Culinary calendar
Spaghetti Dinner - Everyone is welcome; karaoke to follow. Sponsored by the Elks Lodge; Friday, 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road; $5. 926-2328.
Taste Washington Harvest Festival - Evening of wine tasting, fine cuisine and entertainment. Sample from a selection of 250 Washington wines; Friday, 7-10 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick; $51.50. (206) 667-9463, ext. 219.
The Dark Side of Red - A wide variety of dark, brooding reds; Friday, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave., $22. 343-2253.
Harvest Party – Eleventh-annual grape stomping competition, cork-spitting contest, live music, a smelling bee and more; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m., Pend d’Oreille Winery, Sandpoint; free. (208) 265-8545.
Luau - Everyone is welcome. Dinner will be served from 6-7 p.m., followed by a floor show from 7-8. Dancing to Silver Lining begins at 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2605 N. Robie Road; $15/dinner, $5/not including dinner. Reservations required. 926-2328.
Sunday Brunch on the Farm - Sponsored by the Rural Roots “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign, Sept.11. Tour the farm and enjoy a brunch made from fresh produce. Reservations are required; please advise of dietary restrictions or food allergies when reserving; Greentree Naturals Inc., 2003 Rapid Lightning Road, Sandpoint; $35. (208) 263-8957.
DeutschesFest – Authentic German food, music, biergarten, parade, flea market, live bands, motorcycle poker run, quilt show, horseshoe tournament: Sept. 15-18, Odessa, Wash. www.odessachamber.net.
Ten Great Whites Under $20 - Sept. 16, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave.; $22. 343-2253.
Apple Festival - Harvest festival is held over seven weekends, Sept. 17-Oct. 30. Enjoy a large variety of apples, fresh pressed cider and other produce, live music, craft booths, corn and straw mazes and animals. Green Bluff.
Washington Boutique Wine - Small production red and white wine from Washington State producers who care more about quality than quantity; Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave.; $22. 343-2253.
Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction - To benefit Zachary T. Baldwin, a 7-year-old injured in a dirt bike accident. All-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner; Sept. 25, 4-8 p.m., Northern Quest Casino, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights; $10/adults, $5/children age 11 and under, $30/family of four or more. 981-4726 or 796-2415.
Imported French Wines - Robert Kacher selections presented by Vino! with 12-15 wines to sample, appetizers and informational handouts; Sept. 26, 6 p.m., The Spokane Club, Cutter Room; $50. Pre-registration is required. 838-1229.
Cabernet - Cabernet - Cabernet - It’s good to be the king – of wine, that it; Sept. 30, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave.; $25. 343-2253.
Oktobertest - 20-piece German band, huge German-food buffet and beer. Oct. 1. 4 p.m., Hidden Lakes Golf Resort, Sandpoint. (208) 263-1642.
Desserts: Discovering the World of Chocolate - With Eva Roberts, sponsored by Institute of Extended Learning Community Education. Participate in chocolate sampling to see the differences in types of chocolate; watch a demonstration on baking chocolate indulgences that you can make at home; tour the bakery and meet the instructor and family, owners since 1986; Oct. 4. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Just American Desserts, 213 S. University Road; $24. Pre-registration is required. 279-6000.
Festa Italiana - Italian Festival – Cooking demonstrations, wine and beer garden, bola grape stomp contest, mouth-watering food, carnival rides, Italian Idol karaoke singing contest, artisan and business booths, and live family entertainment with jugglers, magicians, music and more; Oct. 8-9. Hours Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-midnight, and Oct. 9 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission, parking $1. (208) 773-8522.
Octobrewfest and Auction - To benefit Multiple Sclerosis; Oct. 29, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Havana at Broadway; $12/advance, $14/door. 482-2022.