Spokane calendar
Today
International Peace Day – A short ceremony with the release of doves, Native American flute music and a proclamation by City Council President Dennis Hession, noon, Riverfront Park Lilac Bowl; 329-1409.
City Forum speaker series fund-raiser – Luncheon, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar. The guest speaker is Carol Coletta, host of National Public Radio’s “Smart City”; $75 minimum donation; reservations required by Sept. 19; 777-1555.
The Parent Project – A 12-week class series that focuses on improving the parent-child relationships. The first session, designed for parents of youth ages 11-18, is 6-9 p.m. at the Providence Faith and Healing Center, 101 W. Eighth. 389-2930.
Upcoming
Child safety seat check – Technicians will be on hand during the free event to inspect child safety seats and make sure they are properly installed, Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dishman Dodge, 7700 E. Sprague; 324-3613.
Valleyfest – Friday, 7 p.m., community parade from Spokane Valley City Hall down Sprague to University Avenue, followed by a free showing of “Napoleon Dynamite” at 8:30 p.m. at Mirabeau Park. Saturday, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at Mirabeau Park, pancake breakfast, children’s activities, food, music and more. Activities are also scheduled at the nearby Valley YMCA and the new CenterPlace. The day ends with a free showing of “Shrek 2” in the park at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.valleyfest.org or call 922-3299.
Five Mile Prairie Day – Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Five Mile Prairie Grange at the corner of Five Mile and Strong Roads. There will be a classic car show, two fun runs, bake sale, silent auction, Farmer’s Market, craft show, kids activities, food, music and a jumping castle; 468-8344.
TrailFest – Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Mirabeau Meadows; includes 5K run, in-line poker skate, cyclist scavenger hunt, interactive booths, lunch and prize drawings; sponsored by The Friends of the Centennial Trail; $25; www.spokanecentennialtrail.org; 624-7188.
Benefit organ concert – John Bodinger and Friends will perform Sunday, 3 p.m., Manito Presbyterian Church, 410 E. 30th. Donations will be accepted to benefit Camp Fire USA; 747-6191, ext. 20.
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Meeting – Monday, 1-3 p.m., Hospitality House Senior Center, 216 S. Washington St., Newport. Sponsored by Rural Resources Community Action; (800) 776-9026.
Women’s Club of Spokane card party – seeking players for games of pinochle and Bridge Monday, noon-3 p.m., 1428 W. Ninth. Bring a sandwich; dessert will be provided; $2; 838-5667.
AARP driving class – Monday and Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., Public Service Building, 310 N. Main St., Colfax; 397-4385.
Forest Stewardship Course – six-week course Tuesday-Nov. 1, 6:30-9 p.m., Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St., Building 9, Room 003. Course is also offered in Colville Sept. 28-Nov. 2. Registration deadline is Friday; 684-2588.
Peace and Justice Action League – An evening of socializing for members or those interested in becoming members, Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main; 838-7870.
Spokane College Women’s Association luncheon – Next Wednesday, 11 a.m., Red Lion River Inn, 700 N. Division; guest speaker is author Mary Jane Butters of Moscow, Idaho; $13; reservations are required by Saturday. 465-0362.
North Wall Schools open house – Learn about North Wall Elementary School and the North Wall Child Development Center, Sept. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 9408 N. Wall. Reservations are requested. 466-2695.
Poetry reading – Whitworth professor Nadine Chapman will read poetry from her recently published collection “On Solitude” Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main; 777-4792.
Oktoberfest – Hosted by the German-American Society of Spokane, Oct. 1, 6 p.m., Deutsches Haus, 25 W. Third. Music, dancing, German beer, wine, food. Admission is $10 and does not include food or drinks. Advance reservations available at 325-1113 or 443-1507.
Compass Club luncheon – The women’s club for welcoming newcomers into the area will gather for a luncheon and tour at the Northern Lights Brewery at the corner of Trent and Hamilton, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.; $15; reservations, 465-8163.
Magic of Quilting – 27th annual show will be Oct. 7, noon-8 p.m.; Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Spokane Convention Center; hosted by the Spokane Chapter of the Washington State Quilters; $5 three-day admission ; children 11 and under are free; 443-2319.
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 information about any of these opportunities, call 456-7660.