August 2021 Current

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AUGUST

2021

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

FREE

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

CELEBRATING 100 years of

page 10

OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER PAGE 2

S.C.O.PE. PROGRAMS PAGE 16

PROGRAM TEACHES TO “RISE ABOVE” PAGE 18

2

• AUGUST 2021

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Learning Perch –

Ostby-Marsh a fixture at WV outdoor hub

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

You could say Jami Ostby-Marsh is in her element at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center.

Since the fall of 2002, the 3-acre natural refuge off Upriver Drive has been Ostby-Marsh’s second home.

Surrounded by ponds, streams, wandering tortoises, native plants and a world-class raptor sanctuary, the longtime education director teaches lessons in environmental awareness that spring to life in the region’s most unique classroom setting.

Around 3,500 students from the greater Spokane area and surrounding counties visit the center each year. Ostby-Marsh develops curriculum that focuses on themes like forest ecology, water quality and macroinvertebrates.

Here, kids learn from “Hawk and Owl Outreach Talks” that tell the story of raptor adaptation and the intriguing role the birds play as ecological indicators.

Ostby-Marsh was accustomed to a habitat that bore some resemblance to her future professional home. The rural setting featured apple orchards and sprawling fields where OstbyMarsh would ride a quarterhorse named “Ace” who she called her best friend for over 30 years.

Ostby-Marsh was involved in a 4H club as a kid and also played softball and soccer at East Valley High School. Winters were busy with skiing and snowboarding. In school, she excelled in science and initially considered a career as a marine biologist.

After graduating from East Valley in 1989, Ostby-Marsh enrolled at Washington State University but realized before too long that Pullman and large class sizes were not the best fit. After a year, she transferred to Spokane Falls Community College where she played soccer while her grades and interest soared in classes like chemistry and anthropology. By the time she earned her associate’s degree, Ostby-Marsh had a 4.0 grade point average.

Ostby-Marsh headed north to Western Washington University for her next academic stop. In Bellingham, she gravitated toward environmental education and found her niche one spring, writing the curriculum for an outdoor education camp where she also taught. Some of the same lessons from that project can still be found at the Outdoor Learning Center.

utilized the center over the years to support children recovering from abuse and/or neglect.

After earning her bachelor of science degree in environmental education, Ostby-Marsh headed back to Spokane where she found work with the YMCA as a program coordinator. After two years, she accepted a job with a veterinarian’s office in Spokane before latching on with the West Valley School District’s City School. Around that time, Ostby-Marsh heard about the Outdoor Learning Center being constructed near Pasadena Park Elementary School. The project took flight thanks to a grant from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and support from the Bighorn Foundation and Spokane County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) which has

Ostby-Marsh and her husband Jordan have been married since 2004. They are the proud parents of two kids – Jasper, 16, and Stella, 13. The family lives in Chattaroy on farmland homesteaded by Ostby-Marsh’s great grandfather.

Chickens, goats, horses and dogs share the terrain – which is just fine with Ostby-Marsh.

“We talk about being ‘bird nerds,’” said Ostby-Marsh.

Volunteers comprise the bulk of the crew that supports OstbyMarsh at the center. In addition to overseeing grounds that include two classroom buildings, she generates and sustains a variety of community collaborations, manages grants and recruits and supervises volunteers, among an assortment of other duties.

Ostby-Marsh is also recognized as one of the best in her field. In 2005, the Environmental Education Association of Washington recognized her as the state’s Outstanding Environmental Educator.

Growing up in Otis Orchards,

Photo by Craig Howard Jami Ostby-Marsh has served as education director of the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center since September 2002. The 3-acre campus near Pasadena Park Elementary features ponds, streams and a raptor sanctuary as well as two classroom buildings. Ostby-Marsh was named Washington state’s Outstanding Environmental Educator in 2005.

During her tenure as the center’s lead, Ostby-Marsh has gone back to school to earn her master’s in teaching from Gonzaga and her professional teaching certificate from Whitworth. She has been an adjunct instructor at Whitworth since 2012.

Q: When you first started at the Outdoor Learning Center (OLC), what did you envision it would become?

A: As I first became involved with the OLC most of my background with environmental education (EE) was in residential/ day trip type of EE. So, I envisioned we would be providing those types of experiences for students, teachers and families. We wanted to offer a field-based approach to teaching where students could come to the center and see a variety of ecosystems that represented Eastern Washington in one location. We envisioned a wetland/riparian zone, a shrub steppe habitat and an evergreen/deciduous forest where students could explore the flora and fauna that would live there.

We also have the opportunity to house a variety of animals both native and non-native for students to observe and learn about. We wanted students to have hands-on experience. In the beginning we had a lot of opportunities to provide a lot of field-based investigations.

Q: Growing up in Otis Orchards, you were surrounded by animals and an environment defined more by fields than asphalt. How do you think that atmosphere influenced your personal and career path?

See OSTBY-MARSH, Page 4

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The Current

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4

• AUGUST 2021

OSTBY-MARSH

Continued from page 2 A: Without growing up in Otis Orchards and having the experiences I did as a child, I would not have been able to have the career path that I did. My childhood home was a short walk to the Spokane River and between my house and the river was a huge grass seed field that Jacklin Seed owned. They had a dirt road around their property and they would let us kids ride on it. Every day I was either riding my horse or my bike to the river for a swim or a long ride. I remember singing silly songs or watching wildlife or just decompressing after a rough day. My connection to nature just happened naturally because of where I lived. We had to ride to a friend’s house down streets that were surrounded by fruit trees.

I loved finding apples on the ground and so did my horse. Thinking back, my summers were idyllic. At the time I am not sure I knew just how much it would lead me down that path. Because my friends didn’t live next door we had to put in effort to spend time together and often that work included meeting at the local grocery store or Norma’s for ice cream and getting to those places was either by bike or horse back.

My connection to nature was deeply embedded during my growing up without even knowing it was happening. As an educator now I find myself trying to give those unique experiences that I had as a kid to today’s kids. They may not have the opportunity that I did and I feel like we will need more kids who understand how and why things work in nature so that they will understand how they can make the world better. I know I can’t have them ride a horse to the river but I can teach them about the river

NEWS ecosystem which will allow them to feel some connection to it and perhaps want to explore it like I did.

I love when they return back with their own stories! My favorites are when kids return after graduation to share natural resource career paths they are on!

Q: Today’s kids are growing up in a world where technology is everywhere. How does getting away from screen time at the center give them a different sense of how to look at the world?

A: I know that life changes and there have been a lot of advances over the years and I know that sometimes we need to meet kids with things they are interested in so we try to incorporate technology into our teachings. But I do witness things with my own kids and technology that make their growing up different in ways than my childhood. As an educator I see the importance of kids being able to use their senses to see the world around them which is a skill they will be able to use to solve problems and come up with solutions to issues in their lifetime.

Technology does offer a lot of places where kids are using problem solving skills which I love but I think nature is so cool for allowing kids to see how plants and animals have adapted and evolved to solve problems without any technology.

Exploring natural phenomena at the center or on the trail really is the best part of my job. I can think of a billion things I love to share with kids from complex things like photosynthesis or something as simple as why an owl chooses a woodpecker cavity. Nature really has so many opportunities to have things to talk about and observe. It allows kids (and adults) to be curious and not know all the answers but be able to explore and come up with ideas!

Q: There’s no denying the success the center has been since it opened almost 20 years ago. Why do you think we don’t see more school districts investing in similar projects?

A: I think there are many districts doing environmental education in different ways. Either it’s a classroom teacher who teaches using the environment as the context to teach science, or maybe a school bringing in an informal educator from an agency to support the classroom curriculum or maybe a project based school who tackles an environmental issue through service working side-by-side with another organization. Having a building, the grounds, staff and everything else that comes along with a learning center is expensive and it takes a champion or champions. When the center was started I think the education community was looking for ways to use the environment as a learning context to engage students and communities. There were conversations around climate change and we wanted students to get engaged in the conversation in order to allow them to find ways to help solve its impact on the planet.

