History of Veteran's Day on November 11 Every Year

As we honor our veterans this November 11, 2013,  it's good to reflect on how and why this special day evolved. About two-thirds down the page at The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  it tells explains that President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated:

"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

 

U.S. Air Force To Host Famed Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' November 9, 2013

The U.S. Air Force will host the famed Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' final toast to their fallen comrades during an invitation-only ceremony on Nov. 9, 2013, at the  
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The
71st Doolittle Reunion
was held in
Fort Walton Beach Florida

April 17th thru 20th, 2013

Occasionally a FW: message arrives that I'm pleased to share with you... such as this one:

Fw: The cup of Brandy no one wants to drink --- Doolittle Raiders

 
 On
  Tuesday, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the surviving Doolittle Raiders
  gathered publicly for the last time.

  

They
  once were among the most universally admired and revered men in the United
  States. There were 80 of the Raiders in April 1942, when they carried out one
  of the most courageous and heart-stirring military operations in this nation's
  history. The mere mention of their unit's name, in those years, would bring
  tears to the eyes of grateful Americans.

  

Now
  only four survive.

  

After
  Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, with the United States reeling and
  wounded, something dramatic was needed to turn the war effort around.

Even
  though there were no friendly airfields close enough to Japan for the United
  States to launch a retaliation, a daring plan was devised. Sixteen B-25s were
  modified so that they could take off from the deck of an aircraft carrier.
  This had never before been tried -- sending such big, heavy bombers from a
  carrier.

The
  16 five-man crews, under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, who himself
  flew the lead plane off the USS Hornet, knew that they would not be able to
  return to the carrier. They would have to hit Japan and then hope to make it
  to China for a safe landing.

But
  on the day of the raid, the Japanese military caught wind of the plan. The
  Raiders were told that they would have to take off from much farther out in
  the Pacific Ocean than they had counted on. They were told that because of
  this they would not have enough fuel to make it to safety.

And
  those men went anyway.

 

They
  bombed Tokyo, and then flew as far as they could. Four planes crash-landed; 11
  more crews bailed out, and three of the Raiders died. Eight more were
  captured; three were executed.  Another died of starvation in a Japanese
  prison camp. One crew made it to Russia.

   

The
  Doolittle Raid sent a message from the United States to its enemies, and to
  the rest of the world: We will fight. And, no matter what it takes, we will win.

   

Of
  the 80 Raiders, 62 survived the war. They were celebrated as national heroes,
  models of bravery. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced a motion picture based on the
  raid; "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," starring Spencer Tracy and Van Johnson, was
  a patriotic and emotional box-office hit, and the phrase became part of the
  national lexicon. In the movie-theater previews for the film, MGM proclaimed
  that it was presenting the story "with supreme pride."

 

Beginning
  in 1946, the surviving Raiders have held a reunion each April, to commemorate
  the mission. The reunion is in a different city each year. In 1959, the city
  of Tucson, Arizona, as a gesture of respect and gratitude, presented the
  Doolittle Raiders with a set of 80 silver goblets. Each goblet was engraved
  with the name of a Raider.

   

Every
  year, a wooden display case bearing all 80 goblets is transported to the
  reunion city. Each time a Raider passes away, his goblet is turned upside down
  in the case at the next reunion, as his old friends bear solemn witness.

  Also
  in the wooden case is a bottle of 1896 Hennessy Very Special cognac. The year
  is not happenstance: 1896 was when Jimmy Doolittle was born.

   

   

There
  has always been a plan: When there are only two surviving Raiders, they would
  open the bottle, at last drink from it, and toast their comrades who preceded
  them in death.

 

As
  2013 began, there were five living Raiders; then, in February, Tom Griffin
  passed away at age 96. What a man he was. After bailing out of his plane over
  a mountainous Chinese forest after the Tokyo raid, he became ill with malaria,
  and almost died. When he recovered, he was sent to Europe to fly more combat
  missions. He was shot down, captured, and spent 22 months in a German prisoner
  of war camp. 

  

The
  selflessness of these men, the sheer guts ... there was a passage in the
  Cincinnati Enquirer obituary for Mr. Griffin that, on the surface, had nothing
  to do with the war, but that emblematizes the depth of his sense of duty and
  devotion:"When his wife became ill and needed to go into a nursing home, he
  visited her every day. He walked from his house to the nursing home, fed his
  wife and at the end of the day brought home her clothes. At night, he washed
  and ironed her clothes. Then he walked them up to her room the next morning.
  He did that for three years until her death in 2005."

