In brief: Spokane Valley Chamber names award winners

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the 2014 Awards of Excellence winners at a dinner on Jan. 31. The winners are picked by the members. They are:

Charity/Cultural Services – Greater Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels.

Community Caring Award – Toys for Tots.

Entrepreneur Award – Barry Baker, for entrepreneurial vision improving the community.

Small Business of the Year – Simply Northwest.

Large Business of the Year – Mirabeau Park Hotel.

Dick Brantley was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year, and John Guarisco was named Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

School districts chose Educators of the Year: Jennell McLaughlin, Central Valley School District; Jerry Call, East Valley School District, and Warryn Hansen, West Valley School District.

The 2014 Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year Award went to Marlene “Marti” Hollenback, president of Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep.

Seed library, exchange planned

OTIS ORCHARDS – The Otis Orchard Library is opening a seed lending library with a seed exchange and a class on propagation from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 7.

A seed library lets gardeners take home seeds early in the season, then grow the plants and leave one or two to go to seed in the fall.

Those seeds are then collected and returned to the library for someone else to use.

This is also the inaugural event for a series of classes featuring Master Gardeners.

The next class is on Inland Northwest Vegetable Gardening featuring Master Gardener Marilyn Carothers from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 14.

All classes and events are at the Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave.

Call: (509) 893-8200.

Quartets offer singing valentines

SPOKANE COUNTY – Pages of Harmony barbershop quartets will deliver singing valentines on Feb. 13 and 14.

Singers will go to homes, offices, hospitals, restaurants or schools.

The valentine packages include two songs, a card, balloon bouquet and a red rose. They cost $50 if ordered by Feb. 12; $75 if ordered Feb. 13 or 14.

To make a reservation, call (509) 926-4201 or (509) 999-6223. For more information, visit www. pagesofharmony.org or email pagesofharmony@ yahoo. com.

Latah to celebrate grand opening

DOWNTOWN – A new downtown tasting room for Latah Wine Cellars is celebrating its grand opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday as part of the monthly First Friday arts event.

Latah Creek is teaming up with Bozzi Gallery to merge wine tasting with art appreciation.

For Friday’s event, the wine tasting bar will be offering $5 pours for a glass of wine and 10 percent off a bottle purchase.

The tasting room and gallery, 221 N. Wall St., Suite 226, are in the skywalk that connects River Park Square with Old City Hall.

Regular hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays with extended hours to 8 p.m. on each first Friday of the month.