Family calendar

Today

Breakfast of Champions - Third annual event presented by the Chase Youth Foundation in cooperation with Our Kids, Our Business. Celebrating the accomplishments of the Commission, honor champions of youth and raise funds to support programs that empower the youth of our community. Featuring speaker Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance. Contact chaseyouthfoundation@gmail.com for more information. 7-8:30 a.m., The Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $35. (509) 473-4827.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years old. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. (509) 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. (509) 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. (509) 893-8350. 11 a.m. Free.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years old. Library locations include: South, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 444-5390. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations and times include: 10 a.m., Cheney, 610 First St. (509) 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. (509) 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road (509) 893-8350; 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400; : South, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 444-5390. Free.

Ongoing

“Team Up!” Exhibit - Explore the science of sports and test your own basketball, tennis, soccer and football skills while learning about math and physics. On display through June 11. Hours are Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.mobiusspokane.org. Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $5.75/general, $4.75/seniors and military, free/age one year and younger. (509) 624-KIDS.

Corbin Art Center Youth Classes - A variety of classes will be offered for children ages 3-13. Dates, times and costs vary. Sponsored by the city of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-registration is required. Runs through Saturday. Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $14-$45. (509) 625-6200.

Japanese Art Exhibit (Japan Week) - By the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society. Runs through April 24. Spokane Falls Community College, library lobby, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Free. (509) 536-4480.

Sing From the Heart for Kids - For ages 6-12. Gain confidence as you work on musical creativity and self-expression. Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation. Thursdays, through June 4. 4-5 p.m., Manito United Methodist Church, 3320 S. Grand Blvd. $126. (509) 625-6200.

Tae-Kwon-Do Classes - For all ages. Improve your fitness, flexibility, coordination and 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. (509) 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. (509) 324-1995.

Friday

Author Wanda Brunstetter - Signing copies of her books including her newest releases “The Wisdom of Solomon,” a children’s Amish cookbook; and “A Cousin’s Promise,” the first in her Indiana Cousins series. 4-6 p.m., Hastings Books and Video, 1704 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 327-6008.

Dropout Prevention Summit - Celebrating Our Kids, Our Business with keynote speaker is Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance; and Chase Youth Commission. Contact jbenham@spokanecity.org. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., The Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. (509) 473-4827.

NATIVE Project Youth Leadership Camp - For youths in grades 7-12. Meet at NATIVE Project, 1803 W. Maxwell Ave., on Friday; bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns Sunday afternoon. Applications are online at www.nativeproject.org or can picked up at the office. Silver Lake Bible Camp, 10919 S. Lakehurst Drive, Medical Lake. $10. (509) 325-5502.

Saturday

Awesome Aquifer - Join Mobius Kids and the West Valley Outdoor Center for fun hands-on activities. Learn about our precious aquifer with “Miniland” lessons at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Mobius Children’s Museum, lower level of River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. $5.75/person, $4.75/seniors and military, free/children 12 months of age and younger. (509) 624-5437.

Box Lunch and Spring Bazaar (Japan Week) - Chicken teriyaki box lunch. Take-out only. Call (509) 534-7454 for advanced orders. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. $10. (509) 534-7454.

Families Read Workshop and Kids’ Storytime - Emphasizes the importance of parents or caregivers reading aloud to their children and is geared toward the parents of children up to age 9. It offers tips for reading aloud to children, including how to select appropriate books and incorporate reading into daily routines. Meanwhile, the kids will be entertained with stories in the next room, including a fun poetry reading by author Kenn Nesbitt. Get Lit event. 3-4:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 473-4827.

Japan Storytime - Listen to some traditional Japanese stories and make some origami keepsakes to take home. For all ages. 10:30 a.m., Aunties Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Kids Poetry Writing Workshop with Kenn Nesbitt - For ages 8 and older. Kenn Nesbitt has been publishing children’s poetry since 1998. His newest book is “My Hippo Has the Hiccups: And Other Poems I Totally Made Up.” His poems have appeared in school textbooks, anthologies, and magazines throughout the world. He also is the creator of the popular children’s poetry Web site, www.poetry4kids.com. Get Lit! event. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 473-4827.

KPBX Kids’ Concert - Featuring songs and stories from around the world, with Margaret Lippert and the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus. Lippert is the author of 22 books, including nine anthologies and 13 books for children and young adults. Much of Lippert’s body of work draws from the storytelling and folklore traditions of Africa, Latin America and Asia. Part of the Get Lit! Festival. 1 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Free. (509) 473-4827.

Opening Celebration (Japan Week) - Featuring Japanese drumming by Spokane Taiku, noon-1 p.m.; Bon-odori dancing presented by Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute students; Sumi-e Demo; Inland Empire Bonsai Society Demo/Display at Kress Gallery on the third floor; Inland Empire Water Garden and Koi Society show tank and information; Japanese Name Writing by Gonzaga University students; and Japanese Martial Arts: Aikido Bushin, Spokane Kendo Club, Judo, Karatedo, Doshinkan from 2-2:30 p.m. River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 363-0304.

Unveil the Trail Spring Cleanup - Sixth annual event sponsored by Friends of the Centennial Trail and REI. REI will be cleaning at mile 30 in Riverside State Park. Bring your favorite garden gloves, rake, broom and trash bags. No pre-registration needed. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Bowl and Pitcher overlook on the Centennial Trail. Free. (509) 328-9900.