 

So
  now, out of the original 80, only four
  Raiders remain: Dick
  Cole (Doolittle's co-pilot on the Tokyo raid), Robert Hite, Edward Saylor and
  David Thatcher. All are in their 90s. They
  have decided that there are too few of them for the public reunions to
  continue.

 

The
  events in Fort Walton Beach this week will mark the end.  It has come
  full circle; Florida's nearby Eglin Field was where the Raiders trained in
  secrecy for the Tokyo mission. The town is planning to do all it can to honor
  the men: a six-day celebration of their valor, including luncheons, a dinner
  and a parade.

Do
  the men ever wonder if those of us for whom they helped save the country have
  tended to it in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice? They don't talk about
  that, at least not around other people. But if you find yourself near Fort
  Walton Beach this week, and if you should encounter any of the Raiders, you
  might want to offer them a word of thanks. I can tell you from first hand
  observation that they appreciate hearing that they are remembered.

  

The
  men have decided that after this final public reunion they will wait until a
  later date -- Some time this year -- to get together once more, informally and
  in absolute privacy. That is when they will open the bottle of brandy. The
  years are flowing by too swiftly now; they are not going to wait until there
  are only two of them. They will fill the four remaining upturned goblets. And
  raise them in a toast to those who are gone.

  

PLEASE
  SEND THIS ON TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO WERE TOO YOUNG TO KNOW ABOUT THESE GUYS. THIS SHOULD BE READ BY EVERY KID IN GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL SO THEY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

 

November 5, 2013 is Election Day

 

November 5th, 2013 is election day.

 

Locate and Attend the Church of Your Choice on the North Washington Palouse

Locate and attend the church of your choice . Get directions and information.

Daylight Savings Time Ends November 3, 2013

Daylight Savings Time Ends at midnight, November 3rd, 2013  ~~ a practice still beset by controversies, which you can read more about in the following books.

• Michael Downing (2005). Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time. Shoemaker & Hoard. ISBN 1-59376-053-1. 
• David Prerau (2005). Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time. Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN 1-56025-655-9.  The British version, focusing on the UK, is Saving the Daylight: Why We Put the Clocks Forward. Granta Books. ISBN 1-86207-796-7.

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National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, October 26, 2013

October 26, 2013 - 10AM to 2PM

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Search by zip code for a collection site near you. Inquiries can also be made at 1-800-882-9539.

Spokane, Washington locations
Lewiston, Idaho

Click on Links Above Image

National Nut Day and International Caps Lock Day ~ October 22, 2013

October 22, 2013 is National Nut Day in the US and the United Kingdom!

Medical studies have shown that eating nuts reduces hypertension and the risks associated with heart disease. Nuts are also full of protein, fiber, and unsaturated fat. Did you know that peanuts are not really nuts? They are legumes and belong to the bean family. Some popular types of nuts include pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and macadamia nuts.

Celebrate National Nut Day and eat lots of nuts as a snack or on top of your favorite desserts! The UK is being urged to go nuts for the environment by swapping burgers for bags of nuts on Tuesday October 22nd 2013 to celebrate National Nut Day.

October 22, 2013 is also International Caps Lock Day, created in 2000 by Derek Arnold of Iowa. This holiday began as a parody. It was intended to poke fun at those individuals who unnecessarily capitalize letters, words, and phrases. The day became so popular with internet users that it is now celebrated twice a year—on June 28 and on October 22.

Hit your caps lock button and celebrate INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY!

October 11, 2013 was the second annual International Day of the Girl

I'm sorry to say I missed honoring The International Day of The Girl yesterday. October 11, 2013 was the second annual International Day of the Girl. It was brought to my attention by the following: Afghan Women / Girls writing poems and stories.

From the U.N.'s website,

"On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world."

"Girls face discrimination and violence every day across the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights."

 

This year’s theme was focused on “Innovating for Girls’ Education.”

