Washington Voices

Drivers on South Riverway and Empire Avenue could soon find a bump in the road. At the Millwood City Council’s regular Monday night meeting, project manager Matt Gillis presented a contract with Welch Comer and Associates to design a traffic-calming device for both roads and oversee construction this fall.

Today Afternoons in the Greenhouse – Presented by YMCA of the Inland Northwest/The Green Way Program. Children in first grade and older can learn about growing plants, make crafts and explore along a nature trail. Dates and topics include: Aug. 9-13, Houseplant Hunters; Aug. 23-27, Garden Gifts. Each session runs from 4:15-5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Valley YMCA Greenhouse, 2421 N. Discovery Place. $15/session. (509) 777-9622, ext. 206.

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

A decision is expected soon on a Liberty Lake developer’s request to build a floating dock for 10 boats near McKenzie Bay Lane. Liberty Lake Conservation Partners, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane, is seeking a substantial development permit to build the dock, which will be 158 feet long, including a 6-foot ramp to McKenzie Beach.

SPOKANE VALLEY – Long Term Care ombudsmen are needed to volunteer in the Spokane Valley area. Long Term Care ombudsmen routinely visit nursing homes, adult family homes and boarding homes. They act as advocates for those who reside in the facilities and protect and promote the rights of residents. They are also welcome visitors to those who often receive few guests.

The East Valley School Board met again Wednesday to discuss sweeping changes in the way the district’s students learn. Members of the board and the community have been discussing ways to lower the district’s dropout rate and encourage a culture of learning. At its workshop last month, the board discussed whether to have elementary schools serving students from prekindergarten through the eighth grade with a middle school learning center, or if they should have schools serving prekindergarten through the third grade and schools serving students from the fourth through the eighth grade.

The Spokane Valley City Council is about to start dismantling the Sprague Avenue Revitalization Plan. That is their privilege. What they plan to do to stop the steady deterioration of the main street of our city is a question that must be answered. Sprague Avenue is dying. That means property values are falling, vacancy rates are far too high and businesses are failing.

The regular season No. 1 teams finished No. 2 when Spokane Valley Baseball tournament champions were crowned to complete summer youth competition. Both Midget regular season winner Raycap (Greenacres) and PeeWee unbeaten Liberty Lake I lost in the title games at West Valley on July 31.

Rogers High School Class of 1990 – Friday-next Saturday. Visit www.rogersreunion1990.com for more information. Lewis and Clark High School Class of 1965 – Friday-next Saturday. Call Dian Roffler Cummins at (509) 456-0304 for more information.

For the week of Aug. 9-13 Monday – Option 1: Braised beef tips and pasta, peas and carrots, rye bread, fresh fruit. Option 2: Deli sandwich on a bun, peas and carrots, rye bread, fresh fruit.

The sun is shining, the playfields are full and the birds are singing. 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 best summer outfits, teammates on the field. Think of holiday gatherings, special milestones and outdoor fun. Send us your party pictures, garden snapshots and candid photos.

There were few surprises during the double-elimination tournaments that concluded the Spokane Valley Girls Softball season. Top-three seeds generally reached the semifinals and finals of the four tournaments, with top-two ranked teams playing for three of the championships, some needing two games.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to 235 calls during the week of July 29 through Aug. 4. On Tuesday, fire crews responded to a structure fire at 9402 E. Valleyway Ave. at 12:15 p.m. The fire originated in the garage, and the cause might be ballast from a fluorescent light bulb.

Now that August has begun, it’s time to get roses ready for the fall and winter. Keep plants well watered. Check how deep the water is getting by digging a small hole in the rose bed a few hours after a watering and measure how deep the water soaked the soil. If its only three to four inches, increase your watering enough to wet the soil six to eight inches down. Add two to three inches of mulch to the bed to help keep moisture in. Untreated grass clippings, shredded pine needles or leaves or compost are all readily available for free or a nominal cost. As you mulch for moisture, stockpile more mulch nearby so it is easier to cover the tea roses in late October.

There is an interesting little walking tour happening downtown Aug. 15. Nicki Sabalu and a group of friends have collected nine personal stories about downtown landmarks and places in a booklet. The writers of the stories will gather on Aug. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave., and anyone who’s interested can join them on a walk from place to place.