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Arts
Steinway Gallery hosts free piano concert featuring renowned musician
By Sentinel News SourcesShare:  
June 10, 2011 — Looking for a unique, enriching evening of entertainment at a fantastic venue this weekend - at no cost?
The Steinway Piano Gallery will host a solo piano concert featuring renowned musician Greg Presley, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at Steinway Piano Gallery located at 13418 E. Nora Ave. (I-90 south frontage between Pines & Evergreen) in Spokane Valley. This event is free to the community.
This concert features the amazing sounds of one of Spokane's greatest pianists. Presley's schedule includes a myriad of performances, including solo concerts, accompanying productions of the Spokane Opera and as part of a duo-team with Kendall Feeney. He is currently serving as a member of the piano faculty at Gonzaga University.
The program will consist of works by Bach, Kapustin, Liszt, and others. Presley has titled this recital "The Creative Artist: Transformation Reinvention Reinterpretation".
As an accomplished concert pianist, Presley has appeared as piano soloist with the Spokane Symphony, the Yale Symphony, and the Washington-Idaho Symphony. His work carries him into the world of dance and opera where he serves as professor and principal pianist. A graduate of Yale University with special honors in music, Presley went on to study with Josef Raieff at The Julliard School where he received several music awards and his Masters of Music. Don't miss this exciting recital with Spokane's very own concert artist!
For information, call Steinway Piano Gallery @ (509) 32-PIANO (327-4266) or send an e-mail to joyce@steinwayspokane.com.
Arts
Local musician, singer shine at spring concert
By Gloria Warnick, Sentinel Staff WriterShare:
April 18, 2011 — It was a concert by youth to support youth.
Rachel Averett, accompanied by Val Wold, sang in a Spring Harmony Benefit Concert for the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County at the Kroc Center on Sunday, April 17. She sang "Memory" by Andrew Webber from the play "Cats."
The Boys and Girls Club is a community effort to provide a safe place to keep kids involved in positive activities. Both Rachel and Val spoke of the honor they felt to be a part of this activity.
Rachel, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Averett, is a student of the CDA Charter Academy in Coeur d'Alene.
Rachel has been involved musically in a variety of local events. Recently, she and Rachael Mylroie, who are affectionately known as the "Two Rachaels" in their Hayden Fourth Ward, won a "Superior" rating for a duet at the District Solo and Ensemble contest.
Val Wold, a 12 year old pianist, started learning piano at the age of 6. He played his first public concert at the age of 7. He has performed at over 120 concerts for various organizations, banks, local chambers, schools and retirement communities and recently was among the featured musicians at a concert for Idaho State Governor Butch Otter and 350 other state legislators.
Val Wold and Rachel Averett were featured at a spring concert benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County on April 17. Contributed Photo.
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Arts
The Sound of Talent echoes through Valley with CV musical
By Kara Houser, Sentinel Staff WriterShare:
March 14, 2011 — The hills of Spokane Valley are alive with the sound of music, thanks to a group of high school students, many of them Latter-Day Saints.
Central Valley High School's drama department is currently presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic, "The Sound of Music," and involved in the production are numerous LDS youth, including 14 cast members, five crew members and a number of others involved in the pit orchestra.
In addition to the spring production, the Central Valley campus includes a strong LDS population. Brandon Carter of the Pines Ward, Spokane East Stake says "We all know each other, and everyone knows who we are." He believes that the drama genre often draws more LDS participants because of the music and because the shows tend to be more family-oriented.
"The Sound of Music" also has a strong spiritual focus. Carter says that other cast members who played nuns would listen to spiritual music, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, in order to get themselves in the right frame of mind.
Central Valley High School's production of "The Sound of Music" includes many students from local LDS wards. Natalie Martinez (left) plays the Mother Abbess and Maitlin Stewart portrays Maria Rainer. Contributed Photo.
Ashton Toth, a member of the Belle Terre Ward, Spokane East Stake, points out that another reason so many LDS youth are involved in theater is because they are taught to talk and sing in church as part of Primary, Young Men and Young Women programs.
However, both Carter and Toth make it clear that being comfortable on stage is not the only reason they participate in theater.
"I like how you can share a story with the audience and you can bring them into that world," Carter said. In speaking of a recent play he was involved in, he says, "When you can take Shakespeare's language and still convey the story to the audience - that is really rewarding."
