Hillyard Festival Gazette 2012

2012 Hillyard Gazette Page 1

Hillyard Festival Gazette 2012 Edition

Saturday, Aug 4th, 7-9am Kiwanis Midway in Harmon Park

$4 Suggested Donation

Sunday, Aug 5th, 8-10am Beer Garden Area in Harmon Park

$5 Suggested Donation

From The Desk of the President:

As many of you know our wonderfully Hillyard is changing.

We have many new things.

Additional vendor space, and full array of Entertainment.

Our annual Hi-Jinx Parade will still again come up Market

from Wellesley to Columbia. Following directly after the Hi-

Jinx parade will be the parade of the Hot Rods of Hillyard.

The Rods will be judged by the viewing public for the top

twelve winner for the 2013 Hot Rods in Hillyard Calendar.

We will then have two things going on at the same time, Hot

Rods in the downtown Hillyard and the Festival at Harmon

Park.

The Hillyard Kiwanis will have their dynamic Midway for

all and then Fireworks Saturday Night. The Lions will have

the ever popular Bingo center. Don’t forget great food and

entertainment.

The Hillyard Festival is the one great small event that

is Hillyard, It will not be the same without your.

We thank you,

Dave Griswold President,

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations

WWW.HILLYARDFESTIVAL.ORG

Hi-Jinx Parade AUGUST 4TH, 10AM

North Market Street

Hillyard Festival AUGUST 3RD - 5TH Sharpley-Harmon Park

Page 2 Hillyard Gazette 2012

2012 Hillyard Festival Gazette

The Hillyard Ga-

zette is a publication

put out yearly by

the Hillyard Herit-

age Celebrations

and is supported by

our advertisers.

Editor:

Luke Tolley

Ad Sales: Desi Bucknell, Paula Davis,

Adele Ward & Bernadette Howell

If your business or organization would like

to be added to the contact list for next

year’s Gazette, please contact the editor at

[email protected].

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations is a non-

profit organization of Hillyard citizens and

business people committed to bringing

quality fun and entertainment to Hillyard

and Northeast Spokane. The HHC meets

the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at

6:30 p.m. in the Northeast Community Cen-

ter, 4001 N Cook St. All are welcome to

attend. We appreciate any feedback you

might have and are always looking for new

members.

President: Dave Griswold

Vice President: Adele Ward

Secretary: Krystal Turner

Treasurer: Vickie Peterson

www.hillyardfestival.org

[email protected]

[email protected]

Copyright © 2012


2012 ChalkArtWalk Winning Entry by Brooke Plastino


Get Involved!

Hillyard Neighborhood Council, 3rd Wed at 6:30pm, NE Community Center (NECC), 4001 N Cook.

Regular North-South Corridor Updates with WSDOT Staff.

Neighborhood Planning Neighborhood Clean-Up Regular Reports from All Neighborhood Organizations

Whitman Neighborhood Council, 3rd Wed at 6pm, NECC Bemiss Neighborhood Council, 2nd Tues at 6pm, even

months, NECC Greater Hillyard Business Association, 2nd Thurs at

6:30pm, NECC Hillyard Heritage Celebrations, 2nd & 4th Tues at 6:30pm,

NECC Hillyard Steering Committee, Last Thurs at 7:00pm, NECC Historic Hillyard Merchants Committee, Every Wed at

8:30am at Outlaw Café, 5012 N Market St. COPS Northeast General Meeting, 3rd Thurs at 6:00pm,

5208 N Market.

For more information and additional events, check out our calendar at www.HillyardFestival.org or www.HillyardGHBA.org. To get on this list, contact [email protected]

By Luke Tolley,

Hillyard Gazette Editor

The people who put out this publication

have gone through a lot of changes this year.

We left our centennial year last year with

high hope. We had several folks who

wished to take a step back from officer posi-

tions, but we had new, excited folks who

stepped up to take their places. As with

anything, change is a blessing and a curse.

We struggled a little bit to find ourselves

and went through some reorganizing, put-

ting aside the old Hillyard Festival Associa-

tion and creating the Hillyard Heritage Cele-

brations. The new organization is a blend of

the old guard that have been involved for

years and some new blood who’ve breathed

new life into us. Even with all those chang-

es however, we will still focus on bringing

the Hillyard neighborhood quality entertain-

ment and events.

As for me, I’ve personally struggled with

the transition though I think it will ultimate-

ly be healthy for the neighborhood and the

organization. I would classify myself as the

newest member of the “old guard.” I’ve

been involved with the Hillyard Festival

many years. The first Gazette I helped out

with was back in 2005 and I took over the

Editor position in 2006. I’ve struggled be-

cause from the inside looking out, I feel like

we’ve always done a good and sometimes

great job at accomplishing the mission of

what was the Hillyard Festival Association.

That said, I was trained in college as a busi-

ness consultant and being the son of a me-

chanic, I have an aptitude for problem solv-

ing. When I trained that eye on the HFA I

began to agree with those promoting the

reorganization, though I feared whether or

not we had time to go through such a reor-

ganization. Well, we did and now you have

a whole new group, the Hillyard Heritage

Celebrations coming together to bring you

the Hillyard Festival. Please understand this

is an open, public organization that not only

invites, but needs your participation to be

bigger and better. I encourage you to come

by a meeting on the 2nd or 4th Tuesday’s of

the month at the Northeast Community Cen-

ter at 6:30pm to get involved. You can sign

up to volunteer at any event or by contacting

us at [email protected].

[End of shameless volunteer plug]

It’s an exciting time to be in Hillyard. Our

businesses are doing well. East Hillyard is

being organized under the Northeast Public

Development Authority with a similar mod-

el to the one used in the University District

for revitalization. Our neighborhood plan-

ning partnership, the Greater Hillyard –

Northeast Planning Alliance (GHNEPA) has

been given innovation dollars from the

Mayor’s office to establish itself as a full

fledged 501c3, instead of just a lose alliance

of organizations. What this will mean for

people is a centralized place to coordinate

efforts and activities in Hillyard. WSDOT

is progressing with the North Spokane Cor-

ridor through Hillyard with construction on

the Francis Ave. Bridge happening just

blocks away as I type in my Market St. of-

fice. All “New Beginnings” for our neigh-

borhood.

As always, I must point out that this is not

one man’s effort. The Hillyard Festival

Gazette is the effort of all the Hillyard Herit-

age Celebrations volunteers. Thank you to

those who provided stories and pictures and

especially the amazing ladies who sell our

advertising. The Gazette is one of the fund-

raisers that is always successful for our or-

ganization and it’s because of you. Thank

you to our advertisers for supporting us.

Finally, personally, thank you to my won-

derful wife Katie. (Yes, “wife,” if you’re

following along at home, we were married

this January.) Katie you are a fountain of

Light and Love that could not be dimmed by

any darkness. Your compassion, generosity

and gentle nature make me love you more

and more each day. You are infinitely beau-

tiful outside and in. Thank you for support-

ing me and everything I do.

Thanks & Enjoy

-LJT

If you’re reading this and you’re interested

in advertising, submitting a story or any-

thing else having to do with the future edi-

tions of the Gazette, you can e-mail me at

[email protected] or call me at

475-3509.

Editor’s Notes

By Luke Tolley,

HHC Staff

The 2012 ChalkArtWalk almost didn’t hap-

pen. Not only did the organization that or-

ganizes the event (previously the Hillyard

Festival Association, now the Hillyard Her-

itage Celebrations) reorganize shortly before

the event, but when we woke up the morn-

ing of June 2nd, to say it was raining like

the proverbial cats-and-dogs would have

been an understatement. I joked with my

wife that I would start working on the ark if

she would start rounding up the animals two

-by-two. It was

raining that hard.

We assumed

ChalkArtWalk

would have to be

postponed. But

alas, just in time as

the faithful volun-

teers arrived to

begin setting up

the event, the skies

cleared and the

sun came out with

a vengeance, dry-

ing the sidewalks

enough to allow

quality chalk art to

be created...and

created it was.

Certainly attend-

ance was down

from previous

years because many assumed the rain would

continue and stayed home or found indoor

plans. But those 100 or so hardy artists

came out, got their free t-shirt and set to the

concrete. The theme this year was “Music.”

Being such an open-to-interpretation theme,

we had many different ideas for art. Some

simply drew what came to mind. In one

case, one of the coolest lions we’d ever

seen. Most however came up with unique

ideas to convey the theme.

For many of the younger entries dancing

seemed to be what “music” brought to mind

for them. Some of the more detailed artists

went the route of the musician from a harp-

ist to a whole jug band. Two notable entries

were the history of personal music from

radio to records to mp3 players that was

primarily a study in blacks, whites and greys

that stood out because of it’s monochro-

matic style. The other was an interpretation

of the Beatles Abby Road LP cover which

lent itself very well to being drawn on con-

crete sidewalks. Our winning piece of art

was a beautiful likeness of a piano, acoustic

guitar and trumpeter that harkened back to

the origins of American music.