Don't ever think there's no room for the writing of stories and poems. . . Let's carry on

Other resources honoring this special day:
Here

USA Presidential Proclamation
Day of the Girl

The Editor

Ways You Can Volunteer and Help Haunted Palouse be 12th Successful Event

Haunted Palouse! Yes, for its 12th year, will be held Oct. 18, 19, 25, & 26.  In its 11 years, so far it has raised more than $312,000 for various projects in our wonderful community.  Amazing isn't it?

This year the recipients of proceeds will be:

• Downtown reader board
• Community Center mortgage
• Garfield-Palouse Athletic Club
• Viking Crew
• Lions Club
• Skateboard Park
• Museum
• Chamber of Commerce

This is a tremendous volunteer effort, and if you would be willing to help or support, thank you! Each night requires about 75 people to man the two haunted houses and Shady Lane...in addition to support from city staff and our police department.  Building begins this weekend and continues every weekend through October.

Ways you can help?

• Help feed the workers (donate snacks and beverages)
• Help feed the workers (make a monetary donation to Haunted Palouse account at McLeod's)
• Volunteer time:
•         help build
•         help clean up Oct. 28 (we are exhausted!)
•         help staff - there are behind-the-scenes positions as well as acting positions
•         help with lighting and sound effects

Paneling, plywood and 6 foot-plus 2 x 4s are needed too.

Contact: Janet Barstow, Paula Echanove, Aaron Flansburg, Eric Slocum, Scott Beeson, Penny Martinez, Tricia Schwartzman or Shai Collier.

Complete information about the event is available at www.visitpalouse.com

Prestigious Article About Chinese Line Camps in Montana Referenced Palouse Resident's Books

On August 22, 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPRR) drove the last spike to complete transcontinental mainline at Independence Creek, Montana Territory, which lay about 50 miles west of Helena, Montana and about 30 miles west of the Continental Divide.

Two hundred plus years later, in 2012, "Verily the Road was Built With Chinbaman's Bones: An Archaeology of Chinese Line Camps in Montana", by Christopher W. Merritt, Gary Weisz, and Kelly J. Dixon, explores facts about the Chinese labor employed in the construction of the NPRR, and draws conclusions about the impact of those unheralded workers on the future of our country.

"This was really a great collaborative effort, as Gary Weisz (retired from the railroad and a true citizen historian/archaeologist) had all the site information and was able to provide such a great wealth of knowledge, and Dr. Dixon and I worked up the archaeology context and history. Gary made sure we kept on track with our historical overview!" Dr. Merritt said.

First published November 9, 2012 by Springer Science+Business Media, NY, and reprinted December 2012, Vol. 16, No. 4, in [link will be imbedded here] "International Journal of Historical Archaeology" , the official publication of the Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA).[no need to download]

Their article abstract says,

"Construction of the transcontinentals required massive numbers of laborers who lived in temporary "line camps" along the railroad grades. A sample of spatially and ethnically segregated Chinese line camps along the transcontinental Northern Pacific Railroad in the Rocky Mountains of north-western Montana provide historical and archaeological examples of the Gilded Age's pervasive racist mistreatment of the Chinese, culminating in Chinese exclusion laws."

Dr. Kelly J. Dixon is an archaeologist and Associate Professor of Anthropology at University of Montana Department of Anthropology. She specializes in archaeologies of the American West, with her published research representing case studies from the past several centuries. Her research interests are integrated with undergraduate and graduate student projects and include archaeologies of adaptation, colonization, colonialism, global change, landscapes, landscape transformations, human-environment interactions, boomtowns, extractive industries, marginalized populations, and text-aided approaches to archaeology.

Dr. Merritt also was teaching at the University of Montana Department of Anthropology at the time, but has since taken other employment.

An article of this scope required considerable research, dedication and planning. Gary Weisz's background equipped him with specialized and unique knowledge that suited the task perfectly. Beginning in 1967, he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad (Signal Department) from Paradise Montana to Sandpoint, Idaho, and quit working for the Burlington Northern in 1977, and afterwards worked various jobs until he retired.

"I worked with Art and Lyle Younker. In 1967, while headquartered in Thompson Falls, a couple of older railroad employees pointed out several Chinese camps occupied in 1882-1883. I visited the Thompson River camp at that time and later began locating additional camps and documenting and researching the artifacts left behind," Weisz said.

