In brief: Event to benefit Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant

EMERSON/GARFIELD – Community members are invited to the North Monroe Vintage, Hearts and Flowers family event from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, to benefit the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. The canned food fundraiser will be held in the businesses from 2901 to 3036 N. Monroe St.

For admission of two cans of food, visitors can have their faces painted, enjoy hot dogs, view vintage cars and motorcycles on display and play with a kitten or puppy from the Humane Society – and even take one home. Attendees may also purchase raffle tickets for $3 each to win original artwork from local artist Cecile G. Charles.

All participating businesses will have bins available for donations of nonperishable food items to benefit the clients of the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant.

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 will take off at 9:15. 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. 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.

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.

Free Zumba party planned at center

EAST CENTRAL – Local residents are invited to a free Zumba party at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St.

The class is open to all ages and will give those interested in Zumba an opportunity to learn about the fall classes and meet instructors. For more information, call Kathy at (509) 625-6693.

Cannon Park concert tonight

WEST CENTRAL – The West Central Neighborhood will have its first concert in the park tonight in Cannon Park, 1920 W. Maxwell Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.

The concert will feature Sidetrack.

For more information, call Jen Hussey at (425) 760-5708 or email jlmhussey2000@yahoo. com. The concert is free and open to the public.

Grange plans breakfast Sunday

GREEN BLUFF – The Green Bluff Grange, 9809 Green Bluff Road, will hold its fourth annual Peaches and Pancakes Breakfast on Sunday, from 8 to 11 a.m.

The all-you-can-eat breakfast will include eggs, sausage and pancakes.

Cost is $6 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger. For more information, call (509) 979-2607.

Theater will have girl’s night party

Spokane Valley – Theater Arts for Children will present a Girls’ Night party Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Girls ages 10 to 18 are invited to wear their favorite pair of pajamas and bring a pillow and a snack to share. Everyone will watch a movie, paint their nails, hang out and enjoy girl time.

The cost to attend is $10, and siblings get a 50 percent discount. The funds will benefit TAC’s stage-building fund. TAC is at 2114 N. Pines Road, Suite 3S.

For more information, visit www.theaterarts forchildren.org, or call (509) 995-6718.