Culinary calendar

Food and Wine Pairing Event - A five-course/five-pour meal featuring winemaker Don Townshend of Townshend Cellars. Reservations are required. Thursday. 6:30 p.m., Silver Mountain, Mountain Cafe, 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg. $42. (208) 783-0562.

Food for Fines in Whitman County - Library users at all 14 branches can exchange nonperishable food donations of equal or greater value for up to $10 in outstanding library fines. All food will be collected during the month of February and distributed to the food bank in the community where it is collected. Main branch: Colfax Library, 102 S. Main St., Colfax. (877) 733-3375.

Fruit of the Vine Wine and Microbrew Tasting - Sample wines from 30 renowned wineries and local microbrews at the third annual tasting event, benefiting St. Mary’s Catholic School. Friday. 7-10 p.m., Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $50. (509) 924-4300, ext. 200.

Youth Cooking Class - For ages 9-13. Sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Learn how to make Meaty Marinara on Friday; Chili and Cornbread on Feb. 8; Stroganoff on Feb. 22; Pasta Salad on Feb. 29. Pre-registration is required. 6-8:30 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $22/class. (509) 625-6200.

Bread into Dough - A Backward Fundraiser - Noshing times (informal snacks or light meal) will be 2-4 p.m. for high school-age students only; 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. for adults. Reservations required. Benefits Colville Valley Performing Arts. Saturday. Heather’s Fairytale Bakery, 576 N. Wynne St., Colville. $15/adults, $8/teens. (509) 684-6458.

Crawfish on the Creek - Live crawfish boil, flown in from Raceland, La., southern food and fixin’s and live New Orleans-style music with the Swing Street Band, celebrating Sandpoint 2008 Mardi Gras. Saturday. Noon-7 p.m., Sand Creek Grill, 105 S. First Ave., Sandpoint. Menu items are a la carte. (208) 255-5736.

Meet and Greet Potluck Brunch - Sponsored by Slow Food Spokane River. Eat and share tasty food, enjoy warm conversation, live local music and learn how to find local foods. Contact by e-mail: sf.spokaneriver@gmail.com. Saturday. 9:30-11:30 a.m., Saranac Building, 25 W. Main Ave., third floor common area.

NIC Wild Game Feast - The ninth annual event features a five-course meal of wild game delicacies created by Steve Taylor of NIC Food Services. Social at 6 p.m. with appetizers to include alligator wontons, Tibetan yak meatballs and wapiti quesadillas with an opportunity to enjoy music and view silent auction items. The menu will feature Creole turtle soup, spinach salad with crispy boar bacon and quail eggs, kangaroo medallions and a huckleberry bread pudding. A special wine selection and no-host bar will be available. Wildlife displays provided by Beth Paragamian of the Idaho Fish and Game Department, Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Bureau of Land Management will be on display. All proceeds benefit the NIC Alumni Association and scholarships for NIC students. Saturday. North Idaho College, Tselusm Dining Room of Edminster Student Union Building, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $75. (208) 769-7806.

Spaghetti Carbonara - Italian Cooking - Sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-registration required. Saturday. 6-8 p.m., Tulia’s Sauce House, 1407 W. Mansfield Ave. $22. (509) 625-6200.

Third Annual ‘Souper’ Bowl Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Sunday - Includes cross-country ski race and guided ski and snowshoe tours, followed by tasty soup and bread. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., race starts at 10; guided tours at 10 and 11. Benefits Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. Registration available at www.selkirknordic.org. Sunday. Mount Spokane State Park, Selkirk Lodge. $25, minimum suggested donation. (509) 869-4136.

Breakfast with the Elks Officers - Open to the public. Sunday. 9-11 a.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

Compass Club Luncheon - The Women’s Club. Program will include Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. Menu will be roast turkey with almond dressing, whipped potatoes, giblet gravy, sautéed carrots, lemon and orange cake sampler, coffee and tea. Wine will be available for purchase by the glass. Tuesday. 11 a.m., Red Lion Hotel, Skyline Ballroom II, 303 N. River Drive. $20/includes lunch. (509) 465-4043.

A Walk Through Europe Wine and Chocolate Tasting - Cena Cellars wines and chocolate by Boehm’s Chocolates. Feb. 7. 5-8 p.m., Cena, 12501 N. Highway 395, Suite 3. $5. (509) 328-3709.

Downtown Chocolate Walk - Stroll along the streets of downtown Coeur d’Alene and stop at local galleries and shops to sample chocolate and sweet treats. Look for participating businesses with red and white balloons. Feb. 8. 5-8 p.m., downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 667-5986.

Spaghetti Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Feb. 8. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

Chicken Cacciatore - Italian Cooking - Sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-registration required. Feb. 9. 6-8 p.m., Tullia’s Sauce House, 1407 W. Mansfield Ave. $22. (509) 625-6200.

Sister Cities Chinese Banquet - Celebrate the Chinese New Year featuring 10 courses, including the best part of the Peking Duck dinner. Mail a check to: Spokane Sister Cities, c/o 2603 E. 33rd Ave., Spokane, WA 99223. Proceeds benefit Spokane Sister Cities. Feb. 9. 6 p.m., King Yen Restaurant, 3004 N. Monroe St. $30, reservations required. (509) 536-7541.

