Family calendar

Thu., Dec. 4, 2008

Today

After-school Specials (Moran Prairie) - Celebrate children’s book author Jan Brett through stories, crafts, and games. A different author will be celebrated each month. 4 p.m., Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. 893-8340.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. 893-8350. 11 a.m. Free.

Preschool Storytime (South) - For children 3-5 years of age. 10:30 a.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. 444-5385.

Teddy Bear Teas (Shadle) - An annual celebration of a great American icon, the Teddy Bear. Bring your favorite bear and join in the fun during storytime. 10 a.m., Preschool Storytime; 10:30 a.m., Toddler Storytime. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. 444-5331.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations and times include: 10 a.m., Cheney, 610 First St. 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. 893-8350; 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. 893-8400. Free.

Toddler Storytime (South) - For children 18 months-3 years of age. 10 a.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. 444-5385.

Ongoing

“A Christmas Story” - Christian Youth Theater – Spokane presents this 1983 Christmas classic involving Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, a leg lamp and other family antics. Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday and 13, 3 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 14, 3 p.m. Visit www.cytspokane.com or call for tickets. Trent Elementary, Adamson Auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road. $9/adults, $8/children and seniors, $7/group, $6/discount matinee Saturday. 487-6540.

After School Camp - Hosted by the Northeast Youth Center. For ages 5-12. Children will be transported from school to the Northeast Youth Center II for a snack, games, computer play, arts and weekly field trips. Schools serviced include: Arlington, Bemiss, Cooper, Lidgerwood, Linwood, Logan, Longfellow, Ridgeview, Regal, Stevens, Whitman and Willard. Held Mondays-Fridays. Runs through June 20. 3-6 p.m., Northeast Youth Center II, 2121 E. Wabash Ave. $53/week. State pay accepted. Scholarships available. 482-0708.

Beginning Ice Hockey - For children age 4-8. Learn the fundamentals. Participants must have a hockey helmet, mouth guard, hockey gloves, shin pads and hockey stick. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $59, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. 625-6200.

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; Saturday, Gala Dinner Dance; Sunday, “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” Isabella Ballroom, $10/door; Monday, Red Hat Luncheon, 12 noon, $25, reservations required at 458-8733; Tuesday-Thursday at noon, 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. 458-TREE.

Dance Camp - Hosted by the Northeast Youth Center. For children age 7-12. Learn the latest hip-hop moves and participate in a dance performance at the end of camp. Held Mondays and Wednesdays. Runs through Dec. 17. 6:15-7:45 p.m., Whitman Elementary School Gymnasium, 5400 N. Helena St. $34, includes a t-shirt. Scholarships are available. 482-0708.

Fifth Annual Christmas Creche Exhibit (Nativities) – Today-Monday. View over 700 nativity scenes from over 26 different countries. Made from a vast array of materials including rock, ceramic, marble, fabric, glass, coconut shells, Mt. St. Helen ash, and engine parts. Exhibit viewing is Thursday-Friday and Monday, 3-9 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Enjoy musical performances from local talent within the religious community each evening at 7 p.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1620 E. 29th Ave. Free. 448-2247.

Ice Skate Lessons - For children age four and older. Learn basic skills. Helmets and outdoor clothing are recommended. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $59, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. 625-6200.

Ice Skate Parent and Tot Lessons - For children age three and older. Learn to skate with your child. Helmets and outdoor clothing are recommended. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $39/parent and child, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. $18/additional person. 625-6200.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Ice skating outdoors. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Runs through March 1. Riverfront Park. $4.25/adults; $3.25/children ages 3-17 seniors and military; $3/skate rental. 625-6601.

Santa Express - For ages 4-12. Kids can find fun, inexpensive gifts with the help of volunteer elves who also will help them wrap the gifts. Prices range from 50 cents to $7.50. Money raised is donated to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Runs through Dec. 23. Crescent Building in the skywalk level at corner of Main and Wall streets, just east of Spokane Teachers Credit Union, downtown Spokane. 535-3155.