The 2012 winner

of ChalkArtWalk

was none other

than long time

volunteer and

event co-founder

Brooke Plastino.

After so many

years of volunteer-

ing for the event,

this was the first

time he ever de-

cided to partici-

pate as an artist

and his efforts

were rewarded.

Congratulations

Brooke!

As always, the

Hillyard Hertiage

Celebrations or-

ganization has

many folks to thank for this wonderful

event. Thank you to all the volunteers and

especially the judges. Thank you to Aunt

Bea’s Antiques for use of their parking lot

as our headquarters and thank you to Outlaw

Café for housing the scorekeeping facilities.

Finally thank you to the citizens and fami-

lies of Hillyard for once again making

ChalkArtWalk a great success.

See you next year!

ChalkArtWalk 2012

The 2012 Winners:

Best of Show – Brooke Plastino

0-5 Years – 1st: Elijah Rowley; 2nd: Harmony

Martin; 3rd: Aundrea Armstead

6-10 Years – 1st: Calynn Bray; 2nd: Ashley Ni-

cholson; 3rd: Elijah Anderson

11-15 Years – 1st: Sarah O’Brien; 2nd: Kayla

Foster; 3rd: Abagail Meeks

16-20 Years – 1st: Laura O’Brien; 2nd: Thien

Nguyen; 3rd: Brandon Robison

21+ Years – 1st: Joe Rosales, 2nd: Wayne Foster;

3rd: Linda Stott

Family – 1st: The Martin Family

mailto:[email protected]


By HHC Staff

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations. You proba-

bly haven’t heard that before. You may be

more familiar with Hillyard Festival Associ-

ation, but my gut tells me that most folks

don’t tune into those names too much.

Don’t get me wrong, I know how much peo-

ple appreciate what we do, they just aren’t

hung up on labels.

As you may have read, the folks that organ-

ize the Hillyard Festival, ChalkArtWalk and

various other events during the year have

reorganized themselves into Hillyard Herit-

age Celebrations. This new identity sym-

bolizes new beginnings for us, the Hillyard

Festival and maybe, to an extent, greater

Hillyard. That’s why the we picked “New

Beginnings” as the theme for the 2012

Hillyard Festival.

Last year was our Centennial celebration of

the Hillyard Festival. One hundred years of

honoring our Hillyard pride, heritage and

community. For our 101st Festival, the

group thought new beginnings were appro-

priate and not just because we were starting

a new century of Festivals. It could be said

that the old Hillyard Festival Association

was in a slump or maybe a rut. We had

done a lot of things the same way we

always had and had relied upon institu-

tional memory (“why are you doing it

that way? Because that’s how we’ve

always done it.”) instead of our best judg-

ment to make decisions. So, early this

year the decision was made to create

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations and hand

over the reins to the Hillyard Festival and

ChalkArtWalk. HHC, while comprised

mostly of the same folks that have always

been involved has committed itself to

taking a fresh look at how we conduct the

business of promoting Hillyard and our

neighborhood events.

So, this fresh outlook, along with all the

exciting new things that are happening

and Spokane and in Hillyard this year led

to the adoption of “New Beginnings” as

our theme for 2012.

Collectively, the people of Hillyard can look

forward to new beginnings in 2012 and

2013. We will have a new Francis Ave.

Bridge, thanks to WSDOT and the North

Spokane Corridor Project. We have new

leadership in the Mayor’s office, on the City

Council and in many of our neighborhood

organization. After the November elections,

we’ll have new leadership in many of the

State offices as well.

In the coming months Hillyard will also

have a new organization to coordinate com-

munications, planning and economic devel-

opment that will truly be what the people

and the organizations make of it. That or-

ganization has heretofore been known as the

Greater Hillyard-Northeast Planning Alli-

ance (GHNEPA) as a loose partnership of

organizations will get a legal definition of

it’s own and the leaders of the organizations

of the Neighborhood will convene to decide

the best way to benefit the community.

Take a look through this publication and

you’ll no doubt see a few more examples of

“New Beginnings” in our community. And

come out to Harmon Park during that first

weekend in August to check out what the

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations brings to the

table for the Hillyard Festival.

New Beginnings

Present this coupon for

1 Large 5 Topping Pizza Expires 8/31/12

Good only at Hillyard

Papa John’s

2023 E Wellesley Ave. $9.99

Find us on

Facebook!


Forward By Amber Waldref

Spokane City Councilmember,

District 1

Forward: Over the past two years, many dedicated neighbors, business leaders, Spokane City representatives and other interested stake-holders have worked diligently to create an action plan for industrial and residential de-velopment of land east of the tracks in Hillyard. As you know, this is a prime indus-trial area within the City that presents great promise for current and future business de-velopment and the growth of living wage jobs along key rail and freight transportation corridors, just steps from Historic Hillyard. I'm very excited to support these efforts and I urge you to stay engaged as plans are im-plemented and new opportunities emerge for Hillyard and the entire City!

The Northeast Development Advisory Board

(NEDAB) and Stakeholder Leaders are

pleased to present these action strategies for

the Northeast Public Development Authority

(NEPDA). This strategy document was creat-

ed with guidance and assistance from the

greater Hillyard community and builds upon

their foundational work - including the award

winning Greater Hillyard Northeast Planning

Alliance (GHNEPA) Neighborhood Plan

completed in 2010.

In December 2011, we requested that the

City of Spokane create by ordinance (C-

34813) the Northeast Public Development

Authority. Passed by Spokane City Council

on December 12, 2011, the ordinance states:

“The creation of the Northeast Public Devel-

opment Authority will assist in providing

economic development to the northeast por-

tion of the City, which will provide econom-

ic stimulus and benefit to the entire City. . .”

Now that the NEPDA board members have

been appointed, we are entrusting you with

this strategy document, which maps out how

you can build upon the past foundational

work; contributing your expertise to the fu-

ture development, redevelopment and job

creation in the North-

east Development target

area. We remain com-

mitted to assisting and

supporting you as you

move forward in imple-

menting the priorities

and strategies identified.

Northeast Develop-

ment’s (NED) identifi-

cation in the City of

Spokane’s Comprehen-

sive Plan and the Great-

er Hillyard Northeast

Planning Alliance’s

Neighborhood Plan,

created by the Whit-

man, Hillyard and Be-

miss neighborhoods for

industrial and manufac-

turing development/

redevelopment and job

creation, coupled with

its potential for public-

private partnership and

the opportunity to lever-

age infrastructure in-

vestments make it ideal for targeted area

development strategy implementation.

While the full market demand for the NED

industrial target area is unknown, we know

this site of 507 acres of industrial and 329

acres of residential land has tremendous po-

tential. It is one of only three industrial areas

within the state’s second largest city and one

of only two sites within the city with access

to the US 395 North American Free Trade

Agreement (NAFTA) corridor, BNSF rail,

and an existing T-1 freight route.

Northeast Development (NED) Advisory

Board and the Northeast Stakeholder Group

were established by Mayor and City Council

in October 2010 to assist the City in imple-

menting

its target area development strategies. Four-

teen board members were appointed soon

after.

Throughout 2011, the Advisory Board en-

gaged in an educational process to learn

about available economic development tools

and formed work groups to explore potential

strategies around

infrastructure, community outreach, recruit-

ment, and retention.

An ordinance (C-34813) creating the North-

east Public Development Authority, recom-

mended by the Advisory Board was passed

by City Council December 12, 2011.

Northeast Public Development Authority

(NEPDA) is an instrument of the City that is

designed to carry out specific land and eco-

nomic development activities. As a munici-

pal corporation, the NEPDA is best under-

stood as a “civic entrepreneur” that can help

facilitate public private partnerships and fi-

nancing for economic development activities

in pursuit of broader community goals.

The City, by way of its broad land use and

economic development responsibilities, cre-

ates the policy and regulatory environments

within which NEPDA operates.

Public Development Authority’s Action

Strategy for Northeast maps out the role for

NEPDA as it enters the start-up phase (6-

9months) and in the near-term (10-24

months).

A Public Development Authority (PDA) acts

as a market catalyst, creating and enhancing

development opportunities. Actions included

in this Strategy address two main objectives:

1. Building organizational capacity, 2. Set-

ting the stage for area economic develop-

ment.

The City of Spokane, in cooperation with neighborhood leaders is taking applications for members fo the NEPDA Board and plan-ning outreach activities where the public will have more opportunity to learn about the exciting possibilities in store for East Hillyard.

A New Beginning for the East Hillyard Industrial Area

Want your story in the next issue of the Hillyard Gazette? E-mail [email protected] to find out how.


By Luke Tolley


At the Coeur D’Alene Casino, a rather unas-

suming young man waits as the chaos builds

around him. He’s dressed in jeans, a t-shirt

and an old black straw cowboy hat, with ear

buds in his ears. It’s hard to get his atten-

tion; he’s a little zoned out as he walks the

crowd. As he runs into friends and family

taking their seats, his face brightens and he

embraces them with hugs and smiles that

belie his physical potential. He just seems

like a regular kid. As the stands fill up and

the lights dim, Jacob Harkness, professional

mixed martial artist from right here in

Hillyard, Washington retreats backstage to

prepare for the competition he’s about to

engage in.

