Culinary Calendar

Food for Fines in Whitman County - Library users can exchange nonperishable food items for up to $10 in outstanding library fines. All food will be collected during the month of February distributed to the food bank in the community where it is collected. Nonperishable food items may be donated to library branches in Albion, Colfax, Colton, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, LaCrosse, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, St. John, Tekoa and Uniontown. (509) 397-4366.

The Art of Fine Living - Youth Cooking Classes for Teens and Preteens - Five one-day cooking workshops for ages 9-13. Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Friday: Spaghetti; Feb. 9: English-Muffin Pizza; Feb. 16: Lasagna; Feb. 23: Enchiladas; March 2: Chicken Pot Pie. Friday. 6-8:30 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $19/each workshop. Registration required. (509) 625-6677.

Fruit of the Vine Wine Tasting - Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Catholic School. Friday. 7-10 p.m., Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post Street. $50/person, purchase in advance through the school. (509) 226-2120.

Navy Beans and Ham Hocks Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Friday. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $6.50. (509) 926-2328.

Black History Month Dinner - Theme is “Looking to the Past, Reaching Toward the Future.” Saturday. 5:30 p.m., Gonzaga University, Globe Room of Cataldo Hall. $15/students, $25/general, $160/table for eight. (509) 324-5836.

Moonlight Cross Country Ski or Snowshoe and Dinner - For ages 18 and older. Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Saturday. 6-9 p.m., Mount Spokane. $27, with own equipment, $34, includes rental equipment. (509) 625-6246.

Spaghetti Carbonara - Italian Cooking - Class sponsored by City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Saturday. 6-8 p.m., Tullia’s Sauce House. $21, pre-registration is required. (509) 625-6200.

VFW Tuna Casserole Dinner - Hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51. 5-7 p.m., dinner; 6-10 p.m., country music by Mavericks. Saturday. 300 W. Mission Ave. $6. (509) 327-9847.

Elks Breakfast - Have breakfast with the officers. Sunday. 9-11 a.m., Elks Lodge, 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

Oshogatsu New Year’s Celebration - Features a light Japanese New Year’s lunch. Monday. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Japanese Cultural Center, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Free. Reservations required. (509) 328-2971.

Big Red Wines of the World - Tasting - Class presented by Vino. Feb. 8. 6:30 p.m., 222 S. Washington St. $55. (509) 838-1229.

Cooking Class for Cancer Survivors - Bring your family and friends, sponsored by Healing Foods Kitchen. Reservations requested. Feb. 8. 5:30-7 p.m., Holy Family Hospital, Health Education Center, Room 1. Free. (509) 474-5490.

Chili Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Piano bar open for dancing. Feb. 9. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

Dinner in Tuscany – Six-course dinner paired with five wines. Feb. 10. Di Luna’s Cafe, 207 Cedar St., Sandpoint. $65. (208) 263-0846.

Valentine’s VFW Dinner - Hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51. Menu consists of stuffed pork loin. 5-7 p.m., dinner; 6-10, country music by Mavericks. Feb. 10. 300 W. Mission Ave. $6.50. (509) 327-9847.

Valentine’s Eve Wine Dinner - Sparkling and other wines matched with each course, plus brief wine commentary and an elegant menu. Feb. 13. 5:30 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $70, tax and gratuity included. (509) 838-1229.

Chinese Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Feb. 16. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $7. (509) 926-2328.

“Mostly Merlot” Winemaker’s Dinner - 12th annual benefit for Spokane’s Cancer Patient Care. Epicurean experience pairing a gourmet five-course meal with the finest wines of Washington. Feb. 17. 5:30 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $150, call for reservations. (509) 456-0446.

Art on the Edge mARTi gras Benefit and Cook-off - To benefit Art on the Edge Children’s Program. Taste Cajun cuisine delights prepared by professional chefs at local restaurants. Event includes no-host bar, bellydancers, dancing to live music, and prizes including king and queen of mARTi gras, best outfit and most spirited reveler. Arm band allows admission to participating restaurants. Feb. 17. 6 p.m.-midnight, Brix Restaurant, Cricket’s Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, Coeur d’Alene Cellars Barrel Room No. 6, Tito’s at Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza and Iron Horse restaurants, Coeur d’Alene. $45 in advance, $50 at the door at Brix only. Ticket outlets include Coeur d’Alene Resort Concierge, St. Vincent de Paul and North Idaho Box office. (208) 773-1725.