The May 2012 Current

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THE NEXT CHAPTER: A Q&A with Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard following his choice to move on Page 2

MOTHER ON THE MIND: Need an idea for May 13?

The Current scoured the Valley for that perfect gift for Mom Pages 24-25

CHAMBER ON THE MOVE: With a nod to its roots, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber plans to consolidate into its Liberty Lake space Page 26

A Life to Market Millwood’s Craig Goodwin lives his passion for faith, food and Honolulu* PAGE 12 *the backyard chicken, not the city

PLUS: Farmers Market previews PAGE 13

SOFTBALL SUPREMACY: How rivals and GSL powerhouses U-Hi and CV continue to contend on the diamond Page 27

NEWS

2 • may 2012

The Current

Current photo by Craig Howard

Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard announced on April 17 that he would not be a candidate for re-election in the upcoming election. A Spokane native, Richard has represented District 2 — an area that includes greater Spokane Valley, southeast Spokane County and a small patch of the South Hill — since 2005.

Leaving his mark Fresh off his decision not to run again, Richard reflects on his tenure as county commissioner

By Craig Howard Current Editor

After announcing April 17 he would not appear on a ballot in 2012, Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard sat down with The Current to reflect on nearly eight years as one of the region’s most visible leaders.

The conversation took place between bites of spinach and chicken salad and spoonfuls of tomato basil soup a few miles from Richard’s office at the Spokane County Courthouse.

With a reputation as a composed and courteous public figure, Richard lived up to his image. He managed to get through lunch without spilling a sprig of spinach while articulately ruminating on a variety of issues that have affected Spokane County over his first two terms.

For Richard, the road to the county commissioner’s seat began in September 2004, when he collected 43 percent of the vote to edge out fellow Republicans Matt Ewers and Steve Peterson in the primary and gain a spot in the general election opposite Democrat Bill Burke. While the vote was close that November, Richard replaced the retiring Kate McCaslin with 51 percent of the electorate.

A Cup of Joe He learned quickly that life as a politician meant representing his constituency with consideration — and usually in a suit and tie. “I couldn’t go to the grocery store in sweats anymore,” he said.

Richard and his wife, Wendy, are parents to two daughters. He emphasized “spending more time with family” as one of the central reasons he will not seek return as a county commissioner.

Q.

I’ve read where you held off on your announcement to not seek re-election because you were concerned that viable successors had not emerged. True?

A.

That was definitely part of it. I kind of have this crazy, idealistic view of public office that it’s something you do to make a difference; it’s not something you do to earn a paycheck. I don’t want to lose momentum on some of the things we’re doing. Just like a voter, I want to make sure my general views and values are represented. I’ve got an obligation to make sure there were some good folks who might consider running.

See RICHARD, page 4

The Current

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news

The Current

Area services, scholarships assist returning vets

By Kelly Moore Current Staff Writer

After years of protecting American freedoms, for most veterans, the return to civilian life also comes with the daunting task of a job search.

“I think the biggest challenge veterans face when they’re returning home and trying to assimilate into civilian life is just knowing where to start,” Local Veterans Employment Representative at Worksource Spokane Bryan Dooley said. “It’s a different world, and there’s a lot to navigate. For a lot of people, that transition can be quite jarring.”

With nationwide employment numbers still shaky, the competitive job market can seem intimidating to veterans returning to the public workforce.

“It’s a big difference learning to apply for a job and have a resume,” Dooley said.

“These are things you rarely do if ever in the military.”

Throughout the Valley, a number of organizations are working to ease the civil-

RICHARD Continued from page 2

Q: You’ve also said that you had no interest in being “a career politician.” Other than someone like Jesse Helms, what does this mean to you?

A: I don’t think I would have ever become a career politician, but I think it ran the risk of having that perception. I think it’s a cause for concern when elected officials make decisions to benefit their re-election. Why do they do that? Because it’s a paycheck, a pension. When you start to make decisions based on your paycheck and your pension, you should no longer be in public office.

It becomes an incentive to stay in office to build up that retirement. I think you should be able to make tough decisions and not worry about the next election. For me, this was a big kind of character check. Am I going to walk the talk? Am I going to run for office to collect a paycheck or am I going to do what I said and put my community first, so that’s what I’ve done.

There are nine of us.

There are 100,000 of you.

Submit news tips, vacation pics with The Current, random feedback and favorite froyo flavors: editor@valleycurrent.com

emerge ian-life transition for “I think the biggest challenge participants with a functional busiveterans. At the Greater veterans face when they’re ness plan. Through the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, returning home and trying to scholarship program, veterans will be able to members and staff are assimilate into civilian life is attend for free. working to provide entrepreneurial training just knowing where to start.

To create the scholto returning veterans arships, the Chamber It’s a different world, and ready to branch out is asking for donations into the world of small there’s a lot to navigate. For a from members and area business.

At a recent lot of people, that transition residents.

Chamber luncheon, “We’ve heard many photojournalist and can be quite jarring.” accounts that the job Iraq veteran Phil Kiver market is going to be — bryan dooley, visited to sign copies of hard for veterans reworksource spokane his book and donated a turning from Iraq and portion of book sales to Afghanistan,” Chamthe scholarship fund. ber President and CEO Eldonna Shaw said. “Many have skills and For those not ready to take on a new talents where they might want to start a business venture, Worksource Spokane small business. The VETS Scholarship Pro- runs the gamut of employment services gram will help them get started with that.” for area residents, with a handful of special The scholarships will fund the veterans’ programs tailored specifically to veterans. tuition in the Chamber’s NxLeveL EntreDooley said once veterans have focused preneur Training Program. The 13-week their job search, the first step is to “de-milintensive class costs $425, and at the end, itarize” the resume to make it sound like

less of a technical report. The organization also helps veterans brush up on interview and communication skills necessary for applying to prospective jobs. Veterans are also equipped with access to job searching tools available throughout the area.

“For a lot of veterans, what they were specializing in during their service isn’t something that always translates into the civilian world,” Dooley explained. “We spend a lot of one-on-one time teaching veterans how to transfer valuable skills like leadership and management and use those to their advantage in the civilian world workforce.”

Dooley said the best way for veterans to access Worksource Spokane is to attend a Service for Veterans Orientation workshop. The hour-and-a-half informational sessions are held every Thursday afternoon at the Worksource Spokane offices at 130 S. Arthur in Spokane.

For more information, call Worksource Spokane at 532-3000 or the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce at 9244994.

Q: Before you were elected, did you have a perception of what it meant to be a county commissioner? How has that view changed, if at all, since you’ve been in office?

A: You need a certain amount of time in this office to get your legs under you, to understand the job and to be effective. I don’t think I had the appreciation that I do now of the diversity of issues you work on amongst three individuals. As I look back, there was quite a learning curve. The first two years there was a lot of research, and I still do a lot of research. One of the dynamics is that there are three of you. You have an obligation to vote — you can’t recuse yourself because you don’t have the information.

From day one, you have to do the research and make difficult decisions every day.

Q: As commissioner of District 2, you represent a number of towns and cities across the greater Spokane Valley.

What are some of the impressions you’ve formed of this area and these jurisdictions throughout your time as their elected envoy?

A: I think I’ve really matured in terms of recognizing the many cultures in the Valley.

I mean, when you go from Millwood to Otis Orchards to Liberty Lake to Greenacres, they are in some respects, different cultures.

Just individually, I think I know the people better. I’d like to think that the relationship in all those areas is strong. One of the challenges is trying to balance the diversity and amount of work and being out in those communities and being able to spend time with my family. I made the decision not to attend events because of that.

worked to get them eligible for those grants which, in turn, greatly benefited those communities. You look at the acquisitions we’ve been able to make through the Conservation Futures program in Dishman Hills, Saltese and Antoine’s Peak — they’ve added thousands of additional acres of recreational space. Time and again, I would advocate for not using that one-tenth of 1 percent (property tax increase); while a handful of taxes I did support for public safety or mental health. When I advocated to lower sewer rates, my view was now was the time that residents needed to hear from us that we understand what they’re going through.

I also look at something like helping to restore Crime Check (an initiative that passed in 2008 and provided funds for Alert Spokane, a reverse 9-1-1 system and extensive upgrades to the communication infrastructure for emergency personnel). I met with law enforcement and fire personnel and they told me they couldn’t communicate with each other. With this new system, you and I will be safer.

Q: You came to the commissioner’s office with a background in real estate and development, yet you were the swing vote on the purchase of the old downtown YMCA site that preserved green space in Riverfront Park and have championed land deals through the Conservation Futures program. Why was this important to you?

A: As far as the YMCA goes, eventually I think you probably would have seen it sold.

Why would you develop in the middle of the region’s signature park? You can take a

Q: Why did you want to be a county commissioner in the first place? You were doing well with the Spokane Home Builders Association before you ran in 2004. Why throw your hat into the political ring?

A: My first major in college was international public administration with a minor in Russian. It was a time when we were not communicating well with the Soviet Union, and I was thinking of becoming an ambassador. I like being able to affect change. Out of this entire job, the thing I like the most is when someone calls me and says, “I have a problem; can you help me?”

Q: How would you characterize your rapport with leaders in cities like Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake where they are dealing with many of the same challenges that you have on the county level?

A: Even though we had our disagreements, I believe they always knew I was telling them the truth. I never wavered from being honest, no matter what the issue. I think that allowed us to heal and work another day. I think they’ll always be honest with me as well.

Q: As you know, politicians are known for speaking in details when it involves their goals and the abstract when it deals with their accomplishments. What are some of the ways you’ve been able to make a specific difference for residents of the greater Spokane Valley area?

A: I remember a time when several cities in the southeast area lost their eligibility for community development block grants because of some insufficient census data. I

See RICHARD, page 29

The Current

may 2012 • 5

news

Craig Howard named editor of The Current From staff reports

Veteran Spokane Valley journalist Craig Howard has been hired as the new editor of The Current, taking the reins of the editorial content of the valleywide news monthly as well as its 12-year-old sister publication, The Splash weekly newspaper serving Liberty Lake.

Howard most recently served as news editor of the Spokane Valley News Herald, where he has worked for the past 10 years.

“I’ve known Craig for eight years and always admired his journalistic talents and integrity,” Current Publisher Josh Johnson said. “When we decided to start The Current, Craig topped my short list of people I hoped to bring on board to help us serve the greater Valley and grow as a publication. He brings a wealth of knowledge and contacts to the job, but most importantly he embodies the culture and values represented in our vision for community journalism. This is a big win for both our business and our readers.”

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Howard, who has also worked for weekly newspapers in Goldendale, Wash., and Houston, received his journalism degree from the University of Oregon.

Outside of his newspaper work, he is a regular contributor to Northwest Runner magazine and is news editor of the Latter-day Sentinel, an online LDS newspaper that has published weekly since June 2009. A talented HOWARD artist, Howard was a finalist in 2004 for an original, local comic titled “Jake and Crew” in the Washington Post Cartoon Fellowship. He also plans to bring local editorial cartoons to The Current and The Splash, something he did for years at the Herald.

“I was fortunate to be part of the history of Valley journalism with a great paper like the Herald,” Howard said. “Now I’m ecstatic to join the team at The Current. I really believe we’re going to tell the story of the Valley in a unique and interesting way. As far as The Splash goes, it’s an honor to latch on with a paper that is one of the most respected community weeklies in Washington.”

See EDITOR, page 30

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6 • may 2012

3UP 3DOWN

Motorists traveling down Sprague Avenue between Evergreen and Sullivan in Spokane Valley should be prepared to practice patience beginning in mid-May. A construction project will replace the road surface and take approximately two months.

The Rockford municipal vehicle fleet will sport a new look this month after the city of Liberty Lake donated a police vehicle that had been most recently utilized as a patrol car for the Sheriffs Community Oriented Policing Effort. Rockford Mayor Micki Harnois accepted the donation prior to the City Council meeting on April 18 from Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson and Police Chief Brian Asmus.

With nearly 68 percent saying yes, voters in Rockford approved a levy on April 17 that will provide funds to the local fire department.

The vote, which fell short by four percentage points last fall, will generate around 40 percent of the department’s budget in 2013.

June 11, 2011 • 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, June 9 • 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Liberty Lake An official event guide, published by the same team that brings you The Splash and The Current, will be available starting June 7 at various Valley locations.

Advertising opportunities are available in the guide. For more information, contact 242-7752 or advertise@libertylakesplash.com

The Current

may 2012 • 7

East Valley soccer standout Adam Talley tallied eight points in the Knights’ 8-0 win against Medical Lake on April 10. The total — consisting of half-a-dozen goals and two assists — represented a new school record.

One student from each of the 46 schools in the greater Spokane Valley area will be recognized at the inaugural 2012 PACE (Partners Advancing Character Education) Awards on May 31. The program is in place at Central Valley, East Valley, Freeman and West Valley school districts with an emphasis on promoting traits such as honesty, determination, courage, integrity and fairness, Over 20 local businesses and civic groups are sponsoring the event, set for 7 p.m. at the Mirabeau Park Hotel. Tickets are $25 per person. To learn more, go to www.pacecommunity.org.

What is this?

Katy Allen, who has lived in the Liberty Lake area since 1983, was announced as the second city administrator in the jurisdiction’s history on April 17. Most recently the director of public works and facilities in Bremerton, Allen emerged ahead of former Spokane Valley City Council Member Steve Taylor and one-time Cheney City Administrator Paul Schmidt in the final selection. Allen’s first day will be June 1.

3 Up, 3 Down features at-aglance news of what’s coming UP in May or went DOWN in April.

Check out the six news items on this rendering of the Valley by homegrown artist Casey Lynch, and then turn the page for a complete breakdown by jurisdiction of what’s happening in the greater Spokane Valley community.

