By FāVS News Staff
Acclaimed dance company to perform South Indian classical arts Sept. 20 at SCC
The South Asia Cultural Association of Spokane (SACA) presents “BhaRaTham: Bhava-Raga-Thalam,” a vibrant showcase of South Indian classical dance and music by the acclaimed Jayanthi Raman Dance Company. Featuring a live orchestra led by Natyacharya Jayanthi Raman, the performance will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Spokane Community College’s Lair Student Center Auditorium. Admission is $25 at the door, with free entry for children 12 and under. An Indian vegetarian dinner will be available for purchase at the venue starting at 5 p.m.
Discounted $15 tickets are available if purchased by Sept. 15 via PayPal or mail. A free workshop with the artists will be held Friday, Sep. 19, at 7p.m. at Shadle Park Library. For tickets or details, visit sacaspokane.org or contact sacaspokane@gmail.com.
Brown joins 20 other attorneys general in Supreme Court brief supporting Colorado conversion therapy ban
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is leading a 21-state coalition in defending Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy for minors, filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. The law, which prohibits licensed professionals from performing harmful and discredited efforts to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, was upheld by the Tenth Circuit but is now being challenged. The brief argues that such bans are consistent with states’ rights to regulate healthcare and protect youth from practices deemed unsafe by major medical organizations. Oral arguments are scheduled for Oct.7. Washington is among over 25 states that ban or restrict conversion therapy.
Nonprofit marks 3 years of Spokane center, celebrates housing more than 1,000 people
Thrive International recently celebrated the third anniversary of Thrive Center Spokane and the milestone of housing over 1,000 individuals since its opening in June 2022. Thrive Center Spokane has grown into “a vibrant hub of hope and healing for refugee and immigrant families” according to their press release. Since December 2023, its western Washington program has provided shelter for 870 people. This expansion was made possible through the opening of Thrive Center Tacoma in September of 2024, which mirrors the Spokane model of offering both housing and support under one roof.
Federal visa policy change forces some foreign-born priests to leave Idaho parishes
A federal visa policy change is threatening the presence of foreign-born Catholic priests in Idaho. Due to a 2023 State Department decision merging religious worker (EB-4) visa applicants into a broader immigration queue while maintaining a five-year R-1 visa cap. Creating significant backlogs, this change prevents many foreign-born priests from obtaining green cards within the allowed five-year timeframe. As a result, some have already been forced to leave the U.S. Once an R-1 visa expires, holders must leave the country for 12 months before reapplying.
Three Idaho priests have already left, with 14 more at risk. The Diocese of Boise, already served by just 79 priests, could lose up to 22% of its clergy over the next four years as a result. Idaho Senators James Risch (R) and Mike Crapo (R) have introduced bipartisan legislation — the Religious Workforce Protection Act — to allow visa extensions during green card processing. Catholic leaders and immigration advocates urge swift passage, warning of severe impacts on underserved parishes.
Ministry celebrates 10 years of counseling services with Sept. 18 fundraiser
Path of Life invites the Spokane community to its 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser on Sept. 18, at The Boxcar Room, 116 W. Pacific Ave., Ste. 100. The event honors a decade of Christ-centered ministry offering support for pregnancy, post-abortion healing, unwanted same-sex attraction and gender identity and relationships. Guests will enjoy tacos from Cochinito Taqueria, live music, a mocktail bar, a silent auction, ministry updates and powerful client testimonies. Tickets are $45 (regular), $15 (students), or $320 for a group of eight. Learn more at pathoflifespokane.org/events.
Whitworth receives $1.5 million gift to endow honors program, expand research opportunities
Whitworth University has received a $1.5 million gift from the Roy and Bess Mullet Fund and Paul Mullet to endow the George F. Whitworth Honors Program. The gift will expand humanities-based undergraduate research, support the Democracy Lab and enhance civic engagement opportunities. Inspired by his daughter Melinda’s transformative experience at Whitworth, Paul Mullet saw the gift as a way to honor his parents’ legacy of empowering others through faith and education.
