In brief: Film fest at Bing concludes Monday

DOWNTOWN – The current Classics at the Bing Film Festival concludes Monday at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane with the showing of “High Society,” starring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly.

“We thought it would be fitting to end this festival of vintage movies with a Bing film,” said Bill Stimson, president of the Advocates for the Bing Crosby Theater, the sponsoring group. “May 3 is Bing’s birthday, so we will be serving birthday cake and punch free to film-goers.”

And from the Crosby Collection at Gonzaga University, a 1955 letter from Crosby will be on display. In the letter which Crosby dictated while at a fishing camp, he speaks of the upcoming production of “High Society” and questions whether Sinatra is right for the role. “It gives a little glimpse of how Bing Crosby worked,” Stimson said.

The film shows at 7 p.m. with a $5 donation suggested. Information is available at bingcrosbytheater advocates.com.

St. Luke’s to offer stroke screening

EAST CENTRAL – St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute and Community Health Education and Resources will offer free stroke screenings May 22 at St. Luke’s, 711 S. Cowley St., from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The screenings will include a check of blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose, body fat and carotid artery assessment.

Full lipid panels will be available for $20 per person.

Appointments are required. To register, visit www.cherspokane.org or call (509) 232-8138.

Accordion group to perform Tuesday

DOWNTOWN – The Spokane Accordion Ensemble will perform “Movie Themes” on Tuesday at the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave., at 7 p.m.

Cost is a $10 suggested donation at the door.

Donations from the concert will help fund ensemble expenses and scholarships.

EWU reading council wins recognition

CHENEY – The Eastern Reading Council, a professional organization run by Eastern Washington University students which promotes literacy, was recently named an Honor Council by the International Reading Association.

Six EWU students who are outgoing ERC officers helped achieve the national honor, including Lisa Schmidt, Amy Umemoto, Samantha Stroh, Selena Baltutat; Amy Woiwood and Brie Reno.

To promote reading, the ERC encourages educational training through various activities, participates in community services, acts as a clearinghouse for literacy information and informs the university and surrounding community of literacy-related events.

For more information, call (509) 720-7747.