Washington Voices

For the week of Feb. 8-12 Monday – Option 1: Orange chicken, vegetable chow mein, steamed rice.

Liberty Lake lawyer Greg Tichy was disbarred in January after the Washington State Bar Association alleged he stole money from clients and practiced law without a license. A complaint filed by the Washington State Bar Association in June 2008 alleged that Tichy kept $7,000 in settlement money awarded to a client the previous year, kept $40,000 from a mobile home sale he handled for a local couple in 2008, and kept $4,500 in advance payments given to him by a client who hired him to file a lawsuit in 2007 that was never filed.

Spokane Valley Fire – Chief Mike Thompson reported that the money spent so far this year is up slightly because of sick leave payouts and the number of runs has increased one percent over this time last year. Commissioners heard a report on safety issues in the design of the new administration building to be built next to Station 8. Staff is going to look into elevating the building by about two feet and installing a concrete retaining wall so vehicles would not be able to drive into the building. The building will have backup power and communications, making it essential in case of a disaster. Fairfield City Council – New Councilman Gary Gortsema was sworn in. The city plans to apply for a $2,500 Home Depot grant to update the game room at the Fairfield Community Center. Council members approved the 2010 law enforcement contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Two juveniles were arrested this week for vandalizing the bathroom and pump house in the city park. The person who reported the crime will receive a reward that was offered in conjunction with the ongoing vandalism problems at the park. (Source: City clerk Cheryl Loeffler)

The Liberty Lake City Council revisited old business at Tuesday night’s council meeting as it heard concerns from a neighborhood group from Bella Lago development about the lack of a pedestrian sidewalk or pathway from the corner of Bella Lago Lane to Valleyway/Lakeside Avenue. Several residents spoke at length at the frustrations they have felt with the council about what the homeowners in Bella Lago deemed were procedural errors in the council passing a decision to amend the Spokane County Engineering Condition No. 22 at the council meeting on Jan. 5. Condition 22, as it is known, originally specified the construction of a pedestrian walkway/sidewalk from Bella Lago Lane to Valleyway/Lakeside Avenue. While homes have sprouted up in the area, the pedestrian walkway remains undeveloped, forcing a safety issue upon the residents of the neighborhood, according to the group.

The Mead High School Theatre Department will perform “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” beginning Tuesday at the school’s Performing Arts Theatre. The performances will run through Friday and will begin at 7 p.m. The production is based upon the book of the same name, about the children of the Terezin Concentration Camp during World War II.

I really enjoyed Stefanie Pettit’s Front Porch article, “Plucky pet finds spot in pecking order” (Voices, Feb. 28). It reminded me of when I “raised chickens” many, many years ago. My plan was to eat some of them and keep the rest as laying hens, but wouldn’t you know it, I grew so attached to all the chickens that there was no way I could kill or eat any of them.

Two days ago, the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow. While our region has observed milder temperatures with below normal snowfall, it’s certainly been a tough winter for many folks east of the Rockies. Phil is hauled out of his fake tree stump on Gobbler’s Knob, about 2 miles east of Punxsutawney, Pa., every Feb. 2 at 7:25 a.m. to see if he can see his shadow. The town celebrates this event with a festive atmosphere of music and food.

POST FALLS – Tickets are now on sale for The Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. in Post Falls, Valentine’s feature concert, “A Tribute to Judy Garland.” The Feb. 14 event will feature Ruth Pratt, singing the music of Garland. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6:30.

NORTHWEST – Community Frameworks will hold an informational meeting about homeownership opportunities and affordable mortgage lending for first-time homebuyers Tuesday at the Shadle Branch Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., at 6 p.m. Potential homebuyers can learn about communities Community Frameworks is currently building in and how they can purchase a new-construction home with affordable financing and down payment assistance.