, Issue 4 Editor/publisher

Josh Johnson

General Manager

Tammy Kimberley

josh@valleycurrent.com tammy@valleycurrent.com Senior account Janet Pier

executive janet@valleycurrent.com

graphics editor

Sarah Burk

sarah@valleycurrent.com

Circulation Sandy Johnson Mike Wiykovics

circulation@valleycurrent.com Contributors

Steve Christilaw, Kyle Hansen, Craig Howard, Chad Kimberley, Valerie Putnam, Jim Ryan, Heidi Scott, Jayne Singleton, Jocelyn Stott, Craig Swanson, Mike Vlahovich, Bill Zimmer On the cover: Current photo by Matt Goldbloom

About

The Current 2310 N. Molter Road, Suite 305 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.

Submitted materials Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@valleycurrent.com or mail them to The Current office. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current.

Subscriptions Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $12 for 12 issues. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019 or call 242-7752 for more information. Subscriptions must be received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

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Errors should be reported immediately to 2427752 or by email to editor@valleycurrent.com.

Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

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The Current is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved. All contents of The Current may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

3 UP, 3 DOWN Continued from page 11

2018 can be paid off early or “called.” For issues under $10 million, two tax incentives are granted to banks to encourage purchase of smaller bond issues. Current rates would produce savings of approximately $470,000 on $9.5 million in bonds, resulting in annual interest savings of $30,000 to $40,000 per year. He recommended board members set a savings target.

Transportation Supervisor Charlotte Trejbal reviewed three school bus bids. She recommended to the board the BrysonBluebird bid for both 24- and 41-passenger buses. Chad Goldsmith moved the board approve the bus bids as presented. Neil Fuchs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The 41-passenger bus bid from Bryson-Bluebird was $102,062.91, and the 24-passenger bus bid was $65,196.17.

Local businesses keep our pulse strong.

Now in its second year, The Current is alive and thriving thanks to the great support we’ve received from local businesses.

Free to readers, this exercise in community journalism is made possible by advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

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

Liberty Lake

PORTAL at Mission & Molter

WEST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT Compiled by Jim Ryan

Contract Based Education students and staff recently welcomed Spokane Valley Tech as a neighbor at 115 S. University Road. The tech center began holding classes in late January, and CBE students are increasingly looking at the options of taking courses at Spokane Valley Tech as well as CBE. Adam Mortensen will be getting comfortable as the newest member of the West Valley School Board when the board reconvenes at 7 p.m. April 24. See the full version of this entry on the artistic map on pages 8-9.

A “Destination Vocation: College and Career Fair” will be held at West Valley High School April 23. The fair will host nearly 50 college and career booths that represent local colleges, universities and technical schools as well as organizations that represent 16 career clusters. More than 1,500 middle and high school students in the West Valley School District will attend.

Millwood ECEAP students received new shoes in March. Each child chose and were fitted for their pair of new shoes, free of charge, through a partnership with Sole to Soul.

Orchard Center Elementary young artists were finalists in the “America Recycles” poster contest sponsored by the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. They were chosen from a group of 288 students from 26 Spokane County schools who entered the contest. Finalists were Kyle Abbot, Casey Donaghy, Danielle Mann and Adia Teeter.

Centennial Middle School teacher Heather Wright received a grant from the West Valley Education Foundation. The funds were used to allow students in her ecology class an opportunity to increase their awareness and appreciation of environmental issues by participating in an eagle-watching field trip.

Barlows Family Restaurant City of Liberty Lake Clark’s Tire and Automotive Family Medicine Liberty Lake George Gee Good Samaritan Society of Spokane Valley John L. Scott Real Estate (Pam Fredrick) KiDDS Dental Liberty Lake Liberty Lake EyeCare Center Liberty Lake Orthodontics Simonds Dental Group STCU Sunshine Gardens Therapeutic Associates

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

Amaculate Housekeeping 33 Auto Licensing Plus LLC 31 Barlows Restaurant 15 BST Surfacing 31 Careful Cleaners 9 Casey Family Dental 6 Casey’s Place 5 City of Liberty Lake - Trailhead 11 Clark’s Tire & Automotive 3 Community Colleges of Spokane 2 Evergreen Fountains 19 Glass Guru 31 Gus Johnson Ford 40 The Habitat Store 9 Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council 15

Jenice Baker Photography 5 Kathrine Olson DDS 2 KiDDS Dental 17 Liberty Lake Children’s Academy 11 Liberty Lake EyeCare Center 3 Liberty Lake Orthodontics 5 Liberty Lake PORTAL 12 Liberty Lake PORTAL 32 Northern Quest Resort & Casino 3 Northwest Insurance Brokers 31 Paradise Pet Resort 31 Pioneer School 7 Ron’s Drive-Inn 22 Salon reTro - Waddington/Barton 33 SCRAPS 7

Shrine Circus Spokane 15 Spokane Home & Garden Show 11 Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 22 Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 28 SportClips Haircuts 33 St John Vianney School 22 Sunshine Gardens 7 Valley Christian School 11 Valley Christian School 31 Valley Hospital 5 Valley Massage Clinic 33 Windermere Marathon 34

Church Directory 23 Service Directory 29

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

PARTING SHOTS After accident, Chapman a 'youth with a mission' The Current

April 2013 • 39

By Josh Johnson Current staff column

It’s been nearly four years now since Ty Chapman was supposed to die.

