Conference Celebrates Moms, Moms-To-Be Of All Races

Mothers and mothers-to-be can retreat for a day of pampering, entertainment and education at a conference embracing women of all races in a celebration of motherhood.

“African American Mothers’ Celebration,” sponsored by Spokane Community College, will be March 7 in the Lair on campus.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the program will brim with workshops addressing health, personal growth and family relationship issues.

“The Tiger Wood Dilemma: A Biracial Family,” “Creative Activities for You and Your Child” and “Financial Well-Being: A Woman’s Perspective” are a few of the topics to be discussed by leaders from Rockwood Clinic, Spokane Mental Health, Life Trends, Martin Luther King Center and SCC.

During the luncheon, a special ceremony will honor those nominated for SCC’s Mother of the Year Award.

The Market Place will be open from 1:30 to 4 p.m., offering merchandise from around the world, and various spa services, such as pedicures, manicures and massages.

Conference registration is $15 if received by March 5, and $20 after that date and at the door. A continental breakfast and lunch are included.

Tickets may be purchased at SCC’s Cashier’s Office, Eastern Washington University’s Black Education Program Office or by calling 533-7030.

Health notes

Learn how to maintain a healthy heart at a free public forum Wednesday at The Met.

The 7 p.m. program features award-winning medical journalist Charlotte Libov presenting “Heart Disease: Conquer the Top Killer Disease of Men and Women.”

Libov, founder of National Women’s Heart Health Day, will present an action plan to help people make lifestyle changes to lower their risk of heart disease.

The program is sponsored by The Heart Institute Community Partners, an affiliation of nine area health care providers.

While not required, reservations are requested; call 625-3000.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 5 million Americans suffer from some type of eating disorder.

Many don’t realize their eating behaviors are disordered, said Shannon O’Donnell, of Spokane Mental Health. Others are hesitant to seek treatment.

To raise awareness and provide support, Spokane Mental Health, 103 E. First, will offer “Eating Disorders Screening Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Attendees will learn about anorexia, bulimia and binge eating during the free, confidential program. They can take a written self-test and meet one-on-one with a mental health professional.

For more information, call 838-4651.

Fund-raisers

A Princess Diana Beanie Baby teddy bear will be auctioned at the Discovery Shop, 805 W. Garland, to raise money for the Spokane unit of the American Cancer Society.

Silent auction bidding starts at 10 a.m. Monday and will close at 3:30 p.m. March 6. Bids must be placed in person; telephone bids will not be accepted.

The special-edition bears were created as a tribute to the late Princess Diana. An anonymous donor gave 12 Beanie Babies to the American Cancer Society to be auctioned at fund-raising events around the country.

Collectors of the fuzzy critters are paying from $800 to $1,500, with proceeds benefiting research, education, advocacy and service programs of the American Cancer Society.

The Discovery Shop is an upscale resale store run entirely by volunteers to support the American Cancer Society. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Candy sales begin this weekend and run through March 15 to support the year-round programs of Camp Fire Boys and Girls Inland Empire Council.

The $4 boxes of mint patties, almond roca, almond caramel clusters and trail mix will be sold at shopping centers and door-to-door throughout neighborhoods.

Camp Fire offers students, kindergarten through high school, the opportunity to build friendships and self-esteem through club and camping experiences. Programs include self-reliance courses, service projects and field trips.

To place a candy order, call 747-6191 or (800) 386-2324.

Bid on services, gift certificates, sports tickets and more at the St. Aloysius School Dinner and Auction at 5 p.m. March 7 in the school cafeteria, 611 E. Mission.

The $25 tickets will support school programs.

For reservations, call 489-2288, or St. Al’s at 489-7825.

YMCA Bloomsday training

Men and women of all ages and fitness levels can prepare for Spokane’s renowned race.

Bloomsday training begins Tuesday from 5:45 to 7 p.m. at the downtown Spokane YMCA. The 10-week course will meet every Tuesday and Thursday through April 30.

The training clinic will include stretching and running exercises as well as motivational speakers and social events designed to encourage a healthy mind and body.

“We are dedicated to ensuring the success of each and every participant,” said Jennifer Hixson, YMCA health and fitness coordinator. “If they take advantage of the information, tips and faithfully perform the trainings, they will be able to complete the race.”

Class registration, which includes a T-shirt, is $15 for YMCA members, $35 for nonmembers. A 10 percent discount applies when five or more register together.

For a registration form, call 838-3577, ext. 25.

Community events

Students from 10 Spokane and Eastern Washington high schools will compete Saturday in TEAMS - Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science.

The one-day event in the Herak Center at Gonzaga University brings together teams of students to solve problems and answer related questions.

Each team will compete at the varsity or junior varsity level in one of nine school-based or home-schooled divisions.

Top-scoring teams at the state level will be eligible for national ranking.

TEAMS is sponsored nationally by the Junior Engineering Technical Society; local sponsorship is provided by Gonzaga University and the Washington Society of Professional Engineers.

For more information, contact Gail Allwine, GU professor of electrical engineering at 328-4200, ext. 3526.

Learn how to get involved during Saturday’s NorthTown Mall’s Community Day.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sears/Emporium Court, representatives from several area non-profit groups will offer information about services and apprenticeship opportunities.

The St. Cecelia Singing Nuns will perform, the Spokane Humane Society will offer homeless pets for adoption, and members of the Neva-Wood COPS will sell $1 raffle tickets for a limited edition Princess Diana Beanie Baby teddy bear.

For more information, call 482-4800.

Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman-Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Kudos Congratulations to Cheney Cowles Museum for gross receipts totaling $38,460 during its Works from the Heart contemporary art exhibition and auction. The three-week event, in the former Lamonts building in downtown Spokane, showcased the work of area artists while contributing to the Cheney Cowles Museum’s Acquisitions Fund. “We are thrilled by the results,” said Barbara Racker, curator of art at the museum. “It was a great party and wonderful to be downtown. People were there to buy - some pieces went for record prices.” The highest bid went to Kathleen Adkinson’s painting “Canyon Rim” for $1,800. John Giarrizzo’s piece “Ecce Homo” sold for $1,750, and Ric Gendron’s “Summer Magic” went for $1,550. A portion of each sale is returned to the artist; last year, Works from the Heart returned more than $12,000 to regional artists. Racker believes that amount will be even higher this year.