Haven’t Been Able To Place The Face With The Glasses

We have a mystery here at Common Ground. Someone visiting The Spokesman-Review, or walking near the building, dropped her (or his) glasses. They are prescription wire-frames and no name was in the light brown case. But the owner left some clues in the case. There’s a page from the book “Watership Down.” And an announcement about the Mountain View marching band appearance at the Junior Lilac Parade. If we have your glasses, give us a call. We also really liked the “Mom” stickers.

Speak for a child: Spokane County Juvenile Court will begin training soon for volunteers interested in being court-appointed special advocates for children who come to the attention of the court because of suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment. The volunteers meet with the child, parents, caseworker and attorneys to gain an understanding of the child’s situation and make a recommendation to the court. Applicants must have a screening interview prior to training. For more information, call Susan Cairy at 458-2469.

The whole truth: What size dress do you think most American women wear? If you guessed size 8, you’re wrong. It’s size 14, according to fashion industry research. The average American woman is 5-foot-4 and weighs 143 pounds. That survey came across our desk the same day we received a press release from the “Healthy Weight Journal.” The journal is sponsoring a contest to find examples of “healthy women in all sizes” in advertisements, network shows, fashion models and catalogs.

“We need to stop pushing weight loss at any cost and accept people of all sizes as normal and attractive,” the journal’s editor said. If you find any examples of women in the above categories who look like women you know in real life, send the example to Women’s Healthy Weight Media Contest, 402 South 14th Street, Hettinger, ND, 58639. Or fax 701-567-2602. You don’t get much of a prize, just a special report or something, but it might help our cultural problem of portraying all “normal” women as thin and beautiful.

And while we’re on this topic, what woman on television now looks the most “real” to you, like someone who could live next door? Personally, we know a few women who look like Ellen Degeneres, star of the sitcom “Ellen.”

Ending violence: The Spokane County Domestic Violence Consortium has posters available free to any public facilities, businesses, schools and churches. The posters outline the physical and emotional symptoms of domestic violence (choking, pulling hair, hitting, punching, kicking, sexual intimidation, joking and insults) and have the phone numbers for several groups that can help people in domestic violence situations. For information on the posters, call 487-6783 or 994-1029.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo