In brief: Public pools opening Monday

Thu., June 12, 2008

The Spokesman-Review

Spokane’s five outdoor public swimming pools will open to the public on Monday and will continue on a six-day-a-week schedule through Aug. 22.

Open public swimming sessions at all of the pools are from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Family swims are held in the evenings. The morning hours are reserved for lessons, lap swims and team practices depending on the pools.

This is the last year that the existing pools will be used. A park bond measure approved in 2007 is bringing construction of six replacement pools starting late this summer. Completion is expected in time for the 2009 pool season.

The existing facilities are Witter Pool, East Mission Avenue and Upriver Drive; Liberty Pool, Fifth Avenue and Pittsburg Street; Hillyard Pool, Columbia Avenue and Market Street; Comstock Pool, 29th Avenue and Howard Street; and Cannon Pool, Maxwell Avenue and Elm Street.

Children 17 and under are free. Admission for adults is $2.

Arts Awards nominations open

An open call of nominations for the 17th annual City of Spokane Arts Awards was recently announced by the Spokane Arts Commission. The event will be held Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to nominate candidates for Individual Artist; Arts Organization; Arts in Education; Individual Benefactor; Business Benefactor; and Arts Community Leadership.

Nomination forms are available at www.spokanearts.org/awards.aspx, or at the Chase Gallery, located in the lower level of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Aug. 29 is the deadline to submit forms.

For more information, contact Karen Mobley at (509) 625-6079 or visit www.spokanearts.org.

Manito Park

Lilacs in full bloom

Cool June weather may not be good for some parts of the garden, but the lack of heat has put the lilac grove at Manito Park in peak condition. The lilac garden, located southwest of the duck pond in a cool clearing among tall pine trees, is a great place to visit right now.

Blooms on many of the lilacs were just starting to open last week. There are dozens of varieties in different shapes and sizes. The color and diversity of blooms are intriguing. Even some of the earlier varieties that were speeded up during a late-May heat wave still had some flowers.

The garden features several different species plants and varieties that are the result of cross-breeding, which is done extensively in lilac cultivation.

Spring plant sale Saturday

The Friends of Manito is holding its spring plant sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a cultivation area east of Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park.

The annual sale has been popular among gardeners for years and raises money for projects at Manito. This year, approximately 20,000 plants will be available.

Among the selections are multiseason and colorful plants for different planting situations. Also, there is a selection of drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, vines and some conifers and deciduous trees.

Holiday a good one for Riverfront

The rush of flood waters over the Spokane Falls brought a crash of cash to Riverfront Park over the Memorial Day holiday, parks officials reported.

Nearly 5,000 people boarded the Spokane Falls Skyride gondola, and the park took in a record for the three-day holiday of more than $100,000, according to a monthly report from the Parks and Recreation director.

– Mike Prager

Fairfield

Flag Day celebrated Saturday

The small town of Fairfield in south Spokane County will host its annual Flag Day celebration Saturday.

The day begins with a fun run beginning at 8 a.m. in Thiel Park, with late registration beginning at 7. A fireman’s breakfast will be served in the Community Center on Main Street from 7 to 9:30. A kiddie parade will begin at McNeil and Main at 10:30, followed by the grand parade down Main Street at 11.

Thiel Park will be the site of carnival games, live music, food, a beer garden and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be bingo and a FFA dinner in the Community Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. An adult dance will be held at the fire station from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

– Nina Culver

Spokane

Volunteers needed

The Ronald McDonald House is looking for volunteers to answer telephones, do some light housekeeping, and to assist staff and guests.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must pass a Washington State Patrol background check.

It is also hoped that volunteers commit to eight or more hours a month for at least six months.

For more information, call Debbie at 624-0500, or e-mail debbief@rmhspokane.org.

– Lisa Leinberger

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