2022 September Current

SEP TEMBER

2022

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit #010 ZIP CODE 99019

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A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Valley Culture grows as Performing Arts Center Breaks Ground page 10

GETTING TO KNOW NEWEST MEMBER OF SVST TEAM PAGES 2

EV STUDENT YOUNG RODEO CHAMP PAGE 24

TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HERO DAN PATTERSON PAGE 27

2

• SEPTEMBER 2022

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Campaign Conductor – Oxford rallies interest in arts venue

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

The artist’s depiction of the building conjures up images of the Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side – but this unique venue will be grounded squarely on the Lower North Side of Spokane Valley and alter the terrain of the local arts scene forever.

Georgia Oxford began pitching the concept of the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center (SVPAC) on May 15, her first day as capital campaign director. Since then, Idaho Central Credit Union has signed on as the title sponsor while $18 million of the project’s overall $48 million has been raised.

Billed as “the most stunning, elegant and distinguished arts center between Minneapolis and Seattle,” the ICCUSVPAC is schedule to host its first production in the summer of 2024. Groundbreaking for the building on East Mansfield took place Aug. 13 with a robust crowd in attendance. Just over three months into her role, Oxford said “the interest is there” with naming rights to the main stage and other areas of the venue still on the table.

“Right now, I’m setting very intentional meetings,” she said.

When the public announcement about the project came down last November, Oxford was not thinking about taking the reins of one of the most ambitious capital campaigns the region has ever seen. She was working in business development for the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, her professional home since 2017.

In looking for a good fit to lead the campaign, Marnie Rorholm, SVPAC managing director, asked Oxford if she could recommend anyone. Eventually, it was Oxford who waved a fond farewell to the

chamber and signed on to be part of Rorholm’s team which includeds Yvonne Johnson, SVPAC executive artistic director and visionary for the venue.

“I got to thinking that I really needed to help them build this building,” Oxford said. “I thought about the impact on businesses and growth in this area.”

Rorholm said Oxford has been an ideal fit to champion the campaign.

“Georgia has such a passion for this project beyond just a job,” Rorholm said. “She’s really invested in improving the Valley and connecting business people to this opportunity.”

While Oxford still helps out occasionally with some chamber responsibilities, she is primarily focused on raising interest

and financial support for an unprecedented campaign that began with a goal of $36 million but transitioned to $48 million with the ongoing supply chain issues affecting the construction industry.

NAC Architecture is responsible for the design while Garco Construction is the contractor.

“We wanted to be very transparent,” Oxford said of the funding target.

Oxford has been emphasizing the economic ripple effect of the venue and projections such as every dollar spent there translating into $2 for the business community.

The 59,000-square-foot facility will feature a main stage, a studio theatre and an event space with capacity for 400.

Growing up in the small Idaho

Photo by Craig Howard Georgia Oxford works as the capital campaign manager for the Idaho Central Credit Union Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, a $48 million project that broke ground Aug. 13. Oxford was previously employed by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

town of Bonners Ferry, Oxford gravitated more toward outdoor activities than drama. The youngest child of seven, she enjoyed hiking, fishing, camping and swimming. In school, she took an interest in history and was involved in the local chapter of Future Farmers of America.

Oxford’s family tree includes relatives who served proudly in the military, including a great uncle who had an accomplished career in the Navy. After graduating from high school in 1997, Oxford spent a few years working before enlisting in the Navy in January 2000 as a diesel mechanic.

Oxford’s first assignment was in San Diego as part of the USS Pearl Harbor crew. When 9/11 happened, she shipped off to the Persian Gulf on the same boat, eventually serving just off the coast of Iraq.

“You learn about life very quickly,” Oxford said of the deployment which routinely included 16-hour shifts.

After two deployments and four years of service, Oxford transitioned to the civilian world in January 2004. She landed back in San Diego, working for a manufacturing company and attending school parttime. In 2005, she moved to Delaware, latching on with the state insurance commission. She continued school, earning her Microsoft certificate and also studying criminal justice.

By late 2007, Oxford was back in the Inland Northwest, settling in Hayden, Idaho. She found work in Post Falls for a collection agency in accounts receivable. The move back home was heavily influenced by Oxford’s wish to help care for her mother who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

During that time, Oxford enrolled at Carrington College in the Pharmacy Technician program. She also worked part-time at Target. By 2014, Oxford was working at Well Life Pharmacy beginning a tenure that would last until she signed on with the Valley Chamber in November 2017.

When the capital campaign for ICCUSV winds up, Oxford has said she would be interested in remaining See OXFORD, Page 4

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 3

The Current

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4

• SEPTEMBER 2022

The Current

SAVE THE DATE! NEW EXHIBITS AND EVENTS COMING SOON!

It's that time of year again! Mark Your Calendars for Our 18th Annual Heritage Program "Out of the Gravel, Commerce Takes Hold" Saturday, November 5 from 1:30-3:30 pm at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane Valley Call the Museum at 509-922-4570 for more info

Visit our website for more details spokanevalleymuseum.com You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram We are open Wednesday-Saturday 11 am to 4 pm COMING IN OCTOBER! More details coming soon about the Ellis Island Exhibit The Immigrant Experience: Ellis Island "The Huddled Masses"

SPOKANE COUNTY INTERSTATE FAIR September 9th - 18th

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OXFORD

Continued from page 2 on, possibly in business development or event planning.

“We would be happy to keep Georgia in any capacity,” said Rorholm.

Q: How do you think your four years in the Navy prepared you for the rest of your career beyond the military?

A: My time in the military taught me how to be a vital part of a team, determination to get the job done and to set goals to exceed expectations.

It gave me the realization that you can accomplish anything with determination and goals and it allowed me to understand how far you can go with a great team. I saw how people struggled in other countries and was able to gain a greater appreciation of what we have here in the United States.

Q: It sounds like you developed an increased appreciation for the West Coast after living back east for a few years. What is it about this side of the country that is more appealing to you?

A: I appreciated the experience and the history of the East Coast however, the hurried lifestyle was not for me. I enjoy visiting with the people in the stores and getting to know the community without the rush of hurrying along with transactional connections.

My experience with the people in this area is that they are quick to welcome you and create lasting friendships.

The Northwest is home and where I am most comfortable as I enjoy the outdoors. I am also very fortunate to have a majority of my family within a few hours of me.

Q: What were some of the main adjustments when you transitioned from the military to the civilian world?

A: During my time in the military the war in Iraq had just started and everything was done with haste.

Adjusting to the pace of civilian jobs was the most difficult for me. In the military, you are late if you are not 10 minutes early and a majority of the time you are finishing a job regardless of how long you have been at work that day. Settling back into a normal civilian life was distinct change.

Q: When you signed on with the

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 5

The Current

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2017, what were your expectations? What were some of the takeaways from your time there?

A: I had been a part of the chamber with the business I worked at, so I had a general idea of the work the chamber did. I was excited to learn more about the chamber businesses and see how I could best help. It did not take me long to realize the true positive impact the chamber had on the community. I was proud to be a part of the organization that we could see first-hand the impact we had on helping to build the businesses in the region.