Jacob grew up in Hillyard. When he was 4

years old, his older brother attended Bemiss

Elementary School where their parents were

approached by the P.E. teacher about joining

Spokane Junior Wrestling. The elder Hark-

ness was 6 at the time, not unusually early

for one to start wrestling, but both Jacob and

his brother began wrestling together. Jacob’s

parents didn’t have the kind of schedule that

would allow for two different wrestling prac-

tices for the two boys, so Jacob learned to

wrestle by practicing with opponents two

years older than he was. He spent a lot of

time getting roughed up in practice those

first few years, but when it came time for a

meet, where he was wrestling against his

peers, Jacob out shined his competitors on a

regular basis. In fact, Jacob wrestled from

kindergarten to 6th grade without ever being

defeated.

The transition from elementary school to

middle school can be a difficult time. For

Jacob, it meant ridicule from his undera-

chieving class mates for his academic suc-

cess and excellence in sports. He was called,

“golden boy,” and tasted the stigma of suc-

cess from those who failed to reach for it.

Though he considered ending his participa-

tion in sports, his parents encouraged him to

keep going. He moved on to Shaw Middle

School, where he won the City Champion-

ship and participated in the Jason Crawford

Memorial Tournament, the largest one-day

youth wrestling tournament in the nation,

winning the state championship in his weight

class.

Jacob’s freshman year of high school was

2006. That year he was the first freshman at

John R. Rogers High School to be good

enough to go to the State Wrestling Tourna-

ment in 12 years. Throughout high school he

continued to improve his wrestling skills,

and he began running cross country when he

wasn’t wrestling. He was an honor student

and Greater Spokane League Winter Athlete

of the Year. As a senior, Jacob’s English

Teacher, Mr. Ham saw Jacob running and

told him he was built for fighting, not just

wrestling. Together, they came up with a

plan for Jacob to research and make his sen-

ior project his induction into the world of

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) culminating in

his first fight.

You might know MMA as “cage fighting” or

from the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion-

ship). Mixed Martial Arts is the evolution

and combination of wrestling, boxing, kick

boxing and various international martial arts

(Muay Thai, Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sambo,

etc.). Just like boxing, it has various levels

and various sanctioning bodies who keep the

rules and watch over everyone’s safety. As

Jacob researched this new opportunity, his

coach knew of another coach who was open-

ing up an MMA gym that he could join.

With that gym, Jacob fought in 3 matches in

the 145lb weight class, winning all three

matches. Needless to say he had a natural

talent that went beyond just wrestling.

As a senior at Rogers, he took a break from

MMA to wrestle, earning his way to being

ranked 3rd in Washington State. He wrestled

in 4 matches, all four ending in pins. During

the fourth match, he blew out his knee. Keep

in mind, he still pinned the other wrestler,

with his blown out knee and that wrestler

later went on to win regionals in their weight

class. Jacob had to stop wrestling to allow

his knee to heal. For 6 months, he was basi-

cally immobile and couldn’t work out at all.

To add insult to injury, his gym closed dur-

ing his hiatus. Jacob graduated from Rogers

High School as an honor student, working at

a local grocery store the whole time to pay

for his training.

Once Jacob got the medical all clear on his

knee, he walked into Brazil Ju Jitzu Spokane

on Francis Ave, signed a contract and started

training again. He trained for many months,

preparing for his first fight in his new 155lb

weight class. His first fight back ended in a

loss, by decision, to an undefeated fighter.

No fighter likes to lose, much less in a deci-

sion, but Jacob, as has become his pattern,

learned a great deal from that particular bit of

failure. He was angry and decided that he

was not going to let himself lose again. That

may seem arrogant or even naïve to some,

but for Jacob Harkness it’s simply an exam-

ple of his commitment to excellence and

continually improving himself.

Jacob’s next fight was different. In a title

bout, he was hit in the head in the first round

and got a concussion. Even concussed, he

fought to a 5 round victory by decision win-

ning him the Northwest Fighting Champion-

ship for the 155lb Lightweight Division.

From then on as an amateur, Jacob fought in

main events. His next two schedule oppo-

nents, challengers for the belt, both backed

out of their fights with Harkness. Because

the fight must go on, both of those matches

Jacob fought instead with 170lb weight class

top contenders to entertain the crowd, even

though the belt wasn’t on the line. Jacob

beat both men by submission with choke

holds. His first title defense came from a

former holder of the championship. Jacob

beat the challenger in a decisive victory,

breaking the other fighter’s elbow in the pro-

cess. Until now, all Jacob’s fights have been

in Spokane. His next fight would be in Can-

ada against a Ju Jitzu champion. Harkness

won again in a 3rd round decision.

Jacob’s second to last fight as an amateur

changed his life. The bout was held in Seat-

tle, broadcast over internet pay-per-view to a

much larger audience than he had ever been

in front of. Jacob says he got careless, “I

forgot that he could hit back,” relying on his

aggressive style to carry the day. Instead,

Jacob’s opponent got ahead of him enough

that the referee decided to stop the fight.

Harkness, as probably all fighters do, be-

lieved he could have continued, but admits,

“…the refs have to make a split second deci-

sion. I never should have gotten in the posi-

tion where he would stop the fight.” Once

again Harkness used the adversity to learn a

lesson. He learned that he was venerable.

“What am I? I’m a wrestler. I shouldn’t be

standing the whole time.” He admits that

immature confidence cost him the match.

Thereafter Jacob decided to re-evaluate his

fighting style. He worked to improve his

The Fightin’ Pride of Hillyard, Washington


standing work and fine tune the wrestling-

style ground work that was his bread-and-

butter. His final amateur match ended in a

standing choke hold victory. In the end, he

had a record of 9 wins and 2 losses, 2 title

belts and was undefeated in 3 weight classes.

In the fall of 2011, Jacob had his first oppor-

tunity to fight as a professional. Doing so

represented a whole new set of variables,

more opportunities to get hurt. “I was all

nerves and jitters,” Jacob reported about his

first pro fight. In a match at North Idaho

College, Harkness fell to a choke submission

in the first round against a fighter named

Jerome Jones who was a tough amateur and

had three professional bouts under his belt.

In retrospect, Jacob felt like he rushed things

getting into the ring so soon as a pro, which

is uncharacteristic of him. He tried to focus

on his ground game, the wrestling fundamen-

tals that had served him so well and simply

“got caught,” and lost by submission 1:13

into the first round.

Again, adversity changed Jacob’s outlook.

He was hungry and wanted to fight again

right way. His trainer found him an oppor-

tunity in Dickinson, North Dakota – 850+

miles away from home. A fighter had

backed out and Jacob was able to challenge

an opponent who was 8-0 as an amateur,

Jacob Hauck. Hauck was the 3rd ranked col-

legiate wrestler in the nation, but in his first

fight as a pro. Harkness approached the fight

as an opportunity to, “…do what I do. Beat

him on my feet and be tactical on the

ground.” After two solid rounds, Harkness

locked an arm bar submission onto Hauck

for the win.

In December of 2011, Jacob got his next

opportunity to fight away from home. He

was to take on Frank Ramesy in Great Falls,

MT for the Intense Cage Fighting light-

weight belt. Jacob and Ramesy battled for

four long rounds on Ramsey’s home turf, in

front of 2800 screaming Montanans. Sixteen

Jacob Harkness fans travelled the six hours

from Hillyard to Great Falls, but by the end

all 2800 were Harkness fans. Every fight

Frank Ramesy had fought as a pro had result-

ed in a knock out. By the end of this fight,

Jacob was beaten and bloody, but we kept up

toe-to-toe with Ramsey. At the end of the

fourth, it was up to the judges: Jacob had

lost each round by one point (10-9). Ramsey

retained his title, but Great Falls, Montana

and Intense Cage Fighting learned a new

respect for young Harkness. “By the end,

they were all cheering for me and a bunch of

them came up after the fight and supported

me,” reported Harkness.

Jacob keeps his blood stained trunks from

that fight hung on his wall for inspiration.

After that hard loss, Jacob fell to a record of

1-2 as a professional fighter and he decided

to reevaluate his training. “I went back to

road work, back to running like I did (in

cross-country) while I was wrestling,” Hark-

ness said he found a new intensity. “Getting

your arm raised is the most fantastic feeling,”

and he had to get that feeling back. His next

opportunity came in May and he would be

fighting on the same card as men he thought

of as mentors and legends; top ten contend-

ers that fought out of his same gym like Lyle

“Fancy Pants” Beerbohm. Plus, it would be

for a new top level promoter with King of

the Cage at the Coeur d’Alene Casino and

broadcast on national television.

