Region in brief: AARP Driver Safety classes offered

GREENACRES – The Good Samaritan Society will hold an AARP Driver Safety Program at its community center, 17121 E. Eighth Ave., on Wednesday and Thursday at 1 p.m.

The program will offer defensive driving techniques; new traffic laws and rules of the road; how to deal with aggressive drivers; how to safely use anti-lock brakes, air bags and safety belts; and how to handle problem situations such as left turns, right-of-way, interstate highway traffic, trucks and blind spots.

Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers.

For more information call Skip Berquam at (509) 448-9349 or Les Portner at (509) 893-2320.

Soccer registration under way

SPOKANE – Registration is now available for the 2010- ’11 Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club.

Soccer players age 9 to 17 can try out for the U10-U18 premier and U11 and U12 select season, between April 30 and June 8, and will be held by age group and competitive level. The tryouts will be at Andrew Rypien Field, 3501 N. Regal St.

To register, visit www.spokaneshadow.org.

For more information, call (509) 869-7347 or e-mail admin@spokaneshadow.org.

Reserve a seat for Royal Tea party

RIVERSIDE – Reservations for the Spokane Lilac Festival Royal Tea parties will close Monday.

The tea parties will be held on April 18 at the Davenport Hotel with Lilac Queen Hayley and the 2010 Royal Court.

All ages are invited to attend. Girls age 4 to 9 will be eligible to enter drawing to be a Junior Lilac Princess and ride on the float with the Royal Court in the Junior Lilac Parade May 8. Entrants must be present during the drawing.

Tickets for the tea are $20 and available through the Spokane Lilac Festival Office at (509) 535-4554.

Meeting Tuesday for homebuyers

CHENEY – Community Frameworks will hold an informational meeting about homeownership opportunities and affordable mortgage lending for first-time homebuyers on Tuesday at the Cheney Branch Library, 610 First St. in Cheney, at 6 p.m.

During the meeting, Community Frameworks will discuss Takoda Park, the new single family community located in the West Plains in the Cheney School District. Participants can learn how they can purchase a new-construction home with affordable financing and down payment assistance.

For more information call (509) 484-6733, ext. 117. For a full list of classes and informational meetings visit www.community frameworks.org.