But having this type of program is expensive and often the people who are in charge get tired or move on to new jobs. I have spoken to many people who don’t even know where to start something like this, there is no instructional guide so I think that can be difficult. Luckily West Valley sees the importance and impact on our students and the community so they continue to support the center.

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the center and what is your outlook as we approach the start of the 2021-22

The Current

school year?

A: COVID shut our face-to-face programs down for 15 months much like all schools and we quickly had to learn to teach in new ways but we did increase our digital presence greatly. We are so excited to get kids back to the center next school year. If COVID taught us that being outside is a great way to be able to socially distance and we don’t have to sanitize chairs and desks, how perfect is that? We love being outside with kids and allowing them to explore in a safe setting. We can offer ways for kids to get their wiggles out while learning. Things may look differently but the type of instruction and learning will stay the same. When we welcomed kids back this spring we were overjoyed seeing their smiling eyes and the kids were incredibly excited to see the animals and the staff!

Q: Finally, we know the center has an impressive collection of birds of prey. Which bird is your personal favorite and why?

A: My favorite bird at the center is “Alberta,” our resident great horned owl. She has been with me the longest, she was our first bird on our permit, she was the first one for me to handle in an educational capacity and the first bird I used to start our education program. She has educated more kids than some of the people who have been staff or volunteers. In a world of job turnover, Alberta has been my most consistent co-worker and educator. I am also a fan of great horned owls in general because we use to see them around my house growing up so they were my first experience in birds of prey. And they are the most common in neighborhoods so many people can easily connect and look for them.

The Current

NEWS

SVFD Report – June 2021 Current News sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 2040 emergency calls from May 15 – June 15, 2021.

By the numbers: Emergency Medical Services 1620 Fires 136 Motor Vehicle Collisions 95 Dispatched and Cancelled en route 59 Building Alarms 58 Service Calls 34 Hazardous Materials 18 Vehicle Fires 8 Technical Rescue 7 Auto vs Pedestrian 3 Rescue Task Force 1 Other 1 Highlights and the news include: Total calls for service increased significantly from 1839 the month prior to 2040 this month.

• Calls for EMS increased from 1502 to 1620.

• Motor Vehicle increased from 82 to 95.

AUGUST 2021 • 5

Accidents

• Vehicle Fires saw a decrease from 11 to 8.

• Fires saw an increase from 96 last month to 136 this month.

Of note: Increasing fires continue to be a concern. Illegal burning is continuing to occur. Burn Restrictions remain in place. Visit spokanevalleyfire.com to know what is legal to burn.

Incidents: Apartment Fire, June 4, 6:47 p.m.

– Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units were dispatched to a second story apartment fire on the 15400 block of East 4th Avenue.

Because of the large column of smoke, the first responding apparatus requested additional units while driving to the scene. Valley Ladder 10 was the first to arrive and deployed a 1.75-inch hose for fire attack. They quickly hit the fire from the outside and went to the second floor to look for people that were reportedly trapped in one of the second story apartments.

Valley Engine 7 was second on scene and they took over fire attack while Valley Ladder 10 searched for victims on the second floor. When the search was complete, no one was

found. The fire was under control within 10 minutes of the crew’s arrival.

There were no injuries reported. In total, 11 fire apparatus, two Battalion Chiefs, and a Safety Officer responded to the scene.

Two apartments suffered heavy fire damage, one on the second floor and one on the third. Four other apartments had minor smoke damage and one unit on the first floor had smoke and water damage. 17 people were displaced because of this fire, Red Cross was called in to help.

The fire originated on the secondfloor balcony; the source of ignition was determined to be a propane barbecue that was too close to combustible material.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind residents that a barbecue is something that should be monitored while in use. Make sure you follow all the manufactures recommendations and comply with local rules and regulations. Lastly, you should consider not using them on an apartment balcony.

Brush Fire, June 17, 7:19 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire crews responded to a call for a reported downed Brush Fire. Crews arrived to find a small bush next to a telephone box, both showing signs of an extinguished fire.

There was smoke showing from the ground mounted transformer. Valley Brush 3 parked approximately 40 feet north of the transformer on the street.

After investigation it was determined the fire had been extinguished with dry chem and water by neighbors.

Water was used on the approximately 6-foot bush and dry chem on the transformer. The fire was completely extinguished. Crews contacted the person who called in the fire and with 10 to 12 homes on two adjacent streets without power. Crews contacted dispatch and reported the transformer number and requested Avista be contacted to replace the transformer.

Crews then foamed the area of the fire and another adjacent area using 100 gallons of water and foam concentrate.

Crews taped off the area and informed neighbors of the hazard.

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• AUGUST 2021

The Current

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel 2021 June Malicious Mischief Hotspots

Published Date: 7/12/2021 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

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The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources.

Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, ! ( to report a crime.

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

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I’d like to take this opportunity to speak to you about personal safety. Let’s start by answering the question, “what is personal safety?” First, I want to point out that personal safety is not self-defense. Personal safety is “the art of avoiding self-defense.” To clarify what that means, it’s really quite simple- if we do our best to make good decisions in our day-to-day lives, we can effectively reduce the chances of becoming the victim of an attack. Another strong belief that I have is that to be prepared does not make us paranoid; instead, it helps us confidently avoid the need. Upon donning my patrol uniform and gear, I gain 27 pounds.

Each piece of my duty gear has a purpose, and allows me to be prepared for whatever situation that I might face. Let’s discuss some simple ways for you and your loved ones to be prepared.

-The MOST powerful set of personal safety tools humans have is our senses. All too often, people choose to ignore that underlying, subconscious feeling that something is wrong.

Don’t do that! If something feels amiss, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and trust your instincts.

-Walk with “purpose!” When moving about in your daily life, pay attention to what is going on around you. Avoid distractions like talking on the phone or texting, updating your Facebook or Twitter feeds, and my personal favorite, stopping every 30 seconds to take a “selfie”. It’s best to have your head up, your eyes open, and your ears open, too (turn down that iPod).

-Don’t be afraid to react! For example, if you think you’re being followed, abruptly change direction. Also, don’t be afraid to look directly at the person who is putting you in fear, as this accomplishes two things: First, it sends a message that you will not be an “easy” or “willing” victim. Second, it allows you to get a good description of the person, should something happen. The idea here is to move confidently, and make yourself a hard target.

-Use the buddy system whenever possible.

We’ve been hearing this throughout our entire lives, and that’s because it really is good advice. When I respond to any call that is potentially dangerous, I always request a

AUGUST 2021 • 7

The Current

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As always… be safe!

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These are just a few ideas that you can use to help yourself stay safe. On behalf of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane Valley Police Department, I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are enjoying the beautiful summer weather!

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-Do some drills, and practice for the “what if?” Have you ever taken the time to ask yourself, “what would I do if this happened?

How would I react? Am I prepared?” It’s worth mentioning one more time that this does not equal paranoia. Being prepared includes knowing as much information in advance as possible!

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Also, I advise you to take the time to learn the laws in your state as they relate to self-defense and the use of force. During my career, I have seen people get arrested and receive criminal charges for using force in an unlawful manner (such as using a firearm to protect property).

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-Other tools. There are a myriad of other tools we can use to defend ourselves, such as pepper spray, stun guns, TASERS, edged weapons, and even firearms. If we are considering using any of these, we are now in “self-defense” mode. These are all fine options, but make sure that you train and practice with whatever you select on a regular basis so you know that you’re capable of using it/ them under stress.

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-Make some noise! Noise draws attention, and bad guys don’t like attention. If you’re able to shout, do it. Another great way to make noise is with a personal alarm. They’re inexpensive, easy to carry, simple to deploy, and they are LOUD!

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

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For example, if someone is armed with a weapon and demands your purse, GIVE IT TO THEM! In fact, throw it at them, and flee.

