March 30, 2017 - Nineteen members heard Julie Meadowcroft from Horizon Hospice speak about brain health.  She explained that 'dementia' is the umbrella term for mental decline and about 70-80% of dementia cases are actually Alzheimer's.  Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death.  The first symptoms are recent memory loss and in late stages the patient talks in 3rd person.  The patient loses peripheral vision and should be approached from the front and people should identify themselves.  She explained that Medicaid can cover memory care after the first 18 months in a facility.


March 23, 2017 - Twenty-one members were present and we continued to share our backgrounds. 
The Betz K-Kids rummage sale will be on May 20; proceeds go to Second Harvest and unsold items will be donated to Goodwill.

March 16, 2017 - Eighteen members attended and we did not have a formal speaker.  Instead, several members spoke about themselves and shared where they born and where they grew up, what brought them to Cheney and something we probably didn't know about them. 

The egg hunt will be on April 15 and Bob has contacted our event partners and beginning to organize it.  Betz K-Kids will hold a rummage sale later this spring with proceeds to go to Second Harvest.


March 9, 2017 - Seventeen members heard Chuck Richardson speak about Kiwanis Childrens Cancer Program.  It raises money to fund children's cancer research fellowships at 3 locations in the Northwest (including one in Victoria, British Columbia).  Larry Barringer, who works with the local Aktion club explained that it gives adults with disabilities a service club so they can help their communities.  One of their programs is to collect and package donated cat and dog food for distribution to people who receive Meals on Wheels.  They distribute 500-600 packages a month.  He also contacts Kiwanis clubs to see if they will help fund member jackets for the Aktion club participants.

March 2 , 2017 - We officially welcomed Gary as a new member.  Our sixteen members heard a presentation from Jana Beals who has started a non-profit organization called West Plains Youth.  She learned that her granddaughter was giving some of her clothes to fellow students who didn't have clothes to wear.  She is focusing on providing teens with clothes, toiletries and school supplies.  She has a physical location where teens or families can pick out donated items.  She also hopes to set up a 'store' where teens can shop and would like to offer life skills classes such as cooking, interviewing and personal finance. 

Betz K-Kids will donate last year's car wash money to UGM on March 18 and they are helping set up a book fair at their school.


February 22, 2017 - We had our 2nd annual Sweetheart dinner.  Fourteen members ( including 2 couples) and 12 guests attended.

February 16, 2017 - Chris Cargill from the Washington Policy Center (WPC) spoke to 15 club members.  He talked about the state budget for the next biennium; it may increase by $2.6 billion and the legislature the following taxes are being considered:  state income tax, state capital gains tax, carbon tax and increase in the B&O tax.  Education spending is a major issue; the GOP favors spending a minimum of $12,500 per student statewide and having a statewide levy to replace district levies.  Voters have defeated a state income tax 9 times and the WPC favors  a constitutional amendment prohibiting and income tax.  If the Affordable Care Act is abolished, there may be many  people going onto Medicaid and it's not clear if the federal government will provide any financial support for that increase.

Last Saturday the Betz K-Kids took 400 valentines to the Veterans Care home in Spokane.



February 9, 2017 - Thirteen members attended the meeting; we did not have a speaker.

February 2, 2017 - Dave Gorton from the EWU entrepreneurship program spoke to 10 club members and one guest.  The entrepreneurship program developed about one and half years ago, opened in fall of 2016 with 21 students and has 30 students in winter 2017.  He said the entrepreneurship minor may enroll more students than the major program since science and art majors may have entrepreneurship interests.  Program participants have prepared "Shark Tank" type pitches and participated in business plan and model competitions.Funding for prizes and events are provided by family, friends, the Jones foundation and other parties.

He distributed copies of an "idea napkin" and a "sketch pad".  The idea napkin helps determine if the person has the intensity to make the idea happen; the sketch pad pulls together key features of the idea and rates the strength of its impact and its feasibility.

January 26, 2017 – Sixteen members and one guest heard a presentation from Cheney School district administrators Rob Roettger, Sean Dotson and Kassidy Probert.  They distributed the final plan for the district levy that will be on the ballot in early February.  The dollar amount has increased;  all elementary schools and the high school would get additional classrooms and all schools would have re-designed, more secure main entrances.  Some money is also expected to go to purchasing additional land for a future school.

 

January 19, 2017 - Icy roads impacted our meeting; only 11 members and one guest attended and our scheduled speaker did not come out from Spokane.  We shared stories about past bad winters that we experienced here or elsewhere.

 

January 12, 2017 – Cheney Police Chief John Hensley spoke to 16 club members and one guest.  He began by thanking us for our support and helping to pass the 2016 levy lift.  About $46,000 was applied to the purchase of 3 fully equipped all-wheel drive cars.  In 2017 they plan to execute a lease-to-purchase for 2 or 3 additional vehicles.  New body armor and vests have been purchased.  One officer has been added and the goal is to have no officer alone on any shift. 

In 2016 code enforcement responsibility was transferred from the fire department to the police department.  Since June there have been 680 code enforcement cases leading to 400-500 letters.  Only 3 tickets were issued and 4 cases are still outstanding.

