Family calendar

Today

“Educating Spokane” - An hour-long, live call-in show presented by Spokane Public Schools on KSPS Channel 7. Community members are invited to call (509) 354-7711 to ask state board members and Superintendent Nancy Stowell questions about how the state’s $9 billion shortfall will impact local schools. 7 p.m.

Nuido: The Way of Embroidery (Japan Week) - Workshop taught by nationally known artist Kay Stanis. Limited space available. Runs through Thursday. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Manito Garden Meeting Room, 2064 S. Tekoa St. (509) 747-4926.

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

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. 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 of age. 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; South, 3324 S. Perry St., (509) 444-5385 ; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., (509) 444-5390; 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400. Free.

Friday

Nuido: The Way of Embroidery Exhibit (Japan Week) - Art and techniques on display. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Finch Arboretum Willow Room, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Free. (509) 747-4926.

Teach Your Kids to Share Day - A values-based approach to family money management, sponsored by Thrivent Financial. Celebrating Our Kids, Our Business. 5:30-9 p.m., Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $10/family. (509) 435-2262.

Artist’s Reception - “Angels over the Palouse” by Ellen Blaschke. Also featuring Kari Hansen on the keyboards. Refreshments provided. 5-7 p.m., On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, Valleyford. (509) 747-6294.

Hara Hara Fashion (Japan Week) - Cutting edge evening of Japanese pop fashion, music, food, art, anime. Lexi Carr, fashion designer. Fashion and DDR contests. Also featuring Seattle rock band “The Liquid Now.” 7:30-10 p.m., The Sapphire Room, 1003 E. Trent Ave. $5. (509) 863-8103.

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

Meet the Roaster - Tim Curry. 3-5 p.m., On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, Valleyford. (509) 747-6294.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave., (509) 444-5356; East Side, 524 S. Stone St.; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St., (509) 444-5380; Indian Trail, 4909 W. Barnes, (509) 444-5395. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave., (509) 444-5356; East Side, 524 S. Stone St.; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St., (509) 444-5380; Indian Trail, 4909 W. Barnes, (509) 444-5395. 10 a.m. Free.

Saturday

Celebrating Smiles - Event offered by Kool Smiles Dentist for Children. Features educational classes, story time, crafts, nutritional snacks, goodie bags with complimentary toothbrushes and pictures with the tooth fairy. Kool Smiles, 524 E. Francis Ave. Free. (509) 413-8204.

“Unsung Hero” (Japan Week) - The true story of a Washington man’s adventure in Japan during the samurai era. A children’s book by Atsumi Tsukimori. 2-3 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

16th Annual Pancake Feed and Silent Auction - The Cheney Baseball Association is holding its 16th Annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Feed and Silent Auction April 25. Enjoy good food and find something great at the auction. Proceeds benefit the Cheney Baseball Association. 6:30-11 a.m., Cheney High School cafeteria, 460 N. Sixth St., Cheney. $5 at the door. (509) 389-2111.

60th Sukiyaki Dinner (Japan Week) - Sushi, senbei and crafts. Noon-7 p.m., Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield St. $12. (509) 535-2687.

Annual International Student Dinner (Japan Week) - Call Melissa at (509) 313-6560 for reservations, pricing and more information. 6 p.m., Gonzaga University’s Globe Room in Cataldo Hall, 502 E. Boone Ave. (509) 323-6560.

DanceFest Spokane 2009 - Showcasing dancers from all over Spokane, Canada, Idaho and Montana, with all ages of performers performing many dance styles. Free dance classes, free take-and-make crafts for kids and free massages in the health fair area, along with a silent auction to benefit cancer research. Festival is 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with free DJ dance party from 6:30-8 p.m. Spokane Community College, Lair Building, 1810 N. Greene St. Free. (509) 927-0972.

Paper Art (Japan Week) - Demonstration and hands-on by origami artist Patti Osebold, assisted by high-school Japanese language students. Inland Empire Bonsai Society demo/display by Roger Snipes. 12:30-2 p.m., River Park Square, first floor, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 363-0304.

Spring Compost Fair - Hands-on demonstrations; learn about the types of materials used in composting, how to turn a compost pile and how to choose the right bin. Spokane County residents receive a free bin after completing event and showing proof of residency. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Free. (509) 625-6800.

