In Spokane, Wash., a bomb was discovered just before a Martin Luther King Day parade marched past the device. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

A Martin Luther King Day parade in Spokane, Wash. was interrupted as authorities found a suspicious backpack that was found to contain a bomb. Before the parade began, city employees for Spokane discovered a backpack which had wiring, and the police were alerted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is pursuing the matter.

Spokane police defuse bomb before parade began

In Spokane, Wash., a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade was very nearly turned into the scene of a terrible tragedy, as employees of the city of Spokane found a bomb, according to MSNBC. The Spokane bomb was found by city employees, looking over the parade route a half hour before it was set to begin. The city workers found an unattended backpack sitting on a metal bench. The backpack stuck out because it had suspicious looking wires coming out of it, which caused the city workers to call the Spokane Police. The bomb disposal unit rushed to the scene to safely contain and dispose of the device, and the parade was delayed and rerouted.

Device would have been lethal

The Federal Bureau of Investigation quickly took over the investigation, and the agent in charge said that the bomb was “viable” and would have been able to “inflict multiple casualties” had it gone off, according to the Spokesman Review. The bomb was intentionally positioned for the improvised explosive device to face the parade marchers, and would have sent shrapnel into the crowd. Two t-shirts were found in the backpack, one reading “Stevens County Relay for Life 2010″ and one reading “Treasure Island Spring Break 2009.” The pipe bomb found in the backpack, according to ABC, was rigged to be detonated remotely by radio.

Motive unknown

The motivation to bomb the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade is unknown. It is certainly clear that the person who planted it intended on injuring or killing a large number of people. The Spokane and Northern Idaho area have been known to be home to hate groups, notably the Aryan Nations white supremacist group which was sued into bankruptcy as an organization several years ago.

Sources

MSNBC

Spokesman Review

ABC

Peter Geyer and Andrea Parrish, Wedding Cans (Photo from tinytall, Flickr.com)

The Wedding Cans couple has successfully reached their goal to collect 400,000 aluminum cans to pay for their wedding — all accomplished in just eight months! Who would’ve ever imagined collecting cans would pay for an entire wedding? Some may call it crazy, but this Spokane couple is proving that great success lies within the craziest ideas.

Wedding cans are ringing success

In just 197 days, Andrea Parrish and Peter Geyer have already reached 100 percent of their goal, thanks to the United Recycling Services, Alcoa Aluminum and the outpouring support from people across the globe. The two will wed next month, July 31, at the Corbin Art Center in Spokane, Wash., where wedding cans will ring, not just for love, but for their outstanding accomplishment.

“The response to this project has been overwhelming,” said Andrea.

“The most exciting thing about the project is how many people have borrowed the idea,” adds Peter. “We have other engaged couples recycling for their weddings and honeymoons — even a woman collecting cans to pay for her liver transplant.”

Peter and Andrea will donate more than half of the proceeds of any additional cans they collect to nonprofit organizations Rim Country Land Institute and Doctors Without Borders, using only 40 percent for their honeymoon.

Wedding Cans – a story to remember

Although the couple has suffered through many challenges on their quest to collect five tons of aluminum cans to help fund their summer wedding, the two have remained loyal to their values, as well as the crazy idea that came to mind at 1 o’clock one morning. In a time of excessive consumerism and outlandish wedding expenses, Peter and Andrea are truly admired for their courageous efforts of dedicating probably the biggest event of their lives to saving the planet. Congratulations to Peter and Andrea on their Wedding Cans success!

For more information about Wedding Cans, visit www.weddingcans.com

Related Video:

Andrea has to borrow her brother's truck frequently to pick up cans. Photo by Yellow House Photography, Spokane, WA.

I think it was that castle that really got the wheels turning and drove Andrea Parrish to create the Wedding Cans project.

She had always planned on keeping the costs as low as possible, and at first she set out to find people who’d let them have it in their backyard for free. Meanwhile, she started scoping out vacation home rentals online. And there it was: The Castle. It would be cheaper to rent the castle for a few days than it would be to rent a reception hall for a few hours. But she still needed a couple grand.

Starting small

So there I was at work one day, writing about payday loans versus personal loans, when I heard that familiar “bloop,” telling me I had a gmail chat message. It was Andrea.

“So… think many cans come through your apartment building?”

“Cans?” I replied. “Like, aluminum cans?”

“Yup,” she wrote, then simply posted this link: weddingcans.com.

Turns out Andrea, who can easily be called an environmentalist, had decided she would pay for her castle in cans. In fact, she was going to pay for her whole wedding in cans.

Andrea: This is quite firmly filed in the “crazy idea” category… but I think it’s crazy enough to maybe work
me: Sure why the hell not?
It can’t hurt.
I can collect cans in my office, too.
The staff here drinks tons of soda.

Getting big FAST

From right, Andrea Parrish, Peter Geyer and The Pitchfork. Photo by Yellow House Photography, Spokane, Wash.

That gmail chat exchange took place exactly once month ago, Dec. 7. Today, Andrea Parrish and Pete Geyer, who live in Spokane, Wash., are featured in an AP News video that ran in states as far away as New Jersey. That video also spent some time on Yahoo’s homepage today. Their story ran in Canada. It made it to the CBS national news (See: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/07/ap/national/main6068060.shtml).

