Michael Guilfoil

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. 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

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

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.

Superman isn't the only one who travels faster than a speeding bullet. Passengers aboard the venerable ol' ahead-of-its-time Concorde supersonic jet routinely reach a velocity of around 1,350 mph - twice the speed of sound and, yes, faster than most bullets.

Ahhh . . . what better way to start the day than with a lively newspaper and a delicious cup of coffee? Like the old TV commercial said, "Life's simple pleasures are the best." But unfortunately, "simple pleasures" are sometimes more complicated than we realize.

1. Elfrieda Kruger holds her daughter, Karen, who was born in Hawaii while Cecil Kruger served in the Air Force there. Look on Page E5 for the story of their 50 years together. 2. When Frances and Ray Cox, then 18 in 1944, told her mother they were engaged, she replied, "Oh no, you're not!" Look for their story on Page E5.

1. Two cross-country skiers make their way past one of the cabins at Lone Mountain Ranch. Photo by Lone Mountain 2. Jean MacInnes runs the Bohart Ranch that offers a wide range of winter and summer activities. Photo by Michael Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review

1. (snowboarder) Photo by Katja Delago 2. Schweitzer Ski School instructor David Reseska rides two styles of snowboards: one with a three-buckle "exoskeleton" binding, left, and one with a plate binding. Photo by Michal Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review

1. Dawna Stone works with photographer Philip Clayton-Thompson in her transformed bedroom with new linens, miniblinds, curtains, a lamp and hand-colored prints. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. Dawna Stone appears in the February issue of Country Sampler's Decorating Ideas. 3. East Valley middle-schooler Dawna Stone wrote Country Sampler's Decorating Ideas asking for a few tips.

1. Joan Butler stands in the entryway of her Dutch Colonial home, where she blended her eclectic taste with the home's original country decor. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Downtown Spokane's Kemp & Hebert Building, home of Auntie's Bookstore. 3. An interior shot (of Auntie's) also received a Historic Preservation Award. Photo courtesy of ALSC Architects

Work on Scott Whitesitt's winning home plan could begin as early as next spring.

John Eminger of 49 Degrees North. Photo by Michael Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review

What's the difference between a shattered tree limb and good firewood? One year. That's how long it will take for wood debris left over from Tuesday's ice storm to cure enough to burn cleanly, advises Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority spokeswoman Lisa Woodard.

1. "We talked about having a fog system in the moat," but even Cyan has budget limits, says corporation vice president Chris Brandkamp, at left with architect Chris Green. Photo by Michael Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review 2. Above: Cyan's wooded setting is enhanced by informal landscaping and a 10-foot-high waterfall. Don Hamilton photo 3. Left: Myst 2 artists work among log pilings, basalt columns, exposed ductwork and a glowing star field on the ceiling. Don Hamilton photo

Finding solutions to Spokane's affordable-housing shortage is the focus of an all-day workshop at Mukogawa Commons on Thursday. Co-sponsored by the Greater Spokane Coalition Against Poverty, the Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries and the Spokane Affordable Housing Campaign, Thursday's gathering will bring together civic leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, volunteers and anyone else interested in examining the social, political and economic implications of inadequate housing.

1. Above: Builder/owner Jerry Mueller and his wife, Marilynne, plan to construct their home using a variety of low-impact technologies. 2. Right: Their straw-bale shed on Mica Peak will teach lessons they can apply to their future full-sized house. Photo by Michael Guilfoil/The Spokesman-Review

Two traits Alan Durning says he's never been able to shake are "a consuming need to learn about what ails my society, and an equally powerful passion to do something about it." The first helped steer the lanky, trombone-playing Phi Beta Kappa toward a career as a globe-trotting environmental researcher and writer for the Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute.