Stories await at Whitworth Writing Rally

Mon., Oct. 16, 2006

By Lisa Leinberger lisal@spokesman.com (509) 459-5449

Are your kids aspiring writers? Do they like to tell stories? Maybe they draw pictures to go along with their stories.

Whitworth College is presenting the 23rd Annual Whitworth Writing Rally Nov. 4 in the Cowles Memorial Auditorium on the Whitworth campus, 300 W. Hawthorne Road.

Parents or guardians will accompany their preschooler through sixth-graders in workshops that will discuss writing, illustrating, storytelling and bookbinding.

Children’s author Janet Wong will read from her books, and there will be a reception of punch and cookies after the workshop, when Wong will sign copies of her books.

For the sixth-graders, there will be a special session in which the kids will write a story that will be choreographed by the Spokane Ballet Company and performed next spring.

There will be two sessions. The first is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The second is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $16 and includes writing materials and a T-shirt.

Clothing drive

The March of Dimes is collecting enough booties, blankets, clothes and hats to represent the 8,229 preemies born in Washington state in one year.

You can knit, sew or collect tiny clothing to donate to the local March of Dimes at 222 W. Mission Ave., Suite 119. The drive ends Nov. 14.

For more information, call (509) 328-1920, or e-mail kchristensen@ marchofdimes.com.

Gymnastics fundraiser

Flip Factory Gymnastics, 12435 E. 13th Ave. in Airway Heights, is presenting a Fun Fall Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will include food, games, contests, face painting and more. Proceeds will benefit families who can’t afford gymnastics classes. For more information, call (509) 244-9407.

Auntie’s childrens events

Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave., is presenting local children’s writer Kelly Milner Halls Friday at 7:30 p.m. Halls is the author of “Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures that May or May Not Exist.”

Also, on Saturday at 2 p.m., the youth book group will meet on the second floor. Kids ages 8 to 12 are invited to discuss “Peter and the Shadow Thieves,” by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

For more information, call the bookstore at (509) 838-0206.

Mobius events

Mobius Kids, 808 W. Main Ave., is presenting a class featuring a live hawk Wednesday and Nov. 1 from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m.

Activities include learning about birds of prey, their habitat and their place in the ecosystem. The cost is $7 for Mobius members and $10 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Mobius at (509) 624-5437.