Home Calendar

Arts/Crafts

Spring Rummage Sale - Presented by United Church of Christ Women’s Fellowship. April 12, 9 a.m., United Church of Christ, 430 W. Third St., Newport. (509) 447-4121.

Spring Craft Fair - Variety of vendors. April 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Opportunity Christian Fellowship, 1313 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 926-2673.

Spring Craft Fair and Bake Bazaar - April 19-20. Crafts vendors, products and baked goods throughout the building. April 19, 2-7 p.m.; and April 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sinto Senior Center, 1124 W. Sinto Ave. Free admission. (509) 327-2861.

Custer’s 38th Annual Spring Antique and Collectors Sale - April 26-28. More than 250 dealers. April 26, 4-9 p.m.; April 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and April 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. $6/general, good all weekend; free/age 12 and younger. Appraisals not available this year. (509) 924-0588.

54th Annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show - May 3-5. The show will feature 40 dealers and 60 displays of precious and semiprecious stones, fossils, specimens, jewelry and more. It will also include demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Presented by Rock Rollers of Spokane. Hours are May 3-4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and May 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. $6/adults, $5/seniors, free/age 12 and younger and Scouts in uniform. Free parking. (509) 251-1574.

All Inclusive Craft Retreat - May 16-19. Bring your projects (photos, fabric, beads, paint, sewing machine, paper and yarn) for a four-day weekend. The weekend begins Thursday at 10 a.m. and ends Sunday at noon. Hosted at Bear Creek Lodge and includes sleeping accommodations, homemade meals and snacks, and 24-hour craft room access. First-pay, first-served. May 16, 10 a.m., Bear Creek Lodge, Mead. $175/includes $90 deposit to hold spot with final payment due April 25. (509) 999-6187.

Home/Garden

Invasive Species: Zebra and Quagga Mussels - Presented by the University of Idaho Kootenai County Extension as part of its 2013 Horticulture Series. Kim Knerl, certified Master Gardener, will present this workshop on these invasive species, the effects on our waterways, and what is being done to slow the progression. Registration required at (208) 446-1680 or the Extension Office. Monday, 6-8 p.m., University of Idaho Kootenai County Extension Office, 1808 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene. $10.

Spokane Valley Quilters Guild - Group meets on even-numbered months with a potluck before the meeting. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 924-6320.

Calypso Chapter of Idaho Native Plant Society meeting - Landscape architect Jill Roche presents “Bee Keeping.” Wednesday, 7 p.m., Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 667-8790.

37th Annual Spokane Home & Garden Show – Friday-April 7. Hours are Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and April 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $8/adults; $6/seniors and military; free/children age 12 and younger. (509) 534-5380.

Town and Country Iris Society Meeting - The program will be presented by peony and lily grower Mike Mejie. A short business meeting will follow, including a discussion of the upcoming Iris Show scheduled for June 1 at the Spokane Valley Mall. For more information, call group president Robert Karr at (509) 671-1539 or email iris@sprucecorner.com. Friday, 7 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8260.

Organic Veggie Gardening 101 Workshop with Pat Munts - Find out how to grow a great garden without using chemicals. Munts will share tips and tricks to build your soil and keep bugs at bay so you can grow and harvest healthy food. Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. $15. Registration Required. (509) 368-9378.

Learn to Make Seed Pellets - Learn about “seed pelletizing,” an ancient method that was revived in the last half of the 20th century. Saturday, 1-4 p.m., Pine Meadow Farm Center, 10425 S. Andrus Road, Cheney. $15/adults; $5/children ages 15 and younger. No one turned away for lack of funds. (509) 448-3066.

Herbs in the Garden Workshop with Sarah Patterson - Learn the basic techniques for growing annual and perennial herbs, as well as detailed instructions on proper harvesting for maximum medicinal and culinary benefit. Saturday, 3-5 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. $15. Registration Required. (509) 368-9378.

Ikebana - Learn ikebana, the art of flower arranging. Mondays, 5-6 p.m., through May 13; no lesson April 1. Flowers cost $7-$10/per class. There is no lesson fee, but donations are appreciated. Japanese Cultural Center, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Class size is limited to 25 individuals; please make reservations at (509) 328-2971.

Vermicomposting Workshop - Learn the benefits of worm composting, proper care and how to avoid common problems, and how you can create your own worm bin with inexpensive materials. April 9, 3-5 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. $5. Registration required. (509) 368-9378.