On May 17th, 2012, Jacob Harkness donned

his trademark pink and grey camouflage

shorts to take on Jordan Cook. Cook, from

Coeur d’Alene, was 15-1 as an amateur and

was making his professional debut that night

in the 155lb lightweight bout. In fact, he had

called Jacob out. He wanted to fight Jacob

“The Darkness” Harkness to try to make a

name for himself. Jacob didn’t underesti-

mate Cook; he was just as hungry for a victo-

ry. Harkness knew most of his victories had

come while wrestling on the ground and that

Cook knew it too. “I didn’t want to be

pegged as a ground submission guy,” Jacob

wanted to show his striking ability; hitting

hand-to-hand. He focused his training

on take down defense, finding ways to

stay on his feet. He trained for months,

building muscle memory for the fight.

The event was King of the Cage – Wild

Card. Jacob was featured on the adver-

tisement on the back page of the Inland-

er right next to men he looked up to like

Beerbohm, Trevor Prangley and others.

His family and friends bought their tick-

ets and drove down to Worley to see his

biggest fight to date. Many wore their

“Darkness” t-shirts; black with flo-

rescent pink printing. Harkness knows

how to catch your eye. Once he does,

his t-shirt much like the man himself

has much more to show. The main de-

sign is a cross with a quote from Psalm

144:1: “Blessed be the Lord my strength

which teacheth my hands to war, and

my fingers to fight…” Harkness says,

“I just want to show that the most pow-

erful people are devote and strong in the

Lord.” He also wants to, “be that guy in the

cage nobody wants to stand across from, but

on the street to be the guy who people want

to talk to.”

The air was electric in the casino’s events

center. Big promoters and big matches close

to the homes of the fighter bring big, raucous

crowds. Both Harkness and Cook had pock-

ets of supporters and mentors from their

home gyms fighting higher in the card. It

was loud when the two men took the ring.

After the standard briefing and “handshake”

to start the fight, the two men circled each

other. Now, watching a MMA fight as a

casual fan is a little bit like watching cats

fight, or pro hockey from the cheap seats.

You can’t always tell what is transpiring if

you don’t have that trained eye. In this fight,

Jacob was determined to keep to his feet,

which apparently Cook didn’t mind because

the two primarily boxed at each other for the

first round. Harkness had the reach ad-

vantage, with his 78” wing span, getting a

few good hits in on Cook. At the end of the

first round, it was still anybody’s fight. Both

men were slightly bruised when they came

out for the second round. It started much as

the first had, but before long the men transi-

tioned to the ground, wrestling for position

for the dominant strikes that so often end a

cage fight, but that didn’t last. Soon Hark-

ness began to take control of the fight. He

caught Cook with a punch that left him

bleeding from his eye. Jacob worked Cook

around the ring, off the cage, on the ground,

but every time Cook escaped. With his eye-

brow bleeding and his feet unsteady, Cook

raised up to box again with Harkness. At

that moment, Jacob struck fast and hard,

catching Jordan Cook in the face and sending

him to the ground. That was enough. The

referee stepped in and called the fight. As he

wished, Harkness’ arm was raised in victory

once more.

Jacob “The Darkness” Harkness lights up

like a supernova when he is victorious. It is

as if the weight and struggle of the previous

months training and the crescendo of the last

few minutes of combat all wash away in an

instant and he is just Jacob again, doing back

flips off the top of the cage. It’s his energy

and light that makes Jacob’s moniker, “The

Darkness” seems odd. Sure it rhymes with

his last name, but it means much more. It

started at Rogers when he would have to cut

weight for wrestling; apparently not eating

makes Jacob rather grumpy. I think it also

speaks to the way Harkness carries the load

of his training, his fights, his struggles.

Without darkness, there is no light.

After the headlining fights were over, Jacob

came out from back stage and again hugged

his family and friends, a Hillyard boy on top.

The fighting pride of Hillyard, Washington is

once again victorious.

You can see Jacob’s next match at King of

the Cage – Breaking Point at Coeur d’Alene

Casino on August 23rd. You can also find

much of Jacob’s work on YouTube by simply

searching for “Jacob Harkness.”


Hi-Jinx Parade Route Saturday, 8/4, 10am

Start at Broad Ave. & Market St.

Finish at Bismark Ave. & Market St.

By Staff


Parade Committee

Parade Instructions. Report at the sign in booth at Queen and

Green, a block east of Market not later

than 9:45 am on Saturday the 4th. Fill

out this form in advance, or pick one up

at registration. Turn it in, and pay your

entry fee of $10, cash or check only. If

you wish to be judged for prizes, a num-

ber will be issued at registration. The

parade will stage as usual on Green

Street from Queen Street all the way

down to Broad and Market. Other en-

trants will be staged on Broad Street west

of Market, with floats positioned on Mar-

ket Street south of Broad. You must be

prepared to move promptly at 10 am or

be excluded, and blend in at the instruc-

tion of the parade director.

Since side streets will start to be barri-

caded after 8am, please enter the parade

registration area via Queen Street from

Haven Street, as Market Street will be

closed after 8am as well. Notify barri-

cade monitors that you are a parade par-

ticipant. All other traffic will be exclud-

ed.

For further information, contact Richard

Burris at 253-720-4669, 2012 Chairman

of the Festival Parade Committee.

Parade Marshall. Hillyard Heritage

Celebrations would

like to honor

Hillyard Senior

Center Executive

Director, Jerry Un-

ruh. Jerry is truly an

asset to the Hillyard

Community. He has

an amazing amount of passion for our

community and especially the seniors of

our neighborhood.

Additionally, Jerry is an amazing enter-

tainer who is always quick to offer his

talents to a good cause, whether it’s

crooning on the Hillyard Festival stage or

just MCing at a Senior Center fundraiser.

Under Jerry’s leadership, the Hillyard

Senior Center has flourished while other

similar organizations have suffered great-

ly. Sure he feels the pinch of smaller

budgets and a depressed economy, but

his sheer force of will and amazing posi-

tive attitude must have counted for some-

thing, because our Seniors are doing

okay.

For all these reasons and myriad more,

Jerry Unruh has been named the 2012

Hillyard Hi Jinx Parade Marshall.

Parade Judging. Every year, the Hillyard Heritage Cele-

brations awards our Hi-Jinx Parade par-

ticipants with recognitions for the crea-

tivity of their entries. This year the Pa-

rade Committee would like to share with

you the categories we will be judging.

Judging Categories:

Best Hi-Jinx (1st, 2nd & 3rd)

Most Creative

Best Pedaled Apparatus

Most Unique

Oldest Entry

Best in Theme

Several categories tie in to our theme for

the year. The 2012 theme for the

Hillyard Festival is “New Beginnings.”

Be creative, find ways to show off this

year’s theme.

Thanks to our partnership with the

C.O.P.S. Northeast volunteers, we sepa-

rately recognize children’s entries. They

will be judging and awarding various

prizes. Childrens’ entries should pre-

register at COPS NE, 5208 N. Market for

free entry into the parade. Only those

who pre-register will receive free entry

into the parade.

The participants in the Hot Rods in

Hillyard Car Show and Parade will also

be recognized.

Hope to see you at the Hillyard Festival

Hi-Jinx Parade. Remember to cheer on

your favorite entries!

Parade Information


2012 Hillyard Festival Program

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

All events are located in Sharpley-

Harmon Park unless otherwise noted.

Friday 8/3 12:00PM – 2011 Hillyard Festival

Officially Opens.

Lions Club Bingo Opens

1:00PM – Beer Garden Opens

10:00PM – Festival & Beer Garden

Closes

Saturday 8/4 7:00AM – Hillyard Festival Breakfast

at Kiwanis Midway, until 9AM.

9:00AM – Hillyard Festival Opens

10:00AM – Hillyard Hi-Jinx Parade

along Market St., begins at Broad

Ave., ending at Harmon Park.

12:00PM (Immediately Following the

Parade):

Lions Club Bingo Opens

Beer Garden Opens

Car Show Cars run backwards

down the parade route.

Roving Gamblers MC Motor-

cycle Show n’ Shine Opens,

southeast corner Harmon Park,

Judging ends at 2pm.

1:00PM – Hot Rods in Hillyard Car

Show Opens, Downtown Hillyard,

Judging ends at 3pm

DARK – Fireworks in the Park


Closes

Sunday 8/5 10:00AM – Hillyard Festival Opens

HP

12:00PM – Lions Club Bingo Starts,

Beer Garden Opens


Closes

Sharpley-Harmon Park is

located on the 6000 block of

N. Market St., one block

south of Francis.

