Free swimming at closing pools

Thu., July 31, 2008

Spokane has scheduled free swimming for the last day demolition-bound pools are open.

The two-hour event is the Spokane Park Board’s way of thanking “the community for its support during the transition from this year’s much-used pools to the brand new pools that will greet swimmers in 2009,” said Nancy Goodspeed, city parks and recreation spokeswoman.

The swims are 2 to 4 p.m. at the following locations and varying days: A.M. Cannon on Saturday; Hillyard and Comstock on Aug. 16; and Liberty and Witter on Aug. 23.

“And we haven’t forgotten our four-legged friends who are important members of so many families,” Goodspeed said.

The Doggie Dip is planned for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Hillyard Pool, Goodspeed said. People must bring dogs on leashes and provide proof of current vaccinations. Small and medium dogs can swim during the first hour, and large dogs are welcome during the second hour.

Hillyard

Hillyard Festival starts Friday

This year’s Hillyard Festival begins on Friday at 11 a.m. and will continue through 5 p.m. Sunday with a Hi-Jinks Parade through Hillyard at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The parade on Market Street starts two blocks north of Wellesley Avenue and will end at Sharpley-Harmon Park, the center of festival events.

The Hillyard Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The festival will also include a midway, beer garden, vendors, food and craft booths. A pancake breakfast is set for 7 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Lutheran Church at Regal Street and Wellesley.

The festival was previously known as Jim Hill Days in honor of the railroad tycoon who brought the Great Northern Railway yard to the former town of Hillyard, which was named after him.

– Mike Prager

Spokane

Groundbreaking at North Y

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest and the YWCA of Spokane will break ground on their North Y facility, at 10727 N. Newport Highway, on Saturday at 10 a.m. This is the second significant benchmark in a $40.5 million capital campaign to build two new YMCA’s and YWCA’s in Spokane.

The organizations broke ground on their new central location in fall of 2007. That building is currently being constructed at 930 N. Monroe St. The completion and opening of both locations is planned for spring 2009.

For more information call Trish McFarland at 326-1190, ext. 116 or e-mail trishm@ywcaspokane.org.

– From staff reports

Spokane

Sheriff seeks reserve deputies

The Spokane County Sheriff’s office is seeking applicants to fill numerous vacant positions in the sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Program.

Reserve deputies perform much of the duties of regular deputy sheriffs, but on a volunteer basis.

Applicants must be 21 and a U.S. citizen, must be a high school graduate or GED equivalent, must be able to read and write English and must pass a thorough background review which includes an integrity interview and oral boards. And, for the first time, applicants must pass physical ability requirements, including a 300-meter sprint in less than 71 seconds, 21 push-ups, 25 sit-ups within one minute and a 1.5-mile run in under 14 and a half minutes.

The fitness ability test is scheduled on Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. at Spokane Community College, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd. The next Reserve Academy will start in January or February 2009.

Persons interested in the Reserve Deputy Program or for more information contact Lt. Steve Jones at 477-3355 or Deputy John Oliphant at 477-3211.

– From staff reports

East Central

Business group holds party

In conjunction with the National Night Out Against Crime, the East Sprague Business Association will hold its own party on Pittsburg Street, just south of Sprague Avenue Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The party will include the unveiling of a new community mural which was made through a partnership with the Spokane Falls Art Club. Information about the Keystone district and East Sprague corridor will be available at the party, as will representatives from Neighborhood Business Centers, One World Everybody Eats, local business owners, members of the Spokane City Council and Mayor Mary Verner.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 251-0156.

– Lisa Leinberger

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