As much as Toth loves acting, he admits the role he was cast in for "The Sound of Music" has been a challenge. He plays Herr Zeller, or as he says, "...the Nazi that everybody hates."
"I'm not really a mean guy, so it's hard, but it's also been a little fun to explore out of my comfort zone," he said.
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Arts
Spokane author steps onto bookshelves with 'Growing Up Gracie'
By Kara Houser, Sentinel Staff WriterShare:
January 17, 2011 — Gracie is an average Mormon girl, the fifth of six kids, growing up in Wyoming. She feels like there isn't much that makes her unique or interesting, but as she grows up, she finds that she can still make a great life, just by being herself.
Author Maggie Fechner, a member of the Five Mile Prairie Ward in the Spokane North Stake, did the same when she began writing her first book.
Maggie Fechner of the Spokane North Stake is the author of a recently published book called "Growing Up Gracie." Contributed Photo.
"My daughter Gracie was just a new baby and since I had quit working I was home alone with a lot of free time on my hands," Fechner said. "I thought it would be fun to write a story for her to read when she was older. I had absolutely no thoughts or plans to get it published."
Fechner, who has a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism, had plenty of experience writing for newspapers, but had put little thought into fiction. She wrote the story, put it on a shelf and forgot about it. Five years and two more children later, she came across the manuscript while reorganizing her papers.
"I read through it and was totally appalled - but I'm a writer, so I thought, 'Let's start rewriting and see what can be done with it,'" Fechner said.
After some major revisions, Fechner sent the manuscript for "Growing Up Gracie" to a few LDS publishers and it was picked up by Cedar Fort and published just this last November. It is considered to be a "young adult" book, but anyone who was experienced adolescence will be able to connect to Gracie as she figures out her relationships with friends, boys, and her beliefs.
Although Gracie is an "average" Mormon girl, she has her own unique traits. Yes, she does some embroidery work, but she also enjoys carpentry and offroading through the mud.
Many people assume, after meeting Fechner, that she and her main character are similar. The story did begin with a definite connection - Fechner's love for her childhood home of Wyoming. Yet beyond the setting, Gracie's life is not very similar to the one that Fechner experienced as a child. Still, as Fechner says, "You can't really keep life separate from your writing."
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Arts
Blessing of music keeps piano teacher in tune
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
January 10, 2011 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
— Colossians 3:16
For Joyce Hawkins, music is more than a series of notes on a scale - it is a method of worship, a nourishing refuge, a way of life.
Whether serving as the accompanist at church, teaching the piano or merely listening to her favorite hymn, Hawkins basks in the glow of song. For those who have forgotten one of the staples of an adequate food storage supply, Hawkins is quick to remind them that a hymn book - along with nutritional basics, water and the scriptures - has been recommended for every home.
A member of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake, Joyce Hawkins has been teaching piano for the past 35 years. Contributed Photo.
"Hymns contain stories that are there to teach us - just like the stories from the prophets and the people in the scriptures," said Hawkins, a member of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake.
Hawkins began learning piano in the first grade. Both of her grandmothers fostered a love of music as did her mother, who played the piano on a semi-professional level. After her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Hawkins was a youth, she recalls music being integral to the development of her testimony.
"The messages of our Father and Heaven are contained in hymns," she said. "I learned to read hymns and look at the scriptural references. I wanted to find out, 'What does this mean to me?'"
Hawkins has been teaching piano for the past 35 years, taking a brief hiatus during the time when she owned and operated the Huckelberry's Scrapbooking Store in Spokane Valley from 1998 to 2008. Through the years, Hawkins said the most rewarding part of teaching has been "seeing people learn and advance."
"You're providing them with opportunities to grow and gain confidence," Hawkins said. "The skills they learn carry over into many aspects of their lives."
One of Hawkins' early instructors was Karlyn Brett, a member of the Shadle Park Ward in the Spokane North Stake who has been a piano teacher for over 50 years. Brett said Hawkins has thrived as a piano player and educator because of her "positive energy and willingness to learn."
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Arts
Local residents strike unique chord with 'Forgotten Carols'
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
December 6, 2010 — For Mary Beth Wagstaff, the holiday calendar was rapidly filling up - and it was only October.