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

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8 • may 2012

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

Compiled by Craig Howard Current editor

Central Valley School District Registration has begun for CVSD’s summer school schedule, featuring a diverse lineup of academic programs and sports camps for students of all ages. Summer school starts on June 22 for high school students and June 25 for elementary and middle school students. The district will again provide free meals for kids 18 and under beginning June 25 as part of a Summer Nutrition program. For more, visit www. cvsd.org or call 228-5405.

A concert featuring singers from Adams Elementary will be held May 10 at 7 p.m. in the Central Valley High School Theatre, 821 S. Sullivan Rd. in Spokane Valley.

The event will benefit the HEART in Hand program, which provides resources to families of homeless students.

The 2012 PACE awards are May 31.

See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

The CVSD Board of Directors honored several employees with Meritorious Service Awards in April. Nominated by colleagues, parents and students, the recipients were selected from a field of 72 individuals and 10 teams. The list of honorees included Morgen Larsen-Atwood, Tony Collins, Jerrol Olson, Phyllis Morris, the Pre-Advanced Placement and AP teachers at CVHS, Tanya LaPier, Intersection Church and Marsha Maurer.

Ali Warren, a 2009 graduate of University High School, led DePaul University to a 6-1 fastpitch softball win over Illinois State on April 11 with two hits and two RBIs. The three-time All Greater Spokane League selection was named to the Big East All-Academic Team in 2010 and 2011.

Barker High School, Opportunity Elementary and Spokane Valley Learning Academy were selected to receive Washington Achievement Awards, acknowledging achievement in a variety of categories. The CVSD schools were honored during a statewide celebration on April 25.

Millwood The city of Millwood continues to work on an update to its shoreline man-

news agement plan as required by the state Department of Ecology. The process includes feedback from a citizens advisory committee organized last year. Revisions to the document will address 1.4 miles of property along the Spokane River.

For the first time since incorporating in 1927, the Millwood City Council will hold its regular meeting on a day other than the first Monday of the month. The historic gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. City Clerk Tom Richardson said meeting on the second Tuesday of each month will mean more time to provide the latest financial reports.

Plans are under way for the next installment of West Valley Days, Millwood’s annual community celebration slated for Saturday, June 2. The agenda will once again feature a festive parade, vintage cars, games, food and music.

One of several official “Tree Cities” in Spokane County, Millwood held an Arbor Day celebration on April 21 with a tree planting event not far from City Hall. Mayor Dan Mork was on hand to oversee the ode to the environment which was followed by a citywide “clean green” cleanup.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich provided a quarterly update to the Millwood City Council on April 2, noting that the crime rate in the city had dropped 10 percent over the past year. Knezovich told the governing board that alert residents can make a difference in the safety of their community when calling 911 in emergencies and Crime Check (456-2233) in cases of nonemergency, suspected crimes. “We have great success when citizens call in,” the sheriff said.

After a dozen years, the city’s industrial lawn mower was replaced by a new rendition, courtesy of funds from a real estate excise tax installed last year.

Liberty Lake Golf lessons for adults will run every Wednesday and Saturday through May at the city-owned Trailhead at Liberty Lake Golf Course, 1102 N. Liberty Lake Road.

Cost for the four-session class is $100 per person. Junior lessons run Saturdays and are $65 per student. For more information, call 928-3484 or visit www.libertylakewa. gov/golf.

Expect more lively discussion at City Hall regarding a project that would supplement a parking lot and add landscaping to an area near the site of the Liberty Lake Farmers Market. Community Development Director Doug Smith was met with a tepid reply on April 17 from the City Council when discussing plans to move ahead with construction bids. The next council meeting is set for May 1 at 7 p.m.

The Liberty Lake Merchants Association will host a community picnic on Saturday, May 12, at Pavillion Park, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit the second annual

American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Liberty Lake on July 20-21.

New city administrator hired. See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

The Liberty Lake Municipal Library held an open house on April 12 in observance of National Library Week. Mayor Steve Peterson, an avid reader, was among the luminaries to attend.

The city announced that seniors or disabled residents who qualify under certain income guidelines may be eligible for a rebate of utility taxes they paid in 2011.

More information is available by calling the city treasurer at 755-6720 or visiting www. libertylakewa.gov.

East Valley/West Valley school districts Registration begins May 1 for summer school in East Valley. The schedule runs from June 25 through Aug. 3 and will include free breakfast and lunch courtesy of the Summer Nutrition program. Classes will be held Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more, call 241-5081 or visit www.evsd.org.

The process has begun to hire a new assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning in West Valley. Applications were due by April 25 with interviews to be conducted in May by representatives of various stakeholders within the district.

A DECA team of seven students from WVHS will participate in the national competition after winning a state championship for their project emphasizing the dangers of texting and driving. State Sen. Mike Padden paid a visit to the school to commend the team for generating increased awareness.

The Academy of Arts and Technology at East Valley was recognized with a Chase Champion of Youth Award at its annual banquet in April. The innovative program, which includes alternative education schools throughout the district, is led by Principal Barb Cruse.

EV soccer player sets school record.

See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

Students and teachers at Orchard Center School in West Valley raised $3,000 for the fight against leukemia as part of the Pennies for Patients campaign.

Spokane County/Rockford Spokane County Veteran Services will join other local jurisdictions and agencies in honoring representatives of the military at the Spokane Salute to Service Expo from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Riverpark Square in downtown Spokane. Veterans and retired military personnel as well as those in active duty, Guard and Reserves are invited to attend.

Spokane County will join Whitman and Pend Oreille counties in a seatbelt

The Current

awareness and enforcement campaign from May 21 to June 3. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 63 percent of those who die in traffic accidents are not wearing seatbelts.

Liberty Lake gives Rockford a car.

See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

Rockford voters approve levy. See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard, who has served since 2005, announced on April 17 that he would not seek re-election in 2012.

Spokane County Measure 1, which will bring upgrades to the Spokane Convention Center and add seating to the Spokane Arena, passed on April 17. Less than 35 percent of voters cast ballots to achieve the winning margin of 56 percent.

City of Spokane Valley Sprague Avenue construction coming.

See this entry on the artistic map, pages 6-7.

As one of four Neighborhood Accountability Boards in Spokane County, the Spokane Valley site at Opportunity Christian Church on Pines Road is part of a system that helps juveniles get back on the right track. Twice a month, NAB volunteers and employees from Spokane County Juvenile Court meet with kids and their parents to provide restorative consequences for misdemeanor crimes. The list includes community service, counseling, essays and educational programs that emphasize responsibility and character. The next NAB volunteer training session begins May 14.

For more information, call Susan Cairy at 477-2469.

The city will begin looking for a new Public Works director with the departure of Neil Kersten on April 26. Prothman, a Seattle-based municipal consulting firm which provided the city with an administrative transition team after the passage of incorporation in 2002, will coordinate the search for Kersten’s replacement.

The City Council approved a letter of intent on April 17 to purchase eight acres on the north side of Sprague Avenue at Herald Road. Preliminary conversations have mentioned the site as a possible expansion to adjacent Balfour Park. The land is owned

by Jack Pring, owner of Pring Corp., who contributed to the election campaigns of all but one of the seven current City Council members.

The city received 19 applications for a new muncipal Economic Development Committee. Original conversations had pegged eight representatives to be part of the group with an announcement on the final selections anticipated soon.

Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey wrapped up his fourth and final State of the City address on April 25 at the Spokane Valley Mall.

The Current

may 2012 • 9

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10 • may 2012

community

Vera distinguished by orchards, school — and ‘dale’

The Current

Valley of the sun A monthly series of historical chronicles providing a window into the past — and a connection to the heritage — of the communities that make up the Spokane Valley.

February Dishman

March Chester April Opportunity

May Vera June Greenacres July Liberty Lake/Saltese August Spokane Bridge September East Farms/Otis Orchards October Trentwood November Orchard Avenue December Millwood

Photos courtesy of Spokane Valley Heritage Museum

This southwest-facing aerial photo of Vera was taken around 1930. The line of poles that curve toward the front middle of the picture is a rail line that was known locally as the Vera Electric Line. It went on to Greenacres. Just prior to the curve of the rail line, you can see Vera School on the corner of Progress and Sprague. From there, the line heads northeast and crosses Sullivan on its way to the original Greenacres depot, which was located just west of Barker — well beyond the range of this photo.

By Jayne Singleton Spokane Valley Heritage Museum

The community of Vera/Veradale got its name from the daughter of D.K. McDonald. Vera McDonald was the light of her father’s life, so he named his development east of Opportunity after her. At the time, there was a town already named Vera in Washington. Adding the “dale” to Vera set it apart from that town. Today, either name is used.

When D.K. McDonald platted Veradale, he knew water and power were necessary services to provide in order to sell parcels of land. In 1905, he formed Modern Irrigation and Land Co. to provide these services to Opportunity residents, and on April 20, 1908, he formed Vera Water & Power. The distinct rock structure on Evergreen Road that houses Well No. 1 was built in 1907-1908.

With water and power available, Veradale began to grow. Apple orchards and Hearts of Gold cantaloupe made for a beautiful lush green landscape in the spring. Families took their vegetables to the Vera Cannery to preserve. The cannery building is still standing on Fourth

This photo of the Veradale business district was taken in the late 1940s, located along Sprague Avenue just east of Progress. The structure is still there today, minus the gas pumps.

Also no longer standing is the Vera School, which can be seen in the background. It was torn down in 1960.

Avenue, west of Conklin Road. East of Conklin Road is where Rice’s Meat Plant was located. Some say the butcher’s trimmings were tossed into Shelley Lake, named for the Shelley family who owned the land around it.

Some early families were the Porters, Shelleys, Shaws, Tschirleys, Longs, Chalichs, Gillespies, Hultmans and Rhodes.

The Porter family raised squash, cantaloupe and beans on Fourth Avenue be-

tween Adams and Progress roads. The Gillespie Orchard was particularly large, with an orchard and packing house where Progress Elementary School is now located. John Gillespie hired many Valley residents to work picking, sorting and packing apples. A large warehouse was built west of Sullivan alongside the tracks of the Spokane, Coeur d’Alene & Palouse Railroad, or as it was known locally, the Vera Electric Line. The stop in Vera was near Catal-

do and Flora Road, close to the spot where Flora bridges Interstate 90 today. The fare was 1¼ cent per mile, coming out from the terminal in Spokane every 10 minutes.

In 1905, the Vera Grade School was built at the southwest corner of Sprague Avenue and Progress Road. The school eventually included a high school. Most students at the turn of the 20th century were going to stay on the family farm. The senior class of 1922 numbered 15. The school was added on to over the years, with a gymnasium and a nutrition program to address the needs of the growing population of Vera students. In 1949, the Lone Fir one-room Schoolhouse (built 1894) was moved from the Saltese area to be used as the first kindergarten in the Central Valley School District. The Lone Fir was moved on skids to the area behind the Vera School. The Van Hees and the Gillespies were involved in the move. The Vera School was torn down in 1960, but the Lone Fir Schoolhouse stills stands on the site, which is now a used car business.

Today, Veradale/Vera is part of the growing Spokane Valley. Farms have made way for housing tracts, the Vera Feed Store replaced by Fred Meyer and early churches like the Vera Community Church have been torn down. The old Veradale business district on Sprague Avenue just east of Progress Road looks as it did in the late 1930s but without the gas pumps that sat out front.

Vera McDonald grew up to become the queen of the 1927 Spokane to New York Air Races. She was also recognized by India for humanitarian work.

Jayne Singleton is director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, located at 12114 E. Sprague Ave. Additional items about the history and culture of the Vera area — or any of the communities in the Valley of the Sun series — are available in the museum archives. For more information, call 9224570 or visit www.valleyheritagecenter.org.

The Current

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may 2012 • 11

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The Current

12 • may 2012

Community

Food for thought Submitted photo

Craig Goodwin, along with his wife Nancy and daughters Lily and Noel, at their makeshift farm. The Goodwins also house a greenhouse and a vegetable garden labyrinth in their suburban backyard.

Pastor helps community get a fresh view of food

By Tammy Kimberley Current staff writer

Craig Goodwin believes in the value of deep roots.

Whether he’s watering the vegetables in his garden, building a chicken coop or talking with local growers, Goodwin cares deeply about the connections he’s made, not only with farmers but with the land and animals that have been used to grow food.

Since moving to the area almost eight years ago to be lead pastor at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, Goodwin has become an advocate for food ethics and responsible consumerism. His journey has led to backyard gardening adventures, blogging about how faith and environment intertwine and building relationships with those who grow his food.

“Food can be a wonderfully provocative place to learn and grow, and its tentacles extend to many different areas that are important,” Goodwin said.

And he hasn’t kept what he’s learning just to himself. In his roles as pastor, writer and manager of the Millwood Farmers Market, Goodwin continues to work to cultivate an awareness of the relationships between people, food and the environment.

Managing the market The idea for a farmers market in Millwood originated several years ago when a junior high girl in Goodwin’s congregation had a summer conversation with her parents about what they could do to make Millwood more exciting.

Along with a group of dedicated volunteers, Goodwin recruited vendors and set the gears in motion for a market that would meet in the church’s parking lot. The Millwood Farmers Market will kick off its sixth season on May 23.

David McCullough, owner of Susie David’s Cattle Company, said Goodwin approached him and other local farmers to hear about their experiences with local markets.

“Craig wanted a source of good, local, healthy food for the community,” McCullough said. “He didn’t know much about it, but we filled him in on how farms oper-

ate, how vendors vend and a lot of the terminology we use.”