Writing Workshop for Teens - Hosted by Willow Springs editors. Aspiring high school writers and poets are invited to present their poetry (up to three poems) or prose (up to eight pages of fiction or nonfiction) in small groups led by editors of Spokane’s national literary journal, Willow Springs. Student writers must bring an original and three copies of each manuscript. To register, contact Geneva Kaiser at Willow Springs at willowspringsewu@gmail.com or (509) 359-7435. Get Lit! event. 2 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. Free. (509) 473-4827 or (509) 368-6594.

Sunday

Race for the Cure - 5K or 1-mile walk/run to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Survivor photo at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, race starts at 9 a.m. Must preregister. Packet pickup, race expo and late registration at the convention center Friday, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 7-8 a.m. for late registration and out-of-town packet pickup. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $25-35/general, $15/age 12 and younger, $25-$42/late registration.

Spokane River Run-Trail Run - Spokane River Run is a 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K trail run with all four distances primarily run on single-track trail. All distances are full loops (no laps). The course winds through thick pine forests set against basalt cliffs and ends with a tight twisty single-track next to the roaring Spokane River. Garfield Elementary School APPLE program benefits from the event, run by parent volunteers. To sign up, go to www.spokaneriverrun.com. 8 a.m., Riverside State Park-Seven Mile. $25-$52. (509) 710-7760.

Storytime with Jane Nord - Reading from her book, “Paranoia: a Cat’s Tale,” author Jane Nord shows how one abandoned kitten is lucky enough to escape the dangers of the outdoors, including a coyote, and how it is able to relax and trust the grandmother who adopts it. A book signing will follow storytime. 12:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Tsutakawa Garden Festival (Japan Week) - Celebrate International Ambassadorship with Aikido Bushin - demonstration of aikido, adapted from samurai combat arts, call Gene at (509) 768-8534; Spokane Ikebana - demonstration of graceful flowers in Saga, Shensho, Ikenobo, Ohara schools, call Lee at (509) 747-4926; Painting in the Park for All – Japanese sumi-e hands-on activity, call Keiko at (509) 534-8712. Inland Empire Bonsai Society. Inland Empire Water Garden and Koi Society, call Diana at (509) 747-5333. 2-3:30 p.m., Nishinomiya-Tsutakawa Japanese Gardens, 21st Ave. and Bernard St. Free.

Young Adult Author Ellen Wittlinger - Wittlinger will read from her newest novel, “Love and Lies,” about a woman who has put off college for a year to write a novel and fall in love. Wittlinger is the critically acclaimed author of teen novels “Heart on My Sleeve,” “The Long Night of Leo and Bree,” “Razzle, What’s in a Name,” and “Hard Love.” Get Lit! event. 1 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Free. (509) 473-4827.

Monday

17th Annual Spokane Scholars Foundation Banquet - Honoring Spokane high school senior scholars. Keynote speaker is Nancy Kanwisher, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Researcher at MIT. At this year’s banquet 134 students, representing 23 area high schools (public and private) will be honored. Students are nominated by their high school principals, counselors, and teachers based on scholarly accomplishments: overall grade-point average, grades in content area, test scores, awards and achievements, and letters of recommendation. 6 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 343 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $30. (509) 838-8568.

Lawson Inada Poetry Reading (Japan Week) - Inada, Oregon’s Poet Laureate, recipient of Poetry Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, American Book Award recipient, subject of the documentary, “What It Means to Be Free: A Video about Poetry and Japanese-American Internment.” Sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League and Washington State University-Spokane. 7 p.m., WSU/EWU Riverpoint Campus, 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd., first-floor lounge of the Academic Center. Free. (509) 358-7534.

Tuesday

Our Kids: Our Business Luncheon - David Lawrence Jr., president of Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and retired publisher of the Miami Herald, will speak on “Joining Together for All Kids.” Registration required. Register online at www.unitedwayspokane.org. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $30. (509) 838-6581.

All Things Being Equal: Are They? Women, Sports, and the Story of Title IX - Linda Mangel will discuss the status of women and girls in sports, give an overview of Title IX law, and provide tools for parents, athletes, and advocates to help promote the fair treatment of women’s and girls sports. A question-and-answer session and troubleshooting will follow the presentation. Noon-12:50 p.m., Eastern Washington University, 207 Monroe Hall, 526 Fifth St., Cheney. Free. (509) 359-2847.

Community Colleges Host Running Start Information Nights - Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College show high school juniors and seniors (and parents and guardians) how they can earn college credits while completing high school academic requirements. Current students and instructors will talk about their college experiences. Running Start counselors also will be available to explain how students can enroll in the program. 7 p.m. at SFCC SUB Lounges A, B and C, Building 17, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive; and April 29, 7 p.m. at SCC Lair-Student Center Sasquatch Room, Building 6, 1810 N. Greene St. Free. (509) 533-3524 or (509) 533-8215.

Japan/High School Leadership Conference (Japan Week) - Call (509) 328-2971 to register and for more information. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Call for price.

Wednesday

Family Festival (Japan Week) - Hands-on origami, toy making, kimono, calligraphy and tea. 3-5 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute Commons Building, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Free. (509) 328-2971.

Kimono (Japan Week) - Demonstration by Kozue and Japanese club from Spokane Falls Community College. 11-11:45 a.m., Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. Free. (509) 327-1584.