In brief: Blazabbit finishes second in challenge
SPOKANE COUNTY – Matt Huit and Jared Harmer returned from the five-day grueling Top Truck Challenge in Hollister, Calif., with a second place finish.
Their mega truck features the body of a Volkswagen Rabbit on a Chevy Blazer frame set on 54-inch wheels and is affectionately known as the Blazabbit.
Huit, Harmer and their crew competed in events such as the Frame Twister and the Coal Chute, a cement course where a drive down stairs sends the rig into a deep trough of water.
The contest is sponsored by Four Wheeler magazine that had this to say about the Spokane team: “They did put on a great show for everyone and managed the only finish in the incredibly tough and slippery Coal Chute which helped them earn a hard fought second place finish.”
Fire District 8 appoints new commissioner
SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokane County Fire District 8 has selected Chuck Vyverberg as its newest fire commissioner.
Vyverberg was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of commissioner Greg Hesse. He was one of five candidates for the position.
Vyverberg has lived in the district for more than 30 years and has worked for Comcast for 37 years. He holds a degree in radio and television management from Eastern Washington University and is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 79 in Spokane.
Saturday fundraiser to benefit fire group
NEWMAN LAKE – The Newman Lake Fire Auxiliary and Newman Lake SCOPE will host its annual hot dog and T-shirt fundraiser Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Moab Junction Exxon station at Trent Avenue and Starr Road.
Proceeds from the event benefit Newman Lake Fire and Rescue.
Donations will be collected for the families of the firefighters killed in a fertilizer plant explosion in Texas in April.
Manito gardener’s talk about growing roses
SOUTH HILL – Steve Smith, lead gardener at Manito Park’s Rose Hill, is giving a lecture on rose growing at 10 a.m. July 20.
The lecture covers growing, pruning, feeding and winterizing roses.
Free with registration. The lecture will be held at the Manito Meeting Room, just east of the Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave.
Call: (509) 456-8038.
Volunteers needed to help with Spokefest
SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokefest is seeking volunteers for its Sept. 8 event.
Spokefest features various bike routes, a bike rodeo and many other bicycle related events and vendors.
Register at www.spokefest.org or email anamatt24@gmail.com
Whitworth plans ministry session
SPOKANE COUNTY – Whitworth University’s Institute of Ministry runs Monday through July 12 and features theologians Carolyn Gordon and James K.A. Smith speaking on the theme, “For Such a Time as This: Ancient Christian Wisdom for Postmodern Times.”
Participation in the institute’s worship services in the Seeley Mudd Chapel at 7 p.m. each day is free.
For more information visit www.whitworth.edu/wim or call (509) 777-4345.
Run benefits Kenya water projects
SPOKANE COUNTY – The fourth annual SpoKenya Run/Walk is planned for July 20 with a start time at 9 a.m. at Life Center Church, 1202 N. Government Way.
The route is 4.3 miles and proceeds go to support clean drinking water projects in Kenya.
Registration is $20 by Friday, or $25 from July 8-14. Registration with a T-shirt is $5 extra. Register online at www.spokenyarun.org or call (509) 290-1036 for more information.