Washington Voices

For 10-20-2012

For the week of Oct. 22-26. Monday – Option 1: Macaroni and cheese with sausage, vegetables, stewed tomatoes, French bread, cookie.

In 1996, not long after I had my first child, Hillary Clinton’s book “It Takes a Village” hit the shelves. While I haven’t read the book yet, I’ve often thought about the premise behind its title, attributed to an old African proverb. “It takes a village to raise a child.” Parenting has been the most rewarding, gut-wrenching, frustrating and exhilarating thing I’ve ever attempted. I can’t imagine doing it without my village and I wish more parents had a village like mine. When I stop to think of all the ways our family and friends have helped Curtis and me and our children, I could fill a hundred columns.

Animal lovers and their companion critters can get into the Halloween spirit and help SCRAPS at a Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Party on Oct. 27. The event is a fundraiser for Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service. It will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at Simply Northwest, 11806 E. Sprague Ave.

The congregation of the Veradale United Church of Christ invites the community to attend its 72nd annual Harvest Dinner next Saturday. In recent years the menu has been expanded to include vegetables grown in the church’s garden, which also supplies produce to the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank. The meal will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the church, 611 N. Progress Road. The menu includes turkey, ham and Swedish meatballs. Several gift baskets will be raffled. There is no set price for the meal, but donations are requested. Proceeds will benefit church programs.

Inland Northwest Blood Center - Volunteers are needed to serve refreshments to and assist donors who may have adverse reactions after blood donations. An ability to discern and assist with adverse reactions and good customer service is required. For times and details call Lana Renn at (509) 232-4517 or visit www.inbcsaves.org. Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Inland Northwest Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist the staff in preparation for special events. Call (509) 482-2022 for more information.

For the eighth year, Girls’ Day Out celebrates the smaller businesses and boutiques in town Friday and Saturday. The shopping event is focused on seven neighborhood shopping districts, and participating shops will have treats and specials waiting for shoppers. “It’s the largest number of participating neighborhoods we’ve ever had,” said Trish Comrie, Girls’ Day Out coordinator and owner of the Corner Cottage in Hillyard. “We have a total of 65 businesses participating this year.”

Free GED Preparation and Testing – For low-income dropout youths ages 16-21 in Spokane County; call Next Generation Zone at (509) 340-7800 or visit www.nextgenzone.org. GED Preparation – Age 19 and up at many sites in Spokane; call the Community Colleges Institute for Extended Learning Adult Basic Education, (509) 533-4600 or visit www.iel.spokane.edu.

The Dachshund Club of Spokane is getting ready for Halloween with its Happy Halloweenie Open House Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to benefit the Dachshund Rescue Northwest. Dog lovers are welcome to bring their wiener dogs, dressed for Halloween, along with a favorite potluck dish big enough to feed six people.

Our region finally received some much-needed moisture as our major new moon weather pattern change arrived on schedule. An impressive 0.42 inches of rain fell at Spokane International Airport earlier this week. Since Jan. 1, 14.38 inches of rain and melted snow has fallen in Spokane. Despite the long dry spell, the airport is about 3 inches above normal. More showers are expected into next week. It also looks like the air may be cold enough to produce some measurable snow in the higher mountains.

Today Waste-to-Energy Facility Tours - Interested in knowing what happens to our garbage? Walk-in groups of 10 or fewer are welcome at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Group tours for more than 10, individuals with special needs, and classrooms can be arranged by calling ahead. Spokane Regional Solid Waste System, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. (across from the Washington State Patrol). Free. (509) 625-6521.

The Spokane Master Composters/Recyclers will hold a Compost Fair on Oct. 27 at Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. The fair is part of the Fall Leaf Festival, and runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.