Teens Devote Spring Break To Building Homes
Melting snow and sunny skies last week provided hope of spring. And what is foremost in the minds of teenagers as spring approaches? The dilemma of where to spend that infamous week known as spring break.
A group of 90 Spokane students will not spend their break in leisure, migrating to sunny California or the Oregon Coast. They will not sleep late into the morning or hang out with friends at the mall.
Instead, they will be in Tijuana, Mexico, hard at work, building nine homes for homeless families or those without adequate shelter.
And, after each day of working up a sweat, these students from First Presbyterian Church will be given a half bucket of water to wash off the dirt and grime.
They and 26 adults from the church will live in Hogar de los Ninos Orphanage.
The group is spending the weeks until they leave studying the culture, acquiring basic language skills and becoming aware of health concerns for a safe and successful trip. They are also practicing the building techniques they will use on the job site.
And, they are raising funds to cover their cost of transportation, food and all construction materials to build the houses.
The major fund-raiser for the group’s mission trip will be an auction in the church’s fellowship hall and gym from 7 to 9 p.m. next Sunday.
Students are soliciting businesses and individuals for auction items, including specialty goods, handcrafts and services that will be combined into theme baskets. Bids start at $30.
For more information about the auction, or to make a donation, call the youth ministries office at 747-1058.
These boots are made for …
Cancer Patient Care, along with regional artists and galleries, will be represented at the Spokane Western Art Show and Auction Friday through next Sunday at the Ridpath Hotel and Executive Court.
A pair of custom, handmade McGlasson boots will be raffled, with proceeds benefiting low-income cancer patients. The $1 raffle tickets can be purchased at the Cancer Patient Care booth at the show or at its thrift store, 124 E. Trent.
The booth will also carry the works of visual, clothing and literary artists, including the recent award-winning book by Jack Nisbet, “Sources of the River.”
Show and auction hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday.
Wine and words
Pat Stein, a retired Whitworth College professor, will read poetry at the “Wine Tasting and Poetry for Connoisseurs” sponsored by the Spokane Area Council of the International Reading Association on Feb. 29.
The 5 to 7 p.m. event at Caterina Winery, 905 N. Washington, celebrates the group’s 30th anniversary.
The organization promotes literacy through Parent and Baby Literacy Motivation. Members donate books and reading material to young mothers at Crosswalk, hoping to emphasize the importance of reading to young children.
Party reservations are due Friday. For more information, contact Dianna Harvey at Deer Park Elementary, 276-6881, or Linda Lee at Bemis Elementary, 353-4476.
New YWCA board elected
Marsha DeFeyter, Mary Giannini, Paige George and Kathleen Smith have been elected to the YWCA board.
Seven women were also elected to the nominating committee: Mary Cameron, Mary Giannini, Susan Meyer, Maggie Montana, Marta Reyes-Lytle, Grace Millay Ott and Marilyn Thordarson.
Sally Pritchard continues as the YWCA’s president.
GU gets grant
Gonzaga University has received a grant through the AmeriCorps program and the Washington State Campus Compact for a full-time service-learning coordinator.
Debra Greenwood was hired to fill the position, which is contracted and funded through August 1996.
Greenwood will help place GU students in service-learning volunteer opportunities with Spokane-area nonprofit agencies. She will also develop additional service-learning opportunities with nonprofit agencies as well as find resources and support for GU faculty teaching related courses.
AmeriCorps, created in 1993 by President Clinton, allows people to earn educational benefits and experience through community service that addresses the nation’s educational, human, public safety and environmental needs.
“This grant will help the community by providing motivated, focused volunteers and it will help our students by providing hands-on applications of classroom concepts,” said Sima Thorpe, coordinator of Gonzaga’s volunteer services.
For more information, contact Greenwood or Thorpe at 328-4220, ext. 2224.
GU prof heads federal defenders
John Morey Maurice, Gonzaga University School of Law professor, has been elected president of the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho, a nonprofit community legal defender organization created under provisions of the Criminal Justice Act of 1964.
Through offices in Spokane, Yakima and Boise, the organization provides legal representation for federal criminal defendants who can’t afford private counsel.
Videos, recordings sale
KPBX-FM 91 will hold its sixth annual Recordings and Videos Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday at Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue, 110 E. Fourth.
New and used compact discs, records, video and audio tapes donated by local individuals and businesses will be sold. Recordings include classical, jazz, folk, blues, rock, opera, pop, comedy, books on tape and more.
All proceeds will benefit Spokane Public Radio.
Wallpaper featured
The Cheney Cowles Museum’s Wednesday Night Program Series this week will feature Argine and Bob Carter, owners of Mount Diablo Handprints in Benecia, Calif., which reproduces historic wallpapers.
The Carters will speak about the process of transferring artwork to printing screens, technologies used in printing and the use of samples that allows a client to check the pattern, color and gloss before giving final approval.
They will also discuss some of the historic home projects they have worked on.
The 7:30 p.m. program in the auditorium is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
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