There shouldn’t be anything in a purse that isn’t replaceable, however the person carrying that purse is irreplaceable. Assume that someone is armed and dangerous, even if you don’t see a weapon. People who commit these types of crimes are often desperate, and MUST be considered dangerous. To that end, you do have the legal right to use force to protect yourself and others if you feel threatened.

Spokane Valley Districts

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-Property is NEVER worth your safety! If someone demands your wallet or purse, you’re faced with an immediate choice: comply or resist. As a general rule, compliance is best to ensure your personal safety.

Published Date: 7/12/2021 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

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-Let people know where you’re going, and when you’re expecting to return. I’ll use myself as an example once again; when dispatching myself on a service call, I always let the communications center know the call type, where I’m going, when I arrive, and when I leave. This gives other first responders the best chance of reaching me quickly should an emergent situation occur.

2021 June Burglary Hotspots rk e Fo

backup, or “cover” officer. The reason why is simple: more eyes, more ears, and another set of hands should something go wrong. As an added bonus, it creates a deterrent in the mind of the attacker.

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• AUGUST 2021

NEWS

Work at city hall continues amidst emergency declaration

By Lincoln DoWright Current Contributor

South Park Construction

Road

Street

Funded by the fees implemented when the city negotiated a savings in the garbage collection system after taking over the authority from the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The fees were added and set to maintain existing garbage rates while providing a fund that can be used to provide street repairs on the local residential streets throughout the city.

For 2021, the project will focus on streets west of Park Road between Appleway and 6th Ave and will include American Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps, pavement repairs, and storm water improvements to reduce the pooling water in the area.

While the project came back over the initial budget by 12.6%, the city city council unanimously approved a $1,545,545 contract with Inland Asphalt Paving to move the project forward this construction season.

Traffic Impact Fees When Traffic mitigation fees were implemented along the Barker Cooridor, the code the city adopted was an umbrella which allows the city to consider the development needs for any designated area with a change in the Master Fee schedule.

The City staff brought forward the identification of the Mirabeau area as well as the North Pines / SR-27 Corridor as another area experiencing a significant amount of new development that could benefit from a similar program limited to larger projects and impacts and don’t apply to the ‘smaller’ projects such as short plats.

In June of 2021, the city worked with Fehr & Peers to develop a transportation impact fee rate study that evaluated the identified infrastructure improvements and their associated costs with how those costs could be fairly and proportionately distributed to new development.

With a citizen comment suggesting that the fees were too little too late and another suggesting that the fees should be assessed more than one time, the City Council unanimously suspended the rules and adopted the

Transportation Impact Fee rate study and underlying traffic studies as well as added the fees to the Master Fee schedule for the city effective August 1st of 2021.

Code Enforcement With numerous City Council member comments regarding code enforcement and the council’s desire to have the city be more timely in cleanup efforts the staff presented a number of options for discussion with city council including: - Modifications to the current policy of voluntary compliance and whether or not to force compliance faster.

Councilmember Haley expressed she is for voluntary compliance if the homeowner is making progress but not for those who are not.

- Camping on private property in a non-approved structure, i.e. in a tent or other structure that hasn’t been permitted make shift structure for more than a few days. Deputy City Attorney Eric Lamb mentioned that the city has seen people living under tarps, makeshift sheds, etc. Councilmember Hattenburg brought up that he was cautious as he remembers growing up and there was a point in his life when as a kid their air conditioning was when they got to sleep in tents outside.

- Living in an RV/camper on private property. Current limit is 30 days, difficult to enforce because of how hard it is to document, and to prove someone is residing in the RV and not just using it periodically during the day for extra living space like an office or for playing games.

Lamb mentioned that typically the worst of these scenarios were where there were a number of RV/campers on a residential lot sometimes up to 8 RVs on a single lot. Currently there is no limit, which leads to commercial storage issues, as well as illegal miniRV parks where a handful of campers set up on residential property longterm, usually adjacent to an existing residential structure. Council was interested in the topic but wanted to find some way of approaching this in a way that is easier to enforce.

Councilmember Woodard clarified that he isn’t concerned with any RV/ campers that are inside a building or out of sight.

- Discuss the state definition of a junk vehicle and discuss the number

of junk vehicles allowed on residential property (two sight-screened in rear or side yard); duration of exception for working on a car in the front yard (up to 120 days). Mayor Wick also brought up the issue of having junk vehicles in the right of way and if that should be limited.

- Number of non-junk vehicles on a residential property; there currently is no limit. Further, there are no restrictions about where vehicles may park on a residential property (e.g., paved/gravel driveway vs. grass or dirt yard, or front, side or rear yard). Deputy City Attorney Eric Lamb brought up that the city has found instances where there are 6, 7, 8 cars in the front yard. “We recognize that there are private property rights but want to see how the Council wants to proceed.” Mayor Wick expressed concern with proceeding with this topic mentioning that he has four children and could foresee his family having six cars within his household alone. Councilmember Hayley expressed she would like to talk about it in trying to find a way of curbing the chop shops in the residential neighborhoods.

- Weeds or grass exceeding “X” inches in height for aesthetic and/ or fire danger purposes. Deputy City Manager John Holman mentioned that this topic had been brought up previously but that when this issue comes up from a fire danger perspective when it gets mowed it is only a perimeter vs the whole yard. Councilmember Woodard mentioned that typically the issue properties aren’t the ones with grass when it gets waist high its mostly just weeds and/or noxious weeds.

“I think the dryness of the yard should also be taken into account.”

Mayor Wick mentioned that he is also hesitant with this one, asking how many complaints the city has received on this topic. He stated that there are still some pastures within the Valley and how this would apply to them. Councilmember Thompson and Woodard both mentioned that this isn’t trying to penalize the seniors that can’t mow their lawns as often it should be started at the larger weeds say at a height of 10 inches or more.

- Potential adoption of the entire International Property Maintenance Code provisions, including requirements relating to requirements for upkeep of structure’s paint, roofing, cracked window, etc. to avoid properties looking rundown.

The City currently doesn’t have any of these regulations in place.

The Current

Councilmember Woodard asked if we could look at some of those provisions but wanted to clarify that we didn’t have to adopt all of them in order to consider some. It was clarified that these are all up to the council as to which one to consider.

Woodard, specifically wanted to look at requirements on broken windows as it seems to invite other issues.

- Whether to require mandatory trash pickup for all residential and commercial properties since trash continues to be the most pervasive nuisance issue the City deals with. Deputy City Attorney Lamb mentioned this could be a preventative measure to help address some of these properties, but noted that when the city reviewed its solid waste contract back in 2014 that nearly 1/3 of the city are self haulers and haven’t subscribed to weekly trash pickup. Councilmember Higgins brought up that he wasn’t sure that the chronic nuisance properties wouldn’t use it however “we are now a city of over 100,000 people and maybe we should start doing things that other cities our size do.” The idea of having neighborhood cleanup events was also discussed. Councilmember Thompson was concerned for seniors or smaller families that may not generate as much garbage or that are on a fixed income and might not be able to afford it.

- Potential adoption of approach to put severely distressed, chronic nuisance, or abandoned properties into receivership, which would require new SVMC provisions similar to City of Spokane’s, which would apparently be work intensive for staff according to Spokane staff.

- Noise, weather it is loud parties, blasting music, consistent dog barking, or even modified car mufflers. It was asked to determine how the city could curb more of these.

All of the code compliance options mentioned above received council consensus to hear more about how they could be implemented and will come back to the City Council for further discussion at a future meeting.

Orchard Avenue Park Orchard Avenue Park is owned

by Felts Field Airport and has been leased to Spokane County Parks through a series of lease agreements starting in 1960. The park is a 3.8 acre area bordering the east side of Felts Field airport and adjoining the established neighborhood in the City of Spokane Valley and near the Town

The Current

of Millwood. It contains a baseball diamond with backstop and fencing as well as a small playground.

