Astronaut Michael Anderson statue to be unveiled today

A memorial bronze statue of the late Columbia space shuttle astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson will be unveiled today at 2 p.m. in the breezeway between the Spokane Opera House and Convention Center.

The larger-than-life-sized statue by Spokane sculptor Dorothy Fowler will be visible from the Lilac Meadow in Riverfront Park. Plans call for it to be placed later at a new science center in the park dedicated to Anderson.

Anderson, a 1977 Cheney High School graduate, was one of seven astronauts who died when the Columbia disintegrated during its re-entry from space on Feb. 1, 2003.

His family will be present for the unveiling along with representatives of NASA. The public is encouraged to attend the free event.

Moscow writing party

“Freewriting without a Net/The Writing Party,” a community creative writing extravaganza, will be Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Moscow (Idaho) City Hall, 206 E. Third St., in conjunction with Artwalk 2005.

Local writers Judy Sobeloff, Jyotsna Sreenivasan and Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum will compose spontaneous pieces in response to topics given them by Artwalk attendees. Attendees also can do spontaneous freewriting of their own and will be invited to add a line to a community poem in chalk on the sidewalk (or on paper inside the building, in case of bad weather).

For more information, call (208) 882-6655.

Classes and workshops

Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave., is offering the following children’s classes, sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, the week of June 20. Preregistration is required by calling 625-6200.

Integrating Math and Art Camp for ages 6-11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $89; Music and More for ages 3-5, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $21; Basic Drawing for ages 6-11, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $21; Paint Potpourri for ages 3-5, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $21; Mask Making for ages 6-11, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $21; Insect World for ages 3-5, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $21; Clay and Construction for ages 3-5, 1:30-2:30 p.m., $21; and Tie Dyeing for ages 6-11, 1:30-2:30 p.m., $21.

A bag lunch is available between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for $5.