In brief: Hearing examiner grants rezone

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane Valley Hearing Examiner has granted approval of a requested rezone for a vacant parcel of land located just east of Evergreen Road and immediately to the northwest of the end of Alki Avenue. The property is owned by Arger Real Estate. There is not yet a development proposal for the property.

The land was rezoned from single family to single family-urban, which allows multi-family housing such as duplexes and assisted living facilities. A handful of neighbors testified against the rezone, expressing concern about increased traffic and inadequate access from Alki. Hearing Examiner Mike Dempsey wrote in his decision that their concerns were “generally unsubstantiated and/or insufficient to provide a basis for denying the proposed rezone.”

Toy drive benefits children’s hospital

SPOKANE VALLEY – Coulter Family Dentistry, 12121 E. Broadway Ave., Building 2, is having a toy drive for Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. New, unopened toys may be dropped off at the office through Dec. 16. Call: (509) 209-8747.

Spaghetti dinner will be Nov. 24

NORTHEAST – The American Italian Club’s 45th annual spaghetti dinner is on Nov. 24 from noon to 6 p.m. at Gonzaga Preparatory School, 1224 E. Euclid Ave. The dinner also features a bake sale of Italian cookies and desserts. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner are $9; $5, for children younger than 13, and children younger than 6 get in for free. Call: (509) 467-6389.

Free holiday plant lecture Saturday

MANITO – Spokane County-WSU Master Gardener Steve Nokes shares tips and recommendations on how to maintain and grow holiday plants like Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti, poinsettias and amaryllis on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Manito Meeting Room, 4 W. 21st Ave. The lecture is free and sponsored by The Friends of Manito. Call: (509) 456-8038.