Spark Central - Nicole Adamson-Wood

 

 

 

           July 19: Rotary lunch, noon, at Bark, a Dog Rescue (905 N. Washington).  Club social and discussion.  (Scheduled Speaker, Chris Cargill, Washington Policy Center, had to re-schedule.)

 

           August 16: 11:45 a.m.  Rotary project and lunch at Holmes Elementary for resupplying storage cabinet items (pencils, pens, crayons, etc.).  Pizza lunch follows.

 

 

            Sandy Fink, coordinating the Holmes supply cabinet project, said most staples (at Staples and elsewhere) now cost 50 percent higher for each item.  Our vendor and Sandy are looking for sales. 

Bob Romney suggests that club members may consider a special assessment if needed quantities fall short of previous targeted donations.

 

            Sandy showed the new T-shirts, headlining “Holmes Heroes Have,” with a list of values and groups that help Holmes students, including, of course, Spokane-North Rotary and Rotary Emblem/Wheel.

 

 

            John Mailliard is happy with his new 18 solar panels on his Eagle Ridge aerie.     

 

            President Lenore Romney was happy that some 22 people gathered for the Installation Dinner at Nectar’s Barrel room downtown.  Luncheon members applauded Lenore’s efforts for resuming the annual dinner after the pandemic interruption.

 

            Paula Mutter, Lenore’s mom, joining us from New Jersey, was happy to travel again and watch Bob Romney show his sailing prowess. 

           

            There are many “spark-lers” in the program for youth in the Kendall Yards activities center at 1214 W. Summit Parkway.

 

            At the July 12 club lunch, Nicole Adamson-Wood described the variety of programs, including a new Level Up computer program and an assortment of summer camps.

            Nicole is Spark-Central’s development director, but also lists her job as “coal shoveler.” She is a University of Utah grad in political philosophy and has worked in advertising agencies.

 

            Among the creative programs are “Drop In & Write,” Digital Arts Club, Minecraft Club, “We Do Robotic Zoo,” Girls Rock Lab and “Be Your Own Superhero: A Comics Creation Camp.”

 

           On the Spark website the photos of Spark staff and board members are from their childhood.  Clever, huh?

 

           Nicole said that while the camps and programs are open to all youngsters, special attention is given to Holmes and Audubon schools and those in the West central neighborhood.

        

           “STEM activities are always on the top of the list,” Nicole said.

 

            She added: “Kids have been isolated with Covid and now we can resume classes in-person and summer camps.  We are trying to fill an opportunity gap.”

 

            Nicole also said with Covid many of the volunteers at Spark-Central did not return, so that important need must be filled.

                 

            One project produced is an 8-page West Central Express newspaper.  The front page featured a story with GU Women’s basketball coach Lisa Fortier.

 

             Another story featured “Barkly the Bernedoodle,” the Holmes Elementary therapy dog.  The author, Ellenore, said “Barkly is a cross between a Bernese Mountain dog and a poodle.  He is a goofy, silly dog and plays with students outside.”  Barkly’s friendly temperament “are the qualities of an ideal therapy dog.”

 

            The Spark-Central mascot is a fedora-hatted Hippo named “Snoz.”

 

            Snoz’s card says “I make stuff.  Create. Innovate. Imagine.”

 

            And Spark-Central’s motto is “Go anywhere from here.”