McCullough became one of the original vendors at the market, and his friendship with Goodwin carried over into other food facets, such as teaching a master food preserver class together.

“He is a very dynamic individual who has made the market part of his ministry,” McCullough said. “It’s become his mission, his passion. He’s doing it because it’s the right thing to do. He’s one of the few good people in the world.”

Goodwin said he’s read statistics indicating 90 percent of farmers markets don’t make it past the five-year mark. But he credits the market’s success to friendships that have grown between the church volunteers, an established core group of vendors and those who attend the market.

“Relationships are the key,” he said.

“There’s something different about anonymously going through a grocery store vs. going to a farmers market where you have to interact with people. You get to know the person, you learn about the products that you’re buying, you learn about how animals are treated, you learn about the story of creating the product. The difference is the rela-

Craig Goodwin Family Wife, Nancy; daughters, Noel and Lily

Roles Author, gardener, market manager, pastor

Blog www.yearofplenty.org

Favorite author Wendell Berry

Secret talent Foraging for mushrooms

tionship that gives you information you are able to act on.”

A new view of food After the first season of the market, Goodwin and his family stumbled into a new experiment that challenged the ways they viewed food. In December 2007, after feeling burned out on the consumerism that often surrounds the holiday season, Goodwin’s wife, Nancy, posed the question, “What can we do differently?”

See FOOD, page 14

The Current

may 2012 • 13

Community

Farmers markets set to sprout in Liberty Lake, Millwood

By Craig Howard Current Editor

Each May, the sites appear across Spokane County like crops emerging out of the rich topsoil.

Acoustic music, local produce and artisan breads will once again headline the farmers market season in the Inland Northwest, a time for neighbors and friends to reconvene after the annual hibernation of winter.

A short jaunt off Argonne Road, just past Millwood City Hall, the Millwood Farmers Market has been a staple of the civic calendar since 2007. The conversation about the market actually began in August 2006 with an original commitment of four vendors.

Last year, the venue averaged closer to 25 booths hawking everything from carved birdhouses to blooming dahlias.

“It’s just a festive atmosphere,” said Bobbie Beese, a resident of Millwood for more than 40 years. “It’s a gathering place that we didn’t have before.”

The market was established by a grassroots effort led by the Millwood Presbyterian Church, an entity that also assists with a local community garden on Argonne called the “Pumpkin Patch” and a Second Harvest food distribution each month. Pastor Craig Goodwin (see story on adjacent page) said the market meshed well with the church’s mission of “seeking the welfare and peace of the community.”

Along with its unique setting — the market is located at 3223 N. Marguerite Road under the shade of abundant maples that provide protection from the sun and wind — the setting has the distinction of being held on Wednesdays, from 3 to 7 p.m. The mid-week respite has translated to an average of around 600 visitors in recent years.

“Last year was our strongest year in terms of attendance,” Goodwin said.

Along with plenty of deals on local wares, the market is also recognized as a bargain for booths. Vendors pay $15 weekly to set up shop or $220 for the entire season.

The site is also known for its weekly showcase of entertainment, featuring a variety of musical genres, from folk to fiddling.

A makeshift amphitheater in the southwest corner of the venue ensures that the notes drift across the market grounds.

Last year, produce vouchers through the Farmers Market Nutrition program were distributed in Millwood to those on the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) health program. Area seniors can also qualify for the program.

This year, the Millwood Farmers Market will kick off on May 23 and run until Sept

Current file photo

The month of May means the beginning of farmers market season in both Liberty Lake and Millwood. The lineup in Liberty Lake includes special events like the Italian Festival (above) and new features like Art at the Market. The Millwood venue (below) convenes on Wednesdays in a parking lot off Argonne Road. Both sites include an array of the best in local produce from area farms as well as music, artisan breads, original art and more.

Submitted photo

26. The lineup will include several new representatives from the local agribusiness sector, including farms in Newport, Green Bluff and Otis Orchards.

Beese, who helped establish the Millwood Better for Business group, said the market has become an effective way to publicize one of Spokane County’s oldest incorporated communities. A city-sponsored resurfacing project on Argonne created a few disruptions to the market in 2009 but has added to the pedestrian amenities surrounding the venue.

“It’s a wonderful place to tell people what’s going on in the community,” Beese said.

As for the unpredictability of Spokane’s spring weather, Goodwin said the market will maintain an optimistic forecast.

“We’ll be there rain or shine,” he said.

“That’s the farmers market motto.”

A few miles to the east of Millwood, another Spokane Valley farmers market will

make its season debut in May. Launched in the spring of 2001 with eight vendors and a goal of connecting the community, the Liberty Lake Farmers Market has grown into one of the most popular sites of its kind in the region.

Dave Gnotta, president of the market’s board of directors, said the venture has flourished in part due to the time and energy spent on arranging the roster of merchants each week. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday, beginning May 19 through Oct. 13 in the parking lot of the Liberty Square building, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane.

“We’ve all been very cognizant of bringing in vendors who compliment vendors who are already there,” Gnotta said.

The result has been a diverse but coordinated lineup with around 30 booths featuring the best in local fruits and vegetables as well as favorites like crepes, salmon, pizza and Mexican food. Gnotta said the variety

of produce should be improved this season with farmers benefitting from more favorable weather.

“We’ll have a great lineup again this year,” he said. “We think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The agenda will include the unique pageantry of the Italian Festival — traditionally the most popular date of the season — on July 28. “Art at the Market” will showcase the work of local artists on June 23, while a chef ’s demonstration — emphasizing recipes rich in local produce — is scheduled for Sept. 8. Also part of the schedule is a Pie Festival, just in time for huckleberry season, on Aug. 25.

As with their neighbors to the west, local music is part of the atmosphere in Liberty Lake. From week to week, the fare includes a range of sounds, from covers of pop standards to harp music.

Angela Pizelo of Greenstone Homes, the market’s major sponsor, said the Saturday festivities have become part of the weekend routine for many. When asked as part of a survey last July how they had heard of the market, half of attendees said they were longtime customers; a total of 20 percent said they stopped by mainly for the atmosphere.

“It’s become a community event,” Pizelo said.

Attendance in 2011 was up 12 percent from the previous year, with an average turnout of just over 1,800 shoppers. Less than half (44 percent) came from Liberty Lake, while 25 percent ventured to the market from Spokane Valley.

Vendors — who pay $300 for the season — were enthused about another stat from the survey which showed overall sales up 25 percent from 2010. Pizelo said the key had to do with better marketing of the market.

“There was a lot more promotion and working with vendors to improve their sales,” she said.

14 • may 2012

Community

The Current

Fun with Backyard Farming May 3, 7 p.m. at Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley Craig Goodwin will speak about backyard chickens, turning your lawn into a vegetable garden, getting started with raised beds and more.

Submitted photos

FOOD Continued from page 12

This discussion led to a year-long journey of limiting their family’s consumption to products that were local, used, homegrown or homemade. Goodwin said the plan was never to figure out perfect ways, but rather follow hunches they had.

“It was so hard to imagine doing it differently than we were,” he said. “But along the way, our eyes started opening — we wanted to do it differently.”

The Goodwin family, including daughters Noel and Lily, who were in elementary school at the time, took field trips to learn about food systems, talked with local farmers and studied food packaging. They even challenged neighborhood living by transforming their suburban lawn into a vegetable garden labyrinth and adding a coop with chickens to their backyard.

Goodwin blogged about their experiences during 2008, and his writing led to a published book in 2011 called, “Year of Plenty: One Suburban Family, Four Rules, and 365 Days of Homegrown Adventure in Pursuit of Christian Living.”

While the Goodwins do not strictly adhere to the rules now, Craig Goodwin said his family continues to be as local as they

The parking lot at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church is the site for the Millwood Farmers’ Market as well as a monthly food distribution through Second Harvest (pictured above). Pastor Craig Goodwin was a leading proponent for these community offerings, as well as a propelling force in organizing the Millwood community gardens (at right).

Goodwin published a book last year about his family’s 2008 experiment of limiting consumption to items that were local, used, homegrown and homemade. can be in their consuming. And they have not stopped asking the question of how they do things differently, which recently led them a new experiment: to see how food intersects with their faith.

“That question has led us to ask what our faith traditions have to say about what we eat,” Goodwin said. “I’m fascinated by the way our old traditions echo our current trends.”

Starting with Advent last December, Goodwin and his family spent the past four months learning about Orthodox fasting rules and following kosher food laws. They have plans to explore the food traditions of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the African-American Church along with the Protestant food culture.

“These food things that we do — they’re provocative and connected with areas of justice and questions of faithfulness,” Goodwin said. “They’re very tangible ways for our faith to be expressed and experienced.”

Community-based cuisine In addition to the market, Goodwin has

been an instrumental piece in bringing healthy food to the Millwood community through the community garden and a local food bank stocked with fresh cuisine.

Dan Hansen, a member of Goodwin’s congregation, described Goodwin as a type of Renaissance man who likes to try new things and doesn’t see limitations where others might. Hansen said it’s hard to imagine how different that part of the Valley would be without him.

“It was Craig who saw the vacant lot over the river and saw that pumpkins had been growing there,” Hansen said. “Now it’s a community garden with a pumpkin patch.

He was a driving force behind that.”

The friendships formed at the market and gardens have carried over into another ministry Goodwin’s church started offering a couple years ago, a food distribution in Millwood. Goodwin said some market vendors bring food to this monthly distribution, and there is often food available that was grown at the community garden.

“It’s all related to building community,

encouraging health through good food and teaching people where their food comes from,” Goodwin said.

By providing volunteers and partnering with Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest, the Millwood food distribution has given out around 200,000 pounds of food since the fall of 2009.

“One of my favorite quotes by Wendell Berry is, ‘Community will begin again when we start doing necessary things for one another again,’” Goodwin said. “We are trying to provide that for others.”

Goodwin said he loves being a part of people coming together — whether it be to listen to music, work alongside one another in the garden or worship together.

“With the market and the food distribution and community garden, I hope we have a sense of being a community together, that we all love this place and care for it together,” he said. “That’s the piece we’d like to see — more and more of those connections that strengthen our community.”

The Current

may 2012 • 15

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16 • may 2012

Community

The Current

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS April 28 | “Cruzin’ to the 50s” auction

4 p.m., Spokane Valley Nazarene Church, 15515 E. 20th Ave., Spokane Valley. Silent auction will occur at 4 p.m. followed by dinner and live auction at 6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $10 for adults and $9 for seniors and children under age 12. Proceeds benefit men’s and women’s ministries as well as MOPS. For more: 926-1545

April 28 | Denim & Diamonds 6 p.m.,

Red Lion Templin’s Resort, 414 E. First Ave., Post Falls. This evening of dinner, dancing and live auction will raise funds for Liberty Lake-based Equine TLC, a non-profit therapeutic horse riding program that helps children and adults with special needs. For more: www.equinetlc.org

May 1 | Life Services open house 4 to

6 p.m., Life Services, 1014 N. Pines, Suite 201, Spokane Valley. Life Services is a local, nonprofit agency that provides support to expectant moms and their children through a variety of programs. For more: 590-5929, 327-0701 or www.lifeservices.org

May 3 | Fun with Backyard Farming

7 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley. Craig Goodwin will speak about backyard chickens, turning your lawn into a vegetable garden and getting started with raised beds. For more: 924-2350

May 5 | Book sale 9 a.m. to noon,

Walgreens, 1502 N. Liberty Lake Road, Liberty Lake. This fundraiser for the 2012 Central Valley High School Senior All-nighter is accepting book and monetary donations. For more: 209-4857

May 5 | Otis Orchards Fun Day 10 a.m. to

2 p.m., Otis Orchards Elementary School, 22000 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. This community event will feature a parade at noon, bike rodeo, face painting, crafts and child fingerprinting by SCOPE. Food will also be available for sale. For more: 922-3150

May 11 | Eastern Washington Farm Heritage Fair 10 a.m., Spokane Valley Heritage

Park, 10200 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. This fundraiser will include food and music as well as displays and demonstrations of historic tractors, engines, farm implements, cars, trucks, quilting, rope making and more. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 7 to 17 (free for ages 6 and under). For more: www.valleyheritagecenter.org

May 11 | “Celebration of Mothers”

6:30 p.m., The Luxury Box, 10512 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley. The funds raised at this event will benefit Hearth Homes, which provide safe housing and life skills for women with children in transition from homelessness. Tickets are $30.

For more: www.hearth-homes.org

May 12 | Jr. Lilac Parade 10 a.m.,

downtown Spokane. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Spokane, the theme for this year’s parade is Lilac-n-Roll. For more: www. spokanejrlilacparade.com

May 12 | Liberty Lake Community Picnic

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. The Liberty Lake Merchants Association is hosting this event and classic car show to support the American Cancer Society. For more: 927-3444

May 18 | Second Harvest Food Distribution 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Millwood

Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. No appointment or documentation is necessary, but participants are encouraged to bring a box. For more: 924-2350

May 19 | Liberty Lake Farmers Market opening day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1421 N.

Meadowwood Lane, Liberty Lake. Market continues Saturdays through Oct. 13. For more: See story, page 13

May 19 | Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade 7:45 p.m., 300 N.

Ticket prices start at $20. For more: www. hubsportcenter.org

May 10 | “Choices Count” concert

7 p.m., Central Valley High School theatre, 821 S. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley. The Adams Elementary Eagle Singers will present this concert to benefit the Central Valley School District HEART in Hand program. For more: www.cvsd.org

May 12 | “Bold” art reception 4 to 6

Washington St., Spokane. The parade will feature 200 marching units of bands, floats and military personnel. For more: www. spokanelilacfestival.org

p.m., On Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, 12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford. Michael Ohlson’s photography show “Bold” will be on display through the month of May. Refreshments will be served during the reception. For more: 747-6294

May 20 | SE Spokane County Fair Royalty Coronation 6 p.m., McIntosh

May 24, 25, 26 & 31 | “Give My Regards to Broadway” 7 p.m., Spokane Valley

Grange, 309 S. 1st St., Rockford.