Special Thanks

to the Hillyard

Heritage

Celebrations

Supporters: A to Z Rentals

Guardian Self Storage

Hillyard Community

Futures

Roving Gamblers MC

SustainableWorks

AUGUST 3RD, 4TH & 5TH Sharpley-Harmon Park

AUGUST 4TH, 10AM North Market Street

ENTERTAINMENT

SCHEDULE

All shows are located in on Main Stage

at Sharpley-Harmon Park,

Friday 8/3: 12:00PM – Tommy G from the 509

4:00PM – Jerry Unruh

5:00PM – Hillyard Belles and Train-

men Showband

6:30PM – Occasional String Band

Saturday 8/4: 12:00PM – Dysfunktynal Kaos

2:00PM – On A Mission

4:00PM – Electric City

6:00PM – Tommy G and The Nug

Jug Band

7:00PM – Armed and Dangerous

Sunday 8/5: 9:00AM – Worship in the Park, multi

-denominational church service

12:00PM – Ken Davis and Friends

Jam Session

3:00PM – Ken, Danny and Brother



Hillyard Festival AUGUST 3RD - 5TH Sharpley-Harmon Park



Hi-Jinx Parade AUGUST 4TH, 10AM

North Market Street


2012 Hillyard Festival Program

Stop by the Hillyard

Heritage Celebrations

Booth For:

Information/Lost &

Found

Bottled Water

Official Hillyard Festi-

val 2012 T-Shirts

Hillyard Hats, Mugs,

Water Bottles, etc.

Run your credit or debit card at the Hillyard

Festival Booth to purchase wooden nickels for

use in the Beer Garden and at select ven-

dors.

BINGO!

Support the Spokane Hillyard

Lions Club and have a

lot of fun doing it!

All 3 Days of the Festival!

We Are Lighting Up The Sky of Northeast Spokane With Fireworks! Saturday

August 4th at Dark

Hot Rods in Hot Rods in Hot Rods in HillyardHillyardHillyard

\ Aug 4th

After Parade

Hillyard Business District


Big Sky’s Tavern 5510 N. Market, Spokane, WA 99217

(509)489-2073

*Best Beer Garden in Town *Pool *Darts

*Live Music *Karaoke *Pull Tabs

*Video & Golf Machines *Kegs to Go

Upcoming Events:

Aug 4th, after the Hi-Jinx Parade:

11th Annual Car Show

VENDORS WANTED!

The Hillyard Festival is expanding! More vendors! More electricity! More food vendors! Join the 100 year tradi-

tion in Northeast Spokane! Reach over 3,000 people!

We are looking for craft vendors, commercial vendors, car-nival vendors, bake sales, flea markets, kids games, inflat-ables, anybody who wants to sell their wares or entertain

folks.

Booth spaces start at $100, ($50for non-profits, $150 for food vendors) for all three days. Contact our Vendor

Chair, Linda at (509) 879-2357 or click www. hillyardfesti-val.org. There is still time!

By Richard Burris

Historic Hillyard Merchant Commit-

tee

The first

Hillyard Ap-

preciation

Day on Sat-

urday, June

30th was a

smashing success, with over a hundred cars

on display, live music, and free food! It was

followed just two weeks later with a Flap-

jack Feast and Chili Cook-off in the historic

business district on Saturday, July 14th!

We’re “Moving at the Speed of Hillyard”,

and just look what we have planned for you!

Saturday, August 4th: Just as soon as the

northbound Festival Hi-Jinx parade clears

Market at Central, the Hot Rods in Hillyard

Parade gets turned loose southbound from

the staging area south of Francis Street, so

expect a few minutes delay in the downtown

area between these colorful and exciting

parades. And be sure to look for the ballots

and the boxes to deposit your vote for your

favorite entrants, as the winners go into the

2013 Hot Rods in Hillyard Calendar!

Saturday, September 8th: Bigger and better

than ever,

this trip back

to the sixties

never fails to

entertain.

There will be

live music

not only at Queen and Market but at Olym-

pic and Market as well, along with scores of

vendors themed for this event.

Saturday, October 6th: Hillyard Harvest

Festival is being planned as an opportunity

to enjoy the traditional farmers market and

includes an educational experience. How do

I cook it, preserve it, and savor natures’

bounty in the cold months to come? You’ll

learn it here and be able to buy it here, along

with everything else you need to pull it off!

If you’d like to learn more, or even join in

the fun, drop in on any Wednesday at 8:30

in the morning at the Outlaw Café on Mar-

ket Street. The welcome mat is out, no ex-

perience necessary!

Mark Your Calendar! HHMC Upcoming Events!

By Gary Winslow

Roving Gamblers Motorcycle Club

Attention: To all motorcycle riders come

and join the Roving Gamblers Club

(RGMC) of Spokane in the Hillyard Herit-

age Celebrations Parade.

Time: 10am

Date: Saturday, August 4th, 2012

After the Hi-Jinx Parade, stay and join in the

Show and Shine presented by the RGMC or

just park your motorcycle on the hardtop at

North 6100 Market at Sharpley-Harmon

Park and enjoy the rest of the one hundred

and first celebration of Hillyard’s heritage.

The Roving Gamblers Motorcycle Club has

been in Spokane for over 60 years. One of

our oldest members is 96 years young and

regularly attends meetings.

The RGMC Show n’ Shine differs from

regular events, where in the attendees vote

and do the judging (based on what they like

and enjoy as their favorite) in any particular

class.

Monetary awards are given for the follow-

ing classes:

1. Best of Show

2. Custom

3. Classic

4. Stock

5. Motor Trike

6. Motor Sidecar

To enter your motorcycle, after the parade

be at the southeast corner of Harmon Park.

The sign up fee is $10.00 for each bike.

Other events the RGMC is planning on do-

ing this year include an overnight campout,

different rides for charity organizations,

pizza fee for the Cherry Wood Place, and

also attend rides sponsored by other clubs,

and last but not least we just love to ride

with friends. All rides that we sponsor wel-

come all motorcycles.

We have meetings every Wednesday at the

Lariat Restaurant in Mead at 7:30pm. Come

look around and stay awhile. We are cur-

rently taking applications for new members.

For further information, contact members at

the Festival or President Gary Winslow at

509-292-8302.

(Note: Roving Gamblers assume no respon-

sibility for Motorcycles parked on the hard

top in the Roving Gamblers Area. Please do

not leave any items unattended.)

RGMC Motorcycle Show n’ Shine

The Hillyard

Heritage

Celebrations

always needs

volunteers!

If you are interested please

contact our President,

Dave Griswold at 868-2900

Hillyard Heritage Celebrations would like to thank two Hillyard businesses for giv-

ing back to the community by sponsoring the Occasional String Band show on Friday, August 3rd at 6:30pm. The Occasional String Band will appear at the

Hillyard Festival courtesy of JP Truck, Inc. and Keith Johnston, P.S., Attorney at Law. JP Truck, Inc. transports fine art and antiques throughout the U.S.


5150 N. Freya St. Spokane, WA 99217

By Lynn Weiler

COPS Northeast

We are into our 19th year and still going

strong.

Last year we had 663 general inquiries at the

shop. We also reported 96 crimes against

Persons and 213 property crimes. We report-

ed 88 drug houses and got several closed,

we had 802 city referrals to the departments

that could help find a resolution to the prob-

lem.

Block Watch is a strong crime deterrent and

we would like to start up several more in our

neighborhoods. Come by the shop and find

out how.

We have several projects that are in need of

volunteers to help run them—They are:

N.O.P. (Neighbors on Patrol)( night time

eyes and ears for Patrol, Walking N,O.P.,

( where as you take a stroll in your neigh-

borhood, you can write up Code Enforce-

ment Form or report any problem you might

see), Business Watch, Latent Fingerprinting,

Graffiti Reporting, and Operation Family

ID. If there is another project you feel needs

to be done, come by the shop and let us

know and help get it started.

The new AIM (Accountability Information

Management) Report, which is available to

all citizens, shows what is happening in the

city and your neighborhood. This report is

generated by our citizens reporting all

crimes. Reporting suspicious activities and

suspicious persons is a big help to our ana-

lyst put together target areas to work on.

Please, Please, Please keep calling in any-

thing out of order. Help keep our neighbor-

hoods safe

Coming up is the Hillyard Festival Parade.

Kiwanis, the North East Youth Center and

COPSNE all have prizes for kids.

COPSNE has cash prizes for single and

groups of kids 12 years or under. If the kids

want to sign up for our portion of the parade,

please sign up at COPS NE. You can be on a

bike, walk or pull a wagon. Be sure to wear

a costume and decorate you bikes, wagons

or skateboards. We want to see lots of kids

in the Parade.

Please come in an visit with the volunteers.

Remember—NIGHT OUT AGAINST

CRIME on Aug. 7th.

COPS Northeast, 19 Years & Going Strong

By Lynn Weiler

COPS Northeast

It’s time again as the Department of Correc-

tions has changed the boundaries of each

COP Shops and the responsibilities of each.

COPS NE DOC Officers will now be re-

sponsible for the area of East of Standard to

Havana and South to Empire and North to

Day Mt Spokane Rd.

If there are questions or concerns about

DOC offenders in your area, please make

contact with your local COPS Shop and the

DOC Officers will assist in any way possi-

ble. We continue to work closely with all

stakeholders in the area to ensure a safe

community.

Our DOC Officers are Allen Warren and

Franz Griffin.

