Family calendar

Thu., Dec. 6, 2012

Today

Ready, Set, Go! Workshop - In partnership with 4-H and Operation: Military Kids, the American Red Cross is pleased to offer two Ready, Set, Go! workshops, designed to build networks of support for military kids. These free workshops are open to the first 35 participants. Pre-registration is required. 9-11 a.m. American Red Cross, 315 W. Nora Ave. Free. (509) 326-3330, ext. 202.

T.W.I.N.E. - Teen Writers of the Inland Empire is a writing club for Spokane County teenagers in grades 6-12. No registration is required. We write fiction and poetry, and share our work in an encouraging and positive environment. Sponsored by the Spokane County Library District, pen and paper and inspiration provided by SCLD. 4 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Build It (Moran Prairie) - Enjoy building and construction activities. 4 p.m. Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. (509) 893-8340.

Ongoing

Holiday Memories at Green Bluff - Cut your own Christmas tree, take pictures with Santa and purchase fresh fruits, food items, candy and wine. Held through Christmas. For more information, visit www.greenbluffgrowers.com.

Empty the Shelter for the Holidays - SCRAPS is holding an adoption special all month. Cats are $15 and dogs are $25. This fee includes microchipping, vaccinations, exam and spay/neutering ad license. SCRAPS, 2521 N. Flora Road. $15/cat; $25/dog. (509) 477-2984.

“The Nutcracker” - Presented by the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, Calif. Today through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $22-$65/general, $16/age 12 and younger. (509) 624-1200.

“The Little Mermaid” - Featuring the hit songs from the animated movie including “Part of Your World,” “Poor, Unfortunate Souls” and the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea.” 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday. Lewis and Clark High School, auditorium, 521 W. Fourth Ave. $10 at the door. (509) 354-7000.

Waste-to-Energy Facility Tours - Walk-in tours of the Waste to Energy facility will not be offered through February. Tours for groups of 10 or more will still be scheduled according to staff availability. Call (509) 625-6521 to schedule a group tour. Walk-in tours will resume March 6. Spokane Regional Solid Waste System, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. (across from the Washington State Patrol). Free.

Books are Fun Book and Gift Fair - Items for all ages at discounted prices. Benefiting foster children. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Friday. Open to the public. Rock Pointe III, 1330 N. Washington St., hallway near Rock Café Free admission. (509) 953-3246.

Christmas Tree Elegance 2012 - 30th annual fundraiser to benefit Spokane Symphony. View and purchase raffle tickets for 12 trees at The Davenport Hotel on the Mezzanine and another six trees at River Park Square (808 W. Main Ave.) on the second floor corridor. Today, Christmas Tree Elegance Strolling Fashion Show and Lunch, with fashions from Apricot Lane, Chico’s, Fringe, Old Navy, Swank, Berg’s Shoes, in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required at (509) 458-8733, $50/person. Friday, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Hat Luncheon, sponsored by the Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 789-6808; $25/person. Saturday, 9:30 p.m., winning ticket drawings for hotel tress in hotel lobby; winners notified that evening. Sunday, 4 p.m., winning ticket drawings for mall trees at River Park Square, winners notified that afternoon. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Tickets sales are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both locations. Raffle tickets are $1 each. (509) 458-TREE.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - The outdoor covered skating rink is open for the season until March 3. With 750 pairs of skates, most public skating in the region, indoor seating and just plain fun. Open Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 7-10 p.m., closed Mondays. Extended holiday hours. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. $4.50/adults; $3.50/children, senior, military; $3.50/skate rental. (509) 625-6601.

Santa Express Holiday Store - A holiday retail store for children and a fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers between the ages of 4 and 12 choose gifts for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it is ready to go under the tree. All gifts are priced from 50 cents to $8. Open through Dec. 23. Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crescent Building, 707 W. Main Ave., Skywalk Level Free admission. (509) 220-5907.

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” - A holiday musical presented by Spokane Civic Theatre. Directed by Yvonne A.K. Johnson. Shows Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Runs through Dec. 21. 7:30 p.m. Spokane Civic Theatre, Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. $33/adults, $31/senior and military, $26/students. (509) 325-2507 or (800) 325-SEAT.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” - Interplayers presents this family classic as a live radio play, written by Joe Landry and directed by Jeffrey Sanders. Shows Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Thursday-Saturday, Wednesday-Dec. 15, Dec. 19-22 and Dec. 26-29 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Interplayers Theatre, 174 S. Howard St. $28/adult, $22/senior and military, $15/student. (509) 455-7529 or (800) 325-SEAT.