May 23 | Millwood Farmers Market opening day 3 to 7 p.m., 3223 N. Marguerite

Road, Millwood. Market continues Wednesdays through Sept. 26. For more: See story, page 13

May 25-27 | Spokane Kennel Club Dog Show Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. An annual celebration of canines. For more: 328-7652 or 477-1766

May 31 | 2012 PACE Awards Mirabeau

Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan, Spokane Valley.

Students from participating PACE schools will be honored during this evening celebration. Tickets are $25. For more: 228-5530

June 9 | 19th annual Liberty Lake Community Yard Sales 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Liberty Lake. Registration details will be released soon. Commercial vendors interested in participating in the event should contact 926-3198 or pdockrey@gmail.com. For more: Facebook page, “Liberty Lake Yard Sales”

MUSIC & THE ARTS April 26 | Spokane Symphony “Kick Back Classics” 7 p.m., Spokane Valley

Church of the Nazarene, 15515 E. 20th Ave., Spokane Valley. $5 general admission available at the door. For more: 624-1200 or www. spokanesymphony.org

May 1 | “The Colors of Patriotism”

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, 12114 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. The exhibit, which is scheduled to open May 1, will honor World War II veterans who fought for their country amidst discrimination. For more: www. valleyheritagecenter.org

May 4 | Millwood Art Walk 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Millwood Gallery, 9009 E. Euclid Ave., Millwood. Admission is free. For more: 927-2222 May 5 | “FossilRock” auditions 10 a.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Produced by Mikki’s Red Hot Mamas, the group is looking for women to join in comedy shows. There is a $10 audition fee.

For more: www.RHMamas.com

May 9 | “Make Your Move” concert

7 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. The Christian group Third Day will perform with special guest Matt Maher.

Partners, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. Tickets are $10 for ages 13 and older, $8 for 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under.

Performances continue June 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. For more: www.theaterartsforchildren.org

CIVIC & BUSINESS April 28 | WSU Master Gardener Plant Sale and Open House 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 222

N. Havana, Spokane Valley. All plants at the sale come from gardens of WSU Master Gardeners.

There will also be gently used home and garden goods as well as activities for kids.

May 11 & 12 | Women’s Expo Shopping Event Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan, Spokane Valley. For more: www. womensexposhoppingevent.com

May 12 | Garden Expo 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair Student Union Building, 1810 N. Greene St., Spokane. Put on

by The Inland Empire Gardeners of Spokane, the event will feature over 250 vendors selling plans, gardening products, services, crafts and one-ofa-kind garden art. For more: 535-8434 May 11 | “Let’s Rock the Valley” dinner auction 5:30 to 10 p.m., CenterPlace Regional

Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. Funds raised at this event will go toward the Valleyfest event in September. For more: www.valleyfest.org

May 16 | Inland NW Tourism Awards

4 p.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan, Spokane Valley. This 13th annual event will honor individuals and businesses that make a difference in the community. Costs for individuals and tables are available on website.

For more: www.visitspokane.com

May 18 | Spokane Valley Chamber Breakfast 6:30 a.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel,

1100 N. Sullivan, Spokane Valley . Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For more: www.spokanevalleychamber.org

SPORTS April 28-29 | Dodgeball Tournament

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oz Fitness, 14927 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. Registration is $15 per person. For more: www.ozfitness.com

April 29 | Run-2-Place 9 a.m., Mirabeau Park Trailhead, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Proceeds from this 5K and 10K

run along the Centennial Trail benefit Parker’s Place, a camp for families who have lost a child to terminal illness or tragedy. Registration is $35.

For more: www.race2place.org

May 5 | Washington State Karate Championships 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. For more: www.hubsportcenter.org

May 6 | Lilac Bloomsday Run Downtown

Spokane. The 36th annual 12K run will start groups at 9 a.m. For more: www.bloomsdayrun.org

May 6 | Futsal Festival 2 to 6 p.m., HUB

Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. U7 to U18 teams are invited to test their foot skills in indoor soccer for only $10 per team.

For more: www.hubsportcenter.org

May 19 | Quest 4’s Volleyball Tournament 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., HUB Sports

Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. For more: www.hubsportcenter.org

May 19 | Cherry Bomb Brawlers junior roller derby 5:45 p.m., Roller Valley Skate

Center, 9415 E. 4th St., Spokane Valley. For more: www.cherrybombbrawlers.com

May 19-20 | Border Smackdown International Boys Volleyball Tournament 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., HUB Sports

Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. For more: www.hubsportcenter.org

May 20 | Tour de Cure Spokane County Raceway, 750 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights.

Inaugural cycling event to benefit the American Diabetes Association of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. For more: 624-7478 or www. diabetes.org/spokane May 20-26 | Bike to Work Week Spokane Local events will be held in

various venues and locations. For more: www. spokanebikes.net/wordpress/

June 2 | Run for the Son 9 a.m., Rockin’ B

Ranch, exit 299, Stateline/Liberty Lake. 3.1-mile run/walk and celebration of faith. Registration is $10 for all ages. For more: www.libertycross.org

June 2 | Liberty Lake Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship Golf Scramble

8 a.m. shotgun start, MeadowWood Golf Course, 24501 E. Valleyway, Liberty Lake.

Benefits scholarships for local students. $75 individual; $300 foursome. For more: www. libertylakekiwanis.org

June 6 | Corporate Games opening day 6 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E.

Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Representatives of Valley businesses are invited to compete in the four-week chase for the 2012 Corporate Cup Championship through volleyball (June 6), basketball (June 13), dodgeball (June 20) and Zumba (June 27) events. Register by May 23 to not miss an event. For more: 927-0602 or info@ hubsportscenter.org

All 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.

The Current

may 2012 • 17

It’s the perfect time to buy! ◆ Reduced home prices

◆ Great selection of inventory

◆ Historically low interest rates ◆ Low down-payment options

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Put your money towards a home.

Monthly Rent

$1,100 $1,300

Mother’s Day is coming Sunday, May 13th ... stop in for Mom’s favorites.

After 5 Years

$66,000 $78,000

Average apartment cost is $1,101/month for 2012 with an estimated 4% increase coming in 2013.

Thomas McLaughlin

Windermere Valley, Inc.

(509) 701-7882 Liberty Lake Location: 21651 Country Vista Dr. • 891.9336 South hiLL Location: 2530 E. 29th • 535.1146

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The Current

18 • may 2012

r kids

al s e

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st fo u j n

A speci

Kicking, running and wheeling past barriers

c

Community

Brought to you by

Submitted photo

Mikey Lucas tries a new set of running legs at a triathlon sponsored by Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego last year.

By Tammy Kimberley Wave Editor

SPOKANE VALLEY—Whether it’s riding on his scooter, running in the backyard or chasing his sisters, Mikey Lucas likes to be on the go.

Dressed in jeans and tennis shoes on a recent spring day, you might not notice the active 8-year-old is missing part of each leg, the result of a surgery nearly two years ago that amputated his legs from the knees down.

His mother, Janell Lucas, said Mikey surprised his medical team by climbing stairs just days after the procedure.

“He doesn’t like to not be doing something,” Janell said. “He’s very resilient.”

While Mikey has faced many obstacles

in his life, he has thrived with a positive attitude, sense of humor and the help of his family and friends. And he continues to stretch his physical limits as a participating member of Team St. Luke’s, a sports team for people with physical disabilities.

Mikey’s curiosity to try new activities and figure out how things work has carried over in the realm of sports, as he’s had to learn how to handle a racing chair and work with his teammates during wheelchair basketball. He and his teammates are participating in Hoopfest this June.

“I play wheelchair basketball, and I also do track in a racing chair,” Mikey said. “There are special gloves you have to wear because if you don’t you can hurt your hands.”

When Mikey is asked by people what happened to his legs, he said he sometimes likes to tease that he was bitten by a shark or attacked by a bear. But the reality is that he was born in the country of China without tibias, which is the proper term for what is often called the shinbone. He came to live with his adopted family in America when he was 5 and faced the challenge of living in a strange place while learning a new language.

Mikey’s dad, Mark Lucas, said Mikey has a determination to try his hardest at whatever he does.

“He doesn’t quit,” Mark said. “He may get frustrated and tired, but he’ll go back at it.”

Last year, Mikey had the opportunity to meet Dr. Kevin Carroll, the prosthetics expert who designed the tail for “Winter” in the movie, “Dolphin Tale.” Janell said Dr. Carroll became great friends with Mikey, and he arranged for him to receive a new set of running legs, which normally cost around $30,000, if they could make a trip to San Diego to participate in a triathlon.

Mikey’s karate team at that time, Warhorse Martial Arts Center, arranged a kick-a-thon event at the HUB Sports Center that raised funds for the family’s traveling expenses to San Diego plus some seed money for sockets for the new set of legs. The Lucas family recently received a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation to cover the remainder of expenses for the new sockets.

“It’s really neat how people have come together to support him in all kinds of ways,” Janell said.

To follow Mikey’s story, visit his Facebook page, “Run Mikey Run.”

Mikey Lucas Age 8

School Second grade at Sunrise Elementary School

Family Parents, Mark and Janell Lucas; sisters, Vanessa, Valerie and Zoe

Favorite food Steak, bacon, spicy chicken wings

Hobbies Playing outside and with Beyblades, riding scooter, practicing with Team St. Luke’s

Submitted photo

Mikey Lucas practices in his racing chair along with other teammates from Team St. Luke’s.

The Current

may 2012 • 19

Community

Hunting for personal presents Create gifts using items found in nature or at local farmers markets

• Stones: Small stones can be painted and used as table decorations or name place settings for dinner. Or you can write interesting words on different stones that can be used during family game times in creating silly stories or random poems.

• Leaves: With some clear contact paper and colorful or odd-shaped leaves, kids can have endless hours of fun making placemats, coasters or window decorations.

Elementary kids invited to enter Wave essay contest From staff reports

By Tammy Kimberley Wave Editor

With warmer weather and longer daylight, kids have the chance to get back outside and enjoy what the area has to offer.

But did you know the outdoors can provide an array of options when you want to give something to others?

The month of May provides several opportunities to creatively surprise others with natural, homemade gifts. Some people celebrate May Day on May 1 by leaving small baskets of flowers or treats at someone’s front door. And with Mother’s Day on May 13, it’s never too early to start planning how you might show your love and appreciation to mom.

With an abundance of rocks, flowers and greenery, nature is full of possibilities to create gifts for family and friends. Take a walk in the woods or your backyard and you will see a variety of tools available to assist in creating the perfect present.

• Sticks: Arrange sticks to make letters spelling out your family name. Glue them to a piece of cardboard, and then embellish the sign with leaves or flowers to create a family sign. Use twine or string to hang it in front of your home or campsite.

Who is the most courageous person you know?

Farmers markets are also excellent places to find creative gift ideas for others. Many local outdoor markets are resuming in May, so it’s the perfect time to stroll by the booths to gain ideas for gifts.

• Food: Select some fresh fruits and vegetables, and then ask an adult to help you make a special dessert or dish. If you don’t know what to make with the produce in season, ask the vendors what recipes they have to share.

• Flowers: The great thing about farmers markets is that you can often put together your own arrangement of fresh flowers.

Some vendors also design flowers from paper or other materials, so feel free to ask if they’ll show you how they are created.

Sources: familyfun.go.com, boyslife.org

Kids Tell It Like It Is

In honor of the May PACE character trait, The Wave is inviting local kids to give props to a courageous person. Kids are encouraged to think about a person who displays courage, and then write a few sentences explaining why that person is so brave.

Essays should be between 100-200 words in length. They can be typed or handwritten. Entries will be judged on the writing quality as well as how well the essay embodies the trait of courage.

The top winner will receive a $15 gift card to Froyo Earth in Spokane Valley, and his or her essay will be featured in the June issue of The Wave. Gift cards to Froyo Earth in the amounts of $10 and $5 will be awarded to two runners-up.

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade who live or attend school in the Valley area are eligible to enter this contest. Only one essay per person, please.

Be sure to include your name, age, parent’s name, phone number and city of residence with your entry.

Essays can be sent via e-mail to tammy@valleycurrent.com or mailed to The Current office, 2310 N. Molter Road, Suite 305, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. The deadline for entries is May 11.

Compiled by Tammy Kimberley at Adams Elementary School

In honor of Mother’s Day, what makes your mom special to you?

“She’s the first person I knew.

She means the world to me.”

Josh Taft, 7, second grade

“When I’m sick, she sets up a tent for me to sleep in with blankets and mattresses.”

Jenna Stephenson, 8, second grade

“Sometimes she makes stuff with me like suckers, brownies and cookies.”

Emily Hardison, 8, second grade

“She helps make my bed if I run out of time.”

Raquel Aguilera, 8, second grade

“She tucks me in at night and tells imaginative stories where our whole family is in it.”

Annie Peterson, 7, first grade

“She helps me with my homework.”

Gavin Holcomb, 7, first grade

“She makes breakfast for me — lots of bacon, eggs and waffles.”

Hailey Miller, 8, second grade

“She gave me birth.”

Colby Hair, 7, second grade

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Check out our Facebook page for contests and events.

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

www.GrowUpSmiling.com

The Current

20 • may 2012

Community

Brantley making mark with musical message

By Valerie Putnam Current Correspondent

Joel Brantley wants every child to dream big.

