Tea At The Davenport Will Benefit St. Luke’s

Celebrate the arrival of spring surrounded by an abundance of flowers … and tea for two.

St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute presents its annual “Festival of Flowers,” an elegant three-course English Tea at the historic Davenport Hotel.

The festive fund-raiser is March 9 with two seatings: 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Along with tea, enjoy scrumptious delicacies, fresh floral arrangements and piano accompaniment, then browse through boutiques offering garden decor and unique giftware.

Tickets are $25; a table for eight can be reserved for $200.

Event proceeds benefit adaptive sports and wellness programs at St. Luke’s, a comprehensive hospital whose primary purpose is to help patients reach their highest levels of independence through successful rehabilitation.

For reservations, call 838-7206.

Additional fund-raisers

The 11th annual Broomball Tournament on Saturday will benefit individuals in our community who live with the challenges of muscular dystrophy.

Sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the tournament is from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Riverfront Park Ice Palace.

Form your team of at least six people (two must be women) and sign up at the MDA office, 1009 N. Washington, Suite A. Or register by phone, 325-3747.

There is no registration deadline.

The Environmental Science department at Spokane Community College hosts the annual Spring Craft Fair.

The fund-raising event is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Lair-Student Center on SCC’s campus, 1810 N. Greene.

Handmade crafts will be featured by more than 100 Inland Northwest artisans.

Proceeds from the event help support student scholarships and activities sponsored by SCC environmental science clubs.

The fair is free and open to the public. For more information, call 533-7260.

Enjoy an evening of excellent wines, superb cuisine and elegant music at “The Chef’s Culinary Classic,” Feb. 28, to benefit Children’s Miracle Network.

Fifteen chefs will prepare a seven-course dinner at Manito Golf and Country Club, 5305 S. Hatch Road. Each course is served with a specially-selected wine.

The evening begins at 6 with a silent auction and social hour, followed by dinner at 7.

Tickets are $110 each. Seating is limited and reservations are required; call 455-4955.

The Children’s Miracle Network benefits pediatric patients at eight area hospitals and medical centers. Additional sponsors of the event are GTE Wireless Services and the American Culinary Federation Chefs de Cuisine of the Inland Northwest.

Baby-sitting training

“Baby-sitting Basics” will be offered Saturday to children 11 and older. The class is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Deaconess Community Programs office, 801 W. Fifth, Suite 619.

The one-day seminar is sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

Community health educators will teach the responsibilities of baby sitters, infant and toddler care, child and sitter safety, first aid techniques, infant and child CPR and more.

Tuition is $15; pre-payment and preregistration is required. Call 744-7666.

Ms. Wheelchair Pageant

The 1997 Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant is a celebration of achievement for those whose only limitation is their mobility. Registration is open to contestants wishing to compete in the pageant May 9 and 10 in Tacoma.

The pageant is an opportunity for wheelchair-bound women to receive recognition for personal and professional accomplishments, and for the winner to serve as a spokesperson for the thousands of disabled people in the state and nation.

Emphasizing capability, productivity and creativity of individuals with disabilities, the pageant also helps educate the public regarding the basic values of persons with disabilities.

Winner of Washington’s pageant will compete for the national title at the 25th Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant in Westminster, Colo., in August.

Eligible women must be residents of Washington, 21 to 60 years old and use a wheelchair full-time for mobility.

To enter, contact Elaine Stefanowicz, pageant coordinator, (206) 565-5863. Registration deadline is March 15.

Community notes

The YWCA Domestic Violence support group offers ongoing care to any woman who feels controlled, trapped, intimidated or abused by her partner.

The group meets Mondays, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Caritas Center, 3405 W. Weile.

Learn about the cycle of violence in a safe, confidential, supportive and nurturing setting.

Admission is free. For more information, call 326-CALL.

Learn the history of Spokane’s park system in a new informational video created by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

The colorful, 10-minute video also explains how the donations and gifts received through the Park and Recreation Foundation support parks and programs.

The video is narrated by Kim Jones, Don Kardong, Mark Rypien, Craig Blanchett and Ken Spiering.

The complimentary video is available for showing at community gatherings. For more information, contact Marion Severud, 625-6297.

, DataTimes MEMO: Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.