Here’s the Dirt: Peone Prairie home for congregation

For the past 10 years the congregation of Christ Church of Mt. Spokane has met at Colbert Elementary School.

Within months they plan to move into their own church, a 4,000-square foot sanctuary with four classrooms, at 5601 E. Peone Road, on Peone Prairie.

The congregation has between 60 and 75 members. For the past three years, since buying 10 acres of land for the building, church members have held prayer sessions over the land on the first Saturday of each month.

The nondenominational church has no paid staff or pastor, said Dennis Schuerman, one of two church elders.

“We’re pretty unusual in not having anyone on staff,” he said. “That arrangement has been very good for us.”

The role of Sunday preacher rotates among nine church members, he added.

Builders Etc., of Mead, is the contractor for the $500,000 project, which Schuerman said should be finished by the first of the year. It cost another $135,000 to buy the 10 acres of land where the church will be built.

“We hope to move in when we can,” he said, but access may depend on whether Spokane County will require an asphalt parking lot and landscaping before occupancy.

About 40 percent of the construction cost was raised by the church from tithes, contributions and offerings. The remainder is a loan from Washington Trust Bank, said Schuerman, a retired school administrator. He’s been assistant principal at three Spokane high schools and was principal at Freeman High School.

Kokopelli opens at NorthTown

Kokopelli, a new gift shop and apparel store, has opened in NorthTown Mall. Owner Imer Diaz said he wanted a business name that evoked his heritage, and he selected the name of the Toltec fertility god, known throughout the Southwest as the mythical prankster and gift-giver.

The shop is on the main floor of the mall, at 4750 N. Division St.

Among the items sold are renaissance costumes designed and made by Spokane resident Lynn Burns.

“It’s an eclectic gift store,” said Diaz, who also works as an abuse counselor for Adept, in Spokane.

Among the items offered are Mexican candy, Central American folk art, coffee and hats.

Ertl builds, repairs guitars

Seth Ertl has opened Ertl Guitar Works, a repair and guitar-building business, in Hillyard, at 4601 N. Nevada St.

Ertl started his business six years ago in Tukwila, then moved to Spokane in 2009. He set up his repair shop inside the Guitar Center in Franklin Park Mall last year.

This fall Ertl opened his own shop, in the building formerly used by Urban Fashions.

He works on all stringed instruments, including electric.

He operates the shop seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“One thing I learned is you have to be open for business,” he said. “Plus I love being here. I love what I do.”

For more information, go to ertlguitarworks.net.

New weight loss clinic

Healthy Living Liberty Lake, a new weight loss clinic, has moved into offices at 23801 E. Appleway. It’s taken over space used formerly by Eclectic Gifts.

Owner Dr. Susan L. Ashley uses weight-reduction practices focusing both on supplements and diet changes.

Ashley also owns the adjoining business, Family Medicine Liberty Lake clinic.

Optometrist opens clinic

Optometrist Laura Fischer has opened a solo practice, Lakeside Vision, in Suite Three of Aspen Ridge Plaza, 22106 E. Country Vista Drive in Liberty Lake.

This is Fischer’s first clinic. It’s open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday, when it’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m..