Social calendar

Second Chance Extravaganza Dinner and Auction - Faith and Environment Network will host this fundraiser. Doors open and silent auction bidding begins at 3:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5. Tickets available at the Salem Lutheran Book Parlor, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, at The Lands Council office, or by calling or e-mailing faithandenvironment@gmail.com. Donations of new or gently used items or services for the auction can also be made by contacting Amber at (509) 868-9219 or amber_waldref@hotmail.com. Today. 3:30-7 p.m., St. Johns Cathedral Great Hall, 127 E. 12th Ave. $20/person, $50/family, $150/table of 8. (509) 838-4277.

“Oklahoma!” Benefit Show - As Oklahoma prepares to unite as a state, two fickle farm girls prepare to unite with their beaus. Now, if they can just figure out which fellas to choose. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Spokane. The event raises funds for the Club’s many community service projects which support local neighborhoods, serve and challenge youth, and help build the next generation of leaders in our community. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring raffles, drawings, prizes and light hors d’oeuvres. No-host drinks will be available. Wednesday. Spokane Civic Theatre, Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. $30. (509) 536-6175.

Art Now for Autism - An online fine arts and crafts exhibition and fundraiser benefiting autism awareness and research. More than 90 artists donated work for this sale. Prices range from $10-$500. Check out the collection of puzzle pins available for a donation of just $25. 100 percent of the sale of art will go to Autism Speaks. For further information and to see the exhibit, please visit http://www.artnowforautism.com. Wednesday-Oct. 31. www.artnowforautism.com. (509) 326-4342.

Brews for a Cause - Raising money for two nonprofit organizations in Spokane: the Big Horn Foundation and the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. The OLC will make a small bird presentation featuring rescued raptors. For each beer sold, 50 cents will go to the Big Horn Foundation. Must be 21 or older, reservations required. Wednesday. 5-7 p.m., C.I. Shenanigans, 332 Spokane Falls Court. $20. (509) 455-6690.

Harvest Moon Auction and Hallo Wine Tasting - Benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation. Thursday. 5:30-8 p.m., Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $20/person, $50/couple, $275/table. (509) 789-6812.

Benefit Dinner and Auction for Hixon Family - Wes Hixon was injured while serving in Iraq and is now paralyzed from the chest down. The benefit will assist the family’s costs to travel to Seattle weekly and Wes’s journey home. 6-7 p.m., social hour; 7-8 p.m. spaghetti dinner; 8 p.m., auction. Donation items welcome. Friday. Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley. $15/dinner. (509) 927-8834 or (509) 921-6856.

Frankhauser Benefit Concert - For The Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, which supports young adults in long-term volunteer service in the areas of urban America, developing countries, and environmental stewardship. Local musicians John Frankhauser, Kresha Faber, Katie Frankhauser and Linda Siverts will present a variety of classical and sacred works in both serious and unexpected ways. Friday. 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 318 S Cedar St. Free, donations accepted. (509) 448-0805.

Fruit of the Vine Wine and Microbrew Tasting - Taste quality wines and microbrews and enjoy desserts. More than 60 wines available. Friday. Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $50/general, $35/seniors. (509) 994-4972 or (509) 922-4300, ext. 200.

Mixing at Mobius - Benefit to support Mobius Kids, a children’s museum. Friday. 6-9 p.m., Mobius Kids in River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $40, include VIP parking at River Park Square. (509) 624-5437.

Rocktoberfest 2008 - Doors open at 7 p.m., music by Kent Rockmore at 8; followed by Fairmont Chase at 10. Proceeds will be donated to “A Time for Veterans” a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health treatment for veterans of all ages. Beer, wine and bratwurst dinner available for purchase. Age 21 and older only. Friday. German American Society, 25 W. Third St. $10. (509) 270-0957.

Signature Chefs Auction - The March of Dimes Inland Northwest Chapter along with Spokane’s best restaurants present this third annual event combining signature food tasting with the excitement of a live and silent auction. Experience signature cuisines, sip fine wines and bid on unique auction packages prepared by each of the chefs involved. Proceeds benefit March of Dimes campaign to reduce the rate of premature births, birth defects and other serious threats to babies’ health. Friday. 6 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $150. (509) 328-1920.

