Spokane Valley Calendar

Today

Evergreen Modeler Christmas Open House - One of the most complete model railroad club layouts in the Northwest is having a running session for friends and visitors for the holidays; 1-5 p.m. 18213 E. Appleway. Free. (509) 939-5845.

Spokane Novelists Group - Strong critiquing of fiction only, novels and short stories. No poetry, nonfiction, memoirs, etc., please. Bring 5-10 pages to read to the group and 6-8 copies. Group meets second and fourth Saturdays of the month; noon. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 891-1695.

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum - Looking for something to do with your kids during Christmas break? Come check out the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. The Railroad and Native American Indian exhibits continue and there are many other exhibits to experience. Hours are Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, 12114 E. Sprague Ave. $6/adults, $5/seniors, $4/ages7-17, free/age 6 and younger. (509) 922-4570.

Monday

Winter Break Cool Camp - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, offers trips to YMCA pool. Each day, bring child with winter clothes suitable for playing outside (hat, gloves, boots, snow pants), a lunch, two healthy snacks and a water bottle; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. $100/session, $30/daily. (509) 688-0300.

Thursday

Healing Gardens - The next meeting of The Inland Empire Gardeners will feature Anne Hanenburg, landscape architect, who will define healing gardens and discuss the physical and psychological benefits these specialized gardens have on people. She will provide historical background information and discuss the five types of healing gardens. We will examine design elements found in each type of healing garden, how spaces are organized within these gardens, and plant selection. Meeting is open to the public; 6:30 p.m. CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Free. (509) 535-8434.

Teen Writers of the Inland Empire - T.W.I.N.E. meets the first Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. to write with other teens and share work in an encouraging, positive environment. They will have lots of paper, pens and pretzels (or similarly tasty writers snack). For grades six and older. Participate online anytime at the T.W.I.N.E. blog: teenwritersoftheinland empire.blogspot.com/ Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Friday

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group - Meets the first Friday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. Contact Colleen Messling at (509) 924-4388 for more information. Valley Hospital Education Center, 12606 E. Mission Ave.

Author Jess Steven Hughes - Signing copies of his historical novel, “The Sign of the Eagle”; 5-8 p.m. Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. (509) 924-0667.

Saturday

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society - Speaker is Donald R. McLaughlin of the Stevens County Historical Society. His topic will be the military road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Colville. Open to the public. Lunch from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by lecture. Timber Creek Grill Buffet, 9211 E. Montgomery Ave. Attendees must buy lunch. (509) 328-0786.