Adding another task to the schedule - specifically, joining a volunteer choir that would sing at a high-profile concert on Thanksgiving weekend - seemed unlikely at first. Renowned LDS musician Michael McLean was headed to Spokane and would stage the musical play, "The Forgotten Carols" on Nov. 26 at the INB Performing Arts Center. As part of the production, a choral group of 40 to 50 was being compiled from representatives of local Church stakes.
Wagstaff, a member of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake, dropped by a choir practice in Post Falls on Oct. 26. It didn't take long before she had an answer to her prayers.
"It was obvious by the end of the first rehearsal that this is something I should be doing," she said.
The mission for Wagstaff and her fellow vocalists was not a simple one. The group would be required to memorize five songs in a little over a month and be prepared to step on stage in front of thousands of people with a composer known for his work on holiday classics like "Mr. Kruger's Christmas" and "Nora's Gift."
Tamra Dale of Post Falls worked with representatives of Deseret Book to coordinate the logistics of the choir. By the day of the concert, the group was 41 singers strong.
Shelley Crump was familiar with the music and story of "The Forgotten Carols." The heartwarming account of the true meaning of Christmas had been part of her family's seasonal tradition for years with her kids learning to play songs from the CD on the piano.
Michael McLean brought the story of "The Forgotten Carols" to Spokane's INB Performing Arts Center on Nov. 26. Photo courtesy of Deseret Book.
Crump, who resides in the Liberty Lake Ward of the Spokane Valley Stake with her husband David, signed up for the choir along with her children, Brayden, McKayla and Brielle.
"We bought "The Forgotten Carols" and our family listens to it," Shelley said. "I'd also seen the play in Utah."
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Arts
Jenks goes back to school for latest musical adventure
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
November 1, 2010 — In preparation for the follow-up to a debut CD called "Animals from A to Z," the band Jenks made it a point to finish their homework.
Contributed Photo.
Dodgeball, school lunches, recess and sick days are just a few of the themes listeners will find on the group's newest compilation of songs, titled "School Rocks." Band founder Corey Jenkins of the Evergreen Ward in the Spokane East Stake said the CD of kids' music started with "an ode to school lunch."
"Our school lunches were cool when I was a kid," Corey said. "At our concerts when we ask kids about school lunch, it's about 50/50."
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Arts
Post Falls resident releases CD to benefit mission fund
By Kara Houser, Staff WriterShare:
July 19, 2010 — Garrett Rook was 5 years old when he decided he wanted to play the violin, but he started taking piano lessons from his grandmother instead, as part of his home-school routine.
Pictured, Garrett Rook. Contributed Photo.
It took a few years for Rook to learn to enjoy practicing, but once he discovered he could play and make his own music, he never looked back. After taking lessons from his grandmother, he studied under a number of professional pianists. He had no formal training in composition, but one teacher in Boise encouraged him in that area.
"I had all these tunes and melodies in my head that I wanted to write," said Rook.
Now 19, and a member of the Post Falls First Ward, Coeur d'Alene Stake, Rook just released his first CD which is comprised of 11of his own compositions. The CD is titled "Memories" and his favorite song also bears the same name.
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Arts
"Twilight" fans wax lyrical on a cultural phenomenon
By McKay Allen, Guest ContributorShare:
July 6, 2010 — It's nothing short of a cultural phenomenon.
The books have sold more than 110 million copies. The first two "Twilight" movies - "Twilight" and "New Moon" - made more than $1 billion worldwide. (That's billion, with a b.) The third movie in the series - the just released "Eclipse" - has already made more than $150 million.
The movie's stars can't walk across a street without security because of mobs of screaming fans. At a press appearance in Brazil police had to call that nation's equivalent of the National Guard because a crowd of around 4,000 had broken down barricades and were storming the hotel where the stars were staying.
If you don't know the story, here's a synopsis. A high school girl named Bella Swan moves to the rainy, dreary Forks, WA. to live with her father. In Forks, she meets two suitors. The first a dreamy, but pale vegetarian vampire (meaning he avoids drinking human blood, but kills animals instead) named Edward Cullen. The second is a burly werewolf named Jacob. Naturally she falls in love with both of them. And naturally no one but her is aware of their true identities as a vampire and a werewolf. The story takes off from there.