He discussed 2016 crime statistics.  Thefts were up 8% over the previous year due to a rash of car theft/break-ins done in June by 3 people.  If those crimes were removed from the count, there would have been a 22% decrease in thefts.  He said they are able to recover some car theft items by checking Craig’s List. 

He was asked if there were any open carry gun issues in Cheney and also about concealed carry permits.  He said there were no service calls related to open carry. Concealed permit application process information is available at the police station and the number of applications has increased in the last year.

 

January 5, 2017 – Sixteen members heard a weather update from member Bob Quinn.  He reported that we had 6.9 inches of precipitation in October, which made it the wettest October in history.  The oceans are warming which leads to more moisture and more precipitation in winter.  The arctic air is here and will bring snowfall that will bring us to average snowpack in the mountains. 

He said that another ice age is due, geologically speaking  and will be rapid (less than 100 years long).  Ice age triggers include the relationship of sun and earth, tilt of the earth, etc. 

Member John Taves has started “Snow Angels” to recruit volunteers to help clear walkways for citizens who are unable to do it for themselves.  He can be reached at 509-559-5670.

December 22, 2016 - Lt. Gov. Marty Phanco spoke to us about Kiwanis district and division projects and updated us on future regional and district conference dates and locations.  Fourteen members were present.  We also had a report on our participation in setting up the Gifts for Cheney Kids and  a report on Betz K-Kids activities.


December 15, 2016 - Fourteen members attended and heard a presentation by Elsy, who is organizing the Gifts for Cheney Kids done through Cheney Outreach.  She told us of her background and how she was selected to take over the gift event.  Tonight the set up will happen from 4 to 6 pm and the distribution is scheduled for tomorrow from 8am to 1pm.  We took up a collection for the event and several members planned to help tonight.

We agreed NOT to meet on December 29.


December 8, 2016 - We did not have a speaker; the eighteen members at this meeting discussed the presentation we heard the week before.


December 1, 2016 - Eighteen members and one guest attended.  The club heard a presentation from PJ Watters of the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.  She explained that it administers funds for a large number of charities in a 10 county area in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.  The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and our scholarship fund could have the benefit of 501(c)(3) status through them.  They would invest our funds for a fee and would administer the scholarship award and verification.  We could participate in selecting the recipient.


November 24, 2016 - Thanksgiving day; no meeting.


November 17, 2016 - Our eighteen members heard a presentation from Cheney School District administrators regarding the bond issue that is being developed for a vote in February 2017.  They explained that the high school was build for 900 students but currently 1225 attend it and enrollment is expected to climb to about 1600 by 2026.  They distributed a handout showing how a total proposed bond of $55 million would be used to provide additional facilities at the high school, 3 elementary schools, one alternative high school and provide money to purchase land for an additional future school.

November 10, 2016 - Seventeen members and two guests heard a winter weather update from our newest member, Bob Quinn.  He said the weather patterns indicate we should meet our average annual snowfall of 45 inches and he expects strong snowfall in the mountains.  He said there is global warming - 8 of the warmest years in history have happened in the last decade.  The question is what is the cause?  There can be natural causes that are reflected in huge variations over very long geologic time; there are unnatural (man made) causes also.  Atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased 30% since 2000.  He noted both carbon dioxide and water vapor contribute to the greenhouse effect.


November 3, 2016 - we did not have a guest speaker.

October 27, 2016 - Chief Walters of the EWU police department spoke to 16 club members.  He has been in police work for 38 years, with 25 years as a state patrolman before coming to EWU.  He explained that EWU police are fully commissioned and can make arrests; the department handles 50-75 service calls a day.  They use a community policing approach - getting out of the car to interact with students and others on campus.  There are student cadets that work in the department and 3 of the officers are former EWU students.  He explained that terrorism and violence are the major issues facing police departments and talked about the department's role in new student orientations.

The club voted to donate the October 2016 through February 2017 quarter cup donations to Camp Comia and the March through September 2017 quarter cup donations to Friends of the Cheney Library.


October 20, 2016 - We did not meet in the morning since our officer installation dinner will be on October 21.


October 13, 2016 - Thirteen members attended.  Catherine Nero Lowry, supervisor of the Cheney Branch of the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) talked about the children's programs offered at the library.  They include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) after school activities and  a Jr. Achievement program for grades K-5.  There is also a financial literacy series being offered on Saturdays.  Tami Chapman, also from SCLD, spoke about employment and business resources available at the library.  Employment resources include resume and cover letter coaching and review.  People can enhance their skills through GALE ( up to 5 free classes) and Lynda.com.  Imagine Microsoft Academy includes training, testing and certification; apprenticeship and college application resources are also available.  There is a 'business card' that gives immediate access to small business related resources including SCORE, SNAP women's business center and information on how to direct online search results to your business.

Clara reported that 27 students were at the last Betz K-Kids meeting.  They are working on skits about respect and reading to younger students.


