Washington Voices

As I’ve mentioned in past articles, activity on our sun has been minimal over the last year. Within the last 30 days, there have been no sunspots visible. With few or no storms on the sun, the energy output has decreased about 0.1 percent. Although the percentage seems insignificant, global temperatures have cooled from the peak in the late 1990s. Our sun was active in the mid-to-late 1990s, when global temperatures were rising at a dramatic pace. Many scientists claimed the high number of sunspots during that time was “unusual.”

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.

For 04-09-2009

Spokane-based Vandervert Construction has started work on a $6 million, 10-screen theater complex just east of the city of Airway Heights with plans to build a $7.2 million hotel nearby. Both projects would sit on land currently under the jurisdiction of the county, but in a zone proposed for annexation by the city of Airway Heights.

For 04-04-2009

This week is Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday celebrations. Many Valley churches are hosting special services and other events on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. • The Spokane Valley Adventist Church will host regular performances of “Journey to the Cross,” beginning Friday. More than 200 actors will present a re-enactment of Christ’s life outside the church at 16th Avenue and Sullivan Road. Shows will begin every 15 minutes, from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday, April 12. Each tour will last 30 minutes. Admission is free.

GED Preparation – Ages 19 and up at many sites in Spokane; call the Community Colleges Institute for Extended Learning Adult Basic Education, 533-4600. Miryam’s House of Transition – For women moving through life crisis; 747-9153 or 325-1632.

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.

Liberty Lake’s annual community Easter egg hunt is set for next Saturday at 11 a.m. in Pavillion Park at County Vista Drive and Molter. The event is open to toddlers through fourth-graders. Registration will take place at City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, and 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday. The cost is $5 per family or six eggs filled with wrapped candy.

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

Let your voice be heard; keep it civil The Founding Fathers in their wisdom realized that government in our republic is best served by an educated public. A public that is informed in regards to the various points of public policy surrounding an issue is truly a benefit to good government and civics.

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department will offer a wide range of activities this spring and summer, from robotics and video game programming to line dancing and billiards. The high-tech classes are for children, 10 to 14 years old, but many other activities are available for all ages. Teens may train to be camp counselors or join their parents in learning compass and map skills.

For 04-04-2009

For the week of April 6-10 Monday – Option 1: Orange chicken, jasmine rice, vegetable chow mein, dinner roll, Mandarin oranges.