In brief: Spare a square for toilet paper drive

RIVERSIDE – Project Beauty Share will have a toilet paper drive on Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to benefit Anna Ogden Hall, Our Place Community Ministries, Our Sister’s Closet, Hope House, Transitions and Catholic Charities of Spokane’s St. Margaret’s Shelter and Childbirth and Parenting Assistance program.

While the household item is a necessity, it is not covered by food stamps and is one of the most requested, yet least donated items to local shelters.

Donations for the drive can be made to the Project Beauty Share main collection center at The Make-Up Studio, 216 N. Bernard St. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and hair accessories also will be accepted.

For more information, call (509) 455-7430 or visit www.projectbeautyshare.org.

Lilac Festival Court applications available

Spokane County – Applications are now being accepted for the 2011 Lilac Festival Court.

Senior girls enrolled in Spokane County high schools are invited to apply for the court through their high schools by 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Each high school will select one candidate for consideration on the court.

Potential candidates must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher by the end of their junior year, must be a full-time student in the county, single, never have been married, divorced or had a marriage annulled. They must be childless and never have been convicted of a crime. The candidates must have a good citizenship record and demonstrate community involvement and good school attendance. They must hold no other royalty titles by Nov. 5.

Home-schooled and Running Start students should contact their base high school for applications.

For more information, call Darla DeCristoforo at (509) 535-4554.

RIVERSIDE – The Spokane office of the Washington State Department of Revenue, 1330 N. Washington St., will offer a free tax workshop for new and small business owners on Wednesday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection, and record-keeping requirements. Participants will receive a workbook and helpful reference guide to Department of Revenue rules and regulations.

To register and for more information, visit www.dor.wa.gov or call (509) 327-0200. Space is limited.

Humanist event, banquet will be Oct. 3

WEST CENTRAL – The Spokane Secular organizations will have a Humanist and Freethinkers banquet on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road.

The featured speaker will be Rob Boston, a senior policy analyst at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He is also on the board of directors for the American Humanist Association.

Tickets are $30. Reservations must be made by Sept. 24.

For reservations and more information, call (509) 464-3635 or e-mail lorray@comcast.net.

Salvation Army drive aids 1,812 students

SPOKANE COUNTY – With the help of the Spokane community, the Salvation Army’s annual Back to School Supply Drive provided 1,812 local children in need with backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year.

Students who were not able to receive a backpack during the drive can stop by the Salvation Army Community Services Center, 222 E. Indiana Ave., or call (509) 325-6810.

Golf event raises $400,000 for clubs

SPOKANE COUNTY – The recent Zak!Charity Open raised more than $400,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County and Rypien Foundation.

The 11th annual event included a first “Beat the Pros” Poker Tournament, held at the Northern Quest Hotel, along with an additional golf tournament at Manito Golf and Country Club. The two added events complemented both the Summer Celebration Dinner and Auction at Northern Quest Resort and Casino and the original golf tournament at Spokane Country Club to create an expanded charity event.

Proceeds from the events will help fund the salary for a special music therapist for the chemotherapy floor at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, along with a van to help transport children who participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

For more information, visit www.bgcspokane county.org.