In brief: Best plants topic of presentation

MANITO/CANNON HILL – Master Gardner Janis Saiki will give a presentation on the best available plants in the market on Saturday in the Manito Meeting Room east of the Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park at 1 p.m.

Saiki will discuss some of the year’s award-winning plants and explain why the plants are good choices for a garden. Visitors can learn about which plants would be best for long bloom, hummingbirds, bold and colorful foliage, berry producing and winter interest.

To reserve a space and for more information call (509) 456-8038 or visit  www.thefriendsof manito.org. The event is free.

Dwight Dash runs will be Saturday

NORTHWEST – Runners can participate in the 2012 Dwight Dash, a 5K or 10K urban trail run, on Saturday at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, 5701 N. Assembly St.

Check-in starts at 7:45 a.m. and the 5k race will begin at 9. Runners in the 10K race will take off at 9:15 a.m. The dash is a trail run around Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and Joe Albi Stadium. The 10K race will head to Riverside State Park. Both distances include dirt and paved trails.

Registration is $29 per person. For more information visit http://bit.ly/dwight_2012. Runners may register online until 4 p.m. Friday or on the day of the race.