Last night, Andrea and Pete were on the local TV news. Today, they were featured in the Spokesman-Review, Spokane’s daily newspaper. Tomorrow, they’ll be on the CBS morning show. It was only one week ago that the first web site besides her own featured Wedding Cans in a story. Offbeat Bride featured the story of Andrea and Pete on Dec. 30, and on Jan. 8 they’ll be interviewed live via satellite on CBS.

Andrea and Pete, after Wedding Cans

If all goes as planned, and Andrea and Pete can collect the 400,000 cans they are aiming for, they’ll get married July 31, less than seven months from now. All of their hard work will have brought them a small, simple, inexpensive wedding, and it’ll be exactly what they wanted. They’ll get married in their castle in Hope, Idaho.

They’ll hold a handfasting ceremony, during which they’ll hold hands, then their joined hands will be wrapped in braided cords. Pete will launch the garter using a bow and arrow. Andrea’s bouquet will launch from a trebuchet (which looks like a small catapult). Wedding guests will feast on homemade beer, a cake Andrea’s mom made and homemade dishes that other guests brought from home. Afterward, they’ll always remember that they did things their way, doing good for the environment all along the way.

In Andrea’s own words, from the Wedding Cans web site, “Saving the environment and throwing a killer party… what could be better?”

If you have money from recycled cans that you’d like to donate, you can do it right here!

Photos by: Yellow House Photography

Buying your own piece of land to build your family home on is a dream for many. When considering the purchase of Spokane land, there are many factors to take into account. Here are the top 5 things you should consider:

1. Location

The old adage of real estate is location, location, location. Picking a property in the right spot is the key to realizing the goals of your investment. Whether you are looking to start a family homestead or trying to create some income property, getting a great location will affect your future property values dramatically. Consider your proximity to the 5 places you’ll visit most- such as work, school, shopping, family/friends, and the airport. If you can strike a balance between convenience for you and your visitors while still having a remote setting, you’ve got a great asset. Fortunately, there are hundreds of Spokane property options that offer country charm close to the city.

2. Setting

Do you dream of living in the country? There are many options outside of the city, anywhere from flat farm land to waterfront property. Some will enjoy the comfort and security of living in a gated community, where others want total separation from others. It is important to identify what is most important to you and weigh that against other factors. While the land itself may have the many treed acres you would love, views are just as important to consider. Not only will a great view give you great enjoyment throughout the seasons, it will actually also enhance your property values.

3. Rights

It is critical to understand both zoning laws as well as community bylaws that may affect the area in which you live. In Spokane, WA, you should check with the Planning Services Department for specifics on land use permits, or if you are looking for property in Spokane County, check with the Department of Building and Planning. You may be surprised at the complexity of the limitations of specific zoning regulations which can dramatically affect how you can use the land. One typically contentious issue is the availability of housing large animals in certain residential zones (as such, horse property fetches a premium price). It is a good idea to check about each of your building plans (including outbuildings) before you make any purchase, so you don’t run into red tape with the County and find out you can’t get the necessary permit for your dream home due to some technical issue with your zone. If living in a community, make sure that you study the bylaws thoroughly before agreeing to any purchase to ensure that you can stay in compliance without conflict. It is wise to retain the services of an experienced real estate attorney, especially if this is your first time purchasing land in Spokane.

4. Future Development

While it impossible to know the future, make sure to give thought to any future development that may affect the value and enjoyment of your land. Perhaps a new freeway or wind farm might be planned in the near future right around your property. Maybe some new environmental legislation that is pending may limit your ability to do construction in wetlands. If you are finding that the property you are considering is a great bargain, there is probably a good reason why the price is below market. Do your homework and find out why before you get stuck with a lemon of a lot.

5. Seasonal Considerations

Thousands of people that have chosen to move to Spokane love the balance of the strong economy with an easy pace of life, and most that move here fall in love with the four seasons climate. When looking for Spokane land, be mindful of how you are going to travel in the winter, and decide if you’ll need to purchase different vehicles to do so. If your land is on a slope, consider any improvements you may need to make to ensure that erosion doesn’t limit your ability to travel safely. Also consider hot weather in the summer months. Strategically building your home among trees can really reduce your energy bills in the summer. Just don’t forget to be vigilant about maintaining those trees in the fall and winter. A Spokane home was damaged by a falling tree in a wind storm that could have been easily prevented with a preemptive tree removal.

Seek Experts When Buying Property

Truly, there are dozens of other factors to consider in such a major purchase. The best thing you can do is work with an experience real estate agent who really understands the Spokane real estate market, and has a history of completing successful rural property transactions. It will take patience and diligence to make your land purchase a success, but it can pay dividends for generations to come.

Some people get window tinting just for looks, but there are plenty of other good reasons. Photo from Quality Auto Trim.

