Treva Lind

Four Seasons Physical Therapy has served patients for 30 years, and now in some cases is working with children of early patients. John McKinnon, 59, and Susan Taylor, 62, started the business in April 1984 with Jerry Johnson, who retired in January. The three of them had worked together as physical therapists at St. Luke’s before opening their private practice at 1111 W. Wellesley Ave.

Before her official start Monday, Katherine Morgan already had immersed herself in some homework as the new Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. Morgan, 31, began giving input a few weeks ago on a chamber rebranding campaign that will update the organization’s website, logo and handouts next month. Once in the office this week, she filled her days mostly making rounds among the organization’s nearly 600 members.

In Spokane Valley’s Discovery Playground, 2-year-old Obadiah Mowery held tight to the seat handles of a new seesaw-like play feature on Friday as his mom, brother, and grandfather sat across to help rock him gently higher. The captivated toddler stayed on the We-saw long after his brother, 4-year-old Braeden, ventured off in search of other play options.

Words such as bling and selfie won points with Spokane players of Scrabble, but bromance drew some quizzical looks. So did hashtag. Scrabble fan Mernie Matthews, 72, has studied a long list of the more popular new words among 5,000 recently added to The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, released Aug. 11 by Merriam-Webster. The fifth edition guidebook is the first update in nearly 10 years.

Volunteers are preparing a Spokane Valley home this month to fill a regional housing gap for teenage mothers, said Holly Haneke, director of GraceSon Housing Foundation. The nonprofit, which is renting the five-bedroom house, plans to open this fall with support and living quarters for three teenagers and their babies.

Volunteers are preparing a Spokane Valley home this month to fill a regional housing gap for teenage mothers, said Holly Haneke, director of GraceSon Housing Foundation. The nonprofit, which is renting the five-bedroom house, plans to open this fall with support and living quarters for three teenagers and their babies.

If victory is sweeter to those who have known defeat, try tasting the nectar after a nearly 10-year wait. Since 2005, members of the over-50 senior women’s softball team A-1 Auto have played winless in the city of Spokane’s Slow-Pitch Masters League in a men’s over-60 division.

An idea to link up a photo booth with social media gave birth to Photoboxx, a Spokane Valley business that sets up at events to give away prints of photos snapped by Instagram users. Just over a year ago, Michael Fisk and Devon Lind worked to build the technology behind a photo-printing station that Photoboxx now installs at public events, where people gathered for fun activities are prone to take photos with their cellphones. When Instagram users post their snapshots with a designated event hashtag, they get a free Polaroid-style photo that prints from the company’s booth.

Big Table, a Spokane nonprofit focused on helping restaurant and hotel employees, recently launched a new program that director Kevin Finch acknowledged probably raises a few eyebrows for its name, BS in a Bar, short for Bible Study in a Bar. However, the name often opens up conversations among people who want to talk about faith, Finch said.

As Green Bluff farms open for the U-pick season, a newer destination on the route mixes garden-fresh herbs with handcrafted pottery. After a short debut last year, Willowpond Pottery & Herbs opened Saturday at 16230 N. Day-Mt. Spokane Road in Mead.

At a recent practice, Evergreen Gymnastics owner Tiara Racicot gently coaxed a young gymnast who stood hesitant on the balance beam. “We had a little oops last night, what’d we do?” Racicot said, as she coached a handful of advanced gymnasts ages 9 to 10. “We slowed down, yes? OK, are you going?”

Spokane Valley physician assistant Kevin Bichler prefers spending an hour getting to know a patient, a model he says is getting lost. Six months ago, he and his wife opened Optimal Healthcare, a family medicine practice they say is aimed at slowing down the appointment pace. At 12418 E. Saltese Road near Pines Road and 16th Avenue, the practice now has 250 patients and is growing by 10 to 15 new clients each week.

Chanoa Marx describes her middle-school mindset as uncaring, even horrible. She struggled socially, sat in the back of class, didn’t listen as teachers taught. Change came after her decision to attend Barker High School because of its small size.

While Kyle Hansen excels in academics and music, his writing captures attention. His prose has won acclaim nationally. West Valley High School English teacher Kamiel Youseph said Hansen is a writer who strives to refine already well-written pieces. Hansen’s award-winning essay about a first turkey hunt showcases that ability.