Using popular music, interactive participation and showmanship, Spokane Valley native Brantley performs for school assemblies to deliver his message to area elementary, middle and high school students.

His messages come in the form of two different 60-minute school assembly programs: “The Three R’s; Respect, Responsibility and Rock n’ Roll,” or “Bullying: It’s Not OK.” Both assemblies are driven by old-time rock-and-roll or country music.

“Kids love the music,” said Brantley, 45. “I win them over with the music, and then it’s easier to talk to them about the message.”

The Three R’s program demonstrates how respect and responsibility can help students find their dreams. Brantley stresses how dreams and drugs don’t mix, and everyone is responsible for their own good choices.

The message is reinforced as he shares his own story of when, as a seventh-grader at North Pines Junior High, he turned down another boy’s invitation to take drugs. “I chose not to fit in with that crowd,” he said.

Brantley attributes his choice as a pivotal moment that eventually put him on the path to achieve his dream of becoming a singer/songwriter.

“I think a true story comes across to kids,” Brantley said.

“They listen to you more.”

In March, students at Stevens Elementary in Spokane participated in his bullying program.

“Are you ready for a country hoedown?” Brantley hollered to open the show.

The 550 kindergarten through sixth grade students hollered back to let him know they were, and Brantley started up with a rendition of “I Love a Rainy Night.”

An important component of Brantley’s program is involving the kids. At different points, he enlists several students — and even teachers — to perform songs. The volunteers wear cowboy hats or Elvis shades and play inflatable guitars.

Current photo by Valerie Putnam

Joel Brantley instructs students at Stevens Elementary School in Spokane on performing with their inflatable guitars during a recent assembly. Brantley presented, “Bullying: It’s Not OK,” to the school, a message he shares with students all over the Northwest.

“I thought he did a nice job with the music and his messages he was sharing,” Stevens Elementary Principal Mike Crabtree said.

“I think he relates to the kids well, and I think they relate to him.”

Brantley maneuvered his way through Stevens’ crowded gym floor to give students a chance to discuss questions like “What is bullying?”

“He reinforces all the right messages,” Stevens Elementary Counselor Laurie Curran said. “All the ones we’ve been teaching kids for years.”

He addressed the older students, telling them they can make a difference in their school. Brantley challenged them to take a proactive role helping the younger students by following the strategies Brantley outlines in his program.

Strategies such as using words in a positive way, being proud of who they are, using humor or ignoring the bully.

“I’m going to tell you a little story,” Brantley said during the show. “When I was your age, I was bullied.”

Brantley’s personal struggle of

For more …

Joel Brantley performs interactive music assemblies for elementary, middle school and high school children. Two different shows are available: “3 R’s; Respect, Responsibility & Rock n’ Roll,” or “Bullying: It’s Not OK.” For more information about Joel Brantley’s assemblies, call 921-1120 or e-mail joelbrantley@comcast.net. being bullied because of his height encouraged students to deal with their own struggle.

Sixth-grader Alexis Dukett, 12, found the bullying program helped her deal with her own struggle.

“I’m always getting bullied because I’m taller than everybody else,” Dukett said. “It helped me figure out what to do. I’m going to be nicer to them.”

Born in Everett, Brantley took to music at an early age, playing piano and guitar.

He remembers as a 7-year-old singing into a tape recorder the Elvis, Bobby Day and other Motown songs he learned from his mother’s 45 record collection.

“I remember trying to sound just like them and record it.”

Brantley said. “I would then listen to it and try and get better at it.”

Two years into college, after graduating from University High School in 1985, Brantley took time off from his education to try singing in Las Vegas.

The first time he sang on stage at the Silver Dollar Club, Brantley was so nervous he vomited after getting off stage. But he was encouraged when members of the audience came up and told him to stick with it. A couple months later, he got back up on stage.

“I learned a lot about myself and what I wanted to do,” Brantley said.

He returned to Spokane a year later to complete his education at Eastern Washington University, singing at clubs every weekend to pay for his college.

After graduation, Brantley left for Nashville to break into the

country music business.

There, he joined the Nashville Songwriters Association and wrote more than 100 songs. One of the songs he co-wrote, “Wildflowers,” was picked up by Alan Jackson’s publishing company in 1997, though it was never recorded.

“It was humbling,” said Brantley, who hoped to get a recording contract. “There was a great singer on every corner.”

Brantley performed at his first school assembly when his wife, Laura, volunteered him to perform at Nashville’s Shwab Elementary. For the show, he used a “History of Rock n Roll Show” program he performed for festivals and events.

“They loved it,” Brantley said about the students’ response.

The principal at the time, Robert Neil Jr., took Brantley aside.

Neil suggested Brantley would have something if he put a message into his program.

He decided to design positive programs for kids using music and personal experience, along with a powerful message.

Over the past 18 years, he has performed at 1,500 different schools across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Tennessee.

His first programs include “Be Cool Stay in School” and “Dreams and Drugs Don’t Mix.” Returning to Spokane in 2000, he developed his “3 R’s; Respect, Responsibility and Rock n Roll” assembly. In 2006, he developed the newest program on bullying. He also steps outside of the school gymnasium from time to time for the occasional country and rock and roll set. In April, he performed at the Spokane Valley VFW Post 1435 and at True Legends Grill in Liberty Lake.

But it’s Brantley’s positive message for kids that he plans to continue expanding. Currently, he is working on a children’s CD he hopes to release this summer. He said he wants to reach larger audiences by performing at bigger venues and hopes to develop a television program specifically for kids on the subject of bullying.

“In my small way, I’m making a difference,” Brantley said. “It’s a great feeling.”

local lens

The Current

Current Travels

may 2012 • 21

Floating frogs net $6,000 for community The finish line bridge over Rock Creek was crowded April 14 as spectators gathered at the 2012 FredNecks Frog Regatta Festival in Rockford. The event raised close to $6,000 for the Rockford Lions Club and featured between 1,200 and 1,300 floating frogs, President Sam Meyle said.

The money supports local youth and activities. At right, FredNecks owner and longtime event organizer Pete Abbey leads a group — including a dog — along the creek bank tracking the lead frog. Below, while Town Council Member Clint Stevenson waited to net the winner, the lead frog (inset) got held up and eventually stuck just yards from the $300 first place prize. That prize went to Suzi Risken, while the second-place frog earned Rick Bothman $200 and the third-place frog (which came in 20 minutes after the first pair) netted Mary Anne Coe a $100 payday.

Submitted photo

Liberty Lake resident Josh Beckett took The Current along on a trip to Perth, Australia in early April. There, he met up with his longtime friend Chris, pictured holding The Current’s sister publication, The Splash. Beckett said he had a great trip, but 26 hours of fly time made for some killer jetlag.

WVSD employee honored West Valley School District employee Mary Collins was chosen April 11 as the 2012 Washington State Classified Employee of the Year, an award presented by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn. Collins has worked at Spokane Valley High School since 1984.

Local Lens

Current photos by Josh Johnson

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

Submitted photo

Students practice driving skills for life

Current photos by Kelly Moore

University High School students participated in a national Driving Skills for Life safety tour established by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association and a panel of safety experts. The program teaches newly licensed teens the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs. At left, Kwest Osborn, a junior, practices sobriety skills with impairment goggles. Above right, Ryelynne Mendoza, a junior walks the line.

22 • may 2012

Community

Highlights from your Chamber

Photo: Gary Roberto Photography

The Current

David Koopman, chief scientist at GoDaddy. com, is interviewed as the special guest speaker during THE Innovation Show hosted by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and LaunchPad at the Mirabeau Park Hotel March 28.

Celebrate 91 years at consolidated headquarters The Chamber is consolidating its office operations into its eastern Valley location — 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane in Liberty Lake — and we’re throwing an anniversary open house to celebrate!

The June 1 event will celebrate the Chamber’s 91 years of existence as well as our updated and combined digs. The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted in late March that the combined space will allow its small business and relationship-building core to be maximized, making the best use of resources for the benefit and growth of member businesses.

In the past five years, the Chamber has conducted an entrepreneur training program that has received praise from Washington State University’s SBDC as the strongest NxLeveL program in the state. The Chamber has also provided opportunities for small businesses to grow through Business Center incubator offices, a practice that will also be consolidated at st the Liberty Lake location, where there is an opportunity to grow.

Save the date: June 1

“This step will allow us to expand our core business services as well as continue to create business-building events and activities throughout eastern Spokane County,” President and CEO Eldonna Shaw said.

Chamber events in May

May 3, 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Open house at Flower Patch & Artistry in Gold Inc., ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.,. 13817 E Sprague Ave. May 9, 4 to 6 p.m.: Open house at BN Builders, 15920 E. Indiana, Suite 202 May 15, 5 to 7 p.m.: Meet the Chamber Member Reception (location to be announced) May 17, 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Open house at Fred Becker Agency, American Family Insurance, ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m., 1521 N. Argonne Road, Suite E May 18, 6:30 a.m. (networking), 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (breakfast and program): Business Connections Breakfast, “Encouraging

The updated space in Liberty Lake harkens to the Chamber’s start in the eastern portion of the Valley along the Spokane River in the Greenacres area. During those early years, the Chamber also held All-Valley Picnics at the Liberty Lake resorts that drew as many as 14,000 attendees.

Since that time, the Chamber has operated at several addresses throughout the Valley, always adapting to serve the needs of its growing membership.

Scholarship and Career Direction,” featuring the projects of the Spokane Valley Chamber Foundation, Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road

New members Please join us in welcoming the following members who have recently joined the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce: Amy C. Biviano, MBA CPA Complete Nutrition Empire Roof Coatings LLC Greater Hillyard Business Association My Custom I.T. Paventy Orthodontics Pemco Insurance Co.

9507 East Sprague Avenue • Spokane Valley, WA 99206 • Phone: 509 924 4994 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane • Liberty Lake, WA 99019 • Phone: 509 210-2425 www.spokanevalleychamber.org

Submitted photo

Equine TLC rider Amy Houn practices her skills on the horse with organization founder Gail Pennestri. Equine TLC specializes in therapeutic horse riding for clients with special needs.

Nonprofit spotlight

Equine TLC Description

Equine TLC (Therapeutic Learning Center) supports people with special needs through horse riding and horse-assisted activities. “Whether it’s a child with Down syndrome, an adult recovering from a spinal injury or a senior citizen recovering from a stroke, research shows individuals of all ages who participate in EAAT (Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies) can experience tangible psychological, cognitive, social and educational benefits,” according to the organization’s website.

Founding Gail Pennestri of Liberty Lake began the nonprofit in 2003, but she is a lifetime horse rider who worked with equestrian Special Olympics athletes in Southern California before moving to the area.

When Pennestri and her husband, Scott, moved to the Inland Northwest, the goal was to have horses and begin a therapeutic riding program.

What they do Program participants are charged a monthly tuition (a reduced amount that doesn’t completely cover the program’s costs — donations are sought to make up the difference). With the tuition, they participate in weekly lessons given by Pennestri and supported by volunteers. Pennestri is a certified instructor through the North American Riding for Handicapped Association.

Who benefits Studies show individuals with special needs benefit from working with horses,

showing cognitive growth, emotional benefits and increased range of motion, balance and confidence, Pennestri said.

Quotable "I just love it. I'm sure I get so much more out of it than I can possibly give my riders. I'm always so impressed with our riders because they try so hard every day with the things they can. It makes me try harder."

— Gail Pennestri, Equine TLC founder

How you can help Volunteers are provided training and utilized for: • Leading horses during lessons • Side walking horses during lessons • Grooming and saddling • Horse care • Stall cleaning • Pasture maintenance • Administrative duties • Fundraising Donations are also appreciated to help scholarship the cost of tuition and care for the horses. The organization’s third annual fundraiser, Denim and Diamonds, will be held April 28 at Templin’s Resort on the River in Post Falls. Tickets are $60, and business sponsorships for future events are welcome.

For more Visit www.equinetlc.org or call Pennestri at 891-2027.

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

The Current

may 2012 • 23

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business

24 • may 2012

The Current

Clockwise from left, the space at Hurd Mercantile and Company includes an expansive loft and espresso bar and reading bench; gift items at Trellis Marketplace include locally made goods; the cozy space at The Basket Cases is just right of a quick stopand-shop experience; shoppers can browse the Treasure Room at Halpins Pharmacy while waiting to pick up a prescription.

Shopping till we drop

A day exploring some of the Valley’s gift stores in search of the perfect Mother’s Day present Story and photos by Kelly Moore Splash Staff Writer

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, our staff decided a day of shopping would be the perfect challenge for us — and who wouldn’t want to spend a day as secret shoppers browsing through some of the Valley’s hidden gems?

The challenge was simple: visit four local gift shops and spend $25 at each on the perfect gift for mom. Readers will have an opportunity to win our purchases through our Facebook page.

The Basket Cases We hit The Basket Cases first, thinking it would work as a nice warm-up to our shopping day.

None of us were sure what to ex-

pect — we knew the business only as a place that makes gift baskets, and Sarah said she heard something about cupcakes.

What we arrived to was a cozy gift shop in the nook of a small shopping center — and a lot more than gift baskets. Inside, the store is the perfect size for those looking for a quick stop-and-shop experience. The store offers just enough selection to keep you covered on any occasion, but not too much to for those who are easily overwhelmed.

Despite the limited space, the store offers what we noted as a great variety of options for both men and women. As a group, we noted gifts available for wine or beer lovers, cooks, baby showers, golf enthusiasts and more.

Themed gift baskets were available and on display too — our cashier explained that’s how the business got its start. A couple baskets looked tempting, but I ended up grabbing a couple knick-

knacks that caught my eye (and fit perfectly into our budget).

