In brief: Seminar on gangs offered Oct. 3
Spokane COPS and the Spokane Police Department will offer a gang seminar open to the public on Oct. 3.
Attendees can expect to learn what they can do when there is a gang situation in their neighborhood.
The seminar will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Washington State University Riverpoint, in the Phase One Auditorium, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd.
For more information, call Maurece Vulcano at 835-4572.
– Lisa Leinberger
COUNTRY HOMES
Kenyan dancers perform Saturday
A Kenyan dance troupe will be performing at Whitworth University on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Seeley Mudd Chapel on campus.
The performance, entitled, “The Coming of the Nilotics,” will feature music, dance, chanting and jumping contest traditionally performed by East African Maasai and Luo cultures. The troupe, called the Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe, is led by Nicolas Sironka, a batik artist and Fulbright Scholar who has taught and exhibited his work at Whitworth. Admission is free. For more information, call 777-4263.
– Donna Tam
SPOKANE
Preservation grants available
The Spokane Preservation Advocates organization is seeking applications from potential recipients of its annual grant program.
The group has capital improvement grants of up to $5,000 that may be awarded as a match for an equivalent amount of money. Also, SPA offers a mini-grant of up to $1,000 that requires no match for projects or educational programs.
The SPA Heritage Fund has awarded more than $60,000 in grants in the past six years from money obtained through fund-raising activities and donations.
For more information, go to the SPA Web site at www.spokanepreservation.org, or contact Susan Winchell at swinchell@comcast.net.
– Mike Prager
Auditions Sunday for ‘Velveteen’
Spokane Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for the holiday musical, “The Velveteen Rabbit” on Sunday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. at St. Aloysius School, 611 E Mission Ave. Call backs will be Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Director Heidi Ritz-Stephens is looking for 30 boys and girls ages 10 to adult. Bring sheet music to sing a one-minute song and dress comfortably for movement auditions. “The musical plays Nov. 23 through Dec. 15.
For more information, go to www.spokanechildrenstheatre.org or call 328-4886.
– From staff reports
DOWNTOWN
River cleanup will be Oct. 6
The Friends of the Falls, Kendall Yards, Avista Utilities and Washington Trust Bank will present Spokane’s Fifth Annual River Cleanup Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting at High Bridge Park.
The event needs team leaders to attend an orientation and training session on Oct. 5 Wednesday to lead groups of 30 volunteers in cleaning up litter and trash.
Since there is limited parking at High Bridge, volunteers should walk, bike or take the bus. STA will have a bus traveling from Spokane Falls Community College to the park every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m.
The first 200 volunteers arriving by bus will win a free backpack from Thomas Hammer.
The cleanup will take place between Peaceful Valley and the TJ Meenach Bridge. Volunteers should dress appropriately and bring work gloves to protect their hands. At noon there will be a celebration that will include food vendors, music and prizes for the most interesting trash collected.
For information about being a team leader, e-mail Josh Hess at jhess@rei.com. To register for a volunteer position, visit www.gonzaga.edu/river-rsvp.
– Lisa Leinberger
SPOKANE COUNTY
Miss Spokane signup under way
The Miss Spokane’s Outstanding Teen committee is now accepting applications for its pageant in 2008.
Teen girls 13 to 17 years old may apply. The applicants must also be single, never married and no more than a junior in a Spokane County high school.
Winners of the pageant will receive scholarship money and make public appearances.
Application deadline is Nov. 1 and entry fee is $150.
For more information, call Cheri Moore at 466-8593 or e-mail at moore@hotmail.com.
Lisa Leinberger
Spokane
Cub Scouts present Danny Nelson
The Inland Northwest Council’s will hold is second annual Race to Cub Scouting event today at the Spokane Arena parking lot adjacent to the Spokane Service Center. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and is free.
Cub Scouts are encouraged to invite their friends who are not part of Cub Scouts to attend. Attendees will get to meet race car driver Danny Nelson and get their picture taken in his yellow Ford Mustang. Participants will also get to try Nelson’s racing simulator, drive Cub Mobiles around a specially designed race course, and run through the Turbo Rush 360 inflatable obstacle course. Each participant will also receive a free hot dog, chips, and drink.
Current Cub Scouts who bring a friend will get a prize for both them and the friend they bring. If your pack would like to help help with a station, e-mail steve@nwscouts.org.
– Staff report