There are elements in "Twilight" of supernatural thrillers, horror, action and drama-but mostly it's a story about teenage love and the plotlines that follow. And it's sweeping the world.
Complete with custom t-shirts, Sarah (back row, second from left) and a group of around 20 friends attended the midnight premier of Eclipse on the night of June 29. Contributed Photo.
And this vampire invasion is led by an unlikely group - Mormon women.
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Arts
Hayden Lake artist leaves lasting imprint on change
By Kara Houser, Staff WriterShare:
June 7, 2010 — Do you ever get change at the store and wonder who designs the art on each coin? If you happen to come across the North Dakota or American Samoa quarters, those designs are all thanks to Steve Clark, a local artist from the Hayden Lake Third Ward, Hayden Lake Idaho Stake.
Steve Clark with a large plaster replica of the art he created for the South Dakota quarter along with an assortment of art he has produced for various purposes over the years. Contributed Photo.
Clark has been employed at Sunshine Mint (previously associated with the Sunshine Mine) for 7-and-a-half years where he has designed coinage and now manages new product development. In the early part of 2004, he heard about the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program, which began with the state quarter designs and continues today with new projects such as the National Parks quarters and the First Spouse gold coins.
"I have to give credit to my wife for getting me involved," said Clark. "I thought it sounded kind of neat, but I didn't feel like I had the time to jump through a bunch of hoops - but she encouraged me to just do it."
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Arts
Liberty Lake painter inspires generations at The Art Chalet
By Tanya Smith, Staff WriterShare:
May 10, 2010 — When Annette Carter of the Liberty Lake Ward in the Spokane Valley Stake speaks of the many students she has taught over the years, her eyes take on the glow of a Monet landscape.
Annette Carter sets up for an art show displaying work by students of her adult watercolor class at The Art Chalet in Liberty Lake. Photo by Tanya Smith.
Carter's walls are covered with mementos and thank you notes from grateful protege's, among them a published artist and several college scholarship winners. You can tell she not only enjoys creating beautiful art, she loves making a difference in the lives of others.
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Arts
Music sets the tone for CdA cellist, arts advocate
By Gloria Warnick, Staff WriterShare:
April 26, 2010 — As the current president and founder of the Coeur d'Alene Youth Orchestra and a cello player in the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra for the past 17 years, Julie Crandall is the first to acknowledge the importance of music in her daily agenda.
Pictured here, Julie Crandall in her North Idaho home. Contributed Photo.
I can't imagine music not being a part of my life." said Crandall, a mother of six children, (all of whom are musicians) and grandmother of four growing musicians.
Baptized in Sweden while her father was serving as mission president, Julie doesn't remember a time in which music was not a central theme. She says that her most memorable Church experience was "singing at the Spokane Temple dedication for President Hinckley."
Crandall's cello playing career started in the fifth grade. Taking only a one-year hiatus from music since then, Julie has played with the Sacramento Orchestra, the University of Riverside Orchestra, the Provo Youth Symphony and the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra.
"I don't really enjoy doing solos," she said. "I like playing with an orchestra. I like being part of 100 people all working together to be exactly together to make a beautiful sound. I wish everyone could have the experience of being in the middle of an orchestra. When you are in an audience listening to a symphony it is inspiring. When you are in the midst of the orchestra the effect is heavenly."
Julie said the spiritual aspect of music has been a true benefit to her testimony.
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Arts
The 5 Browns bring a slice of Hollywood to Spokane
By Tanya Smith, Staff WriterShare:
April 26, 2010 — While the 5 Browns' latest concert tour may include stops like Spokane and Opelika, Ala., the quintet of virtuosic piano prodigies and siblings are excited about the recent release of an album that is all Hollywood.
The 5 Browns from left to right: Melody, Gregory, Desirae, Deondra and Ryan. Contributed Photo.
Inspired by some of Hollywood's leading films and scores, "The 5 Browns in Hollywood" meshes the worlds of classical music and cinema with arrangements representing a diverse collection of world famous films that range from classics such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" to the more recent features like "The Hours."
"We grew up watching classic movies," says Desirae, the oldest Brown. "We all know the lyrics word for word. Many of them are songs from childhood that are dear to our hearts so creating this album was very personal and fun."
