Bike race zips through Cheney Saturday

If basketball isn’t your bag, stay clear of Spokane’s Hoopfest this weekend and check out the Washington State Masters Criterium Championships in Cheney.

The criterium – a bicycle circuit race held on a small, closed course – is sponsored by the Spokane Regional Sports Commission and will feature 200 cyclists in a fast-paced chase through town on Saturday.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a mile course winding through downtown Cheney and the surrounding historic neighborhood. Racers will do laps around the course for 30 minutes to an hour and then sprint for the finish on the last lap. Masters and junior categories will compete and a children’s race will also be featured.

Suzanne Boyce, director of public relations for the sports commission, said the best place to watch will be along Second Avenue near the start/finish line, although anywhere along the course should offer a view. She estimates anywhere from 600 to 1,000 spectators will be there.

“We’re looking forward to working with the city of Cheney,” Boyce said. “It’s really been a refreshing experience and we’re looking into the possibility of an annual cycling event there.”

For details and a map of the course, visit www.spokanesports.org.

‘Safe-and-sane’ OK July 4

For the past 16 years, fireworks have been banned in most of Spokane County, including Spokane and Cheney. Airway Heights and Medical Lake, however, allow state-sanctioned fireworks within the city limits on July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. These “safe-and-sane” fireworks are those that don’t fly through the air or explode. Bottle rockets and firecrackers are illegal and will be confiscated and subject to citation in both jurisdictions.

Library hosts teen contest

What do garbage bags and fabric store trimmings have to do with reading? As part of the Spokane County Library District’s “Be Creative at Your Library” Summer Reading program, the Airway Heights branch will host Project Runway next Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Teens in sixth grade and older can model their own fashion statements created from a variety of provided materials.

Teens don’t have to sign up for the reading program in order to participate but they’re encouraged to join the competition, which requires the completion of 15 books by fall. Beth Gilespie, communications specialist for the Spokane County Library District, said about 3,000 youth finished the program last year, which translates to nearly 46,000 books read.

“Activities like this are intended to underscore creativity, whether it’s making something, singing or dancing,” she said.

For more information, call the Airway Heights Library at (509) 893-8250

Teen swim at Cheney pool

As summer starts, the masses are heading to Cheney’s outdoor pool, 711 Cedar St. Supervisor Joe Kreilkamp said the pool has been busy since opening day June 12, when there were about 300 people lined up to cool down.

Open through the end of August, the pool offers swim lessons for children and adults as well as numerous classes and family swim times. The second session for swim lessons begins Monday. Open pool times are from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday nights.

A teen swim will also be offered Tuesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. for ages 12 to 18. During that session, Kreilkamp said rules will be a bit more relaxed regarding things like back flips for daring divers.

Fees are $2.25 for open swim, $1.50 for adult lap swim or teen swim and $3 for a family of up to five people during family swim.

For more information, call (509) 235-6911.

Concerts at Sutton Park

Cheney’s Sutton Park will host a series of summer concerts beginning July 9 with the Country-Western musician Rodeo Roger. The concerts will be Wednesdays through Aug. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and will feature everything from rockabilly to early-era swing jazz.

For a lineup of performing artists, visit www.cityofcheney.org.