Culinary Calendar

Fourth Annual Inland Northwest Nacho Recipe Contest - Focusing on taste, and require at least one calorie cutting ingredient and two varieties of cow’s milk cheese. Open to all Inland Northwest amateur chefs, 18 years of age or older, not associated with the hospitality or food service industries. Entry forms are available at all three University Appliance stores (Spokane locations, 9907 E. Sprague Ave., 3916 N. Division St., and Coeur d’Alene, 6960 N. Government Way) through Saturday. Three finalists selected will compete in a cook-off at the Northside location store on April 29 at noon.

Friends of the Farmers’ Market 2006 Spring Celebration - The official season kickoff event. Taste local wines, cheeses, chocolate confections and other Northwest specialties. Talk with the artisans and learn about goals and events for the season and enjoy a slide show of local farms. RSVP requested. Today. 6:30-8 p.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave. Free. 951-4361.

Community Building’s Spring Market - With organic breads and ice cream, fresh pies, cakes, cookies, herbs, local honey, fresh and dried flowers, crafts, music and more. Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through May 5. 35 W. Main Ave. Free admission. 325-2518.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s French Breakfast - For adults age 50 and older. Menu includes French toast, quiche, ham, fruit salad and crepes with strawberries and whipped cream. Friday. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., East Central Senior Community Center, 500 S. Stone St. $5. 625-6693.

Earth Day Luncheon - Brief keynote address by NIC geology instructor Mark McFaddan and the Kootenai County Solid Waste Department’s annual recycling award ceremony, honoring recycling efforts made by our local public schools. Friday. Noon. North Idaho College, Edminster Student Union Building, Coeur d’Alene. $12/general, $10/students. (208) 676-7145.

Experience CenterStage Fun, Fun, Fundraiser - Featuring dinner, entertainment, champagne toast, a “dessert dash” and an unusual auction. Friday. 5:30 p.m., CenterStage (1017 W. First Ave.). $50. 74-STAGE.

Presidential Lunches - Five-course meals prepared by graduating students of Spokane Community College as part of their final project. Students are graded on creativity, composition and presentation. Held Fridays through June. 2. Reservations and prepayment required. 11:30 a.m., Orlando’s, 1810 N. Greene St. $16.50. 533-7283.

Scandinavian Spring Dinner and Dance - Menu includes Norwegian mixed veggie salad, salmon steak, asparagus and potato casserole, frozen lemon mousse. Dancing to Uncle Harold’s Band. Reservations needed by today. Happy hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30. Friday. Sons of Norway, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. $10.50. 326-9211.

Special Spring Beer Tasting - With Bill Hemmen of Trellis Marketing, featuring Mendocino and North Coast Brewing from California and Young’s (from England) and Belgian ales from Duvel and Maredsous. Reservations and prepayment requested. Friday. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $15. 343-2253.

UI Earth Day - “Earth Celebration Day.” Music by the Shaun Daniel Band, barbeque, fluorescent bulb giveaway, information tables and an earth ball game. Bring your own dish to the barbecue and receive a discount. Friday. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., University of Idaho, Idaho Commons Courtyard. Free.

An Evening of Wine and Flowers - Rare tasting of ultra-premium Washington wines benefiting St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Enjoy fabulous cuisine and desserts prepared by award-winning chef Ian Wingate of Moxie. Bid on both live and silent auction lots of allocated wines, unique experiences and more. Saturday. 6-10 p.m., St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St. $100. 473-6006.

Box Lunch at Spokane Buddhist Temple (Japan Week) - Chicken teriyaki box lunch; take-out only. Saturday. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 927 S. Perry St. $8.50. 570-6876.

Earth Day Dance Celebration - Tonasket - Featuring Sister Monk Harem. Performers draw from a variety of musical traditions including funk, hip-hop, Brazilian, Middle Eastern trance music, rock and soul. Dinner is served at 6-7:30 p.m., dance starts at 7:30. Hosted by the Community Cultural Project of Tonasket. Sponsored in part by the Washington Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Saturday. 411 Western Ave., Tonasket. dinner: $5, dance: $8/general, $4/teens. 486-1328.

Miracle of Spring Dinner and Auction - Silent auction, 5:30-7 p.m., dinner at 7 and live auction at 8. Tickets available at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave. Saturday. The Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $45. 358-4890.

Garden of Quilts and Tea - The second annual event hosted by the Spokane Valley Community Center Auxiliary. There will be a quilt display and vendors. Hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tea is at 1 p.m. each day. There will be raffle items and entertainment. Horizon Middle School, 3915 S. Pines Road. $30 show and tea; $5 quilt show only. 927-1153.

GU International Student Dinner (Japan Week) - Taste and see the colors of the world. Special dishes prepared by GU international students, entertainment and displays. Menu includes Kahlua Pork (Hawaii), Nikujyaga (Japan), enchiladas and gumbo. Vegetarian dishes also available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner from 6-9. Saturday. Gonzaga University, Cataldo’s Globe Room. $12/adults, $7/ages 6-12, in advance, $15/adults, $10/ages 6-12 at the door. 994-3330.

Free Ice Cream Cone Day - Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday. Ben & Jerry’s, River Park Square, Atrium level, 808 W. Main Ave. 455-8500.

Yummi Yaki Soba and Sushi Roll Sale (Japan Week) - A variety of sushi rolls and yaki soba noodles for sale. Tuesday. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane Falls Community College, SUB, Room 17, 3410 Fort George Wright Drive. 533-3367.