Contact Kasi Hohbach khohbach@voaspokane.org 624-2378 to add your event on our calendar!

Click Here for Northern Idaho’s Our kids: Our business Events!

Putting it Together: Developing Healthy Bodies and Minds 

Afterschool and youth development (AYD) professionals have a tremendous opportunity to present children and youth grades K-8 with afterschool and summer programs that nurture the whole young person.  Join us for a jam-packed day of session topics from nutrition to movement to academics to emotional and social development that will help you shape your program and serve K-8th grade children and youth. Click here for more information! 

Date: Thursday, March  4th                                                                                                                                                 Location: 10727 N. Newport Hwy.                                                                                                                             

Time: 9 am- 3 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Contact: Contact: Sherrie M. Belt, sbelt@schoolsoutwashington.org, 206.336.6934 or 1.888.419.9300 (toll free in WA)

Children’s Investment Fund Training for Signature Gathering

This will be loaded with fun as we will provide dinner, do a brief training, and then invite everyone out to collect signatures throughout downtown during First Friday Art Walk. There will be many good people out and about looking at art and lots of opportunity to gather some signatures. We will collect signatures from 6-8pm and then regroup at Westminster for a 30 minute evaluation and Q&A. Thank you all so much and please try to attend if you could not make the last training.

Date: Friday, March 5^th                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Location: Westminster UCC (411 South Washington Street Spokane, WA 99204-2697)

Time: 5- 6 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Contact: Contact: Spokane Alliance 532-1688, or info@spokanealliance.org

Cost: Free!

2010 Chase Youth Awards

Each year, the Chase Youth Commission honors our community’s outstanding youth, teens, and adults who are making a difference in our community or making positive choices. The purpose is show our youth we are proud of their actions and to feature them as community role models.

Award categories highlight strengths of character valued by our community including courage, community service, creativity, personal growth, leadership, and diversity. Both groups and individuals are eligible for recognition in each category. Awards are given in three age divisions: Elementary (grades K-6), Middle School (grades 7-8) and Teens (grades 9-12). In addition, the Jim Chase “Asset Builder” Award is given by youth to an adult who has gone above and beyond in bettering the lives of young people.

Over 2,000 individual youth and adult nominees are honored each year by our sponsors and elected officials at a ceremony held in March. All nominees receive a nomination ribbon and a certificate. In addition, award recipients in the Elementary, Middle School, Teen, and Adult divisions receive a medallion and letters of commendation. Top honorees are chosen by our community judges.

Date: Thursday, March 11

Location: Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox  1001 W. Sprague, Spokane, WA                                                                                                                                     

Time: 7 pm Elementary and Middle School Celebration – 5:30pm Teen and Adult Celebration – 7:30pm                                                                            

Contact:  contact Mike LeaderCharge at 625-6440

Cost: Free!

Newsong Youth Center Event                                                                                                                                                                               Saturday March 13th will be our first event with 2 bands!!  Should be exciting.. get the news out.. at 7pm is the place to be!  Come see what God is doing and be part of the youth revival in Spokane!!!  

Date: Saturday, March 13th

Location: 1829 E Mallon

Time: 7 pm

Contact: Karen Fournier, hearth.homes@comcast.net

Cost: Free!

“Celebrate Youth at the Y!”

The North Spokane YMCA is hosting a Youth and Community Leader Event. You are invited to experience and celebrate the talents of Spokane teens and learn about opportunities now offered at the YMC. Information will be available about partnering organizations as well as a chance to meet leaders and youth making a difference in our community. There will be musical performances by local teens, art on display from area schools, films produced and created by the YMCA Film Club, and FREE Food and door prizes!

Date: Thursday, March 18th 

Location: 10727 N. Newport Hwy.

Time: 4-6pm

Contact: Christine Brischle 777.YMCA (9622) ext 415 or cbrischle@ymcaspokane.org

Cost: Free!

Compassion in Action

Presented by One Peace, Many Paths & the Universal Compassion Movement

Come to:

• Learn about some of the organizations in Spokane that need your help.
• Find a place to translate your compassion into volunteer action at the Showcase of Community Charities.
• Learn about even more great organizations in Spokane at the Volunteer Fair.
• Meet Venerable Geshe Thupten Phelgye, a member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and founder of the Universal Compassion Movement.

Date: Sunday, March 21^st  

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane

Time: 2- 5:30 pm

Contact: onepeacemanypaths@gmail.com

Cost: Free!