BONUS: Cupcakes. Our cashier explained she was a former baker and, although the Basket Cases baking is outsourced, her recipes are used to stock cupcakes in the store. I sprung the $3.25 for the chocolate-peanut butter and Sarah went for a key lime. We’re happy to report they were some of the best we’ve had, and I’m following them on Facebook now, just to keep up with the flavor of the day.

Halpins Pharmacy and Treasure Room Most locals know Halpins as a Valley icon, and it’s been around as long as everyone in on our shopping adventure could remember.

Our initial assessment of the place led us to think this might be best for an older crowd, but the further I worked my way through the expansive store, the more things I found that I might want

for myself. I even came across a few toys for kids. Still, a majority of the true gems in the store are things I know would put a smile on my sweet meemaw’s face.

The store offers a great seasonal selection, art and wall décor, garden trimmings, collector’s items and fun kitchen accessories. We spent most of our time looking at scarves and purses next to a Vera Bradley display. Mike deliberated over a particular scarf for a while — his wife loves scarves and it was cute on Sicily — but it would eat up his entire $25 budget.

Instead, we ended up shopping for Kelli’s mom here, and we were able to get a little more bang for our buck because the wind chime she picked out was on sale.

BONUS: The pharmacy. The fact you can wander through a “Treasure Room” while you wait for your prescriptions to be filled is a true matter of convenience.

There’s plenty to check out, and your medicine will be ready be-

fore you could possibly see all of it. We also got to pick out a free keychain at the cash register for pre-tax purchases of $25 or more.

Our total was 52 cents short, but the cashier lets us have one anyway.

Trellis Marketplace From the start, Sarah claimed Trellis as “her store,” and once we got there I understood why. The place was stuffed to the brim with a good variety of rare gifts, locally made goods and home décor — all mixed with a vintage flair.

We even found bacon-flavored hot chocolate.

As a group we noted the selection seemed to be high quality and reasonably priced. We definitely spent more time here than we needed to, but that’s probably because we were so engrossed in the quirky merchandise. And with half our team shopping for out-oftown mothers, the local products

See SHOPPING, page 30

The Current

may 2012 • 25

business

The gifts we knew mom couldn’t live without…

The Basket Cases 1014 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley Monday — Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Halpin’s Pharmacy and Treasure Room 11406 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley Monday — Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Trellis Marketplace 4102 S. Bowdish Road, Spokane Valley Monday — Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hurd Mercantile and Company 30 S. 1st St., Rockford Monday — Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The shoppers Kelly Moore: With family almost 2,000 miles away, her ideal mother’s day gift is something that can be shipped easily. This usually means small, nonperishable and preferably lightweight. She also tends to gravitate to all-things-kitschy.

Kelli Dexter: An “I’ll know it when I see it” shopper. She spent the

Kelly picked up a telephone salt-andpepper shaker (salt comes out of the receiver, pepper out of the base) and some color-coordinated wall décor. The telephone was the first thing she picked up in the store, and after a little browsing she kept coming back. Distracted by its cuteness, she snagged it up not thinking about the liabilities of mailing something so breakable to her mom. The sign, reading, “Celebrate each new day” was picked up to round out her $25 budget.

Total Cost: $24.89 Kelli chose the butterfly wind chime because her mother-in-law loves colored glass and bright colors — plus the fact it was on sale didn’t hurt. With a little left to spend, she picked up a box of Spokandy almond toffee — because who doesn’t love that stuff? At the register, we got a free keychain with our purchase. The clip hooks to the top of your purse, so you don’t have to dig for keys. The cashier also threw in a 2012 Hallmark date book.

Total cost: $25.91 Sarah shares a love of decorative dishtowels with her mom, so the pink and black Paris-themed towels were a nobrainer at Trellis. She said her mom also loves to sip tea, so she picked up a strawberry chocolate flavor from The Republic of Tea. Keeping with her theme, she also grabbed a strawberries-and-cream dip mix made by Country Home Creations Inc. To add a special touch, she packaged it up in a basket from home.

Total cost: $27.10 Sicily was most interested in a stuffed toy shark upstairs in the kids’ section, but Mike was able to sway her enough to leave with a turquoise necklace made by Panhandle Red in Post Falls. The piece ate up almost his entire budget, but the other ladies in our group pressured him to go over with a bar of scented soap we felt couldn’t be left behind: “white musk” vegetable soap with shea butter, imported from France.

Total cost: $29.13

day on the lookout for something to buy her mother-in-law, a lady she said would like just about anything.

Sarah Burk: Sarah’s signature gifting style is to package a number of smaller items into a gift basket. She shares a lot of common interests with her mom, and kitchen items are almost always her go-to gift. Bonus points go to gifts she knows her mom can get

good use out of.

Sicily and Mike Johnson: Sicily, 1, is a scene-stealer everywhere she goes, making it sometimes hard to focus on the shopping task at hand. Plus, she’s still working on her fine motor skills, so we brought her dad, Mike, along to help. The two spent the day shopping for a young, hip mom with a second baby on the way.

Win these gifts for you (or your mom) “Like” The Current on Facebook (facebook.com/valleycurrent)

by May 8, and you could win the gifts featured in this article.

Winners will be drawn randomly and contacted through Facebook (as well as announced on our page) on the morning of May 9. With Mother’s Day four days later, this could be fortuitous timing for four lucky winners! (Staff members and their families are not eligible to win, but they really ought to “like” us anyway.)

26 • may 2012

business

Valley auto shop benefits Meals on Wheels On March 8, Clark’s Tire and Automotive, located in Spokane Valley offered free oil changes, wiper blades and vehicle inspections to raise more than $5,000 for the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels. Clark’s also donated a Toyota Camry to a raffle held by the organization.

Craig Froehle of Spokane Valley was drawn as the winner March 22. Froehle (center) is pictured above with Clark’s owner Chris Clark and GSC Meals on Wheels Director Pam Almeida.

Submitted photo

Spring Fling

Saturday, May 5th • 11am-3pm Featuring Live Music by Joel Brantley Food, Beverages, Prizes and Tours!

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

The Current

Spokane Valley Chamber consolidates in Liberty Lake Sprague location to be vacated by June 1

By Kelly Moore Current Staff Writer

In an effort to maximize resources and grow programming, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is consolidating its operations at its Liberty Lake location, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. The Chamber’s city of Spokane Valley location at 9507 E. Sprague Ave. will close by June 1.

“It seemed like there was a lot of support for us to conserve our resources and not raise dues,” Chamber President and CEO Eldonna Shaw said. “This worked out to be the best opportunity for us. We’ll have all of our staff in one place with consistent hours and continued programming.”

She said the Chamber’s board of directors and a special facility committee began researching location opportunities after the Sprague building in which the Chamber is a tenant went up for sale.

The 6,584 square-foot building on Sprague is currently listed with Kiemle and Hagood Company for $550,000. According to the listing, the office building was constructed in 1968.

“We originally wanted to buy it, but our research showed that just wouldn’t be the most prudent decision,” Shaw said. “We were not in a position to buy it. I think this is a time when people are closely watching their budgets, and it’s important we do the same. Even though we’re a nonprofit, we still deal with tough business decisions, just like everyone else.”

She said an e-mailed survey of members revealed that an overwhelming majority preferred not to raise dues, a potential consequence of purchasing the Sprague building or maintaining a second location.

“We understand most of our members preferred we conserve our resources,” Shaw said. “This was not a quick decision.”

According to Shaw, a committee researched the potential move for about nine moths, studying needs of Chamber members, budgets and other opportunities in the area. Ultimately, she said, the Liberty Lake location worked out to be the best deal for the operation. The Chamber opened the Valley Chamber Business Center at Liberty Lake in March 2010 and has operated it mainly as a center for business incubator space since that time.

The Chamber will hold an open house at the consolidated Liberty Lake location June 1, coinciding with its 91st anniversary.

“It’s a good addition to Liberty Lake,” said

Greenstone Managing Director of Commercial Development Wayne Frost, whose company owns the Liberty Lake building where the Chamber is a tenant. “Anytime a business, especially one as established as the Valley Chamber, moves to Liberty Lake and draws attention to the area, that’s good. ... It’s a two-punch deal having the Chamber’s offices as well as a vibrant incubator program.”

The Chamber currently operates business incubator spaces in the basement level of Greenstone’s three-story Liberty Square Building in Liberty Lake. Here, start-up ventures are able to operate with below-market rent at a flat rate with utilities included.

The operation began about nine years ago through a partnership with Greenstone and the city of Liberty Lake. The Chamber branched eastward the with its Liberty Lake satellite location in March 2010 to take over management of the incubator operation under a two-year agreement.

Frost said the Chamber has been a “fantastic tenant” for the past two years in which it has occupied about 3,000 square feet. The new lease, effective June 1, will be based on a three-year term.

Six incubator spaces are currently operated in the space, and Frost said the space would allow for that to expand to as many as 12. The Chamber has also leased incubator space at its Sprague location, but the number of tenants at that location has decreased in recent years.

Shaw said she hoped the consolidation would allow the organization to focus energy and resources on growing its programming to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. For the past five years, the Chamber has also conducted an entrepreneur training class. She also said the organization hopes to improve services through its website.

Shaw said all programs and services would continue without interruption, and all regular events will continue to take place in their usual locations throughout the Valley.

As far as the future goes, Shaw said she isn’t counting out a future move back into the city of Spokane Valley — or anywhere else in the Chamber’s service area.

“We’ll continue to look at the needs of our members for strategizing our location,” Shaw said. “In the future, we may look for a permanent home. It really depends on what will best serve our members.”

The Chamber operates with membership open to all businesses, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, schools and churches. For more information, go to www.spokanevalleychamber.org or call 924-4994.

sports Valley softball success stokes rivalry, friendship The Current

may 2012 • 27

U-Hi, CV remain consistent contenders for GSL bragging rights

By Mike Vlahovich Current Correspondent

When it comes to discussing the softball history and success of district rivals Central Valley and University, what better man to ask than Titan coach Jon Schuh?

To put it in political-speak, he joked, “It’s the ‘blue states’ vs. the ‘red states.’”

And Schuh has changed parties. He was the Bears head coach in 1999 whose team ended U-Hi’s 42-game winning streak.

Then he switched schools for his current gig with a team that at one point qualified for 10 straight state tournaments and won the Greater Spokane League’s first 4A state title.

Joe Stanton is in his first year as head coach at CV and knows well that U-Hi’s softball program has set a standard to emulate. But he’s doing his best to catch up.

The Bears beat the Titans 4-3 recently and have been GSL contenders for the past half a dozen years, qualifying for state in 2008, tying U-Hi for the GSL championship in 2009 and a regional placer last year.

“I like that it not only is a rivalry game,” Stanton said, “but that they’re the best in league. Jon’s kids are so well coached. If we beat them we go in thinking we can beat these guys again.”

Schuh begs to differ, pointing out his own competitiveness.

“I don’t have a problem when I read the paper and they win,” he said. “The only time I have a problem is when I read the paper and they beat us. No one wants to beat CV more than I do.”

Not only are the teams strong in fastpitch softball, both have dominated “fall training,” the slowpitch season mandated

by Title IX requiring equality of sporting opportunity between males and females.

The Titans have won all six fall championships and five of six district titles, with CV winning the other.

So just what has made the Valley teams so special and compelling to watch?

U-Hi Activities Coordinator Ken VanSickle provides an answer. He was Schuh’s predecessor who ushered in Washington’s fastpitch era and the start of the Titans’ GSL dominance.

“You have to really look at Sal Jackson and the Spokane Valley Girls Softball League,” he said. “The Valley had it going before city schools did. That’s one of the reasons CV and U-Hi have been and still are successful.”

Current photos by Craig Howard

Central Valley and University are once again among the leaders in the Greater Spokane League fastpitch softball race this spring. The Titans return as defending league champs while the Bears served notice they would contend for the title with a 4-3 win over U-Hi on April 12. The Valley rivals meet in a pivotal rematch on May 3 at University. Above: University senior Sandra Cleveland at the plate against Shadle Park. At right: CV sophomore pitcher Carli Riordan zones in against Mead.

Jackson, Babe Wehr and Noreen Sale had the foresight to form SVGSA some 45 years ago and created softball opportunity for young girls before there was a Title IX. Then people like long-time fastpitch pitching coach Ron Bradstreet took things a step farther by promoting the game and putting together traveling teams. They lobbied to get it into the high schools, and things took off. Bradstreet’s daughter, Tammy, was one of the first Titan stars.

VanSickle remembered once playing a 21-inning game against eventual state runner-up Rogers that took two days to complete.

“One year, I had 22 or 23 select players and played against teams with four or five,” he said. “Our JV team typically didn’t lose a game and could have beaten a lot of varsity teams in our league.”

Agonizing over having to choose which of the 20-plus girls made varsity, VanSickle turned the reins over to Don Owen after

three state trips. A year later, Schuh took over after getting a teaching job there.

“They were the team of the ’90s,” he said. “For me, it was incredible — the intensity and atmosphere.”

The first fastpitch state tournament was in 1992. Prior to that, high schools had played slowpitch softball and, for a while here, modified pitch.

U-Hi’s first state appearance was in 1996 beginning a string that lasted through 2005 under the three coaches and included the 2003 state title. The Titans have made two trips since. CV qualified for state in 1996 and 2008.

Schuh said the Bears have had great teams over the years.

“I would say some years they were a little bit better than we were, but we came away with the ‘W’ because of tradition,” he said. “The last few years it’s been a pretty good battle.”

Both teams were in title contention nearing the mid-point of their rain-delayed season.

