Family calendar
Today
Free Summer Movies at the Garland Theater – “Marley and Me” (PG). No outside food or drinks allowed. 9:30 a.m., Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. (509) 327-1050.
Friday
Free Summer Movies at the Garland Theater – “Marley and Me” (PG). No outside food or drinks allowed. 9:30 a.m., Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. (509) 327-1050.
Horse and Carriage Rides - Friday evenings in August. Travels through downtown Spokane, guests receive a complimentary rose, as well as a sheet of dining specials at downtown restaurants. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District. First-come, first-served. Fun activities for the family from 4-8 p.m. during “Kids Ride Free Night.” 4-10 p.m., corner of Wall Street at Main Avenue. $5/person, free/age 8 and younger with a paid adult. (509) 456-0580, ext. 102.
Saturday
Gardeners’ Farmers Market - Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through August. On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, Valleyford. (509) 747-6294.
Pawn 1 Kids Day 2009 - The 25th annual event dedicated to Inland Empire children where nonprofits and businesses set up free activities for kids including face painting, coloring, inflatables, sports, dance and karate demos, craft projects and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Riverfront Park. Free. (509) 242-2668.
Red Lion Hotel Dog Days of Summer - Dog walk and pet festival, presented by SCRAPS, SpokAnimal, the Spokane Humane Society and the Red Lion Hotel at the Park. Bring your dog for the dog walk and visit pet-related exhibitors. Food and music for humans. 9 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Park, 201 W. North River Drive. Free. (509) 477-2984.
Storytime and Bubble Prints Craft - Cool off by listening to some of our favorite new stories, and then make a brilliant and dazzling bubble print. Ages 5 and up. 11 a.m., Aunties Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.
Monday
Girl Scouts Summer Science in the Park - All school-age girls are invited to take part in a no-cost program, doing hands-on science activities. They will launch bottle rockets, explore gravity, discover polymers, and investigate air pressure. 2-3 p.m., Liberty Lake Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. Free. (509) 747-8091, ext. 230. Also runs Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday
Author Jane Berentson - Burlington, Wash., author presents her novel, “Miss Harper Can Do It,” accompanied by her cousin Kaylee Cole, a local musician. The novel features Annie Harper, a 24-year-old elementary school teacher in Tacoma missing her boyfriend who has been deployed to the war. Annie tries to write about the experience and finds herself coping in unexpected ways, even getting a chicken as a pet. 7:30 p.m., Aunties Bookstore auditorium, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.
Spokane Indians Baseball - vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. 6:30 p.m., Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. (509) 535-2922.
Wednesday
Information Night - iQ Academy Washington, invites families to learn more about the virtual school’s opportunities. Teachers and students from iQ Academy will host information sessions, allowing parents and prospective students to ask questions and learn more about the virtual school. The parents of enrolled students will also be on hand to answer questions. Those interested will be able to see a demonstration of how the school operates and what a virtual classroom looks like. 6-8 p.m. Riverfront Park, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (888) 889-4729.
Spokane Indians Baseball - vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. 6:30 p.m., Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. (509) 535-2922.
Ongoing
“Be Creative at Your Library!” - Summer reading program presented by Spokane County Library District and Spokane Public Library. Enjoy storytimes, crafts and more. Children and teens who read or listen to 15 books or read for 15 hours throughout the summer will receive a prize. For more information, visit www.summer readingspokane.org. Runs through Aug. 31. Free. (509) 444-5307.
Free Family Film Festival - Spokane Valley Mall Cinemas - Movies play at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Thursday, “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” (G); and “Bee Movie” (PG); Tuesday-next Thursday, “Curious George”(G); “Alvin & the Chipmunks” (PG); Aug. 18-20, “Space Chimps” (G); and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (PG). Spokane Valley Cinemas, 14760 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (800) 326-3264.
MobiusLab - Preview of Mobius Science Center - Fun, interactive, and a sneak peek for visitors ages 8 and older with opportunity to interact and learn about science and technology. MobiusLab is a preview of Mobius Science Center, set to break ground in Spokane in 2011. This exhibition will feature labs that teach visitors about energy, sound, motion, magnetics and more. Open August and September during mall hours. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. NorthTown Mall near Barnes & Noble on the street level. Free. (509) 444-2350.
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture - Out of this World: “Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television” traveling exhibit features more than 30 costumes and related objects from science fiction films and television programs such as “Star Wars,” “Blade Runner,” “Terminator,” “Star Trek,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Batman.” Examine how costume design incorporates color, style, scale, materials, historical traditions and cultural cues to help performers and audiences engage with the characters being portrayed. Noon-4 p.m., come dressed in your favorite science fiction character’s costume and win a prize for children and adults. Runs through Sept. 5. 2316 W. First Ave. $7/adults, $5/seniors and students with ID, free/age 5 and younger. (509) 456-3931.
Riverfront Park Pavilion Attractions - The Looff Carrousel and Spokane Falls Skyride operate daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., open until 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Day passes are $15.49 for all ages, summer season passes are $48.99. Runs through Sept. 7. Riverfront Park. Carrousel: $2/adults and teens, $1.25/seniors, military and ages 12 and younger. Skyride: $7.25/adults, $6.25/ages 13-17, seniors and military, $4/ages 3-12, free/ages 2 and younger. Tour Train, $4.50. (509) 625-6600.
Soccer League Sign-up - Outdoor soccer league for ages 4 to 10 for Fall 2009/Spring 2010. Runs through Aug. 31. 9116 E. Sprague Ave, Suite 138. $50. (509) 747-5017.
South Perry Summer Theater - Saturday, “The Magnificent Seven;” Aug. 15, “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure;” Aug. 22, “Splash;” Aug. 29, “Smokey and the Bandit.” All movies start at dusk. The Shop, 924 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 534-1647.
Splashdown - Family waterpark. Open daily through Sept. 7. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; noon-6 p.m. on Sundays. 11127 E. Mission Ave., Spokane Valley. $12.99/48 inches and under; $15.99/over 48 inches; Free for ages 2 and younger and seniors age 65 and older, $14/viewing pass with $7 refund. (509) 924-3079.
Spokane Valley Heritage Museum – “Apollo 11, One Small Step.” The historic walk on the moon by Neil Armstrong was 40 years ago. The exhibit includes the actual sound of the Saturn V rocket launching, a model of the LEM, photos, mission control console with interactive controls and info on the landing. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, through October. Runs through Oct. 31. 12114 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley. $5/adults, $4/seniors, $3/age 18 and younger. (509) 922-4570.
Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with takeout from 1-3 p.m. Runs through Sept. 25. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) 324-1995.
Youth and Teen Improv Classes - Each class will focus on storytelling, mime, environment creation, character development and spontaneity. Beginning/intermediate improv for ages 8-12 from 10-10:50 a.m.; shortform improv for ages 13-17 from 11-11:50 a.m.; longform improv (instructor approval only) for ages 13-17 from noon-2 p.m. Registration required. Classes are held Saturdays through Sept. 5. No classes on Aug. 15. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. $60-$80/student. (509) 747-7045.