Culinary calendar

Save The Day - The American Red Cross in Spokane is celebrating 93 years of service. The event showcases the multiple facets of the local Red Cross and its impact on our local community as well as surrounding areas. A full breakfast will be served, and keynote speaker Neal Sealock, director of Spokane International Airport, will share his own experiences with the Red Cross. Today. 7:30-9 a.m., Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $93. (509) 326-3330 for reservations.

A Tour of Spain - Sample eight wines, cheese and La Brea bread. Friday. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20. Reservations and prepayment required. (509) 343-2253.

Fish Fry - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Friday. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $6.50. Reservations required. (509) 926-2328.

Girl Scouts Cookie Sale - Booth and direct sales Friday through April 15. Varieties include: All Abouts, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Cafe Cookie, Do-Si-Do’s, Trefoils, Samoas and new sugar-free Little Brownies. (509) 747-8091, ext. 228.

Italian Dinner and Auction - Sponsored by Hillyard Senior Center. Dinner seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Entertainment provided by director Jerry Unruh. Friday. Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. $10/adults, $5/ages 7-12, free/ages 6 and younger. (509) 482-0803.

Farm Day at the Moscow Food Co-op - Taste free samples, enjoy live music by local bluegrass band Forgotten Freight, free children’s activities and door prizes. Saturday. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow. Free. (208) 882-8537.

Vermonster Eating Contest - Benefits Wishing Star of Spokane. Sixteen teams of four high school or college students are being invited to compete by eating 20 scoops of ice cream, four bananas, four ladles of hot fudge, three chocolate chip cookies, one fudge brownie, 10 scoops of nuts, two scoops of toppings and tons of whip cream. The event takes place Tuesday for “Sweet 16” at 6 p.m.; next Wednesday for “Elite 8” at 6 p.m.; and March 29 for “Final 4” at 6 p.m. Championship round is March 31 at noon. Each member of the winning team will receive ice cream for a year. Ben and Jerry’s, River Park Square. Entry per team is a minimum $100, top 16 fundraising teams earn right to compete. (509) 455-8500.

Chocolate Festival and Auction Fundraiser - “Reigning Cats and Dogs” event to benefit Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service programs at the shelter and the Animal Medical Fund. March 30. 6:30-9:30 p.m., CenterPlace Mirabeau Point, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $15. (509) 477-2752.

Easy and Elegant Desserts for Seniors - Easy dessert that can be prepared at home. Classes held Mondays and Fridays, March 30-April 20. Registration required. Noon-2 p.m., North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene. $20. (208) 769-3320.

VFW Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Friday. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $6.50. Reservations required. (509) 926-2328.

Fundraising dinner - Hosted by VFW 51. Country fried steak, potatoes and gravy, veggies, roll, salad and dessert. All money will go to the VFW National Home for Children. March 30. 5-7 p.m., 300 W. Mission Ave. $6. (509) 327-9847.

Taste of Life - To benefit Hospice of Spokane. Features beverages from Spokane area wineries and breweries, along with unique culinary fare. March 30. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Spokane Athletic Club. $75. Tickets available at Vino! (509) 456-0438.

The Great American Cabernet Challenge - Blind! - Sample eight wines, cheese and La Brea bread. March 30. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $25. Reservations and prepayment required. (509) 343-2253.

Ahana eighth Anniversary Gala - “Celebrating Success” dinner and dance with guest speaker Neal Sealock, Spokane International Airport executive director. Entree choices are prime rib, chicken marsala, or vegetarian. March 31. 5:30 p.m., Northern Quest Casino Pavillion, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights. $40. (509) 838-1881.

Interplayers Annual Dinner and Auction - To benefit the theatre. March 31. 5-9:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive. $50. (509) 495-2436.

April Fool’s Breakfast - All-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes or French toast. Served with your choice of bacon/sausage and scrambled eggs (not all you can eat). Sponsored by Edgecliff SCOPE April 1. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., VFW Post #1435, 212 S. David Road. Advance: $4/general, $3/children younger than age 12; at the door $1 more for general admission. (509) 535-9315.

Elks Breakfast - Have breakfast with the officers. April 1. 9-11 a.m., Elks Lodge, 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

Palm Sunday Breakfast - For all ages. April 1. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Mary Queen Parish, 3423 E. Carlisle Ave., near Freya. $6/adults, $4/ages 6-12, free/age five and younger. (509) 483-4384.

Sausage Feed - 22nd annual event by St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sprague. Menu includes smoked sausage, mashed potatoes, vegetable, sauerkraut, applesauce and dessert. Sponsored by Thrivent. April 1. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sprague Community Hall, Third and C Street, Sprague, Wash. $9/adults, $4/ages 6-12, free/age five and younger. (509) 257-2806.

Chicken Fried Steak - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. April 6. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $6.50. Reservations required. (509) 926-2328.

Wild Game Feed - Sponsored by North Star Church. Wildlife education and exhibits, free games and door prizes. April 7. Noon-4 p.m., Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Building 3, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission, $5/Men’s game dinner at 5 p.m. (208) 691-5587.

Crazy Cooking - For girls age 14 to 18, learn great Italian recipes. April 11. 3:30-5:30 p.m., Girl Scout Program Center, 1404 N. Ash St. $10. (509) 747-8091.

Spaghetti Dinner - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Reservations required. April 13. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. (509) 926-2328.

The Golden Years of Hollywood - Annual charity auction and dinner including a star-studded buffet. Sponsored by Children’s Village Foundation Inc. All proceeds to benefit the youth at Children’s Village. April 13. 6 p.m., doors open at 5. The Coeur d’Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway, Coeur d’Alene. $47/person, $90/couple, $400/table of eight. (208) 667-1189.

Youth Cooking Class - Baked ziti pasta. For ages 9-13. Registration required. April 13. 6-8:30 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $19. (509) 625-6200.

Through the Grapevine: An Illustrated Guide to Wine Grapes - A lighthearted, well-informed look at choosing and enjoying wine with Candace Ann Frasher. April 14. 2-3:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore cafe, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Elks Inaugural Ball - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Semi-formal attire, chicken cordon bleu dinner and dancing. April 14. 7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $15. Reservations required. (509) 926-2328.

Fashion in Bloom - Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest’s 23rd Annual Fashion Show, Luncheon and Sale. The sale will be held in the Hall of Doges immediately following the show. Proceeds benefit Goodwill programs. April 14. 11:30 a.m., Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $40, lunch included, $370/table of 10, $50/Diva tickets, holders receive seating next to the runway and a preview of the sale at 11 a.m. (509) 444-4382, reservations required.