Things to do

Today

Eco-Healthy Child Care Training - Part of Sustainable September Spokane. Sponsored by The Eastern Washington Family Child Care Association. Topics will include the danger of pesticides, household chemicals, art supplies, plastic toys, treated playground equipment and more. 7-9 p.m., 1408 N. Washington St. Free. (509) 534-1940 or (509) 926-6144.

Tuesday

Caring for Kids Luncheon - In support of children served by St. Anne’s Children and Family Center and Morning Star Boys’ Ranch. Guest speaker is Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. Reservations requested by calling or online at www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $100/person. (509) 358-4254.

Wednesday

Recycling Activity at Mobius Kids - For children age 5-9. Learn how to create art from trash. 3:30 p.m. Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $7/members, $10/nonmembers. (509) 624-KIDS.

Families Supporting Families - For families of those with eating disorders. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Mary Bede Room of Sacred Heart Medical Center, 101 W. Eighth Ave. (509) 456-0567.

Dish Up Literacy - Dine at one of the following restaurants today and a portion of the proceeds will go to Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program: Azteca, Northpointe, 8739 N. Newport Highway (509) 465-9101; Azteca, Spokane Valley, 14700 E. Indiana Ave., Suite 1080 (509) 228-9661; Hill’s Restaurant and Lounge, 401 W. Main Ave. (lunch only) (509) 747-3946; Laguna Cafe, 4302 S. Regal St. (509) 448-0887; and Perry Street Cafe, 1002 S. Perry St. (509) 535-4949. For more information, visit www.dishupliteracy.org.

Books and Blocks - Appropriate for school-aged children. Listen to stories about building and then build bridges out of paper and blocks. 4 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Friday

20th Annual Valleyfest - “Hearts of Gold” parade today at 7 p.m., along Sprague Ave. The weekend includes hot air balloon launches at sunrise, a 5K Run for Hunger, pancake breakfast on Saturday from 8-11 a.m. at CenterPlace, a classic car show, fishing at the falls, children’s activities, three stages of music and entertainment and more. STA shuttle service available from Spokane Valley Mall, look for the STA Event signs around the perimeter of the mall; and also shuttles from Pinecroft Business Park off Pines Road. Mirabeau Point Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Free admission; pancake breakfast: $5/general, $4/age 12 and younger. (509) 922-3299.

Just Between Friends Consignment Sale - Families can sell or buy gently used items for their growing families. Today, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., with everything half price on Sunday. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Broadway at Havana Street, Spokane Valley. Friday-Saturday: $4/adults, free/age 12 and younger; Sunday free admission. (509) 536-2840.

Southeast Spokane County Fair - The 65th annual fair in Rockford includes carnival, livestock competitions, live music and more. Saturday’s events include a pancake breakfast, fun run, parades and a pie eating contest. On Sunday, there will be a horse show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a fashion show. Admission is free. The fairgrounds are located just off the town’s main drag near Rock Creek. Rockford Fairgrounds, Rockford. (509) 291-3247.

Storytime at Mobius Kids - Story will be “The Ocean Alphabet Book” by Jerry Pallotta and Frank, Jr. Mazzola. After storytime, make your own ocean in a jar. Begins at 11 a.m. for ages 3 and younger; 1 p.m. for ages 4-6. Book can be purchased at Auntie’s Bookstore at a 15% discount. Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $5.75/general, $4.75/seniors and military, free/age one year and younger. (509) 624-KIDS.

Oktoberfest - 16th annual event celebrates the birth of Post Falls’ founder, Frederick Post, a German Immigrant. Authentic German food, music, dancing, 50/50 Raffle, live auction. 4:30-8 p.m., Q’emiln Park, Post Falls. Advance: $8/adults, $6/seniors and children age 12 and younger; at the age: $10/adults, $7/seniors and children. (208) 262-6533.

Dads Helping Dads - Group meets to discuss the important roles fathers play in their children’s lives. 7 p.m., Fowler Church, 3928 N. Howard St. (509) 290-6494.

Saturday

Apple Harvest 2009 - Stamp collecting festival presented and hosted by The Inland Empire Philatelic Society. Today, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, 9015 W. Highway 2, Airway Heights. Free admission. (509) 244-5866.

Harvest Festival - 48th annual ceramic show and competition presented by The Inland Empire Ceramics Association. Make ‘n’ takes, demonstrations, supplies, exhibits, Raku and door prizes. Today, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with awards presentation on Sunday at 3 p.m. United Steelworkers Union Hall, 14015 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley. $2/person, good all weekend. (509) 927-1317.

Spokane Hamfest - With seminars, prizes, swap tables, auction, vendors, food, sponsored by 8 Amateur Radio clubs. American Radio Relay League Washington State Convention. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave., Spokane Valley. $5/general, free/age 18 and younger. (509) 448-5821.

September Birthdays Storytime - Listen to stories written by authors born this month including: Robert McCloskey (“Blueberries for Sal”), H.A. Rey (“Curious George”), Esphyr Slobodkina (“Caps for Sale”) and more. All ages. 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Books and Blocks - Appropriate for school-aged children. Listen to stories about building and then build bridges out of paper and blocks. 2 p.m., Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Sunday

Group Health Kids Bike Race - For children 13 years of age and younger. Race times: Noon, ages 5 and younger; 12:30 p.m., age 6; 1 p.m., age 7; 1:30 p.m., age 8; 2 p.m., age nine; and 2:30 p.m., ages 10-13. Please arrive 30 minutes early for your race. Event will also include a Bike Rodeo, warm-up exercises with Group Health physical therapists, games, crafts and pizza. Grant Park, 1015 S. Arthur. Free. (509) 241-7130.

Ongoing

Amaizing Corn Maze - Over 12 acres of family fun with mazes. Food court and free parking. No pets, no purses or backpacks in maze, strollers and wheel chairs enter at own risk. Maze open weekends through Oct. 31, Fridays, 4-11 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Haunted Maze on Oct. 9-10, 6-11 p.m. Mega Haunted Maze: Oct. 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31, 6-11 p.m.; and Oct. 27-29, 6-10 p.m. Beck Road just off Highway 53, Hauser, Idaho. $8/adults, $5/seniors and children ages 5-12, free/age 4 and younger. Prices after 5 p.m. beginning Oct. 9: $10/adults, $7/seniors and children ages 5-12, free/age 4 and younger. (509) 242-2506.

Apple Festival - Every weekend through Oct. 25. Visit www.greenbluffgrowers.com for map of growers. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Green Bluff.