"I guess you could describe me as an avocational archaeologist and historian who takes his hobby very seriously. Throughout the years, numerous professional archaeologists have generously shared their expertise with me and provided guidance as my research progressed. A number of Universities have graciously provided professional papers and reports for my research library. This has been an ongoing learning experience for me and acceptance into the archaeological community has been very gratifying," he said.

Weisz also does archaeological research on the Kalispell Indians, Coeur d' Alene Indians, and fur trade era artifacts from this area. Weisz was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, where he still lives. He and Archaeologist James C. Bard PhD., Senior Principal Investigator at SWCA Environmental Consultants, Portland, Oregon, will be presenting "Weaving the Threads: A View of the Overseas Chinese in Northern Idaho" This paper will be presented at the "Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project-Archaeology Workshop" to be held at Stanford University October 10th through October 12th, 2013. Various papers by individuals will be presented during the course of the workshop.

"I am pleased with that!," Weisz said.

Palouse resident, and editor of The North Palouse Washington eNewcast, learned of their article because her books, "Behind These Mountains, Vols. I, II & III" are reference in "Verily the Road was Built With Chinbaman's Bones: An Archaeology of Chinese Line Camps in Montana".
 

International Journal

Go Meatless On World Vegetarian Day, October 2, 2013 for Chance to Win $1,000

October is Vegetarian Awareness Month and October 1, 2013 is World Vegetarian Day, founded in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society. Encourage Your Non-Vegetarian Friends, Co-Workers and Family Members to Go Meat Free this October… and They Could Win Up to $1,000!

See ideas of what you can do here.  Subscribe to the NAVS newsletter.


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Stay Informed With Spokane County Library Newsletter

Stay in the know about upcoming events and breaking news at all Spokane County Libraries by subscribing to the Newsletter.

Deadline November 6, 2014 For "Notes 4 Bethesda* For America's Wounded Warriors

*Deadline* for  next collection of *Notes 4 Bethesda*is Wednesday, November 6, 2013.

Notes will be given to them at the monthly luncheon on November 10, 2013 ~~ the 238th Birthday of the United States MARINE CORPS, and the day before VETERANS DAY ~~ hosted by Marine Moms-Bethesda

Let's show the them we care!

9th Legistative District Residents Get Opportunity To Discuss Transportation with Senator Schoesler October 2, 2013 in Spokane Valley, Washington

Residents of the 9th Legislative District who want to talk about transportation with leaders of the state Senate have will have an opportunity October 2, 2013, in Spokane Valley, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the theater at Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan Road.

Senator Schoesler, who plans to be at the meeting, said there’s little doubt that transportation will be a leading topic of discussion the next time lawmakers meet again at the Capitol.

"The governor and the majority in the House of Representatives wanted a big increase in the gas tax so they could simply pump more money into the same old inefficient approach," Schoesler said.

"The feedback I get around the 9th District is different: fix the system first, so each dollar is used as efficiently as possible, then fund it.

"That happens to fit nicely with the set of reforms our Senate majority has put on the table to bring down the cost of transportation projects and free up money to be put toward other projects. We’ll be talking in Pasco and Spokane about those as well," he said.
As Senate Republican leader, Schoesler helped arrange a series of 10 meetings being held around the state. The Spokane Valley meeting is in the WSDOT’s eastern region. State transportation officials are also taking part in the meetings, Schoesler said.

"I know it’s a commitment to travel to either Pasco or the Spokane area, but now’s the time for people to make their voices heard – to stand up and talk about what they want to see from state government when it comes to having a transportation infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of our families and businesses," he said.
 

Republican Senator Mark Schoesler Awarded 2013 Jim Matson by the Association of Washington Business

Senator Mark Schoesler was presented with the 2013 Jim Matson Award by the Association of Washington Business on Wednesday during its annual policy summit. As leader of the state’s Republican senators Schoesler had a central role in Washington’s historic 2013 legislative session.

Schoesler and Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who teamed up to lead the Senate this year, will share the AWB’s highest honor. It’s named for the late Sen. Jim Matson, a Republican from Selah who served on the association’s executive committee during the 1970s and 1980s, and recognizes a state legislator who consistently supports issues important to Washington’s employers. 

Read Schoesler's reaction here...  

September 21. 2013 is International Day of Peace

September 21, 2013 International Day of Peace

The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples.

