Washington Voices

The theater arts students at Ferris High School are standing up against abuse. Beginning tonight, the students will perform the third annual “Project Hope: Fighting Abuse,” at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The shows, also to take place next Thursday and May 15, are written, directed and performed by students.

For 05-07-2009

Apparently, I’m not the only one with a “Ruthie” in my past. When I wrote about how Susan Boyle’s performance on “Britain’s Got Talent” reminded me of a second-grade classmate we called “Stinky Ruthie,” readers responded with stories of their own. One of them was a classmate of mine from Jefferson Elementary. Bret wrote, “I can remember this girl as if it was yesterday. Ruthie was indeed the victim of a lot of abuse, and it does make us think.”

For 05-02-2009

In an event eagerly anticipated by car lovers, Opportunity Presbyterian Church will bring back its annual Car-B-Que next Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the church, 202 N. Pines Road. Awards and trophies will be given at the end of the show, which includes classics, antiques and hot rods. The event also includes a barbecue, ice cream, a plant sale, a blood drive and other activities. A meal of hamburger or hot dog with baked beans and pop costs $4. Call the church at (509) 924-9750 for more information.

The following students have been named to the third quarter honor roll at Centennial Middle School. Sixth grade

Spokane Valley city officials are looking for ideas on how to spend $823,000. They’ll conduct a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave., to hear ideas on how to use a Federal Recovery Act grant for which the city is eligible.

Employment, Education and Training – For Spokane County residents who have been laid off from work or have low income; provided through Work Source at 532-3140. Employment and Training – For low-income youth, 16-21 years old, in Spokane County; contact Next Generation Zone at 532-3040.

Ongoing “Team Up!” Exhibit - Explore the science of sports and test your own basketball, tennis, soccer and football skills while learning about math and physics. On display through June 11. Hours are Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.mobiusspokane.org. Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $5.75/general, $4.75/seniors and military, free/age one year and younger. (509) 624-KIDS.

Seat belts may save lives, but a 7-year-old Spokane Valley girl learned the hard way that fingers are best left unbuckled. Firefighters had to rescue the girl last week from a seat belt buckle with the grip of a pit bull terrier.

Monday Millwood City Council – 7 p.m. at City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick.

Before I talk about a bit of Bloomsday weather trivia, I wanted to invite readers to give me some feedback regarding wind forecasts. One of the pieces of the weather forecast that is usually near the bottom of the priority list, both in time spent forecasting and time spent presenting (on TV), is wind. Unless I see a feature on the weather charts that would bring potentially damaging winds, or even sustained periods of very strong winds to the area, I don’t give the wind forecast a lot of thought. I suspect that the average person who gets up, gets in his/her car to go to work, works all day indoors, and then comes home, finds his/her daily life impacted very little by the wind.

Area lottery winners for April 20-26 $10,000

Motorists will encounter big changes Monday along Pines Road north of Interstate 90. Expect delays, Spokane Valley city officials warn.