In brief: EWU powwow marks 40th year

The American Indian Studies Program at Eastern Washington University celebrates its 40th anniversary with the annual Spirit of the Eagle Powwow on Friday and Satuday beginning at 1 p.m. and a series of events for alumni May 15 and 16.

The free event sponsored by the Native American Students Association will be at Reese Court and is expected to draw some 600 people including tribal members from Canada, Montana and the Southwest, including Hopi traditional dancers from Arizona.

There will be traditional dancing, singing and drumming along with Indian tacos and vendors selling artwork, crafts and clothing. The students will present a free salmon dinner on Saturday at 5 p.m., during which there will be dances presented by other ethnic clubs from campus, including Hawaiian and Polynesian clubs and the African Alliance.

“This is not traditional at a powwow, by any means, but we want to include the diversity from our campus in this celebration,” Garcia said.

– From staff reports

Downtown

Gala honors Miss Teen

The Miss Spokane Teen Scholarship Organization will hold a wardrobe showing and a good luck reception for McKenzi Novell, the 2008 Miss Spokane’s Outstanding Teen, Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Glen Dow Academy, 309 W. Riverside.

The evening will include jewelry for sale from Cookie Lee, and refreshments will be served.

It will also be an opportunity to see Novell’s wardrobe for the state competition Memorial Day weekend.

The cost to attend is $5.

For more information, call 466-8593.

– Lisa Leinberger

Spokane County

St. George’s offers tours of campus

The campus of St. George’s School at 2929 Waikiki Road will host a tour on Saturday and Sunday of historic homes with landscapes designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Mass. It is one of four sites open across Spokane for the 19th annual Mother’s Day historic home tour through the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

Tour run from noon to 4 p.m. both days. The event is sponsored by the museum’s Historic Preservation Committee.

Tickets are available in advance from the MAC office, 2316 W. First Ave., or during the tour at St. George’s or at 2124 S. Rockwood Blvd. Access to the Rockwood address is gained from the adjacent Plateau Road. The cost is $10 for museum members and $15 for non-members.

The Olmsted landscapes were chosen for the tour in recognition of the 100 years since the design firm completed a report and design for the Spokane parks system in 1908.

– Mike Prager

Upriver Dam

Electric plant will hold open house

The city of Spokane is hosting an open house for the public through Friday at its Upriver Water and Hydro Electric Facility, 2701 N. Waterworks St., in honor of National Drinking Water Week.

Members of the public can see the facility and its historic brick well with crystal clear water from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for citizens to come and see what vital role water plays in our daily lives,” says Frank Triplett, the city’s Water Department director.

– From staff reports