In brief: ‘Christmas’ benefit at STCU branches

SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokane Teacher’s Credit Union will help spread Christmas spirit early with their first “Christmas in July” fundraising event, to benefit the Tree of Sharing.

Beginning Monday through Friday, members of the community will have an opportunity to help families in need have a happy holiday by making a gift or cash donation at any of the 10 local STCU locations in Spokane County.

STCU branches are located in Cheney, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Northtown Square, North Spokane, South Hill, Indian Trail, the U-District, downtown Spokane and the main branch, at 106 W. Nora Ave.

For more information, visit www.STCU.org.

‘Despicable Me’ free tonight at park

SPOKANE VALLEY – The City of Spokane Valley will host its first free outdoor summer movie at 9:15 p.m. today at Mirabeau Park. The film is the animated tale “Despicable Me,” which is rated PG. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will offer free activities starting an hour before the movie begins.

New phone line for traffic alerts

SPOKANE VALLEY – A new traffic information phone line has been set up by the City of Spokane Valley. The number to call is (509) 720-5311, the same number used to provide snow plowing updates during the winter. People can call the number 24 hours a day to hear recorded traffic alerts with information about road closures and detours. The traffic alerts are also available on the city’s website at www.spokanevalley.org.

‘Berry Picker’ statue dedication Aug. 5

SPOKANE VALLEY – A short dedication ceremony for an 8-foot-tall bronze statue being donated to the City of Spokane Valley is planned for 11 a.m. Aug. 5 on the northeast side of CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. The statue by the late Nancy Powell McLaughlin is known as the “Berry Picker” and features a Native American woman who has been gathering berries. The formal title is “Harvest Time on the Big Missouri.”

The piece is being donated to the city by the Spokane Valley Arts Council, which also donated the larger-than-life fur trapper statue that sits just to the south of Discovery Playground. That bronze piece by Colville artist Jerry McKellar, titled “Working the Line,” was dedicated in 2009.