Underage Drinking Town Hall

Calling all parents, community leaders, and teens! Free opportunity to learn all about the dangers of underage drinking in your community! Be part of the solution! Topics will include: Alcohol’s effects on youth brain development, speakers with real life experiences, how alcohol companies target teens, and tips for parents. Also enjoy a free pizza dinner, puppet show, community resource booths and raffle!

Sponsored by Spokane Public Schools (GRAA)/ Grant to Reduce Alcohol Abuse and Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC)

Date: Tuesday, March 23

Location: West Central Community Center, 1603 N Belt St., Spokane

Time: 6-8 pm

Contact: Catherine, 509-354-7221

Cost: Free!

AND

Date: Thursday, March 25th

Location: Contract-Based Education, 115 S University, Spokane Valley

Time: 6-8 pm

Cost: Free!

Kick-Off Breakfast

Sponsored by Spokane Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (SPO-CAN) Council

7:30 AM, Awards ceremony, 7:30 AM honoring corporations and small

Businesses that promote family friendly practices and community Involvement.

8:00-10:00 Conference:  Jonah Edelman, Stand for Children

http://www.stand.org/

Date: Friday, March 26 

Location:  Spokane Community College Lair

Time: 7:30 am- 10 am

Contact: Katie Kaiser, kaiserk@gonzaga.edu
Cost: $25

3^rd Annual Homeownership Resource Fair

Sponsored by Community Frameworks

The focus of the fair is education and resource information for first time homebuyers and all those wishing to learn more about homeownership or purchasing a home.  There will be door prizes, vendor demonstrations related to homeownership, and reusable shopping bag giveaways.  Our vendors include Avista, Greenstone Homes, Washington Trust Bank, Banner Bank, Farmers Insurance, USDA, SNAP and many more.

Date: Saturday, March 27 from  

Location:  Spokane Arena Champions Room

Time:10 am-3 pm

Contact: Melody Kinkead, melodyk@communityframeworks.org
Cost: Free!

Earth Turners Convergence

Sponsored by the Youth Sustainability Council

Bored this Spring Break? Nothing to do? Want to make a difference? Be a part of something bigger this year at the Earth Turners Convergence: a series of workshops, projects, and fun events all focused on getting involved and making Spokane a more vibrant, sustainable city. This three-day session will be jam-packed with opportunities to meet the people making things happen in Spokane and become one of them yourself!

Workshops include: Organic Gardening 101, Re-Fashion Design with local designer Lexi Carr, What it takes to be an entrepreneur with Ben Cabildo, Rights-based Organizing with Brad Read and Kai Huschke of Envision Spokane…and many more practical skills, working sessions, and creative opportunities!

You can pick and choose workshops from the selection offered, but we urge you to try something new and sign up for the whole enchilada. You’ll save $15 and get to be a part of the whole experience, making new friends and having a great time for three days.

Date: Wednesday March 31- Friday April 2 

Time: 7:30 am- 10 am

Contact: spokaneysc@gmail.com,  www.yscspokane.wordpress.com  
Cost: $5 per solo workshop or $52 for the full experience, scholarships are available.

First Friday Art Walk- “Transcendence Project”  

Sponsored by Downtown Partnership, Spokane Arts Commission and Our kids: Our business

Matching young artists with private, non-profits serving children & families to create installations expressing the mission of the organizations; A project of Black Rabbit Magic and Spokane Riverspeak Art Collective

Date: Friday, April 2  

Location: Downtown Spokane

Time: Night long event

Contact: Naaman Cordova-Muenzberg, naamanc@giin.org Or  Jillian Foster,  jillian@jillianfoster.org

Cost: Free!

First Friday Kids Art Fundraiser to Benefit Shaw Middle School Visual Arts Program

Kids Art Expression Activities & Silent Auction Hosted by the 2010 New Member Class of the Junior League of Spokane

On First Friday, local children and Shaw Middle School visual art students will exhibit their paintings for auction at Auntie’s Bookstore. Proceeds from the auction will be used to purchase much needed art supplies for the Shaw Middle School Visual Arts Program in Spokane.

All are invited to come have fun on Spokane’s First Friday at Auntie’s Bookstore. There will be face painting, kids music activities, story time, the Tooth Fairy, and more in addition to the art display and silent auction.

Family members have first priority for bidding on the 8 x 10 canvas paintings. Silent bidding begins at $15.00 and a “buy it now” option of $50 will be available. Need not be present to win. 

Date: Friday, April 2  

Location: Aunties Bookstore, 402 W Main Ave

Time: 5- 8 pm

Contact: Nancy Schmidt, nancy@clizer-schmidt.com, 509-599-3503

Cost: Free!

