Three-Day Adoption Conference Will Include Overview Session

For those considering adoption or who work in an adoption-related field, Adoption Innovators and Spokane Consultants in Family Living have planned a conference.

“Serving Children of Adoption in the 21st Century” will be Wednesday through Friday at The Ridpath Hotel, 515 W. Sprague.

The presentation, “You Can Adopt,” Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., “is an opportunity to ask everything you wanted to know about adoption but were reluctant to ask,” says Nancy Johnson of Spokane Consultants in Family Living.

“This is an emotionally charged subject. We want to give people information, since information is power.”

Those wanting to explore adoption are encouraged to attend for an overview, including current trends.

Admission to Wednesday’s session is $10, either through preregistration or at the door.

Thursday and Friday’s events begin at 9 each morning with a keynote speaker, followed by a variety of workshops until 4 p.m. Lunch is included.

On Thursday, Dr. Ken Magid will speak on “Attachment Brain Issues with Children in Foster Care and Adoption.” Workshops that day include open adoption, special-needs children and legal safeguards.

Robin Blair Parker will discuss “Open Adoption as a Blended Family” on Friday, followed by workshops on “Designing Rituals in Adoption and Foster Care,” “Repeating the Adoption Cycle” and “Developing and Maintaining Healthy Bonds in Open Adoption Relationships.”

Registration for the two-day conference is $150, which includes lunches. Participants may attend the first night only or the entire conference. Some discount rates are available.

To register or for more information, call 328-6274.

Kids events

Thursday is the last day to view the Crosswalk Youth Art exhibit at the Spokane Art School, 920 N. Howard, featuring murals and paintings by Tom O’Day’s art students.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 328-0900.

Spokane Falls Community College will host a math and science careers conference, “Expanding Your Horizons,” Saturday at SFCC, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. The annual event offers sixth- through 12th-grade girls, their parents and teachers the opportunity to meet Spokane-area career women.

Students can also participate in hands-on demonstrations related to various careers.

For further information, call 245-3518.

The American Cancer Society is accepting applications for Camp Goodtimes’ summer session, June 22-28.

Camp Goodtimes is an overnight camp for children with cancer, where they are made to feel normal, not different or sick.

All ambulatory children, 7 to 17 years old, with a history of cancer are eligible, even if they are receiving treatment. Their siblings are also welcome.

Events include canoeing, swimming, hiking, fishing, outdoor games, and arts and crafts.

The camp, with 24-hour medical supervision, is at Camp Reed on Fan Lake, north of Spokane. It is free, sponsored through donations to the American Cancer Society.

For more information and applications, call the American Cancer Society, 326-5802.

Volunteers

Project Joy, a senior cultural service program that entertains at convalescent centers, retirement apartments, and fraternal and civic organizations, needs volunteers.

Wanted are people to play in the kitchen band, conduct puppet shows, sing with the Joyettes and Minstrels choruses, play with the orchestra, be a clown, strum a guitar or perform in vocal and piano acts.

Project Joy, for those 50 and older, is sponsored by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, call Lorna Nollette, 535-0584.

Rent a retreat

Camp Reed, YMCA’S camping facility on Fan Lake, is available for groups to rent during spring and fall months. Flexible rates and camping events are coordinated to meet a group’s goals.

The 560-wooded acres are ideal for family reunions, team-building retreats, environmental education seminars, board training weekends or church groups.

Accommodations include cabins amid the evergreens that house groups from 50 to 250. Bathrooms, with showering facilities, are located near the cabins.

Hot meals, prepared by seasonal chefs, are served in a dining lodge.

The camp also includes a fully equipped waterfront and swimming area, sports complex, arts and crafts area, archery range and an Adventure Ropes Course.

For information on rates and availability, call Brad Rupp, 838-3577.

Health events

Make plans to attend the next Marriage Encounter Weekend, April 18-20, at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.

Married couples of all faiths are taught to add romance, excitement and depth to their relationships at the retreat sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a nonprofit organization of the Catholic Church.

All ages are invited for an opportunity to improve communication skills and enjoy spiritual renewal.

To register, call 484-LOVE.

An afternoon health seminar, “The Best Treatment for Varicose Veins,” will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 268 at the Deaconess Health and Education Center, 910 W. Fifth.

Dr. Edward Gould, of the Northwest Vein Center, will discuss the latest information regarding varicose veins and new treatment options. The seminar is sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center Community Programs.

Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. Cost is $5, and preregistration is required.

Call 744-7666.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Women’s group chapter forms A new Coeur d’Alene chapter of Women of Vision and Action, a global women’s group, has scheduled a luncheon for Saturday at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. The group, a network of women around the world working to create a peaceful, harmonious planet, is not affiliated with any religious, political or social group. It’s open to all women. The luncheon, which costs $15, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations must be received by Monday. For more information, call (208) 772-2816 or (208) 664-2029.