Family calendar

Thu., Nov. 24, 2011

Today

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot - Annual Bloomsday Road Runners Club event, open to the public. Choose from two-, three- or five-mile routes. Registration and donation drop-off at 8 a.m. at the picnic area across from the Manito Park Duck Pond. Race starts at 9 a.m. at Manito Park. Donation of food or check/cash to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. (509) 868-6433.

Ongoing

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Through February. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays and nights, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Special events: Tuesdays: skating 7-8:30 p.m. is $2; Wednesdays: skating 7-8:30 p.m. is $1; Thursdays: $1 skating sponsored by The Inlander; skate rental extra; School’s Out, Tuesdays-Fridays from 2-5 p.m. for $4.50, includes skate rental. Riverfront Park Pavilion. Age 13 and older: $4.50/Tuesday-Thursday, $5.50/Friday-Sunday and holiday; Seniors/military with ID/youth ages 3-12/$3.50; skate rentals are $3.50 (not included with admission). Season passes are $44.99. (509) 625-6601.

A Touch of Chinese Culture - For children ages 6-12. Learn Chinese and Chinese culture. Held Wednesdays from 4:30-6 p.m., through Dec. 21. Chinese Culture House, 3803 N. Nevada St. $125. (509) 625-6200.

Santa Express - Through Dec. 23. With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers ages 4-12 choose inexpensive gifts priced from 50 cents to $8 for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages and is reasonably priced. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for kids who are at risk of neglect or abuse. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. (509) 448-2900.

Campbell House Holidays - Part of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, admission tickets includes the exhibit galleries and a tour of the house. Guests can tour the house at their leisure from noon-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 22-24, Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 1. Regular guided Campbell House tours will be available on other December dates the museum is open. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $7/adults, $5/seniors and students. (509) 456-3931.

Friday

Volleyball Open Gym - Drop in and play volleyball every Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Keep yourself in shape and have a great time playing. Play at Chase if you want some intense competition, or play at Salk Middle School if you prefer playing in a more recreational setting. Chase Middle School, 4747 E. 37th Ave. $3/per evening, $30/season. (509) 625-6200.

Friends of the Airway Heights Library Book Sale - Proceeds from book sales support various library programs, activities and services. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hicks Open Market Building, 12435 W. 13th Ave., Airway Heights. Free. (509) 893-8250.

“Family Dinner” - Blue Door Theatre Players will improvise a family dinner using audience suggestions. All ages welcome. Shows at 8 p.m. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. $9/general admission, $7/children, seniors, military and students with valid ID. (509) 747-7045.

Saturday

Spokane Chiefs Hockey - 7:05 p.m., vs. Prince George. Fred Meyer Shop with the Chiefs Night. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 325-SEAT.

Gonzaga University Men’s Basketball - vs. Western Michigan at Ronald McDonald House Christmas Classic. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. $20-$150. (800) 325-SEAT.

Adoption Celebration Storytime - November is National Adoption Awareness Month. We will read great stories of adoption and draw a picture of your own special family. 11 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave., Spokane. (509) 838-0206.

Native American Storytime - November is Native American Heritage Month. Join us for some wonderful Native tales. 1 p.m. Auntie’s at the Square, River Park Square on skywalk level, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 456-4775.

Book Club Meeting - Drop by to discuss our latest book club picks “The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester” by Barbara O’Conner. 1 p.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, mezzanine, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Sunday

Macy’s Santa Bus Tour - Santa Claus is coming to town! Old Saint Nick will be trading in his reindeer and sleigh for a bus, and touring the country visiting participating Macy’s stores as part of the holiday Believe Campaign. Special activities include: face painting, a balloon artist, hot cocoa and a story read by Santa. Per holiday tradition, children are encouraged to write a letter to Santa detailing what they wish for this holiday season and deposit it into the specially marked Believe mailboxes located inside all Macy’s stores. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million. 1 p.m. Spokane Valley Mall, 14740 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (206) 623-5338.

Monday

Freeman Arts Boosters Zumba Party - Registration begins at 7:30 p.m. and Zumba is 7:45-8:45 p.m. Fundraiser supports art, band, choir and drama. Freeman Middle School, Freeman Middle School gym, 14917 S. Jackson Road, Freeman. $8. (509) 291-3135.

Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (Valley) - For ages 18 months-3. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Baby Lapsit (North) - Enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. For children up to 18 months. 10:30 a.m. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350.

Tuesday

Toddler Storytime - For ages 18 months-3. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave.; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St. 10 a.m. Free. (509) 444-5356.

Preschool Storytime - For ages 3-5. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave.; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St. 10:30 a.m. Free. (509) 444-5356.

Toddler Storytime (Moran Prairie) - For ages 18 months-3. 10:30 a.m. Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. (509) 893-8340.

Preschool Play and Learn Storytime (Valley) - For ages 3-5. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Play and Learn Storytime (Fairfield) - For ages 2-5. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m. Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St. Free. (509) 893-8320.

Family Story Evening - All ages are welcome. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road (509) 893-8350; Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400. 7 p.m. Free.