Learn How to Become a Foster Parent

Date: Tuesday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 20^th at 10:00 am, April 27^th at 4:30 pm  

Location: Children & Family Services, 1313 N. Atlantic, Suite 200

Contact: 509-363-3473

Discussion of Our kids: Our business and Child Advocacy

Mary Ann Murphy

Executive Director, Partners with Families and Children

Chair, Council for Children and Families

Addy Hatch

City Editor, Spokesman Review

Date: Tuesday, April 6

Location: Gonzaga University Law School

Time: 6:00- 7:30 pm

 “From Hope to Resilience “Complex Trauma & Social Emotional Learning: Pathways to Improving Academic Success”

Intensive 2-day training on complex trauma and social emotional learning to improve academic success. Conference participants will be exposed to intermediate level* information about the relationship between early, chronic negative life events, the impact of those on brain development, and effects on the ability to succeed in school.

Date: Wednesday and Thursday, April 7-8

Location: Red Lion Hotel at the Park

Contact: Roy Harrington, harri@wsu.edu

Cost: $180

American Red Cross Youth and Young Adult Corps Monthly Meeting

The Youth and Young Adult Corps is a volunteer program for high school students in and around Spokane.  The Corps meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30pm to plan volunteer projects they will complete with the other students involved in the Corps.  If you are a high school student interested in volunteering please join us at the next meeting!  More information about the Youth and Young Adult Corps can be found at http://www.spokaneredcross.org/vol_youth.html.

Date: Thursday, April 8^th

Location: Inland Northwest Red Cross 315 W Nora Ave Spokane, WA 99205

Time: 6:30-7:30pm

Contact: Llewelyn Johnson at (509) 326-3330 x227 or JohnsonL@SpokaneRedCross.org

Cost: Free!

“Mock DUI Crash”

A simulated car crash to raise awareness of the impact of impaired driving by teens.

Sponsored by North Central SADD/WDFY Club and supported by local law enforcement and prevention partners

Location: North Central High School, 1600 N. Howard

Date: Thursday April 8

Time: 9am-11:15am

Contact: Chuck Filippini, charlesf@spokaneschools.org

Cost: Free!

Gonzaga University “Take Back the Night”

Date: April 8, 2010 

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Jepson Wolff Auditorium

Breakfast of Champions “The Future is Now”

The Chase Youth Foundation Breakfast of Champions is an opportunity for our community to celebrate the accomplishments of youth in our community, honor those who serve youth, and to raise money to insure that these great efforts continue to move forward. Please mark this event on your calendar and join us in support of this important endeavor. Register for the Chase Youth Breakfast of Champions NOW!

Date: Friday, April 9, 2010 

Location:  The Lincoln Center, at 1316 N Lincoln

Time: 7:00 am- 8:30 am

Contact: The Foundation welcomes Table Captains and Sponsors. Please contact Chase Youth Foundation President Bryce Wilkinson at 509-353-7042 or bryce.wilkinson@usbank.com for more information.                                                                                                                                                  

Cost: Free! Donations encouraged

Rocky Horror Picture Show Fundraiser for Odyssey Youth Center

WHAT: This midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show is a fundraiser put on by Gonzaga Law School’s GSA-Outlaws for the benefit of Odyssey Youth Center (http://www.odysseyyouth.org/), which is the only LGBT youth center in the Spokane, WA area.

AGE: This is an adult showing, therefore anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the entirety of the show.

DISCLAIMER: Dressing up in costume is more than welcome (and possibly the best part about Rocky), but if you believe your costume might be questionable, then please contact the Garland Theater for their rules on appropriate dress. Public nudity will not be allowed and any person wearing a costume that the Garland Theater decides is not appropriate (i.e. exposes parts of the body that should be covered) may be refused entry and/or expelled from the theater.  Public intoxication at the Garland will not be tolerated and anyone who is obviously intoxicated will be refused entry and/or expelled. Drinking is not allowed in the Garland Theater.

Date: Friday, April 9^th 

Location: Garland Theater, 925 W Garland Ave.

Time: 11:45 pm

Cost: $2 (to cover the licensing fee), but donations are highly recommended and greatly appreciated. PROP BAGS: available for $5

Safety Rally

April is sexual abuse awareness month and as a sexual abuse prevention activity, The Partnership at the Arc of Spokane is having its 10th annual SAFETY RALLY for middle and high students with developmental disabilities at the STA plaza. Spokane city council member Nancy McLaughlin is kicking off the Rally with our message “We ALL Deserve to be SAFE”.

Midge Rigsby, area special education educator will be recognized for her years of service to students as Partnership Community Service Award recipient. Students will be dancing to a live DJ and visiting community safety partner booths from area agencies and programs.