Spokane County’s current lease for the park expires in August of 2022.

While the council was interested in the possibility of continuing the park, City Attorney Cary Driskell updated the council that his preliminary talks with the airport legal council indicated that the airport is not interested in renewing the lease for the park.

Balfour Park Master Plan In 2012, the city had purchased 8.4 acres of property from Pring Corporation at the intersection of Sprague and Herald adjoining the existing Balfour Park and across the street from Spokane Valley City Hall in partnership with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD).

Recently SCLD has identified the funding necessary to construct the library without the need for raising taxes by a voted bond measure.

Construction for the new library is anticipated to begin in 2022.

While the City is responsible for constructing the street frontage improvements adjacent to the library, which are scheduled to be completed this summer. City staff recognized this as an opportunity to begin the design of the park improvements and potentially complete the park grading and non-architectural park elements concurrently with the library’s construction.

This coordinated construction effort should result in a savings for both the City and the SCLD. Additionally, city staff believe that by advancing the design of the park structures to a 30% design that they would score better for potential grant funding opportunities that could assist the city in funding the full park construction.

The city conducted a Request of Qualifications to develop the contract documents for the improvements at Balfour Park which had five proposals and ultimately the City Council approved an agreement with AHBL, Inc / Integrus Architecture team for design services of the first phase of Balfour Park in the amount of $326,173.04.

American Update

Rescue

Plan

Act

On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) into law. ARPA provided for a wide variety of funding for a variety of purposes, including direct assistance to small businesses, for homeless and affordable housing

AUGUST 2021 • 9

NEWS

purposes, and to state and local governments. The City of Spokane Valley will receive approximately $16 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“CLFR”).

CLFR dollars must be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impacts. To determine whether and how an expense will respond to COVID-19, the City must identify a need or negative impact created by the pandemic and identity how the program, service, or other intervention will address the identified need or impact. Eligible expenses must be incurred by the City between March 3, 2021 and December 31, 2024. An expense is considered incurred if it is obligated

by December 31, 2024. All obligated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.

Staff will return at a future city council meeting to have a discussion about what the city councils desired uses are for the cities ARPA funds.

Cherry Street No Parking Zone While city staff review of Cherry Street north of the intersection of Mansfield Ave didn’t seem to meet the criteria for a no parking zone in January nor April of this year. In July the city received a request from the Spokane Valley Fire Department to prohibit parking on the east side of the street north of the intersection of Cherry Street and Mansfield for the designation of a fire lane pursuant to the international fire code as the increase of on-street parking was identified to be impacting emergency response.

The City Council unanimously approved the identification of the east side of Cherry Street from the intersection of Mansfield Ave to 1,400 feet north of the intersection as being a No Parking – Fire Lane.

Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Grant Submission Vying for a pool of $5 million statewide, the City of Spokane Valley chose to put forward an application for improving Sullivan Road Corridor between Sprague Ave and 8th Ave. A project which has a total estimated cost of $3.6 million but was recently awarded a National Highway Safety fund grant for nearly $1 million and with the required city match would put the project request within a reasonable request range at $1,692,000 or 47% of the total project cost.

Similarly for the TIB Sidewalk Program the city is putting forward

the possible construction of sidewalk along 8th Ave from Coleman to Park Road which has an estimated cost of $450,000 and with include a 40% city match from the Real-estate Excise Tax or Stormwater funds to bring the grant request to $270,000 a typical award amount for the TIB program.

emergency / crime in progress please call 911, crime check is for filing a police report for a crime that is not in progress, or if you witnessed a crime that previously occurred, or to add information about a previously reported crime.

Applications are due by August 13 and awards will be announced on November 19th. The City Council unanimously approved the staff recommendation after a brief discussion from Councilmembers Thompson and Woodard asking about the potential of extending the sidewalk project to fill the entire gap along 8th but due to budget constraints the project remained at the initial proposed length.

August 3rd – The City Council meeting will be canceled so that Council Members can attend National Night Out parties.

Online Crime Check Reporting Option As of June 24th the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications system expanded its offerings and made available an online reporting option for Crime Check reports. Available at https:// srec911.org/online-reporting the phone option is still available by calling 509-456-2233.

Remember if you are in an

City Council Look Ahead

August 10th – The City Council will be considering taking action on the Goals and Priorities for the Use of Lodging Taxes as well as getting reports on the Spokane County Stabilization Center and an update on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

August 17th – The City Council will be discussing the 2022 Budget Goals, Complete Streets, Balfour Park Administrative Design Update, and State Legislative Impacts on Law Enforcement.

August 24th – The City Council will be discussing the 2022 Budget Estimated Revenues and Expenditures as well as its Potential and Pending Capital Projects.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS! Did you know the City of Spokane Valley maintains over 450 miles of roads within its city limits?

The city has formed a Streets Sustainability Committee to evaluate its Pavement Management Program and identify funding options for long-term maintenance.

Learn more about this process and share your feedback via a short online survey at:

spokanevalley.org/pmp

509.720.5000 streetsolutions@spokanevalley.org spokanevalley.org/pmp

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10

COVER STORY

• AUGUST 2021

May the bell ring on

By Katherine Morgan Guest contributor

Upon this centennial anniversary of The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, it is special to reflect upon an organization that has stood the test of time – an embodiment of generations of leaders driven by one great belief – to be the unifying force dedicated to community vitality and economic prosperity for the Greater Spokane Valley.

“Katherine, what is your vision for the Greater Spokane Valley?” It was Fall 2014. A young, newly named President & CEO, I stepped into role with reporters, community leaders, board members, staff and business owners who often asked this question. It never quite resonated with me. My vision? The role, in my eyes, was never designed to be about an individual’s hopes and goals, but here to live out a calling to serve the greater good. This calling, as it was for me, made the three and a half years spent at the Valley Chamber some of my most treasured.

Alongside extraordinary staff and leadership we launched a community engagement effort to identify and drive region-wide initiatives that would align with our mission. Drawing from 1,081 unique thoughts and ideas, the “BIG 5 for a Greater Spokane Valley” was created from submissions by a community who trusted this organization with their hopes and dreams, struggles and hurdles, inspirations and aspirations of today and for the generations ahead. Moved by the work of our peer organization in Kansas City, little did we know that taking such a leap of creating a transparent, inclusive, multidimensional process would not only earn the admiration and respect of our community, but also the trust of businesses small and large to invest time, talent, and resources into the organization.

We also never imagined that the

“BIG 5” would become a movement influencing chambers to form stronger organizations, businesses and communities throughout the nation.

The organization blossomed from 300 to nearly 800 members who, with every investment, acknowledged a faith in the power of their unified voices like unto the organization’s first visionary, Harry E Nelson, who recognized not only the great potential in our Valley in 1921, but also the important role that business has to promote and protect the vibrancy of a region for generations to come. Even in such short time alongside a special team, we participated in nearly 150 ribbon cuttings – celebrating visions, sacrifices, and dreams realized.

In 2015 it the BIG 5 announced “Greater Outdoors, Greater Goods, Greater Learning, Greater Cures, & Greater Vision, for a Greater Spokane Valley” – the organization’s rallying cry that launched programs and events including: Manufacturing Matters Expo, Small Business Showcase, Stories of Goodwill Nonprofit Expo, Lemonade Day for young entrepreneurs, relaunched The Foundation to support career

tech education scholarships, while as well carrying the traditions of the Harry E Nelson Citizen of the Year award, Gem of the Valley Business awards, annual meetings, the regional Transportation and Government Action Committees that advocate for resources and so much more to connect, and promote a thriving community.

In my earliest “Chamber days,” I bought a shiny silver bell that still holds personal meaning to me. Every time it rang, it meant another business joined the chamber – but in truth? What it meant to a small, mighty and devoted team in a basement was that another business owner said “we believe.”

100 years ago, Harry E Nelson believed in the beauty of our region’s potential alongside a group of self-sacrificing individuals.

