Being a Gonzaga Alumni I beleive it is my duty to promote fellow Zags as much as possible. That said, there is a WONDERFUL event being put of this week where the proceeds go to benefit the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Take a day off, play some golf, hang out with some great people and have some fun in the sun! The Tourney is this Thursday August 14th at the Wandermere Golf Course and should be a blast!
THE ADAM MORRISON GOLF CLASSIC AND HALO 3 TOURNAMENT
The Adam Morrison Golf Classic is a fun-filled, day long event. It's presented by the Odom Corporation and benefits the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. The event kick-offs with a buffet lunch at 11 a.m. followed by the Four Person Scramble Golf event at 1 p.m. Following the golf play, there is a live and silent auction and a light buffet dinner at Fizzie Mulligans later in the evening.
The entry fee is $200 per person and includes lunch, green fees, cart & prizes.
The Dennis Patchin Show will broadcast live from the event on Thursday, August 14th. The Dennis Patchin Show can be heard Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. on 700 ESPN The Ticket.
The Adam Morrison Golf Classic isn't the only cool event going on that weekend in Spokane. For the gamers out there, Northtown Mall is hosting The Adam Morrison Halo 3 Tournament on Saturday, August 16th.
Test your mettle as Master Chief or one of the Covenant starting at 10 a.m. that morning. The event is for ages 10 and up, the entry fee is $20.00. Do you have what it takes to take down Adam?
You can find applications for both events at morriesbbworkout.com.
But that is not all, there is also one more event to round out the week:
The 5th Annual Morries H-O-R-S-E Shooting contest
The event starts at 8:30AM @ West Valley high school.
Cost is $30/person and again all proceeds go toward the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. More info here: morriesbbworkout.com/08%20HBBQ%20REG.%20FORM.pdf
As many Spokanites know, our community pools are going the way of the Dodo. With the annual repairs and constant upkeep the city has found them too expensive to keep up. The alternative they have developed are random "Spray Pads" for kids in existing parks and two wonderful Water parks on the North and South sides of the city. BethAnn Long details out the South hill Park in her blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/563196/Spokane-WA-South-Hill.
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A pretty neat thing the city is doing with the last day of public swim is opening the pools up to our 4 legged friends! That is right the last public swim session of the community pools around the city will be followed by a free Doggy Swim session. Since the pools are getting torn down and filled up the city says there is no reason why the dogs can't have a little fun as well! Below is the schedule of remaining doggy swims at the city pools!
Hillyard and Comstock
People: Aug. 16, 2 to 4 p.m.
Dogs: Aug. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Liberty and Witter
People: Aug. 23, 2 to 4 p.m.
Dogs: Aug. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
I will be attending the August 19th Doggy Swim with my family and our Black Lab, August 19th at Comstock Pool on the South Hill! Hope to see you out there!
Tucked away in a little corner behind the Looff Carrousel is a staple of Spokane's Riverfront Park that is known by locals, but often over looked by vistors in lieu of the Carrousel, the river, or other sculptures or fountains. At first sight, one would think it is strange that there is a statue of a single goat in the corner of the park. But once you see the power of this little goat, all your questions will be answered.
A button to the right of this little guy, when pressed creates a powerful vacuum that is designed to suck garbage through the mouth of the goat and shoot it out the *ahem* other end into a trash compactor. Watching kids learn the power of the goat is a kick! Heck even parents! I have seen parents get that little kid look in their eye as they walk up to feed the Garbage Goat. All of a sudden it is a search to find a piece of garbage to "feed" the goat! People of all ages try this guy out and he has dutifully kept garbage off the ground for the last 34yrs. Needless to say there is no garbage within a 50 yard radius of this little guy...now if we could figure a way to get these all over the city! :)
Created by Sister Paula Turnbull and donated by the Spokane Woman Council of Realtors for the Worlds Fair in 1974 (Yes, believe it or not little old Spokane hosted the worlds fair in 1974:)) it has been a staple in the park ever since. There was a total of 5 goats, that have been removed throughout the years, but this once has remained. As you can imagine, there is not a cleaner part of the park then the area around the Looff Carrousel!
Next time you are in Spokane, check out the Garbage Goat, you and your children are sure to get a kick out of him! Known and respected by locals, he is a Riverfront Park icon.
Gonzaga University's Bozarth Mansion and Retreat Center, sits on approximately nine acres, was purchased by the University in December 1963. The 23 room mansion and a number of smaller buildings were included in the $85,000 purchase price, as were a number of antique furnishings. Two small brick buildings located near the mansion were removed so that the University could construct a 36 - bed dormitory-style facility (currently with 48 beds), thus making approximately 50 beds (currently 65 beds) available for religious retreats for Gonzaga students. The university purchased the Waikiki Mansion from a group of developers who had acquired the property and surrounding acreage in about 1960 from the estate of Mrs. Charles Marr.