Date: Friday, April 9  

Location: STA Plaza

Time: 11 am- 1 pm

Contact: tfears@arc-spokane.org

Cost: Free!

Workforce Development Youth Council

Formal open house for The Next Generation Zone 

Date: Friday, April 9^th 

Location: Next Generation Zone

Time: 2-4pm

Contact:

Cost: Free!

 Weaponizing Your Data: Lobbying So Legislators Will Hear You

The event will center on: a discussion about the legal lobbying boundaries for nonprofits and how to use data to inform policy makers, state-of-the-state discussion of key policy issues for children and families in Idaho, and A round-table discussion about the specific issues faced by children and families living in North Idaho (3:30-4:30).

Presenters: Jason Sabo, National Speaker, Lobbying/Political Strategy

LeAnn Simmons, Idaho Voices for Children

Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Location: The Kroc Center

Time: 1-4:30

Cost: $5.00/person

Contact: Jessica Godderz at Jessica@kootenaiunitedway.org or 208/667-8112 

Our kids: Our business Breakfast 2010

Changing the Future, Investing in Children and Families

Keynote Speaker: Jason Sabo “Jason gets the light bulbs to go off.”

Frontera Strategy

Date: April 14, 2010

Location: Coeur d’Alene Resort

Time: 8am-10am

Cost: $15/Person, $120 Table of 8

Contact: Caryl Johnston, caryl@kootenaiunitedway.org

Native American Junior High and High School Academic Challenge/Leadership Camp

Native American Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to a powerful 2 ½ day leadership/knowledge retreat. The weekend retreat is open to 10 teams of 8, contact your friends and register together. Submit your applications at the NATIVE Project. Learn about making responsible decisions, Indian culture and spirituality, prevention, cooperation, healing, having fun, developing a positive vision for the future and being a competitive team in areas of speech/ writing & sports trophies. Certificates and cash prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. Everyone will receive a prize. Learn to be a: “Warrior, Nurturer, Scholar and Community Activist.” 

Date: Friday April 16^th- Sunday April 18th 

Location: Eastern Washington Bible Camp, Medical Lake

Time: 10am-2pm

Contact: Tara Dowd or Joe Dressler at the NATIVE Project, (509) 325-5502 or CYSinfor@NATIVEProject.org

Cost: $10

Spokane Public Library Clothesline Project & Book Display

Spokane Public Library Sexual Assault Awareness Month Clothesline Project and Book Display will be throughout the month of April at the downtown public library’s gallery and will include a display of t-shirts with stories from survivors of sexual assault in the Spokane community; there will also be a book and poster display highlighting awareness of sexual violence.  Free information, resources, and bookmarks will be available. (343-5039)

Date: April 16th-30th, 2010

Location: Downtown Public Library

Get Lit!

Socially-Responsible Teaching with Janet Wong

Janet Wong will lead a workshop for K-12 teachers seeking to infuse lessons of social responsibility into the priceless educational tool of reading aloud. While being the most important practice in encouraging a child’s success in literacy, reading aloud also provides an opportunity for teachers to help children grow into compassionate, ethical citizens. Wong will also address the benefits of incorporating poetry into your classroom everyday. Janet Wong is the author of You Have to Write, a book engaging kids to writing, and Before it Wiggles Away, an autobiographical look at the writing process geared towards teachers.

Date: Friday, April 16^th  

Location: EWU Riverpoint, Phase 1 Building, room 115

Time: 2:30-4:30 pm

Contact: http://outreach.ewu.edu/getlit/1271.xml

Cost: Free!

Get Lit!                                                                                                                                          

K-12 Classroom Publishing Workshop                                                                   

Ooligan Press, a graduate student-run press based at Portland State University, will be presenting a workshop based on the up-coming book Classroom Publishing: A Practical Guide for Teachers. Educators will learn how to inspire their students to not only write, but to send their writing out into the real world through publishing, whether it’s a blog, wiki, or actual book. The Press adheres to the philosophy that when students participate in the writing and publishing process from beginning to end, they become more engaged with their own writing.  

Date: Saturday April 17^th  

Location: Hotel Lusso, 1 North Pst St.

Time: 2:30-4:30 pm

Contact: http://outreach.ewu.edu/getlit/1271.xml

Cost: Free!

Get Lit!

