In brief: Summer safety fair for kids is today
HILLYARD – There’s a kids’ summer safety fair today at the Hillyard Skate Park, in Sharpley-Harmon Park, 6018 N. Regal St.
It’s sponsored by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and features bike safety courses, boat safety instruction, children’s activities and free pizza and ice cream.
The fair runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
Baskets for Babies birthday bash
SPOKANE VALLEY – The nonprofit Baskets for Babies is having a birthday celebration Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its offices, 9410 E. Sprague Ave.
A silent auction has been arranged to raise money for the organization, and visitors are encouraged to bring disposable diapers, baby blankets and socks in all sizes to stock Baskets for Babies and help area homeless organizations.
Vendors will be set up in the parking lot and there will be cake as well as many children’s activities all day at the free event.
Call: (509) 214-2634.
Special needs Soap Box Derby
LIBERTY LAKE – Spokane East Rotary Club will present its seventh annual Soap Box Derby for special needs kids Saturday at Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake.
Starting times are at 8:30 and 10 a.m. The race is intended to reward special needs children with the race of a lifetime. The children will be paired with volunteer drivers and a soap box derby race car. Participants will get a T-shirt and a medallion.
Sponsorships are still available by emailing Brent Wise at brent.wise@bankwith sterling.com.
To register a special needs child or to volunteer to drive, call Jeff Gratz at (509) 343-3344 or email jgratz@farmersagent.com.
Valleyfest Cycle Celebration July 27
SPOKANE VALLEY – Valleyfest’s Cycle Celebration will be July 27 at 7:30 a.m. at Mirabeau Meadows Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway.
There are three routes: The 50-mile “Hills Around the Valley” starts at 8 a.m. at the Mirabeau Meadows Trailhead of the Centennial Trail; the 25-mile “Adventure Ride,” starts at 9 a.m. and heads east along the Centennial Trail before turning south around Saltese Lake; and the 10-mile “Family Friendly,” ride starts at 9:30 a.m. from the Mirabeau Meadows Trailhead and travels along the Spokane River.
After the rides, David’s Pizza will be at the park, selling slices for $3 or two slices for $5.
Registration is $15 per person and includes a Cycle Celebration riding shirt and refreshments at comfort stations along the routes. For $30 you can register a family of four and get two riding shirts with additional shirts available for $12 each.
Register by Sunday to pick up your riding shirt when you pick up your packets.
Participants can register online at www.cycle celebration.com or by calling the Valleyfest offices at (509) 922-3299.
Newman Lake sale raises $2,100
NEWMAN LAKE – The Fire Auxiliary and Newman Lake SCOPE station held its annual hot dog and T-shirt sale July 5 at the Tri-Community Grange.
The groups raised more than $2,100 to benefit Newman Lake Fire and Rescue, the community’s volunteer fire department.
Fundraising dinner helps teacher
SPOKANE VALLEY – Friends of Rikki Dorsh, a teacher in the East Valley School District, will host a fundraising dinner July 25 to help her with the costs associated with her fight with Lyme disease.
The dinner will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at 202 N. Blake, Spokane Valley. Tickets are $20 and the cost includes two beverages.
Dorsh was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 and has been on a leave of absence from the district since February 2013. She has been at the West Clinic in Pocatello, Idaho, since August 2013 and her medical bills are in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The dinner will include a silent auction.
To make donations for Dorsh, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/RikAgainstTheTick, or stop by any Numerica Credit Union to donate to the “Friends and Family of Rikki Against Lyme,” account.