Voices

There is a certain commonality in the American immigrant experience, no matter where you came from. Or where your people came from way back when. Go back far enough and we’re pretty much all immigrants to America.

After 18 years, Monarch Arts has undergone a nearly two-year transformation process similar to that of the Monarch butterfly after which it’s named, and is re-emerging as a rich resource to older artists, as well as the community as a whole, said Marian Herzer, a longtime arts advocate.

Spokane Public Schools is implementing Z Pass, a program which checks students on and off school buses. Parents can then see on their cellphones where their children last were.

Ken and Carol Fuller have been the organist and pianist at First Church of the Nazarene for their entire married life.

Showing support: Supporters of Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich hold a rally Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in front of the Spokane Valley City Hall before a council meeting. Knezovich is not up for election but has recently called on area Republicans to withdraw their support from state Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, after Shea accused Knezovich of covering up information related to a triple murder and arson in north Spokane last year. The Facebook group, We Support Sheriff Ozzie, formed in response to those allegations.

Sweet Pea is available for adoption at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service. Shelter workers say she loves to cuddle and is very much a couch potato. They say she’d do best in a home with a quiet, gentle owner. Refer to the pet’s ID number when contacting SCRAPS with questions about one of the adoptable pets. If you are interested in this dog or any animal at SCRAPS, call (509) 477-2532 or come by the shelter 6815 E. Trent Ave. in Spokane Valley. Dog adoptions are $87.04 and include spay or neuter, first set of vaccinations, health check, microchip and first year’s license.

The Pullman effort is evidence of just how far Wright has come in his development as a quarterback. He saw his first action with the West Valley varsity a year ago, dividing time with the junior varsity.

It’s peak apple season and across the area a large crop is weighing down neighborhood trees. At the Resurrection Community Garden behind the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on East Eighth Avenue in Spokane Valley, about a dozen old apple trees are reminders of Spokane Valley’s history as a an orchard and vegetable farming town.

A first-team All Greater Spokane League selection as a sophomore, junior Rachael Schlect is a key member of the Titans’ new leadership.

Spokane Valley Public Works Director Eric Guth gave a brief city hall construction update to the city council Tuesday evening.

When Megan Stokke considered possible wedding gifts for her fiance Kalen Abbott, there was only one possible choice, even though that gift may prove impossible to find. She wanted to give him his grandfather’s rifle – the rifle he used during the Korean War while serving in the Marine Corps in a Force Recon company.

Spokane Valley residents near North Barker Road and East Sprague Avenue have been going door to door, handing out fliers alerting the neighborhood to how a proposed zoning change could turn a cow pasture into an apartment complex. “I don’t understand why we are here again,” said Stephanie Colombo, during the first public hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan at last week’s Spokane Valley Planning Commission meeting. “It’s a goal of this plan to maintain the integrity of the neighborhoods. This does not match our neighborhood.”

If there’s one remark guaranteed to rain down the wrath of Mom upon my sons, it’s when one of them says to the other, “Don’t be such a girl!”

Young couples at Whitworth University who wanted a little privacy back in the 1930s would make their way through the woods at the north end of campus, referred to at the time as the Back 40, to a bent ponderosa pine tree and sit there “to spoon.”