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory - Through Dec. 19. Over 30,000 lights, along with poinsettias, mums and other seasonal touches. Open daily, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and best viewing is after 4 p.m. Manito Park, Gaiser Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave. Free. (509) 456-8038.

Free Carriage Rides - Fridays from 3-8 p.m. and Saturdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Presented by Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Corner of Wall Street and Main Avenue. Free.

Friday

Teddy Bear Teas (Hillyard) - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. Toddler Storytime at 10 a.m. and Preschool Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Hillyard North Pole Holiday Festival - Craft vendors, food, gifts, pictures with Santa: $5 or $3 with a donation of four cans of food. Sponsored by Hillyard Merchants, Hillyard Festival and the Hillyard Youth Center. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Ave.

Saturday

7th Annual Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival - Featuring some of Bing Crosby’s best-loved films, along with a gallery of photos of the famous entertainer and a special feature, the Oscar statue from Bing’s best actor performing in the 1944 film “Going My Way.” Films being shown will be: “White Christmas” (1954) shown both at noon and 7:30 p.m., starring Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye; “Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) at 2:30 p.m., starring Ingrid Bergman; “Holiday Inn” (1942) at 5 p.m., starring Fred Astaire and Virginia Dale. Doors open at 11 a.m. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $7/good all day, free/age 12 and younger. (800) 325-SEAT.

Sunset Holiday Bazaar - Local shopping event to raise funds for Sunset Elementary School. More than 30 vendors including home-based businesses, crafts and more. Lunch available and children activities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunset Elementary School, 12824 W. 12th Ave., Airway Heights. Free admission. (509) 499-9741.

Second Annual Winter Faire - Fun for the whole family with crafts for the kids, raffle prizes for the adults, hearty winter soups with warm bread and baked goods, a puppet show, artisan vendors and the memorable children’s store. 10 a.m. Spokane Wildsong School, on Mukogawa Fort Wright Campus, 4225 W. Fremont Road. Free to attend (activities and food $1-$10). (509) 326-6638.

Five Mile Prairie Grange Annual Pancakes with Santa - Enjoy hot-off-the-griddle pancakes, visit with Santa and take a special Christmas picture with your own camera. Holiday treats will also be for sale. Proceeds from the bake sale will support improvements to the Grange hall. 8-11 a.m., Five Mile Prairie Grange, 3024 W. Strong Road. Free. For information email fivemilegrange@hotmail.com.

Hillyard North Pole Holiday Festival - Craft vendors, food, gifts, pictures with Santa: $5 or $3 with a donation of 4 cans of food. Sponsored by Hillyard Merchants, Hillyard Festival and the Hillyard Youth Center. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Ave.

Holidays of the Season - Hanukah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are just some of the many holidays celebrated this time of year. Come hear stories of some of these wonderful traditions and take part in a fun craft. 11 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

“This Moose Belongs to Me” Storytime - We’ll read Oliver Jeffers’ latest, “This Moose Belongs to Me,” and other favorites. 1 p.m. Auntie’s at the Square, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 456-4775.

Friends of Manito Open House - Bring the kids to decorate cookies, enjoy a holiday beverage and buy a 2013 Manito Park Calendar. All proceeds benefit Manito Park. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Manito Park, Manito Garden Meeting Room, East of the Gaiser Conservatory. Free.

Sunday

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - Eighth annual gingerbread house build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hall of Doges. Culinary teams decorate enormous gingerbread structures in just three hours as the public watches. Also, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, children can make their own mini-gingerbread house for $7, with proceeds benefiting Christ Kitchen. No reservations required. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Viewing is free. (509) 954-0554.

Monday

Build It (North) - Enjoy building and construction activities. 4 p.m. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free.

Teddy Bear Teas (South) - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. 6:30 p.m. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Tuesday

Teddy Bear Teas (Downtown) - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. Toddler storytime at 10 a.m. and preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m. Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Anime Club (North) - For teens in grades six or above. Watch anime episodes, eat snacks and more. 3:30 p.m. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road Free. (509) 893-8350.

Wednesday

Teddy Bear Teas (South) - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. Toddler storytime at 10 a.m.; preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5331.

How The Grinch Stole … You Know - He is mean, he is green, and I wouldn’t touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole! But let’s read about him anyway. And when we’ve finished, stay for a fun craft! 10:30 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

College Information Night at SCC - Learn about career training, liberal arts-transfer opportunities, financial aid and how to choose a program of study. 6 p.m. Spokane Community College, Student Services Building 15, 1810 N. Greene St. Free. (509) 533-8020.