On March 22, 2009, he was walking down Mission Avenue in Spokane Valley late in the evening when he was hit by a Chevy Blazer driven by a drunk driver, who proceeded to speed off into the black night. The 22-year-old was launched into the air and landed on his head.

Chapman says he had been passed on the road earlier by another late-night walker, who heard the commotion and returned to the scene to call for help. An ambulance was “just around the corner,” Chapman recalls, recounting a series of events connected to this night with the same word: “miracle.”

At the hospital, he was initially thought to be brain dead, but a twitch of his fingers and a surprising overnight decrease to the swelling of his brain triggered doctors to induce what would be a 6 ½ week coma.

When Chapman woke up, he was at a "baby stage of capability."

"I didn't know how to swallow food," he says. "I couldn't stand or walk or talk."

And he was angry. Although he doesn't remember any of it now — "My memory still isn't right," he laughs — he spent days being combative and abusive to his loved ones and caregivers. He would rip out his feeding tube. He would swear at those wanting to help him. He would tell his Mom he wanted to die.

His parents were warned not to expect progress, but then suddenly one morning, Chapman woke up as himself. He can't describe it, but he said his stunned father called his mother to the hospital to witness it. Chapman asked his dad how he was and then launched into an explanation of a strange dream he had had about having a baby, and that it was really painful and rather awkward because ... well ... he was a guy.

The surprised doctors declared him ready to start physical therapy. A friend of his mother's, a nurse who teaches about brain damage, was floored.

"She met me in person and was blown away that I was talking to her," Chapman says. "It sounds like my accident and my recovery isn’t what usually happens. It’s a miracle that I’m able to even talk right now about what has happened and comprehend what I’m saying. It’s a miracle

current Photo by Josh Johnson

Four years ago, Spokane Valley's Ty Chapman was fighting for his life after being hit by a drunk driver. Here, he is pictured outside a Liberty Lake home where he was sharing stories about his work through Youth With a Mission. that I’m doing what I’m doing, and I had nothing to do with it."

On Sept. 18, 2009, he was released to live at home. The road to healing continues to be a long one. He eventually was able to walk slowly with a walker. For Chapman, however, the more significant healing was taking place on a more personal and spiritual level. Despite his physical limitations, he sensed an urgency to find ways to take care of himself. He didn't want a future that had him reliant on family to take care of him. He started calling schools to learn about programs that may suit him. They all had the same question: "Well, what do you want to do?"

“I honestly didn't know," Chapman recalls. "The only thing that interested me was the Bible. I was reading books a day.

Not a book — books a day.”

At a young adults gathering at Valley Real Life, he learned of an organization called Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and a training school they offered.

That was a year ago. Today, Chapman is 26, walking slowly, but without a cane, and he recently returned from Angola and the Netherlands on YWAM service trips.

In Angola, while some among his group worked with sports camps, he taught English and played games and interacted with local kids. Not that he is putting it past himself to tackle more physical challenges.

“I did play a little bit of soccer at YWAM," he says, and then his face brightens as if he's delivering a punch line. "I played the goalie. I did all right, I did all right.”

Then his serious tone returns, and he talks about the first time he kicked a soccer ball, just a couple of months ago.

“Before, I could barely walk with my cane and my walker," he says. "I went over there and kicked a soccer ball. I thought for sure I was going to fall down.”

In all, he spent three months in YWAM's Discipleship Training School in Virginia, and the team there was so impressed with him they invited him back to be on staff.

On March 19, nearly four years to the date of his car accident, Chapman flew out of Spokane International Airport back to Virginia to begin tackling his new responsibilities.

Before he left, I visited with him over

coffee and was struck, perhaps more than anything, with his remark that he wouldn't change anything. He says God used the circumstance to get his attention. He talks about the life he lived before. If you bring up the fact that the man who hit him with a car had prior DUI convictions and a suspended license, Chapman is more concerned with the fact that he was on a path that was a bad one. He smiles when he quips that it took a Chevy Blazer to direct him along a better route. Specifically, his sense of purpose revolves around the fact that he has been given a story to share, and it's not about him, but what God has done in his life.

"I just know when you are doing God’s will, he blesses you in ways you can’t think about," Chapman says. "I’ve never been more happy and at peace since I've become his worker. I’ve never felt more joy or happiness this whole life than I do right now just being with him. And I want to continue doing that."

Josh Johnson is editor and publisher of The Current. Write to him at josh@valleycurrent.com.

40 • April 2013

The Current