Voices

Jamey Cunningham is rarely bored. Even as a kid, he abated his ennui by doodling in the margins of his schoolwork, keeping his creative mind entertained. Now he entertains others as a musician and a visual artist. Cunningham grew up in Otis Orchards where, in the fourth grade, he won a "best float" contest with a float he made from egg cartons. He went on to graduate from Eastern Washington University with a degree in fine art, and, coming full circle, he designed the 2006 float for the Spokane Lilac Association.

For 02-16-2008

Spokane Valley firefighters responded to 189 calls in the seven days that ended Feb. 13, including one in which a 2-year-old child got the job done first. Inspector Bill Clifford said a firefighter was trying unsuccessfully to help a homeowner who was accidentally locked out last Saturday, shortly after 6 a.m.

Free GED Preparation and Testing – For low-income dropout youth age 17-21 in Spokane County; call Career Path Services, 326-7520. GED Preparation – Ages 19 and up at many sites in Spokane; call the Community Colleges Institute for Extended Learning Adult Basic Education, 533-4600.

A new-look community access cable channel is expanding its reach in the Spokane area, offering new programming and a chance for residents and organizations to tell their stories on TV. "We are up and running and ready to rock 'n' roll," said Jeff Anttila, general manager of Spokane's CMTV on Comcast cable Channel 14.

The Central Valley School District is drawing a crowd. You can see it at Sunrise Elementary School, where students are served lunch in the hall and eat in classrooms. In Liberty Lake and Greenacres, kindergarteners are bused out of their neighborhoods. And the situation may only get worse next fall, according to district officials. The district anticipates being over capacity at Broadway Elementary School, Central Valley High School, Greenacres Middle School and Sunrise, Greenacres and Opportunity elementary schools in the fall. Students will continue to be bused to less crowded schools as the district continues to find solutions to growing enrollment.

Semester 1 Seniors

They've toiled together, sweated together, laughed and cried together. They've comforted each other after their infrequent defeats and urged each other back from too-frequent injuries. They've taken their game as far as a team can possibly go and watch with admiration as former teammates take flight at the next level. But now their time together has come to the end.

Monday Valley Fire – 4 p.m. at Station 8, 2110 N. Wilbur.

Grande Ronde Cellars of Spokane is continuing its success in making wines that are well-regarded on an international level. The current issue of Wine Spectator Magazine gives Grande Ronde a rating of 89 for its 2003 merlot from the Pepperbridge Vineyard in Walla Walla.

Neighborhood Watch will host its annual Crime Prevention Conference at CenterPlace at Mirabeau on March 5. The all-day conference will include sessions on boating safety, cyber safety, home safety, gangs, sex offenders and illegal drugs. Classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m.

A theater production of "Graceland" will hit the University High School stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and next Saturday. Critically hailed, this funny and touching play deals with the rivalry of two Elvis Presley fans to be the first to enter their fallen idol's lavish estate. Senior and U-Hi drama veteran Kayli Pilgrim stars as Bev, the intimidating middle-aged admirer. Sophomore Caitlin Stone makes her theatrical debut as Rootie, a naïve, yet determined devotee to the King. Briane Green is the director.

EVSD bond would bring improvements, technology to schools This March, East Valley Schools will ask voters to approve a construction bond for $33 million. If passed, the state will provide an additional $22.7 million in matching funds.

A new liquor store opened in the developing business section of Liberty Lake – the first store of its kind for the area that even required review and approval from city hall. Liberty Lake Liquor and Wine, in the Albertsons Plaza, opened in December. It's a privately owned establishment that is sanctioned by the state and includes price controls by the state Liquor Control Board.

Zion Lutheran Church is inviting the community to a family friendly Mystery Dinner Theater next Saturday at 4 p.m. The event has a 1950s theme and those attending are encouraged to dress the part. The drama will play out during dinner and those attending will have a chance to guess who did it before the final scene is performed. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 10 and under. Call 926-5407 for reservations and more information. The church is located at 8304 E. Buckeye.

Residents of the Liberty School District in south Spokane County will be asked to pass a $435,000 capital projects bond and a $460,000 technology levy on the March 11 ballot to pay to replace leaky roofs and aging computer servers. The roof on the combined elementary and junior high school hasn't been replaced since 1984, said district superintendent Bill Motsenbocker. "It's a 20-year roof," he said. "Our roof has actually outlasted its lifetime."

For 02-16-2008

For the week of Feb. 18-22 Monday – Barbecue beef on a bun, baked beans, coleslaw, fruit cocktail, majestic square.

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.