South Perry Blog soon putting up posters

Coming up on the South Perry Blog: Soon two neighbors will hold the keys to the blog and begin posting about what’s really going on. Stay tuned for introductions.

Also, proceeds from this year’s fair and parade will be donated to local charities within the next week – the blog will be there when the big checks are handed over.

It is farmers market day today from 3-7 p.m. Look for me at The Shop from 3-5 p.m. come in and say hello.

Saturday’s free outdoor movie is “The Empire Strikes Back” from 1980. Bring your own chairs; show starts at dusk.

The blog is still looking for active Block Watch groups – if you belong to one in the South Perry neighborhood, please e-mail piah@spokesman.com.

Posted on Aug. 16: Emmaus Church is moving into 1317 E. 12th Ave. – just off Perry Street. Pastor David Von said the congregation has been working hard to get ready for its first service on Sept. 12 at 10:03 a.m.

“We have spent a lot of time getting the place into shape, after we recently purchased the building,” said Von. The church is a plant from New Community, a nondenominational church currently at Hamilton and Trent.

Why 10:03 a.m.? Von laughs: “I spent a lot of time as a youth pastor and I know an unusual time will make it easier for people to remember when the service starts.” Von explains that it’s the church’s goal to create a community of people who will serve and give in the Perry area. “One of the things we’d like to do is hang local art in the church, and we’re looking for artists in the Perry District,” said Von. “We’d be open to hosting a show and it’s okay with us if there are price tags on the paintings.” Interested artists can contact Von via e-mail at david@emmaus spokane.com.

Posted on Aug. 11: It was quite a party at Odyssey Tuesday evening. At 5 p.m. friends, youth and supporters began piling in for cake and snacks, visits and hugs.

Odyssey’s mission statement is to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their allies, friends and families – and to provide a safe place for them to meet and grow.

Carla Savalli, the center’s executive director, said the Perry Street neighborhood has been warm and welcoming to the center and to the youth.

“It’s just been a great match for us here,” Savalli said, while giving a short tour of the center. “The neighborhood is a little eclectic and our youth feel really safe here.”

One young woman, Evelyn, who’s a high school junior, said she found Odyssey about a year ago after moving to Spokane from Alabama.

“I Googled youth center and this was the first that came up. My dad just drove me and abandoned me here,” she said, smiling. “It’s at great place and it’s nice to be around people who are like me.”

She said Odyssey has helped make her move to Spokane smoother in everyway.

“My favorite thing here is all-ages night, when the younger and older groups here come together and socialize,” said Evelyn. “It’s good to be mentored by the older youth.”

Odyssey is a nonprofit organization, and it has just launched a new fundraising program: Power of 10.

“The name is based on the fact that one in 10 people is gay,” said Kelly Lerner, who is chair of Odyssey’s board and calls herself “not the landlord, but the land-lesbian” because Odyssey rents its offices from her.

Lerner explains that if Odyssey can get 1,000 people to each give $10 every month, that meets the center’s basic funding needs.

“It’s one martini or two cups of fancy coffee a month. We think people can do that,” Lerner said, adding that at this point Power of 10 takes in about $500 a month. “You can sign up on our website or use PayPal or your credit card – whatever works for you.”

And soon the place was full of people milling around the two-story center.

“I don’t think we’ve had an open house like this before,” said Evelyn, eyeing all the visitors. “This feels great.”

Posted on Aug. 9: When I posted here for the first time on April 30 I wasn’t sure exactly how the blog would shape up or how frequently I’d be able to post (as I continue to write for the paper-newspaper) but things have worked out great. I’ve heard from lots of readers and gotten to know many people in my little neighborhood. The South Perry Blog also has picked up a fan in Phoenix (hi, Tom!) who took time to come in and chat with me one Thursday morning when he was in town. Of course the blog has gathered mostly local fans and Facebook friends – thanks to all of you for checking in and cyberlinking and tweeting and all that – I couldn’t do it without you. So now it’s time to take it to the next level: how would you like a key to the South Perry Blog?

I’m looking for a handful of people in the South Perry Neighborhood who would be interested in posting here on a regular basis. I know you are out there and I know you have opinions and dreams and plans for our neighborhood – if you’d like the opportunity to post once or twice a week, send me a note at piah@spokesman.com.

A friend of this blog often laments that mainstream media isn’t stimulating a community conversation about important issues, trends and ideas – well, here’s your chance.

Of course there are guidelines to go over and all that – but drop me a line if you are at all interested and live in the Perry neighborhood.