They believed. You believed. I believed and still believe.

May that bell continue to ring for another century to come. For our Valley, our Greater Spokane Valley, our treasured home sweet home.

The Current

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce in service for 100 years

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

When the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce was founded 100 years ago, there wasn’t much here, just a few thousand people, some businesses and a lot of farms and orchards. But a group of business owners thought coming together to create a Chamber of Commerce was a good idea and it’s an idea that has endured.

The Spokane Valley Chamber has seen a lot of history, including the rise and fall of the apple orchards that used to pack the Valley. It was around before streets had names, before the Spokane Valley Fire Department existed, before residents began flocking to the area.

The announcement about the creation of the Chamber was published in the May 20, 1921, edition of the Valley Herald. It announced a “mass meeting to form a Valley-wide club” at the Greenacres Town Hall. “Propose Chamber of Commerce for Spokane Valley as a Whole,” the announcement read.

The Chamber didn’t build its own building until 1968, when it moved into space at Balfour Road and Sprague Avenue. It’s newest location, which opened earlier this year, is at 10808 E. Sprague.

“Ironically, we’re just down the street from our first office,” said Chamber CEO Lance Beck. “You could throw a rock. We’ve kind of come full circle.”

File photo Chamber staff celebrates ringing in its 700th member.

The Chamber opened a secondary office in Liberty Lake in 2010 and then consolidated into that location in 2012. The move back to central Spokane Valley increased the visibility of the organization, Beck said. The office is on Sprague just east of University Road, under a large orange sign. The building started out as a Farmers and Merchants Bank, then was a Banner Bank branch before closing

The Current

COVER STORY

and sitting vacant. “The facility move really brought us out of the shadows,” he said. “We were not visible in Liberty Lake.”

AUGUST 2021 • 11

The Chamber, which serves Spokane Valley, Millwood and Liberty Lake, currently has just over 600 members. “Before boundaries were set this was all one place,” he said.

Membership did drop about 10 percent last year, probably because of the pandemic, Beck said. “We’re on the way up now,” he said. “I look at 2020 as triage and 2021 as recovery.”

Some people think of a Chamber of Commerce as a group that exists only to promote its members, but it also hosts classes and seminars and hosts regular networking events. “We’ve always been viewed as a place for small businesses to interact,” Beck said.

The job of the Chamber is to build relationships, drive collaboration and champion opportunities, Beck said. The Chamber provides advocacy, information and marketing.

In 2020 the Chamber was restricted to virtual events, including weekly Zoom resource meetings to relay up to date information to businesses. The Chamber also worked in partnership with other local agencies to disburse three rounds of COVID relief grants - $9.1 million in OPENTogether funding distributed countywide, $2.24 million in Spokane Valley CARES grants and $12 million in Spokane County Hospitality Relief grants.

Contributed photos After forming the organization in 1921, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber opened the doors to its first building in 1968 on the corner of Balfour and Sprague. has done. The effect the Chamber has is usually cumulative. “So much of what you do is day to day,” he said.

Former Chamber CEO Eldonna Shaw, who led the organization from 2001 to 2014, is a large part of the Chamber’s history. “It was a

great 13 years,” said.

Shaw didn’t leave the Chamber to retire. She still teaches at Eastern Washington University, is completing a masters degree in education and is developing a u-pick farm and event center on the family farm she inherited from her

“You add all that up and it’s just over $24 million for small business,” he said. “It’s actually a time for us to shine and show how valuable we can be. We’ve become more relevant to the community.”

Shaw said she enjoyed working for an organization that brings together business owners, educators and non-profit organizations. “It is a place to go to get connected,” she said. “They’re more than just a place to get a map of the city.”

The Chamber has hosted numerous events over the years and started various initiatives. During Shaw’s tenure, the organization created its Citizen of the Year Award. The award is named after Harry E. Nelson.

While the Chamber doesn’t exist solely to promote the businesses of its members, it does that too. The Chamber produced a series of “Shop Local” television commercials last year that highlighted several small businesses in Spokane Valley.

“The most fascinating character was Harry Nelson,” she said. “He was majorly responsible for getting the chamber started. He was so dedicated. We did some research on who to name the Citizen of the Year award after and he was the best.”

It also brings together government officials and business owners at events. “There are challenges between business and government,” Beck said. “We can help solve that.”

The Chamber has been around for a lot of history, but Beck said it’s difficult to point to a timeline and highlight major things the Chamber

parents. She left because of the time the job required, Shaw said. She would work in her office all day and then attend events in the evening.

“If you’re going to do it right, you have to immerse yourself in it,” she said. “I loved my work. I think I left at the right time for me.”

Photo by Nina Culver While the chamber didn’t say on Sprague Ave for its entire 100 years, current President and CEO Lance Beck is pictured in their newly remodeled space which opened earlier in 2021 close to where they started on Sprague and University.

Nelson was a businessman who brought people together, Shaw said.

“The Chamber was the glue that See CHAMBER, Page 12

12

• AUGUST 2021

The Current

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

A foot injury in her freshman year didn’t stop Mariana Coronel from excelling at East Valley. The recently graduated senior competed in track and cross country over four years, qualifying for districts in the 400 meters and also participating in the 4 x 400-meter relay. She was also a state qualifier in wrestling. “I kept going because I loved sports and I didn’t want that injury to stop me,” Coronel said. “No matter what the odds, you can continue – you just need to find new paths.” Coronel graduated with a 3.82 grade point average and was part of National Honor Society. She played the viola in EV’s renowned Strolling Strings program, was a member of Spanish Club and also participated in orchestra all four years. Coronel will attend Washington State University in the fall and plans to major in psychology.

Luke Holecek went from the freshman basketball team at East Valley to the leading scorer and rebounder on the varsity squad in one season. The incoming junior averaged 19 points and eight rebounds a game for the Knights in the pandemic-shortened basketball season. Playing mostly as a forward but starting the season as a point guard, Holecek had a career-high 33 points in a district playoff win over Rogers and also collected 11 boards.

Holecek is also part of the 509 Elite club team. He was named to the All Greater Spokane League honorable mention team. In tennis, playing in his first year competitively, Holecek earned All GSL second team honors after losing only two league matches. In the classroom he maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is part of National Honor Society and ASB as the spirit leader.

Dave Ross is about bringing people and causes together. Ross serves on the board of Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank and Family Services, the Valley’s hub for community resources.

He is also part of the leadership team with the Greater Valley Support Network and serves as facilitator at the group’s monthly meetings. The Wisconsin native has participated with the Spokane Homeless Coalition and helped in the coordination of Valley Connect, an annual resource fair. Before becoming a national sales director with Primerica, a financial planning firm, Ross was a firefighter with the Seattle Fire Department and an officer with the Edmonds Police Department. Ross and his wife Diann have been married since 1966 and have six grown children. The couple has served as regional public affairs representatives for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2010.

CHAMBER

Continued from page 11 held the community together before there were cities out here,” she said.

Shaw remembers the economic downturn that began in 2008 well.

The Chamber was at its peak of about 1,000 members. As business slowed, members dropped out because they couldn’t afford to pay their membership dues, Shaw said.

“Within just a few months, we were down to about 500 (members),” he said.

During her tenure the organization also ran an entrepreneurship training program, held an Empowering Women Summit for six years and started the Miss Spokane Valley program, which has since been taken over by Valleyfest.

“I just had some wonderful volunteers,” she said. “Nothing made me feel better if we had a success than to say we did it, not I did it. It was a great experience. I think we created a few things that are enduring, so that’s great.”

She’s pleased to see the Chamber still going strong, Shaw said. “The organization, it’s like a community,” she said. “It evolves. I think the

Come visit your Spokane Valley Neighborhood Financial Center located at

615 N Sullivan Road

800-233-2328

Thanks you for all you do in our community

Spokane Valley Chamber is doing great things. I really liked their ads on tv.”