The Bozarth Mansion and Retreat Center was originally known as " Waikiki". The mansion, which was designed by famed architect Kirkland K. Cutter, was constructed at a cost of approximately $100,000 in 1911-1913. The famed Olmstead Brothers of Boston designed the gardens and underground water system and the interiors were by Elsie de Wolfe, America's first well-known decorator.
The home was built for J.P. Graves, whose father, John James Graves, was one of Spokane's early-day mining and railroad tycoons. J.P. Graves was the builder and president of the Inland Empire Traction Lines, one of Spokane's street car companies. However, one of Mr. Graves' principal businesses was his famous, 1,000 acre cattle and dairy ranch, Waikiki, on which the mansion was constructed. Newspaper accounts indicate he purchased the land for his ranch in about 1904. The ranch originally included the land on which Whitworth College is presently located. Graves was also a principal in the Country Homes Development Company, which, commencing in the 1920's, sold home sites in the area.
Waikiki Ranch is said to have had the largest herd of thoroughbred Jersey Cattle in the Pacific Coast region. The dairy was very well known throughout the world and breeding stock were shipped as far away as China.
There are two versions of the origin of the name, " Waikiki". The popular version is that when the Graves family visited Hawaii in 1920, their son was struck by the beauty of the area. He stated that it was the most beautiful place on earth but since the second most beautiful place was the Graves home on the Little Spokane River, he suggested it be called "Waikiki". However, a May 14, 1911, Spokesman-Review feature concerning construction of the English Tudor-style mansion refers to Waikiki Ranch, stating it was named by J.P. Graves himself following a trip to Hawaii. The Review article refers to " Waikiki" as an Indian word meaning "lots of rushing water". Since there were 24 natural springs on the farm, the paper continued, Graves thought it an appropriate name.
The same Spokesman-Review article also reported that a construction camp had been established on the property for the 25-100 workmen who were engaged in construction of the mansion. The camp was complete with a bunkhouse, commissary and mess tent.
Waikiki had its own water system, which included a storage system of 100,000 gallons, as well as its own hydro-electric system, which provided all of the electrical requirements. When the University purchased Waikiki, the original water supply system was still operational. However, major leaks were discovered in the old main supply pipes. As a consequence, the University converted to the Whitworth Water District supply.
It was reported that Graves wanted the mansion to have a joyous atmosphere, which influenced the Cutter design. The house has beautiful oak and maple floors, oak wall paneling throughout and handsome molded-plaster ceilings. When constructed, it had a commanding view of the Little Spokane River and the valley below. The one-piece carved alabaster light fixture is of exceptional size; leaded glass is found throughout. The huge fireplace features a carved dolphin splashing water into a basin in which pine trees grow - intended to help capture the "fun" Mr. Graves wanted in his mansion.
The original ornate wood and stone entrance to Waikiki, which is still located at Waikiki and Mill, is now the entrance to the Fairwood housing development. When the University acquired the mansion, one entered through the gate and traveled about a half-mile along the narrow road, which meandered through a rather heavily wooded area.
The Graves entertained many of the nation's financial leaders and even royalty. Prince Albert, later King Albert of Belgium, who had mining investments in the region, was a visitor as was James Hill of Great Northern fame.
In 1936, the mansion and remaining ranch property was sold to Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Marr for $175,000. The Graves, who apparently also owned a home on Upper Terrace on Spokane's South Hill, moved to Pasadena, California.
In 1983, Waikiki was renamed the Bozarth Mansion and Retreat Center in honor of Horace and Christine Bozarth who gave a substantial gift to renovate the mansion.** Mr. Bozarth, a former member of the University's Board of Regents, was a successful businessman and wheat rancher from Mansfield, Washington.
The Bozarth facility is heavily used, and greatly respected by hundreds of University students who come on weekends throughout the academic year. It is also used extensively for weddings, business conferences, and various school functions.
Unity in the Community
Spokane's Unity in the Community is celebrating its 14th year this year in Riverfront Park! Come and join the fun. Officials are estimating close to 10,000 people could be in attendance this year marking another year of growth!
Unity in the Community is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate diversity. It is a fun event that reflects the Spokane community, and celebrates diversity.
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The 2008 Unity in the Community plans are underway for the multi-ethnic and cultural awareness event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in Riverfront Park.
