What kid wouldn't want to play in their very own firehouse? Or perhaps hang out with the wizards and elves of Middle Earth from their hobbit house? Well, some very lucky families will get to do just that after visiting the Project Playhouse auction this weekend.

Last year the parks board cut funding for the West Central Community Center's recreational programs. This cut mainly affected the center's before and after school youth programs. Kim Ferraro, the Executive Director, had the idea for Project Playhouse after seeing a similar fundraiser in Montana.

West Central has teamed up with the Northeast Youth Center and Peaceful Valley Community Center to put on the auction. The Home Builders Association, Avista and other local businesses are sponsoring the event and have built the the themed playhouses. Spokane City Council members Steve Salvatori, Mike Fagan, and Mike Allen were also involved in setting up the project.

Rob Chase, Spokane County Treasurer, would like to remind Spokane County taxpayers that first half property taxes are due by April 30 per Washington State law. If payments are mailed to the Treasurer's Office through the U.S. POstal Service, they muct be postmarked on or before the due date (RCW 1.12.070)

Mr. Chase also alerts the publlic to be careful that payments are dropped in a U.S. Postal Service box or station early enough so they are postmarked before the tax deadline. State law dictates that County Treasurers recognize only the cancellation date applied by the U.S. Postal Service to determine timeliness of payments.

Payment options include ACH, debit and credit cards via the Internet, in office, or through our phone system by calling (509) 477-4713 and pressing options #2. Please visit our website at www.spokanecounty.org/treasurer

Attention: Our normal business hours are from 8:30am-4pm, Monday through Thursday and 8:3-am-1:00pm Friday.

Payments can be mailed to the Treasurer's Office at the following address:

Spokane County Treasurer

P.O Box 199

Learning how to live a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle has never been more easy.  This weekend, more than three dozen vendors will be on hand at the Natural Living Show to help you make better choices for your body, environment and our community.

The show will feature local cheese-makers and handmade soaps. And, if you ever wanted to have your own eggs fresh from your backyard there will be a workshop on urban chickens too.

Here are all the details:

 Saturday, October 13th

10 am-6 pm

Spokane Community College Lair

Admission is $7, although if you swing by Sun People Dry Goods located at 32 West 2nd Avenue, Suite 200 you can pick up FREE passes!