In brief: Take dead tree to Ferris for recycling

The students and parents of the class of 2008 will take or pick up Christmas trees Saturday and Sunday and Jan. 5 and 6 in the Ferris High School west parking lot at the corner of 37th Avenue and Regal Street.

People can bring trees to the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. A minimum $5 donation is suggested for drop-off. Pick-up service is available for $12 ($7 senior citizen price).

To arrange for pick-up service, call 443-7059. No artificial trees will be accepted. The event will benefit the 2008 Ferris Senior All-Nighter.

– From staff reports

MANITO

Japanese Garden renamed to honor Tsutakawa

The Japanese Garden at Manito Park was recently renamed the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Memorial Garden in commemoration of the late Ed Tsutakawa and his work on both the garden and Spokane’s Sister City relationship with Nishinomiya, Japan.

The renaming had gained the support from the current mayor of Nishinomiya, Satoru Yamada, according to a Spokane parks press release.

Tsutakawa was a founder of the Sister City relationship with Nishinomiya in 1961 and he promoted the Sister City movement throughout his later years as well as development of the Japanese-style garden. He died in October 2006.

Born in Seattle in 1921, Tsutakawa as a child lived in Nishinomiya. He came to Spokane in 1944 after being held with his family in an internment camp in Idaho during World War II.

The name change was approved by the city Park Board on Dec. 13.

– Mike Prager

Downtown

City Hall to close for holiday

Spokane City Hall will be closed starting at noon on Monday, and all day on Tuesday, in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

The Spokane City Council will next meet on Wednesday, with a 3:30 p.m. briefing session and 6 p.m. legislative session. Both meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers in the lower level of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Tuesday.

All Spokane Public Library branches will be closed Tuesday, for New Year’s Day.

Garbage pickup and curbside recycling will be a day late following the Tuesday holiday, with normal Friday pickup occurring on Jan. 5. The waste-to-energy facility and the transfer stations will be closed Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Riverfront Park attractions, including the Ice Palace, Imax Theater, Spokane Falls Skyride and Carrousel, will be open on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Check www.spokaneriverfront park.com for hours of operation.

– From staff reports