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.