"Connecting Communities" is the 2008 program, now in its 14th year. Last year, Unity in the Community drew 6,500 people from the Spokane area's diverse population and about 160 vendors.
"The objective is to connect people and celebrate cultures in the greater Spokane area," said Ben Cabildo, event chair and director of AHANA, the African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American business education and training program of Community-Minded Enterprises. "Participation of our communities demonstrates that Unity in the Community represents what Spokane is."
He said the event educates children while they're having fun. Beyond giving out school supplies and bike helmets and the educational component, Unity in the Community also enlists corporate, individual and university sponsors to fund scholarships for local Native American, Hispanic and African American college-bound students at the college or university they choose.
"It's part of awareness of the importance of working together," Ben said of the event that includes entertainment, a cultural village, games, art, food, a career fair, health screening and other activities for children and adults.
For information, call 209-2634.
I know this is 2 days late, but our Spokane Mayor, Mary Verner, proclaimed this week "Paint the Town Orange Week" in Honor of the Spokane Shock and in celebration of the af2 2008 Playoffs. Majority owner and CEO of the Spokane Shock, Brady Nelson, along with Shock Fullback, Katon Bethay, represented the Shock at the ceremony. Spokane citizens and fans alike are encouraged to show their support for the Shock by wearing Shock paraphernalia and displaying well wishes on reader board's throughout the business community. Last Thursday, GO SHOCK cards were inserted into 30,000 copies of the Spokesman-Review for fans to display their Shock pride in their homes, or cars. Since the Spokane Shock's induction into the af2 in 2006 as an expansion team, the Shock have had three successful seasons. In 2006, the Shock won the ArenaCup Championship, and in 2007 were the Western Division Champions. The Shock finished the regular 2008 season with the best record in the league (15-1), the best record in franchise history, and head into the playoffs on August 2, with home field advantage. Over the past three years, the Shock has gained an overwhelming amount of support from the Spokane Community, averaging 10,275 attendants at each home game and hosting a sold out crowd at all eight of the 2008 home games.
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Also the Shock take the number 1 seed into the playoffs and face the eigth seeded Austin Wranglers THIS WEEKEND!! TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!! They can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest at 325-SEAT. Seats are available in the lower level in nearly every price category.
!!!GO SHOCK!!!
Many Spokane residents don't know about the St Joseph Family Center let alone the history it has in the with the city. Being a committee member I believe it is my job to spread the word about this amazing facility and would like to share a little history of the organization and show what it offers today.
St. Joseph's began as an orphanage in the early 1890s. Sisters from the Order of St. Francis of Philadelphia. They traveled west by train to care for children who had nowhere else to call home.
The Sisters struggled to care for the children with little or no funding, but always managed to provide food, shelter, and caring.
In 1981, the state of Washington moved to a foster care system, and orphanages became obsolete. In 1987, St. Joseph Family Center began serving the community as a counseling and whole body wellness center, offering counseling, body therapies such as massage and yoga, and spiritual services like spiritual direction and contemplative prayer.
Although much has changed about St. Joseph Family Center over the last century, one thing has always been true. SJFC continues to offer services to the Spokane area with the purpose of developing the whole person to build healthy relationships, families, and communities.
St Joseph Family Center - Today http://www.stjosephfamilycenter.org/
Today St Joseph Family Center offers individual, group, couple, marriage, child and family therapy; family mediation services; educational workshops/classes; healing arts and body therapy; spiritual direction; retreats and outreach workshops. Their work is holistic, focusing on integration of self (mind, body and spirit) in relationship to others. They nurture individuals in a healing environment of personal growth. SJFC is a non-profit professional counseling center embracing a 'Family Systems' orientation.
St. Joseph Family Center offers a wide variety of classes and programs specifically developed to meet the needs of the Mind, Body and Spirit.
Body Therapy
Healing Touch: Self Treatment & First Aid Kit
Qi-Gong
Therapeutic Massage
Mind
Hypnotherapy and Holistic Lifestyle
Men and Anger
Pre-Marriage Workshop
Parenting Children of Divorce
Parenting Class
Spirituality
A Day to Relax, Refresh and Renew
Journal to the Self: Paths to Personal Growth
Heart Films: Short Films Which Touch the Human Heart
Meditations for Heart and Mind
Spiritual Directors' Peer Supervision
Spiritual Retreats
A Virtual Pilgrimage to the Land of Francis and Clare Assisi
Meetings and Retreats
Are you looking for...
•· A space for your team to escape the pressures of the office and prepare an annual plan?
•· A place to meet that your board will actually thank you for choosing?
•· A place of serenity and renewal for the parish council retreat?
