Voices

USS Bradley (DE/FF-1041) – July 3-6, in Chicago. Contact Bruce Gottsch, 20 Crambrook Road, New York, NY 10956-4702; (845) 634-3993; e-mail bgottsch@verizon.net; or visit www.ussbradley.com or www.mlrsinc.com/bradley.

Portland-Vancouver based acoustic band Misty River will perform at the Trent Elementary School auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road, Friday at 7 p.m. Spokesperson for the band, Carol Harley was diagnosed with leukemia four years ago. She continues to travel with the band and part of the income Misty River makes helps pay for her medical bills.

Thursday "ALL SHOOK UP" (MUSCIAL) – 7:30 p.m., Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater, Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center, Coeur d'Alene, 769-7780.

The Adult Basic Education program at North Idaho College is in need of volunteers, available to work a minimum of two hours per week.

CHENEY – Cheney police are working overtime, so much so that the department's overtime budget is "out of whack," according to Cmdr. Rick Campbell. The department that has spent 63.6 percent of its overtime budget after only five months of the year, he said. Overtime accumulated during the snowstorm at the end of January doesn't count toward the overtime budget, since the work was billed through emergency funding, he said.

Post Falls will celebrate its own kind of independence this Fourth of July, breaking free from its bigger neighbors to the east and west and launching its first community fireworks show. While Coeur d'Alene and Spokane have always sponsored large fireworks displays, Post Falls has never before taken on the challenge.

The conversation regarding the purchase of Spokane Raceway Park by Spokane County has been watched closely by Spokane County taxpayers. Thus far, talk has been cheap and the facts have been loose. Many people have been quick to contribute their opinions regarding Spokane County's apparent successful bid to acquire 316 acres of Spokane Raceway Park, but few have taken the time to get the whole story or convey actual facts. The bottom line is that Spokane Raceway Park is about much more than motor sports and Spokane County commissioners made a very wise decision that will ultimately benefit county taxpayers.

Summer Youth Program at Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center – Day camps offered in nine one-week sessions beginning Sunday through Aug. 22 for grades K-6, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $160/session. Also offering watersports camps for grades 3-12, $295-$425; traditional camps for grades K-12, $190-$395; and family camp, $80-$165. Registration required two weeks prior to camp date, call for information. 687-1146 or visit www.twinlowcamp.org Weekly activities

New listings Newport High School Class of 1998 – July 26. Visit www.myspace.com/newport98reunion or contact Shelby Pearson at mizzpearson@hotmail.com or (509) 991-0487 for more information.

Mead Middle School teacher Don Story and his family aren't taking a typical vacation this summer. Leaving from Riverfront Park at 9 a.m. Thursday, Story will bike to Yorktown, Va. He and his wife have four children, ages 5, 10, 12 and 14. His two oldest will join him occasionally. The rest of the family will follow Story in an RV.

For the week of June 23-27 Monday – Swedish meatballs over pasta.

Do you want to see more faces of your favorite Spokane Valley sports teams? Now is your chance to get some publicity. We'd like to publish your team photos.

Hey, kids. You know that song you've been singing the past few days, "School's out for summer"? Well, your parents used to sing the same song every June (your teachers probably still do). It was recorded by a guy who called himself Alice Cooper and wore mascara (your grandparents didn't approve). He still performs, though he's nearly as ancient as Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger.

OLYMPIA – Bars and taverns "have bounced back strongly" from the hit they greatly feared when the state indoor public smoking ban took effect in Dec. 2005, according to the state Department of Revenue. As an industry, the average growth rate was actually stronger after the ban. According to tax reports, bars and taverns made 20 percent more in 2007 versus barely growing (0.3 percent) in 2006.

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The goal of Somebody Needs You is to match donors with the specific requests of needy Spokane residents. The list of requests is coordinated by the Volunteers of America in cooperation with recognized social service agencies in Spokane. If you have an item to donate, please contact the social service agency directly. Donors who can deliver items are especially appreciated. If someone you know needs help, contact a local social service agency provider.