Festivities Will Note Law Firm’s Donation Of Sundial On Trail

“In the middle of everything is the sun,” said 16th-century astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. The sun and its journey across the sky has fascinated mankind for centuries.

Early astronomers improved their techniques to gauge time by tracing the sun’s shadow, which influenced modern sundials that can measure time at nearly any latitude on Earth.

Spokane residents will soon have a sundial to call their own.

On Saturday, the international law firm of Preston Gates & Ellis will host a Family Sundial Celebration to present its gift of an interactive sundial to the city.

The public is invited to the free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Festivities will be adjacent to the Centennial Trail, near the Spokane River.

The sundial represents the law firm’s commitment to Spokane, a community named “Children of the Sun.”

“We wanted to make a contribution to the community that everyone could explore and enjoy for many years to come,” said Craig Trueblood, managing partner of the company’s Spokane office.

The family celebration will feature crafts, food and entertainment. At noon, Mayor Jack Geraghty will speak at the dedication ceremony, and representatives from the Spokane Tribe of Indians will perform a traditional Native American dance.

There will be clowns, face painting, Juggler’s Review performers, and music by the Dixie Dandies and Big Rock Fiddlers.

The Children’s Museum of Spokane will provide children the opportunity to create their own minisundials and sponge-paint commemorative sun visors. A food vendor will offer hot dogs, drinks and snacks.

The sundial, designed by local inventor Timothy Cunninghamm, is permanently located on the Centennial Trail near SIRTI.

Crisis nursery phonathon

The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery’s annual “phonathon” is Monday through Wednesday, raising funds to enable the non-profit organization to continue helping children in crisis.

In its 10th year, the crisis nursery works to prevent child abuse and neglect while providing respite care for children and support to their families. The nursery is funded entirely through community donations.

Hundreds of volunteers will help with the three-night phonathon, and Washington Water Power Co. has donated its facility for the event. On Saturday, KHQ-TV, Channel 6, will join the fund-raising efforts with a call-in telethon during its 7-10 a.m. news program.

Organizers hope to raise $90,000, one quarter of the nursery’s annual budget.

“We’re confident the Spokane community will enable us to do this,” said Sue Manfred, executive director.

For more information on the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, call 535-3155.

Girl Scout membership drive

Girls ages 5 to 17 are invited to join Girl Scouts, a service organization offering a chance to make friends, develop leadership skills and work in the community through service projects.

Membership is $7 a year, which provides opportunities for camping, outdoor adventures, computers, drama, dance and more.

Adults are invited to serve as Girl Scout leaders, consultants and guest speakers.

For more information, or to register, call 747-8091.

Health notes

On Thursday, learn about marital discord and possible resolutions at the Health at the Heart Forum sponsored by Group Health Northwest, Rockwood Clinic and Sacred Heart Medical Center.

“How Do Marriages Get into Trouble, and What to do About It” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ferris High School auditorium.

University of Washington Associate Professor Johan Verhulst will discuss symptoms of a troubled marriage, indications when outside help is needed and expectations of therapy or counseling.

The program is free, but reservations are requested. Call 455-3202.

Kudos

Congratulations to Carolyn Jones-Morrison, recipient of the Jean Harris Award presented by Rotary International.

The annual award, named for the Rotary founder’s wife, is given to a non-Rotarian woman whose efforts in a community provide enduring benefit and serve an urgent need.

Fifty-three area Rotary groups selected Jones-Morrison for her activism on behalf of victims of domestic violence.

“Carolyn is a tireless advocate for those whose voices are silenced through fear and intimidation,” said Mary Ann Jurgensen, president-elect of Aurora Northwest Rotary. “She is an outspoken, caring community activist who is not afraid to challenge the system when needed.”

For four years, Jones-Morrison worked at the YWCA on various issues of domestic violence. She was instrumental in creating a judicial response to domestic violence, with the cooperation of social service and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and receive treatment.

Jones-Morrison now operates her own business, Domestic Violence Consultation Services, providing domestic violence education and expert testimony on victim and perpetrator issues.

, DataTimes MEMO: Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.

This sidebar appeared with the story: GOLF TO BENEFIT CANCER RESEARCH Some 100,000 women across the country will play a round of golf on Tuesday and Wednesday to help find a cure for cancer. Locally, 50 women are expected to participate in “Rally for a Cure,” sponsored by Golf for Women Magazine, at Downriver Municipal Golf Course. It’s all to help fund research in a crusade to fight cancer. Money raised benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, based in Dallas. As part of the event, a closest-to-the-pin contest will be held at a designated par-3 hole, said Ruth Hensley, spokeswoman. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between 35 and 54 and accounts for more than 75 percent of all cancer deaths in women 55 and older. For more information, call Hensley at 327-1965.