Wine, dine and help miracle network

The 16th annual Chef’s Culinary Classic to benefit Children’s Miracle Network will be Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the historic Davenport Hotel.

Gifted chefs from the Inland Northwest will prepare a six-course meal pairing each dish with a complimentary wine.

The black-tie affair will include silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $150 per person. Space is limited to 250 people.

To purchase tickets and for more information, call 473-6370 or visit www.cmnspokane.org.

Cheney

Park board meeting tonight

The Cheney Board of Park Commissioners will meet today at 7 p.m. in the Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 Fourth St.

The agenda includes an update of the 2009 budget and a discussion of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the 125th birthday of the city.

The public is invited to attend.

For more information, call Cheney Parks and Recreation at 498-9250.

Monroe Street

Antique district hosts open house

Holiday shoppers will have an opportunity to find unique Christmas gifts at the Monroe Street Antique District’s seventh annual Holiday Open House on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.

Monroe Street has eight antique stores, located between the Monroe Street Bridge and Fairview, and will be extending their hours, offering Christmas specials and serving refreshments.

A drawing for a $100 gift certificate will also be included in the three-day holiday shopping event and may be redeemed at any of the eight antique stores.

For more information, call 324-2018.

Edgecliff

Spaghetti feed to benefit veteran

A spaghetti feed will be held on Saturday at VFW Post 1435 for retired Air Force veteran Jack Stephens, 57, who received burns over 80 percent of his body during a fire at his Airway Heights home earlier this year.

The dinner begins at 4:30 at the VFW, 212 S. David St., in Spokane Valley. Cost is $5.50 per person and will help cover medical costs.

Stephens lost both legs above the knees and has undergone multiple life-saving surgeries.

For more information, call Karen Cochran at 928-2729 or Dave Guinsler at 279-3660.

Nevada\Lidgerwood

Party will help Dachshund rescue

Start celebrating the holidays early and help save homeless wiener dogs at the Holiday Wienerfest Party to benefit Dachshund Rescue Northwest at the Lilac City Dog Training Club, 1612 E Houston Ave., on Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Canine festivities include bobbing for hot dogs and a holiday costume contest.

Cost is $5 per person and a favorite potluck dish. Please bring plates to serve the food on.

A current list of adoptable dogs can be found at www.drnw.petfinder.com. All dogs are fixed or will be fixed before placement, and are up to date on their shots. Adoptable dogs are shorthaired unless otherwise noted.

For more information call Carolyn Smelcer, assistant director of Dachshund Rescue NW, at 796-2140 or visit www.spokanewienerdogs.org.

Chief Garry Park

Human Rights Day events at SCC

A United Nations Human Rights Day celebration will be on Wednesday at the Spokane Community College Library Hagan Center, 1810 N. Greene St., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The celebration will include Voices of Human Rights: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 6 Languages, and an ongoing video of “Youth for Human Rights.”

A community celebration of Human Rights Day features Mayor Mary Verner, Kitara McClure of Spokane Community College, Yvonne Lopez-Morton with the Washington Human Rights Commission, Golie Jansen with UNA-USA Spokane, and Kathleen Mackenzie, World Affairs Council.

George Chritchlow, Gonzaga law professor and founder of Gonzaga Institute for Action Against Hate, will give the keynote address, titled “Sixty Years After: Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

The Havermale Drummers will also perform.

A donation for Second Harvest Food Bank is requested.

For more information, call 456-2382 or 993-7723.

Spokane Valley

Pet adoption fees waived this month

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is waiving all adoption fees for adult cats during the entire month of December, with the hopes that homeless cats in Spokane will find homes this holiday season.

Nearly 3,000 cats are in need of homes. Waived fees include first year vaccination, health check, spay or neuter, and microchip. New owners would only be responsible for licensing costs.

For more information, call Nancy Hill at 477-1967 or Patricia Simonet at 477-2752.

Emerson\Garfield

God’s Closet seeks clothing donations

God’s Closet is collecting children’s gently used clothing, up to size 12, and baby items to donate to those in need in the community.

To make a donation, call Angie Heihn at 536-0773; Bridget Williams at 468-2208; Heidi Spivey at 244-8819; Jennifer Dubon at 280-9603; Mayrel Narvaez at 280-1001; Merryl Tschoepe at 991-4541; or Patti Logan at 714-4929.

Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 828 W. Spofford Ave., will host free days of “shopping” Feb. 13 and Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shoppers will be charged a $1 entrance fee.

For more information, e-mail info@godscloset.us.