Specialty Cheesecakes from Scratch - Sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-registration required. Feb. 9. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $36. (509) 625-6200.

“Let’s Talk Food” - Sponsored by Slow Food Spokane River. Discussion about the documentary “King Corn” with Kathryn Graham which is playing at Magic Lantern Theatre. Bring snacks and beverage to share. Feb. 11. 7-8:30 p.m., Saranac Building, 25 W. Main Ave., third floor common area. $8. (509) 209-2395.

Love is in the Air - With Chef Jeremiah Timmons of Ambrosia Bistro and Wine Bar. Learn some new romantic tips for the kitchen and prepare a romantic meal from start to finish. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Feb. 11. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $50. (509) 455-9400.

Sweethearts for Kids Wine Tasting and Auction - Benefit for Children’s Home Society of Washington. Featuring award-winning cuisine by Downriver Grill paired with local wineries and live music. Spokane wineries presenting: Barrister, Knipprath Cellars, Mountain Dome, Townsend Cellars, Vintage Cellars and four more to be announced. Silent and loud auction items include: distinguished wine selections, airfare and hotel to Seattle, theme-dinners, golf packages, and great baskets. Tickets available at CHSW- 2323 N. Discovery Place, (509) 747-4174; or Downriver Grill, 3315 W. Northwest Blvd., (509) 323-1600. Feb. 11. 6-9 p.m., Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. $100/individual, $175/pair (2 tickets). (509) 465-3591.

Heart-Warming Reds - John Allen of Vino! will share some lovely reds. Bring a date and warm the soul with red wines and cheeses paired to perfection. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Feb. 12. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $45. (509) 455-9400.

Valentine’s Eve Wine Dinner - Enjoy a quiet, candlelit dinner, wine commentary and elegant menu, presented by Vino! A Wine Shop. Tables of 2, 4 or 6, call for reservations. Feb. 13. 6 p.m., The Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $70/person, gratuity and tax included. (509) 838-1229 or (800) 826-5674.

Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky Buns - Sponsored by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-registration required. Feb. 14. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $35. (509) 625-6200.

Winter Music Festival and mARTi Gras - Feb. 15-17. Enjoy Cajun cooked treats and street entertainment at various downtown locations, and a parade led by royalty on Saturday. Downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 667-5986.

Red Wine and Chocolate - All weekend guest chef Frank Magana from Picazo House in Prosser will be preparing delicious tapas. Guest Chocolatier Jesse Manis from Cacao Drink Chocolate in Portland will be pairing our wines with artisan chocolates. Saturday evening will have a multicourse deconstructed wine paired dinner with Leo’s Blue Moon preparing the meal. Reservations for dinner required. Feb. 16-17, winery open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday dinner at 7 p.m. Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard, 34715 N. DeMoss Road, Benton City, Wash. (509) 588-6082, ext. 110.

Sweetheart Ball - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Dinner and dancing. Feb. 16. 5:30 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. Reservations required. (509) 926-2328.

Young Ladies and Gentlemen’s Class - An etiquette class for ages 7-12. Pre-registration is required. Feb. 18. 1-4 p.m., Palm Court Dining Room, The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $42. (509) 625-6200.

Chinese New Year Celebration - Chinese dancers, delicious food, traditional music and educational activates. Menu consists of Chinese dumplings, egg rolls, Chow Mein, beef and broccoli and steamed rice. Reservations required. Feb. 20. 11 a.m., East Central Senior Center, 500 S. Stone St. $5. (509) 625-6693.

Kids at Heart Charity Lunch - Benefiting Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, to expand the pediatric emergency center. Guest speaker is Kellie Lim, who at 8 years old lost three limbs to bacterial meningitis, but didn’t give up her dream to become a pediatrician. Feb. 20. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $100. (509) 474-2822.

“Wines of Europe” Wine School - Fun wine tasting and a relaxed, educational experience. Each class includes up to eight wines and light refreshments. Wines of Tuscany-Chianti and Beyond, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., $40. The Wines of Spain-Rioja, Albarino, Sherry and more, March 20, 6:30 p.m., $35. Vino!, 222 S. Washington St. (800) 826-5674 or (509) 838-1229.

Fish Fry Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge, with fish, fries and coleslaw. Reservations required. Feb. 22. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $6.50. (509) 926-2328.

An Evening with the Winemaker - Gourmet dinner with wine, live and silent auctions and musical entertainment. Benefits Center Point, a United Way member agency that provides social and recreational activities for adults with disabilities. Feb. 23. 6 p.m., Manito Golf and Country Club, 5303 S. Hatch Road. $100. (509) 325-5451 for reservations.

Chili Feed - Sponsored by Spokane Potters’ Guild. Choose from a large selection of hand thrown pottery bowls. Enjoy chili, cornbread, drink and dessert, plus you take your bowl home. Feb. 23. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Corbin Activity Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. $12.50. (509) 532-8225.