A school supply drive to benefit needy students begins from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Fred Meyer at 400 S. Thor St.

Patrons can drop off donations of crayons, glue, paper and backpacks at any Fred Meyer location through Sept. 3. All donations will be given to the Salvation Army to be distributed to children in need and to children staying at Sally’s House, the charity’s emergency foster care program.

The first 100 people to donate today at the Thor Fred Meyer will receive complimentary Salvation Army doughnuts.

Families needing help with school expenses, including food and clothing, can call the Salvation Army Family Services Office at 325-6821.

– From staff reports

SPOKANE

Pools close Friday for the season

Friday is the last day to get swim time in at the five Spokane Parks and Recreation’s public pools.

The pools close for the season at 4 p.m., with the exception of Witter Pool, which will be open for lap swimming from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 19.

The cost of lap swimming is $2 or a valid extended season lap pass.

Until Friday at 4 p.m., kids 17 and younger swim for free. Adults 18 and older swim for $2. Open swim at all five pools is from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the Pool Hotline at 625-6960.

Art of Recovery event Sept. 15

The Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council’s Prevention Center will present the Second Annual Art of Recovery Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the north Shelter of Mission Park, 1200 E. Mission.

The event will feature speakers Judge Richard White of Spokane County District Court, and Lynn Soderquist, the community outreach specialist for GSSAC.

There will also be musicians, painters, sculptors, jewelry artists, photographers, dancers and more.

Lunch will be available from ROAR, or Reaching Out Advocating Recovery for a nominal fee.

For more information, call Soderquist at 922-8383, or e-mail lsoderquist@gssacprevention center.com.

NORTH SPOKANE COUNTY

Sheriff’s office to hold open house

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will offer an open house at SCOPE North, 9435 N. Newport Highway, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SCOPE, or Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort, provides neighborhood outreach stations that provide a safe living environment for the community and increase citizen’s awareness of community-oriented services.

The open house will provide information about volunteer opportunities, the Neighborhood Watch program and Operation Family ID.

For more information, call Diana Somerville, the coordinator of Neighborhood Watch, at 477-6377.

– Lisa Leinberger