Q: When you first learned of the opportunity as the capital campaign manager for the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, what were your thoughts?

A: After seeing what the project entailed and how it was going to impact the region, I wanted to help them find a capital campaign manager that would work hard to ensure the building and all of its potential came to the Spokane Valley.

This project is bigger than any one individual working to bring it to the area. It requires the involvement of the region. I knew that there were a great group of individuals behind the project with sound business sense and a passion to increase the opportunities of the arts in our area.

Q: Why is this a good fit for you at this point in your professional life?

A: I am very fortunate to be a part of this legacy project that will impact the region for years to come.

The Performing Arts Center will be here for years after I am gone impacting the lives of so many people and businesses. Working with the chamber has allowed me to make a lot of great connections within the community that will be beneficial to create awareness of this project.

Q: What sort of feedback are you hearing about this project in your first few months on the job?

A: There is still a vast majority of the community that do not know the details of the project such as there are three major sections of the building: the main stage, the studio theatre and a 400-person event space. A majority of the community did not realize this is a privately funded project and anyone; businesses or individuals, can donate to this legacy. In educating the community about the project there has been a great amount of excitement to have the opportunities

that the facility will provide. The Spokane Valley Summer Theatre is a professional theatre that will be able to transition to a year-round theatre to enhance the theatre experience in the community. We will be able to facilitate more opportunities for our youth to participate in camps and enhance their careers as well.

Q: You've had the chance to observe the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre's latest season from a closer perspective based on your role with the capital campaign. What have been some of your impressions of this troupe that will transition to the new facility in a couple of years?

A: Yvonne Johnson is an incredible leader in the theatre community. She is incredibly talented not only in putting together the best cast for the performances but having a great business mind as well.

Being able to see the performances over the summer gave me a firsthand experience of the vast majority of talent we have in our area. It was humbling to see such an incredible group of people of all ages and backgrounds working together to do what they love and ensure that the patrons have a great experience at every show. They are all so incredibly supportive of each other, reminding me of a big family. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and get to know each of them. After seeing the performances, I am more driven to want to make sure that they have a location to perform in to enhance the community.

Q: Finally, this campaign has been described as "a legacy project to showcase the pride and possibility of our region." How do you expand on that concept in a way that will appeal to a wide variety of potential investors, theatre-goers and even those who may not have an inclination toward the arts?

A: This project truly is a legacy project. So many people will be able to gather there for theatre, conferences, weddings and many other events that will leave a footprint in their lives. The facility will offer many opportunities for our theatre professionals to be employed in the area they are passionate about. This building will become a major part of the Spokane Valley and the region to bring people to the area. Those businesses and individuals with the naming rights will see their legacies live on through all of the people that will be able to appreciate the way they chose to support the project.

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

The Current

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel 2022 July Malicious Mischief Hotspots

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

Spokane Valley Districts

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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.

Published Date: 8/9/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

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September is National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” To help you and your loved ones prepare for fall hazards, such as hurricanes, drought, wildfires and more, the National Weather Service (NWS) launched its Fall Safety Campaign on September 1.

1. Remain vigilant after extreme weather passes. The storm may be over, but dangers remain, so watch out for downed power lines and damaged buildings, and always avoid floodwaters.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 • 7

The Current

2022 July Burglary Hotspots

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8

• SEPTEMBER 2022

NEWS

Changes to Sprague Ave Coming

By Lincoln DoWright Current contributor

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Gang Task Force Update The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force which is the unit that focuses on gang, highlevel drug, and human trafficking investigations is a joint unit consisting of officers from the FBI, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department, the Department of Corrections, and Customs and Border Protection explained Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis.

Chief Ellis continued by sharing statistics on Shooting trends. “The City of Spokane had 36 shootings in 2018, 52 in 2019, 94 in 2020, 151 in 2021, 81 through June 30th of 2022, and Spokane Valleys numbers are following a similar trend.”

The Chief highlighted recent events such as June 26th where a Spokane Police Office was shot by two gang suspects who hunted officers and recorded it on their cell phone. August 3rd where a Spokane Police Officer received a shrapnel injury during a shooting with a robbery suspect from Spokane Valley. And January 30th where there was video footage of a shootout in the parking lot near 2100 North Pines.

With this increased trend, the Safe Streets Task Force has been re-organized to focus more on the Spokane / Spokane Valley metro area gang issues, partners with the new Spokane Police Department Violent Crimes Unit and thanks to an additional $100,000 provided by the Spokane County Commissioners will provide overtime for extra proactive street patrols tasked with combatting gang violence.

Tourism Promotion Area The Tourism Promotion Area is a program established by the State of Washington in which the local Lodging or Hotel community can petition their local governments to establish an additional fee on room nights rented within the designated area. In 2004 the City of Spokane

The Current

Valley joined the Spokane County Regional Tourism Promotion Area but in October of last year the City of Spokane Valley voted to terminate their participation with the Spokane County Regional Tourism Promotion Area effective December 31st 2022 with a preference of having their own Spokane Valley Specific TPA. On August 23rd, Spokane Valley Hoteliers presented the City Council with a petition signed by more than 70% of the hoteliers within Spokane Valley asking for the creation of a Tourism Promotion Area defined as the boundaries of the City of Spokane Valley. Per the regulations of state law regarding the establishment of TPA’s the City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed ordinance establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area for Tuesday Sept 13th and possible final action on Sept 20th for a tentative implementation of Jan 1st 2023.

Snow Plow Fleet Update Spokane Valley Community & Public Works Director Bill Helbig briefed the city council on the Snow Plow Fleet. “Over the years, the City has adopted as part of its annual budget, a Snowplow Replacement Program so that the aging unserviceable plows can be replaced. This existing program provides for one new replacement snowplow to be acquired every three years.”

However with the bulk of the city plows being purchased in 2008 from the Washington State Department of Transportation as used plows being surplused.

Director Helbig stated “Following

The Current

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 9

NEWS

this schedule, the average age of a snowplow when replaced is 35.5 years.” and “Due to the aging fleet, the City rarely has all eleven plows available for snow removal operations. Typically, only nine are available as various plows are often out-of-service due to structural, mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic system failures.”

Ultimately the city staff’s proposal is to increase the annual contributions towards the Snow Plow Replacement Program so that the city will replace one Plow each year for the next eight years before returning to the replacement routine of one new plow ever three years and to expand the fleet to 13 plows 11 newer trucks and two spares for parts. Currently the city budgets $60,500 per year for the replacement program and this would increase the annual commitment to $275,000 per year.

This discussion will continue with the development of the 2023 budget.

Balfour Park Project Update In July of 2021 the City Council authorized a contract with AHBL Inc for design services of the Balfour Park Expansion. The design was to be completed in two phases.

The Phase 1 project consisted of the main park infrastructure including excavation and grading, water, electric and sewer utilities, some of the park pathways and lighting system, the easterly parking lot, some landscaping / irrigation, and the new restroom building.

