If you asked us to draw what "Near Nature, Near Perfect" looked like we'd struggle with it - honestly we would. What does it mean?  How do you describe Spokane to someone that doesn't know anything about our city.... ah, but how do you do that visually?  For that we give it up to Shaw Middle School seventh-grader Claire Mattes.

For it was her drawing that was chosen out of some 625 entries that will be the new design gracing some 150 new manhole covers in Spokane.  It was all part of a contest courtesy of the City of Spokane's Wastewater Management Department and the Spokane Arts Commission to find a unique design for manhole covers, something beyond the standard look.  A move that not only services cultural importance but community pride as well.  Claire Mattes' design incorporates the skyline of our crown jewel park Riverfront Park as well as tall pine trees and fish swimming in the river.  It captures the essence of Spokane from a historical pride standpoint to our natural surroundings.  Now we owe it to Claire Mattes and her generation to make sure that design is still relevant in 50 years. Read Pia Hallenberg's story from the S-R last week.

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