Voices

You might not think so from the look of my yard or the road outside my house, but spring really will be here one day soon. The daylight hours are growing noticeably longer, and when the sun shines, what's left of the snow compacts a little more. All we need is a good chinook wind, and we'll be able to see grass again. The last time I saw it, the lawn was clear, still green. Bet it'll be brown as doggy doo at the next showing. Well, mine will for certain. It's had more than a month of two little dogs squatting on top the snow – and not liking it a bit.

Rising costs are prompting cuts to Central Valley's summer school program. Elementary students won't have a summer school option this year and middle school students will only be able to take language arts and math classes. Options for high school students will remain unchanged. All classes will be held at University High School.

By now you have a special March 11 election ballot for one of the most exciting and critical bond votes ever. Before the city of Spokane Valley was formed, the Spokane County Library District planned to build a larger library in the Valley. Plans stalled while the city considered privatizing library services but, when Valley citizens showed fierce support for them, the city chose to stay with the district.

After joining a fitness group led by personal trainer Jill Sheffels a year ago last February, Sprague, Wash., resident Audrey Lynn has lost 73 pounds and six dress sizes – one size away from her goal. The group members meet twice a week at Sprague High School for core and strength training exercises while working out individually the rest of the week. Along with Lynn, two other participants have lost more than 70 pounds.

Monday Millwood City Council – 7 p.m. at City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave.

Spokane Valley firefighters responded to 185 calls in the seven days that ended Wednesday, including a fire that caused an estimated $90,000 in damage to a house. Inspector Bill Clifford said investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire at 3303 N. Elton Road. He said the fire caused extensive damage in the bedroom where it started and burned undetected for an extended period.

University Elementary School teachers and staff will take on parents in donkey basketball Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be played in the Bowdish Middle School gymnasium, 2109 S. Skipworth Road. The event is a fundraiser for the University Elementary Parent Teacher Association.

'Responsibility to educate children belongs to all of us' My family and I have been members of the East Valley community for 29 years and I have been an employee for 17.

A small antiques store that showcases the owner's passion for refurbishing and reusing all things vintage has quickly become her three-dimensional canvas. Lifelong Spokane-area resident Brenda Buckingham opened Past Blessings in a small white building with a red metal roof along Dishman Mica Road Jan. 18.

Students and teachers at Pasadena Park Elementary are thrilled with their four new classrooms, music room and gym. Second-grade teacher Kristy Dahlin loves her new room, which has plenty of windows for natural light. "It's a larger room, which is very nice," she said. She also likes the new microphone system that allows her students to hear her. "I can turn my back and the kids can still hear me."

There is a slight tint of sorrow in the eyes of artist Ilse Killian-Tan. She grew up in a loving family in East Germany when communism was in full force. She called it an awful and confusing time. The politics affected her childhood, but art helped her through the trying times. "It's important to be in harmony with the universe and everything. When I'm out of sync I cannot be creative," she said, "I feel sorry for people who don't touch their creative side."

Valley Bible Church will host guest speaker Billie Palmer Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. She is a mother to 23 children – six biological and 17 adopted. All women are invited to attend her presentation. Those planning to attend are asked to make reservations by calling Julie at 926-7695. The church is at 3021 S. Sullivan Road.

Greg Hannan was disappointed. His Freeman Scotties had just lost their opening game of the state Class 1A boys high school basketball tournament. But the loss did nothing to diminish his pride in the way his team played.

For 03-01-2008

For the week of March 3-7 Monday – Lasagna, chef's tossed salad with dressing, vegetables, garlic breadstick, pineapple tidbits.

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.

Spokane Valley Mayor Rich Munson plans to lay the groundwork for a tax increase when he delivers his "state of the city" address Wednesday. The city, which will celebrate its fifth birthday on March 31, did well in 2007, but will need "revenue enhancement" if it is to maintain its streets properly, Munson said this week.

Students in the West Valley School District will have to make up the time lost to two snow days earlier this year, but how that will be done hasn't been decided. Board members voted to apply for a waiver for the days during a meeting Wednesday, but decided they wanted the students to make up the time somehow. Asking for the waiver allows the district flexibility in making the time up rather than forcing it to add two days to the end of the school year, said Superintendent Polly Crowley. "I think it would be a nightmare to fill those days in," she said.