Storytime with Atsumi McCauley - A reading from her new book “Unsung Hero.” For all ages. 2 p.m., Aunties Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Storytime with Auntie Violet - Stories read by Auntie Violet and an adventure outdoors. For all ages. 11 a.m., Aunties Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

The Great Art Party - Fundraiser to benefit Blue Prints for Learning and Community Building Children’s Center. Celebrate and create art with local artists, including Ken Spiering and Scott Kolbo. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. 7-10 p.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave. $50. (509) 777-0822.

State Elementary Chess Championships - Grades K-6 compete. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $30/participant. (509) 768-4952.

West Central Community Center Neighbor Day Festival - Celebrating Our Kids, Our Business. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., A.M. Cannon Park, 1920 W. Maxwell Ave. Free.

Whitworth University Hawaiian Club Lu’au - 39th annual event. This year’s theme is “Mana: The Spirit of the Islands.” Presented by the Whitworth College Hawaiian Club, Na Pu’uwai o Hawai’i (The Heart of Hawai’i). Menu includes kalua pork (roasted pig), teriyaki beef, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, shoyu chicken, poi, haupia, rice, macaroni salad, fresh pineapple and pineapple upside-down cake. Entertainment includes the band Tanoa and dances originating from Hawai’i, Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. Doors open and dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.; entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Hixson Union Building. Whitworth University Fieldhouse, 300 W. Hawthorne Road. $20/adults, $15/students, $10/age 6-12, free/age 5 and younger. (509) 777-3796.

Sunday

“Doraemon” (Japan Week) - Nobita’s Dinosaur ’06. Children’s anime with English subtitles, Japan’s National Cultural Ambassador. 2 and 4 p.m. Gonzaga University’s Jepson Auditorium, 502 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 313-3951.

Lilac Century and Family Fun Bike Ride - Scenic bike ride along Spokane River and West Plains. 15-, 25-, 50-, 66-, or 100-mile routes. Rest stops with food and beverages, and a baked potato feed at the finish, will be provided. Sponsored by Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. Start and finish at Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort Wright Drive. $28-$38, includes long-sleeved T-shirt. (509) 466-6756.

Spokane Youth Symphony - Presenting “Stop the Presses.” All four of the Youth Symphony’s progressive orchestras perform: Intermediate String Orchestra, conducted by Faye Atwood; Junior Orchestra, conducted by Carol Pederson; Junior Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Paul Featherstone; and the Spokane Youth Orchestra, conducted by Verne Windham. 4 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $14/adults, $12/seniors, $10/children. (509) 448-4446.

Tuesday

SPRINT Orientation Meeting - Learn more about this alternative learning program offered by Spokane Public Schools. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Shaw Middle School Library, 4106 N. Cook St. (509) 354-5800.

Wednesday

“The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer’s” - Film covers research on Alzheimer’s and its effect on people and their families. Presented in collaboration with Center for Organizational Reform. Refreshments are provided. 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Joseph Family Center, 1016 N. Superior St. (509) 483-6495.

Community Colleges Host Running Start Information Nights – High school juniors and seniors, along with their parents and guardians, will have the opportunity to visit with current Running Start students and instructors to hear firsthand about their college experiences and how they can earn college credits while completing high school academic requirements at Spokane Community College, 7 p.m. at SCC LairStudent Center Sasquatch Room, Building 6, 1810 N. Greene St. Free. (509) 533-3524 or (509) 533-8215.

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 1 year and younger. (509) 624-KIDS.

After-School Camp - Hosted by the Northeast Youth Center. For children age 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 served include: Arlington, Bemiss, Cooper, Lidgerwood, Linwood, Logan, Longfellow, Ridgeview, Regal, Stevens, Whitman and Willard. Held Mondays-Fridays, through June 20. 3-6 p.m., Northeast Youth Center II, 2121 E. Wabash Ave. $53/week. State pay accepted. Scholarships available. (509) 482-0708.

Rogers High School Spaghetti Feed - Proceeds will benefit the Rogers High School Instrumental Arts Department. Menu includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, ice cream and refreshments. Entertainment will be provided by the Rogers Jazz Band. 6-8 p.m., Rogers High School, Commons, 1622 E. Wellesley Ave. $18/family of four or $5/person in advance; $20/family of four or $6.50/person at the door. (509) 487-5111 or (509) 868-4888.