From COPS NE D.O.C. Officers

3121 E Francis at Market

“Your Locally Owned Upscale Dollar Store”

Present this coupon for:

“The Dollar Depot Dozen”

By 12 Items and get the 13th free! Expires 10/31/12

By Jerry Unruh

Hillyard Senior Center

The Hillyard Senior Center is making life

after 50 an enjoyable time for those older

adult individuals looking to improve the

quality of their life! Seniors in Northeast

Spokane can participate in an array of pro-

grams and services when they visit this local

NE area senior recreational center. For a

mere $15 per year membership, seniors can

take part in the many offerings that available

on a monthly basis.

“We had a great time on our overnight trip

to Seattle recently.” quoting Kathy Fisher,

volunteer coordinator and member of the

Board Of Directors of Hillyard Senior Cen-

ter.

“Traveling on day and overnight trips with

the center is just one of the many ways a

person can have fun at the Hillyard Senior

Center” Fisher said.

The center operates recreational, education-

al, social, nutritional, and cultural activities,

classes, and special events aimed at keeping

the senior 50+ active and healthier in their

golden years. With choices of art classes,

exercise, bingo, cards, travel, Wii bowling

and a summer croquet league, Hillyard Sen-

ior Center offers a wide spectrum of oppor-

tunities that keep seniors from sitting alone

at home.

If you would like to know more about the

Hillyard Senior Center or receive a compli-

mentary copy of their monthly newsletter,

contact their office at 482-0803 or visit their

web site at www.hillyardseniorcenter.org

and stay active and healthy in your retire-

ment years.

HSC Offers Great Activities for Adults 50+!

Hillyard Senior Center Pictures


By Tracy Swank

Northeast Community Center

Addressing issues of food insecurity, child

care needs, access to affordable medical and

dental care, and recreational opportunities for

seniors, the agencies of the Northeast Com-

munity Center are impacting the lives of

thousands of northeast neighbors. Families

that utilize the services not only become and

remain self sufficient but also contribute to

the well-being of their community.

In 2011, the agencies delivered 229,524 units

of service including everything from attend-

ing a Library sponsored summer reading

programs to receiving a bag of groceries

from the food bank.

Hearing the community’s need for access to

counseling services for youth, Daybreak

Youth services joined the coalition of agen-

cies at the Northeast Community Center in

2011. Serving youth 10 – 13 the agency of-

fers free prevention programs in 5 elemen-

tary schools in the community and counsel-

ing services for youth involved in substance

abuse and for their families.

Focused on the specific needs of seniors, the

Hillyard Senior Center offers opportunities

for older citizens to recreate together in a

safe environment at the center. Seniors exer-

cise their bodies with Zumba and virtual

bowling and their minds with a new series

called “Brain Games”, created by Hillyard

Senior Center director, Jerry Unruh. Living

healthy in the senior years is encouraged

through daily meals and through opportuni-

ties to volunteer. Seniors provided 15,748

hours of service to their center, keeping the

operating cost at a minimum, and were the

mainstay of volunteer programs in many

neighborhood programs.

Recognizing that residents of long term care

facilities can become isolated and lonely,

Friend to Friend works to facilitate regular

visits for them from trained volunteers.

Since locating in the center last July, Friend

to Friend has brought a record number of

interested volunteers into their orientation

program.

Head Start, managed in the Northeast com-

munity Center by the Community colleges of

Spokane, opened two additional classrooms

in September of 2011, building their on-site

capacity to serve pre-school children with

education that prepares them for Kindergar-

ten. Children are provided health screenings

and are linked to the available medical/dental

services at the Rivestone Family Health Cen-

ter also located in the center. The program

also provides meals and snacks daily for all

children participating in the program. With

the increased number of children on-site, the

Community Center needs to expand the

kitchen where USDA recommended meals

and snacks are created daily for the children.

The Hillyard Steering Committee has provid-

ed seed money to help make this possible.

While their funds will cover the cost of relo-

cating a kettle that can greatly increase the

efficiency of the kitchen, additional dona-

tions are needed to secure more efficient

equipment and accomplish the related con-

struction. Contributions are welcome at the

front desk of the center.

In addition to serving the Head Start chil-

dren, the kitchen also supports the Northeast

Child Development Center and the pre-

school age children that attend the full day

care program. Families that are working,

entering the work force for the first time, or

preparing themselves for employment rely on

the program not only to watch over their

children but to offer accredited education

specifically designed for young children. In

2011 the center became one of only five cen-

ters in Spokane to complete the rigorous pro-

cess to achieve accreditation from the Na-

tional Association for the Education of

Young Children. A limited number of open-

ings are anticipated for the fall and early ap-

plication for enrollment is encouraged.

With the completion of construction of the

new wing of the Community Center, North-

east neighborhoods welcomed the opening of

Riverstone Health and Dental clinics. The

clinics operate on a family health care model

and seek to serve full family needs. Shortly

after opening First Steps, a supportive mater-

nity care program was incorporated into the

mix of services offered in the clinics. Addi-

tional new providers are scheduled to begin

practice in the clinics over the next six

months. With more than 20,000 medically

uninsured or under insured, in the 99207 zip

code alone, the presence of this resource ad-

dresses a broadly recognized need to help

families remain healthy. With the opening of

the clinics, 21 new jobs were added in the

neighborhood.

For many, the medical need requires access

to medications that their budgets cannot cov-

er. Prescription Assistance Program, operat-

ing in space provided by the center, provides

services one day a week to help those pa-

tients apply for free or low-cost medications.

Because this program meets this need, not

only do the patients live a healthier, fuller

life, but their limited resources can be used to

meet other financial needs. The value of the

medications received by 127 northeast resi-

dents last year exceeded $481,000.

Economic downturns are accompanied by

increased need for basic services resulting

food insecurities for families, many for the

first time in their experience. The Northeast

Food Pantry, supported by donations from

neighbors across the community, has been

there to help. 2,872 families received assis-

tance in 2011 and many others accessed fresh

produce through the weekly Farmer’s market

offered during the summer months. Others

chose to grow their own produce by renting a

garden plot at the community garden. WIC

served 4,168 women, infants, and children

under 5 with nutritional guidance and food

supplements. The program also added

$48,960 for WIC families to access fresh

produce at local farmer’s market outlets and

to support local growers.

Energy and utility bills brought increased

concerns for families over the past few sea-

sons. SNAP manages its Community Action

core of services from the Northeast Commu-

nity Center and offers families access to ser-

vices from minor home repair, budget man-

agement training, and emergency energy

assistance. Grants to families for heating

cost that originated out of the NE SNAP of-

fice brought $2,730,536 back into the neigh-

borhood economy in 2011.

Find out how you can access services or sup-

port the work of the center and its agencies

by visiting the center at 4001 N. Cook or on

its website at www.myspokane.net/necca.

Contributing to the work of the center helps

assure services for those in need and helps

grow the neighborhood economy.

COMMUNITY CENTER SERVES NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOODS

By Tracy Swank


There once was a barren piece of land; hilly,

sandy, rocky, and used mostly by kids on

bicycles riding fast and jumping from place

to place. For years adolescents from the mid-

dle school chose the site to “settle their dif-

ferences” without weapons or grudges.

A community center was constructed near by

and homes for the elderly were built to the

North. New houses for families with modest

incomes were developed to the West. The

site became smaller, and surrounded by com-

munity growth. And there it sat, isolated and

unused.

During the years that followed, the garden

grew and its mission expanded to welcome

newly ar-riving immigrants from Asian and

eastern European countries. For many immi-

grants, agriculture had been a way of life.

The gar-den was often filled with multiple

languages and songs. Garden-ers rented the

spaces and grew their own produce. They

enjoyed time with friends and meeting neigh-

bors. Fruit trees flourished in the corners and

flowers bloomed in the most unlikely spots.

Originally named the Pioneer Garden, Spo-

kane’s first Community garden continued as

a fixture of the northeast community for a

decade and was called by many names

through the seasons.

Still, the gardeners knew that there would

come a time when expansion of the Commu-

nity Center would need to fill the land that

they had come to love. That day did arrive in

2005. Parking would be needed for the addi-

tion of a full primary health clinic and space

for youth programming. The Board Members

of the Northeast Community Center recog-

nized that the garden was too important to

simply pave over and deter-mined to relocate

the garden. Funds would be needed to pur-

chase the land, to build new beds, to provide

water access and to fence the garden. With

financial donations from many Friends of the

Community Center–individuals, businesses,

foundations, the Hillyard Steering Commit-

tee, and the Taxpayers of The State of Wash-

ington--land was ac-quired through a partner-

ship with Spokane Youth Sports Association.

Workers from the Washington State Depart-

ment of Corrections assisted with the con-

struction of the beds at the new site on the

corner of Liberty and Lacey and the location

soon became ready.

The gardeners, knowing that the site where

they had nurtured the soil and grown their

gardens would soon serve other needs,

planned their growing season to accommo-

date the move. They asked only one thing,

permission to take their soil with them. In the

middle of the gardening season in 2006, the

gardeners, carefully removing the plants they

could, and carrying the dirt to the new site in

5 gallon buckets, began growing new gar-

dens.

