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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Landmarks: Grave belies author’s fame

A survivor of the Whitman Massacre of 1847 lies buried in Spokane. Not only was she a survivor of one of the most written-about events in the history of the territory that would become the state of Washington, but she was the author of “Across the Plains in 1844,” an account of her family’s journey across the plains and her life with Marcus and Narcissa Whitman – a work considered by many to be one of the most authentic firsthand descriptions of America’s westward migration.
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Liberty High’s principal grew up in the district

The new Liberty High School principal confessed to being nervous and excited before the first day of school this week, but the new job is really a homecoming for native son Aaron Fletcher. Fletcher attended Liberty schools for all 12 years and was in the Liberty High School Class of 1992. His dad, Rod Fletcher, taught high school math for 34 years and was the longtime football coach. His mother, Sammie Fletcher, herself a Liberty High School graduate, taught kindergarten and first grade for 34 years. Both retired in 2004.
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Lottery

Spokane area lottery winners for the week of Aug. 24-30: $10,000 – Shirley Nowka, Spokane Valley.
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Medical Lake officer honored for fire rescue

The Medical Lake Police Department and Fire Department have presented Officer Chris Johnston with a medal and certificate of appreciation for running into a burning house to save two children, one adult and several pets. In the early hours of June 27, Johnston was driving back from Airway Heights after assisting with a domestic violence case. He noticed smoke hanging in the air, but since the air was calm he couldn’t tell from which direction the smoke was coming.
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New barberry varieties add colorful, easy accent options

Sometimes the best new garden shrubs are really old garden standbys that plant breeders have worked their magic on to create new cultivars. Such is the case with the Japanese barberries (Berberis thunbergii). Barberries have been used as hedging and background plants for years. The plant’s prickly spines slow garden interlopers, while its arching branch structure and medium-textured green or red leaves add interest to the back of a border. In the fall, they take center stage with their fiery orange-to-burgundy fall color.
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Optimism is hallmark of Spokane woman’s nine decades

Nine must be Midge Gutterud’s lucky number. She turns 90 on Sept. 9 – 9/09/09. But in the eyes of friends and family, she is definitely a 10. ”If I could be anyone I would want to be like Grandma Midge,” said Gutterud’s granddaughter, Cheryl Everard, who is throwing an intimate dinner party with close friends and family to celebrate the birthday.
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Parks deal altered

Tuesday night’s public hearing at the Liberty Lake council meeting was mostly a rehash of unresolved issues between the city and Greenstone on the River District Specific Area Plan, but a Greenstone representative appeared to signal a change in the parks plan for the district. The developers are required to put in at least one community park, defined in the city’s comprehensive plan as being between 10 and 50 acres. They have identified Orchard Park as a community park even though it is only 8 acres. The city council and city planning commission have said repeatedly that Orchard Park needs to be at least 10 acres.
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Plethora of music festivals close to home this month

The community of Elk is a “border town” – mostly in Spokane County, but the northern-most strip of about 20 square miles lies in Pend Oreille County. The area runs from Fan Lake on the west to Lake-of-the-Woods on the east, and zigzags a couple miles north of Boundary and Allen roads. It’s a little confusing, as residents in that area have Elk ZIP codes, Elk phone number prefixes and are in the Riverside School District in Chattaroy, yet they pay property taxes and have utilities and fire district in Pend Oreille County. Many Elk-Chattaroy folks go north into Pend Oreille County for entertainment, and September seems to be Music Month.
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Religion notebook: Buddhist temple offers workshop

The Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., will present the “Beginner’s Passage Meditation Introductory Workshop” Tuesdays starting Sept. 8 until Sept. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The workshop will feature passage meditation, from Sri Easwaran, designed for the Western mind.
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Reunions

Holy Names Academy Class of 1959 – Sept. 11-13. Contact Marcia at (509) 343-5075 or (509) 710-3741 for schedule of events or for more information. North Central High School Class of 1959 – Sept. 11-12. Informal gathering and pizza is at 6 p.m. on Friday at Sinto Seniors Activity Center, 1124 W. Sinto Ave. Saturday events are a fellowship breakfast at 9 a.m. at the Old Country Buffet, 5504 N. Division St.; meet and greet at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. at the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. Contact Torge Moore Lorentzen at (509) 326-6811 or Charlene Schmidt at (509) 328-5885; or e-mail nc59reunion@comcast.net.
News >  Washington Voices

Sister city program sends Spokane high-schoolers to Japan

When Jordan Rogers turned 16 on July 2, he had to wake up and go to school. He didn’t mind, however, because school was in Nishinomiya, Japan. Japanese schools run year-round. The North Central High School teen was one of three students chosen to represent Spokane from June 22 to July 17 as part of an exchange program sponsored by the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society.
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Somebody needs you

The goal of Somebody Needs You is to match donors with the specific requests of needy Spokane residents. The list of requests is coordinated by the Volunteers of America in cooperation with recognized social service agencies in Spokane. If you have an item to donate, please contact the social service agency directly. Donors who can deliver items are especially appreciated. If someone you know needs help, contact a local social service agency provider.
News >  Washington Voices

Spokane artist takes playful approach

Michele Mokrey owned the Artist’s Tree Gallery for six years, where she displayed an eclectic mix of art in many mediums. The gallery, at 828 W. Sprague Ave., was filled with the “oohs” and “aahs” of possibilities, not cluttered but overflowing with the creative spirit, something that is very important to Mokrey. “Art and all forms of creativity are my passion, my grand addiction and what occupies my thoughts. I love sharing this passion with others and inspiring them to explore their own creativity,” she said.
News >  Washington Voices

Spokane Valley park upkeep pact OK’d

Spokane Valley City Council members endorsed a staff proposal Tuesday to offer a seven-year contract for park maintenance. The contract, to take effect in January, would be two years longer than the expiring five-year agreement with Kennewick-based Senske Lawn and Tree Care.
News >  Washington Voices

Artist at play

Michele Mokrey owned the Artist’s Tree Gallery for six years, where she displayed an eclectic mix of art in many mediums. The gallery, at 828 W. Sprague Ave., was filled with the “oohs” and “aahs” of possibilities, not cluttered but overflowing with the creative spirit, something that is very important to Mokrey. “Art and all forms of creativity are my passion, my grand addiction and what occupies my thoughts. I love sharing this passion with others and inspiring them to explore their own creativity,” she said.
News >  Washington Voices

Bears of experience

When Rick Giampietri started his football coaching career, it was a different game. On the national stage in 1969, the National Football League and the American Football League had yet to merge, a move that would happen a year later. Vince Lombardi was beginning his lone season as head coach of Washington, helping the team in the nation’s capital snap a 14-year losing streak by going 7-5-2, but would be dead from colon cancer a year later.
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