College, Here I Come!- Essay Workshop With Rachel Toor                                                                                                                                                                

There are plenty of misconceptions about college admissions. This workshop is designed to help high school students be successful as they apply for colleges and scholarships. Learn how to clearly express who you are and what you are passionate about. Teachers and parents that wish to learn skills for guiding students through this process are welcome. Rachel Toor teaches creative nonfiction at EWU and is the author of three memoirs, including Admissions Confidential: An Insider’s Account of the Elite College Selection Process. She writes a monthly column for The Chronicle of Higher Education on issues in writing and publishing and previously worked in admissions at Duke University. She is a cum laude graduate of Yale University and holds an MFA from the University of Montana.

Date: Saturday April 17^th                                                                                                                                                                  Location: Location: Hotel Lusso, 1 North Post St.

Time: 9:30- 11:30 am                                                                                                                              

Contact: http://outreach.ewu.edu/getlit/1271.xml

Cost: $20/$30

Earth Day Spokane

Earth Day Spokane 2010 is all about celebration, action, caring, and pushing forward the bigger ideas of how to deal with climate instability, warming, Sixth Mass Extinction, Community Survival, and Neighborhood Development. We’ll look at the bigger picture for Spokane, but also, well look at how to make the APRIL 17 Saturday Earth Day Spokane, Taking it to the Streets, impossibly cool for this River City USA.

We’ll have performers, activities, organizations, and every sort of thing linked to Earth Day 2010 and other events connected to our community tied to celebrating and protecting the earth.

Date: Saturday, April 17 

Location: Main St.

Time: All day festivities!

Contact: Molly Callen, mollycallen@hotmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                   Cost: Free!

Pinwheels in the Park

Hosted by Eastern Washington Association for the Education of Young Children

A time to celebrate children in our community! Please come explore the park with children and participate in fun activities and creative projects provided by EWAEYC. *In conjunction with: “Week of the Young Child” The Week of the Young Child 2010 is April 11th—17th.  Early Years Are Learning Years™

Date: Saturday, April 17th 

Location: Under the scenic picnic shelter at Franklin Park, 302 W Queen Ave and Division St.

Time: 10am-2pm

Cost: Free!

8^th Annual Bear the Burden Auction/Fundraiser/Dinner  

The Bear the Burden auction is our largest fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds benefitting camp STIX.  The 8th annual Camp STIX auction will be April 17th at the Spokane Country Club, offering a warm and elegant atmosphere.  The silent auction will begin at 5:00 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 and a live auction following.  Special guests, camper testimonials, and skits help to make this a special and memorable event.  Please join us for a magical evening benefiting Camp STIX.  

Date: Saturday, April 17^th

Location: Spokane Country Club

Time: 5:00 pm

Contact: http://www.campstix.org/events

Gonzaga University Our kids: Our business Awareness Week

During the week of April 19-24, 2010, events will be held across the Gonzaga entire to promote awareness for the Our Kids: Our Business campaign throughout the greater Spokane area.

Each day of the awareness week will be dedicated to promoting one of the five promises for healthy children. 

Caring Adults: On Monday, April 19, Gonzaga’s Science Club will be putting on a Science Fair for the children and mentors of the university’s Center for Community Action and Service Learning after school mentoring program, Campus Kids. The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. on Foley Field and is based on the promise to provide Caring Adults.

A Healthy Start: On Tuesday, April 20, the Gonzaga’s Psychology Club will be showing a clip form the movie, Thirteen and facilitating a discussion afterwards from 6 to 8 p.m.

Opportunities to Serve : On Wednesday, there will be a Service Provider Fair comprised of representatives from Mentoring Children of Promise, Odyssey Youth, Peaceful Valley, Salvation Army, Vanessa Behan, Volunteers of America, and Wishing Star.  The fair will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the WA/CA room of the COG and is dedicated to the promise to provide Opportunities to Serve.

Effective Education for Marketable Skills: On Wednesday, Human Trafficking Film and Panel Discussion
will be 5:30-8:30pm at the Jepson Wolf Auditorium*Limited Seating*  343-5092 

Safe Places and Constructive Activities: On Thursday, April 21, Gonzaga’s Circle K Club will be handing out pinwheels at noon in front of Crosby with facts dedicated to the two goals, Safe Places & Constructive Activities and Effective Education for Marketable skills

Date: Monday, April 19- Thursday, April 22

Location: Gonzaga University

Contact: Molly Johnston, mjohnston@gonzaga.edu

Gang Violence Lecture

 
Date: Monday, April 19  

Location: The Native Project, 1803 West Maxwell Avenue

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Contact: *Limited Seating* 343-5092

Cost: Free!

National Crime Victims Rights Week: Education/Prevention Resource Fair

We are reaching out to providers that work with victims of crime and provide crime prevention services in our community.  This event is free and open to the public; it’s a great way for the Spokane Community to learn about your services. 

Date: Monday, April 19 

Location: The Community Building, First Floor Lobby, 35 West Main

Set-up: 9am-10am before the fair begins, light snacks are provided.

Time: 10am-2pm, lunch will not be provided.

Contact: Colene Bantz, 343-5092, cbantz@lcsnw.org Space is limited; please RSVP by 3/1/2010.                            

Cost: Free!

Only 15 spots available

Free Child Car Seat Check

Safe Kids Kootenai County will offer free car seat inspections April 19

 Parents: Be certain your children are riding in safely-installed car seats at a free, upcoming safety inspection to be held in Hayden. A limited number of new car seats will be available to those who qualify for a minimum $5 donation. Kootenai Health, Safe Kids and Panhandle Health District are joining forces to host the outreach activity. Kootenai Health is the lead agency of Safe Kids Kootenai County, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to child safety.

Date: Monday, April 19 

Location: Panhandle Health District office, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., Hayden.

Time: 1-4 pm

Cost: First come, first serve. Limited number of new car seats available to those who qualify for minimum $5 donation

Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children Training

A workshop for adults on how to prevent and help stop sexual abuse of children. Ruth Willford, an R.N. at Kootenai and program facilitator, will lead the program. The course is free but registration is required. 

The workshop follows a national curriculum. Adults will learn about the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse. And they will be taught the most effective ways to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.

Date: Monday, April 19 

Location: Kootenai Medical Center

Time: 6-9 p.m

Cost: Free

Contact: Register online at www.kootenaihealth.org and click on Classes & Events or call 208-666-2030.

Spokane Scholars Foundation Banquet

18^th Annual Banquet Honoring Spokane High School Senior Scholars with keynote speaker William Gates, Sr.

The Spokane Scholars Foundation is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to publicly recognize academic achievement among Spokane area high school seniors.  SSF was created 18 years ago on the premise that acknowledging outstanding high school scholarly achievement in a public fashion serves notice to all students at all grade levels that academic success is held in high esteem by the community. At this year’s banquet 138 students, representing 25 area high schools (public and private) will be honored in one of six content areas: English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages and Fine Arts.  Students are nominated by their high school principals, counselors, and teachers based on the student’s scholarly accomplishments: overall grade point average, grades in content area, test scores, awards and achievements, and letters of recommendation.  Lou Rukavina, President of Spokane Scholars Foundation stated, “Due to the generosity of Spokane area professionals, businesses, and individuals over the past 18 years, we have distributed nearly $800,000 in grants to Spokane’s brightest high school seniors. 

Date: Monday, April 19 

Location: Spokane Convention Center

Time: 6 pm

Cost: Tickets for the banquet are $30.00 and are available by sending a check to the Spokane Scholars Foundation, PO Box 1278, Spokane, WA 99210 by Wednesday, April 14

Contact: (509)838-8568

Stalking Workshop

Date: Tuesday, April 20  

Location: EWU Campus University Monroe Hall

Time:12- 3 pm

Contact: 343-5092

Cost: Free!

Eastern Washington University “Take Back the Night”

Date: April 20^th, 2010

Time: 6:00pm

Location: EWU—University Mall

Human Trafficking Film and Panel Discussion

 
Date: Wednesday, April 21

Location: GU Campus, Jepson Wolf Auditorium

Time: 30-8:30pm

Contact: *Limited Seating*  343-5092

Cost: Free!

Capstone Luncheon

Featuring keynote speeches from Gary Livingston, retiring as Chancellor of the Community Colleges of Spokane and Bill Robinson, retiring President of Whitworth University 

Sponsored by Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Spokesman-Review, United Way, Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning, SPO-CAN Council. 

Table sponsors are welcome!

Date: Wednesday, April 21 

Location: Convention Center

Time: 11:30-1:30

Contact: Janice Marich, janicem@unitedwayspokane.org

Cost: $30/ ticket, $400 for Sponsored Table

Human Trafficking Workshop

A series of specialized training programs intended to address the issue of human trafficking in Washington State. Intended to increase awareness of human trafficking among state, tribal and local law enforcement officials, human service workers and other first responders, the training program series was initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Date: Wednesday, April 21

Location: Wenatchee Police Department, 140 South Mission, Wenatchee

Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Contact: Gabriela Ibarra at 509.854.2800 or gabriela@consejo-wa.org by April 19.

Cost: Free!

South Perry Spring Pick Up

This Earth Day, join one of the teams of community volunteers who will walk throughout the neighborhood picking up loose debris.  Help cleaning South Perry, Grant Park and as many residential streets possible.  Refreshments will be served and early event volunteers will receive a free commemorative t-shirt.

