Seventh Annual Family-A-Fair Kicks Off This Friday

Get ready for the premier family event of autumn!

With exhibits, entertainment and educational offerings, there is something for everyone at the seventh annual Family-a-Fair this weekend at the Spokane Convention and Ag Trade Centers.

As the Convention Center’s largest weekend event - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. - the fair showcases the vast resources available to Inland Northwest families.

Opening ceremonies begin Friday evening at 7, as keynote speaker Jane Nelson presents “Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World.” Nelson is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author and counselor.

Nelson also offers two workshops on Saturday - 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. - speaking on “Why Children Misbehave and What To Do About It.”

The fair will feature costumed characters, festive dancing and more than 170 exhibits representing business and nonprofit agencies which will provide product and service information to families.

Some Family-a-Fair highlights:

STA’s D.A.R.E bus is transformed into “The Story Bus,” a kid’s storytelling haven with children’s books read each half-hour by community professionals.

KinderCare Learning Centers offers free child care for parents attending workshops.

The Spokane Art School provides free hourly hands-on activities for youngsters.

New this year, Seattle’s Pacific Science Center presents the “Super Cool Science Show,” four interactive workshops on Saturday at 11, noon, 3:30 and 4:30.

Tickets to hear Jane Nelson are $6 for the opening lecture, $10 for the workshop. A $12 package is also available, which includes lecture, workshop and fair admission. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Auntie’s Bookstore, The Children’s Corner Bookshop and Tidyman’s stores, or at the door beginning at 6 p.m., Friday.

Just going to the fair? Admission is $2 for adults purchased at the door, with kids 12 and under free.

For more information, look for a schedule of events on Friday in Weekend of The Spokesman-Review, or call 456-3733.

Community Events

“Unity in Our Community: Through Education Comes Understanding” is the title of a one-day conference sponsored by Spokane Community College.

The event, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday in SCC’s Lair Student Center, 1810 N. Greene, is free and open to the public.

Mayor Jack Geraghty opens the conference with a proclamation for unity, followed by the keynote address by the Rev. Happy Watkins of New Hope Baptist Church.

The conference will feature mini-workshops, student forums, panel discussions and a dramatic performance. Organizers hope the event will help stop the cycles of misunderstanding and intolerance in our community.

For more information, call Denise Osei , 533-7032.

The Eastern Washington University campus bookstore is sponsoring a food drive, Monday through Saturday, to help the Cheney Food Bank.

Donations of non-perishable items (flour, sugar, cereal, etc.) may be brought to the EWU Bookstore in the Pence Union Building. Contributors will receive coupons for a daily drawing, including a $150 grand prize drawing on Saturday.

For more information, call 359-2542.

Volunteers are needed to staff the second annual Haunted House at Riverfront Park, sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Friday through Oct. 31.

Proceeds will help MDA assist individuals and families dealing with neuromuscular diseases.

For information about volunteer opportunities, call Tracey at 325-3747.

Girls and boys are encouraged to register now for a self-reliance course, “I’m Taking Care,” Nov. 2, offered by the Inland Empire Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls.

The one-day course offers youth, 11 and older, a chance to learn about basic child care, safety measures, job ethics and creative play with kids. Each participant will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

The class is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Spokane Camp Fire Office, 154 S. Stevens. The cost is $15, with partial financial aid available. To register, call 747-6191 or (800) 386-2324.

Nonprofit notes

Each week, hundreds of people in our community depend on the Necessities Bank at the YWCA to provide them with free essential items such as soap and toothpaste.

The Necessities Bank needs replenishing - and the community’s financial support and/or donations of these unopened items are requested: toothbrushes, mouthwash, toilet paper, laundry detergent, soap, deodorant, shampoo, hair conditioner, disposable diapers, tampons, sanitary napkins, body lotion, towels, sheets, blankets, pillows and toothpaste.

Donations may be brought to the YWCA, 829 W. Broadway. For more information, call 326-1190, ext. 128.

There is still time to donate hats, mittens, gloves and socks (all styles and sizes) during the Sock It To Me drive, sponsored by Accredited Residential Managers.

When the drive ends Oct. 22, these winter necessities will be presented to Spokane Neighborhood Action Program, Cancer Patient Care and Spokane County Community Mental Health.

For drop-off or collection information, call Bev at 534-2286, Eileen at 467-5612, or Bette at 489-0456.

Monday kicks off the annual Ronald McDonald House of Spokane’s Share-a-Night campaign to help house families with critically ill children.

Since 1987, The Ronald McDonald House has served more than 2,500 families by providing a temporary home-away-from-home for out-of-town families whose children are hospitalized.

Share-a-Night seeks individuals to sponsor a room for a night or a week. A $10 donation helps a family with limited resources afford one night of lodging. Money raised will also help offset normal operating expenses of the house.

Contribution envelopes are available at Eastern Washington McDonald’s restaurants, or at the house, 1015 W. Fifth. For more information, call 624-0500.

Health notes

Deaconess Medical Center offers two programs this week:

“Preparation for Parenthood” is Wednesday through Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m. Designed for parents after the fifth month of pregnancy, the five-week series covers information about development through the first year of life. Cost is $25 per family.

“Coping With Cancer: Dealing With Your Doctor and Your Disease” is Thursday, noon-1:30 p.m. Specialists will discuss how to deal with the diagnosis, the doctor and the daily psychological challenges of cancer. The cost is $5 (free to members of Women’s Health Network and Health Access).

For information and registration, call Community Programs, 744-7666.

, DataTimes