Although there were twice as many growing

plots as the previous site and challenges were

many, the garden was soon filled and has

flourished for six years. There have been

youth gardeners from 4-H, second grade

classes, novice and experienced gardeners,

vandals and admirers. The harvest season has

been celebrated with carrots and peas, goose-

berries and raspberries, onions and flowers,

music and laughter.

The garden continues to grow and the sup-

port of the Friends of the Center is once

again needed. JJ Moody, an Eagle Scout can-

didate has volunteered to develop accessible

beds for those who are mobility challenged

and plans to undertake this work through the

summer. Funds are needed for materials to

construct the beds.

By becoming a Friend of the Center, you can

help grow the Northeast Garden and help

celebrate the harvest this com-ing October.

As the growing season is already underway,

your membership investments, starting at

$125, are needed now. Mail your member-

ship to Friends of the Center, 4001 N. Cook

or visit our website at www.myspokane.net/

necca to donate via credit card. Be part of the

legacy of Spokane’s longest op-erating com-

munity garden. Visit the garden, remember

its story, and see what a beautiful difference

your membership gift can make.

YOUR FRIENDS OF THE CENTER MEM-

BERSHIP will provide:

•4 yards of soil for a garden bed

•1 yard of gravel for wheel chair path to ac-

cessible

beds

• Lumber

and rebar

for one

plot

frame

Friends of the Center Grow a Garden


By Tracy Swank


Hardly an aspect of today’s

living functions without tech-

nology. Want to apply for a

job? More and more compa-

nies of all sizes are requiring

on-line applica-tions. Trying to fix your car

yourself? Research it on the web. Have rela-

tives in another state or country? E-mail

them or post pictures of the grandkids

through Facebook. Need an energy appoint-

ment or assistance from DSHS. Click the

icon on the desktop in the computer lab at

the Northeast Community Center.

As families face the challenges of the down-

turn in the economy, the Cen-ter is assisting

with free access to technology. More than

600 people per month are utilizing the com-

puter lab at the community center to do job

search, stay in touch with friends and family,

file reports or find needed information. Some

come regularly and some only come once.

The computers, including the software, were

provided to the Center through a Broadband

Technology Opportunity Program grant from

the US Depart-ment of Commerce. TIN-

CAN, a Spokane non-profit focused on im-

prov-ing access to technology, wrote the

grant on behalf of a coalition of orga-

nizations in the greater Spokane area. Inter-

net access, furnishing, space and electrical

support of the lab are provided by the com-

munity center.

“The community center was a natural partner

in this coali-tion, particularly since they had

offered access for so many years and served

the populations the grant was intended to ben

-efit.” stated Karen Michelson, executive

director of the TINCAN and manager of the

grant.

In 2001 the Northeast Community Center set

up its first computer ac-cess center with

equipment provided by ICM Asset Manage-

ment Com-pany. VISTA volunteer Joseph

Anderson coordinated the effort and as-sisted

people with skill building around how to use

the internet. Then, as now, people were most

interested in being able to email and do job

search.

Chuck has been a frequent visitor to the labs

since the beginning and often found himself

serving as a resource for others. “I’ve always

been fascinated by technology and the

worlds it opens for us.” He said. “It wasn’t

easy for some to step into the digital era.

Computers were expensive and the month-ly

cost of connecting to the internet was some-

times prohibitive. For retir-ees like me, the

lab at the center is easy to access, saves me

the expense.”

Computer users most often identify

job search activities as their reason for using

the free access. Staff member Kathleen Hill

is always thrilled to hear one of those who

have created their resumes and applied for

positions on line say, “I got a job!” For

many, the world of job search has changed

dramatically since they last had to look for

work and the personal assistance they re-

ceive from staff makes the process a little

easier to navigate.

A second lab debuted in 2011 and hosted the

AARP TaxAide program. Trained volunteers

assisted low-income taxpayers in filing 1,260

on-line re-turns. According to Mary Abbott,

area coordinator for the service, the North-

east Community Center site was the second

busiest in the State. “Because we could use

the computers at the Center, we could serve

more efficient-ly.” She reported. “Between

the refunds and what we saved people in

filing fees, we estimate putting over a $1

million back into the local economy.” The

program continued in 2012 but operated one

less day due to a shortage of volunteers.

Income tax returns generated for families

still topped the $700,000 mark, facilitated by

the access to technology.

Plans are now underway to offer free training

programs in the com-puter lab and to estab-

lish the third lab to assist middle school

youth in their education, career, and personal

development. TINCAN.

With funding reductions to community cen-

ters already forecast by the City, the Com-

munity Center is asking Northeast neighbors

to become “Friends of the Center” and help

support the broadband access necessary to

support the computer labs. Each $125 mem-

bership provides a month of access. Join

today, on line, with your credit card, at the

Website, www.myspokane.net/necca , by

stopping by the center, or mailing your check

to 4001 N. Cook, Spokane, WA 99207

Computer Access Offered at Community Center

By Paul Manley

Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery Associ-

ation

History of Evergreen Cemetery

The cemetery was created by the Hillyard

Masonic Lodge in 1909 and was originally

titled and known as the Hillyard Masonic

Cemetery. The property was purchased on

July 2, 1909 from Milton & Kezia Anderson

for $556.50.

The original plat

was filed in the

Spokane County

Court House in

January, 1910.

The fact that the

property was in-

tended to be a

cemetery at the

time of sale to the

Hillyard Masonic

Lodge cannot be in

doubt as there are

several known

burials prior to the

filing of the plat.

Earliest known burials:

Veda Helen Bliss (age 1), July 1909

Uriah C Casey (age 79), Oct 1909, GAR

Rachel Prehm (age 2), Nov 1909* Once

thought to be the first burial, was later

moved to Greenwood

There were once several wooden markers

near the area where the Gwaltney family is

buried. These may also have been burials

from 1909-1910.

By 1911 the name changed to Masonic Ever-

green and by 1913 was shortened to Ever-

green. The cemetery changed hands a num-

ber of times and was virtually abandoned for

many years. For the past 20 years, Hillyard

VFW Post 1474 has maintained the cemetery

and on April 1, 2012 title to the property was

transferred to the Hillyard Evergreen Ceme-

tery Association.

Grand Army of the

Republic

Within the ceme-

tery there is a

fenced section, set

aside by the

Hillyard Masonic

Lodge for mem-

bers of the Grand

Army of the Re-

public, many of

whom may have

been members of

the lodge. There

are at least 12 GAR members buried in this

section and one buried outside the section.

In addition, there is 1 Korean War Veteran.

It is also believed that there is at least 1

Spanish-American War Veteran and other

possible veterans. Research is needed to

determine which persons are veterans.

The Future

The Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery Associa-

tion has set as its primary goal to revitalize

and make Evergreen Cemetery a viable cem-

etery. In order to accomplish this, we must

first identify all locations where graves exist

and, if possible, identify the names of the

burials.

The following projects are also in process or

in the planning stages:

Replace all unreadable cemetery mark-

ers.

Research funeral home records to verify

names, dates, and possible family mem-

bers.

Research men of proper age for possible

military service in the Civil War, Span-

ish-American War, and WWI.

Make contact with living de-

scendants and relatives of those

buried in the cemetery.

The Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery

Association meets on the 2nd Monday

of each month at 10:00 a.m. at

Hillyard VFW Post 1474, 2902 E

Diamond Ave. Their primary objec-

tive is to make the cemetery a viable

cemetery. There is room to add at

least 1000 more graves to the ceme-

tery.

Resthaven Cemetery

In the south end of the property is an

additional section known as Rest-

haven Cemetery. This section was

originally named the IOOF

(Oddfellows) Cemetery. There are

over 60 graves of senior citizens buried be-

tween 1948 and 1952 in this section.

Help and Support

Tax-deductable donations for support of the

cemetery can be made to:

Hillyard Evergreen Cemetery Association

c/o Paul Manly, Sexton/Cemetery Director

8422 N General Grant Way

Spokane WA 99208

Persons desiring access and/or grave location

information can call Paul Manly at 509-979-

1627.

Evergreen Cemetery


By Marj Brewer

Hillyard Heritage Museum

What should I do with my old Roger Annu-

al? Who could use Mom’s old Dutch oven

and the wine crock that’s chipped and

cracked? Would anyone be interested in any

of Grandpa’s pictures of the trains and those

of the Hi-Jinx Parade? The answer is a re-

sounding YES! The Hillyard Heritage Mu-

seum Society exists, in part, to care for and

display all such treasures.

The Society also leases the property and

maintains the lawn and trees at the Queen

and Market Hobo Park. Each February they

sponsor the Hillyard Hobo Dinner to help

cover the cost. Homemade Hobo Stew and

fresh baked dessert are featured, an auction

conducted by “Jumpin’ ” Jack Summers and

great listening music make for a fun filled

evening. Many thanks to the many north

side businesses who help underwrite the cost

of the fresh ingredients and

contribute items for the auc-

tion. Thanks also to the

Hillyard neighbors and Lions

Club members who made $5

donations this spring to pur-

chase a ten foot Nordman Fir

which was planted at the park

and is destined to become a

lovely living Hillyard Com-

munity Christmas Tree next

December and will be so for

years to come.