You can find all this and more at The Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center
Peaceful Surroundings ~ The Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center is located on three beautifully landscaped acres bordered by the Spokane River and Centennial Trail. It is an oasis of peace just minutes from the city center of Spokane.
Personal ~ Your needs will be catered to with the traditional Franciscan hospitality of welcome and caring. The facilities include a well-appointed board room, meeting space, two classrooms, a beautiful chapel, and two 10-bedroom retreat houses with kitchens, a meditation garden, and spacious grounds.
Professional ~ Many corporate, civic, and service organizations rely on The Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center to meet their needs for meetings or retreats. A full array of business services and planning expertise are at your service.
Successful events have included:
•· Corporate planning retreats
•· Student conferences
•· Annual club meetings
•· Parish council retreats
•· Organizational meetings
•· Personal/group retreats
Why The Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center?
"St. Joseph Family Center has the most gracious and willing staff and a comfortable and homey space in which to meet...the atmosphere has a peaceful, positive energy conducive to focusing on getting work done."
Kateri Caron, Executive Director, Interfaith Council
Check out their website and learn a little more at http://www.stjosephfamilycenter.org/
Interesting turn of events. People who live on the west coast have probably heard the Hayes Barnard commercials...not going to say anything bad and just let the article do the talking.
State goes after Paramount Equity Mortgage
The state wants to revoke the license of Paramount Equity Mortgage Inc. and fine the company $500,000 over deceptive lending practices.
The state Department of Financial Institutions charged the company with collecting unearned fees, hiding fees from borrowers, charging consumers to buy down interest rates without reducing the rate and not making certain fee disclosures.
Paramount, based in Roseville, Calif., has a branch office in Bellevue and issued more than 1,700 mortgages to Washington borrowers in 2007 and collected more than $8.7 million in fees, according to DFI.
The company peppered local radio stations with commercials featuring Paramount's president, Hayes Barnard, touting low rates. The state says those ads were deceptive, according to its statement of charges (12 pp, PDF). The company advertised that it was a "mortgage bank" when it wasn't, and advertised that it guarantees the lowest or best rates when it couldn't be substantiated, said Deb Bortner, DFI's director of consumer services.
"Paramount failed to make proper disclosures in almost every loan we reviewed," she added.
Messages left at the Bellevue and Roseville offices were not immediately returned.
If you feel you were harmed by the company's actions, file a complaint with DFI online or call 360-902-8811.
There is an article in the latest Men's Health Magazine about a study done to distinguish what cities are the most environmentally conscious in the US. Guess what? Spokane made the list! The study covered a wide range of topics and after compiling a number of factors - gas consumption (Spokane ranked #1 in least amount of Gas wasted!), estimated miles per year, air quality (Spokane Ranked #4 in least amount of high Ozone days!), vehicle efficiency and stats on mass transit, the magazine named Seattle as the top city, Portland at # 3 and Spokane #8. The top 10 is as followed:
Most Environmentally conscious US Cities:
1. Seattle, WA
2. Burlington, VT
3. Portland, OR
4. Madison, WI
5. Fargo, ND
6. Rochester, NY
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Spokane, WA
9. San Francisco, CA
10. Norfolk, VA
Furthermore In a separate study Spokane made the Top 40 in air quality ranking Spokane as the 39th Ranked "Breathe Easy" City.
WAY TO GO SPOKANE!!!!
Although the season is 9 games old, the opening home stand is here tonight! The festivities kickoff tonight at 5:30 at Avista Stadium (game start 6:30 - free magnet schedule give-away). The Spokane RiverHawks are a summer baseball collegiate invite-only league. Somewhat of a Semi-Pro team. If you like to watch great baseball and/or have a fun, cheap family outing, I would definitely recommend checking out our very own Spokane RiverHawks. For those of you that think the Valley is a little too much of a drive don't fret! The RiverHawks games are going to be split between Avista Field (where the Spokane Indians play) and Gonzaga University. If you haven't been to the ball field on GU's campus it is worth the trip alone!
Other teams in the league include Moses Lake, Corvallis, Bend, Bellingham, Kelowna, Wenatchee, and Kitsap and all games will be broadcast on 1510 KGA.
