Turnbull refuge fundraiser will benefit wildlife programs
The education program at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge will hold its annual fundraising auction Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Northern Quest Casino, N. 100 Hayford Road in Airway Heights. There will be silent and live auctions as well as a raffle for items ranging from a side of beef, to artwork, to a canoe trip down the Spokane River.
Friends of Turnbull member Charmaine Gural said this is the primary money-raising event for AmeriCorps volunteer stipends. Each year AmeriCorps volunteers teach between 8,000 and 10,000 local children about environmental awareness and conservation through the education program at Turnbull.
Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers, and are available at Ben Franklin in Cheney and REI in Spokane. For more information, call Gural at (509) 235-2760.
EWU presents ‘Rain’
The theater program of Eastern Washington University presents “Three Days of Rain,” directed by Sara Goff, today through Sunday at various times.
The play follows two quarrelling siblings and their childhood friend as they try to unearth what went on between them years before while settling the estates of their late fathers. A second act has the actors portraying their parents in 1960, and the story shifts when secrets are revealed. Three actors and a behind-the-scenes team of 12 have been working on the play since the start of spring quarter in late March.
EWU junior Curtis Chandler, audio designer and operator for the play, said the production is unique in that the audience is seated on stage, parallel with the action. Chandler said that while his job is relatively light work, it’s vital to the show. “If there’s no sound of rain, there’s no ‘Three Days of Rain.’ ”
Visit www.ewu.edu/x5070.xml for more information and show times.
Parade accepting entries
The Historic Downtown Cheney Partnership is seeking entries for the first ever Mayfest Community Parade, which will line up at 10:30 a.m. behind Cheney City Hall at C and Second streets.
In tandem with other Mayfest celebrations taking place May 30, kids, families, businesses and groups are welcome to dress up and deck out a bike or a unique vehicle for the procession. Awards will be given to the most distinctive entries. Entry is free for children, $5 for adults and nonprofits and $25 for businesses and politicians. Forms are available at www.downtowncheney.org.
The Downtown Partnership is also sponsoring a flower basket hanging party May 23 to beautify downtown Cheney. Spencer Grainger, interim executive director of the organization, said they’ve been raising funds over the last few months for the baskets, which are set to arrive May 22. Grainger said he and the board of directors invite anyone from the community to help.
“Bring your gardening gloves and come on down,” he said. Contact Grainger at (509) 559-5818 for details.
Sign up for co-ed softball
Co-ed softball signup has commenced for the season through the MAC adult sports league, a partnership of Medical Lake, Airway Heights and Cheney.
The league will consist of between 8 and 16 teams that will play at parks throughout the West Plains, though most games will take place at Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park. Signup deadline is June 26, and games will take place every Sunday from July 12 to Sept. 27.
Medical Lake Parks and Recreation coordinator Ashlee King said that due to the sport’s increasing popularity, MAC decided to extend the season to 11 weeks from last year’s six.
“It’s still pretty nice around here in September,” said King. “This is a great way for local teams to get out on a Sunday afternoon and play.”
For registration and pricing information, call King at (509) 565-5007.
Walk for homeless teens
EWU graduate students in the Physical Education and Health Recreation program are asking community members to join them for the first annual Walking Solution, a fundraising event to raise money for homeless teens in the area. The students are teaming with Crosswalk, the largest teen shelter in the county, for a three-mile walk through Cheney’s Mayfest celebrations May 30.
For $15 participants can register individually or with a team for the walk, which will begin at 9 a.m. at EWU’s campus mall. Request an entry form via e-mail at walkingsolution@live.com. All entries must be in by May 22.