Washington Voices

It may be only October, but many high school seniors, and even juniors, are hard at work on assignments that must be completed before they don their caps and gowns. Since 2008, Washington state graduation requirements have mandated that each senior complete a culminating project. This project must meet three distinct goals. One: Encourage students to think analytically, logically and creatively and to integrate experience and knowledge to solve problems. Two: Give students a chance to explore a topic in which they have a great interest. And three: Offer students an opportunity to apply their learning in a “real world” way.

Sweet Pea is true to her name. She is an absolute sweetie! She loves affection. She also loves to play. Her favorite game is tag. She is good on the leash, and she knows sit and come. She would make a great addition to a loving family. She is about a year old and she weighs about 60 pounds. Impound No. 2009-5974. To see Sweet Pea and all the other animals needing homes, visit SCRAPS at 2521 N. Flora Road or call (509) 477-2533.

When 16-year-old Tasha Kelly-Schafnitz heard her friend’s mom had breast cancer, she felt bad. When she heard that a car wash benefit to help with medical expenses raised less than $10, she felt worse. Then she decided to do something. Schafnitz, a student in the Veterinary Assisting program at the Spokane Vocational Skills Center, enjoys both animals and woodworking. She’s combined her two passions by crafting 3-D puzzles in animal shapes out of alder, maple, pine and oak. Now, she’s selling her intricate puzzles and donating the proceeds to help her friend’s mom.

There’s something magical about an afternoon of tea and history that transcends the norm. On Saturday, the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum once again transcended the norm by holding its fifth annual Tea and History program at Opportunity Presbyterian Church. Victorian-era tea cups and saucers with delicate wisps of flowers painted on bone china sat on tables covered in white linen. Finger size cakes, breads and fruits were served with tea and, as the attendees enjoyed their food and drink, history was sitting in a time capsule that had been embedded in a wall since 1926, waiting for the day its contents would be revealed.

The Pioneer Victory House, 925 W. Broadway Ave., opened its doors a year ago to homeless veterans. Residents held a lunch to celebrate, honoring the volunteers and residents who have moved into their own homes. John Livermore was an Air Force sergeant, a carpenter for 25 years and a truck driver for 12 years before he was laid off. He went through his savings, had to sell his car and his motor home. On Oct. 1, 2008, he entered the Union Gospel Mission with $50 in his pocket and a suitcase.

For many equestrians, the height of horsey delight is a trail ride. Horse and rider enjoy expansive views, and the gentle plodding transports them far away from the daily training grind. The rider reflects on how trail riding is what it’s all about. Birds chirp, the horse is relaxing, stretching his neck, looking around and, oh dear, what is that? Someone is shaking out a blue tarp in front of a tent just off the trail. The horse stiffens, stops, turns and bolts, going from shuffle to breakneck gallop in a split second. Nerves completely frazzled, the two hopefully manage to end the trail ride together.

An Inland Northwest tire and automobile repair company continues to grow and recently opened its second Spokane Valley shop, bringing the franchise’s total to four locations. Lloyd’s Tire and Automotive is now also located in Veradale just east of Sullivan and Sprague avenues in a former auto sales and body shop building that was vacant for more than a year.

There’s a full slate of candidates for Liberty Lake City Council on ballots mailed out this week for the November election. Cristella Kaminskas and Josh Beckett, both three-year residents of Liberty Lake, are running for the Position 2 seat that is being vacated by Neal Olander, who declined to run for re-election. Incumbent Odin Langford faces a challenge from Jason Adelmann for the council seat he has held since 2007. Recently appointed Councilman Ryan Romney is running unopposed for re-election. He took his seat in May following the resignation of Councilman Bryan Sayrs. Both Kaminskas and Adelmann also had applied for Sayrs’ vacant seat but lost out to Romney.

Punkin the beagle exits the main house through a doggy door and trots across the yard on the path embedded with paving stones. She enters the coop, not to harass the chickens but to curl up in her doggy bed and bask in the calming creative energy within the walls of what once was a chicken coop but now serves as the Art Coop where “chicks” make art. Artist and Art Coop owner Lou Carver wants to make it clear that roosters and children are included in the chick category. “But sometimes it’s nice just to be with your gal pals,” she said.

In addition to being a standout, three-sport athlete, University High School’s Tony Tabish stands out in the classroom. The Titan quarterback carries a 3.92 grade-point average while taking a class load that includes advanced placement courses in chemistry and calculus. Just what you want in a quarterback: a student who understands scientific method (in particular the need for repeatable and verifiable results) as well as the mathematics of chance and its limits and functions.

West Valley City School took up residence in a historic building on East Valleyway Avenue in 2000 and this year the school is celebrating the 100th anniversary of that building, which opened as the Dishman School. It is the oldest continuously operating school building in the Valley. Part of the celebration is a haunted house planned for the last two weekends in October. The fundraiser seemed natural since many people believe the school is haunted by the benign ghost of a former custodian who died in the boiler room in 1964.