The Construction of Phase 1 was estimated at $3.1 million however the lowest bid received back in March was $5 million. City staff have identified a series of cost

savings opportunities within the project such as providing a prefabricated restroom building instead of site building one; allowing more options and revised irrigation layouts, replace stamped concrete with plain / integral color / sand finishes. In order to incorporate these changes the staff asked for an expansion of the AHBL contract so that the city would be ready to rebid the project in December of this year.

Council approved the amendment unanimously.

Sprague Stormwater Project In 2014 the city had applied for and was selected to receive money towards a stormwater project along Sprague Ave between University and Park Road but due to delayed funding availability and increased costs (the project increased from an estimated $2 million to an estimated $5.5 million) the city chose to return the grant but asked to have staff bring back the segment of Sprague Ave between University and Herald.

In this section the city staff looked at ways of not only improving the stormwater treatment but also for safer pedestrian crossings. The staff proposal is to reduce the width of Sprague Ave at University from 5 lanes to 3 lanes until Herald.

The council debated the benefits of reducing to 3 lanes vs reducing to 4 lanes. It was ultimately decided to proceed with a pilot of the three lane proposal. Beginning Sept 19th and going until Oct 28th the city will be using tubular markers (i.e. cones) to reduce Sprague to 3 lanes and collect data on traffic impacts as well as community feedback which will be presented back to the City Council in early November.

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

COVER STORY

The Current

PAC groundbreaking in Spokane Valley

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

Spokane Valley Summer Theatre announced last year a capital campaign to raise money for a grand performing arts center in Spokane Valley, but sometimes it doesn’t seem real until the first shovel of dirt is turned. That happened in mid-August and now construction of the threestory, 59,000 square foot facility is proceeding.

Spokane Valley Summer Theatre was formed in 2016, but never had an established home.

Performances were sometimes held outside, then moved to theaters at Central Valley High School and University High Schools. “The Central Valley School District has just been a great partner since the beginning,” said Managing Director Marnie Rorholm.

She anticipates that the relationship between the two organizations will continue after the theater company moves out of the high schools, though this time the theater group will be the one offering assistance. “I have a feeling we’ll continue to do resource sharing,” she said.

But now a permanent home that organizers hope will be a benefit to the entire region is rising from a 5-acre site next to the new Tru By Hilton hotel that is near the Spokane River across from the Spokane Valley YMCA and the CenterPlace event center.

Idaho Central Credit Union has purchased naming rights for the facility at an undisclosed pricing, making its official name the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center.

The performing arts center will include a 500-seat main stage, a 200-seat studio theater, space for conservatory classes and a special event space that will accommodate 400. Facilities that have event space that can accommodate groups that large are hard to find in the area, Rorholm said. “It can be for weddings and conferences and anything,” she said. “I really think we can bring some convention and visitor events to Spokane Valley,

more so than now.”

She said she hopes the location nestled next to the Spokane River and Discovery Park will become a hub for business activity.

CenterPlace is just across the road, as is the hotel. She’s also heard of plans for another hotel to be built a portion of the 80-acre site that is still vacant. “We have five of the 80 acres,” she said. “It probably will change the face of the Valley.”

Organizers originally set out to raise $36 million for the project. That was just recently raised to $48 million based on rising construction costs and labor shortages, said Capital Campaign Manager Georgia Oxford. Oxford said that she has talked to some people who believe the project is a public one and she has been asked when the vote will be to approve the project. However, the project is not a public one. “It is all privately funded,” she said. “We have $18 million so far. It’s going really well. The community is on board and extremely supportive. People are donating at all levels.”

Some large donors have given to the capital campaign, but everyday people are sending in what they can, too, Oxford said. “There are a number of patrons who go to our web site and support this,” she said. “We are just excited the community is playing such a large part in this. Everyone is aware it’s a legacy project.”

There are still permanent naming rights available for donors who are interested, Oxford said, including for the main stage, the studio theater and the event space.

“There’s quite a few,” she said.

The project might never have come to be if it wasn’t for SVST founder and executive artistic director Yvonne Johnson, Rorholm said. Someone approached her about helping to build a theater, but Johnson had bigger dreams.

She suggested a performing arts center instead, something that had been a longtime dream of hers.

Many people don’t realize that SVST is one of only two professional theater companies in the area, Oxford said, with the

The Current

other being the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Too often people assume the productions put on by SVST are not professional because performances are held in a school, she said. “Everybody starts to think we’re a high school production, but we’re not.”

The truth is that there just aren’t that many venues in the Spokane area that work well for theater productions, Rorholm said.

There are the Bing and the Fox Theater in downtown Spokane, but those venues are better suited for symphony performances and other live music. The Spokane Convention Center has a stage that is excellent for theater, but venue is quite large, she said.

“We just don’t realize how far behind we are in terms of performing arts space,” she said.

“What we’re bringing to the market here just doesn’t exist.”

SVST does three productions each summer as well as a Christmas show and a full schedule of summer classes for youth. The classes aren’t just for acting, Rorholm said. There are also classes for lighting, sound, set creating – every part of the theater experience. The new performing arts center will allow those classes to be held year-round. “We can serve hundreds of more students than we are now,” she said.

COVER STORY

Rorholm said every effort has been made to make the performing arts center able to accommodate a wide variety of events. “We’re definitely thinking outside of the box and thinking of venue streams other than just ticket sales,” she said. “It’s the perfect spot for us to be located. It’s 20 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from Coeur d’Alene.”

Overall, the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre has been a success with revenues and attendance increasing each year, not counting the COVID years. “We’ve more than doubled that in seven years,” Rorholm said. “If we can do that in a high school, what can we do in a professional performing arts center?”

This year the theater group performed “The Bridges of Madison County” in June, “Newsies: The Broadway Musical” in July and “Sister Act” in August, the first full season offered since 2019. It was, by all accounts, a huge success, with season ticket sales up 231 percent from 2019, Oxford said.

The theater company hopes to keep that going. This year’s Christmas performance will be “Home for the Holidays: A Big Band Christmas,” but the dates have not yet been set. An announcement on the 2023 summer season will be

made soon.

Even now the theater group has a regional impact, which will only be boosted by the new performing arts center. About 30 percent of those coming to the shows were from outside of Spokane County and of those, 14 percent were from out of state. Those visitors helped boost the economy by increasing hotel room stays and restaurant visits.

“We had people staying in Coeur d’Alene, we had people staying downtown,” Oxford said. “Every dollar spent in the performing arts translates to $32 back into the economy.”

The capital campaign is

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 11

scheduled to last until the end of 2025. All donations to the non-profit organization are tax deductible.

Information on making a donation to the campaign is available at www.svsummertheatre.com.

“We want it to be for the community, but it has to be by the community, too,” Rorholm said. “This is going to be the most technologically capable theater building between Minnesota and Seattle.”

The new performing arts center should be complete in 2024, Oxford said. “We’ll start our summer 2024 season there,” she said. “We are so incredibly excited.”