The role of the Chamber in the community is key and Shaw doesn’t see that changing. “I think good business is built on relationships,” she said. “I think they will also have a place in the community because of the wide breadth of who can belong.”

The community is invited to celebrate the Chamber’s 100th anniversary at an open house on Aug. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. It will be the first chance the public has had to see the new building and there will also be parking lot activities, including food trucks, Beck said.

“It’ll be really fun to show the facility off,” he said.

The following businesses and organizations have the longest tenure at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, having been members for between 50 and 75 years: American Medical Response, Anderson Peretti and Co. CPA’s, Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant #233, Avista, Bank of America, Banner Bank, Broadway Truck Services, Central Pre-Mix Concrete Products Co., Community Colleges of Spokane, InCyte Diagnostics, Inland

Contributed photo Pictured above are past recipients of the Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year award. Diana Wilhite, Peggy Doering, Ian Robertson, Chuck Stocker, Dick Denneny, Bill Gothmann, Max Spalding, Jim Frank and Steve Peterson.

Empire Paper Company, Inland Power and Light, Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp., Mirabeau Park Hotels and Convention Center,

Modern Electric, MultiCare Valley Hospital, Sunshine Health Facilities Inc., The Spokesman-Review, Vera Water and Power, WM.

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• AUGUST 2021

S.C.O.P.E.

Making a difference

By Tie Lemerond

Current Contributor

Since 1994 the Spokane Community Oriented Policing Effort (S.C.O.P.E) has been making a difference in the community. This non-profit organization, including its nearly 300 volunteers, works side-by-side with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department to make a safe living environment for the community. S.C.O.P.E. believes that if “law enforcement and citizens work together toward a common goal, they can organize neighborhood groups, and as a team, promote public safety and prevent crime (S.C.O.P.E.).”

S.C.O.P.E. provides 20+ programs to communities within Spokane county such as Neighborhood Watch, Graffiti Task Force, Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) Business Watch and Relations, and several others.

They work as an extra set of eyes for law enforcement by patrolling neighborhoods, trails, and schools.

They also provide prowl checks for homeowners and businesses. They tag, ticket, and tow abandoned vehicles and they issue citations for vehicles illegally parked in spaces designated for disabled individuals.

In addition to these programs, they run several programs for children such as bicycle safety and fingerprinting. One program that is requested frequently is the Radar Watch program. Radar trailers were purchased through Cares Act funding and are used to document speeding problem areas.

This service is asked for frequently in neighborhoods throughout the county.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Department provides S.C.O.P.E. volunteers with various trainings.

Some trainings provide volunteers with certificates upon successful completion of the training. One such

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program is Latent Fingerprinting.

Volunteers lift fingerprints off vehicles that were stolen or broken into and lift them from other items as well. This frees up sheriff deputies so they can spend more time patrolling and protecting citizens.

One of the newest program additions is the Large Animal Evacuation Team. This program provides assistance and trailers to move cattle, horses, llamas, and other large animals to safety in the event of a wildfire.

How has Covid Volunteer Numbers

Affected

The Covid-19 pandemic affected nearly every aspect of life, including volunteerism. Throughout 2019, S.C.O.P.E. recorded 65,752 volunteer hours from their 293 volunteers. In 2020, their volunteer hours dropped by over forty percent to 38,828 and the number of volunteers dropped to 275. As of the date of this article, the number of volunteers is hoovering around 270. S.C.O.P.E. would like to see the number of volunteers up to over 300. Rick Scott, S.C.O.P.E. Director, has been with the organization for 24 years.

He remembers a time when the number of volunteers exceeded 600. “I would love to build up our programs in Liberty Lake and other smaller areas,” states Scott. To do this, he will need to bring on more law enforcement interns, rely on media, and on word of mouth.

“Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old,” he adds.

National Night Out 2021 – August 3rd Since 1984 National Night Out, also known as America’s Night Out Against Crime, has been celebrated across the United States on the first Tuesday in August. This year, that day falls on August 3rd and S.C.O.P.E. will be taking part in this event. Homeowners are encouraged to put their party hats on, turn their porch lights on, talk to neighbors,

Contributed photo SCOPE volunteers taking photos and finger prints as apart of their Operation Family ID where they seek to have information that can be used incase if a family member wanders off or comes up missing. and fire up their grills. There are a number of things neighborhoods can do to participate in the event: Buy bubbles and sidewalk chalk for the kids, make smores or pass out popsicles and ice cream bars, get out the water guns and water balloons, hold a cakewalk or a pie eating contest, gather your neighbors for a pot luck dinner, set up a volleyball net or cornhole boards, but whatever you do, encourage your neighbors to join in on the fun.

Community National Night Out - Saturday, August 7th On Saturday, August 7th from 5:00PM – 10:30PM Community National Night Out will be celebrated in the University High School parking lot in Spokane Valley.

Community members can grab a free bag and fill it with information about crime prevention, information from participating organization programs and free giveaways.

Make sure to stop and take a picture with McGruff the Crime Dog. There will be free activities for kids, free snacks, free ice cream, and beverages to enjoy during the movie

(while supplies last). You can also climb aboard and take a look inside the American Medical Response vehicle, the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat, and look inside the Sheriff’s SWAT vehicle. If you have ever considered a career in forensics, be sure to visit them at the event. Enjoy the movie from your car or bring a lawn chair to sit in. Vehicles must be equipped with a working FM radio, or you may bring a portable radio. Whichever you decide, bring the family, talk to your friends and neighbors, meet some new people and have a great free-family night out.

Contact Information If you would like to speak to somebody from the city council or Crime Prevention Deputies about crime in your neighborhood, contact the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at 509-477-3055.

To learn more about S.C.O.P.E and opportunities to volunteer for the community contact Rick Scott at rlscott@spokanesheriff.org or call the main S.C.O.P.E. office at 509-477-3376 for information.

AUGUST 2021 • 17

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• AUGUST 2021

The Current

Rise Above teaches winning strategies for sports, life

some restaurants and unwelcome to live in certain parts of St. Louis based on the color of his skin. Even in the community he eventually called home, Wilkens had a white neighbor who would go out of his way to avoid him.

many years before. Wilkens joined other celebrities as part of a sports and wellness clinic under the banner of Rise Above, a program dedicated to a mission of “empowering Native youth to lead healthy lives despite the challenges.”

Current contributing editor

“I wouldn’t let them intimidate me,” Wilkens said of the discrimination he encountered as an early pro. “I had a lot of confidence in who I was and what I could do.”

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Wilkens looked up to a local hero – Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Wilkens delivered groceries to Robinson’s home and spoke with him on several occasions.

The lineup of luminaries from the world of sports and entertainment included movie star Danny Glover, former Olympic and pro basketball standout Ruthie Bolton and ex-NBA players Craig Ehlo and Spencer Haywood, among others.

By Craig Howard

Before he coached the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA title in 1979, Lenny Wilkens faced a different kind of foe as a player with the St. Louis Hawks.

Drafted sixth overall in the 1960 NBA draft out of Providence College, Wilkens headed to Missouri to begin his professional career, well aware that the ugliness of racial segregation was still prevalent in the Hawks’ hometown.

Despite being a star point guard for a team that competed for a championship against the Boston Celtics his rookie year, Wilkens found himself prohibited from

“I remember thinking back then, ‘If Jackie could do it then I can do it,’” Wilkens recalls. “He was always encouraging us, saying the only person that could stop you is you.”

Last month, Wilkens stood before a group of kids from seven Native American Tribes at the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, speaking in the same reinforcing tones that Robinson employed

“These kids need to be let known that they can achieve, that they can make a difference,” Wilkens said.

“They’re our future.”

Wilkens said he was inspired to join the Rise Above team through the story of Jaci McCormack, who grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation near Lewiston, Idaho and went on to a stellar college basketball career at Illinois State. McCormack serves as president of Rise Above and is the victim assistant coordinator with the Tulalip Tribe Prosecutor’s Office.