SCC Spring Flower and Garden Show - Featuring floral and garden exhibits, a judged flower show, six lectures/demonstrations with notable gardeners, and a fresh flower market. April 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair, Building 6, 1810 N. Greene St. Free admission and parking. (509) 624-3457.

Composting 101 Workshop - Marilyn and Chris Carothers will show you the best ways to compost outdoors. Please bring at least a gallon-size container of whatever material you would like to put in the compost as your entrance fee. April 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. Free. Registration required. (509) 368-9378.

Companion Planting - Plants have relationships with each other, often times beneficial ones. Learn some of the basics about companion planting. April 15, 3-5 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. $5. Registration required. (509) 368-9378.

Weed Education Day on Tap - University of Idaho Extension and the Bonner County Noxious Weed Department present a weed education day. The workshop will present such topics as the Bonner County Weed Cooperative Program, a weed control in forestry update, bio-control of weeds, resources, and new landscape herbicides. To register contact the extension office at (208) 263-8511. Registration is encouraged by April 13. April 19, 8:30 a.m.-noon, University of Idaho Extension Office in Bonner County, 4205 N. Boyer, Sandpoint. $5/registered; $10/day of class.

Spring History Walks - Each walk complements the current exhibit at Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, “David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work.” The bus will meet at the MAC at 9 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. Pack a lunch for a picnic along the way. All tours include a visit to the Douglas exhibit at the end of the trip. The tours are: April 20, Swanson Lakes, Twin Lakes and Coffeepot Lake; May 4, Little Falls and the mouth of the Spokane River; May 18, Colville Valley and Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge. Registration form: jacknisbet.com/events/? event_id=163. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $55/per person, per trip. (509) 466-2823.

Backyard Forests Workshop- Learn how to keep your trees healthy and attractive. Focus on landowners of five acres or less. Registration deadline is April 16. April 23, 1 p.m., Community Presbyterian Church, St. Maries, Idaho. $5/includes handouts and refreshments. (208) 446-1680.

Associated Garden Club Meeting - Spokane Lilac princesses will be introduced. April 26, Manito Park, Meeting Room, 1702 S. Grand Blvd. (509) 838-3705.

Tree Planting at Turnbull - Hosted by the CCI Greenheart/FLEX exchange programs in honor of Global Youth and Service Day. April 26, 9 a.m., Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, 26010 S. Smith Road, Cheney. For more information call (509) 299-5339.

Spring Compost Fair and Arbor Day Event - Learn how to reduce waste and improve your soil at this event sponsored by the Spokane Master Composters/Recyclers. Spokane County residents who complete the activities may take home a free compost bin (limit one per household). April 27, 11 a.m., Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Free. (509) 625-6800.

Growing Your Own Bee Garden - Learn what flowering plants and trees are the most nutritious for bees and how best to cultivate them in your garden. April 27, 3-4 p.m., Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave. $12. Registration required. (509) 368-9378.

Garden Expo 2013 - Presented by the Inland Empire Gardeners with more than 250 garden-related vendors. Find plant sellers, garden stores, suppliers and manufacturers, unusual perennials, heirloom vegetables, tomato plants, bulbs, hosta, succulents, annuals, trees, garden artists and crafters. There will also be gardening seminars, food, live music and more. May 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair, 1810 N. Greene St. Free admission and parking. (509) 535-8434.

Animals

Easter on Horseback - Riders gather at 10 a.m. at the Equestrian Center in Riverside State Park. The service will be at 11 a.m. at the picnic shelter at the Bowl and Pitcher. This will be a nondenominational worship service led by Joel Crosby, a former pastor, with guitar music by Nathan Smith. A potluck after the service will be at the Equestrian Center at 1 p.m. No stallions or dogs. A Discover Pass is required to park at the Equestrian Center. Today, Riverside State Park, 4427 N. Aubrey L. White Parkway. (509) 724-1668.

Leashes and Laces 5K Fun Run Fundraiser - Run or walk with your dog. All proceeds benefit the Post Falls Police Department K-9 Program. Register in advance or on race day. April 7, 11 a.m., Greyhound Park and Events Center, 5100 W. Riverbend Road, Post Falls. $25/entry fee, includes shirt and medal. (208) 773-3517.

Reigning Cats and Dogs Auction and Chocolate Festival - The event includes a silent and live auction, pet pageant, raffle, and appetizers and desserts. Proceeds benefit the SCRAPS Hope Foundation’s Animal Medical Fund, which provides medical assistance to animals injured or suffering from abuse. April 26, 6 p.m., 6815 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley. $25; $30/door. (509) 477-2760.