In brief: Bloomsday opens registration site

Early-bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org.

Runners who sign up by Feb. 15 will have a chance to win a trip for two to the St. Patrick’s Day Dash in Seattle on March 15.

The 33rd annual Bloomsday will be May 3. Full details will be released in March at locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

Children’s skating lessons set to start

The “Learn to Skate” sessions at the Riverfront Park Ice Palace will begin on Saturday for children ages 4 and older.

The six-week lessons will run through Feb. 14 and will cost $59 per student or $44.25 for Ice Palace pass holders.

To register and for more information, call 456-4FUN or visit www.spokaneriverfront park.com.

Also beginning Saturday are “Learn to Play Hockey” and “Parent and Tot Lessons.”

For more information and to register call the Ice Palace or visit the Web site.

Carrousel closed until late February

Spokane’s historic Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park will be closed for its annual maintenance and restoration until Feb. 27.

The Carrousel will reopen for a yearlong “100 Years of Carrousel” celebration. Spokane’s historic landmark will turn 100 on July 18.

Scheduled events include a grand reopening on March 21 including antique cars and fire trucks, a historical tour and birthday cake. Author Nona Hengen will sign her book “Carrousel Odyssey” on April 18. A caricature artist, balloon animal artist, and more will be a part of the celebration on May 16. On June 13 there will be an ice-carving demonstration, a coloring contest, and Hengen will return. An old fashioned Fourth of July celebration is also planned.

The Carrousel’s true 100th birthday celebration will include free Carrousel rides, commemorative tokens and birthday cake.

For more information, visit www.spokaneparks.org.

Elk/Chattaroy

January senior social canceled

The Elk-Chattaroy-Deer Park Senior Social Organization will not be holding a meeting this month due to snow and winter weather conditions.

For more information, call Jean Martin at 238-4496.

Spokane Valley

SCRAPS makes plea in hard winter

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, located at 2521 N. Flora Road, is looking for help from the community.

Since October of 2008 SCRAPS has received over 200 puppies, more than any other recorded fall/winter season. To prevent the growing number of homeless dogs taken in at the animal shelter, it has offered spay/neuter vouchers, urging pet owners to spay and neuter their animals.

For more information regarding the vouchers or how to adopt a homeless pet call 477-2532.

As the snow continues to accumulate during Spokane’s increasingly harsh winter, SCRAPS has also seen a large number of cats come into the shelter hurt, neglected, and abused.

The animals, one thrown from a car into a snow bank, another brought in with a frozen tail, others with broken legs and other health problems, are in need of medical attention. SCRAPS is also reaching out to the community to help them with donations to pay for the medical emergencies.

Pet owners experiencing pet behavior problems may contact SCRAPS for free private pet behavioral counseling sessions.

Donations can be mailed to SCRAPS at 2521 N. Flora Road or by calling 477-2532.

Rainey Coffin

Chief Garry Park

Health Beauty show begins Saturday

The Spokane Health Beauty Spa Show will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lair at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St.

The event will offer minispa treatments such as massages, anti-aging treatments, hair removal, manicures and facials for $5 each.

There will also be a wellness fair featuring preventions, nutrition and healthy lifestyle options.

Admission is $7, and 10 percent of admission and treatment proceeds will benefit YWCA’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program. Admission is $5 with a donation of nonperishable food or hygiene items.

For more information, visit www.healthbeautyshow.com.

Lisa Leinberger