Photo by Ben Wick Moving the first shovel of dirt at the official groundbreaking for the ICSVPAC building (from left to right) is Capital Campaign Manager Georgia Oxford, Managing Director Marnie Rorholm, Board members Daid and Christina Lynch, Executive Artistic Director Yvonne Johnson,

12

COMMUNITY

• SEPTEMBER 2022

COMMUNITY EVENTS Sept 9 – 18 | Spokane County Interstate Fair – 10 a.m. daily, 404 N Havana Rd. It’s “All Systems Go!” at the 2022 Spokane County Interstate Fair! With exciting experiences, inspiring displays, the best food, and commercial vendors around.

Not to mention the impressive variety of livestock being shown, awesome carnival rides, spectacular entertainment, and so much more. For more information visit interstatefair.org Sept 10 | Central Valley High School Band Human Car Wash – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Valley High School. Central Valley High School Marching Band & Color Guard Boosters is hosting their annual human car wash fundraiser. Tickets are $5 per car. For more information visit cvbands.org Sept. 11 | Spokane Interstate Fair Livestock Boosters sale- 2 pm. Come support youth in agriculture as they sell their project animals to support future endeavors. Go to facebook. com/SpokaneLivestsockBoosters for more information.

Sept 19 | Senior Resource Fair – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CenterPlace Regional Event Center. This free event will include local vendors and businesses from around the Spokane community to provide informational materials for seniors all in one place.

For more information about this event or if your organization would like to participate as a vendor, please contact the Spokane Valley Senior Center at 509-927-1937.

Sept 23 – 25 | Valleyfest at Mirabeau Meadows.

Spokane Valley’s premier festival. Valleyfest kicks off with a parade down Sprague Ave on Friday night, and festival with local music, dancing, fishing, and booths on Saturday and Sunday with Sunday being a celebration of culture with Multicultural Day. This event is free and more information can be found at Valleyfest.org

Sept 29 | HUB All-Star Breakfast - 7:30 a.m. Mirabeau Park Hotel.

The program will feature a guest speaker and include an update on HUB Sports Center activities; what we accomplished since our 2021 Breakfast, how we have provided positive events for youth and families, as well as our new, exciting plans for supporting the youth and community into 2023. Proceeds from the breakfast go to the HUB Sports Center, a 501c3 nonprofit. RSVP to hubsportscenter.org/fundraising/ breakfast/ by Sept 16th

Millwood. The men’s weekly Bible Study meets in the Reception Hall with different members sharing in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. More at www. milwoodpc.org.

RECURRING

Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards, and Spokane Valley.

Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. More at scld.org.

ACT 2 Senior Classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc. spokane.edu.

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast | 8 - 11 a.m. last Sunday of each month at the Green Bluff Grange, 9809 E. Green Bluff Rd., Colbert.

Enjoy fresh fruit with your pancakes.

It is all you can eat pancakes, sausage & eggs plus drinks from. Cost: $10 adults, $5 for 6-12 years, and free for 5 and under with paying adult.

Cash or check please. More info: 509-979-2607 Catholic Singles Mingle | Meeting times and locations vary. This group, with no dues, is for single adults of all ages. More at www.meetup. com/Catholic-Singles-Mingle.

Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more, call 2262202.

Men’s Weekly Bible Study | 7 a.m.

Tuesdays. Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road,

Rockford Crochet Class | 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford.

Free classes. We have crocheters, knitters, embroidery, quilting and needlepoint. Come and share what you are doing. For more, call 2913722.

Spokane Falls Needlework Guild | 12 p.m.-3 p.m. first Thursday of the month at Senior Center at Mirabeau.

Open to anyone who enjoys cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint and other needlework arts. For more information, contact Chris Baldini at 509-993-8971. Hope to see you!

Spokane Valley Eagles | 16801 E. Sprague Ave. Breakfast served Sundays 9 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch served Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m. More at www.foe3433. com.

Spokane Valley Farmers Market – 4 p.m. on Fridays, 2426 N Discovery Pl, Spokane Valley, WA 99216. Join us for our 4th season! Shop local for fresh produce, fresh cut flowers, baked goods, crafts, cider, beer, honey and more! Over 40 vendors, live music, and food trucks weekly.

Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank | New distribution/service hours! No appointment needed, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

10814 E. Broadway Ave. Address verification required. For more info, call 927-1153 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Current

MUSIC & THE ARTS Sept 3 | Symphony at the Park. 6 p.m.

Pavillion Park, 727 N Molter Rd. The Spokane Symphony with musical director James Lowe returns for the 21st annual Lud Kramer Memorial Concert. The program expected to include music from popular movies, patriotic songs, high-energy classics, and even the familiar sounds of the Beatles. Audiences are encouraged to arrive early to pick out their spot in the park and to bring their own chairs, blankets, and picnic dinner.

Concessions at the park will also be available from the Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club. This performance is sponsored by the city of Liberty Lake and the Greenstone Foundation and has free admission.

RECURRING Pages of Harmony | 6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road.

Four-part, a cappella harmony, men’s barbershop chorus. More at pagesofharmony.org.

Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays, Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 866-6354.

HEALTH & RECREATION Sept 10 - 11 | Slamma Jamma Pickleball Tournament – HUB Sports Center. Presented by Christ Kitchen there will be Men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday with mixed doubles on Sunday. Cost is $50 plus $5 per event. https:// www.hubsportscenter.org/event/ slammajamma22 Sept 30 | HUB-apalooza Family

The Current

Fun Festival – 4 p.m. HUB Sports Center. We are celebrating our 15th birthday with an afternoon/ evening full of fun activities and games. This is a terrific opportunity to bring the family to HUB Sports Center and sample a variety of events. Learn more about HUB Sports Center and what we do for the community. All ages are welcome and this event is FREE to attend and participate

RECURRING Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m.,708 N. Pines, Spokane Valley. Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon/ Alateen family groups can help.

For more, call 456-2125.

Decreasing Anger Group | 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, the Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors. For more, call Steve at 893-4746 to make an intake appointment.

DivorceCare Recovery Support Group | Mondays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Eastpoint Church, 15303 E. Sprague Ave. Learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future. DivorceCare for Kids (ages 5-12) meets at the same time and location. Cost is $25 for workbook. More at 892-5255 or eastpointchurch.com.

Family and Friends of Addicts| 6 p.m. Wednesdays, The ONE Church, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley. Support group utilizing tools and principles to help navigate relationships with addicts and finding peace, strength and hope. For more, call 590-2422.

GriefShare Support Group (Mondays)| 6:15 to 8 p.m. Mondays, The ONE Church, east entrance, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley.

Most recent program began Feb. 20, but join at any time. Designed to help cope with loss, whether recent or years ago. For more, call Sue at 294-1664 or Jere at 710-3354.

GriefShare Support Group (Thursdays) | 10 a.m. Thursdays, Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, 15515 E. 20th Ave. Most recent program began Jan. 17 and runs 13 weeks, but join at any time.

If you have lost a loved one and are dealing with grief, stop by to share

COMMUNITY

or just listen. For more, call 9261545.

HUB Sports Center | 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake.

Various activities and events occur throughout the week including: • Pickleball drop-in: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; $4 online, $5 at door. Preregistered players have priority, limited availability for drop-ins.