Plans are underway to erect a

new sign featuring a short

history of Hillyard and the

Great Northern Yards and showing pictures

of both. Sharp, clear photos are needed. If

you have any you are willing to lend please

contact one of the museum board members.

The same people will accept your donation

of cash which will help purchase the land for

a future museum building or make arrange-

ment to archive any items you may wish to

donate. At present the Society has a travel-

ing display of photos and small items availa-

ble for a program or cultural display which

we will be glad to bring to your meeting.

Please contact Society President Paul

Pearce, Vice President Gary Garberg, Treas-

urer Mike Brewer, Secretary Marj Brewer,

or At Large Members Donna Jilbert, Doro-

thy Jilbert and Tom Weaver. Our mailing

address is 5022 N Stone St., 99207 and our

message phone is 483-2383.

Steam’s up, green board ahead. See you in

Hillyard!

Hillyard Heritage Museum

By Clyde Decker

Kids Christmas in Hillyard

Kids Christmas in Hillyard 2011 at the

Hillyard Branch of the Bank of America

was a great success. The Hillyard Lions

Club helped and we welcomed 709 fami-

lies for a total of 1706 kids. Santa met

some of the nicest mothers and fathers and

received many sincere "thank yous."

Unfortunately Santa was ill last summer and

most of the winter so he was really slowed

down this year. Donations were way down

and he does not know if the 10th year of the

program will happen. If anyone would be

willing to help, please call the Hillyard San-

ta hotline at 509-220-2885. Donations of

money or toys can be dropped off at the

Outlaw Cafe, 5012 N. Market St. Santa is

able to make cash donations go much further

because he is able to purchase toys for 10

cents on the dollar to maximize the number

of gifts are available. This makes the dona-

tions go a long way. Last year Santa spent

just over $2200, yielding enough toys for

1706 kids. Those gifts were greatly appreci-

ated by the parents, who wouldn't have been

able to afford them otherwise.

Those who would rather purchase toys to

donate should remember our local

Walgreens at Wellesely and Crestline. Over

the years this store has helped the program

many times and will always be there for us.

Also remember that Hillyard Santa will have

a fundraiser at the Hillyard Safeway store

during the month of November. Stop by and

say hello.

Please support all those who support the

Hillyard Santa, thank you to: Bank of

America-Hillyard Branch, The Hillyard Li-

ons Club, Outlaw Cafe, Walgreens, Safeway

and everyone else who has been so generous

over the years.

Thank you.

-Santa.

Hillyard Santa—Hello & Help

By Art Knoll

Spokane Housing Authority

In 2008, Spokane Housing Authority (SHA)

applied for and received funding from the

Comprehensive Health Education Founda-

tion (CHEF) to provide activities for youth

in the Hillyard neighborhood during the

school spring break. SHA created a partner-

ship with the Northeast Community Center,

Spokane Youth Sports Association, and the

Boys and Girls Club to design a fun, educa-

tional, and empowering program for youth

in the neighborhood, which was named

North East Sports Team (NEST) Builders.

Our idea was to recruit youths identified by

their school counselors and provide them

with opportunities to learn about healthy

living, gain self-confidence, and foster team-

work.

Each year since 2008, SHA has received

funding for the NEST Builders program.

The activities over the last four years have

been varied and include: A day at the EWU

Confidence Course, Gonzaga University

tours that include the basketball team train-

ing facilities, sports training by SYSA in

football, lacrosse, soccer, and basketball; the

confidence course at Camp Sekani; educa-

tional and career counseling at NECC and

Gonzaga; and a tour of the Hollister-Stier

plant.

How do we measure success? Participants of

NEST Builders participated in pre and post

testing at each camp and every year the stu-

dents show improvement in understanding

and knowledge. A secondary and signifi-

cantly more telling measure are the person-

al changes in lives of youth and adults. Sev-

eral participants have come back year after

year and when they are too old to participate

they volunteer to assist in the camp. One of

the original counselors changed his major

and became a teacher; because, he said, he

really loved working with the kids. One

young boy had never been involved in stu-

dent activities and has since been elected as

student body President. In 2010, on the final

day of the camp, we took the participants to

a local family fun park. One of the NEST

girls found an envelope that held $1,000 in

cash and she immediately turned it in.

A child having a birthday party that

day dropped the envelope.

These small programs have made a

big impact in many lives and SHA

looks forward to continuing the part-

nerships build with CHEF, Northeast

Community Center, Spokane Youth

Sports Association, and the Boys and

Girls Club in the future.

Partners for Personal Growth

Pictures of SHA’s Kehoe Place Grand Opening

By Karen Tuininga

Historic Hillyard Merchants Com-

mittee

HILLYARD HIPPIE HAPPENING-Food,

Vendors, Live Music!

On 9/8/12, 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. the

Hillyard Merchants Committee will present

the 3rd Annual Hillyard Hippie Happening.

On the streets of Beautiful Uptown Hillyard

will be held a Celebration of Family and

Community, Harmony and Co-Existing with

our Planet.

Offered here to you for FREE will be eight

hours of delicious tunes from; Strawberry

Fields (Nighthawk), Wicked Obsession w/

jam friends, Frank Delaney, Kozmic

Dreamzz - The Janis Project and Green

Piece (Ricks Brothers). Sonny and Cher will

be back with more songs and Jimi Hendrix

will open the show.

There will be vendors galore on Olympic

and Queen Streets, along with the You Can

Paint It “Groovy Bus” and The Balloon

Guy. Don’t forget to grab your one of a

kind, hand made Karma Bag, spin the Prize

Wheel, or participate in the Authentic Hip-

pie Garb and Name That Tune contests. And

who knows what other groovy stuff will

come our way in the meantime? So stay

tuned in and turned on!

This is a Politician Free Zone but all are

welcome as citizens, neighbors, and friends.

“Hoodstock” - Be There or Be Square.

“Hoodstock” - Be There or Be Square


HillyardFestival.org

By Clyde Decker

The Hillyard Plaza was built in 1973. it was

originally an apartment complex - 59 one

bedroom HUD subsidized senior and handi-

capped low income facility. Hillyard Plaza

is a great community to live in. The resi-

dents have pave potluck dinners every

month and outside entertainment as often as

possible. These gatherings are are an oppor-

tunity for otherwise lonely residents to visit

with their neighbors. The residents also

often have outside excursions to various

places in the area. These events are paid for

by our fundraising events, such as the up-

coming yard sale. Please visit the Hillyard

Plaza yard sale, they need your help. The

yard sale will be held on the Everett Avenue

side of the building.

Yard Sale

Hillyard Plaza

2808 E Sanson Ave.

Friday August 3rd; Saturday August 4th

8am-5pm

Hillyard Plaza Yard Sale

By Mike Rapp

Hillyard Neighborhood Council

Clean Up Coordinator

The Hillyard, Bemiss and Whitman neigh-

borhoods had another successful neighbor-

hood cleanup this year thanks to a lot of

hard work by hundreds of volunteers.

I was this year's coordinator. I answered

many calls after the April 28th event asking

about bringing waste and whether another

cleanup is planned this year. Honestly it

would be hard to get volunteers to commit to

2 cleanups in one year. We do have plenty

of funds left for dump passes. The 2nd dump

pass distribution ends on June 23rd. There

should be funds left to have at least one

more 2 week period some time in July or

August. As in the past, the passes are worth

$25 toward the cost of the load of waste

with no refunds if the load is under the $25

certificate. Passes are available at NECC,

Northeast Community Center during busi-

ness hours for Hillyard, Whitman and Be-

miss Neighborhood residents. They are use-

able only at the Waste to Energy Facility at

S. 2900 S Geiger Blvd. Verification of cur-

rent residency (drivers license, utility bill,

etc.) in one of the 3 neighborhoods is re-

quired. One dump pass per household.

Watch for the 2013 cleanup. Be forewarned

that more monitoring will be done to prevent

people from violating the policies and re-

strictions in order to allow more residents to

participate. Call Mike Rapp 939-5244 for

questions

Neighborhood Clean Up

The following was mailed to the

Hillyard Neighborhood Council

“May 1—2012

When your group of volunteers left my yard

this last weekend, I was so pleased with the

job they did to help clean my year, and they

were so happy to do it. I just feel I had to

write and thank you all for being so thought-

ful. My “thank you” seems very small

praise for the thoughtfulness of your organi-

zation.

Most Sincerely,

Mrs. Virginia P.”

Thank You For Clean Up


WOULD LIKE TO

THANK ALL OUR

VOLUNTEERS

AND SUPPORTERS

Hillyard Community Futures


Hillyard Festival Gazette 2012

Documents

hillyard kiwanis

downtown hillyard

hillyard calendar

hillyard festival gazette

hillyard neighborhood

hillyard gazette page

hot rods of hillyard

hillyard gazette