In brief: Tree lighting downtown to feature Santa Claus, elves

DOWNTOWN – River Park Square will kick-off the holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday. Santa Claus and his elves will help light the 50-foot tree with more than 10,000 LED lights at 7 p.m.

The festivities will start at 6:30 p.m. with hot chocolate, candy canes and face-painting.

Mead resident elected to regional Fleet Reserve post

MEAD – Mead resident Margret Burke was elected Northwest region president of the Fleet Reserve Association.

Burke will serve as a member of the association’s national board of directors for 2012-’13, representing members in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.

Burke is a member of Branch 38.

Burke began her military career in the U.S. Army during Vietnam War and joined the Naval Reserve in 1966 following her Army discharge. She retired from military service in 1987.

St. Mary’s KC plans turkey bingo Sunday

SPOKANE VALLEY – The St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus will have its annual Turkey Bingo on Sunday in the parish hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Road, at 2 p.m. Cost is six bingo cards for $5 or $1 each.

Child care offered at TAC for Black Friday shoppers

SPOKANE VALLEY – Theater Arts for Children will provide child care for Black Friday shoppers on Nov. 23.

Parents can drop off their children, ages 5 and older, at 2114 N. Pines Road from 5 a.m. to noon. Cost is $15 per child. Theater Arts is also in need of a few teenagers to help out with the event.

To reserve a space for your child and for information email email@theaterarts forchildren.org or visit www.theaterarts forchildren.org.