Washington Voices

Now that it is spring, gardeners are beginning to think about how to improve their gardens, save money or make less work for themselves. The subject of folk remedies for garden problems always comes up in the discussions. I read an interesting book on the subject this winter by Jeff Gillman titled “The Truth about Garden Remedies” (Timber Press, 2008). Gillman teaches horticulture at the University of Minnesota. In it he reviews the research on dozens of folk remedies commonly used by gardeners and explains why they do or don’t work. Here are a few I found interesting.

The Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery governance committee met last week to discuss the groundbreaking ceremony and some of the standards to set before the cemetery is open for business. “We’re well on the way on the design,” said Gratton Sealock, the chair of the committee.

The 11th annual Flashlight Egg Hunt will be held Saturday at Hays Park, 1700 E. Providence Ave. The Hunt begins at 7:45 p.m. for kids ages 4-6, 8:30 p.m. for kids ages 7-9, and 8:45 p.m. for kids ages 10-13. The Easter event features glo-bunnies to help hunters find eggs filled with candy and prizes. A flashlight, bag, and weather-appropriate clothing are required for all participants.

Spring has arrived. The snow continues to melt and the sun’s visits lengthen – and that means golf season has begun and it’s time to brush up on your swing. Spokane Community Colleges has announced the community education spring classes.

Maybe you have been one of the unfortunate adult children who have had to consider moving your parent to a care facility against their will. Or, maybe you will be in that boat someday. You can read up on doing the dirty deed, get advice from others who have done it or even watch it being done by others. Nothing will prepare you sufficiently for the task. Parents are all different. Moods are different. Relationships are different.

It’s been 97 years since the RMS Titanic sank in the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, and now Spokane will have its own memorial to the disaster, with a connection to the Lilac City. The Fairmount Memorial Association, the Spokane Police Department History Book Committee and the Spokane Law Enforcement Museum will dedicate its 10th historic memorial in the Fairmount Memorial Park on the anniversary of the sinking of the unsinkable Wednesday at 2 p.m.

•The Minnehaha Neighborhood Council meeting will be today at 7 p.m. at Cooper Elementary School, 3200 N. Ferrall St. •The North Hill Neighborhood Council meeting will be today at 7 p.m. at Willard Elementary School, 500 W. Longfellow Ave.

Churches in the area are celebrating Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. •St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St., will offer a Way of the Cross service on Good Friday at 3 p.m. An Easter service will be at 11 a.m.

Spokane Valley will stick with its policy of providing all-new pavement where streets are torn up for sewer construction for at least another year. Unexpectedly high costs this year – nearly $4 million – caused city officials to take a hard look at the program, but the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to press ahead.

Cheney Chic, 502 ½ First St., Cheney, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at 11:30 a.m. The new business specializes in women’s fashions for juniors, misses and plus sizes.

New Listings East Valley High School Class of 1979 Reunion – Aug. 14-15. For more information visit www.eastvalley1979.com or e-mail Sheila (Reeder) Buelow at doglady42@msn.com or Marci Crocker at mcrocker@comcast.net.

The Salvation Army of Spokane will have a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of its new playground at 222 E. Indiana Ave. on April 16 at 5 p.m. The playground will benefit the more than 100 at risk and homeless children who live at the Salvation Army campus.

For 04-09-2009

For the week of April 13-17 Monday – Option 1: Chicken and dumplings, broccoli, parsleyed carrots, dinner roll, fresh fruit, gingerbread with whipped topping. Option 2: Tuna salad sandwich, vegetable soup, bread, fresh fruit, gingerbread with whipped topping.

Two Spokane County sheriff’s detectives will be setting up in the office of the Medical Lake Police Department, city administrator Doug Ross told the City Council during a short meeting Tuesday night. “The department is getting the office into shape,” Ross said and explained that they are making room for the new detectives.