In brief: Library checks out state park passes

Library users can now go to Spokane County Library branches to check out a Discover Pass, which allows people to park their cars at all Washington State Parks.

The passes are part of a kit that includes a backpack, binoculars, wildlife and bird field guides, trail maps and other materials. Discover passes are usually limited to use in one specific vehicle, but the passes available at the libraries are generic and can be used in any vehicle.

The kits are part of the Check Out Washington pilot program designed to encourage people to get outside and discover Washington parks. Local parks include Mount Spokane, the Centennial Trail, Riverside State Park, the Nine Mile Recreation Area, the Columbia Plateau Trail, Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls.

The library district has 11 backpacks available that can be checked out for up to seven days at a time. They can be reserved in advance by library patrons online at www.scld.org.

Actor-author Victor Rivas Rivers to speak at women’s lunch

The Women Helping Women Fund has broken with tradition and announced actor and author Victor Rivas Rivers as the keynote speaker at this year’s benefit luncheon.

This is only the second time since 1993 that a woman has not given the keynote speech at the annual fundraising luncheon. Rivers is the author of “A Private Family Matter,” a book about his upbringing in a home filled with domestic violence abuse.

The Women Helping Women Fund is a nonprofit organization that works to empower women and children and create healthy families by giving grants to other nonprofit organizations. The fund has raised more than $6 million for hundreds of programs since it was founded.

The luncheon is scheduled for May 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Spokane Convention Center. Tickets are $125 and are available online at whwfspokane.org.