Spokane calendar

Today

Trail ride benefit – The Rambo Rider 4-H Club will host a trail ride to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 10 a.m. at the Busy Bee Ranch, 14910 W. Craig Road; register in advance by calling 327-1899 or 328-8358.

Cancer benefit concert – Musician David Bailey, a brain tumor survivor, will perform in a concert to benefit Cancer Care Northwest Foundation today at 7 p.m., Rendezvous, 1003 E. Trent; $10; tickets are available at 605 E. Holland, 602 S. Sherman and 12615 E. Mission or call 228-1009.

Fall Leaf Festival – The annual festival is family event featuring a giant leaf pile for playing, arts and crafts projects, displays and demonstrations, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Finch Arboretum, Sunset Highway and F Street; free; 624-4832.

Nonviolent communication – Communication workshops based on Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s “Nonviolent Communication,” today, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive. An advanced workshop will be Sunday, 1-5 p.m., at the church. The suggested donation is $40-$60 for the basic workshop and $25-$40 for the advanced; child care available to those registering in advance by calling 325-6383.

Upcoming

Engineers Forum of Spokane– Aquifer protection will be focus of topic by Rob Lindsay, manager of water resources for Spokane County, Monday, noon, Holiday Inn Airport, 1616 Windsor Drive; lunch, $12; 244-3467.

Library public meetings – The Spokane Public Library plans a series of public meetings to get input on a plan to increase library branch hours of operation. Meetings are Tuesday, 7-8 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry; Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., Indian Trail Library, 4709 W. Barnes Road; 444-5300.

Faith informing politics – The Interfaith Council and Catholic Charities will host a series of public workshops discussing the five initiatives on the November ballot, Thursday, 7-8 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th; Oct. 24, 7-8 p.m., St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 501 N. Walnut Road; Oct. 26, 7-8 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 440 N.E. Ash, Pullman; 7-8 p.m. Oct. 27, Country Homes Christian Church, 8415 N. Wall; 329-1410.

Ski swap – The 41st annual Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol ski swap at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. Registration to sell items Friday, 3-9 p.m. There will be a fee of 50 cents per item. The sale is open next Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-noon. A portion of each sale will benefit the Ski Patrol; $4 admission, free for children 12 and under; 926-3944.

Coin show – The 2005 Coin Show hosted by the Inland Empire Coin Club, next Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Sons of Norway Hall, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd.; $2 admission, free for kids under 12; 325-0119.

United Nations Day celebration – Guest speaker Mary Ann Murphy, executive director of Partners with Families and Children, hosted by the United Nations Association-Spokane, Oct. 24, 6 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road; $25 general admission, $10 for students; registration deadline is Oct. 15; 448-0762.

Engineers Forum of Spokane – “Armed Forces Aerospace Museum” will be focus of topic by Air Force veteran Don Tuttle, Oct. 24, noon, Holiday Inn Airport, 1616 Windsor Drive. Lunch is $12. 244-3467.

Aquatics facilities public meetings – The Spokane Park Board’s aquatics citizens advisory committee is collecting public comments on recommendations for the future of Spokane’s aquatic facilities and programs, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., at the Spokane Main Library, 906 W. Main; 363-5458.

Women’s Association luncheon – The Spokane College Women’s Association will host guest speaker Dr. John Diggs on “The Medical Facts of Homosexuality,” Oct. 26, 11 a.m., Red Lion River Inn, 700 N. Division; lunch, $13; reservations must be made by Oct. 22 by calling 465-0362.

Halloween Family Fun Night – Oct. 28, 5:30-7 p.m., Spokane Community College’s Lair Student Center, 1810 N. Greene; free; 533-7090.

Moran Prairie Harvest Dinner – The annual dinner of turkey and all the trimmings, Oct. 30, noon-3 p.m., Moran Prairie Grange Hall, 61st and Palouse Highway; dinner, $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12, free for kids under 5; proceeds benefit the Grange Hall; 922-2113.

Conservation Northwest dinner – Auction and dinner featuring author and wilderness advocate Rick Bass, 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post; $45; (360) 671-9950, ext. 10.

AmeriCorps – This group is offering on-the-job training in the housing construction industry to those ages 18-25. The group is also looking for tutors for at-risk high school students and a volunteer coordinator/trainer, 18 years or older, to provide activities for AmeriCorp members. For more information, call 456-7660.

Host Families Needed – Council Educational Travel USA is looking for host families for foreign exchange students. Students must pass an English proficiency test, will come with their own spending money and are fully insured. For information, call Gina Polignoni at 362-4549.