McCormack said Rise Above is focused on “changing the narrative in the hearts and lives of Native kids.”

According to data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Native youth experience disproportionate rates of poverty, mental illness and substance abuse. Rise Above prioritizes its curriculum based on feedback received from 30 Native Tribes – the areas of emphasis include alcohol and drug prevention, healthy relationships, suicide prevention and diabetes and obesity awareness. The program also encourages kids to pursue higher education.

Photo by Craig Howard On July 12, the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake hosted a sports and wellness clinic presented by Rise Above – a program focused on empowering Native American youth to build life skills, strength and resilience. From left to right: Rise Above President Jaci McCormack, a former NCAA Division-1 basketball player at Illinois State, Lenny Wilkens, NBA Hall of Famer as a player and coach and Rise Above Vice President Brad Meyers, a former basketball player at Whitworth and Washington State.

McCormack almost gave up on her dream of college basketball as a freshman until Illinois State head coach Jenny Yopp challenged her to “not become just another statistic… someone who didn’t make it but could have.” She went on to lead the school to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years as a senior in 2005, hitting the game-winning shot in the waning seconds of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earning tournament MVP honors.

“In life, we all have challenges,” McCormack said. “We need to understand that we are not alone, that there is hope and to just reach out. We all need help. We all need somebody.”

McCormack’s journey will soon be chronicled in a feature film with the same title of the program she oversees. There is also talk of the Kalispel Tribe establishing a Rise Above wellness center in Airway Heights.

Brad Meyers, vice president of Rise Above, worked as the deputy director at The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations in Spokane Valley – a residential treatment center in for adolescents recovering from chemical dependency – before transitioning to his current role. He said Rise Above “is not out to be a one-hit wonder.”

“We want to engage a community,” Meyers said. “At the end of the day, Rise Above is a community builder.”

The goal of the clinic in Liberty Lake, McCormack said, was “for kids to be inspired, to have some hope and hear some incredible success stories.”

Robert Neal of the Colville Tribe drove 45 minutes from north Spokane with his two kids, 12 and 7, to be part of the Rise Above experience.

“Just walking into the gym, it was really cool,” Neal said. “All the energy was so positive. The kids got to meet famous people who were just so unbelievably kind and helpful.”

Neal, whose wife and kids are part of the Kalispel Tribe, said the day was a reminder of possibilities.

“Growing up on the res(ervation), there’s such a lack of positive role models,” he said. “Events like this allow kids to hear a positive message. That’s a day that kids on the res don’t often get. We just need more of this.”

Want to find out more?

To learn more about Rise Above, visit www.nativeyouthriseabove.org or contact Brad Meyers at 509-808-1859.

AUGUST 2021 • 19

The Current

Final Point

Remembering Sally Jackson

By Mike Vlahovich Current sports editor

Like Will Rogers, Sal Jackson never met a person she didn’t like.

She reeled me into her world a half century ago and the many tributes during a memorial at University High in late July following her death showed me how fortunate I was to have been a part of her life I was in the early stages of my sports writing career at the Spokane Valley Herald, trying to figure out how to keep busy during the summer doldrums after schools let out.

There was the usual stuff to publish, scores and standings of Spokane Valley Baseball and Valley Girls Softball, (which Sal helped form) with highlights if coaches saw fit to report them.

Then Spokane County recreation director John Tuft had asked if I’d post standings of his slow pitch adult softball leagues. Hungry for recognition, the coaches sent in highlights of players who influenced the outcomes.

Ladies who golfed in various leagues always wanted to see their accomplishments in the weekly newspaper.

But I needed art and since I was single it was easy and fun to spend my summer nights with score book and camera in hand covering American Legion Baseball’s Valley games. High School players and their parents ate it up.

And that was how I met former professional baseball player Ron Jackson who coached the Valley Legion team and where I was befriended by his wife, Sal. I don’t know if she had an ulterior motive, but the next thing I knew I was part of the family.

The first time she invited me to dinner with her large family at their place was a revelation. I had seated myself at the table and the next thing I knew, her son Mick, took one step on the seat next to me, another step on the table and plopped down in the chair across from me. I assumed by then that this wasn’t a formal event. And I learned quickly, at the Jacksons you either grab the food or go without.

The door was always open for kids and gatherings what with her ties to youth sports and the swimming lessons she taught for decades in a pool she built large enough so it was suitable for teaching her charges to swim a mile – my three kids among them. She had a way with “the little darlings.”

Sal and the neighborhood entourage would fill their expansive yard with

games. Touch football on the lawn or basketball on a concrete court next to the pool kept her and various friends and their kids from the neighborhood active.

Although she had tried to line me up with various young women when I was single, Tambra, my wife of 40 years now, wasn’t one of them. However, she and Sal had so much in common that they became close friends.

We would gather at their place on July 4th, watching fireworks and listening to Sal repeating “OH, THAT’S A PRETTY ONE!” On New Year’s Eve, a batch of Sal’s clan and her many friends - my family included - would travel to Stoneridge in Blanchard, Idaho to usher in the New Year. When we sang karaoke, Sal’s favorite was “HEY BIG SPENDER.” We “adults” all played recreational basketball and softball together. Sal and my wife were our quasi-coaches. When they spoke, you listened.

Then it was off to training table to rehash the games and quaff adult beverages.

Since Ron had worked in the beverage business for years, it was fitting that he and Sal fulfilled a dream of opening the Cheers-like Jackson Hole Tavern at Sprague and Bowdish. If you sponsor recreational teams they will come. There was obviously method to their madness.

“Training table” after games, was a time for tall tales, games, and quaffing beer that kept the Jackson Hole cash register ringing. Like Cheers, everybody knew your name. There was never a stranger among the “Hole” gang.

Sal was a feminist and as good a coach as Ron. Her liberal political leanings were likely a product of her teaching in inner city Oakland. She was a blue ship in the then red sea of the conservative Spokane Valley before incorporation, and even tried getting me to run for office. She was a Democrat, my dad was a Republican. I wanted to keep my job.

As we aged we’d find ourselves showing up at funerals together. At one service, as I helped her get out of her car and walked with her to the church, she marveled that despite our political differences how the two of us could discuss politics without rancor.

When she lay in state the coffin was open at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home for people to pay their last respects.

When we visited, Mick told me he swore he saw her hand move.

When I bid her adieu, I told Mick I thought saw her wink. And I swear on a bible that upon her death Sal’s final act was to orchestrate Democrat Joe Biden’s election to the presidency.

Sal Jackson, like Molly Brown on the Titanic, was unsinkable.

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• AUGUST 2021

Spokane County LIBRARY DISTRICT

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Discussing tough topics with kids: Get help with these new book bags

By Sheri Boggs, librarian Spokane County Library District

Some things are hard to talk about, especially if you’re trying to talk about them with kids.

Whether the conversation is about divorce, death, bullying, or some other challenging situation, parents and caregivers may wonder where to start and how much to say.

To help parents and caregivers with these tough conversations, the Early Learning Team at the library has launched “Let’s Talk About” book bags. These bright orange bags include a curated selection of 6–10 books suitable for kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade and a resource folder

Looking for Expert Business Classes?

Try LinkedIn Learning

By Stacey Goddard, Librarian Spokane County Library District

If you haven’t explored LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for some great online classes in a while, it’s definitely time to give it some attention!

You may know this resource for its technology-focused classes.

And it offers so much more! This month, I’m focusing on the nontechnological area of business. It makes perfect sense that a product called LinkedIn Learning would offer a wide variety of courses on business because LinkedIn is all about professional networking.

When I say there are thousands of courses on business topics available, I’m not exaggerating.

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that includes sample questions and answers, a list of resources, and a page of solid advice for where, when, and how to start the conversation.

That last point about keeping the conversational doors open can be especially reassuring to children, who might have a lot of questions or become worried.

There are four themes already available for checkout—adoption, death, divorce, and foster care— with additional themes, including race, bullying, and aging/memory loss, coming out later this summer.