Spokane Chiefs Hockey - Saturday vs. Kootenay, with Teddy Bear Toss Night, sponsored by The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund and 101.1 FM; Dec. 12 vs. Seattle, with Circling Raven Night, sponsored by Coeur d’Alene Casino and Rock 94 1/2; Dec. 13 vs. Seattle, sponsored by 93.7 The Cat; Dec. 16 vs. Medicine Hat, with Player Magnet Giveaway, sponsored by TicketsWest and 105.7 The Peak; Dec. 27 vs. Tri City, with Buck Night, sponsored by SuperCuts and 92.9 ZZU. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. $9-$17. (800) 325-SEAT.

Tae-Kwon-Do Classes - For all ages. Improve your fitness, flexibility, coordination, strength and learn self-defense techniques. Beginner class offered Mondays and Wednesdays and advanced class offered Fridays. Runs through June 20. 6:30-8 p.m., Cooper Elementary School Gymnasium, 3200 N. Ferrall St. Two cans of food per month. 482-0708.

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. Runs through Sept. 25. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. 324-1995.

Friday

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m. Runs through Dec. 24. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Preschool Storytime - For children three to five years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. 444-5356; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St.; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St. 444-5380; Indian Trail, 4909 W. Barnes. 444-5395. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Teddy Bear Teas - An annual celebration of a great American icon, the Teddy Bear. Bring your favorite bear and join in the fun during storytime. 10 a.m., Preschool Storytime; 10:30 a.m., Toddler Storytime. Library locations include: Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave.; East Side, 524 S. Stone St. Free. 444-5331.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. 444-5356; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St.; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St. 444-5380; Indian Trail, 4909 W. Barnes. 444-5395. 10 a.m. Free.

Saturday

“Madeline’s Christmas” - Presented by the Spokane Children’s Theatre. Shows Nov. 28, 1 and 4 p.m., Nov. 29 at 1 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m., Sunday, 7 p.m., Dec. 13, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1810 N. Howard St. $10/adults, $8/age 18 and younger. 325-SEAT or 328-4886 for information.

2008 Hillyard Holiday Festival - Saturdays-Sundays, through Dec. 14. Craft and gift vendors, holiday treats, and Santa pics for $5. Proceeds from the event benefit the local neighborhood non-profit organizations. Along historic Market Street the businesses will be participating in the annual decorations contest. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Hillyard North Pole, 5101 N. Market St., in Old U.S. Bank Building. 998-1404.

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

Country & Kiddie Christmas Store - Sponsored by COPS Northeast. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. 998-1404.

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. 8-10 a.m., The Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $25. 624-KIDS.

Teddy Bear Tea (Shadle) - An annual celebration of a great American icon, the Teddy Bear. Bring your favorite bear and join in the fun. 4 p.m., Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. 444-5331.

Winterfest - Presented by The Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge with tours to see elk on the refuge, a presentation by a local raptor rehab and education program, a chili feed and live music. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, 26010 S. Smith Road, Cheney. Donation. 245-4531.

Sunday

Sixth Annual Holiday Dog Party - All small breeds are welcome to benefit Dachshund Rescue Northwest. Please bring some potluck dishes with the plates, drinks and utensils to be provided. There will be a Christmas dog costume contest, dog games like Bobbing for Hot Dogs and lots of prizes. No reservations needed. No large dogs please and please pick up after your own dog. 1-5 p.m., Lilac City Dog Training Club, 1612 E. Houston Ave,. $5/person. 796-2140.

Monday

Wrestling Camp - For children age 5-12. Taught by Spokane Junior Wrestling coach, Tim Frye. Learn the basic fundamentals, participate in mat time and competition. 6:30-8 p.m., Garry Middle School Cafeteria, 725 E. Joseph Ave. $44, includes a t-shirt. Scholarships are available. 482-0708.

Tuesday

Diaper Changing Know-how - Learn the basics of diapering, from how to get the perfect fit, to the best way to keep your little one’s bottom clean, dry and free of diaper rash. Reservations requested. 7-8 p.m., Babies R Us, 6104 N Division St. Free. 842-5020.