Date: April 22

Location: Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S Richard Allen Court, Spokane, WA 99202

Time: 2- 4 pm  

Contact: www.eflc.org, info@eflc.org

Cost: Free!

“In Her Shoes”

Date: Thursday, April 22

Location: Whitworth Campus, University HUB

Time: 1- 3 pm

Contact: *Limited Seating*  343-5092

Cost: Free!

National Crime Victim’s Rights week- Candle Light Vigil

The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Unit invites you to join in a Candle Light Vigil remembering and honoring all victims of all crimes and acknowledging their decades-long struggle for justice.

Date: Thursday, April 22^nd

Location: 1026 W Broadway Ave, Commissioner’s Hearing Room: Public Works Building, Lower Level

Time: 5:30 pm

Contact: Major Crimes/Gangs—Annette Ingham 477-3640;  Major Crimes/Special Assault—Heidi Wehde 477-2888;  Property—Dawn Aman 477-3681;  Juvenile—Lory Miller 477.2525;  Domestic Violence— Chanci Lopez 835-4550;  Child Special Assault– Stephanie Widhalm 477-2802

Cost: Free!

Children Are Our Flowers

As the weather is beginning to warm are you thinking about working in the garden?  Before you buy your plants, please consider supporting “Children Are Our Flowers” and purchase them from Plantland Nursery in the Valley (15614 E. Sprague).  The weekend of April 23-25 in support of National Child Abuse Awareness month, Plantland will donate 10% of their green sales to Lutheran Community Services Northwest’s child abuse programs.  Tell them you are there for “Children Are Our Flowers”!!!

Date: Friday, April 23^rd- Sunday, April 25^th

Location: Plantland Nursery, 15614 East Sprague Avenue Spokane Valley

Time:Business Hours

Contact: www.plantlandnursery.com , 509-922-7618

Hope Hustle 5K Charity Fun Run/Walk

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Spokane Drug Endangered Children Program through GSSAC.  The Lewis and Clark High School’s Washington Drug Free Youth Club (WDFY) members are sponsoring this event to help promote a healthy drug-free family activity while giving back to protect the children in our community.  Their moto for the Hope Hustle is” Every Chance, Every Child, Every Day.”

Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010

Location: Manito Park

Time: Race start time 9 am

Contact: Christine at 354-7023, christinem@spokaneschools.org or Cathy at 777-4405

TSAC (Teens Against Substance Abuse Campaign)

A project in which 7th & 8th grade students create Radio, TV, or Print advertisement with Drug Free messages.  Last year a record number of students were involved and bigger numbers are expected this year! Deadline for entries is April 13^th.

Date: Tuesday, April 27^th                                               

Location: SFCC Auditorium  

Time: 6:30 pm

Contact: Chris Cody at cc@ad-gha.com

CHECK Yo Self Before You WRECK Yo Self  

Central Valley High School will have an all school assembly April 28th at 12:55 just in time for prom.  The presentation is by Dennis Mitchell www.yesyoucansucceed.com  The event is put on by Washington Drug Free Youth a part of GSSAC.  

 Date: Wednesday, April 28^th 

Location: Central Valley High School 

Time: 12:55 pm                                                                                                             

Contact: Deanna Ristau, 228-5128, dristau@cvsd.org

Partners in Justice

A Sexual Assault Awareness Month event recognizing criminal justice officials, medical professionals, and community members who have provided excellent service to survivors of sexual assault will be on April 29 at 5:30pm.  Gonzaga University Jepson Wolff Auditorium.  Reception to follow. (343-5039)

Date: April 29, 2010

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Gonzaga University Jepson Wolff Auditorium

Topic: Manhole Cover Student Design Contest – Deadline: April 30, 2010

As part of the replacement of the manhole covers throughout the City of Spokane, the Spokane Arts Commission and the City of Spokane Wastewater Management invites all students age 18 and under to participate in an art-design contest to design new manhole covers for the City of Spokane. The manhole covers selected will be cast and used at the start of the 2010 summer. The selected artist(s) will receive $100 and their design on manhole covers throughout the City of Spokane for up to 50 years. Students interested in submitting a design are invited to download the prospectus below

Download File: Manhole-Cover-Student-Design-Contest.pdf (108410 bytes)

Date: Deadline is Friday, April 30^th 2010 at 3 p.m. PST.

Location: All submissions should be sent to Manhole Cover Art Contest, Attn: Gary Kaesemeyer, City of Spokane, 909 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202                                                              

Contact: Questions on the submission process or the project may be addressed to: Gary Kaesemeyer, City of Spokane Wastewater Management (509) 625-7909 or Karen Mobley, Arts Director, City of Spokane (509) 625-6050. Deadline is 2010 at 3 p.m. PST.