Her sister Melody agrees, adding that "the reason this album is so fun to listen to is because you've heard the film music so often, but now it's being performed in a totally new way."
The Juilliard trained sibling team will be performing selections from their new album live in concert with the Spokane Symphony at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on May 14.
The 5 Browns - Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae were born in Houston and raised in Alpine, Utah and have been playing the piano since early childhood. When Desirae began to plan for college, Deondra, a year younger, decided to accelerate her education in order to attend with her sister. The family then began looking into music schools and scholarships before deciding upon New York's Juilliard School.
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Arts
Schmidt brings musical gifts to Inland Northwest
By McKay Allen, Guest ContributorShare:
March 29, 2010 — Jon Schmidt has written over 100 songs, released eight albums and plays an average of two or three shows a week - now he's paying a visit to Spokane.
With over 3 million downloaded songs, eight highly popular albums, seven volumes of original piano scores that fly off the shelves and a highly rated television special, Jon's music has proven itself to be a hit. Contributed Photo.
"I'm excited to come to Spokane," Schmidt said in an exclusive interview with the Latter Day Sentinel.
Tonight at 7:30, Schmidt is performing at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane.
"There's nothing better than performing in front of a few hundred people who just came to hear me play piano," Jon said.
And that's what he'll get to do tonight.
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Arts
Montana woman focuses on gift of adoption in original documentary
By Travis Burnham, Guest ContributorShare:
March 22, 2010 — What does it take to give a gift that changes lives forever?
Mary Firth, of Missoula, Montana, asked such a question as she worked on her thesis project for her Master's of Fine Arts degree. During the 2005-06 school year Firth put together a 30-minute documentary entitled "The Giving." She documents the journey of six women and their experiences with placing their children for adoption.
Prior to making the documentary, her idea for a thesis was to film 10 commercials - but a certain experience changed her mind.
Firth and her husband David had the opportunity to meet the birth mother of their son Jason. Mary was touched by the struggle women go through when they place their children for adoption. Mary decided she needed to give birth mothers a voice.
But how does someone find women who not only have placed their children for adoption but are willing to speak about it publicly? It wasn't easy. Mary talked to every adoption agency in the Northwest and asked if they would give her contact information to the birth mothers who came in. Only one of the six women was found in this fashion. Four were found through word of mouth and the last one was found through an advertisement in the "Kaiman," the University of Montana's student newspaper.
Firth interviewed and interviewed. She ended talking with each woman for two hours. The interviewing wasn't easy.
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Arts
Spokane musician returns home on country road
By McKay Allen, Guest ContributorShare:
March 8, 2010 — Later this month will be like a homecoming for Bart Olson.
Olson is the drummer for a country music group called Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, a talented band comprised entirely of returned missionaries from the LDS Church.
And Bart Olson is also from Spokane
Bart Olson, the drummer for the country music group called Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand hails from the Spokane area. Contributed photo.
March 12 they're performing at The Met, The Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane at 7 p.m. On March 13 their show will start at 3 p.m. in Coeur d'Alene at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
"We're excited to perform in Spokane again," Olson says.
He grew up on the South Hill, in the Spokane first and sixth wards, the third of eight children in the Olson family.
"I actually started playing music when I was 8," he says. "I started playing the fiddle."
He was part of the family band, the 'Olson Family Fiddlers.'
"Everyone in the family played something, guitars, fiddles, something," Olson says. "Every month we had a couple of different shows."
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Arts
Valley mom balances motherhood with musical career
By Tanya Smith, Staff WriterShare:
February 15, 2010 — In many ways, Misti Moberly of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake embodies the biblical "virtuous woman" as described in Proverbs 31. She stays home to raise her young children. She supports her husband in his career and church callings. She grows a large garden, preserves the food for her family's use, is a thrifty shopper, skilled seamstress and gourmet cook - not to mention the fact that she's handy with a hammer and a paintbrush.
Misti Moberly attends the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake. Contributed Photo.
In addition to all this, she still finds time to share her passion for music and wonderful vocal talent with the community.
Aside from being the choir director in her ward, Misti teaches private lessons in her home and a voice class for the Christian Youth Theater in North Spokane. She's also working with several other talented women in her stake in preparation for a classical music recital this March entitled "Come to the Garden of Music."
