Plogging with Athleta
Have more than a passing thought on your morning jog as you pass by discarded coffee cups, plastic bags and other litter along your route. Plogging, a fitness-meets-environmental-awareness trend that's essentially just jogging while picking up trash, began in Sweden and has now made its way to the Inland Northwest. Weekly through February, a group meets at Riverfront Park to jog around the park and the downtown core while picking up trash to help beautify the city. Warm back up after the run with hot coffee and cocoa in the Sky Ribbon Cafe. Meets Tuesdays through February from 5-6:30 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, Sky Ribbon Cafe, 507 N. Howard. riverfrontspokane.com (625-6600)
Brain Injury Alliance Fundraiser
March is Brain Injury Awareness month, and to raise awareness and financial support for local individuals who've been affected by a brain injury — as many as one in 10 people are affected — the Spokane chapter of the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington is hosting its annual fundraiser. The ticketed event includes a silent auction and hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to learn more about the local nonprofit's work. Its mission is to "increase public awareness, support and hope for those affected by brain injury through education, assistance and advocacy." Fri, March 1 from 6-9 pm. $50/person. DoubleTree Hotel, 322 N. Spokane Falls Ct. biawaspokane.org (321-0750)
Spokane Home & Yard Show
Gear up for gardening season and more at the 41st annual Spokane Home & Yard Show, which boasts hundreds of displays, demonstrations and other helpful resources for both DIY-ers and the green-thumb-inclined. In store during this year's four-day event are soothing landscape design ideas to inspire a new backyard oasis, kitchen setups that would make any chef happy and much more. Thu, Feb. 28 and Fri, March 1 from noon-8 pm; Sat, March 2 from 10 am-7 pm; Sun, March 3 from 10 am-5 pm. $8/weekend admission; kids 12 and under free. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana. custershows.com (924-0588)
Northwest Pet Expo
Be prepared to pamper the pawed residents of your home during this annual event that's gone to the dogs. This year's expo is expanding into another exhibit hall of the fairgrounds, which means more vendors, along with adoptable animals and activities (a police K9 demo, canine fashion show and more) that fully focus on our furry family members and their well being. This year's event is hoping to break attendance and adoption records from last year: more than 4,000 humans came and more than 50 animals were adopted from local agencies. If you go, please leave your pets at home for their own safety and comfort. Sat, March 30 from 10 am-6 pm. $3/ages 5-12; $5/age 13+. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana. facebook.com/northwestpetexpo
