Culinary calendar

Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with take-out from 1-3 p.m. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) 324-1995.

A Dime in Time - Moscow Food Co-op shoppers will receive a 10 cent discount when they use their own bags or coffee cups. Customers will have the option of donating their dime to a featured monthly organization. Each month, a new group of organizations will be awarded the donated dimes, which averages to $600 every month. Runs through Saturday. Moscow Food Co-op Cafe, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow, Idaho. (208) 882-8537 or (208) 882-5458.

Tasteful Thursdays - Hosted by the Moscow Food Co-op. Held every Thursday in December. Enjoy live music while sampling the co-op’s wine and beer, fruits, veggies, entrees, baked goods and more. 5-7 p.m., Moscow Food Co-op Cafe, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow, Idaho. (208) 882-8537.

Stovetop Smoker Demonstration - Hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Today. 1 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. Free. (509) 328-3335.

Coffee Class - Hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Learn about brewing, tasting and the origins of coffee with Doma. Participants will also receive a half-pound of coffee. Registration is required. Thursday. 1 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $5. (509) 328-3335.

Christmas Tree Elegance - Benefits the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, presented by the Spokane Symphony Associates. Friday, 6 p.m., tree lighting ceremony in the lobby, free; Free viewing of 12 trees and gifts on The Davenport Mezzanine, Saturday-Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast and Gala Dinner Dance; Sunday, “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” Isabella Ballroom, $10/door; Monday, Red Hat Luncheon, 12 noon, $25, reservations required at (509) 458-8733; Tuesday-Dec. 11, Macy’s Style Show and Luncheon (Dec. 12 SOLD OUT); Dec. 13, Raffle drawing in lobby of trees. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $1/raffle tickets for trees. (509) 458-TREE.

Breakfast with Santa - Pancakes, eggs, bacon and orange juice from 9 a.m.-noon; rummage sale from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. CenterPointe, 1408 N. Washington St. $5/adults, $4/seniors and children ages 5-12, $3/age 4 and younger. (509) 325-5451.

Christmas for Africa - Charity auction and dinner fundraiser sponsored by The Luke Commission, a Sagle-based, nonprofit group that provides free health care to people in Swaziland, Africa. The commission is led by founders Dr. Harry and Echo (Tuinstra) VanderWal. Includes a catered dinner, silent auction and live auction and furniture and craft items. Donations being accepted. Saturday. 6:30 p.m., The Olde Greenhouse, 1220 Michigan St., Sandpoint. $25/each. (208) 263-9311.

Huckleberry’s Annual Cheese Extravaganza - Sample exotic cheeses from around the world. Representatives will include: Karoun Dairy (Lebanon), Yancey’s Fancy Cheese (United States, New York), Marin (France), Pilgrim’s Choice (England), Norseland (Norway), Lactalis (France), Kerrygold (Ireland), Divina (Greece), Essential Baking (United States, Washington), Emmi Cheese Company (Switzerland), Champignon (France), BelGioioso (United States, Wisconsin), Beemster (Holland), Amaltheia Dairy (United States, Montana). Spokane Wine Co. will also offer advice on wine and cheese pairings. Saturday. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Huckleberry’s Natural Market, 926 S. Monroe St. (509) 624-1349.

JACC Holiday Soiree Fundraiser - Annual party and fundraiser. Includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, four-course dinner, dessert, entertainment and auction. Reservations required. Saturday. 5:30 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Culture Center at the Old Church, 405 Williams St., Post Falls. $125 each or $1,000 for table of 8. (208) 457-8950.

Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast - Fifth annual event benefits Mobius Kids children’s museum, in conjunction with Christmas Tree Elegance by Spokane Symphony Associates. Breakfast, visit with Santa, and festive holiday crafts. Pictures available with Santa at an additional charge. Sponsored by Numerica Credit Union and The Inlander. Saturday. 8-10 a.m., The Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $25. (509) 624-KIDS.