On this day the United Nations Peace Bell -- "Long live absolute world peace" inscribed on its side -- is rung at UN Headquarters to commemorate the event. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa. It was a gift from the United Nations Associations of Japan as "a reminder of the human cost of war". 

 

In 2013, for the first time, the Day was dedicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to peace education, the key preventive means to reduce war substantially.

September 20, 2013 Free Hiring Our Heroes at Spokane County Fair and Expo Center

*Job hunting? Upcoming Hiring Our Heroes Events: *Friday, September 20th, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for a job fair for veteran job seekers, active duty military members, guard and reserve members, and military spouses, at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, located at 404 N. Havana, Spokane, WA 99202 . This event will be a one-of-a-kind FREE hiring fair for both employers and job seekers.

Employers and job seekers are strongly encouraged to pre-register for FREE. Walk-ins are welcome but space is not guaranteed. Info at https://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes/spokane-wa

Click for information about Hiring Our Heros Events future dates.

Farm Power Receives U.S. Department of Agriculture $90,000 Grant

Farm Power, a business in Rockford, Washington, was awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture $90,000 grant. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the department's decision to help the Eastern Washington business. 

Farm Power will develop a biofuel production process that will enable farmers to produce and sell biofuel. Farm Power, located in Spokane County, will use the funds to develop an automated control system and automated feedstock delivery system for producing biofuel from Kentucky bluegrass straw.

Once commercialized, the technology will create jobs, provide an additional source of revenue for farmers, and increase domestic fuel production from recycled agricultural waste.

 

Name The Cow Sculpture Contest at the Dahmen Barn

Contest!!!

 Help name the cow sculpture and win ice cream! 

The National Endowment for the Arts funded public art projects for the Uniontown Community Development Association to be located near highway 195 at the north and south entries to the town.

 

Working with UCDA's Julie Hartwig and area farmers to procure metal parts from old agricultural equipment, Lewiston artist John Bergen is creating a larger-than-life cow to be installed in the field across from the Dahmen Barn at the north end of town. Use of these parts celebrates Uniontown's farming roots and will remind viewers that the Dahmen Barn was built for use as a commercial dairy.

UCDA is kicking off the "Name the Cow Sculpture Contest" at the Dahmen Barn's 7th annual fall event, "An Old Fashioned Sunday in Autumn" on September 15 from 11 am to 4 pm.

 

Ideas for names must be submitted at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn that day or until September 30.  Junette Dahmen, donor of the Barn to the community, will select her favorite name and the winner will enjoy an ice cream prize.

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is a non-profit creativity center in Uniontown.

 

The three story facility is fully handicap accessible and has no daily admission fee.  It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.  Information:  www.artisanbarn.org or 509-229-3414.

 

Celebrate Grandparent's Day: September 8, 2013

Grandparent's Day (the second Sunday of September annually) falls on September 8 this year. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed in 1978 that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

The movement for a National Grandparents Day was sparked by Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. McQuade wanted to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide.

SmileBox provides software to create greeting cards, free.

Grandparents Day provides ideas and resources for families and groups, including a songfest contest anyone can enter.

Create Fall Memories by exploring pumpkin patches, picking apples, enjoying fall festivals, and discovering great off-the-beaten path attractions.

This month's feature at KC Parent, 'The Dad Manual', by William Bartlett, is sure to spark fond memories that bring a smile to Grandpa.




 

Veteran's Needs: Series No. 3

Today, in this ongoing series about veterans needs, the services available to them in our area, and supporters, Michael Lovas, Communications Director of Spokane Veterans Forum, talks about an annual fund raising event that supports veteran's services in our area of Washington.

 

Motorcycle Clubs Step Up for Veterans

(Part Three)

By Michael Lovas

Run Whatcha Brung
The "Run Whatcha Brung" event in Old Town has grown into a highly popular affair that features motorcycle drag races, right on the city street, on the weekend of the 4th of July. Each year, the event raises money for veterans’ causes.

 

The event works like this: two riders line up next to each other. It does not matter what they ride. Sport bikes line up against choppers, racing bikes line up against heavy touring bikes. On the signal the pair ride as fast as they can up Idaho Street. Anyone can enter, and riders consistently get back in line to it again and again. Many do it over and over, all day long to the delight of a cheering crowd.

 

The weather was perfect this year, warm and clear with just a slight breeze. First to set up their headquarters tent was the Hells Angels, who are a major supporter every year.

 

Over the next 12 hours, motorcycle organizations from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon arrived, including:

• Marines MC
• Brother Speed
• Vietnam Veterans/Legacy Veterans
• Outsiders
• Free Souls
• Combat Vet Riders
• American Legion Riders
• Dire Wolves
• BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse)
• Unchained Brotherhood
• Soul Patrol
• Sons of God
• Sober Riders

 Each time a club arrived, their arrival was announced by a deep, visceral rumble, the kind of guttural assault that conjures up visions of stampeding elephants or King Kong’s wild roar. All day long, other riders arrived and small parties spontaneously erupted into laughter.

 

The next morning, the drag strip and VIP lounge were set up, volunteers were making last minute checks to the track, and families began lining up to get henna tattoos, ice cream, bar BQ and cold drinks. Staff members from the Spokane Veterans Forum walked through the crowd offering sun block to folks with pink skin. Then, the big event began at 10:00. Two riders pulled up to the starting line, smiled at each other and waited for the starter to give them the signal. 3-2-1 GO.

 

What didn’t happen was anything you might have expected based on the old biker movies from the 1960s. No pile of empty beer bottles. No terrorizing the crowd. No one got mowed down, run over or accosted.
 

See what DID happen!

(Scroll to pictures)

Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds were again donated to Spokane Veterans Forum!

Experience it for yourself next year on 4th of July weekend. 

Mike Lovas, Communication Director
Spokane Veterans Forum
(509) 465-5599
michael@aboutpeople.com
 

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September is National Library Card Sign-up Month

September is national library card sign-up month.

Here are good reasons to sign up!

 

DON'T DELAY ~~ SIGN UP TODAY!

Veteran's Needs, Local Services, and Supporters: Part 2 -Community-based Vet Centers

The Department Of Veterans Affairs community-based Vet Centers are located nationwide with services available to War Veterans from all eras. Their family members are also eligible for services. 

 

Spokane Vet Center is located at 13109 E Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane, WA, 99216. Guide to Key Staff.

Phone: 509-444-8387 Or 877-927-8387

Fax: 509-444-8388

 

Normal working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In an effort to better serve the veteran and family members, upon request Vet Centers will provide services after normal work hours and/or on weekends.

• Services provided include:
• Individual and group counseling for Veterans and their families Family counseling for military related issues Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death Military sexual trauma counseling and referral Outreach and education including PDHRA, community events, etc.
• Substance abuse assessment and referral Employment assessment & referral VBA benefits explanation and referral Screening & referral for medical issues including TBI, depression, etc.

*Stated on their site, upon request, their services are available after hours.

 

Vet Center Locator.

Veteran's Needs, Local Services, and Supporters - Part One

This is the beginning of an ongoing series about veterans needs, the services available to them in our area, and supporters. It begins with a three-part series provided by Michael Lovas, Communications Director of Spokane Veterans Forum. 

Motorcycle Clubs Step Up for Veterans
(Part One)
By Michael Lovas

Spokane Veterans Forum
In a practical sense, the people we consider heroes are those who take action to bring life to their values – without the expectation of a tangible reward. One organization filled with such people is the Spokane Veterans Forum. It is a national model for all other Veterans Courts and Forums.

This is an all-volunteer organization that supports the Spokane Veterans Court, which is part of the Spokane Country District Court and the Spokane Municipal Court.

The Forum is funded exclusively by donations. Those donations come in the form of funds, food, equipment and services. Members of the Forum are primarily military veterans and surviving family members.

Their job is to mentor other veterans who suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Sexual Trauma, or are in other serious ways finding the transition from military to civilian insurmountable or at least difficult.

As happens to veterans world-over, such obstacles often invite behaviors that run contra to the law. When veterans commit such offenses, and the offenses are misdemeanors, they usually qualify to be tried in the Veterans Court. In addition to fines and fees, the defendants receive sentences that include a two-year probation, appropriate therapies, an on-going relationship with a Forum mentor and six Forum meetings.

These Forum meetings include a sit-down meal and classes taught by notable professors, psychologists, counselors and therapists. All the topics are chosen based on: 1) their relevance to this highly military-oriented audience, and 2) the practicality of applying the lessons learned in real life.

All the Mentors are volunteers. They receive on-going training in how to help their mentees receive community resources and get help from the Veterans Administration. Often, the mentees have no idea such help is even available. Mentors are also trained in how to ask questions, build rapport and trust and nurture the relationships with their mentees. For many of the mentees, this is the first time they’ve received help that actually works. The key is the relationships with the Mentors.

This year, the "Run Whatcha Brung" event in Old Town, Washington, donated 100% of the proceeds to the Spokane Veterans Forum. Visit here for  more information on the Forum. (Also, Check Gallery\Events and scroll to pictures.)

 Mike Lovas, Communication Director

Spokane Veterans Forum
(509) 465-5599
michael@aboutpeople.com



 

Eric Petersen's book review of the mystery novel "The Trojan Colt" by Mike Resnick, is published at Internet Review of Books.

Palouse Food Bank Welcomes Your Extra Produce

Hello Palouse Gardeners!

The Palouse Food Bank would love to receive any extra produce you might have from your garden for their food distribution this week.  You can bring it by the Community Center Tuesday, between 2:00 and 5:00, or Wednesday between 12:30 and 1:00.  Please call Amy Browse with any questions:  878-1251.  Thank you for supporting our local food bank!

See your news here ...
Please scan your .pdf posters or flyers to create a .jpg [picture file] and send the .jpg to nthpw@air-pipe.com as an attachment for FREE publication.

Visit TOWNS ...

Thanks,
Mona Vanek, Editor The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast, www.palousenewscast.com

Author - Mother Encourages Her Children to Publish 1st Book

When I learned how this amazing mother helped her two young children publish a delightful book they'd written and illustrated I invited her to write a guest blog to share their inspiriting story.

 

"This summer I helped my children get published," by Rasana Atreya.

Since I’m a published author myself, it is quite common for us to do story telling/writing related activities. On a long car ride we might try a story-building exercise. The key is to make it sound like FUN.

We start off with a random sentence, the wackier the better. Something like, ‘the rat got into the autorickshaw’ (open three-wheeler Indian taxi.) The second person builds the story by adding just one line to it. The line has to be connected to what came before, and it has to move the story forward.

Each person gets a turn, then we circle back to the first person. The kids have learned to mine for lines that get them the most laughs. This has helped them in creative writing at school, as well. Given a prompt, they know how to take a story forward creatively.

 

My daughter’s journey to being a published author started when we were on a long train ride from Hyderabad to Chennai, India. Aamani, then six-years old, was done reading her books. Since I limit the amount of time my kids can play electronic games, she was bored.

 

Happily, I also carry notebooks and pencils on long trips, so I suggested she write stories. She agreed, but wanted writing prompts with two characters – one living thing and one non-living thing at a time. That’s how she ended up writing about the mosquito and the teapot; the window, the curtains and a person (technically that’s three characters, but we’ll let that go.)

 

Almost three years down the road my daughter decided it wasn’t fair that I was published, and she was not. So I decided to help them get published on Amazon. My eleven year-old wanted a shot at illustration so I downloaded paint.net and showed him the tutorials. Not only did he do the illustrations, but also designed the cover for the ebook.
 

My daughter’s stories have also gotten great reviews:

"The Mosquito and the Teapot" by Aamani Gurajada is an astonishing short book written and illustrated by two very young and very talented artists. The stories are short pieces in which usually two or three people, animals or things meet and resolve the conflicts between them. The simplicity of their form is disarming and there is a potentially very wise head behind the writing. The illustrations however are not second to the writing but a clear equal. I was amazed at their beauty and professionalism, not at all what I had expected from a young illustrator. They are simple, full of character and masterly executed."

 Joel Friedlander, a book cover designer, had this to say about the cover Sunaad Gurajada designed and created for "The Mosquito and the Teapot":

"Absolutely charming and appropriate. Tell him to keep going!" 

Our writing-illustrating-publishing experience has been a heady one. My daughter is tickled that she might possibly be the youngest author ever. And it has helped build my son’s confidence. After all, he’s now a professional illustrator.

 

If you’re looking to help your child self-publish, you might want to check out my blog post: FAQ. 
END
 

The ebook, The Mosquito and the Teapot,  is available on Amazon Kindle, and in the UK\Amazon at The Mosquito and the Teapot

 

Rasana Atreya is the author of Tell a Thousand Lies . Her novel was shortlisted for the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia prize.