Clinics held twice a month. For more info www.hubsportscenter. org/pickleball/ • Classes including Kenpo Karate, Taekwondo and Fit for YOUR Life.

See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.

Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11:30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. For more, call Steve at 893-4746.

Mindful Music & Movement | (NEW TIME) 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.

Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102-103, Otis Orchards. All are welcome to this session specifically designed for adults living with chronic health issues. Session addresses physical function, vocal wellness and strength, self-expression, breath work, movement, and increase of mood through music experiences, as facilitated by board-certified music therapist, Carla Carnegie. $10 per person. For more, email carla. carnegie@gmail.com or call 5927875.

Yoga in Rockford | 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Rockford Park, 20 W. Emma St., Rockford. In case of inclement weather, classes will be held at Dave’s Autobody, 8 W. Emma St. CIVIC &

BUSINESS Sept 29 | State of the County Address – 11 a.m. Spokane Convention Center – Centennial Ballroom. Gain some crucial insights about the current and future economic environment of the Spokane region. Commissioner Mary Kuney will share an executive address on behalf of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners

highlighting the impacts of 2022 and the road ahead for our region and the transition to five county districts. Cost is $50 per person, more information available at greaterspokane.org Sept 29 | CVSD Community Conversation – 6 p.m. at Greenacres Middle School, 17409 E Sprague Ave. These events are an opportunity for two-way conversations with your School Board Directors and Superintendent John Parker in an open house format. Join us as we talk about our upcoming plans and hear your feedback about what you want to see for our students in the future as part of our upcoming five-year strategic plan. For more information visit cvsd.org/ communityconversations

RECURRING Spokane Valley City Council | Regular meetings held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave., Ste. 101. Council study sessions are held the first, third and sometimes fifth Tuesdays at 6 p.m., also in Council Chambers.

Millwood City Council | Regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave. Spokane Flag Museum | Sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Fairmount Memorial Association, details the rich history of the American flag, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. For more, call 9262753 or visit fairmountmemorial. com/south-pines-cemetery.

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 13

Pick up a free copy of

The Current, a monthly publication for the Valley, offers visual storytelling, eye-catching ads and community coverage readers have come to rely on. This free newspaper is available at more than 150 high-traffic places around the Valley, including the following locations: Albertsons Anytime Fitness Arby’s Barnes and Noble Barney’s Harvest Foods Brickhouse Massage and Coffee Bar Bruttles Gourmet Candy Shop Dishman Dodge Hallett’s Maket and Cafe HICO Village Library Longhorn BBQ Maverick Scrumdillyumptious Donuts Skyway Cafe Terry’s Breakfast and Lunch Yoke’s Fresh Market Wohuld you like to carry The Current in your place of business? Contact us at Natasha@libertylakesplash.com.

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Valley Culture grows as Performing Arts Center Breaks Ground

Spokane Valley Kiwanis | 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays via Zoom, For more information contact: President Mike Frucci, 509-927-2342, frucci101@comcast.net. More at Spokane-valley.kiwanisone.org Greater Spokane Valley Rotary | Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Darcy’s, 10502 E. Sprague Ave. More at svrotary.org.

Submit items for The Current Community Calendar by the 15th of the previous month by emailing editor@valleycurrent.com. Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

The Current

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Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

As West Valley High School begins the academic year, Molly Fisher is among the leaders on campus. The senior maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is president of WV’s National Honor Society chapter. Last year, as an officer with NHS, she took part in community service projects like a food drive and school supply drive. Fisher participates in Link Crew as a mentor to freshmen. She also takes classes in veterinary medicine at NEWTech Skill Center. Fisher is a letter winner in soccer, basketball and softball.

In soccer, she was named an All Greater Spokane League first team midfielder as a sophomore and junior and earned second team honors her freshman season. In basketball, she was a key reserve on an Eagles’ squad that advanced to state last season. She was also part of WV’s state-qualifying team in softball.

On the gridiron, the pitch and the classroom, Jackson Bale excels.

The senior at West Valley High School is three-year letter winner in football where he was named to the All Greater Spokane League second team as a defensive end for the past two years. In a win his sophomore year against Pullman on Washington State University’s home turf, Bale had two sacks and a blocked kick. He amassed five sacks as a sophomore and seven sacks as a junior. On offense, he plays tight end. Bale has also lettered three years in soccer as a forward, striker and winger. He maintains a 3.98 grade point average and is a member of National Honor Society where he serves as historian.

Bale hopes to continue his football career in college. He has drawn interest from Eastern Washington, Montana, Idaho and Montana State.

In the book of Spokane Valley treasures, Anne Sherrodd has a special chapter. The native of Winlock, Washington moved to the Valley in 1956 with her husband Allen. She developed into a well-respected, largely self-taught painter whose work has been displayed at the Chase Gallery, Museum of Native American Culture and The Gallery in Coeur d’Alene among other venues. A mural of Sherrodd’s adorns a wall at the Sacred Heart Medical Center. She taught art for 20 years at Community Colleges of Spokane and Corbin Senior Center. She has also coordinated art exhibits at CenterPlace and helped with the establishment of the Spokane Valley Arts Council. Sherrodd has also volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, Den Mother and been part of her church choir She is the proud mother of five children and has 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

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The Current

Library resources to help with drought-tolerant yard projects

By Jane Baker

Spokane County Library District

A couple years ago, I removed the grass from the front yard to conserve water and planted perennials and trees that attract birds, bees, and butterflies. This summer, I tackled three additional yard projects: dividing perennials, adding a rain barrel, and creating a container herb garden. You can read about both endeavors on the SCLD blog at www.scld.org/drought-tolerant.

You can learn more about conserving water in your garden at our upcoming program “Lawn Gone: Native Plants & Xeriscape Gardens,” taught by Master Gardener Steve Nokes on Thursday, September 22, at 6:30pm at Spokane Valley Library. You can register for this program by calling the library at 509-893-8400 or by going online to www.scld.org/gardeningprograms.

Get ready for Medicare Open Enrollment at the library

By Stacey Goddard, librarian Spokane County Library District

Turning 65 often brings to mind thoughts of retirement, but that milestone birthday is important for another reason: it’s the age we’re eligible to register for Medicare.

And just like other insurance plans, Medicare has an annual open enrollment period where you can make changes to your existing plan. For 2023, Medicare’s open enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7, 2022.

Choosing a Medicare plan can be confusing and overwhelming. The library is here to help! If you need to select a plan or change your existing plan, we are having two Medicare Open Enrollment Clinic sessions

LIBRARY

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 15

If you are unable to make that program or want additional help, the library has digital resources and books on various gardening topics that can help with planning and creating the garden that most appeals to you.

In the Digital Library (www. scld.org/digital-library), you’ll find the Home Improvement Reference Center and Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. These resources offer a collection of magazine articles, eBooks, projects, and images on gardening topics.

To get ideas and information to reach your desired gardening goal, a book could be the perfect resource. You’ll find both eBooks in our OverDrive collection and books on our shelves about drought gardening at www.scld.org/ drought-gardening-books. Here are three that feature different kinds of drought-tolerant gardens.

“Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style,” by Joseph Tychonievich, includes a survey of gorgeous rock gardens from around the world, techniques and methods for creating and maintaining a rock garden, and profiles of the top 50 rock garden plants.

If you are looking for a garden that is less about rocks and more about plants, then Pam Penick’s “The Water-Saving Garden: How to Grow a Gorgeous Garden with a Lot Less Water” might just be the book for you. It includes a directory of 100 plants for drought-prone regions and information on rainwater harvesting (swales, rain barrels, cisterns, etc.), gray-water systems, permeable paving, and more.

If you are looking to create a vegetable-producing garden using less water, check out “Gardening with Less Water: Low-Tech, LowCost Techniques: Use up to 90% Less Water in Your Garden,” by David A. Bainbridge. It has illustrated step-by-step instruction and offers simple, inexpensive, low-tech ways to water your garden more efficiently using buried clay pots and pipes, wicking systems, and other porous containers that deliver water directly to a plant’s roots with little to no evaporation.

The next time you start a new project, I hope you’ll take advantage of the books and resources that our libraries serving Spokane Valley have to help you.

in September so you can get the information you need to be ready to make any changes starting October 15.

On Thursday, September 22, at 1pm, our in-person session is at Spokane Valley Library, and our online session is on Monday, September 26, at 1pm. You can register for either of these sessions at www.scld.org/medicare-programs.

During these free, unbiased sessions, a trained volunteer from SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) shares information about Medicare Part D and Advantage plans, who is eligible, and what options are available to you. You’ll also learn what you can do during open enrollment, how to choose and change plans, what Medigaps are and how they work, and what Medicare fraud looks like so you can prevent it.

SHIBA is part of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer protection services. In the Spokane area, SHIBA is sponsored by Aging

and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW). ALTCEW advocates for the needs of older adults on the local, state, and national level. They support topics that matter to older adults, such as Medicare, in-home care, and housing. They also meet with elected officials to talk about the needs of local seniors in the community.

SHIBA advisors complete extensive training on Medicare and provide one-on-one counseling for a range of services, including determining eligibility for healthcare coverage programs, evaluating and comparing plans and programs, and collecting and reporting possible fraud complaints.

SHIBA advisors also present monthly workshops at the library on a variety of Medicare-related topics.

You can visit our event calendar at www.scld.org/events at any time to see the upcoming Medicare workshops. If you are unable to attend these programs at the library, you can call SHIBA at 1-800-5626900 to make an appointment for one-on-one help.

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16

• SEPTEMBER 2022

SVFD Report – July 2022 Current news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 2096 emergency incidents July 2022.

Emergency Medical Services 1696 Fires 112 Motor Vehicle Collisions 95 Building Alarms 70 Dispatched and Cancelled en route 58 Service Calls 26 Hazardous Materials 21 Vehicle Fires 7 Technical Rescue 6 Auto vs Pedestrian 3 Rescue Task Force 2 • Total emergency incidents increased from 1980 last month to 2096 this month.

• Emergency Medical Services incidents increased from 1623 to 1696.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions increased from 83 to 95.

• Vehicle Fires decreased from 14 last month to 7 this month.

The Current

• Fires saw an increase from 110 last month to 112 this month.

Of note: • Thank you to everyone who voted on the August 2 ballot.

• We continue to emphasize Driving Safely. Throughout the Fire District we are seeing an increase in motorcycle vs auto collisions with major injuries.

• Be careful with yard equipment and anything that can spark a fire. Burn restrictions are in place. It is hot and dry outside. Do not put cigarettes out in potted plants or throw them out of car windows. The potential for fire from an improperly disposed of cigarette is extremely high.

• Wear your life jacket (PFD) while out recreating near or on rivers and lakes. We have already experienced some drownings this year. Losing 1 life is too many.

Incidents of Significance: Media Release, August 1 Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a commercial fire around 10:19 a.m. near the 10600 block of east Sprague Avenue. Crews arrived to find a motorcycle undergoing repairs inside a business had caught fire.

The business and adjacent business

were evacuated while crews quickly extinguished the fire. Once out the fire continued to show significant smoke.

The building was opened, and fans brought in for ventilation purposes.

Crews continued to evaluate safety conditions and established the fire had not extended to the roof or into the walls of the building.

Once a safety survey was complete, adjacent businesses were able to reenter the building. Around 11:15 a.m. the business where the fire occurred was turned back over to the owner.

SVFD asks everyone, if you see something, say something quickly.

With these hot dry conditions keeping fire minimized is key to keeping our community safe during the remainder of this summer.

Media Release, August 3 Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) was dispatched at approximately 11:09 a.m. Wednesday morning to a residence on the 3000 block of S Clinton Rd. after a postal carrier saw smoke coming from the garage and eaves of a unit in a triplex and called 911.

The first crews on scene performed a search of the building and located an adult woman inside. They quickly evacuated the individual and

“Thank you to all of my supporters.”

-Mary Kuney

Ozzie Knezovich, Spokane County Sheriff Spokane Valley Firefighters, Local 876 Spokane County GOP Mainstream Republicans of Washington Republicans of Spokane County Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors Associated General Contractors of Washington Inland Pacific Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Washington State Farm Bureau Spokane Association of REALTORS Spokane Home Builders Association Spokane County Public Works Department, Local 1135 Laborers, Local 238 PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF MARY KUNEY PO BOX 13103 SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99213

immediately began performing CPR. Unfortunately, the medics were unable to resuscitate the patient.

Valley Engine 7 crews reported the fire out at approximately 10 minutes after their initial attack, keeping it from spreading to other units in the triplex.

South Clinton from approximately 32nd to 29th was closed for several hours for the safety of both Firefighters and community members. It remained closed as the SVFD Investigator, and the crime unit remained on scene for further investigation.

SVFD wants to remind citizens if you see smoke or fire coming from a home, knock and call 911 immediately.

Media Release, August 15 Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded this morning to a reported fire on the back deck of the home in the 400-south block of McKee Street in Spokane Valley. First arriving crews observed an active fire in the back of the residence where the deck is attached to the home. The fire had extended up the outside of the home and was burning into the attic as crews arrived. Firefighters deployed hose lines to the rear of the residence for a direct fire attack on the outside fire while other crews entered the home to extinguish the growing fire in the attic space. The fire was brought under control quickly and the home was saved.

The home is currently unoccupiable as there is damage to the attic space from the fire. A board up company was requested to patch the hole in the roof that needed to be cut for ventilation during fire suppression and to secure the structure.

Red Cross was contacted to locate temporary housing for the two adults and four children that live at the affected residence.

The residents evacuated the home safely and will be able to collect personnel items once the fire investigation is completed. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries related to this incident.

A total of 8 apparatus responded to the incident consisting of two ladders, six engines along with two command staff, one safety officer, the fire investigator, and a public information officer. Automatic aid was provided

by Spokane County Fire District #8.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and an engine will remain on scene while the investigation is being completed.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind residents if you see something say something, sometimes outside fires are witnessed by a neighbor before the homeowner is aware there is an issue.

