March is gearing up to be a busy month for Spokane Faith & Values. On March 2 we’ll host our third Coffee Talk. This time our panelists will be discussing “Gender and Spirituality.” Then, on March 16 we’ll be leading a workshop, “Marketing Your Organization in the Digital Age” as part of the Peace and Economic Justice Action Conference 2013. You can get early bird tickets online.
OK, enough about us. Immaculate Heart Retreat Center will discuss “The Holy Spirit and Vatican Council II” at its next Year of Faith Dinner Series on Feb. 26. The Rev. Daniel Wetzler will lead the conversation. The event includes dinner and wine. Cost is $25. Register by calling 448-1224.
Beginning Feb. 23 Gonzaga will be launching a series of free faculty lectures titled “Transformation Cafes.” The idea is to bring scholars into community settings for academic discussions. (Hmmm, sounds familiar). The first one will be at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 at Roast House Coffee Warehouse. The topic will be, “What We Value, What We Eat” presented by Philosophy Associate Professor Ellen Maccarone.
Don’t forget the Rock and Worship Roadshow is coming to Spokane Arena on March 3. The concert will feature Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Adam Cappa, Family Force 5, Rhett Walker Band, Luminate, Tedashii and Tim Timmons. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Finally, yes, it’s snowing out but spring really is coming soon and that means it’s time to start thinking about gardening. The Porch invites the community to participate in a seed exchange next week at Indaba Coffee Bar. Bring your spare seeds and exchange them for new ones from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 26.

Tracy Simmons is an award winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, digital entrepreneurship and social journalism. In her 15 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti.
Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas and Connecticut. Currently she serves as the executive director of SpokaneFAVS.com, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Wash. She is also a Scholarly Assistant Professor at Washington State University.