Center Programs Fun, Chase Away Boredom

On the corner of the 1600 block of Belt lies a community center with a special program just for teens. This is the West Central Community Center.

Here, they have devised a program that keeps teens out of trouble by having fun. The program includes basketball, arts and crafts, field trips and other entertaining activities.

During the summer, they had a similar program, which was great. When I asked kids what they thought about West Central, they all had the same general answer: It’s a way to meet new people and to have something fun to do.

One of the best things about the teen program is the staff. They’re nice and try to see eye to eye with you.

When I finally caught up with Rick Harris, the activities manager, I asked him why he goes through all that trouble for teens.

“To be quite honest,” he said, “I believe youth need positive activities to keep them busy. Boredom creates opportunities for kids to do negative things. This last program, we kept the kids doing something at night, which is predominately when they get in the most trouble.”

This is a program that all teens should be a part of. It’s every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. I hope you have fun. I know I will.

- Marques Johnson Glover

Art opportunities: If you like art shows where each piece is unique, then the “Terra Firma” clay exhibition, showing at the Chase Gallery in Spokane’s City Hall, is for you.

Eighteen artists from all over the country display works ranging from pottery to ceramic abstractions.

The first piece that caught my eye was “Floating Scoop” by Richard Bonner from Austin, Texas. It is large and very silver. Bonner used metal wiring to build a frame of what looks like a large balloon. Next to “Scoop” sits another Bonner creation, “Provision in Structure.” Made from red clay, “Provision” is layer upon layer of circular cages. You really have to see it to believe it.

Another of my favorites is “Lemon Lust,” made by Wyoming artist Leah Hardy. It consists of three clay lemons of different sizes, with a letter on each one to spell out “lie.”

What I really like about the show is the variety of creativity between the various artists. There are floor, table and wall exhibits and no two have the same style or message.

The Chase Gallery is not the only place showing the “Terra Firma” collection. Half is being displayed at the Corbin Art Center.

This show runs through Dec. 1, so it would be a great place to visit during Thanksgiving break.

- Beth Raddatz/Homeschooled