Back-to-school supply drive under way

SPOKANE COUNTY – Unity in the Community, Spokane’s signature multicultural celebration, has kicked off its annual back-to-school supplies drive. Organizers are asking for donations of backpacks, calculators, notebook paper, pens, pencils, markers, rulers, padlocks and other school necessities for kids attending kindergarten through eighth grade.

Donated supplies will be bagged and distributed to approximately 500 children at Unity in the Community’s Cultural Villages, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 15 at Riverfront Park.

Drop-off locations include: East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St.; Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St.; Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St., Building 6, Student Activities Office; Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive, Building 17, Student Activities Office; Institute for Extended Learning, 3305 W. Fort George Wright Drive, Lodge; Eastern Washington University, Governor Martin Alumni House, Cheney campus; Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., lobby; Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave.; and Washington State University Spokane, 601 W 1st Ave. Prepackaged items may be purchased for donation at Albertsons, at 1617 W. Northwest Blvd.

Deadline for donations is Aug. 7.

For more information about Unity in the Community, visit www.nwunity.org. To become a sponsor for the drive, call Jim Mohr at (509) 279-6081 or Mark Beattie at (509) 313-6658.

First-time homebuyer classes offered

EMERSON/GARFIELD – Community Frameworks, a local nonprofit, will continue a series of classes to educate potential first-time homebuyers. “Understanding Credit” will be at 315 W. Mission Ave. on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.

Other classes include “Managing Your Finances” on Aug. 12, and “Mortgage Basics” on Aug. 19. There will be a first-time homebuyer informational meeting” on Aug. 24.

The classes provide homebuyers with homeownership opportunities and help working families learn to plan and save. Community Frameworks helps first-time homebuyers build and purchase new homes, offers free one-on-one credit and budget counseling, and teams up with other organizations to develop affordable housing projects for low-income and homeless people and people with special needs.

The classes are free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required.

To register and for more information, call (509) 484-6733, ext. 117 or visit www.community frameworks.org.

Sprague roadwork to last five weeks

SPOKANE VALLEY – Drivers in Spokane Valley will experience lane restrictions along Sprague Avenue between University and Evergreen roads for the next five weeks because of street resurfacing. The project began Sunday.

Road work will be conducted from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday. Restrictions will limit lanes in each direction during work hours, with only minor lane restrictions during the day.

After the project is completed in late August, Sprague will have bicycle lanes in each direction, sidewalk ramp upgrades, storm water system upgrades, and modifications to signals and traffic islands.

For more information, call Shane Arlt at (509) 688-0043 or e-mail sarlt@spokanevalley.org.

Park board will meet at Manito Park

MANITO – The Spokane Park Board will meet Monday and July 31 at 7 a.m. in the Garden Center meeting room in Manito Park, 4 W. 21st Ave. The meeting room is located in the maintenance compound east of the Gaiser Conservatory.

Real estate matters will be discussed at both meetings.No public testimony will be taken.

For more information, call (509) 625-6203 or visit www.spokanecity.org.