Jennifer Plunkett

To many, it might seem odd for a fabric store to move into a strip mall that's already home to one. But managers of the Valley's Northwest Fabrics & Crafts and Jo-Ann Fabrics, they say the situation is ideal. "They shop us both anyway," says Northwest Fabrics manager Kathy Ball. "It's going to make it more convenient for the customers and it's going to be a win-win situation." Sue Thompson, manager of Jo-Ann Fabrics, said while the two store will definitely remain competitive, the move does nothing but help both stores.

It didn't take long to fill the former location of Ernst Home Center at Pines and Sprague. Six months after the store's closure due to bankruptcy, Northwest Fabrics & Crafts has signed a lease to occupy the majority of the space. The store is expected to open April 1.

Hank White, left, and his brother Ed founded White Block Company in 1947.

Albertson's grocery store at Liberty Lake is part of the strip development on Harvard Road. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Esther and Loyd Petersen of Otis Orchards celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a dance around the rink at Roller Valley Sunday. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review 2. Before cutting their 50th anniversary cake, Loyd and Esther Petersen give each other a hug during a party at Roller Valley. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

After weaning her own kittens recently, Missy the cat adopted four Pomeranian puppies whose mother disappeared shortly after their birth. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

1. The Appleway Auto Group is led by Tim Pring. Behind this hot, red Toyota is his father Jack, his sister Sue Prince and brother Brad. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review 2. The Dishman Dodge family: Mark Waltermire, Mark Hollenback and Marlene Waltermire with her grandson Kent Christian. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

To celebrate Legends Autographs grand opening, Jackson Jaguars placekicker Mike Hollis, who played at Central Valley High School and the University of Idaho, will appear today from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person with one autograph per ticket. The store at 1425 N. Argonne will be stocked with color photos and mini-helmets to purchase and have signed.

from the VALLEY VOICE, February 15, 1997, page V3: CLARIFICATION William and Lucielle Marchand are in the process of removing storm-damaged trees from their yard. They are not pruning their trees by topping them. A story in Thursday's Valley Voice implied otherwise. Tree experts say to thin, not top, trees to reduce the threat of ice storm damage. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Paths to fun. Nervous over her first dog-sled ride, Amanda Sheetz, 6, tries looking at things from a different angle. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review 2. Sled dog driver Don Duncan gives a ride to Amanda Radtke, 5, and Brandon Radtke, 4.<

If scrap wood is what you're looking for, some Valley businesses have plenty to share - for free. Within Spokane Industrial Park, two companies haul out their scrap for wood seekers. Many people use the small pieces of wood as kindling. (Just east of the park's main office on Sullivan Road is a massive map detailing the location of the businesses.)

For close to 10 years, Rose stood guard over her Liberty Lake neighborhood, keeping a curious eye on cars, making sure the area children played together safely and that nothing - not even a raccoon - disturbed her sleeping neighbors. But Rose has died. After arthritis made it too difficult for Rose to move around, everyone thought it best to end her suffering. Neighbors in the Alpine Shores subdivision say their lives won't ever be the same without their big, blond 150-pound Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix watching over them.

The Valley's Luigi's Italian Restaurant now has a new name: Giovanni's. Owner John Guarisco, who was formerly in partnership with the owners of the downtown Luigi's, recently bought the restaurant at 329 S. Dishman-Mica Road from Marty Hogberg and Matt Pettit and changed its name.

State Department of Transportation workers replace a damaged Interstate 90 exit sign that was destroyed in an accident. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

The Video Unlimited store on East Sprague closed last Thursday. Store owner Rory Berg said he "just shut it down" but offered no other comment. Berg owns the Entertainment Unlimited store in the Five Mile Shopping Center and two other Video Unlimited stores, one in Hillyard, another in Airway Heights.

Envisioning a Spokane without racism, prejudice or hate was the easy part for many who attended a Sunday forum at Gonzaga University. The event, "Sharing Our Vision for Justice," drew more than 200 residents, ministers and government officials to GU's Jepson Center.

Volunteers from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) will conduct a six-hour introductory workshop next week for present and prospective small business owners. Topics include required licenses, recordkeeping, insurance, financing and business planning. The workshop will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. Program brochures are available at the chamber office and at Valley banks.

Lori Ann Finnegan and her sister Lisa Ann Orvis are the new owners of one of the Valley's oldest drive-inns, Dandy's. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

(From Valley Voice, February 6, 1997:) The subject of the "Saturday's People" profile in the Feb. 1 edition of the Valley Voice, Kristin James, was identifed by the wrong name, as was her father, Ron James. Our apologies. Kristin Smith is a student at Greenacres Junior High.

Two-year-old Jordan Tabish's mother Laura runs workshops on storing and family photographs. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

A range of emotions Aune Huhta, Ruth Westerholm and Dorothy Miller take in the Super Bowl while playing a game of their own Sunday at the Corbin Community Center. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review

If your car breaks down on a Sunday, getting it fixed in the Valley will now be a little easier. Texaco Auto Care Express Lube is open seven days a week for quick lube services and complete auto care, from routine maintenance to major repairs.

Jerry Hughes knows roller skating. As a youngster, he worked in his father's Midwestern rinks, and now the 38-year-old man operates his own, Valley Sports Arena in Otis Orchards. Colleen Bernstein, Hughes' 37-year-old sister, also knows roller skating. She too worked in her father's rinks and now is part-owner of Roller Valley Skate Center on Dishman-Mica Road.

Construction of a $1.3 million commercial center has begun just north of Interstate 90's Liberty Lake exit. Gib Brumback, owner of Brumback Construction, said the project has been scaled back. Originally, the center was to house a hotel and a major restaurant. But those plans "flopped," said Brumback.