Librarian Cindy Ulrey points out in the introductory page for each resource folder, “No matter how hard we might try, we can’t completely shield children from change, grief, violence, hatred, trauma, and tragedy.

Discussing tough topics keeps misunderstandings and fears from growing out of control.”

You can look for the “Let’s Talk About” book bags in the children’s nonfiction section of the library, or you can place a hold from our online catalog at www.scld.org/ lets-talk-about-bookbag.

Some of the general tips in the resource folder work for a variety of issues and include such advice as “use open-ended questions to identify what the child already knows,” “be reassuring and let your child know someone is in charge,” and “remember that tough topics aren’t a one-off but an ongoing conversation.”

A simple keyword search for “business” returned over 68,000 results!

Fortunately, you can browse by topic, such as customer service or marketing, or you can get more specific with your keyword search to help narrow things down. It didn’t take me long to find several courses I wanted to take!

At the library, we often get questions about how to write a business plan, so I was interested in “The 45-Minute Business Plan.” This course does a great job of clearly explaining what should be included in a business plan and why. The instructor provides examples for each section and goes over things to consider.

While writing a business plan will take most people longer than 45 minutes, by the end of this course, you will have a good understanding of what work needs to be done.

The course “Empathy in Business: Design for Success” caught my eye because I hadn’t thought of empathy in a business context before. The instructor

While talking about things that are confusing, sad, or complex can be uncomfortable, these moments can also be opportunities for deeper parent-child bonding and a chance for the entire family to grow.

If you’re facing a difficult talk with the children in your life, consider checking out a “Let’s Talk About” book bag as a way to get started. begins by saying “having empathy for others will improve all of your relationships, both in work and in life.” This hooked me immediately. She details ways to think about empathy and how to practice being empathetic in your everyday life. Adopting an empathetic approach can help improve relationships with your employer, employees, and prospective customers.

There are dozens of other business classes I want to take next. The ones at the top of my to-watch list are: “What is Social Entrepreneurship?” “Leadership Strategies for Women,” and “Creating a Positive Customer Experience.”

If any of these courses sound interesting to you or if you’d like to explore different business topics with LinkedIn Learning, you just need your in-district library card and PIN, and then head to www.scld.org/linkedinlearning.

I hope you find great course topics and learning experiences with LinkedIn Learning!

AUGUST 2021 • 21

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AUGUST 2021 • 23

The Current

SVFD REPORT

Continued from page 5 15 minutes. The keys were locked in the car and could be seen on the passenger seat.

Valley Engine 3 crews used the lockout kit to wedge the passenger side front door open.

They reached in with the Griffiths tool to actuate the lock using the key fob laying in the passenger seat. It took about 5 minutes to get into the car with no damage occurring.

Service Call, June 20, 7:31 p.m.

- Spokane Valley Fire Rescue Task Force Crew (RTF) responded at the request of the Sherriff’s County Sherriff’s Office (SCSO) for a small hole adjacent to a house. Crews arrived and contacted the bomb SCSO Bomb Squad that was on scene. The hole contained wires leading to 2 blasting caps. The Sherriff’s Office (SO) anticipated blowing the blasting caps in place and required the SVFD to standby in case of accident. The SO decided to fill the hole with concrete vs the “blow in place” plan. SVFD was released by the SO. Motor Vehicle Collision, June 26, 6:26 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire responded to a car collision eastbound on I90. Crews arrived on scene to find multiple vehicles with one vehicle blocking an inside lane eastbound.

The driver had self-extricated and had minor injuries. Valley 22 blocked traffic and assisted Washington State Patrol (WSP) until the vehicle was removed. One car was on its roof in the westbound lanes having rolled, coming from the I 90 westbound on ramp. Crews prepared patients for transport to an area hospital and mitigated the scene. Once patient triage was finished and the scene secured, Valley Engine 3 released the scene to WSP. Hazardous Materials, June 22, 9:03 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a report of a diesel fuel spill at a gas station. Crews contacted the person who called in the report who informed them about 20 gallons of fuel spilled onto the ground. The gas station used all their absorbents mats and absorbent sand to try and prevent the fuel from making it to the grass swale. Valley Engine 3 used all their absorbent sand to attempt to dam the spill. The owner of the truck stated he started to fill his truck with fuel and then went into the store. Someone else came in later saying there was fuel spilling on the ground. After investigation it appeared, someone had attempted to steal fuel from the truck by cutting the neck of the fuel tank beneath the

truck. The Department of Ecology was contacted, and a spill response team accessed.

the house were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center for evaluation due to smoke inhalation.

Structure Fire, June 22 - Spokane Valley Fire Department responded at 7:14 pm to 12100 block of E.8th Ave for a reported fully involved structure fire.

Callers to 911 from the neighboring residences reported an extremely large fire, with flames from the back of the house as well as numerous trees on fire.

A total of five Engines, two Ladder trucks, three command vehicles and two fire investigators were dispatched, bringing a total of 27 personnel to the scene to handle the large number of labor-intensive tasks that need to be accomplished as soon as possible at a working fire. Ladder 8 crews cut two holes in the roof, to let fire, smoke and heat escape from the attic and living areas to facilitate additional crews on the inside during their search of the structure to ensure the house was no longer occupied. Fire District 8 responded as part of automatic aid, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and SCOPE units assisted with closing 8th Ave during the incident.

The first due unit, Valley Engine 7 (VE7) from Station 7 at 12th and Evergreen was enroute within one minute and twenty-one seconds from time of dispatch. VE7 reported a significant smoke column and upgraded the call to a working fire, summoning additional resources.

Upon arrival, VE7 found a well involved garage fire extending into the living area, with a large body of fire on the back side of the house that had also involved trees in the back yard.

VE7 crews immediately deployed two preconnected 1 ¾” diameter hose lines and began to extinguish the fire as well as hooking into a very conveniently located fire hydrant adjacent to their engine.

The residents had been assisted away from the house by neighbors who had heard the gentleman’s cry for help. A Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy moved the couple to across the street for their safety due to the large volume of fire and were attended to by an ambulance crew from American Medical Response as soon as they arrived on scene. Both residents of

The fire was contained to the house of origin, not spreading to any nearby structures or vehicles, although trees in the backyard were damaged by the fire.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind all residents of the need to have a preplanned and rehearsed escape route out of the home. This pre-planning includes an agreed upon meeting place should the unthinkable happen, so that when the fire department arrives, you can let us know if everyone there is out of the house and accounted for.

This information will drive what we action we take when we arrive, search for missing occupants or firefighting.

Alarm Fire, June 30, 10:57 a.m.

- Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units were dispatched to a second alarm fire on the 11200 block of East 29th Avenue. The home was a two-story split level with smoke and fire extending into the attic. Because of the large column of dark smoke, the first responding apparatus requested additional units while driving to the scene. Valley Engine 12 was the first to arrive and quickly hit the fire from the outside. Initial Reports from neighbors were that the residents were still inside. Crews were aggressively assigned to search in coordination with fire attack. After a search was completed; it was confirmed that no one was home at the time and thankfully the cat was outside.

A total of ten units responded from SVFD. City of Spokane Engine 7 was dispatched to SVFD University Station to cover for those crews serving on the fire. Spokane County Fire District 8 (SCFD8) dispatched units to provide both rehabilitation and operational support to crews working on the fire.

With temperatures in triple digits, Firefighter health is a big concern.

We are happy there were no injuries and Red Cross was not needed for the residents of the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like everyone to keep the extreme temperatures in the forefront. They are a threat to our community should a fire occur, and they are a threat to firefighters’ health when wearing fire protection gear and equipment that adds 50 to 100 pounds to their body weight. Keeping hydrated is extremely difficult under these conditions.

About Spokane Department

Valley

Fire

The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2020, our crosstrained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/ Paramedics responded to more than 18,700 emergency calls.

Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

24

• AUGUST 2021

The Current