Fresh out of college with her Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from Boise State University, Misti was struggling to find a place for music in her busy life as a wife and mother when she and her husband, Paul, moved to Spokane a year and a half ago.
"I missed the music scene desperately," she said.
Luckily, Joyce Hawkins, a talented pianist in her ward, encouraged her and three other professional vocalists to work together toward a concert that would allow themselves to grow musically.
Misti Moberly, Raelyn Toth, MaryBeth Wagstaff and Joyce Hawkins, all of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake, prepare for a classical music recital this March. All four ladies say they and their families benefit by taking time for themselves to make music. Contributed Photo.
"I can never thank these four ladies enough for giving me a reason to sing again," Moberly said. "It has been so fulfilling to sing on a higher level again."
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Arts
REMINDER: BYU Management Society Family Movie Night, Tonight!
By Latter-day Sentinel News SourcesShare:
November 16, 2009 —
 The Spokane chapter of the BYU Management Society will sponsor a Family Movie Night tonight at the Garland Theatre at 924 W. Garland in Spokane.
The 90-minute film, "One Good Man: Life as a Latter-day Dad," will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, or $15 for an entire family. Funds go toward college scholarships for local LDS high school seniors and returning missionaries. Cash and checks will be accepted at the theater, but not credit or debit cards.
The BYU Management Society is hoping area wards will support this activity as a fun Family Home Evening activity as well as a unique missionary opportunity. To learn more about other BYU Management Society events, call Randy Kimm at 509-924-8989.
For more information about the movie, "One Good Man," visit http://www.onegoodman.com.
Arts
BYU Management Society presents Family Movie Night
By Latter-day Sentinel News SourcesShare:
November 9, 2009 —
The Spokane chapter of the BYU Management Society will sponsor a Family Movie Night on Monday, Nov. 16 at the Garland Theatre at 924 W. Garland in Spokane.
The 90-minute film, "One Good Man: Life as a Latter-day Dad," will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, or $15 for an entire family. Funds go toward college scholarships for local LDS high school seniors and returning missionaries.
To purchase tickets for this family appropriate movie, go to www.ms.byu.edu/spokane. Tickets will also be sold on the day of the event. Cash and checks will be accepted at the theater, but not credit or debit cards.
The BYU Management Society is hoping area wards will support this activity as a fun Family Home Evening activity as well as a unique missionary opportunity. To learn more about other BYU Management Society events, call Randy Kimm at 509-924-8989.
For more information about the movie, "One Good Man," visit http://www.onegoodman.com.
Arts
The power of reinvention - Recycling pays off for Coeur d'Alene woman
By Kara Houser, Staff WriterShare:
October 26, 2009 — What would you do with an empty cereal box or an old eyeglass case? Throw them away?
That's what most of us would do. But not Robin Lowe, a member of the Coeur d'Alene Second Ward in the Coeur d'Alene Stake. She would turn the cereal box inside out and use it to mail a package, and with a little leftover material she'd make a pincushion out of the eyeglass case.
Lowe is dedicated to reusing, recycling and reinventing old things into new. On her workroom wall hangs a sign that sums up her motto in life: "FOUND, FLEE or FREE." Not only does Lowe hate to throw things away, but she can't pass the dumpster near her house without checking to see what interesting items others have deemed useless.
Robin Lowe pictured here in her workroom with shelves of salvaged items ready to be made into her next original creation. Photo by Kara Houser.
"Anything destined for the dump is what I'm interested in changing," she says, but then points out that she draws the line at actually getting in the dumpster. Since her favorite items to reuse are textiles, she is a regular customer at secondhand stores and sales.
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Arts
Learning along the trail of life - A review of "Hiking Boots and Gospel Truths"
By Bryan Osborn, Guest ContributorShare:
September 14, 2009 —  Anyone who has ever climbed a towering peak, gazed over the valley below or appreciated the beauty of a sunset will want to read Mark D. Harrison's book entitled "Hiking Boots and Gospel Truths," a book that shows youth and leaders that there is more to be learned in the outdoors than just survival.
Although he currently lives in American Fork, Utah, Harrison grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a member of the Spokane East Stake for almost two years and the North Stake for nearly two decades as part of the River Ridge Ward. While in Spokane, Mark owned and operated a music store called Squires Music.
