News You Can Use Video: Featuring the East Central Neighborhood

Neighborhood Updates

On the Bright Side

The Minnehaha neighborhood council used a portion of their 2024 Community Engagement Grant funds to purchase “Yard of the Month” and “Holiday Lights” monthly rotating yard signs to celebrate neighbors who have spirited winter holiday lights and creative summer yards and promote their neighborhood council. 

Holiday Events

• Minnehaha will be hosting a free holiday photo event on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Minnehaha Park. 
• Holiday on the Ave in Sprague Union District on Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning at 10 a.m. Come celebrate with a collaboration of over 25 local businesses, including local shops and eateries, live carolers, face painting, holiday photos, gingerbread house making, appearances by the Grinch, and more! 

Good Neighbor Awards Ceremony

The Community Assembly (CA) Building Stronger Neighborhoods (BSN) Committee will be hosting the annual CA Good Neighbor Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hive. Award winners are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Tina Luerssen at macluerssen@gmail.com. 

Spokane Neighborhood Leadership Academy Want to make a difference in your neighborhood, but do not know where to begin? The Spokane Neighborhood Leadership Academy (SNLA) is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort! SNLA is a five-month program designed to equip new and emerging neighborhood council leaders with knowledge, skills and resources to increase engagement and effectively address neighborhood priorities. Apply by Friday, Jan. 3, to be a part of the 2025 cohort! Click here for program details and to access the application.  

City Updates

It's a Winter Wonderland at Riverfront Park!

• The Skate Ribbon has a lot of Ice Skating Lessons and DJ Nights so you can come get your skate on. Prices vary by session length and pre-registration is required for ice skating lessons. 
• For a unique and cozy experience, rent an igloo for $90 for 90 minutes. 
• Skyhigh Savings – $5 off each SkyRide admission ticket (up to four) for Spokane residents through March 31, 2025.
• And be sure to check out the City’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Activity Guide! 

It's Snow Season!

Snow season is here and it’s time to move those boats, RVs, and basketball hoops off the street. Make sure your shovels are out of storage, snow blower is working, and ice melt and sand are on hand. And don’t forget to park on the odd side of the street when a full City plow is announced. The City of Spokane snow response information, including a live map of plow progress across the City, can be found at: https://my.spokanecity.org/streets/maintenance/snow-removal/.

• Report potholes at spokane311.org, through our mobile app Spokane 311, or by calling 3-1-1 (509-755-2489).
• For obstruction notices and detours, click here. 

It’s Heating Season!

Do you need help with your energy bill or want to schedule an energy audit? Avista can help. Learn more and apply at myavista.com. And be sure to register medical equipment that uses electricity because it’s important to be prepared in case of an outage. If you or someone in your household uses medical equipment that requires electricity, make sure to register with the Avista CARES team by calling 888-700-2757. 

Home Repair Assistance Available as Winter Weather Approaches.

As colder weather moves in, the City of Spokane and SNAP want to remind the public of three home repair assistance programs. The Essential Home Repair, Single Family Home Rehabilitation, and Utility Pipe Rehabilitation programs are intended to help low-income homeowners with both minor and large repair projects.

Join “Adopt A Neighbor” and Make Winter Brighter for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities!

Winter can be challenging, especially for older adults and individuals with disabilities who need help with snow removal. By adopting a neighbor, you’ll provide vital snow removal assistance during the 2024-2025 season. It’s easy to get involved! Contact Aging & Long Term Care at action@altcew.org or 509-960-7281 to join “Adopt A Neighbor” and create a warmer winter for those in need. 

A Very Nordic Holiday

Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shadle Park Library. Nordic-themed storytime is planned for the toddlers and preschoolers while middle schoolers and up can be guided on making felt gnomes, braiding hearts out of wheat straw, creating paper heart ornaments and adults can learn to make (and taste) Krumkake (cone cookies) and Hjertevafler (heart waffles). Stay for the live Irish music at 3 p.m. for a multi-cultural experience to carry you into the holiday season. 

Apply for the Working Families Tax Credit.

Nearly 30,000 Spokane County families are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit, but more than 17,000 haven’t taken advantage of the program. Check your eligibility and apply at workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov.

Climate Planning

The City of Spokane is embarking on a transformative journey to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change and planning for a more resilient future that will protect our community and preserve our environment. Please provide your thoughts on climate planning. 

Know the Number

Know which City service line to call when you need help.

• 9-1-1 emergency services and crimes in progress.
• 9-8-8 mental health crisis.
• 509-456-2233 Crime Check for non-emergency crimes.
• 3-1-1 for reporting City violations that are not criminal, like abandoned vehicles and graffiti.
• 2-1-1 social services.

Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives.

The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are more than 30 boards, commissions, and committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!

Upcoming Community Assembly (CA) Meetings

• Community Assembly (CA): Meets the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m., in-person at The Hive, 2904 W. Sprague Ave.
• CA Admin Committee: Meets the third Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m., hybrid (in-person, City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Sister City Conference Room, 1st floor or Zoom).
• CA Budget Committee: Does not meet in December. 
• CA Building Stronger Neighborhoods (BSN) Committee: Hosting the Good Neighbor Awards in lieu of their regular meeting.  
• CA Communications (Comms) Committee: Meets the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave., Conference Room B, 3rd floor. 
• CA Community Development Committee: Does not have a regular meeting date and time, so please check the neighborhood calendar for meeting information. 
• CA Land Use Committee: Meets the second Thursday of the month. at 5:30 p.m. hybrid (in-person at West Central Community Center, Newton Room, 1603 N Belt St. or Zoom).
• CA Liaison Committee: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m., hybrid (in-person South Hill Library, 3424 S. Perry St. or Zoom).
• CA Pedestrian, Traffic and Transportation (PeTT) Committee: Does not meet in December.
• CA Safety Committee: Does not meet in December.

Meet the Staff

Community Engagement Programs Manager:

Pollyanne Birge or

509-625-6147

• Special Event Permit program
• ONS Liaison to: Audubon-Downriver, Comstock, Nevada-Heights, Peaceful Valley, Riverside, and North Indian Trail. 

Community Programs Coordinators:

Annie Deasy or

509-625-6343

• Traffic Calming program, staff representative to Communications, Community Development (CA/CD), Liaison, and Pedestrian, Traffic and Transportation (PeTT) committees.
• ONS liaison to: Chief Garry Park, East Central, Lincoln Heights, Logan, Manito-Cannon Hill, Rockwood, Southgate, and West Hills.

Community Programs Coordinators, Continued:

Amber Groe or 509-625-6156

• Neighborhood Clean-up program, staff representative to Land Use, Building Stronger Neighborhoods (BSN), Neighborhood Safety Committee, and City Council/Neighborhood Town Halls.
• ONS liaison to: Bemiss, Cliff-Cannon, Five Mile Prairie, Hillyard, Latah-Hangman, Minnehaha, Shiloh Hills, West Central, and Whitman. 

Gabby Ryan or 509-625-6858

• Community Engagement Grant program, staff representative to Admin, Budget and Community Assembly/City Council committees.
• ONS liaison to: Balboa-South Indian Trail, Browne’s Addition, Emerson-Garfield, Grandview-Thorpe, North Hill, and Northwest.

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