Happy birthday to a couple of perfect examples

The month of March has often received bad press – just think of “The Ides of March” or “March comes in like a lion,” but the positive side for me is that two of my heroes were born this month: Retired Judge Ben McInturff, honored in the legal community and beloved throughout Spokane, and the indomitable Eva Lassman, a Holocaust survivor, who has received an honorary doctorate from Gonzaga University for her commitment to the Spokane community.

For more than 80 years, they have each enriched the lives of those around them and set an example of dedication and generosity of spirit.

‘Mature Travelers’ hit the road

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the second highest volume of all travel in the United States is being done by “mature travelers,” defined as those of us over 55 years of age.

In 1955, Overseas Adventure Travel Company took 3,050 people on adventure vacations; in 2004, that number grew to 26,000. Companies are now tailoring trips to more than 90 countries, including exotic spots like Mongolia, Zimbabwe and Patagonia. Older people have always been a part of the travel market but as the baby boomers reach maturity, there is increased demand for more exotic and action-oriented trips. Mt. Kilimanjaro through trifocals… makes you wonder what will be next?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch …

There is a new Web site which lets you view the world through a window. www.lappareil.com/window puts you at the Window Standpoint Series which is the work of a group of French artists who asked friends from around the world to film the view from their own windows.

So, it is now possible to see and hear countries all over the globe, and it’s really fun. I suggest you skip Dubrovnik – quite realistically depressing – and click on London in the rain. These are 30-second vacations, quite literally, your own window on the world.

The calendar is filling up

International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Tuesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Women’s Club, on Ninth Avenue and Walnut. Everyone is invited to this international program on “The Struggle and the Hope.” For information call (509) 326-1190, ext. 132.

The 8th Annual Community Congress on Race Relations is Wednesday, March 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lair, Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene Street. Presenters from Los Angeles and local community leaders will spend the day understanding “Responsible Freedom: Working Across Cultures.” The event is free and lunch is available with a $5 donation. To register, call 623-2050.

I hope you can make it to these events and the many others which bring us together as a community. In the words of Maya Angelou:

Now if you listen closely

I’ll tell you what I know.

Storm clouds are gathering

The wind is gonna blow.

The race of man is suffering

And I can hear the moan,

Cause nobody,

But nobody

Can make it out here alone.