In brief: Arboretum ground breaking Friday

The city of Liberty Lake will hold a tree planting ceremony to break ground for the city’s new arboretum, called Nature’s Place at Meadowwood.

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Friday off Country Vista Drive between City Hall and the Garden Ridge neighborhood.

Greenacres

Bake sale to benefit Dorothy Maidhoff

The Spokane Valley Good Samaritan will host an auction and bake sale fundraiser for employee Dorothy Maidhoff, who has cancer in her spine and bones.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. next Saturday at the Good Samaritan, 17028 E. Eighth Ave. Admission is free. Proceeds from the auction and sale will be used for Maidhoff’s medical expenses. She has been an employee for 40 years. Donations can also be dropped off at any U.S. Bank.

VERADALE

Karate competition next Saturday

The 2008 Washington State Karate Championships will be held next Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan Road.

The tournament will include forms, weapons, point sparring and musical forms for ages 6 and up (including adults). Competitors will be divided into divisions based on age and experience level. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

The event is being hosted by Elite Martial Arts, which has locations in Spokane Valley and the South Hill. The cost is $49.99 for an unlimited number of competition categories. Admission for spectators is $10.

All proceeds from the second-annual event will be donated to Candlelighters, which provides services to children who have cancer and their families. Last year’s event raised $10,000.

Call 838-KICK or visit washingtonstatekarate championships.com to register or for more information.

– Nina Culver

Spokane Valley

SVBA endorses sales tax increase

The Spokane Valley Business Association has endorsed the 0.1 percent sales tax increase for emergency communications, said SVBA president R. Terry Lynch. The tax measure will be on the May 20 ballot.

Rob Behm earns photo award

Rob Behm, photography instructor at University High School, has been awarded the Fuji Masterpiece award for a wedding album, by the Professional Photographers of Washington.

In addition, Behm was named Volunteer of the Year for his ongoing efforts to bring education to professionals and students of photography across the state.

– From staff reports