Voices

Saturday ANDREW and DEANNA WILSON (WESTERN/FOLK) – 11 a.m., Kootenai County Farmers' Market, Prairie Ave. and U.S. 95, Hayden, 772-2290.

In the "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" category, founder Ginger Cordes and her Coeur d'Alene Derby Dames received a rude reception at Spokane's annual Lilac Parade this month. Not from the appreciative veterans whom they were assigned to help. But from an angry Lilac Parade oafishal who confronted the young women on two occasions before eventually booting them out of the parade. In an e-mail to the Lilac Association and a phone conversation with Huckleberries Online, Ginger spelled out her displeasure with the poor treatment her fledgling roller derby team got. Seems the Derby Dames were recruited to help elderly vets who were to ride in various rigs along the parade route. About 15 of the 25 Derby Dames were involved in the parade. They were waiting at Riverfront Park to join the parade lineup when Uptight Parade Man raced up, tore their signs off a truck, and demanded that they leave. Possibly, he thought they were another team that'd caused problems in another Spokane parade. Later, according to Ginger, Uptight Parade Man returned and threatened to sic the cops on the CDA rollers after an Army sergeant and some Vietnam vets had replaced their signs and assured them that things were OK. This, despite the fact that one of the rollers served in the 801st Airborne Division. Now, Ginger is demanding a public apology from the Lilac Association and recompense for the $60 in signs destroyed by Upset Parade Man. Stay tuned. Blast from past

Johna Nelson's friend is an eight-year survivor of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the reason Nelson is an eight-year volunteer for Relay for Life of Kootenai County. "Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer," said Nelson, of Post Falls. "That event is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life."

Memorial Day weekend typically heralds the beginning of summer worship schedules at Spokane Valley churches, and this year is no different. The churches usually shift from two worship services each Sunday to one as vacations draw people out of town with increasing frequency. • Christ Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway Ave., will begin offering a combined worship service at 9:30 a.m. each week on Sunday. Sunday School classes will resume in the fall.

New listings Colfax High School Classes 1960 through 1969 – July 12, Palouse Empire Fairgrounds. Call (509) 397-2325 or e-mail corrinelowe@yahoo.com for information. Please send $35 by May 31.

For the week of May 26-30 Monday – Memorial Day. All sites will be closed today.

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. •Family needs a sofa and rocker/recliner chair. Contact T. Greene at CVSD Teen Parent Program, 228-4060.

We've been bamboozled! Despite cheering racetrack enthusiasts, Spokane Raceway Park, instead of super fun, is a state version of a superfund site. It's an unknown pit of debt and toxic cleanup.

For 05-24-2008

It's another case of weather extremes from one side of the country to the other. Here in the Inland Northwest, five days of very warm weather last week rapidly melted snow across area mountains, leading to widespread flooding. This occurred even with the below-normal precipitation we have seen so far this month. Previous months featured near-average precipitation, but colder-than-normal temperatures. The result was above-normal snowpack which had only experienced gradual melting until recently.

Former sheriff's deputy Joe Bodman wants to work in Kootenai County again, but this time as the man in charge. Bodman, 50, left the county in 2002 unhappy with how longtime Sheriff Rocky Watson was running the top law enforcement office and jail. He now is a Spokane County sheriff's deputy – a move that some Kootenai County deputies have made in what is known as the "exodus."

Valley Fire – Commissioners heard a report on the Savage Land Pizza arson investigation. Commissioners approved a revised version of an interlocal agreement with other local fire districts regarding an ambulance contract. (Source: Administrative director Debbie Cox) Fairfield City Council – A representative from the Conservation District spoke about water sampling and the Hangman Creek watershed. There was an update on the community center project. The bathrooms are expected to be done by Flag Day and energy efficient lights have been installed on the upper level. Council members will participate in the Flag Day parade. The town is in the early stages of a meter replacement project. (Source: Town clerk Mary Kinsey)

"Blast" which stands for Bayview Local Artists Show and Tell, looks to be just that. A really big show is planned for Saturday at the Bayview Community Center. Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this extravaganza is a biggie. Free to the public for viewing, there will be hourly raffles, with proceeds going to the Bayview Community Center. The center is on the north side of town across from the post office.