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

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Welcome back to Valleyfest!

Friday, September 23 Sprague Avenue between University and Pines Valleyfest Parade steps off at 7:30 pm As the Grand Marshals of the parade, East Valley Superintendent Brian Talbott, West Valley Superintendent Kyle Rydell and Central Valley Superintendent John Parker, EdD.

Sept 23-25

Mirabeau Point Park CenterPlace Regional Event Center Plantes Ferry Park

Saturday, September 24 CenterPlace Regional Event Center/Mirabeau Park Pancake Breakfast 7:30 am to 10:00 am Car Show 9:00 am - 3:30pm STEAM is noon to 5:00 pm (Joe Bruce NASA Ambassador) Over 20 Food Vendors Swinging in the Valley Dance Luke Jaxon Band at 8:00 pm-10:00 pm

Sunday September 25 CenterPlace Regional Event Center/Mirabeau Park MultiCultural Festival, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Two entertainment stages, over 200 booths, and activities for children.

Plantes Ferry Park Multi-Sport Sunday, 11:00 am Choose from either a run, duathlon, or triathlon and race along the historical site used by travelers in the 1850s. All races end at the West Picnic Shelter/ Parking lot at Plantes Ferry. Negative Split is doing timing and course management.

To see more of what’s happening at Valleyfest go to

facebook.com/ SpokValleyfest or valleyfest.org

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 19

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Easily track your progress with Beanstack.

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

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About and for Spokane Valley area seniors

Senior resource fair at CenterPlace Senior Center

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

The Spokane Valley Senior Center is bringing back a one-stop shop for programs and services that assist seniors at a Senior Center Resource Fair set for Sept. 19.

The fair, being offered in partnership with the City of Spokane Valley, is returning after a several year hiatus. “It’s been going on for many years, but the last one was in 2018,” said Spokane Valley Recreation Coordinator Kendall May. “We decided with things picking back up after COVID, it would be a great time to bring together seniors to find resources in one place.”

The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. A portion of CenterPlace houses the Spokane Valley Senior Center. During the event Spokane Valley Partners will have a mobile food bank set up in the parking lot to help spread the word about the mobile food bank options they offer.

Organizations that have so far signed up to have a booth at

the resource fair include Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, CHAS Clinic, Meals on Wheels and Frontier Behavioral Health. Several senior living facilities will also be there with information along with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and a local law office. The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, who provide assistance with Medicare, will also have a booth as will Care to Stay Home, which offers home care.

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The Fig Tree has donated copies of its Resource Guide, which list all local resources, that will be given out for free. Those who stop by the resource fair will have the opportunity to win prizes in a raffle.

Organizations interested in having a booth at the resource fair can still visit www.spokanevalley. org/seniorresourcefair to sign up.

“We’re hoping to have even more by the time the event rolls around,” she said.

May said the goal of the event is to give seniors information about programs and services that are available to them if they need it. It eliminates the need to call or visit multiple agencies when looking for information. “I think the greatest benefit is just having everything in one place,” she said. “A lot of time seniors have a hard time getting around.”

Another goal is to let people know about all the programs that the Spokane Valley Senior Center offers. The center will be open for tours during the resource fair

so people can visit. The center currently has about 500 members, but there’s room for more, May said.

“Everything is back up and running as usual,” she said. “They have a full schedule. It’s kind of getting back to where it was before COVID.” The senior center is a Meals on Wheels Silver Café site, serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday. There are classes offered through the Community Colleges of Spokane Act 2 program. Each week there are sessions devoted to bingo, various games, aerobics, billiards, table tennis and dance. The center also organizes day trips and longer tours and hosts a variety of seminars.

Senior center membership is available for those age 50 and up and is $25 per year per person or $45 per year for a couple.

Admission to the resource fair is free. “We’re hoping to get lots of people – families and seniors themselves,” May said.

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 23

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

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EV Student becomes Washington State Bare Back Riding Champion

By Ashley Humbird Current contributor

Riding broncos in a rodeo is not the most common sport that high schoolers partake in. But for Duke Hanson, he wouldn’t be doing anything else.

Duke, an East Valley High schooler who just began his junior year of high school, takes rodeo very seriously. He began riding horses at the tender age of eight weeks old while safely tucked into a baby backpack while his mom, Jennifer Hanson, went riding on her horse. Since then, he has never been too far from horses. Around the age of one, he was riding by himself on

older horses that were gentle and easy going.

“They have always just been a part of me. Just a part of my life,” Duke shares about why he has an affinity for the majestic animals.

Horses are not the only animals that he is growing up with on the family farm. On the Hanson farm there are pigs, sheep, horses, cattle, and ducks. Growing up on a farm means that there is never a dull day.

From rebuilding fences that a large Brahma bull has pushed over with their incredible weight to giving vaccines to cows to keep them healthy, there is always something to keep up on. Today, Duke was vaccinating a few head of cattle to help prevent them from disease.

Watching Duke smoothly operate the large cattle squeeze used to help hold the large animal still and prevent injury to both Duke and the animal, you have the sense that it is second nature for him and something that he has performed many times over.

“All-around cowboy” is a fitting way to describe Duke. When he was about 12, he decided he wanted to

get on the back of a steer and try to stay on. Since then, he’s gone from steers to bulls to now bucking horses.

All these amazing feats and Duke is only 16 years old. Riding bucking broncos and wild bulls before one can drive is not something that many high schoolers can say they have accomplished. He now drives himself to the rodeos where he competes.

Jennifer grew up barrel racing and preforming in rodeos so having her children join in the rodeo family is something that she is thankful for. Thankfully now that Duke has switched from riding bulls to riding bare back bucking broncos, the stress of each rodeo has lessened some for her. Like every sport, there is an inherent amount of risk and danger.

Add in the mix of animals that weigh upwards of 1000 pounds and injuries are common. Just last fall, Duke experienced a close call when he was riding a bull in the Cusick rodeo. When he started to fall off the bull, he couldn’t get has hand off the rope and the bull repeatedly swung his head and horns back around smashing Duke in the helmet. The

Contributed photos Duke Hanson, East Valley junior, won the title of Washington State High School Bare Back Riding Champion in July.

incident left Duke with a concussion, a large cut on his forehead, and a cracked helmet.

Two of the next three bulls that Duke rode left him unconscious on the arena floor. It was an “instant lights-out” for Duke. Thankfully the damage wasn’t severe and Duke has made a full recovery. It was only a short time later that Duke made the decision to stick solely to bucking broncos.

“These kids that ride in rodeo, you will see a whole different type of passion,” Jennifer explains about her son riding bucking broncos. “The passion, drive, determination, and grit is way different than you’ll see out of other sports. It’s just different.”

The weekend before school started, Duke rode in the Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo in Davenport and won first place in the bare back division. Duke won the title of Washington State High School Bare Back Riding Champion in July of this year. He rode exceptionally well and is proud of the job that he did in winning that title.