Guidance plus a wee bit of story-editing was Mom's contribution to her children's successful publishing endeavor:

"My daughter wrote seven stories, under 500 words total. My eleven year old illustrated the book, including the cover. I downloaded paint.net for my son. I then pointed him to the YouTube tutorials. He drew up the cover and did the illustrations."

As always, your comments are welcome, The Editor

 

Author and Essayist Gary Presley Picked for Best of the Net

Author and essayist, Gary Presley, received the following congratulation this morning from Blue Lyra Review:

"Congrats! Our staff overwhelmingly picked your work "Knife" to submit on behalf of Blue Lyra Review for Best of the Net  (via Sundress Publications )."

Gary Presley is author of "Seven Wheelchairs: A Life Beyond Polio," a memoir published by the University of Iowa Press, that tells about his life as a paraplegic since he was given a vaccination intended to prevent polio, at age 17.

His essays appear in a variety of publications including Notre Dame Magazine, Salon and New York Times. Presley also writes  book reviews for Internet Review of Books,  and also posts material on writing, disability, and other issues on his own blog.
 

Seven Wheelchairs:Life Beyond Polio [Kindle and Hardcover at Amazon] and at Barnes and Noble [Hardcopy]
 

Congratulations to Edith Parzefall! Her book, "Strays of Rio" placed 3rd and won the Bronze Medal in the thriller category of Dan Poynter's 2013 Global Ebook Awards.
 

Do you see your news here? ... TOWNS

JROTC at Sequoyah High School in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., Wins Marine Moms-Bethesda Annual Quilt Raffle

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of Marine Moms-Bethesda's annual quilt raffle, the JROTC at Sequoyah High School, Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee! An anonymous "Elf" bought tickets on their behalf.

Soddy-Daisy, a bedroom community of nearby Chattanooga, in Hamilton County, with a population in 2000 census of 11,530 is part of the Chattanooga, Tennessee-Georgia Metropolitan statistical area. The Sequoyah Nuclear Generating Station is located there.

The quilt, "Tranquility", was donated by Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore, in Easton, MD. Chris, Kris and Jo from Bayside Quilters held two raffles locally, other tickets were sold individually, and "Elfs" from across the U.S.A. participated through an online campaign.

The raffle brought in $883.00 and 100% of the proceeds will benefit wounded, injured and ill Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and their families through Marine Moms- Bethesda monthly luncheons at Walter Reed Hospital.

Marine Moms-Bethesda said, "Tremendous THANKS to everyone who participated and helped to make this year's quilt raffle a success! The Marines, Soldiers and Sailors we served at Mercy Hall on August 15th were very touched that so many people from across the country help support the luncheons. And they loved the food! With Grateful Thanks for Your Support," Marine Moms-Bethesda

Updated Raffle Page 
Luncheon Page 
 

Many Churches on the North Palouse Have Websites

Many churches on the north Palouse have developed webpages which not only provide religious choices, but also herald events in each of the communities represented that have a positive impact on residents and their children.

ENDICOT: Trinity Lutheran Church

FAIRFIELD: Zion Lutheran Church 

FARMINGTON: Farmington Seventh Day Adventist

GARFIELD: Garfield Community Church

ROCKFORD: Rockford United Methodist

ROSALIA: Rosalia Assembly of God

TEKOA: Tekoa's Churches

VALLEYFORD: Valleyford Community Church

Please send your church information to the Editor to be included on the CHURCH page.


 

Reception at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn August 4, 2013 for Artist Gary Brogan

"Rural Life to Coastal Reminisces", paintings by Gary Brogan of Lewiston, Idaho forms the August exhibit at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn.

An opening reception for Brogan is scheduled for Sunday, August 4, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, Washington.

Gary was born in San Francisco and moved to Lewiston, Idaho, in 2012. The exhibit features oil, acrylic and pastel paintings from the rural lifestyle to B-17s and wooden boats and includes landscapes of the Tammany farm area.

 

The exhibit continues through August 25.

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is a non-profit creativity center on highway 195 in Uniontown in the big white barn behind the famous iron wheel fence.  The three storey facility is fully handicap accessible and has no daily admission fee.  It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.  Information:  www.artisanbarn.org or 509-229-3414.