Family calendar
Today
Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive - Inland NW Baby will be conducting its fourth annual diaper drive. Please donate, hold a diaper drive, or staff a drop-off location to help continue to impact the lives of babies in poverty in our community. Participating drop-off locations are Walgreens, Trading Company in Spokane Valley and Albertsons in Liberty Lake. (509) 499-0670.
D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read!) - It’s almost National Library Week, and we’re celebrating author Beverly Cleary’s birthday with snacks, books to read, and cool wristbands you can earn by reading. Bring the kids, stop by the library, drop everything and read. 3-5 p.m. at East Side, Hillyard and Indian Trail library branches. Free. (509) 444-5331.
Get Lit! “Gifts of the Crow”: A Presentation by John Marzluff - “Gifts of the Crow” (Free Press, 2012) presents Marzluff’s fascinating theory of “cultural co-evolution.” Not only have crows made an indelible mark on our culture, but Marzluff also shows how crows seem to share particularly human behaviors such as language, delinquency, risk-taking, and more. His research is accompanied by the illustration of longtime collaborator Tony Angell. 7 p.m. Mobius Science Center, 811 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 443-5669.
Ongoing
Money Smart Kids! - Take turns buying, selling and practice making change. Bring home a money jar for your savings. Thursday, 4 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First St.; Thursday, 4 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave.; Tuesday, 4 p.m., Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St.; Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Deer Park Library, 208 S. Forest Ave.; Wednesday, 4 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road; April 18, 3:30 p.m., Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St. Free. (509) 893-8400.
Friday
Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive - Participating drop-off locations are Walgreens, Trading Company in Spokane Valley and Albertsons in Liberty Lake. (509) 499-0670.
D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read!) - 3-5 p.m., at Downtown, Shadle and South Hill library branches. Free. (509) 444-5331.
Mommy and Me Swing - Swing, baby swing! Mommies, Daddies … or anyone with babies, come dance to swingin’ tunes with your special little person, up to age 5. You will learn vintage social dance moves so you and your baby can swing out and maybe even sack out while one of you gets a work out. Drop in from 11-11:45 a.m. Instruction by Colleen Robinson of Lindy Town USA. Wear comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement and supportive shoes like tennis shoes. Other suggested equipment: baby back/front packs, baby wraps, etc., water bottle. Interplayers Theatre, Community Room, 174 S. Howard St. $15. (509) 455-7529.
Spokane Bike Swap – A nonprofit event. Bike check in is Friday from 3-8 p.m., continues Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To expedite check in, your bike(s) can be registered online at www.SpokaneBikeSwap.com. We need bikes for this great event – especially children’s bikes. Have a bike in your garage your kids have outgrown or you don’t ride anymore? Call or email Len Zickler at (509) 720-3910 or lzickler@ahbl.com, to arrange for a pickup – no registration fee. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. $5/general; free/age 13 and younger. (509) 624-7188.
Saturday
Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive - Participating drop-off locations are Walgreens, Trading Company in Spokane Valley and Albertsons in Liberty Lake. The bus will be at Walgreens, 12312 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley, at 9 a.m. (509) 499-0670.
Homeschool Conference - Encouragement and Hope for Home Educators, a one-day free event offers workshops for parents and teens, and also helpful “how to” sessions. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Valley Bible Church, 3021 S. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 999-7614.
Kiwani’s Club District 46 “Paint-a-Helmet” event - Division 46 Kiwanis Clubs will be giving away free fitted bicycle helmets to children ages 3-16. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Many community organizations will be on hand such as The Spokane Humane Society, Civil Air Patrol, Campfire Girls, SCOPE, and several others to provide free safety programs for children. There will also be entertainment by strolling musicians. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Building A, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 448-9895.
Paper Cutting Workshop with Rollin Thomas - Learn the basics of paper cutting from folding to design. For ages 9 to adult. 10 a.m. Spokane Art School, 809 W. Garland Ave. $25. (509) 325-3001.
Spring Tree Planting - Help Inland Northwest Land Trust with watershed restoration along Latah Creek during a one-day tree planting event. The trees we plant will provide riparian buffers, improve water quality, stabilize banks to prevent further erosion, and decrease solar radiation. 10 a.m. Contact Brooke at (509) 328-2939 or at sign up at bnicholson@inlandnwlandtrust. org.
“Rosie Sprout’s Time to Shine” - Violet runs the fastest, sings the highest, looks the fanciest and talks the loudest. Everyone agrees that she’s the best, except Rosie. Learn how Rosie overcomes this conflict and strives to be the best. Treats and fun follows the story. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.
Get Lit: Children and Young Adults - Author Patricia McCormick is a two-time National Book Award finalist and the author of five critically acclaimed young adult novels, including “Purple Heart” and “My Brother’s Keeper.” Her latest novel, “Never Fall Down,” is based on the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a young Cambodian boy who used his musical talent to save himself from the brutal campaigns of the Khmer Rouge. Joining her will be Emily Danforth, author of the widely acclaimed coming-of-age novel “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.” Free. 11:30 a.m. Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 444-5336.
KPBX Kids Concert - “Dylan for Kids” concert is hosted by Spokane Public Radio’s Carlos Alden who will also perform, along with local band Sidetrack and folk singer Jenny Edgren. The one-hour event will feature Dylan classics as well as songs by other artists that he inspired. There will be a Dylan sing-along and many favorites like “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Mighty Quinn” and “Blowing in the Wind,” along with a display of his recordings in the lobby. 1 p.m. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Free. (800) 325-SEAT.
Sunday
Walk MS Spokane 2013 - Join the Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with the goal to raise support for friends and families touched by multiple sclerosis. Walk MS is a simple but incredibly powerful way to stand together to help people with MS move their lives forward. Choice of two routes: the 5 1/2-mile walk is accessible or the 2-mile walk is a fully accessible route so that walkers of all ages and abilities can join the movement. Multiple sclerosis is a devastating, neurological disease of the central nervous system. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. 10 a.m. Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Collect pledges; earn a T-shirt with $75 in pledges. (509) 482-2022.
Monday
Soccer Skills Academy - Beginning today, Soccer Tots will offer a seven-week Soccer Skills Academy for kids, ages 4-8. The course will provide weekly skills training with small-sided scrimmages. The class is offered on Monday or Tuesday nights. Kids Sports Spokane, 416 N. Madelia St. $91. (509) 534-5437.
Wednesday
That Takes the Cake! - See what you can make with frosting, candies, cookies and sprinkles. Kathy, Yokes’ dessert specialist, will give professional tips and share a little about her career. Whether your cupcake is creepy or fancy, it will be a delicious work of art. For grade six and older. 3 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St.; April 23, 3:30 p.m., Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St.; May 2, 3:30 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First St. Free. (509) 893-8250.
“Maisy Grows a Garden” - What makes Maisy’s garden grow? Children can pull the tabs and help Maisy plant and grow a tasty vegetable garden. Treats will follow. 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.