Rockwood pillars need restoration, says panel

The Rockwood neighborhood pillars are in dire need of repair.

Rockwood Historic Committee chairwoman Marilyn Akerhielm said about $3,000 will be needed to restore the four pillars – two at the entrance to Rockwood Boulevard and two at the entrance to Highland Boulevard.

There’s less than $1,000 in the neighborhood’s pillar-repair fund.

“Something needs to be done soon. These pillars are an important part of our history,” Akerhielm siad.

They are almost 100 years old, with wood houses on top of rock pillars and reportedly were built by Kirtland Cutter, said Akerhielm.

The pillars originally were equipped with lights and built with openings for birds.

They would be repaired on the spot by using a cherry picker to reach the height and finished with an epoxy that would protect them for several more years.

Akerhielm said that in the past when repairs where done on Highland and Hatch, the neighborhood received help from the Spokane Parks Department. The group is asking for Parks Department help once again but hasn’t received a response yet.

But in the meantime, the Rockwood Historic Committee has come up with a way to raise money for the repairs. With the help of neighborhood businesses, the panel has printed a walking-tour map of the neighborhood’s National Historic District.

There are 65 homes built before 1919 listed in the National Historic District, and this map features 57 of the homes plus the history of the beginning of the neighborhood in 1908.

The full-size folded map also includes information on Olmsted-designed streets, the Hutton School, the pillars, the variety of trees, rock formations of the area and a history of the old rail line that serviced the area.

Two walking routes are included on the map, which sells for $12. Proceeds from map sales will go to the preservation of the pillars and other historic endeavors.

The maps may be purchased by calling the historic committee at 998-0926 or the city Office of Neighborhood Services at 625-6730.

SNAP provides energy assistance

With energy prices expected to increase 25 percent or more this winter, more Spokane County residents will be looking for help to keep warm.

Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs offers several programs that help low-income households and seniors with expenses by paying part of their heating costs.

There are several programs available, and each is funded differently, so the amount of assistance and rules for eligibility vary.

To schedule an energy assistance appointment, call 242-2376 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

Ron Hardin, SNAP development coordinator, suggests not using a cell phone to call, as the lines can be extremely busy.

“We get thousands and thousands of people calling,” he said. “We understand people’s frustration, but everyone can be assured that we are setting 600 appointments each week.”

Hardin said that SNAP officials are still waiting to see how much will be funded by the federal government, as it hasn’t come up with a budget yet, but in the meantime SNAP is working with Avista and using state money. He said there’s enough to fund through the first or second week of December.

Last year, SNAP distributed just under $4.5 million and helped 10,313 households in Spokane County with energy assistance. The average distribution was $433.

Meetings

• The Latah/Hangman Valley Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 tonight at Tidyman’s at Highway 195 and Cheney-Spokane Road.

• The Peaceful Valley Neighborhood Council will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Peaceful Valley Community Center, 214 N. Cedar St.

• The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave.

•The East Central Neighborhood Council will meet at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St.

• The Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood Council will not meet again until Jan. 12. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Roosevelt Elementary School, 333 W. 14th Ave.

• The Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood Council meeting date falls on Thanksgiving Day, so the group will have a combination November/December meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Wilson Elementary School, 911 W. 25th Ave.