When it’s over, they go their separate ways, Central Valley to the Class 4A playoffs, University to 3A, doubling their chances of a state trip.

There is a reason for the success of both teams, the coaches say. Many of the girls have gone to school together.

“A lot of girls come from the same (select) teams,” Stanton said. “(At CV), four or five kids have been playing together the last seven years of their lives. Chemistry, in my opinion, goes a long way in softball.”

Stanton has been slowpitch coach for all six seasons and thus no stranger to the combativeness between the teams. He agrees with Schuh that the fall sport goes hand-in-hand with the pitcher-dominated spring game.

It is a time, they say, to hone defensive skills because the ball is always in play.

And there are certain hitting fundamentals that can be taught despite the arced pitch.

Last fall, CV and U-Hi played their first slowpitch Fall Ball Brawl under portable lights at University. The Bears won.

Afterwards, the teams posed together for pictures.

They may go at each other tooth and nail, but the photo opportunity was evidence of a mutual admiration society.

Fiercely competitive they may be, but at the end of the day they also are good friends.

Correspondent Mike Vlahovich is a longtime Spokane Valley resident and sportswriter. Write to him at mikevlaho@comcast.net.

28 • may 2012

opinion

The Current

Courage drives us to reach beyond ourselves

By Jesse Sheldon Current Guest Column

What image comes to mind when asked to visualize someone who displays courage? Personally, I picture a firefighter, a member of our military fighting for our freedom or someone donating an organ.

To me, each of these people displays incredible courage. I also believe courage can be as simple as admitting to your mom that you broke her favorite vase instead of passing off the blame to your brother, knowing you will be grounded for a week.

My personal definition of courage is probably best represented by this quote by Ambrose Redmoon: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

It is this determination that something else is more important than the fear of failure that has driven me to address the need for diaper support in my community. Being an only child, a teenager and a guy, I had never really thought about how much of a necessity diapers were for babies. When I learned what it costs a family financially for diapers and the fact that resources such as food stamps and WIC don’t help pay for diapers or hygiene items, I began to understand just how basic was the need for diaper support.

When I tell people my story about feeling called and compelled to take action to help local families with this need, many look at me and ask why. How did I know what to do? Wasn’t I afraid of failing? What I know now is that I made a decision that affected not just the time I have spent in high school, but a decision that will impact the rest of my life.

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

When I first started to seriously consider the idea of starting a nonprofit to help diaper babies, I could only think about what a great resource this could be for the community. I never thought about the possible challenges — both logistical obstacles as well as personal challenges — that might stand in my way. The logistical obstacles included writing a business plan, filing for 501c3 status, locating physical space to operate, funding and most importantly developing support for my vision. All of those daunting tasks may have overwhelmed my family as I began this journey, but those were simple things compared to the personal challenges I have faced.

As a teenager, I am fully aware of how teens can be ridiculed and labeled, sometimes unintentionally. The first label I was given was that of “Diaper Boy.” Even some of the news media referred to me that way in the beginning. I was also labeled as unconventional, persistent and unyielding in my desire to see a diaper bank succeed. I was undaunted. The more research I did, the more I felt the conviction to proceed to build a diaper bank in my community.

My next personal challenge was to accept that my focus was very different than other teens my age. I was thinking about mission statements, sponsorships, website design and program development, not what movie to go to or where to hang out on the weekend. But whenever I felt my courage and determination waning, I remembered that this was not about me, but about taking action to meet a need in my community. This doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize that sacrifices have been made or that my high school experience is very different from that of most of my peers.

Probably the most important thing I have learned from my experience of founding Inland Northwest Baby (INWB) is that courage comes in many different shapes and forms. As Maya Angelou said, “One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest.”

We need to not be afraid to take a stand, to defend a cause, to look outside ourselves and be courageous.

Jesse Sheldon, 17, is a junior at Central Valley High School and the founder of Inland Northwest Baby, a nonprofit that distributes diapers and children’s clothing to area families. He wrote this column as part of a special monthly column series highlighting the PACE (Partners Advancing Character Education) trait of the month that runs in partner publications.

Current Editorial

One Valley Community identities, yes; territorialism, no Add these to life’s list of perplexing questions: Why is a team called the Mariners always among the first to have its season capsize? Why isn’t there a body of water larger than a golf course pond within the municipal boundaries of a city named Liberty Lake? And, for the love of all things sacred, why would anyone want to narrow the territory we refer to as part of “Spokane Valley” to that which happens to fall within an incorporated boundary of the same name?

Do names mean things? Yes. But the lesson here is that we needn’t get carried away.

After all, the Germanic root of the popular baby names “Oliver” and “Olivia” is “alfihar,” which means, “elf army.” That doesn’t mean Mom and Dad intend the newborn to ever, you know, actually enlist.

And so we must be cautious in jumping to conclusions about what we refer to as Liberty Lake (incorporated 2001) and Spokane Valley (2003), particularly because a narrow municipal definition for these places ignores decades of historical precedence.

Recent example: the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce just announced it will be consolidating its headquarters at its Liberty Lake location. Looked at solely through a municipal lens, it would appear that one entity or the other should consider changing its name. Historically, however, this makes perfect sense. Liberty Lake has long been considered part of “The Valley,”

and there was nary a year in the Chamber’s 91-year history when Liberty Lake was not considered a key part of its service area.

The three Valley-dubbed school districts — East, West and Central — all cut significant geographic swaths of their service areas outside of City of the Valley boundaries.

Historic townships that formed in the early 1900s — most as irrigation districts — took on place names like Orchard Avenue, Vera, Dishman, Chester or Otis Orchards, but all were considered part of Spokane’s Valley.

It’s this lesson of history that serves as a reminder of how our separate communities should continue to view themselves — and each other — in the 21st Century.

We can take community pride in our home neighborhoods of Rockford or Millwood or Veradale, but we also have a long tradition of being united as a collective group of interconnected and interdependent places referred to as Spokane Valley.

We thrive when we think and collaborate as a region, whether that’s Liberty Lake gifting Rockford an old SCOPE patrol vehicle as it did in April or the Valley school districts partnering together to provide opportunities for technical training through the recently announced skills center branch campus.

We are a community; there is no room to be territorial. As local leaders continue to collaborate on solutions for our greater community, an informed and united Valley should not only stand behind them, it should hold them accountable to this tradition of partnership.

So titles like “Spokane Valley” and “Liberty Lake” mean different things in different contexts — big deal. An identity crisis this is not.

The Current

may 2012 • 29

sports/news

The Humber Games

RICHARD

Unpredictable perfection just another reason I love being a sports fan

walk down there now, and I don’t need to say a word. Instead of being blocked by a tower or private property, you have a trail to walk on and that entire vista has been returned.

Q: I’ve been at a few state of the county speeches that have been a little on the bleak side in terms of the budget and other challenges. The county is an entity that is called upon to provide urban services, yet you don’t have many of the resources that cities have to collect a proportionate amount of revenue. Was this the most difficult part of your job?

A: As we’re losing pieces of certain revenue streams and the state is taking away more revenue with every cycle, it pushes off the political consequences on us to raise taxes. To me, it’s really disappointing and disenfranchising. We’ve lost at least $ 3 million a year each year I’ve been in office just from annexation. So, the fear I have is not so much the local piece, because if government is transparent and efficient and we had a conversation with unincorporated county about something like the condition of our roads, I think they will support us.

Q: You were at the forefront of a campaign in 2005 to boost funding for

Current staff column

Saturday, April 21, was a normal day.

Get a little work done in the morning.

Watch the Cubs win a game (although this season that has been a bit more abnormal). Grab some pizza for lunch. Get the monthly haircut.

And while heading home I heard something on sports radio that changed my day.

Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox was perfect through six innings against the Seattle Mariners. And then he stayed perfect through the seventh inning while I was driving home.

I rushed in the house, ignored my daughter’s pleas to play outside (I know, I know, Father of the Year right there) and turned on the television to catch Humber mow down the Mariners in easy fashion in the eighth inning.

As the White Sox batted in the top of the ninth inning, I was reminded why I love sports so much. You just never know what could happen each day.

Years ago, I was invited to Wrigley Field for a weekday afternoon game in early May vs. the Houston Astros. Not necessarily the marquee matchup. Of course, it became a marquee game as a young rookie fire-baller named Kerry Wood baffled the Astros as he struck out a major league record-tying 20 batters.

By the ninth inning, all 15,000 fans that showed up were jammed in along the baselines and behind the dugouts cheering madly like we were about to win the World Series. When Wood finished the game off with a swinging strike three, I wanted to rush the field myself — as dominant as any performance I have ever seen.

Back to the present, I sat on my couch with butterflies in my stomach watching and cheering Humber as he hurled for history — and mind you, I HATE the White Sox (part of the whole Cubs fan thing).

He started the ninth inning going 3-0 on the first batter before getting a strike call.

Mariner Michael Saunders then swung through what would have been ball four before striking out on a 3-2 count.

One out. Two outs to go.

Continued from page 4

Get Noticed!

By Chad Kimberley

John Jaso (who is this guy?) popped up to the right fielder for out two. One out from perfection. One out from the 21st perfect game in the HISTORY of major league baseball, and all that stands in his way is pinch hitter Brendan Ryan. The count runs to 3-2 and then … one of the most bizarre endings I have ever seen.

Ryan thought he checked his swing on a ball far outside of the zone, the umpire said he swung, Ryan throws his bat down to argue, the catcher tracked down the ball and threw to first for the out, and just like that: perfecto.

This is why sports are a beautiful thing.

For instance, I know how the movie The Hunger Games is going to play out; characters will be introduced, conflict will happen, resolution will occur and I will walk out of the theater feeling satisfied.

I know the symphony will end on a crescendo and the art gallery will perplex me as I struggle to understand the meaning behind the work on the wall.

Yet sports are predictable only in the fact that it is unpredictable. Who would have imagined any scenario where the No. 10-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs circa 1999 make a run into the Elite Eight while winning a dramatic Sweet Sixteen matchup on a tip-in, yet the 2006 No. 3 seed Bulldogs lose their Sweet Sixteen matchup after leading by 17 points against UCLA and losing on a last second steal and lay-up?

Who would ever believe a scenario where a fan trying to catch a foul ball sets off a chain reaction of events which includes walks, an error by the shortstop and creates another year of misery for all Cubs fans? Or how about an officiating crew that flags Darrell Jackson for a mysterious offensive pass interference call, negating a touchdown and potentially changing the outcome of the Super Bowl and giving Seahawk fans another year of misery of their own?

And I am quite confident no baseball fan, Mariner fan or Chicago White Sox fan expected to see Philip Humber, who already had one Tommy John surgery before winning his first major league game, retire 27 consecutive batters while throwing only 96 pitches in achieving perfection.

So as I watched Humber get the traditional water cooler dumped onto his head during the post-game interview, I couldn’t help but scan the paper to see what game was on television next. I needed another Humber game — unpredictable and exciting. But first, I needed to go on a bike ride with my daughter.

Saturday, April 21, was a perfect day to be a sports fan.

Chad Kimberley can be reached at chad@ valleycurrent.com.

mental health services. The vote passed on the general election ballot that November. Do you think this will be part of your legacy as a leader?

A: It’s been said that you’re defined as a society by how you care for your most vulnerable. The mental health vote followed on the heels of a complete reform of the entire regional support network.

Those were tough meetings — a lot of emotion. The vote passed with the one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax strictly dedicated to those suffering from mental illness. Hopefully, that will be one of my legacies: that I stepped in to affect change for those who don’t always have a voice.

Q: What will you miss the most about being a commissioner, and will we see you at the occasional meeting just to check up on fellow commissioners Todd (Mielke) and Al (French)?

A. On kind of the macro and micro level, the thing I’ll miss the most is the ability to affect change. Hopefully I can find something similarly meaningful. As far as county meetings go, I’ll be monitoring it, but you won’t see me at a meeting. You might see me at a Spokane Valley City Council meeting because I live there, and I’m affected by issues in that city, but that will be the exception not the rule. I might read about it in your paper.

custom signs & décor painted murals & graphics

509-270-9499

email: wallsthattalk@msn.com

WallsThatTalkInc.com

30 • may 2012

business Volume 1, Issue 4 publisher

Josh Johnson

josh@valleycurrent.com General Manager

Tammy Kimberley

tammy@libertylakesplash.com editor

Craig Howard

craig@libertylakesplash.com staff writer

Kelly Moore

kmoore@libertylakesplash.com staff writer

Senior account executive

EDITOR

publication’s content as a part of their overall role.

Continued from page 5

Around 8,000 free copies of The Current are distributed near the end of each month at more than 150 locations from Newman Lake to Rockford, from stateline to Havana. A list of drop-off locations along with corresponding Google maps is available at www. valleycurrent.com.

As editor of The Current, Howard shapes and oversees all news and feature content for the newspaper. The publication’s editorial team also includes 2011 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Feature Writer of the Year Kelly Moore. Two other journalists on staff, Johnson and General Manager Tammy Kimberley, contribute to the

Since its debut February issue, Johnson has served as The Current’s editor, something he has also done for The Splash since September 2010. With Howard wearing the editor’s hat, Johnson said he will focus more of his energies on business management and growth, but will continue to contribute articles and columns and chair the opinion page’s editorial board.

chad@libertylakesplash.com

Janet Pier

Liberty Lake

janet@libertylakesplash.com

account executive

Cindy Esch

graphics editor

Sarah Burk

Office manager

Kelli Dexter

Circulation manager

Wondering where you can find The Current?