Please go to http://www.spokaneriverhawks.com/ to check out the team and the summer schedule.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
We offer custom tailored mortgage options on land, construction, investment, stick built and manufactured homes. ~ Dream Homes deserve Dream Loans ~
Hello. My name is Casey Brischle. I am a Mortgage Loan Officer for the Bank of Whitman in Spokane, Washington. I specialize in obtaining the best home loan possible for all my clients. Working for a local, independent, employee-owned bank has numerous advantages over the large national chains when it comes to lending in Spokane. As a local bank we treat each individual as that, an individual. You are not a number and we don't try and put you into a one-size-fits-all loan. We listen to your needs and actually get to know you, and what you want out of your transaction. As a mortgage loan officer, I am not only skilled in loan origination, but also in aspects of loan servicing, underwriting and escrow procedures, which enables me to have a full understanding of the market and factors affecting my clients. With Bank of Whitman's in-house lending capabilities coupled with access to secondary mortgage markets, I assure you I have access to the best mortgage programs with the best mortgage interest rates.
I was born in Richland, WA, and raised south of Seattle in a city called Federal Way. After high school I attended Gonzaga University where I graduated, obtaining a Business Administration Degree with a double concentration in Marketing and Finance. While at Gonzaga I fell in love with the Spokane area and decided this is where I wanted to settle down, live my life and raise a family. After college I took a job with a local start up technology company and helped it become one of the fastest growing private companies in the nation (Inc Magazine's Top 500). I then redirected my career and worked at a "refinance mill", but quickly found out that it wasn't for me. The Bank of Whitman hired me on to grow and develop the Residential Mortgage side of the Bank. I love every aspect of the bank, from co-workers, to clients, to products offered. In addition, continuing education is important to me and I am currently studying for my CMPS designation. I am aways on the lookout to learn and grow both professionally and personally and am always striving for perfection.
Giving back has been a part of my life since childhood. Not only is it rewarding, but each experience can provide invaluable education that can not be taught or found in books. So when I am not working, much of my time is involved with my local community: I am currently a member on the St. Joseph's Family Center Community Relations Committee, my wife and I both serve as members on the Gonzaga Alum Service Committee (Spokane Chapter) and regularly volunteer at our local Habitat for Humanity on the weekends. We are always contemplating and looking for more ways to get involved.
During my down time, you can find me on the golf course, running, or just at a local lake or park hanging out with my wife Christine, daughter Isabella ("B") and our black lab Beau. I am also a die-hard Gonzaga University fan! As a season ticket holder to the men's and women's Basketball, much of our winter is taken up attending games as is the spring with GU Baseball games.
GO ZAGS!
* All areas of purchase - from first time home buyers to investment properties, from stick-built to manufactured Homes * Same day approvals I've been working in the mortgage industry for over 2 years now with a financial background stretching over 7 years, and I can say I still don't know everything about this industry and am continually learning every day. I do know, however, that this industry thrives on service. It's about doing what's best for the client and their loved ones. It's about educating the borrowers on how the entire process works and making sure communication stays strong from initial application to closing. It's about making sure the borrowers are happy with the product and, ultimately, making clients for life. I strive for perfection and I want to be the best, because I believe this is what my clients deserve.
* Refinance with debt consolidations, cash-out or rate & term
* Conventional and Jumbo loan products
* Construction Loans - for builders and residents
* Land/Lot Loans
* Strategic Alliances - helping you sell and move your inventory
* Guaranteed quick and accurate turn-around w/ in-house Processing and Underwriting
* 3 Convenient Locations -- Downtown, Airway Heights and Wandermere
* Personally available 7 days a week to serve YOU!
** Specialty locations: WA, ID, OR, CA, UT **
Ability to lend in all 50 states!!
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I can provide and do everything listed above, but there's more to it than just a list of products, isn't there? You'll be hard pressed to find a loan officer on here who doesn't have access to the same mortgage products. There is some deviation, but it's all very similar. Buying or refinancing a house goes deeper than just the rate and program that is on your paperwork. I pride myself on educating the borrower. It is my goal to make sure there isn't one ounce of doubt or confusion in their minds. After all, this is more than likely their biggest investment, and honesty and integrity are essential components when dealing with people's money.
Casey,
Thank you so much for everything you did for us with our refinance. Not only did you do what you said you were going to do, but you did it fast. My husband and I were losing faith as 2 previous lenders couldn't complete the transaction. Thanks to you we have a better mortgage that is FIXED!!! We appreciate everything you did in helping us keep our home.
Sincerely,
E&K Brandt
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We love our house! We are so grateful to you for getting the loan process done fast to hit our deadline! We love our house and could not be happier! Thank you so much! -- B&K Gable
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for getting us out of our ARM and into a 30yr fixed mortgage! You truly listened to our concerns and did everything we needed you to do. I couldn't believe we could refinance and get a lower monthly payment. Will definitely recommend! -- J&A Lynch
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By far the smoothest, and quickest, refinance we've ever done. And, I don't know that we timed it as much as you encouraged moving on that rate, so we're really happy with you and the Bank's services. Thank you so much!
-- D&M K.
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