Voices

For the week of Feb. 25-29 Monday – Riblets, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, French bread, orange halves.

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.

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.

If lightning happens to strike twice in the same place, North Central High School basketball seniors DJ Scott and David Butler will be there to see it. The two NC seniors were members of the Indians squad that a year ago finished last during the Greater Spokane League regular season, then caught fire to win six of its last eight games and finish third in the Class 3A state tournament.

North Idaho College recently announced the dean's list for its fall semester. Students are listed by their hometowns. Athol: Nissa Herbert, Jessie Jenkins, Jeremy Schreindl, Julie Wagner.

Debbie Jensen couldn't bear the thought of her prize-winning Shetland sheepdog going without his bone. Her dog Tavi, a breed champion, had broken a large tooth in early January and was reduced to eating only soft food.

Disney World has long been touted as the Magic Kingdom where dreams come true. With castles, princesses and fairy tales brought to life, it can also be a romantic destination. For Lacy McComas and Jack Kruger, the Africa section of the Animal Kingdom proved to be the most romantic place of all. That's where they met and fell in love. Kruger, from Bloemfontein, South Africa, was working in the park as a cultural representative. McComas, from Otis Orchards, worked at the train station. It was August 2006. Each day they road the bus together from the Disney-owned apartment complexes where they lived."The sad part was at the beginning; I didn't really like her," Kruger said.

With about a month officially left of winter, many feel that this season was one of the toughest in recent memory. Nearly 72 inches of snow fell at Spokane International Airport, compared with a seasonal normal of slightly over 45 inches.

A couple of business owners had just one question this week about a plan to restore two-way traffic on Sprague Avenue: How fast can it be done? That aspect of Spokane Valley's Sprague-Appleway corridor revitalization plan has been criticized by motorists. But there was only support at Tuesday's meeting when some 75 people packed a joint session of the Spokane Valley City Council and Planning Commission.

Nearly everything was ready in Russell Seaton's University High School choir room last week when several businessmen, parents, the principal and district Superintendent Mike Pearson marched in to announce a $17,000 contribution to the choir program. Everything but Russell Seaton.

University High School seniors Katie Glenn and Jessica Tourtillotte will come away with more than a grade after the completion of their senior project. The lessons learned by forming the Spirit Stars, a five-member special-needs cheer squad, are going to last a lifetime. "I have become more aware of other people," Glenn said. "Their abilities, disabilities and their personalities."

There are several reasons why the Medical Lake Cardinal girls basketball team is making noise in the Great Northern League this season, but if you ask their coach, the main reason is an easy one. "They're unselfish," head coach Val Von Lehe said of her young squad that boasts just two seniors. Half of the roster is made up of sophomores or freshmen. "It's an unselfish team. It's a credit to them as individuals. We've bonded together as a team and they've done what they had to do. They don't care who gets the ball, they want the end result."

For 02-21-2008

The South Perry Business District is looking for volunteers to help plan this year's South Perry Street Fair. Committee chairs are needed to coordinate vendors, parade events, other events, publications and more.

As chairman of the Idaho House Education Committee, state Rep. Bob Nonini always has the opportunity to get in the last word. As predicted by Huckleberries Saturday, however, the District 5 Repub had little chance of having the final say in his war of words with the Lewiston Tribune editorial page. Remember? Nonini called opinionators Jim Fisher and Tom Henderson "chickens" in Trib commentary for not contacting him before penning critical opinion pieces – one each for his stands on pre-kindergarten education programs and an abortion issue. Last weekend, Fisher fired back that he and Henderson relied on the stories of Statehouse reporters, noting that Nonini hadn't challenged the facts of the editorial pieces. Fisher said that he contacts the subject of his editorials when he's "unclear or uncertain about the facts, or about someone's involvement with them." Then, he offered Nonini the advice that Harry Truman gave to thin-skinned individuals: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Fisher concluded by giving Nonini a standing warning: "The Lewiston Tribune's editorial page has always criticized politicians who stand in the way of giving public school students the best education possible, and it always will." 'Reprehensive' solon?

While many are still busy cleaning up and assessing the damage from one of our worst winters in history, longer days, warmer temperatures and melting snow are sure signs that a new season is on its way. Another sure sign is the arrival of the Rathdrum Parks and Recreation spring and summer activity guide and the Workforce Training and Community Education Guide from North Idaho College. Chock-full of great activities, both guides offer classes, programs and events to help us end the winter blues – and take our thoughts off spring flooding worries. Whether you are interested in cooking Thai food, understanding the fundamentals of investing, learning more about your computer or becoming skilled at being a blackjack dealer, there is a class for you included in the Winter 2008 Course Catalog from NIC. Classes in business and enterprise, career development, personal enrichment and short-term online courses are offered. There is a wide selection of courses with experienced instructors, convenient class times and even a few certificate programs. Classes run through April. Enroll online at workforcetraining.nic.edu or call 769-3333 for more information.

Four wrestlers from South Side schools placed during last weekend's state high school wrestling tournaments at Mat Classic XX in Tacoma. Two were from Liberty, including Brian Mumby who reached the finals of Class B with a pair of decisions before being pinned in the final.

Leyna Swoboda's only plan for her future is to follow her dreams and, at 17, she is well on her way. She began realizing her dream about 12 years ago when she started ballet dancing. In January, her talent was validated when she, and 142 other young artists, were chosen out of 8,000 teens to attend youngARTS, a program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. The event was a weeklong and took place in Miami, Swoboda was one of 21 dancers and she participated in showcases and workshops, performing in front of panelists and other dancers. She wondered, "Why did they choose me," but came to realize that she was worthy as she hung out by the pool with other artists. "I just immersed myself in the fact that I was one of the top 2 percent of young artists in the country," she said.

CHENEY – When you're new to driving at 16 or 17, the freedom of the open road can come to a screeching halt with that first traffic citation. The city of Cheney plans to help young drivers out of their first jam by sending them to a new youth court where teens will be judged by a jury of their peers and traffic citations can be deferred and kept off of driving records. Under state law, municipal courts can form a youth court to defer any first-time traffic infractions committed by 16- and 17-year-olds, provided that young drivers agree to admit to the offense. Youth court in Cheney will meet once a month from September to May. It will consist of a judge, a clerk and a jury of five teens selected from among students in the eighth grade through the 12th grade who can apply to hear youth court cases.