Dogs get their day at downtown Cheney festival
Dozens of dogs and their owners are invited to flood downtown Cheney at the Farmers’ Market on Friday. The “Dog Days” festival has invited a troupe of dancing and barking dogs that entertains audiences under the name “The Ruff Review” at 11:30 a.m. People can bring in their own canines to frolic in the dog parade at noon.
On the roster, but possibly not yet set in stone, is the owner and dog dress-alike contest.
“I don’t know how many people are going to show up bragging they look like a dog,” said Spencer Grainger, the interim executive director of Pathways to Progress, which is hosting the event. “But I am encouraging people to show up – if anything they’ll put the dog in the outfit they’re wearing for the day.”
Pathways to Progress will give away visits to the vet and grooming supplies for all your canine needs.
Bobbing for wieners is another festival event where – you guessed it – dogs dip into a bucket of water for a hot dog.
And lastly, there is a chance of several representatives from Spokane animal shelters coming down to give out information on pets and possibly advertise animals up for adoption.
For more information, call Pathways to Progress at 559-5818.
Bike trails a possibility
Bike trails connecting Airway Heights to Spokane, Cheney and Medical Lake may one day be an option for Airway Heights. City officials are rewriting the city’s comprehensive plan and are including wording that would one day allow for extensive bike trails to run between city parks and other cities.
The move came after Spokane received funding to blaze larger trails through their own back-city regions. If Spokane begins to have longer, intercity bike trails, the possibility of connecting these trails with the West Plains is important.
“We’re piggybacking on the rest of the region’s developing plan,” said city planner Ian Horlacher.
Also, as gas prices continue to rise, people may be turning more and more to biking. Including room for larger trails over the next 20 years is a priority, Horlacher said.
Preschool opens
A preschool based out of Spokane community colleges has opened in Cheney’s Wren Pierson building. They are taking applications for the upcoming school year, and student-parents can receive college credit for taking parenting classes at Spokane Falls Community College.
About 30 children a week are now attending the Cheney Co-operative Preschool. Parents can come and take classes alongside their child while also attending monthly parenting meetings.
“It’s usually parents that want to be involved in their child’s education,” said a preschool teacher facilitator.
For more information, call preschool staff at 251- 6725.