Washington Voices

National Night Out Against Crime is celebrated on the first Tuesday of August every year, and this year there are neighborhood parties all over Spokane. In 2009, more than 6,000 citizens were part of Block Watch parties and backyard barbecues.

The Salvation Army is collecting school supplies for kids in need. Members of the community can help make sure students will have the necessary supplies to make their school year successful.

Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey announced Tuesday that the City Council will select a new city manager at the next meeting on Aug. 10. There is no meeting on Aug. 3 because of National Night Out festivities. “I want to thank everyone for being so patient with us,” Towey said at the regular council meeting.

For the week of Aug. 2-6: Monday – Option 1: Pork chop with gravy, potato blend, dinner roll, fruit cobbler. Option 2: Tuna salad sandwich, potato blend, dinner roll, fruit cobbler.

When the temperatures around here creep toward the 90s and the air turns dry and dusty, people go “to the lake” and that’s exactly what this road trip is doing: It’s going to Lake Roosevelt. Leave Spokane by taking U.S. Highway 2 west through Reardan and on to Davenport, Wash. Instead of immediately heading north on state Highway 25 to Lake Roosevelt and Fort Spokane – the ultimate destination of the trip – make a stop in Davenport and visit the historical museum.

Snickers is little shy at first, but warms up after a few quiet moments in the play yard. Snickers knows “sit” and “down” and would be a sweet addition to a home. When contacting SCRAPS with questions about one of our adoptable pets, please refer to the pet’s identification number. You can see pets on www.petfinder.com, and also through www.spokanecounty.org/animal. If you are interested in this dog or any animal at SCRAPS, call (509) 477-2532 or come by the shelter 2421 N. Flora Road, Spokane Valley. Dog adoptions are $82.04 and include spay or neuter, first set of vaccinations, health check, microchip and first year’s license.

For 07-29-2010

At this weekend’s annual celebration of gay pride in Vancouver, B.C., the highlight will be a big and joyous parade, an event which should, based on last year’s numbers, draw more than 600,000 people – my son Sam being among them. Sam will drive up from Seattle during what is a way-too-busy season for him because, as he says, “I like who I am and, frankly, I like to go to a good party.”

For 07-29-2010

Road construction update: Hartson and 11th avenues from Havana Street to Sherman Street water transmission main repair began on Monday. The project will install a 48- and 36- inch water transmission main in Hartson and 11th avenues from Havana to Sherman streets. The project will also repair the following streets: 11th Avenue from Altamont Boulevard to Julia Street and North Altamont Boulevard from 11th to Ninth avenues; and Ninth Avenue from Perry Street to Julia Street. Ninth Avenue will be closed to motorists beginning at Hatch Road moving east toward Perry Street as the project progresses. This $3.2 million project is funded by the city of Spokane Water Department and the 10-year street bond. It does not include repaving of the entire South Perry Street. Posted on July 22: Spokane Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman Nancy Goodspeed said the Liberty Aquatic Center was closed yesterday immediately after morning swim lessons because a group of young men invaded the pool, pushed the lifeguards around and in general bullied people.

It’s tournament time for Spokane Valley Baseball and Valley Girls Softball league teams. Girls double-elimination play began this week and concludes today for 18U, 14U, 12U and 10U Divisions.

For 07-24-2010

The Spokane Valley Fire Department saw a large spike in the number of calls the week of July 15-21, due mostly to a spike in the number of medical calls. There were 259 calls, well over the usual amount that hovers near 200. “Medical calls jumped up drastically,” said assistant fire marshal Bill Clifford. “We had 200 of those.”