Culinary calendar

Wine, Ride & Dine - Enjoy local wines, a spectacular SkyRide over the Spokane Falls and an incredible dinner from Anthony’s on Wednesdays or Clinkerdagger’s on Thursdays. Today and Thursday, May 15-16 and May 22-23, from 4:30-6 p.m. Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. $55/includes wine tasting, SkyRide, dinner and gratuity. (509) 625-6200.

Cooking Classes at the Kitchen Engine - Today: Salmon Season; Thursday: Chicken Dijon and Broadway Pea Salad; Monday: Introduction to Yeast Breads; Tuesday: The Tofu Transformation. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 328-3335.

Inland Northwest Culinary Academy After Dark Classes - Today, Fresh Fruit Tarts; Tuesday, Butter-creams; May 20, Wine, Refined; June 11, Savory and Sweet Bites; June 12, Homemade Croissants; June 18, Cake Pop Making; June 19, Margaritaville Grill. All classes are 6-8 p.m. Register at incaafterdark@scc.spokane.edu or call (509) 279-6030 or (800) 248-5644, ext. 6030. INCA at SCC, 1810 N. Greene St., Bldg. 1. $50. (509) 279-6030.

Cooking With Love: South of the Border - Two Cooks with Love will present a class dedicated to Mexican cuisine. Bring an apron to this hands-on course and learn how to make garlic and pasilla chili soup, spiced rib eye with lime butter, spicy grilled chicken with creamy pumpkin mole sauce, arroz verde al poblano, and a watermelon and papaya salad with a tequila lime vinaigrette. RSVP at (509) 891-5980. Thursday, 6-8:30 p.m., 11712 E. Boone Ave., Spokane Valley. $35/person; $60/couple.

Wine Class: Show Your Pride … Drink American Wine - Come enjoy a tasting of the elegant pinot noirs produced within Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the wonderfully balanced wines of Washington state, and the lush and bountiful wines of California. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Total Wine & More, 9980 N. Newport Highway. $25. (509) 466-1644.

Mobile Food Bank - In partnership with Contract Based Education High School and Second Harvest Food Bank, this event provides free fresh produce and perishable products for all families in need of assistance. Open to the public, no appointment or documentation necessary to participate. Must be present to receive products, home-bound individuals may send a note. Please bring a box for your food. Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Contract Based Education, 115 S. University Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 927-1100.

Lilac Luncheon - This luncheon, presented by the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane, kicks off Lilac Week. Monday, 11:30 a.m., the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $30.

Taking a Bite out of Hunger - 19th annual event and one of the region’s hottest food and beverage tasting events. There will be 50 top purveyors of fine food, wines, microbrews, spirits and coffee providing generous samples. This year will include whimsical handmade flower centerpieces that can be purchased for $35. Lots of silent auction tables. May 15, 5:30-9 p.m., Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. $75. (509) 252-6265.

Beer Class: Summer Solstice, the Seasonal Beers of Summer - This class provides a sample of the summer offerings from craft breweries. May 16, 6:30 p.m., Total Wine & More, 9980 N. Newport Highway. $15. (509) 466-1644.

Fabulous ’50s Party and Silent Auction - Come celebrate the 55th anniversary of Sinto Senior Activity Center with a 1950s dinner menu of burgers and sodas, an antique car show, dancing, silent auction and costume contest. Music by Joel Brantley. May 17, 5-9 p.m., Sinto Senior Activity Center, 1124 W. Sinto Ave. $15/advance; $20/door, includes meal. (509) 327-2861.

Sixth Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction - Presented by the Friends of Eastern to raise money for patients at Eastern State Hospital. All donations are tax deductible. May 18, 3 p.m., Center Pointe, 1408 N. Washington St. $25/general; $15/students. (509) 828-1245.

S.K. Ball - Best barn dance of the year benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane. Dinner, live music and dancing lessons, hippity-hop races, mechanical bull and prizes for best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl. Includes all the beer and wine you can fit in a red Solo cup! Register at www.rmhcspokane.org/events. May 18, 6 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. $75. (509) 624-0500.

SpringFEAST - The Moscow Food Co-op presents five courses of seasonal and local food paired with wine. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at the Co-Op. May 19, 7 p.m., Moscow Food Co-Op, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow. $40. (208) 882-8537.

Pub Cuisine - Master Chef Steve Geving presents “Pub Cuisine: Cooking With and Enjoying Beer.” May 22, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Road, Blanchard, Idaho. $25. Reservations required at (209) 437-0426.

Newman Lake Ladies Aid - The Women’s Annual Spring Tea and Luncheon with proceeds to benefit the community and public schools. May 23, 12:30 p.m., Newman Lake Tri-Community Grange, 25025 E. Heather, Newman Lake. $5. (509) 475-1406.

Tea Party - John Caskey will present, “From Bonnets to Modern Hats.” Hat modeling by Catherine Caskey and an Elegant Hat Competition. There will be a light lunch provided by Park Place. June 1, Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland. $12/advance; $15/door; $90/table of eight. (509) 327-1584.

Vanessa’s Promise Benefit Luncheon - “Love Handed Down,” presented by the Jewelry Design Center, benefits the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Guests will be treated to lunch and hear from Vanessa’s sister and grandfather. Celebrating 26 years of keeping kids safe and strengthening families of our community. Reservations required by May 21. June 4, noon-1 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, Integra Telecom Ballroom, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Free, but donations are appreciated. (509) 340-0479.