In brief: Turnbull to hold Winter Festival

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge’s annual Winter Festival is Dec. 8, featuring the WSU raptor program, a track-making activity for children and music from local musicians.

Coffee and cookies and chili and cornbread will be provided. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. Donations will benefit the environmental education programs on the refuge. Call 235-2760 or 928-4673 for more information. Because of a detour at the railroad crossing on Cheney-Plaza Road, visitors should take Cheney-Spangle Road across the tracks, take the first right (on Alki Road), continue to Cheney-Plaza Road, then drive five miles south on Cheney-Plaza Road to the refuge entrance.

Lincoln Heights/ Southgate

Ferris band hosts dance, fundraiser

The Ferris High School Band programs will present a USO Swing Dance and Dessert Auction Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. in the new gym at the school, 3020 E. 37th Ave.

The Ferris High School Jazz Orchestra will perform, and there will be a silent auction, a live dessert auction and a swing dance.

Tickets are $5 at the door and will benefit the band programs of the school.

For more information, call Brenda Bray at 990-3728.

Spokane

Officials warn of utility-bill scam

The city of Spokane is warning residents to be aware of a possible scam to collect money on overdue utility bills at customers homes based on a recent complaint from a customer.

While utility employees may collect money to prevent customers from having their water shut off, they will be easily identifiable, said Marlene Feist, public affairs officer.

Utility employees will be driving marked city vehicles, wear identifiable job clothing, carry a city identification card and will provide a numbered city receipt in exchange for payment.

Anyone with a concern or questions or anyone who wants to verify an employee’s status should contact the city utility billing office at 625-6000.

West Hills

Group offering meth education

The Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council will present a four-hour Meth Education Event Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, Building 11, 4000 Randolph Road.

The event will include presentations from the Spokane County Drug Endangered Children Project, the Washington State Patrol, and other organizations.

A buffet lunch will be provided.

The presentation is free, but participants should bring a new stuffed animal for the Teddy Bear for Drug Endangered Children project.

For more information, call 922-8383.

North Hill

Gallery presents craft workshop

The Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave., is offering Christmas craft workshop with local artists on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Artists Sondra Barrington and Kurt Madison will assist in creating unique bracelets, precious metal clay beads and polymer clay gift tags. Workshop fees range from $5 for clay gift tags to $40 for all crafts. Each project takes an hour.