Our network

People

Building neighborhood libraries of all shapes and sizes

Building neighborhood libraries of all shapes and sizes

Driving by Mary Maxfield’s home, you’d think you’re passing a giant bird house. Technically it’s a home, but it’s filled with books. Last month she installed a library in her front lawn at 46th and Crestline.

If you think that’s unusual, Maxfield isn’t alone. She’s one of thousands of residents across the United States bringing literature to their neighborhoods.

Magazines, children’s books and nonfiction novels are available for your perusal by opening the glass door. Maxfield says she saw a neighbor girl read a Bernenstain Bears book, front to cover, while waiting for her mother.

“We love books so much. For the kids that come by during the summer time when they don’t have their school libraries, it’s good to know have something they can come get. The challenge for me is keeping new books in there,” Maxfield said.

It’s based on the honor system. You take a book and bring it back. If you like, you can trade out a book of your own with one already in there. 

The concept comes from Little Free Library, an non-profit that supplies the kits and plans to build these libraries all over the world. They incorporate volunteer stewards to help keep the little libraries going with kits ranging in prices from $100-600.

City council to reevaluate noise ordinance

If you think it's a little noisy in your neighborhood, you may not be the only one. Spokane City Council is going to review its noise ordinance again this coming Monday, May 14 at 6 p.m.

In the last year, a task force discussed possible changes to the noise ordinance. It was last changed in early 2010 to make the ordinance more legally defensible and to accept input from a broader base of citizens and businesses.

A first reading of the proposed ordinance was held earlier this year, but the final reading and vote was postponed.  A vote is now planned for Monday according to the City.

If adopted, the ordinance would replace the current ordinance.

Seattle Man Starts Bike Trip Around the World

Seattle Man Starts Bike Trip Around the World

With a strong tail wind, 62-year old Darby Roach and his best friend Mike Mann, cruise into Airway Heights on two wheels.  If you've driven Highway 2 in the past three days you may know who I'm talking about.  They're the two guys on loaded down bicycles, with the sneaky smiles and gusto of young men on an adventure of a lifetime.

Roach and Mann are on a mission to first bike across the United States and then the world.  The pair left Wenatchee Sunday morning and arrived in Spokane Wednesday night. In all, they've logged about 140 miles so far. Their goal is to get to Boston by the end of the Summer.  From there, Roach will fly solo to Europe where he plans to spend the next 3 years seeing the world. From the narrow streets of Paris to the snow covered peaks of Chile, Roach plans to pedal every mile of the way. 

What? Is he crazy? Who would do such a thing? All questions that ran through my mind when Roach told me about his ambitious goal. To understand this wild dream, you have to understand the wild man on the bike.  I don't think he'll mind my choice adjective, he raised me after all.

KXLY viewers make a difference for Team Gleason

KXLY viewers make a difference for Team Gleason

Today, the clicking and liking paid off. Today, kxly4's Nadine Woodward handed over a check made out to the Gleason Initiative Foundation to the tune of more than $1,600. All the money raised came from one simple act: people clicked 'like' on KXLY's Facebook in March.

You answered the call after we presented the story of Spokane native Steve Gleason.

Gleason, a Gonzaga Prep grad and WSU football and baseball standout, made a name for himself on the national scale as a special teams standout for the New Orleans Saints. Last year, the seemingly invincible young man was nearly stopped in his tracks by a devastating diagnosis. Gleason has ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. We sat down with him in late February and he shared his story. So many of you wanted to help. So many of you stepped up.

For every new 'like' on the KXLY's Facebook  in March, we donated a quarter to Team Gleason. Today's check, presented to Steve's dad Mike Gleason, was the result of those efforts. But, it's not enough. Team Gleason needs your support to help Steve with his mission. He's determined to find a cure, but also to help those living with ALS live fully, despite losing the things the rest of us take for granted.

Quick vote to help Spokane coaching legend

Quick vote to help Spokane coaching legend

What if you could change someone's life, just by signing your name and clicking "vote?" You can. You can help a woman who has touched countless lives in Spokane - and, how now needs the kindness of friends and strangers more than ever.

Last month, we profiled legendary Spokane basketball and volleyball coach Linda Sheridan. She coached and taught at Shadle Park High School for more than 20 years and won countless games and championships. She's a coaching hall of famer.

And, she is battling ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease. That means she is slowly losing her ability to move muscles and is already having to change her athletic lifestyle to adapt. She knows it will go further; she knows she won't be able to walk - and, that change might happen very quickly.

Now, those people she's touched over the years are stepping up for their former coach and mentor - and, they want you to help.

Behind the Scenes: Dancing with the Celebrities

Christian Youth Theater - Spokane will hold its fifth annual "Dancing with the Celebrities" event at the Bing Crosby Theater on April 28 and I'm honored to be one of this year's "celebrities" (or so they say).

My instructor/choreographer Darci Lord and I have been putting in 3-5 hours a week for the past two months, as she teaches me how to Cha Cha.  We'll be dancing to Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," while adding a little 1970's disco flare (yes, I just said flare).

I'm the latest from KXLY to participate in DWTC.  Robyn Nance, Mike Gonzalez, Dave Sposito and Molly Allen, last year's champion, have also strutted their stuff on stage in DWTC.  Molly is back to defend her title, but my aim is to knock her off, while keeping the crown in the KXLY family.

Learn to Row, Row For a Lifetime

Learn to Row, Row For a Lifetime

Sometimes, life is made up of missed opportunities; of doors that closed, opening beautiful windows that offer a new way to see the world. In the fall of 1997, something I didn't get led to something that changed my life. Now, I'm hoping to spread my love of rowing to as many new crew members as I can.

In September 1997, I was a sophomore at Marquette University. I tried out for the play Godspell - and, was one of a handful of people to get called back for the final auditions. Sadly, I didn't get the part - and, I was looking for some other way to spend my time that fall semester.

I remembered the posse of girls in my freshman dorm and their matching Marquette Crew jackets. They seemed like a fun, cohesive group - and, they were in incredible shape. So, I went to a meeting, tried out and made the team. I was a rower (then, I became a coxswain - the loud, bossy one that steers the boat and encourages the team.) When I joined, I had no idea the incredible experience that awaited me. I made some of the best friends of my life in those boats - and, I saw great cities from a view most people never get to see. Three years of early mornings and countless regattas later, it was time to graduate and leave the sport I grew to love behind.

Or so I thought. A couple of years ago, I felt that strong itch to get back on the water.