Author Tullia Barbanti - Local Italian cooking instructor will sign copies of her cookbook, “Al Dente,” and share delectable samples made from recipes in the book. Sunday. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore main floor, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Cheryl’s Chocolate Covered Cherries - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Registration is required. Tuesday. 6 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $10. (509) 328-3335.

Holiday Cranberry Orange Loaf - A baking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Registration is required. Tuesday. 1 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $5. (509) 328-3335.

Frickle Family Traditional Christmas Manicotti - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Registration is required. Dec. 10. 6 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $10. (509) 328-3335.

Holiday Cinnamon Buns – Learn how to make low-fat, soft and slightly sweet buns. Registration is required and space is limited. Dec. 10. 1-5 p.m., Southside Senior Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $10. (509) 535-0803.

Food and Wine Seminar - Learn about preparing, and then eating appetizers. Cooking demonstration focusing on local gourmet food providers and Terra Blanca wine pairing combinations. Dec. 11. 7-9 p.m., Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard, Red Mountain, Benton City. $50. (509) 588-6082, ext: 104.

Lonnie’s Famous Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip Cookies - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Dec. 11. 1-3 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. Free. (509) 328-3335.

Breakfast with Santa - Enjoy breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. Menu includes: pancake, eggs, sausage, juice, coffee and peppermint ice cream. Listen to a story read by Mrs. Claus, make arts and crafts with Santa’s elves and have your picture taken. Every child will go home with a gift from Santa. Two sessions are available to register for: Session 1/No. 7066, 8-9:30 a.m. and Session 2/No. 7067, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Please provide class number when registering. Dec. 13. Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $15/adults, $12 children. (509) 625-6200.

Christmas Cookie Walk - Select from a variety of beautiful Christmas cookies to benefit Freedom House Women’s Recovery Home which is a four-month faith-based recovery program. Free samples, hot chocolate and coffee. Dec. 13. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden. (208) 704-1110.

Church Dinner - Craft and Baked Goods Sale - Dinner includes a baked potato bar, fruit salad, ice cream sundae and drinks. Dec. 13. 4-8 p.m., Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, 4449 N. Nevada St. $5/person, children age six and younger/free. (509) 487-9667.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build Off and Display - Dec. 14-25. Iron-Chef-style event features renowned local chefs teaming up with equally renowned local architects to create enormous gingerbread structures. Build Off of Houses will be Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Mezzanine level. The gingerbread structures will be on display 24 hours a day through Dec. 23. Kids can decorate their own mini-gingerbread houses on Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, $7. Benefits Christ Kitchen, a job-training ministry for Spokane women living in poverty. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free viewing. (509) 954-0554.

Burnt Creme - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Learn how to make Clinkerdaggers famous dessert with Chef Bob Aldred. Reservations are required. Dec. 16. 6 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $10. (509) 328-3335.

Christmas Crepes - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Reservations are required. Dec. 17. 6 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $10. (509) 328-3335.

Norwegian Krumkaka - A cooking class hosted by The Kitchen Engine. Reservations are required. Dec. 18. 6 p.m., The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 416. $5. (509) 328-3335.

Wine Tastings - Hosted by the North Idaho Enological Association. Held every third Friday of each month. Dec. 19 and Jan. 16. 7:30 p.m., Lake City Senior Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Coeur d’Alene. $20/members; $28/non-members. (208) 772-5401.

New Year’s Eve Dance - Dance to live music performed by Touch of Class and enjoy a hot breakfast buffet and champagne toast at midnight. Reservations are required. Dec. 31. 8 p.m., Southside Senior Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $25. (509) 535-0803.

Wild Game Feast - Five-course meal of wild game delicacies presented by the North Idaho College Alumni Association. Proceeds benefit the association and student scholarships. Jan. 24. 6 p.m., Ts’elusm Dining Room at the NIC Edminster Student Union Building, 1000 W. Garden Ave. $55/each, $49.50/alumni association members. (208) 769-7806.

Black and White Ball - Dinner and dance with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony. Call symphony office for tickets. Jan. 31. 6 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St. Tickets available at symphony office only. (208) 765-3833.