Katie Patterson Larson sees potential where others might see trash. Case in point: On a recent tour of Art Salvage, the nonprofit she founded, she contemplated the colorful wires attached to a basement post, left behind from a former tenant’s phone system. “It’s so pretty,” she said, wondering if they could cut them out and sell them.

You are running through the woods and a bear is chasing you, when all of a sudden you wake up in your bed and realize it was just a scary dream. Our nightmares can sometimes feel super scary, even if what’s happening isn’t real.

Gypsy is a very adventurous, playful dog who is a toy fanatic, according to the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service in a news release. Refer to the pet’s ID number when contacting SCRAPS with questions about one of the adoptable pets. If you are interested in this dog or any animal there, call (509) 477-2532 or visit the shelter at 6815 E. Trent Ave. in Spokane Valley. Dog adoptions cost $120 and include spay or neuter, the first set of vaccinations (including rabies) health check, microchip and first year’s license.

What’s scary popular this year for Halloween costumes? Some parents go over the top.

Holiday early birds, you know them. They already have most or all their Christmas gifts stashed. But with less than 100 days until Dec. 25, you might consider some steps now – especially around handmade creations or to update decorations. Here are some tips from a few early birders.

Ask the doctors advice column for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019.

An autistic “Sesame Street” muppet is caught in a conflict between the most prominent autism organization in the United States advocating for early intervention, and autistic adults who see the condition as a difference, not a disease needing to be cured.

Mead High School graduate Nathan Isaac, a cancer survivor, has designed hats and beanies recently stocked at five flagship REI stores and online. A percentage of sales from Stalyon products will bring professional outdoor adventure photos to young cancer patients.

This year’s Valleyfest, Friday through Sunday, features a diverse range of activities and entertainment for all ages.

September is family preparedness month, when residents are urged to take steps such as storage of necessary items in the event of severe storms and disaster events. From stocking a disaster kit to developing a family emergency plan, here are some tips for Inland Northwest residents.

Along with beaches, sunshine and movie stars, a lot of people picture palm trees when they think of Southern California. While there are lots of palm tree species in California, they aren’t all originally from the area. Many were brought from different places around the world.

There’s no aspirin, antacids, cold pills or Neosporin in Lois Robertson’s medicine cabinet. Instead, there are glass jars of potions, salves, tinctures, oils, syrups and tea mixes most of them from herbs and medicinals collected directly from the land tucked up north between the Canadian and Idaho borders in Pend Oreille County.

Miss Manners advice column for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019.

Cycling safety is something parents can model and teach kids starting at around age 5, said Bill Bender, SpokeFest president and recently retired neurologist. The group promotes cycling and safety year-round, offering activities beyond its annual Spokane ride this Sunday.

The program will introduce STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – concepts to 4- to 8-year-olds and their adults.

The fair opens Friday and continues through Sept. 15 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley.

Eileen Dugger, 65, lives near Diamond Lake and dreamed of cycling a popular coast-to-coast trek. Now retired, she completed the trip Aug. 11 assisted by husband Cliff Dugger, truck and trailer driver.

Summer has finally broken my brain. I realized this as we were driving to a campground on Lake Roosevelt last week, where we would be spending the next three days at an informal Ditto family reunion.