Washington Voices

The start of each new school year is always filled with excitement. The promise of new learning and new experiences abound. On Sept. 8, over 12,400 students began a new year in Central Valley schools. Each student arrived with individual hopes and dreams for their future. From nervous kindergartners whose energy and enthusiasm greeted a new environment, to high school seniors ready to take on the world, I am reminded that it is their hopes and dreams that matter most. As I begin my third year as superintendent of the Central Valley School District, I am continually impressed by the community support shown to our students. Together we enjoy many exciting opportunities as well as difficult challenges. We must meet these opportunities and challenges with the energy and resolve of the high school senior and the excitement of the kindergartner entering school for the first time.

Monday Fire District 2 – 7 p.m. at 17815 E. Truax Road, Fairfield.

GREENACRES – The Evergreen Railroad Modelers will have an open house tonight at the Greenacres Shopping Center, 18213 East Appleway Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. The Modelers, made up of more than 20 members, have spent the last two years creating an HO layout in a 25-foot by 60-foot room. The railroad model has mountains covered with trees, city scenes, towns, 18 bridges, tunnels and a seaport. It also includes numerous trains running with sounds of steam and diesels.

Backyard chickens no worse than dogs There have been several articles lately about keeping chickens in our city in Spokane Valley.

Millwood City Council approved a multi-faceted traffic calming program intended to streamline the process in which residents voice complaints during its regular meeting Monday night. “To put together a program that provides consistency for both the council and for the public, I think we’ll all see as a benefit,” said Matt Gillis, project manager from Welch Comer and Associates. “People deserve an efficient process.”

On Tuesday, Valley Assembly Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., invites local children and families to help kick-off the 2010 “Operation Christmas Child,” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The featured speaker of the evening will be David Thompson, the assistant director international for Operation Christmas Child. Thompson will share stories and information on how participants can help children in other countries in need have a Christmas by filling shoe boxes with toys, school supplies and other items.

September: Respect October: Responsibility

For all practical purposes, we are coming to the end of the gardening season. The plants will go on until there is a killing frost, but we are losing so much heat and daylight now that the chances of getting much riper are waning. It’s time for fall cleanup. Pulling out the spent plants is going to leave a lot of bare soil exposed to erosion, nutrient loss and invasions from enterprising weeds over the winter. An easy way to reduce all three of these issues is to plant cover crops in any of your bare vegetable beds.

The number of calls Spokane Valley firefighters responded to during the week of Sept. 30 to Thursday was up, but there were no major calls in the mix. “I guess it was a fairly safe week,” said Bill Clifford, assistant fire marshal. All the fires reported were small and caused little damage. A home had a small electrical fire in a wall, a bathroom fan malfunctioned and caused a fire in another home and there was also a grease fire reported. An apartment received minor damage when food on the stove caught fire. “They left the food on the burner and had left the apartment,” Clifford said.

 The days are getting shorter, children are back in school and fall sports are under way. We’d like to see your best seasonal photographs for Picture Perfect, our community scrapbook of photos from Spokane Valley readers. We want the type of pictures that show why this season is one of the best in Spokane Valley.  Share photos of family feasts, children in their favorite outfits and teammates on the field. Think of holiday gatherings, special milestones and outdoor fun. Send us your party pictures and candid photos.

Last month, a student at University High School lost a wallet containing around $120. There was no identification inside, and for anyone who found the wallet, it may have been tempting to take it home. But three juniors – Taylor Mullenix, Jacob Hills and Alex Polsin – found it in the school commons. Mullenix looked down and pointed it out to his friends.

How did reading for pleasure become a test of endurance?