Fall Festival - Autumn dinner includes roasted butternut squash bisque rolls, braised pork osso bucco, bacon-cabbage mashed potatoes, pork-Merlot demi braising sauce, roasted fall root vegetables, Granny Smith apple-caramel sauce, ice cream stuffed cream puff. Silent and live auction courtesy of Mike Ferguson. Live entertainment throughout the evening. Saturday. 6 p.m., Manito Golf and Country Club. $65. (509) 325-5451.

Festa Italiana - Enjoy live family entertainment, mouthwatering food, cooking demonstrations, a wine and beer garden, “Italian Idol” Karaoke Singing Contest, artisan and business booths, “Mercantino” (little market) farmers’ market, Spokane Italian Car Club show and the Bolla Grape Stomp Contest. Free hands-on activities for children along with carnival booth games and jumping castles. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., next Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission; parking is $1, proceeds benefit local youth/school groups. (208) 773-8522.

Harvest Fest and Fundraiser - Includes barbecue food, door prizes, live music and special discounts on all Farm and Hood Gear products. Celebrate our first summer’s success as Riverfront Farm and Jobs Not Jails teamed up to provide West Central’s only organic urban garden and employ at-risk youth. Learn more about our expansion plans for 2009. Purchase tickets by Tuesday. Saturday. 3-5 p.m., Farm/Eco House, 2605 W. Boone Ave. Suggest donation: $25/person, $35/couple, $50/family. (509) 434-8160 or (509) 280-1702.

Juried Art Show and Art Sale - Includes weaving, watercolor, oils, pottery, lamps, photography, jewelry, cards, wood. Featuring local artists such as Dennis Smith, Sandy Mooney, Patti Osebold, Mike Folsom, Sharon Pryor, Ron Gooley, Charlotte Yocum, Darrell Sullens, Olivia Waterman, Dayle Sanborn, Judy McKeehan, Janet Wilbanks, Carlene Hardt and Dian Zahner. Saturday and next Sunday. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Artists reception with art raffle and silent auction next Sundayat noon. United Church of Christ, 423 N. Sixth St., Cheney. (509) 624-6149 or (509) 235-8984.

Octoberfest - Silent auction and fundraiser, refreshments, face painting and games for children. All proceeds stay in the area to assist Silver Valley Community Resource. Saturday. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Pinehurst/Kingston Lions Building, Pinehurst, Idaho. (208) 784-8891.

Fallen Leaf Run for SIDS - 26th annual run to benefit Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Beautiful, relatively easy 5K course along the Spokane River and Centennial Trail. Top overall ribbons will be awarded within each age/gender category, along with person turning in most money raised through pledges and donations. Register at nisa-sids.org. Next Sunday. 9 a.m.-noon, Mirabeau Point Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway. $20/advance, $25/day of event, children age 12 and younger are free; T-shirt for all registrant. (509) 456-0505.

The Bishop’s Poor Man’s Meal - Enjoy a soup and bread lunch, tour the shelter and learn about the Emergency Sleeping Program, free meal program, medical clinic, clothing bank and counseling/case management services. Proceeds benefit the House of Charity’s Emergency Sleeping Program. Next Sunday,10 a.m.-2 p.m., House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Ave. $10/person, $30/family. (509) 358-4254.

Upbeat Breakfast - Sponsored by The Art Spirit Gallery. Speaker is Charlie Schmidt on “Art, Responsibility and Radishes.” Oct. 7. 7-9 a.m., 415 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $13/advance, $19/door. (208) 415-0112.

“Oklahoma!” - Because There is Hope “Faye’s House” is a nonprofit organization that provides temporary, charitable housing plus mental, physical, and spiritual support to women who have travelled to Spokane for cancer treatment. The organization presents a benefit performance, with silent auction and raffle. Enjoy tunes including “The Surrey With the Fringe On Top” and “I Cain’t Say No.” Oct. 8. 7:30 p.m., Spokane Civic Theatre, Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. $26. (509) 448-1858.

YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon - Keynote speaker is Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman in space aboard the Endeavour on Sept. 12, 1992. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services offered by the YWCA. Oct. 8. Noon., Spokane Convention Center ballroom, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $125. (509) 326-1190, ext. 154.