Stem and Stein will note AIDS Network milestone

The Spokane AIDS Network will host its first Stem and Stein event at Northern Quest Casino.

Friday’s wine and beer tasting event will honor the 20th anniversary of the Spokane AIDS Network and the work of current and past individuals, corporate sponsors and community partners who have helped reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS in the community.

SAN’s mission is to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS in the Inland Northwest by providing case management, nutritional support, treatment-adherence counseling and support groups to those infected, and prevention through community programs and educational presentations.

Tickets for the Stem and Stein are $35 and will include appetizers, live music and a silent auction.

In addition, an assortment of wines will be available for purchase, and a variety of wine demonstrations and classes will be given.

Demonstrations and classes include: “Blind Tasting,” presented by Drew Smith; “Food and Wine Pairing,” hosted by Char Zyskowski; and an Italian wine class taught by Charity Kowalczyk.

Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance by visiting Huckleberry’s Fresh Market or Vino! A Wine Shop or by calling 455-8993, ext. 320.

Book donations needed

The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center is in need of book donations for its literacy campaign.

The center encourages reading through its Summer Youth Academy. Participants of SYA are active in daily literacy activities by reading, being read to, and finding connections within the material.

Books by the following children’s authors are requested: Jan Brett, Patricia Polacco, Mem Fox, Eric Carle, Audrey Wood, Kevin Henkes and Eve Bunting.

For a more detailed book list call Freda Gandy at 455-8722.

Donations will be accepted at The Center, 845 S. Sherman St.