As far as his outdoor callings, Mark was originally asked to help lead the Young Men's group in his ward in climbing Mt. Rainier. Not too much after that experience, he was called to serve as Scout Master for the ward, where he strived to provide an outdoor experience for the boys on a monthly basis for about six years.
Several years later, while talking with a group of people at a wedding reception, they discussed how people don't realize what a resource the wilderness can be in building testimonies.
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Arts
Local card company parcels out hope during tough times
By Sentinel News SourcesShare:
August 31, 2009 — Tanya Goodall Smith, a member of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake and founder of a company called Wimzie Prints, has joined a national, grassroots effort to reinvigorate America with hope - one greeting card at a time.
Tanya Goodall Smith working on new greeting card designs for Wimzie Prints. Contributed Photo.
During the week of Sept. 1-7, Wimzie Prints will participate in the Week of Hope - a campaign created by an organization called Hope Is In The Cards. Over seven days, Wimzie Prints will offer free postage to every customer who purchases any individual greeting card or note card from her online store.
"The recession has hit America's workforce hard," said Goodall Smith. "The simple act of mailing a positive, upbeat message of thanks or support lifts the spirits of the recipient and the sender. It's a way to do something positive, right now, and spread hopeful, uplifting messages across our country."
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Arts
Summer bonus - A last-minute guide to family friendly fun
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
August 3, 2009 — The back-to-school sales have started, a few leaves are drifting to the ground and the Washington Nationals have nearly been eliminated from the baseball pennant race.
Don't panic - summer is still here.
The list of warm-weather activities throughout the Inland Northwest runs well through autumn and while you probably won't see the Spokane Symphony performing a free concert in Manito Park with three feet of snow on the ground, residents in the area have been known to celebrate a 55-degree day in October with an event like the Colbert Half Marathon (always held on a Saturday) through the hills of Green Bluff.
As a courtesy to our readers, the Latter-day Sentinel has compiled a condensed list of family friendly activities that might be worth jotting on the calendar as the summer of 2009 winds down.
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Arts
Jenks keeps in tune with smart, educational music for kids
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
July 20, 2009 — Households in Troy, Idaho learned to expect musical excellence when the Jenkins family prepared their list of carols for the Christmas season.
Kip Jenkins, a former "Mr. Music" at Capital High School in Boise, is adept on the guitar and writes original songs. His wife, Cheri, plays the piano. The Jenkins children - a half-a-dozen total - learned to sing hymns and Primary songs along with daily scripture study.
"We sang together as a family," said Cheri. "Whether we were cleaning the house or out in the yard, there was always music."
Years later, two of the Jenkins children are still tapping their toes to original songs as founders of a band called "Jenks." The group specializes in smart, creative songs for kids with catchy riffs and educational lyrics.
The band, Jenks - which is comprised of Corey Jenkins and Annie Jenkins-Schatz, plays one of many shows in the Inland Northwest.
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Arts
Musician delivers gospel message through original songs
By Craig Howard, News EditorShare:
June 15, 2009 — When Kasia Haroldsen embarked on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from her native Poland, she brought the gift of music to a place over 5,000 miles away.
Haroldsen served in the Provo-Utah Mission for 18 months beginning in 1991. During discussions with those who were investigating the church, she would often play the guitar or piano, singing LDS hymns or original songs she wrote after her conversion in 1989.
Kasia (pronounced "Kasha") Haroldsen released her first CD of acoustic music in 2004. The native of Poland has prepared another compilation of songs for a new album titled "Savior of My Soul." Photo by Craig Howard.
Titles like "Hope," "Patience," "Prayer" conveyed the sense of enlightenment and peace central to Haroldsen's journey to baptism. Following her mission, Haroldsen continued writing music that spoke of her faith in Christ and gratitude for the gospel.
Now, over 20 years since joining the church, Haroldsen is married with five children. She and her husband, Eldon, are part of the Pines Ward in the Spokane East Stake. Despite all the changes - music remains an integral aspect of Haroldsen's life. She teaches piano lessons and her two oldest children, Julian and Alina, are beginning their third year with the Spokane Youth Symphony. Kasia and her kids also play Polish, classical and Celtic music at retirement homes in the Spokane area.
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