There are big goings-on this week, with at least two must-attend events happening of interest to FOF and river supporters.

One - which we’ve been tracking for quite awhile now - is a “meet and greet” session for the community to get to know each of the two candidates being considered for Spokane’s Parks & Recreation Director position. The finalists, Mr. Barry Russell of El Paso, Texas, and Mr. Roger Thomas of Provo, Utah, will be on-hand in the Chase Gallery (outside Council Chambers) from 5:30 to 7:00 the evening of Thursday, March 6. A short, formal presentation from the candidates is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

If you, like us, recognize the critical importance of parks, greenbelts and open space in civic life - especially in Spokane’s Olmsted-enriched context - you’ll really want to visit with these two gentlemen, and add your thoughts to the review process now being carried out by the Parks Board. Mayor Verner, who by charter makes the selection, says she’s hopeful to have a new director in place by April. After appointment by the Mayor, City Council must confirm the appointment. Former Spokane City Manager Roger Crum has been serving as the interim Parks Director since December.

Folks, this opportunity can’t be overestimated and shouldn’t be missed. To get you started, we’ve acquired a copy of the City-issued candidate profiles and have them available for download below. (We’ve even added links to their respective websites - just click on each candidate’s name.) Check them out, do some research, visit with the finalists on Thursday, and be sure to pass your thoughts along to Mayor Verner!

Candidate Profiles (28 Kb, Acrobat® file)

If you’re a Friends of the Falls supporter, it’s likely that you recognize that the beauty and health of our river and that of our city go hand-in-hand, you appreciate the power of setting goals that inspire, and really enjoy discussions about our City’s future.

If so, you may be interested in “Green Drinks Spokane,” an evening billed as “social networking for eco-professionals and others interested in conservation, conversation and/or cocktails” at Downtown’s Brooklyn Nights Pub (GMAP). The next event is set for Tuesday, March 11, and is supposed to continue each second Tuesday of each month through June. (That’s April 8, May 13, and June 10). Drinks and conversations start flowing around 5:30 pm.

Of course it’s a new take on an old idea, but Green Drinks is a bit unique in that no particular group or organization acts as sponsor. Instead, the concept and informal framework is web-based, and is becoming something of a world-wide phenomena - more than 300 communities now host Green Drinks events, and one meeting in Melbourne, Australia reportedly drew 1,500 participants!

Sounds like fun, and since we first heard about it from folks in our City’s planning department, we can only assume we’ll have a few there with direct views on what’s working - and what can be improved - regarding “green” subjects in Spokane!

Green Drinks website (Weblink)
Green Drinks Spokane flyer (232 Kb, Acrobat® file)

The Spokane River is spectacular in winter, particularly in years like this one, when we’ve had a lot of lingering snow and ice to decorate the shoreline. Between Hangman Creek and through Riverside State Park, hiking - and on many days, cross-country skiing - is a great way to see the river from a fresh perspective.

But our friends at the Northwest Whitewater Rafting Association take it a bit further each New Year’s Day with their annual “Fools Float on the First” run through the Bowl and Pitcher Rapids.

NWRA President and long-time supporter Paul Delaney sent us a few snapshots of this year’s event, which frankly, looked like a lot of fun and a great way to begin the new year.

Paul mentioned that turnout was a bit low this year, given that float-time temperatures were a little low as well - about 20 degrees.

But with dozens actually diving into the icy waters upstream at Lake Coeur d’Alene, we’re thinking Paul’s group will have to come up with a better excuse to miss next year’s event.

P.S.: Haven’t seen the NWRA website? Interested in additional information on whitewater parks around the country? Check out the group’s webpage on the proposed Spokane whitewater park here or at the link below.

Northwest Whitewater Rafting Association - Whitewater Park (Weblink)
Coeur d’Alene Polar Bear Plunge (YouTube® video)

Friends of the Falls’ monthly Board of Directors meeting is scheduled on the third Thursday of every month; due to a number of conflicts on that date, our next directors meeting will be held from noon to 1:30 pm, Thursday, January 24 in Room 501 of the Spokane Academic Center, Riverpoint Campus. Interested in dropping by? for more information.