In brief: Stanek’s plans cancer fundraiser

LINCOLN HEIGHTS – Stanek’s Nursery, 2929 E. 27th Ave., will host “Pink Day” a breast cancer fundraiser, on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., as part of the Invincibelle Spirit Campaign to raise $1 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

During the daylong event, the Orchid Society will be at Stanek’s to help customers with orchid repotting and offer free seminars. Hot dogs will be served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a plant giveaway will also be included.

As part of the campaign, garden centers will display the new Invincibelle Spirit pink “Annabelle” hydrangea. For every Invincibelle Spirit hydrangea sold, $1 will be donated to the foundation.

Foreign students need host families

SPOKANE COUNTY – Host families are needed for international high school students.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange is looking for families to host students from Germany, the former Soviet Union, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, Croatia, Korea, Mexico, Slovakia and China, between the ages of 15 and 18. They are English-speaking, have their own spending money, carry accident and health insurance and are excited to share cultural experiences with American families.

Families interested in learning more about student exchange can call (866) 546-1402. The agency also has travel/study program opportunities available for American high school students.

Spokane woman in MDA campaign

SPOKANE – The Muscular Dystrophy Association recently selected Spokane-area resident Jennifer Hoff to be profiled in its national campaign promoting awareness of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Hoff is one of 31 individuals featured in the campaign, in the MDA online series “ALS: Anyone’s Life Story.” People featured in the series discuss what it’s like to live with ALS and how they’ve learned to adapt to the deadly, progressively paralyzing condition. Hoff was diagnosed with ALS in April 2006. Her photo feature will appear on MDA’s ALS Awareness Month website on Monday.

To read Hoff’s story and for more information visit www.mda.org.

Plant advice available at forum

MANITO/CANNON HILL – The Friends of Manito will present Janis Saiki’s “Plants that Deliver” on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Manito Meeting Room.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about plants available to enhance a garden and make it an interesting contrast in form, texture and color.

To reserve a seat and for more information call (509) 456-8038. Seating is limited.

The event is free and open to the public.

Benefit planned for center for deaf

WEST HILLS – On Saturday, community members are invited to a yard sale at 3427 W. Seventh Ave., across from Whittier Park, to benefit the Eastern Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Items for sale include furniture, bedding, clothes and jewelry, kitchenware and tools.

For more information call (509) 328-9220.

Can drive to help Meals on Wheels

MANITO/CANNON HILL/RIVERSIDE – Second-grader Daniel Close will begin his third annual aluminum can drive to benefit Meals on Wheels of Spokane.

Close began his own aluminum can recycling business known as “Dan’s Cans” and uses funds from his business to purchase gas vouchers for Meals on Wheels volunteers who can no longer afford fuel. Aluminum cans may be dropped off at 2111 S. Tekoa St. or 1222 W. Second Ave. during June.

For more information call (509) 624-2980.

Carson Park dedication set

NORTHWEST – Carson Park, 5701 N. Assembly St., will be officially dedicated on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The Northwest Neighborhood Council recommended the name for the new neighborhood park at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, after Dick and Dorothy Carson, who were charter members for the neighborhood council. Both are also active members of the Northeast Kiwanis Club of Spokane.