Spokane calendar

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 Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and next Sunday, 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, Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and next Sunday, 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 age 5-12, free for kids under 5; proceeds benefit the Grange Hall; 922-2113.

Engineers Forum of Spokane – The program is “Dentistry in the Mission Field” by retired dentist Blake McKinley, Oct. 31, noon, Holiday Inn Airport, 1616 Windsor Drive; lunch, $12; 244-3467.

Compass Club luncheon – The women’s club for welcoming newcomers to the area will gather for its annual auction at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the Ramada Inn Airport, 8909 Airport Drive. Lunch is $12. Call 465-8163 to register.

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.

Japanese culture day – The Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute hosts a Bunka no Hi Culture Day event, Nov. 3, 10:15-11:45 a.m., 4000 W. Randolph Road; free, but reservations are requested by calling 328-2971.

Whitworth Writing Rally – Children’s author David Shannon will lead the 22nd annual rally. Sessions are Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Children in preschool through fifth grade must be accompanied by an adult and will work in small groups to create and illustrate stories. A reception will follow each session. The cost is $15. Register in advance at www.thewritingrally.org or call 777-4409. The deadline is Oct. 28.

Scottish Highland Ball – A 50th anniversary event hosted by the St. Andrew’s Society of Spokane and the Angus Scott Pipe Band, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m., The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post. There will be live music, dancing and an appetizer buffet; $37.50; 922-3661.

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 AmeriCorps 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.