October 6, 2016 - Eighteen members and one guest heard an encore presentation by Dave Wall on the women's programs at Union Gospel Mission Spokane (UGM).  He explained that Anna Ogden Hall ( a former convalescent hospital) was opened in the 1970's.  It has 18 rooms and averages 88 occupants a night; there has been as many as 122 occupants a night.  He bought two women from the programs to speak about their situations.  Cindy was a nurse, came from an abusive relationship and became addicted to alcohol.  She has gone through the crisis center several times.  Deb also had an alcohol addiction and was in abusive relationship.  She is working to be able to help others at the shelter. 

We also heard updates on the rest stop fundraiser, the upcoming officer installation dinner, Betz K-Kids and the Cheney Coat drive.


September 29, 2016 - Twenty-one members heard Gesha Thupten Phelgye speak about his Buddhism and life experiences.  He was 3 when China invaded Tibet and his family fled, was caught and put in a refugee camp.  He fled it and got to India where he hard the Dali Lama and decided to follow a religious life.  He explained that Buddhism is humanism which leads to compassion and a belief in the sanctity of all life .  A goal of Buddhism is enlightment and becoming a Buddha.  Buddte is wisdom and knowledge and a person who has accomplished Buddte is a Buddha. 

Clara reported that Betz K-Kids had 22 students at their last meeting.


September 22, 2016 - Fourteen members and one guest heard a presentation by Dave Wall, Director of Community Engagement for Union Gospel Mission Spokane (UGM).  He said that the fastest growing homeless population is women and children.  UGM focuses on 3 things to help women and children:  emergency rescue (food, clothing and shelter); addiction recovery (drug, alcohol and relationship) and restoration (independent housing and job training).  These are part of an 18 month program that also includes parenting training.  Later this year the women's shelter will move into a new location - a former nursing home.  The current women's crisis location on East Sprague will become a youth shelter.  UGM receives no federal money. 

We also heard updates on the rest stop fundraiser for late September and the Harvest Festival on October 31 at EWU.

September 15, 2016 - Sixteen members attended and heard a presentation from local meteorologist Bob Quinn.  He described weather prediction as a combination of science and mystic art.  His prediction for this winter:  significant snow pack in the mountains and mild winter at lower elevation.  While there is global warming, we can still have cold, nasty winters.  This year we are experiencing a La Nina weather pattern.


September 8, 2016- Seventeen members heard updates on the officer installation dinner, planned for an interclub visit to Medical Lake and signed up to collect or distribute coats for the Community Coat drive. 

Tom Capul, EWU professor in computer science spoke about the computer science program.  It has been nationally accredited since 1987, has 13 full-time faculty and about 400 students.  Some senior capstone projects have student teams build software for free for local groups.  Past projects included rebuilding the Spokane County crime check web site and an EWU advocacy website directed to state legislators.  If a capstone project is built for a business and money is earned, a percentage goes to the department.  One guest was also present.


September 1, 2016 - Seventeen members attended; we had updates on the proceeds of the Blackhawk/Kiwanis golf tournament and information on Kiwanis dues for 2016-17.  We agreed to have no meeting on October 20 since we will have our officer installation dinner on Friday, October 21.

Member Mark Eckerich brought a WW2 Jeep for us to see.  Before we looked at it he gave some history of the development and use of the Jeeps.  The federal government gave 4 companies a one-month timeframe to design a vehicle for military use.  A total of over 600,000 Jeeps were built by Willys and Ford.  Some unique features of a WW2 Jeep:  it had blackout headlights and the headlights could swivel to light up the engine for repairs; the instruction manual included extensive instructions on how to destroy it if it was in danger of being seized by the enemy and it had an 11 gallon radiator.  Civilian use Jeeps had a tail gate and outside gas filler; military models had no tail gate and the gas fill was under the driver's seat.


August 25, 2016 - Seventeen members and one guest attended the meeting.  We got preliminary information on the officer installation dinner and learned that the Community Coat drive collection period will be September 12 through October 7 and distribution will be at Salnave Elementary on October 15.

Todd Ableman, Public Works Director for the City of Cheney gave a presentation on water usage, supply and future plans to reuse water for irrigation of city parks and school district property.  There is a major green belt from the city pool past the high school and Betz Elementary to the 50 acre park.  During irrigation season the system's maximum capacity is almost completely used and that is why residents have been asked to follow an alternating day irrigation schedule, based on house number.
New housing and apartment construction may require drilling an additional well to provide adequate water supply.  He also talked about sidewalk disability ramps being changed to comply with federal requirements so the city can request federal grants for future street and paving projects.  The city is also updating water mains crossing First street so the work is done before the state does a new surface overlay in 2017. 

On August 18, 2016 new Cheney District Superintendent Robert Roettger spoke to 17 club members.  He was at St. John Endicott district for about 5 years then became superintendent of the Lind-Ritzville district for 5 years before becoming Cheney superintendent.  He told us about his 10 educational beliefs and talked about the growing student population and that the administration will be looking at how to deal with increases in elementary enrollment, enhancing security features at the schools and how to deal with the overcrowding at Cheney HS.

At our August 11, 2016 meeting we did not have a speaker. Tom gave an estimate of our proceeds from the Kiwanis/Blackhawk golf tournament and Margie presented information about the upcoming Cheney Coat drive.