Grant and Holmes selected as Champion Schools

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Thursday, May 16th, 5:22 pm

OTTO, the Spokane Indians Mascot, will be visiting two local elementary schools this spring as part of the Itron Champions Programs. Grant and Holmes Elementary Schools have been selected as this year's Champion Schools.

The blue mascot will lead cheers and laughter for each school at an assembly. In addition, Itron will provide each school with 250 Indians tickets to be given out to students as rewards for good attendance, hard work and achievement in the classroom.

"We love bringing the Itron Champions Program to schools and getting kids excited about learning," said Indian Senior Vice President, Otto Klein. "This is a great opportunity for the Indians to support our local schools and students."

OTTO will visit Grant Elementary on Friday, May 24th and Holmes Elementary on Thursday, June 6th.

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SCC: Free Family Health Fair

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Thursday, May 16th, 4:37 pm

Spokane Community College is hosting a free Family Health Fair tomorrow, May 17th, in the Lair. Health screenings will be available as well as assistance with other health resources.

Free dental, blood pressure, glucose will be available and bone density screenings will be offered for $15. No appointments are necessary for these tests, but if you would like a mammogram you will need to schedule first.

The Second Harvest Mobile Food Bank will be at the fair as well. DSHS Mobile will be providing in-person assistance with applying for state benefits and the Spokane Fire Department will be training on CPR. In addition to health services resources, there will be free activities for kids.

SCC free Family Health Fair, Thursday, May 17th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
To schedule a mammogram call 1-877-474-2400

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Adventures in bike commuting

Submitted by Melissa Luck, Executive News Producer

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 11:18am

I am not a good bike rider.

That is a fact made clear to me a few years ago on a vacation to San Francisco. My husband and I had been married just a few years and I was convinced our marriage was going to end about halfway across the Golden Gate Bridge. We had rented bikes for a scenic ride to Sausalito and I quickly learned my bike riding skills were not up to par. I was mumbling curse words at my husband, who was consistently about 100 yards ahead. That was April, 2008. I don't think I've ridden a bike since.

Fast-forward to this morning. I sat in my garage near 51st and Freya with my hands literally trembling. I was about to leave my perfectly good car with the loud stereo and seat warmers in the garage and ride my bike to work instead. I was scared to death, but determined. And, wouldn't you know - I survived!

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Purple flowers bloom in the Lilac City

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Wednesday, May 15th, 3:01 pm

Park staff estimate the blooms in the Manito Park Lilac Garden will be at their best on May 20th. The purple and pink flowers are ready just in time for the Lilac Festival and to usher in spring in the Lilac City.

Surprisingly, lilac bushes are not native to Spokane. They were first planted here by J.J. Browne in 1906 at West 2226 Second Ave. in the now popular Browne's Addition. By 1912, 128 lilac bushes had been brought over from Rochester, NY to start the Manito Park Lilac Garden.

It was the in the early 1930s that Spokane became known as the “Lilac City” when three men, Dr. S.E. Lambert, W.T. Triplett and John W. Duncan, encouraged the garden club to plant the bushes around town. In 1938 Spokane was celebrating with the Lilac Festival.

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Your adventure awaits... at the library this summer

Submitted by Robyn Nance, Good Morning Northwest Anchor

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 9:32am

Your adventure awaits... at the library this summer

Become the characters you read about... archaeologists, explorers, forensic scientists. You may be surprised to know all that's going on behind the doors at Spokane County's Libraries.

There are always activities for children, including summer reading clubs. But, did you know that our libraries have tons of things for adults, too? This summer you have the opportunity to learn, first hand about a variety of topics: from how to attract birds to your garden, to emergency preparedness and the Oregon Trail journey to a music and juggling show.

Check out the activities going on in your library.. by clicking here.

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Spokane Parks & Rec offers lifeguard training

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, May 14th, 5:12 pm

If you're a strong swimmer on the hunt for a summer job, Spokane Parks and Recreation has the perfect spot for you. Spokane has two aquatics training programs to train life guards and water safety instructors.

The Lifeguard Training Course runs May 18th-19th and May 20th-24th and will train on CPR_PR, First Aid and Life guarding. The course if for ages 15 and older and costs $175.

Water Safety Instructor courses will run for four Saturdays, June 8th-29th. You will learn how ti teach all ages water safety courses, survival and American Red Cross swimming skills. There is a text book required and the course costs $200.

Both training programs require that you pass a pre-course test to enroll. Lifeguard training will be at Witter Aquatic Center and Water Safety Instructor courses will happen at Liberty Aquatic Center. For more information or to register visit spokaneparks.org

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ATV safety courses provide valuable skills to keep you safe

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, May 14th, 3:02 pm

In last two weeks Eastern Washington and North Idaho have seen over five ATV accidents including one death in the LC Valley last week. While ATV riding is fun, it's important to learn proper technique to remain safe.

“We think it takes special skills to ride an ATV,” says Dale Stevens, a licensed ATV safety instructor with the ATV Safety Institute. ASI is a non-profit sponsored by the all the major ATV manufacturers. Instructors like Stevens teach regular safety classes to educate riders on proper technique, safety skills and the responsibilities that come with owning and riding ATVs.

After taking his course many riders tell Stevens that they didn't know what a work out riding is and that they expected it to be easier. Stevens says that a lot of people expect ATVs to be like riding a couch on wheels but it that it takes a lot of physical effort and knowledge of how ATVs operate to remain safe while riding.

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