Duke doesn’t stop rodeoing when the school year begins. He attends high school during the week and on the weekend travels to rodeo competitions around the state in the fall. The weekend after he returns to school, he will compete in the Ritzville Rodeo. He’s scheduled to compete in rodeos ranging from Longview, to Coulee City, to Toppenish with many other locations mixed in over the course of six weeks.

Winter doesn’t ease up for Duke.

He’ll travel every other week to Kalispell to compete in rodeos to stay in shape for the upcoming spring high school rodeo circuit. The consistent practice is worth the effort since Duke has multiple cases of first place belt buckles. He estimates that he’s won first place around forty times in various rodeos.

The saying goes, that you rodeo while you can since you don’t know how long you’ll be able to do it. Duke takes that saying to heart and rodeos as much as he can. This all-around cowboy is for now ‘just’ working on his family farm, going to school, and doing his best to win first place in all the rodeos he rides in.

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 25

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CVSD COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Join us… we want to hear from you!

These events are an opportunity for two-way conversations with your School Board Directors and Superintendent John Parker in an open house format. Join us as we talk about our upcoming plans and hear your feedback about what you want to see for our students in the future as part of our upcoming five-year strategic plan.

All events are Thursdays at 6PM at the following middle schools: Ÿ Aug. 4 – Bowdish, 2109 S. Skipworth Rd. Ÿ Aug. 18 – Evergreen, 14221 E. 16th Ave.

Conveniently located between Coeur d’ Alene, Id and Spokane, Wa on Beck Road one mile north of I-90.

(Idaho Exit 1)

Ÿ Sept. 29 – Greenacres , 17409 E. Sprague Ave. Ÿ Oct. 13 – Horizon, 3915 S. Pines Rd. Ÿ Oct. 27 – North Pines, 11900 E. Broadway Ave. Ÿ Nov. 10 – Selkirk, 1409 N. Harvest Parkway

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The Current

Loss of SVFD Firefighter Dan Patterson

ON THAT NOTE RIP FIREFIGHTER DAN PATTERSON

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

According to his friends, Dan Patterson was a guy with an unlimited supply of dad jokes who would give you the shirt off his back or, in at least one case, the socks off his feet.

July 21 was like many other days for Patterson. He finished his 24-hour shift with the Spokane Valley Fire Department at Station 2 in Millwood at 8 a.m. Then he went for a run, something the physically fit 53-year-old did often.

Somewhere along the way, Patterson began to feel sick and called his wife to say he was going back to his station. “When Dan went for a run, it would be a nine or 10 mile run,” said Battalion Chief Brian Treffry, who had known Patterson since before he was hired on with the department more than a dozen years ago. While on his runs he would often stop and swim in the river. “He called his wife and said he’d been in the water a few times and he wasn’t feeling quite right.”

Patterson made it back to Station 2, where he collapsed. He was discovered by his coworkers, whom he had chatted with when they arrived to relieve him. “They were returning from a call and one of the firefighters just happened to look out the window and see him lying there,” Treffry said.

Patterson had suffered a heart attack and was revived by the crew.

He was put in intensive care, but did not recover. He died on Aug. 4.

Since then, his friends and coworkers have tried to remember all the good memories they had with him. “I knew Dan and his family before he was hired,” Treffry said. “Our kids went to the same school and the same church.”

The two were also members of the special operations team, which does swift water and technical rescues. Doing river rescues was important to Patterson, Treffry said, and he thinks it’s because Patterson’s nephew suffered brain damage and became disabled after an incident that happened while he was swimming. “Dan went to great

lengths to make sure he was taken care of,” he said.

Family was very important to Patterson, said Capt. Ben Riddle.

Riddle also works out of Station 2, but was on a different shift than Patterson. The two bonded when they both previously worked on the same shift at Station 8. He said Patterson always talked about his family, which included his wife of many years, Tonya, and his grown son and daughter. He had one grandchild and another on the way.

“He talked about his kids all the time,” Riddle said. “He was very proud of them. Family was a big thing to him.”

Patterson would talk about growing up spending time on the McKenzie River in Oregon, Riddle said. “He loved the water,” he said.

When the fire department was unable to reach Patterson’s wife after Patterson was found, Riddle drove out to Patterson’s small farm to pick her up. “We basically stayed in the hospital with them for three weeks,” he said. “I was the family liaison between the family and the department.”

Riddle said he did everything he could to take care of Patterson’s family. After all, it was what Patterson would have done. “Dan

had the biggest heart of any person I’ve ever met,” he said.

He recalls in particular one call where Patterson and his crew were sent to check on the welfare of a man on the side of a road on a cold winter’s day. Patterson realized that the homeless man didn’t have any socks. “He took his boots off, gave him his socks, and put his boots back on,” Riddle said.

In another case, Patterson came across a homeless man who didn’t have any shoes, partly because size 14 shoes are hard to find. Patterson hunted down and bought the right size shoes on his day off and then found the homeless man again to deliver the shoes.

It wasn’t unusual for Patterson to be giving things to homeless people, Treffry said. “He regularly would purchase clothes and boots at thrift stores and hand them out,” he said.

More recently, he would cook meals and deliver them to Camp Hope, a makeshift homeless camp that has sprung up just off Interstate 90 near Freya Street. He would also buy blankets in bulk and hand them out as well, Treffry said.

But Patterson wasn’t vocal about what he did for others, Riddle said.

“He was very quiet about it,” he

SEPTEMBER 2022 • 27

said. “Not many people knew that.”

It wasn’t unusual for firefighters to take turns cooking communal meals while on shift. Typically, the groceries would be purchased and the cost would be split among the crew. But when Dan cooked, he only asked for $3 from each person as long as he could take the leftovers, Riddle said. And there were always leftovers.

“I would be willing to bet that he was taking those leftovers and handing them out on the way home,” he said.

There are the fun memories as well. Patterson would buy small plastic sharks and sea creatures at the Dollar Store, Riddle said.

As part of their jobs, crews visit every fire hydrant in the district to test them and make sure they’re working. Sometimes the crews would draw a crowd of interested children who would watch the water gushing from the hydrant.

“When the kids weren’t watching, he would drop them in the water,” Riddle said. Then, once the hydrant was shut off, he would excitedly call the kids over to see what they found swimming in the fire hydrant.

Both Riddle and Treffry said it’s been difficult dealing with the suddenness of Patterson’s death.

“I think it’s kind of hitting us kind of hard,” Treffry said. “If a guy who walks around eating celery stalks and running 10 miles can have this happen, it can happen to all of us.”

Riddle said Patterson’s collapse basically at work hasn’t happened before. “I think that is one of our biggest fears, working on one of our own guys,” he said. “But it was reassuring to know that it was our guys taking care of him because I knew he was getting the best care.”

It’s tough to work in the same station where Patterson worked, Riddle said, because there are constant reminders of him. “We all have great memories of Dan, but it’s still a little raw,” he said. “We decided that Dan’s bunker locker out in the bay is going to be his for a while now. No one is ready to get rid of anything.”

The one thing that gives his friends and family comfort is that Patterson was an organ donor, so he got to help people one last time, Riddle said. “It was fitting that he got to do that in the end.”

28

• SEPTEMBER 2022

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