The Current can be found at the following locations (organized alphabetically by community and then by street proximity):

Chad Kimberley

cindy@valleycurrent.com sarah@libertylakesplash.com kelli@libertylakesplash.com

Mike Johnson

mike@valleycurrent.com

On the cover: Submitted photo

About The Current 2310 N. Molter Road, Suite 305 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com The Current is published monthly. It is distributed by or before the first of each month to more than 150 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.

Albertsons, Anytime Fitness, Barlows Restaurant, Carl’s Jr., Chevron, City Hall, Curves, Ding How, Dominos, Expect A Lot Visual Images, Great Clips, Great Harvest Bread Co., Greenstone, John L. Scott, Just Chillin’ Frozen Yogurt, KiDDS Dental, Liberty Lake Athletic Club, Liberty Lake Golf Course, Liberty Lake Library, McDonald’s, MeadowWood Golf Course, Palenque Mexican Restaurant, Papa Murphy’s, Pawpular Companions, Quiznos, Rockwood Liberty Lake Clinic, Rockwood Urgent Care Center, Safeway, San Francisco Sourdough, Seasons Cafe, Supercuts, Taco Time, Trailhead Golf Course, True Legends Grill, Twisp Cafe and Coffee House, Valley Chamber Business Center, Valley Young Peoples Clinic, Walgreens, Washington Trust Bank

Mica, Rockford and Valleyford Fairfield General Store, Freeman School District office, FredNecks, Freeman Store, Hurd Mercantile Gift Mall, Harvest Moon, On Sacred Grounds, Rockford Mini Mart

Millwood Albertsons, Anytime Fitness, Argonne Library, City Hall, Dairy Queen, Great Clips, Rocket Bakery, Rockwood Urgent Care Center, Papa Murphy’s, Taco Time, Walgreens, West Valley School District

Newman Lake and Otis Orchards Exxon Gas Station, Jack and the Bean Shop, KH Grocery Market, Otis Grill, Otis Orchards Library, River City Pizza

Spokane Valley Off or near Barker Road Central Valley School District, Cozy Coffee, Lone Wolf Harley Davidson, Hico Village, HUB Sports Center, ScrumDiddilyUmptious Donuts, Ziggy’s

Off or near Sullivan and Evergreen Roads Deadlines: The deadlines for submitting story ideas or placing advertising vary slightly with each issue.

To be safe rather than sorry, consider the 15th of each month the cutoff point to be considered for inclusion in the following month’s Current.

Ace Hardware, The Brickhouse Massage and Coffee Bar, Carl’s Jr., Dairy Queen, Fitness Center Valley, Forza Coffee Co., Froyo Earth, Great Clips (Broadway), Harvest Foods, Hastings, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s (Broadway), McDonald’s (N. Sullivan), Mirabeau Park Hotel, Mongolian BBQ, Oz Fitness, Panda Express, Rockwood Valley Clinic, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Round Table Pizza, Safeway, Schlotzsky’s, Sport Clips, Subway (Broadway), Subway (N. Sullivan), Walgreens, Zip’s, Zelia’s

Subscriptions

Spokane Valley Mall area

Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $12 for 12 issues, or $24 for 12 issues to addresses outside of Spokane or Kootenai counties. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019 or call 242-7752 for more information.

Off or near Pines and University Roads

Correction policy The Current strives for accuracy in all content.

Errors should be reported immediately to 2427752 or by e-mail to editor@valleycurrent.com.

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

Advertising Integrity Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@ valleycurrent.com. The Current is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. All contents of The Current may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

The Current

Arby’s, Barnes and Noble, Bean Positive, Boston’s, Krispy Kreme, Outback Steakhouse, Oxford Suites, Thomas Hammer Coffee, Twigs, Winger Bros.

Arby’s, Albertsons, Ben’s Yogurt and Deli, Buck’s Pizza, Burger King, Centerplace, Cuppa Joe’s Cafe, Dairy Queen, East Valley School District office, Flamin’ Joe’s, Giorgio’s Fitness, Halpin’s, HuHot Mongolian Grill, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists, O’Doherty’s Irish Pub and Grill, Qdoba, Quiznos, Ringo’s Casino, Ron’s, Senor Froggy’s, Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, Spokane Valley Library, Spokane Valley Partners, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Time, Thrifty Scotsman, Valley Hospital ER, Value Village, Walgreens, White Elephant

Off or near Argonne and Havana Roads Ben’s Yogurt and Deli, Caruso’s, Chan Bistro, Chester Store, Curves, Global Fitness, Goodtymes Bar and Grill, Hico Village, Jack in the Box, Jenny’s Café, Longhorn BBQ, McDonald’s (Argonne), McDonald’s (Havana), Panda Express, Papa Murphy’s, Rite Aid, Savageland Pizza, Skyway Cafe, Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, Subway, Valley Bowl, Yoke’s Fresh Market, Zip’s

We’re always on the lookout for business and community partners willing to be drop-off points!

If you are interested in carrying this monthly publication in your place of business, please contact our circulation manager at mike@valleycurrent.com.

SHOPPING Continued from page 24

added a nice touch. Mike also noted a chalk paint class was offered at the store — something cool for crafters-in-training.

Sarah opted for a set of color-coordinated dishtowels, tea and a yummy looking strawberries and cream dip mix. The cashier offered to package up the gift, with extra tissue paper, but we declined because Sarah is planning to add her personal touch with a recycled gift basket from home.

Bottom line, the convenient Valley location and impeccable selection make this place a must-visit. I’m planning to return myself to buy my mom’s real present.

BONUS: Food samples. Need I say more? Sarah also had a $5 off coupon she won in a drawing during the Desperate Housewives Shop Hop in February, so it’s worth staying tuned for other happenings at the store. Workshops and events are posted at www.trellismarketplace. com.

Hurd Mercantile and Company Oh my. I believe our humble trek led us to the Mecca of gift shops. I can’t remember exactly, but we might have even gasped when we walked through the door.

We almost didn’t make the drive out to Rockford, loosely envisioning a “mercantile” with bolts of fabric and barrels of potato chips. But we couldn’t have been more wrong. We found a balance

Index of advertisers Affordable Northwest 5 Ambrosia Bistro 9 Appleway Florist & Greenhouse 9 Avista 9 Beauty Secrets Salon 23 The Black Diamond 3 Callahan & Associates Chtd.

9 Casey’s Place 5 City of Liberty Lake - Trailhead 23 Clark’s Tire & Automotive 3 Damon Orthodontics 17 Ellingsen Paxton Johnson Orthodontics 15 Evergreen Fountains 26

of vintage and shabby chic items mixed in with luxury kitchen accessories and clever children’s toys. Locally made items like soaps, candles, jewelry, pillows and picture frames were also throughout the store.

Selection aside, the expansive twostory shop is airy with high ceilings and flooded with natural light. Bluegrass music was playing from a CD player near the front of the store. Many of us noted the feel of the place as something we’d see in a big city like Seattle, but the owners seemed to have seamlessly balanced that with down-home country charm.

I don’t know if it was the perfect atmosphere or the fact that we had to go back to “real” work, but none of us wanted to leave.

In addition, the wine room at Hurd is worth the trip alone. We picked up a handful of affordable novelty wines and spent some extra time playing the “Cinderella Challenge.” A glass slipper was hidden somewhere in the room, and anyone who found it could claim a free bottle.

BONUS: Espresso bar. An in-store coffee counter is the perfect stop for something to sip while you shop. And, in true small town fashion, a sunny reading bench sits in the middle of the store with stacks of local papers — and we saw it put to use. The setup is inviting for those looking to slow down and stay a while.

Of course, with all there is to browse here, it could be a place to take a necessary rest stop.

Delivered free to 150+ businesses in the greater Spokane Valley area and by subscription to residential homes. The Current is possible because of its advertisers. Following are the local advertisers in this month’s Current. Please consider them when offering your patronage.

Good Samaritan Society Spokane Valley 23 Great Harvest Bread Co 17 HUB Sports Center 11 Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council 11 KiDDS Dental 19 Legacy Animal Medical Center 23 Liberty Lake Family & Sports Medicine 9 Liberty Lake Orthodontics 11 Max at Mirabeau 11 McDonalds 3 Meals On Wheels 7 Northern Quest Resort & Casino 5 Opportunity Medical 15

Rockwood Health System 32 Scribbles Preschool 23 Simonds Dental Group 3 Sleep City 2 Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 22 Spokane Valley Relay For Life 17 St John Vianney School 15 Valley Christian School K-12 23 Walls That Talk 29 Windermere - Thomas McLaughlin 17 Wittkopf Landscape Supplies 17 Wolff & Hislop 15

The Current

PARTING SHOTS

may 2012 • 31

Helping friends in need, little by little Haiti in the heart of many Valley residents

By Josh Johnson Current staff column

Five months after a devastating earthquake struck an already devastated country, four friends from the Inland Northwest found themselves riding in the back of a pickup truck through the streets and towns of Haiti.

Unlike the thousands who came to this land to offer medical or construction support in the weeks following the quake — which officials estimate killed more than 300,000 people and affected more than 3 million — Justin Bryeans and his fellow “wandering souls” felt called to seek a connection.

The Greenacres resident and pastor at Kaleo, an Otis Orchards church, was connected to the country through some preexisting friendships, and the small team hoped to build on those relationships, “meet some folks and see if it clicks.”

“Man, it was rich,” Bryeans recalled of his first impressions of Haiti. “We saw pain and poverty, and I could keep going. But we were welcomed with deep hospitality, and it was humbling. It’s still humbling. We seriously just sat on some people’s porch we met and began sharing stories.”

On that porch of a local Haitian named Herode (pronounced “A-wode”) in the small village of Godin, the “click” happened.

“We were struck by the immense brokenness, but also by the hospitality of Haitians who are living out of hope and doing something,” Bryeans said.

Herode, like many Haitians the group met, was engaged in his community, supporting efforts for improving the lives of local families, and the group from the Inland Northwest felt inspired to lend support to efforts already in place.

Bryeans said he feels inspired to help Herode and his neighborhood in the same way he feels inspired to help a friend down the street in Spokane Valley. Inspired by human friendship, the connection with Herode has since birthed a nonprofit, Piti Piti.

And its mission has nothing to do with a 10-step plan to save the country from poverty or some other world-conquering aim.

Rather, it’s inspired by the Haitian proverb from which its name is derived: “Piti piti zwazo fè nich.”

Translation: Little by little, the bird builds its nest.

“There was brokenness everywhere, but we kept hearing this ‘Piti piti zwazo fè

Submitted photo

Children stop at a vantage point that overlooks the village of Godin, Haiti, and the bay beyond. The picture shows the mountainous topography of Haiti, underscoring the opportunity for terracing. nich,’” Bryeans said. “And that grabbed us as goal of $24,000 in 2012, which would supto how could we be friends in the middle of port 10 workers a month with all the tools brokenness, and how could we work togeth- and salary required to work on terracing er with our friends toward wholeness with- in the Godin area. Only 2 to 3 percent of out being overwhelmed Haiti’s forests remain, by it, without overcausing erosion to be a For more … whelming others with it, serious problem affectwithout doing something ing all aspects of Haitian Whether it’s supporting the toxic. It was like, ‘little by life. With Godin — like terracing project, sponsorlittle.’” the rest of Haiti — suring a child or just learning rounded by mountains more, check out Piti Piti With the help of that can be terraced, the at www.pitipiti.org or like Herode and other people Piti Piti initiative hopes it at www.facebook.com/ in Haiti, Bryeans has to offer employment to pitipitidotorg. helped connect his Spolocals while working tokane Valley community ward improving the land with projects in Haiti. for farming for consumption and commerBumper Crop Coffee in Newman Lake cial use. started a partnership to roast Haitian coffee.

Area residents have been connected with an Bryeans said the effort will actually suporganization to sponsor children in Godin. port 120 families — and friends and family Several area residents will be making a trip members of those families — as a new crew to Haiti this summer to further build on re- of 10 will be supported each month. lationships and study Piti Piti’s most handsHe views it as a small effort, a tiny piece on effort: terracing. toward solving a staggeringly mammoth The organization has set a fundraising

problem. But problems like these cannot

Walk into Jenny’s Café, 9425 E. Sprague Ave., and you’ll notice Haitithemed merchandise for sale, as well as a place to make donations.

Owner Jenny Bennett and her husband, Ray, are heading to Haiti in August with a team of nine people from their Spokane Valley church, ONE*, to help build medical facilities and support in other various ways an orphanage called Danita’s Children. ONE* sponsors 13 orphans from Danita’s. The Bennetts held a fundraiser at the popular breakfast diner earlier this year, and they are continuing to collect donations and encouraging people to partner in support of Danita’s Children (danitaschildren.org).

Bennett said people can donate to the cause through the organization’s website, through ONE* (onespokane. com) or at Jenny’s Café.

Haiti, already the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been on the hearts of many Valley-area residents like Bennett, particularly since the January 2010 earthquake that further devastated the country.

Among local residents who have taken medical missions to Haiti since the earthquake are Dr. Ross Simonds of Simonds Dental Group in Liberty Lake and Dr. Jonathan Keeve of Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists. be addressed in one large bite. The danger is being overwhelmed by the vast scope of the problem.

“So first you just see this: chaos and broken down things and piles of trash,” Bryeans said of the first impression outsiders get when they roll into Haiti. “But then when you hit pause and you kind of take it slower, then you see this mom over here walking with her kids and you see this dad on his motorbike taking his kids to school. You see people fixing meals and you see people working.”

Whether it’s in Haiti or down the street, this world is full of people who can be partnered with — befriended— in order to meet several small needs, one at a time.

Little by little.

Josh Johnson is publisher of The Current.

Write to him at josh@valleycurrent.com.

32 • may 2012

The Current