There's a Girls Day Out planning meeting tonight at the Outlaw Cafe at 6 p.m. Girls Day Out is an annual neighborhood shopping event and this year it takes place in Hillyard, the Garland District, Monroe Business District and the International District (East Sprague) on Nov. 13 - anyone interested in helping out is welcome at the meeting Thursday evening.

Moving right along to the Merchants' meeting Wednesday morning: The Hillyard Howl was deemed successful though some conversation was had as to whether it serves the group's purpose of bringing shoppers into Hillyard and keeping them there for a while. The bake sale made $80.
The next big event is Girls Day Out (see above) followed by the Hillyard North Pole and Santa's arrival. Santa's chair is in the shop, getting painted, but will be ready for his arrival.
Merchant Committee members pay for the power and water cost associated with planters and holiday lights along Market Street. It's by donation and the association is figuring out a way to make that system more fair, by suggesting a donation that matches the individual merchant's storefront size. Paying the fee is not mandatory, but the group hopes that everyone will pay their fair share to cover the water and power bills.
And the Greater Hillyard Business Association has been meeting with businesses and neighbors in West Central who are working to get their business association back on track.
And finally, before mentioned letter to Mayor Mary Verner, the city council and the Spokane Police Department asking for more frequent and under-cover drug patrols in Hillyard was signed by most of the merchants at the meeting. It will be delivered to the city as soon as possible.