In brief: Salvation Army gives away free backpacks

DOWNTOWN – The Salvation Army’s annual back to school backpack distribution is today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Salvation Army has 4,817 backpacks filled with school supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A community resource fair is running at the same time, offering free dental care items, haircuts, vaccinations and other services.

The Salvation Army is located at 222 E. Indiana Ave.

Parents must bring valid ID and proof of address (like an Avista bill) and ID for any child receiving a backpack.

For more information, call (509) 329-2732.

Block party set at community center

EAST CENTRAL – The East Central Community Center is hosting its second annual Night Out Against Crime Community Block Party on Friday.

The event will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the 500 block of South Stone, just west of Fred Meyer on Thor Street.

There will be food, games, music, free haircuts, face painting and other activities.

For more information about the community center, visit http://ecspokane.org/.

Kids can get free vaccination shots

EAST CENTRAL – There will be a free childhood vaccination clinic today from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Liberty Park, 1704 E. Fourth Ave.

There will be limited supply of adult vaccines available, as well.

The clinic is sponsored by the Spokane Police Department, Group Health, Spokane Regional Health District and Amerigroup RealSolutions.

For more information, call Bethany Osgood at (509) 710-0472.

Area pools offer free dips this week

SPOKANE COUNTY – The Parks Foundation is sponsoring free swimming at area pools this week.

• Today, Cheney Outdoor Pool, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

• Friday, Northside Family Aquatics Center, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Liberty Aquatic Center, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Valley pools wind down hours

SPOKANE VALLEY – The last day of swimming at Valley Mission Pool, 11123 E. Mission Ave., is Saturday with open swim from 1 to 5 p.m. and from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Admission is $1 per person, children 5 and younger are free with a paying adult. Get a special family discount on Saturday, when one child age 12 and younger gets in for free with a paying adult.

The two other Spokane Valley pools stay open until Sept. 7.

After it closes to human swimmers, Valley Mission Pool is open for dog swimming.

Paws in the Pool will be Sunday from 1 to 2:15 p.m. for dogs weighing up to 59 pounds and 2:30-3:45 p.m. for dogs weighing 60 pounds or more.

On Monday the pool is open for all dogs weighing 40 pounds or more from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Dogs must be accompanied by a person at least 18 years old and must have current rabies vaccine certification.

All dogs must register before the event and the cost is $5 per dog – no more than two dogs per person.

To register call (509) 688-0300 or visit www.spokanevalley.org/ recreation.

Back-to-school event seeks help

CHIEF GARY NEIGHBORHOOD – The Mission Community Outreach Center, 1906 E. Mission Ave., is looking for volunteers to help with its annual back-to-school shoe and sock giveaway.

Help is needed Friday in two-hour shifts beginning at 11 a.m. and running through 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers may sign up at www.4mission.org or by calling (509) 536-5104.

Grant school’s picnic Saturday

SOUTH PERRY – The 16th annual Grant Grade School Potluck Picnic will be at Grant Park at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Anyone who attends the school is invited to participate. Bring a chair, card table and tableware. The group will gather under the large walnut tree on the east end of the park.

For more information, call Jim Nyborg at (509) 928-6962.

T-shirt design focus of contest

SPOKANE – The Fall Folk Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall with a T-shirt design contest. The winning prize is $100.

The design must include this text: “Spokane 20th Fall Folk Festival 2015.”

It can be no more than four colors and must be in Vector format, or be reproducible original artwork.

A suggested shirt color may be included.

Photoshop submissions are not accepted.

All entries must be submitted by Sept. 15.

Send submissions and questions to ffftshirts@hotmail.com.

Free ‘Big Hero 6’ screening at park

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department is showing “Big Hero 6” in Mirabeau Meadows Park on Friday with the movie beginning at 8:10 p.m.

Bring a picnic and set up early – there are free movie-related crafts scheduled for children before the show starts. The movie is free. For more information, call (509) 688-0300.