Voices

Beginning Oct. 10, sunspot numbers were finally beginning to increase. An average of 35 solar storms were observed from Oct. 10 through 17. The highest number was 70 sunspots on Oct. 12. But the weekend of Oct. 18-19 saw the solar numbers return to zero. Remember, August of 2008 had absolutely no visible sunspots on the surface of the sun. The last month that was totally devoid of sunspot activity was June 1913, nearly a century ago.

Fall is the best time to move and divide herbaceous peonies and Oriental poppies. There are two common forms of peony grown in our gardens. Tree peonies have a permanent woody stem and act like an ordinary deciduous shrub. As such, tree peonies can be treated like any other shrub and left in the ground permanently.

The Northwest Autism Center was recently presented with a $3,500 donation from Trading Company Stores. Tom Sherry’s Seasonings are manufactured and distributed by the stores and all proceeds are donated to the Spokane-based charity. Sherry is the chief meteorologist for KREM 2 News. Trading Company Stores, locally owned and operated by Paul Matejovsky and Gary Morgan, raised the money when it partnered with Double R Ranch Beef at a barbecue at the Sprague Trading Company Store, and at a Washington State University Cougar tailgate at the Latah Creek Trading Company Store. The money sold from the seasonings in the stores was also included in the donated amount.

A sign of the season, Spokane Valley firefighters responded to two chimney-related fires in the seven days that ended Wednesday. One of them caused an estimated $40,000 in damage.

The Spokane County and city of Spokane law enforcement chaplains will host a daylong seminar Friday designed for area pastors. The workshops will be built around the theme of “Ministering After a Crisis.” The seminar will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 3803 E. Nora Ave. Session topics include traumatic grief, practical ministry after a crisis, stress and the local resources available after a crisis. A crisis can be defined as a natural disaster, a fire, a shooting or even a sex scandal.

East Valley school trustees ratified a new contract with its teachers during Tuesday night’s board meeting. They agreed to increase the experience stipends for teachers who have been with the district for more than 20 years and also agreed for the first time to pay teachers with a master’s degree a stipend of $400.

“Moira’s Crossing” will be performed at NIC’s Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through next Saturday, and on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. A matinee will be held on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. The play is free and open to the public. Call 769-3220 for more information.

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

Letter writer said it all Three cheers to Bette Wilson for her letter Oct. 9, “Give credit where credit is due.”