In brief: Tax service hosts drive for food bank

SPOKANE VALLEY – Spokane Valley Liberty Tax Service offices, at 1506 N. Pines Road and at 11305 E. Sprague Ave., will hold a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food bank, through April 2.

The business will offer a discount off tax preparation for each can of nonperishable food donated. Donations without tax preparation also are welcome.

Open house planned at new fire station

GREENACRES – The new Greenacres Fire Station will have a public open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spokane Valley Fire Department commissioners will be there and the second birthday of the department’s arson dog Mako will be celebrated with refreshments.

The fire safety house will allow kids to practice fire escape routines and an ambulance will be on display. People will be able to practice putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher.

The station, formerly known as Station 10, opened in November. It replaced a manufactured home that had been on the site at 17217 E. Sprague Ave. since 2004.

Gothmann receives leadership award

SPOKANE VALLEY – The National League of Cities has recognized Spokane Valley City Councilman Bill Gothmann for achieving the gold level in the organization’s Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program.

Gothmann completed training seminars on personal leadership growth, effective governance, communication and managing change. He is one of about 200 people to earn the gold level of achievement.

Group collecting shoes for disaster victims in Japan

SPOKANE – Soles4Souls, www.giveshoes.org, and Berg’s Shoes, 818 W. Sprague Ave., together plan to help the victims of the disaster in Japan.

Through April 16, community members can donate new and gently worn shoes for those who survived the devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this month. Shoes may be donated to Berg’s Shoes and at the following locations: Yoke’s Fresh Markets, 210 E. North Foothills Drive; Mount Spokane Church or Mount Spokane Early Learning Center, 6311 Mt. Spokane Park Drive; Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church, 212 S. Lincoln St.; and Bright Stars Early Learning Center, 2703 W. Northwest Blvd.

Bloomsday organizers seeking bands, drummers

SPOKANE – Organizers of the 35th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run, scheduled May 1, have requested bands, drummers, dancers and other performers interested in entertaining Bloomsday runners to sign up for one of the 35 spots available along the race route.

Forms are available at the Bloomsday office, 1610 W. Riverside Ave., or online at www.bloomsdayrun.org.

For more information call (509) 838-1579.

Organizers will review applications and select performers by April 15 for the 35 available spaces along the course. The top three performers will receive prize money of $500, $300 and $200.

The application deadline for musicians and performers is March 31.

Bloomsday runners can get their entry forms on the website at www.bloomsdayrun.org or pick up an entry form at Washington Trust Bank locations, Safeway stores and Spokane Sports Authority stores.

Registration open for Inland Northwest Soccer

SPOKANE COUNTY – Soccer players of all ages interested in joining an existing or new team in the Inland Northwest Soccer Association for the 2011 season may register and find more information at www.inlandnorth westsoccer.com.

Recreational soccer leagues are available for both men and women.

Annual golf event will be April 9-10

DOWNRIVER – The 10th annual Downriver Open will be on April 9 and 10 at Downriver Golf Course. The event includes a professional division, an intermediate division, an advanced division, and a recreational and junior division.

To register and for more information visit www.pdgasignup.com.

Registration closes April 7.