News Story by FāVS Staff
Christmas tree labyrinth offers peaceful winter walk
A labyrinth constructed from more than 100 recycled Christmas trees in Chewelah offers visitors a peaceful post-holiday experience through Friday night at the Chewelah Center for the Arts, 405 N 3rd St E, Chewelah.
The illuminated installation, which features a single continuous path winding to its center, was organized by Paula Randall after she noticed surplus trees being discarded at lots last year, according to the Spokesman-Review. The free installation transforms donated trees from local households and farms into what visitors describe as an enchanted forest experience. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has no dead ends and typically takes visitors through phases – from initial excitement to contemplation – as they walk the surprisingly long path, according to Randall.
Vandal damages Kent mosque in latest bias incident
Police are investigating vandalism at the Islamic Center of Federal Way in Kent after security footage captured a man throwing rocks and breaking a mosque window just after midnight on Dec 28. The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) has called for the incident to be investigated as a potential hate crime.
The vandalism follows a pattern of incidents targeting Washington mosques, including a break-in at the same center in 2023 and multiple attacks on state mosques in 2021-22. CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi called the attack “brazen” and “highly disturbing,” noting that CAIR documented 4,951 bias complaints nationwide in the first half of 2024, a 69% increase from the same period in 2023.
Climate anxiety support group offers monthly meetings
Community members concerned about climate change can find support at the Eco-Anxiety Cafe, a free monthly gathering launching its 2025 series this week. The first session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd.
The cafe provides a space for residents to share their thoughts and concerns about climate change, exchange resources and connect with others in the community. Sessions will continue on the first Saturday of each month through April 2025. Registration is required to attend.
Artist completes bronze-effect sculpture of Christ
An area artist completed a near-life-sized sculpture of Jesus Christ on Dec. 26, creating the piece from cold-cast resin affixed to an olive wood cross. Cheryl Metcalf crafted the detailed sculpture, which features bronze powder effects, protruding nail heads and a crown of gold-tipped thorns, in her Coeur d’Alene studio over several months.
The commissioned piece, which will be delivered to a local Catholic family, sparked spiritual conversations with visitors throughout its creation, Metcalf said in the Coeur d’Alene Press. She chose not to sign the sculpture out of reverence, though she spent weeks carefully molding each section, including a full week for the chest alone. The piece depicts Christ near death, with slightly open eyes and upturned wrists.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.