Washington Voices

Attendant Care Registry – Free service matching disabled adults and children with personal-care providers; sponsored by Coalition of Responsible Disabled; (509) 326-6355. Change Point/Displaced Homemaker Center – Ideal for women and men who are making the transition from the home to the workforce because of a separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or partner, or because a spouse or partner is unable to work. Free training is provided in computers, resume preparation, job and communication skills, and conflict resolution techniques. The Change Point/Displaced Homemaker Center program is sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning. Call Denise McKinnon at (509) 279-6065 for more information or visit www.iel.spokane.edu, click on ‘Improve Your Life' and ‘Change Point.'

Since I published an article about worldwide extremes, some readers have asked about the wettest and driest places on our planet. Cherrapunji, located in the Khasi Hills of Assam in northeastern India, holds the official all-time global rainfall record for 12 consecutive months. From August 1860 through July 1861, Cherrapunji measured an amazing 1,041.78 inches of precipitation, nearly 87 feet of rain!

The Liberty Lake City Council continued its conversation about an impending budget crisis Tuesday night at its regular meeting. Councilmember David Crump told the council that after some community and other input there were three ideas to consider.

The East Valley School District has been having many conversations about how to make sweeping changes, rethinking the way it teaches students from the ground up. After several community meetings, the school board met to discuss the ideas generated there Monday night at the district office.

Posted on July 20: The South Perry Street Fair and Parade this weekend is over and has been declared a success. It was the 11th year that neighborhood organizers pulled off this event and attendance was higher than ever before. Feel free to post about your favorite or not-so-favorite parts of the event – and then let’s move on: This summer’s outdoor movies at The Shop begin on Saturday with “Time Bandits” – bring your own chairs, movie is free and starts at dusk.

Today Browne’s Addition Summer Concerts - 6-8 p.m. Mon Cheri, Spokane’s best indie pop. Coeur d’Alene Park in Browne’s Addition. Free. (509) 218-9398.

One young animal lover recently saw a baby owl in trouble and took action. Eight-year-old Breanna Levery, of Fairchild Air Force Base, told her mom that a baby owl had fallen out of a tree into a neighbor’s yard. “He fell out of the tree. I saw and heard him. He was all puffed up,” Breanna said.

Irv Zakheim, president and CEO of Zak Designs, enjoys golfing and supporting local children’s charities. Eleven years ago he combined the two activities in a small golf tournament and barbecue, inviting friends and business associates to join him. “We started out fairly small,” he said. “We got to play golf and everything was good.” He estimates they raised $12,000 during that first tournament. But the Zak! Charity Open didn’t stay small.

SPOKANE – The Spokane Community Warehouse application has been accepted in the July Pepsi Refresh Project. Pepsi is giving away millions each month to fund refreshing ideas to change the world and this is Spokane’s opportunity to win $25,000 to keep the warehouse operating next year.

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane East Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13608 E. 40th Ave. in Spokane Valley, will celebrate its pioneer heritage Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will include a parade; a free breakfast of sourdough griddle cakes, buffalo hash and eggs, and homemade bread and jam; and games and activities.

With the cost of gas and the scary state of the economy, we are very lucky to live in an area where there are plenty of nearby places with inexpensive, fun activities. Heading north to Pend Oreille County is an easy jaunt and there is a great celebration going on up in the north end of the county this weekend.

Gothmann’s conduct a good model The reason for this letter is the recent rude remarks made in reference to Spokane Valley City Councilmember Bill Gothmann.

The Liberty Lake Community Theatre will entertain in the spirit of Dr. Seuss with performances of “SeussOdyssey,” a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey – with a twist. The show is complete with a singing cyclops, the slaughter of suitors acted out with teddy bears, and the sorceress Circe serving up crew members with a side of green eggs. “SeussOdyssey” begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the theater at 1421 Meadowwood Lane. The show will run Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 6:30 p.m.

Four of the six Spokane Valley City Council members present at Tuesday’s meeting voted to ignore a recommendation by the Planning Commission to reject a proposed amendment that would allow nonconforming uses to expand onto the neighboring property no matter who owns it. But the vote doesn’t mean anything will change right away. City staff will now draft an ordinance for the council’s approval that would grant the expansion but with additional requirements. Nonconforming uses are created when a zoning change no longer allows a use that used to be allowed in a certain area. Nonconforming uses can continue under “grandfathering,” but their ability to expand is limited.

For the week of July 26-30 Monday – Option 1: Orange chicken, vegetable chow mein, steamed rice, dinner roll, Mandarin oranges. Option 2: Bean soup, steamed rice, dinner roll, Mandarin oranges.

When three out of six people in your household play or coach soccer, the World Cup becomes a very big deal. Consequently, at Casa Hval from June 11 to July 11, vacation days, mealtimes and social activities all revolved around game time. Which wasn’t as bad as you may think. Soccer is one of the few sports I actually understand and even enjoy. The notable exception being the “offside” call. This rule has been explained to me by 10-year-olds, professional soccer players, volunteer coaches, referees and Wikipedia. It has been diagramed for me on chalkboards and clipboards. I have watched demonstrations in which grapes, olives and popcorn were used to depict players and positions.