In brief: Little League starts Saturday

LIBERTY LAKE – Riverview Little League will have its opening day ceremonies Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon at Pavillion Park.

League President Ben Abshire will welcome players and their families. After the event, two major division teams play their first game, either at Rookie Field at Pavillion Park, or at Central Valley High School, beginning at 1 p.m.

All teams and players will be announced and will need to be at the park at 9:45 a.m. For more information, call (509) 927-BALL or visit www.riverviewlittle league.com.

Discovery marks opening Friday

SPOKANE VALLEY – Discovery Playground, 2426 N. Discovery Place, will have its season opening Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.

The celebration will focus on environmental awareness and will include a tree planting ceremony. The mayor and city officials will join the public in planting trees near the playground. Vendors will be located near the shelter area in the playground where attendees can receive their own seedling to take home to plant and get information on recycling, energy conservation and other ways to be green.

For more information, call recreation coordinator Jennifer Papich at (509) 720-5408 or email jpapich@spokanevalley .org.

Golf clubs seek new members

POST FALLS – The Links Ladies Golf Club and Men’s Golf Club are now accepting new members of all skill levels.

The women play Thursdays and men Wednesdays.

For more information, call Patti Marquis at (208) 777-7611.

Planning panel position open

SPOKANE VALLEY – There is an opening for a new Spokane Valley planning commissioner after former commissioner Arne Woodard was appointed to the Spokane Valley City Council last week. Applications for the position are available at www.spokanevalley.org or can be picked up at City Hall. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on May 3.

The commission reviews land use rules, development regulations and other city laws and makes recommendations to the City Council after holding public hearings. The commission generally meets twice a month. Applicants must live within the Spokane Valley city limits. The mayor will nominate a person to replace Woodard and that person must be confirmed by the City Council. The term of the vacant seat expires Dec. 31.

SCC to rev it up for Meals on Wheels

CHIEF GARRY PARK – Spokane Community College will host “Diesel Dyno Day” on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Technical Educational Division Automotive Department.

Participants can bring their powerful – or not so powerful – diesel truck and put it up on the SCC Diesel Chassis Dyno and make some noise and blow out some smoke. Three runs will cost $60 and proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels Spokane.

The event will include food and raffles and an opportunity to see the 2011/2012 diesel powered trucks from Ford, Chevy and Dodge dealerships.

Event helps family of restaurateur

OTIS ORCHARDS – A fundraiser will be held Saturday to benefit the family of Ronda Jo Emerson, who co-owned the Otis Grill at Harvard Road and Wellesley Avenue. She died in a snowmobiling accident in Montana in February.

The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Otis Grill and at Otis Orchards Elementary, which is located next to the restaurant. There will be a spaghetti feed for $7.99 a plate, plus a silent auction and a raffle. Donations can also be made to the Ronda Emerson memorial account at any Spokane Teachers Credit Union branch.