Window Tinting has been around for many years, but is now becoming more popular than ever. People choose to tint their homes, businesses and autos for many reasons: privacy, energy efficiency, protection against UV rays, security, aesthetics and more. With the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, homeowners have a great financial incentive to tint their home’s windows. The legislation provides a tax credit for qualifying home window tinting projects for 30 percent of the cost of a window tint up to $1,500. This is an excellent incentive because as a tax credit rather than a deduction it comes directly off of your total tax owed. Not only is there a tax savings, but window tinting can also save up to 79 percent of heat gain from sunny weather, so it helps reduce energy costs dramatically.

Many reasons to tint your vehicle

Many people love getting their car windows tinted to improve their car’s appearance, but they also get the benefit of less UV rays invading their vehicle’s interior. UV light can fade upholstery and damage items in the car, as well as increase heat in the vehicle.

Tinting is also a safety feature: in the event of a car accident, window tinting can prevent glass from shattering and harming the vehicle’s passengers. The maximum darkness provided by high quality tints also helps to prevent theft from vehicles, as potential burglars cannot see valuables lying on the seat of a car. Window Tinting in Spokane is a great idea to due high car prowl rates. The State of Washington allows for up to 35 percent tint to be applied to side and rear auto windows.

Business benefits for window tinting

Businesses should also consider getting their windows tinted. A great tint job can look very attractive without incurring the expense of etched glass, and can be easily customized for many designs. For businesses that must maintain high security standards, window tinting is a smart choice. With the proper 3M security film, windows become virtually impervious to damage from blunt objects, bomb blasts, and severe weather. It is surprisingly affordable compared to other security measures, yet doesn’t compromise the look of a storefront like metal bars may.

How to get the best window tint

There are two simple keys to a successful window tinting project:

1. Use only quality window tint films
2. Hire an experienced installer to properly apply the product

When amateurs attempt to install window films, they often do a poor job of cleaning the surface before they attempt to apply the film which dramatically reduces the effectiveness and longevity of the product. Furthermore, without the proper tools, window tint film may be applied sloppily. When the film is not cut to precise dimensions, bubbling, uneven lines, and wrinkling in the film may occur, all which hurt both the appearance and performance of the film.

Spokane Window Tinting Experts

For Spokane Window Tinting, the best place to go is Quality Auto Trim. The company has been working in the region for more than 25 years and offers only top quality window films from 3M. There is a wide variety of different types of film, ranging from very affordable to the latest in nanotechnology. Their customer service is known all throughout the Inland Northwest. Their years of experience in home, auto and commercial window tinting will ensure that your project is a success!

Very rarely do I read about a payday loan store robbery in which someone actually gets arrested. In fact, of the 20 or so robberies I’ve reported on this year, there have been four arrests, if I am remembering correctly.

So I was surprised today to read this report by Meghann Cunniff in a Spokane, Wash., newspaper.

From The Spokesman-Review:

Two men have been arrested in connection with a robbery at a payday loan store in north Spokane.

The men, who have not been identified, were found after Spokane police and Spokane County sheriff’s deputies responded to Check Into Cash at 555 E. Francis Ave. about 4:15 p.m. on a report of an armed man robbing the store.

They found a suspect a few blocks away near East Lyons Avenue and North Standard Street, said Officer Tim Moses, but the man ran away.

Police set up a perimeter and called in a K9 unit, leading to the men’s arrests.

The stolen cash was recovered, along with the gun used in the robbery, police said.

Previous incidents

Spokane is no stranger to payday loan store robberies. Earlier this year, a couple of oxycontin thieves robbed some payday loan stores along the way while they were at it. The city in Eastern Washington is also no stranger to catching robbers.

Report from Feb. 9:

Two people accused of robbing multiple payday loan stores and pharmacies in Spokane, Wash., are now in police custody.  Zachary Tyler Allen, 19, and Kimberly Ann Norman, 20, were arrested Feb. 8 after a month long crime spree.

Police believe the two are responsible for two robberies at the same pharmacy Jan. 8 and Jan. 11. The two are also accused in several payday loan store robberies in Spokane. The most recent robbery was another pharmacy that was hit Feb. 5.

Details on payday loan store robberies

The first Spokane payday loan store robbery took place Jan. 14, when the robber held up a Check and Go store. Jan. 20 a Check Into Cash location was robbed. The same Check into Cash location was robbed yet again Jan. 29 within hours of another robbery at another Check into Cash store. After the Check Into Cash stores beefed up security, employees and police believe the same man attempted another robbery at the same store he had already robbed twice.

Extra security helps

The Check into Cash location in Spokane was able to thwart an attempted robbery by increasing security measures. The stores began keeping their doors locked and requiring customers to show ID before entering the store. One night a man wearing a black ski mask attempted to enter the building, but he ran away after he realized the building was locked.

Other payday loan store should consider this policy before it’s too late and they get robbed, too. Another important security measure is video surveillance cameras. Video surveillance is often very helpful in identifying suspects. Also, posted signs informing people that there are cameras on the premises can deter criminals, as can the appearance of the cameras themselves.

Be on the lookout

No matter where your payday loan store is, business owners, employees and customers need to be prepared in case their store is targeted. Payday loan stores must keep large amounts of cash on hand, which makes them frequent targets for thieves. At the very least, employees at a payday loan store or any type of business that keeps a lot of cash should never be left alone.