Kids Fish-IN at Clear Lake

An annual spring fishing event for kids is at Clear Lake in Spokane County. For $5, kids age 5-14 will get a t-shirt plus rod and reel to take home. Then the kids get a 45-minute shot at catching rainbow trout stocked off the beach. The 2010 Kids’ Fish-In is sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with generous help from five area sportsmen and fishing clubs, the White Elephant stores and fishing manufacturers. Volunteers will rig rods for up to 1,000 kids who will fish in smaller groups assisted by their parents or guardians and event volunteers.

Date: Saturday, May 1

Location: Clear Lake, Fairchild Air Force Base Recreation Facility

Time:  Time slots reserved; pre-register by April 15

Contact: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Office, 2315 N.

Discovery Pl. in Spokane Valley, (509) 892-1001, or download registration forms at http://www.gopaw.org/kids_fish-in_program

Cost: $5 for kids 5-14

Spokane is College Bound!

Attend this event to sign your 7^th or 8^th grade child for the COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP! Eligible students could receive college tuition for up to four years! If your child is already signed up, attend this event to learn more about support services and preparing to access the scholarship.

Date: Saturday, May 1  

Location: Spokane Falls Community College, Student Union Building, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr.

Time: 9 am- 12 pm

Contact: Keith Slim Tolagi 251-3787 or kslimtolagi@collegesuccessfoundation.org

Cost: Free!

Princess Party “Dream…Again”

A time to honor the princess in all of us. All princesses have dreams, goals, passion, desire and the need to accomplish something important in their lives. Wear your pretty dress and tiara. Everyone is invited to affirm the dreams, passions and goals of women and girls.

Date: Saturday, May 8  

Location: Emmanuel Family Life Center 631 S Richard Allen Court Spokane, WA

Time: 3-5 pm

Contact: info@eflc.org    509-535-1645

Cost: Free!

Walk & Rock to benefit The Tears Foundation

The Tears Foundation would like to invite you, your family and your friends to their signature fundraising event, “Walk & Rock” on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  at Riverfront Park (North Bank Shelter) in Spokane, Washington .  The Tears Foundation provides financial assistance to help pay for babies’ funeral expenses and offers free ongoing emotional support and bereavement services.   Since the organization began, it has assisted over 30 families in Eastern Washington.   This is a community event where individuals form teams and collect pledges to “walk” at Riverfront Park and to “rock” in rocking chairs.   Our goal is for each walker to raise $200 through sponsorship.    To create your own donation page please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/tears. Each person must register.  Registration fee is $10 and includes an event t-shirt.  Please see our website at www.thetearsfoundation.org for more information or call 253-200-0944.   Who will you walk for?

Date:  Saturday, May 22, 2010

Location:  Riverfront Park (North Bank Shelter)

Time:  10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Contact:  Stephanie Serventi – 253-200-0944

Cost:  $10

Sage Memorial 5K White Rose Run

Please join us for Sage Memorial 5K White Rose Run on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the Newport City Park in Newport, Washington.  The event consist of a non-competitive and a timed chipped (managed by Across the Line Timing) competitive 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk for adults at 8:00 am.  In addition there will be two separate children’s runs, Sage’s Dash, age 5 and younger at 7:30 am; ages 6-12 at 7:35 am.  Silk roses to place on memorial wall in memory of a child, with donation.  Learn how to sponsor a Rose Mile Marker at:  http://www.sagememorial5k.com.  Register on line at www.active.com. Early registration $10.  Day of Event registration fee is $25.For more information, please call Cindy at 509-671-3326.  Proceeds benefit Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance (NISSA).

Date:  Saturday, July 17, 2010

Location:  Newport City Park, Newport WA 99156

Time:  Sage Dash for Kids-7:30 am    5K/Walk/Strollers-8:00 am

Contact:  Cindy Campbell, 509-671-3326

Cost:  Early Registration: $10  Day of Event:  $25

Our kids: Our business

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a coalition of child advocates, volunteers, business leaders, public officials and media professionals join together to call attention to child abuse and neglect in the Inland Northwest. As part of this April campaign to raise awareness, citizens are invited to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Our Kids: Our Business needs EVERYONE!

SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES, RECREATIONAL GROUPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, YOUNG PEOPLE.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

OK:OB is a month long event in April, so this blog will be updated more frequently with events, functions, and great stuff to participate in so stay tuned for some AMAZING stuff!