Letters To The Editor

Thu., Dec. 7, 2000

Information needed

I too enjoyed the article concerning Joe Breckenridge (Nov. 25 Valley Voice) and read it with particular interest, as I have been doing genealogy on his family.

I am interested in any stories, articles, and any information on his paintings, etc.

I have had contact with members of his family, including his daughter, and have been able to unite some of the family that had no idea where each other were or, in some cases, didn’t know each other existed.

I have been trying to find the article that featured Joe in the Life magazine as the fastest painter.

I’m sure there must be numerous people out there who could add to my research. Virginia Breckenridge Veradale

Painting is special

Thank you for the delightful and very informative article on Joe Breckenridge (Nov. 25 Valley Voice).

I am one of the lucky people who have a Breckenridge.

I knew it was special from the day I got it at Wild Bill’s.

I will never forget the day some friends and I sat in the dirty tavern with sawdust on the floor and watched Joe do one painting after the other.

He had several to choose from or he would paint one while you watched.

I opted to watch my masterpiece being painted.

I have carried that painting with me all over the West Coast for over 30 years and it has always been displayed somewhere in my home.

Sometimes I have hung it in the bedroom or hallway.

Now that I realize I have such a rare and precious piece of art, it will be hanging only in my living room.

Your article gave me the background on Joe that I never realized.

Isn’t it a shame that someone with that kind of talent was not able to attain commercial success. But he was a success to me and I have enjoyed my Joe Breckenridge for many years. Patricia A. Foberg Spokane

Good riddance to HOV

I am very happy to see that the HOV lane on Sprague Avenue is going to be removed (Nov. 30 Valley Voice).

I’ve seen enough confused drivers just trying to remember that Sprague is now a one-way street. Another dangerous situation exists from still being able to see the old lane paint markings at night.

This situation is especially bad when it’s raining at night. If they’re going to grind off the HOV lane markings, they should also use the same opportunity to grind off the old lane markings too.

Painting over these markings is not working. Jeff Danner Spokane

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.