Michael Guilfoil

Visitors tour Ed Dean and Dave Deily's entry, The Aloha, at the Showcase of Homes, which runs through July 27. The builders completed the home just in time for viewing. Photo by Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review

FOR THE RECORD: 7-19-97 Incorrect information: The Spokane Showcase of Homes entry "The Conservatory" was designed by Don Henricks of Design Alliance. Also: "The Aloha" will be open for viewing. The Redmond, Wash., based company that built "The Aloha" is in a strong financial position, according to Dave Deily, the builder. A story in Friday's IN Life section said otherwise. 1. Homebuilder Bob Taigen and his sons Jim (seated) and Bob Jr. used artificial river rock extensively on the exterior and interior of their Morningside home, "Crown Jewel." Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review 2. Below, the fireplace hearth in the same house. 3. Dave Nye spreads gravel in the "dry riverbed" drainage system in front of builder Gerry Morse's Showcase of Homes entry, "The Atrium." 4. Builder Gerry Morse's home-show entry offers a river-rock look on its facade. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

1. "I don't like to call this a soup kitchen," says Sandy Mamola. "It's a hospitality kitchen. These people are our guests." Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. "Dream the big dreams," advises Denny Ashlock, "and you'll be amazed how many of them come to pass." Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 3. "When young people volunteer," observes Joe Poss, "not only do they get something out of it - it also renews the community's faith in youth." Photo by Torsten Kjellstrand/The Spokesman-Review

Karen Mobley replaces Carolyn Lair as arts director for the city. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review

FOR THE RECORD: 6-21-97 Affiliation wrong: The Rev. M.R. Kidwell is pastor of Dishman Baptist Church. His church affiliation was reported incorrectly Thursday in a story about the Southern Baptist boycott of Disney.

Standard-bearers Steve Smith steadies the flagpole Wednesday morning, while Skip DeLozier and Rich Perry adjust the wooden wedges holding it in place. Photo by Torsten Kjellstrand/The Spokesman-Review

1. Coors Field - home of the Colorado Rockies - is the largest ballpark in professional baseball, with 50,000 seats. Its architectural style borrows heavily from the surrounding warehouse district. Denver Metro photo 2. Real (though not alive) dinosaurs inhabits the halls of the Denver Museum of Natural History. Photo by Rick Wicker 3. Elitch Gardens Amusement Park has rides that feel as tall as the Rockies themselves. Denver Metro photo 4. The grand history of the Mile High City is reflected in the atrium lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel. Photo courtesy Brown Palace Hotel 5. World leaders will gather next weekend at the fanciful Denver Public Library. Photo courtesy Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau

New front-loading washing machines are more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional top-loading models. They also cost twice as much. Starting today, though, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is offering a $130 rebate to anyone buying a high-efficiency front-loader from a participating dealer.

Cliff Feigenbaum produces GreenMoney Journal, a newsletter and web site, from his Spokane home. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Ten years ago, a United Nations conference set a new standard for development, which it called "sustainable." Communities are sustainable, U.N. delegates agreed, if they can "meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." "Exploring Community Sustainability" is the subject of a free lecture from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the downtown public library. It will be presented by Washington State University architecture professor Tom J. Bartuska. Bartuska, co-author of the award-winning "Pullman Sustainable Village" report, says his lecture will focus on "positive examples of quality development."

Memorial Day weekend usually marks the first opportunity of the year to break out that tattered ol' "Life's A Beach!" T-shirt. This year, though, a more appropriate slogan might be "Where's the Beach?" Unusually deep snowpack and unseasonably warm temperatures have combined in recent weeks to raise area lake levels and swallow up favorite swimming spots.

1. The prospect of glimpsing a rare white grizzly is part of Retallack's summertime appeal. Grant Copeland photo 2. The lodge's 39-seat restaurant is kept cozy by radiant floor heat and a fireplace fashioned from Issaquah granite. Gerry Copeland photo 3. Spokane architect Gerry Copeland, left, and developer Grant Copeland outside Retallack Lodge. Photo by Michael Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review

1. Linda and Tony Ehrenberg move here from California two years ago so their children could grow up in Tony's childhood home. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review 2. The Ehrenbergs have completed restoration of their living room, which features original Honduran mahogany. 3. Franklin Elementary, built in 1909, held six classrooms, a library and principal's office. A brick and glass annex was added in 1953 to house the growing number of students. Photo courtesy of Cheney Cowles Museum

Forster Ndubisi is the first director of WSU's Interdisciplinary Design Institute at the Riverpoint campus. Photo by Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review

McDonough

Stretch or die . . . stretch or die . . . stretch or die. If only runners would heed physical therapist Chuck Strickell's advice, maybe he could catch his breath this time of year.

Twenty students from the carpentry class at Spokane Community College build a house at 13617 E. 13th Court. Construction is expected to be finished in June. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

It may not rank up there with the legendary Orient Express. But the Lilac Express is about to make history. Five-hundred Seattle-area residents recently jumped at the chance to ride a daylight train to Spokane on May 17, watch the Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, then take a scenic, leisurely ride home the next day along the Columbia Gorge and Puget Sound.

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Wednesday, March 19, 1997): Correction Spokane is among the cities featured in the new book "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family," but the cities are not ranked 1 to 50. A story in Tuesday's Spokesman-Review incorrectly reported otherwise.

The Concorde won't be coming to Spokane unless another 90 people sign up for a trip that involves a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and four nights in London. File photo

1. At 12.3 pounds, the American Golden was a handful for its gem-cutter. 2. Leon Agee admires the 12.3-pound American Golden Topaz, recognized as the world's largest faceted gem. Agee devoted more than 500 hours to cutting and polishing the stone. Family photo

1. Real estate agent Bernie O'Brien says many people are skeptical that the property he is listing on High Drive is a realistic building site. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. Above: A home designed by architect Stephen Clark sits on a rock bluff west of Spokane. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. Left: Architect Royal Shields' home is perched on cedar columns on a slope above Lake Pend Oreille. Royal Shields photo

Jennifer Salmi's Galaxy Gallery will be out of business next month unless she gets some financial support. Her gallery shows off the talents of such young people as her son, Judah Salmi. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

1. Historic researcher Linda Yeomans and general contractor George Bryant, on the porch, will speak about the restoration of the Pietsch House in Peaceful Valley. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Linda Yeomans and George Bryant.