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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Family calendar

Today

Teddy Bear Teas - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. Toddler storytime at 10 a.m. and preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m. Library locations include: Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. and South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Toddler Storytime (North) - For children 18 months-3 years of age 10 a.m. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350.

After School Specials - “Measure This!” Enjoy creative and new ways to measure things. A different science project will be presented each month. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. (509) 893-8280; Otis Orchards, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. (509) 893-8390. 4 p.m. Free.

Saturday

“Babes in Toyland” - Spokane Children’s Theatre will present this musical holiday classic. Performances Saturday will be signed for hearing impaired at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Spokane Community College, Lair-Student Center auditorium, Bldg. 6, 1810 N. Greene St. $10/adults; $8/children. (509) 325-SEAT.

Christmas Lights Walk - 5K and 10K walks. Start from 5-6:30 p.m. and finish by 9:30 p.m. Walk on sidewalks and edge of streets in quiet residential neighborhoods. Flashlights required. Sponsored by Lilac City Volkssport Club. Spokane Friends Church, 1612 W. Dalke Ave. (509) 326-3575.

Create Holiday Gifts - For ages 6-11. Create five gifts for your family and friends plus packaging and holiday gift tags. Registration is required. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $21. (509) 625-6200.

Auntie Violet Storytime - Auntie Violet is back, in all of her purple splendor, to ensure that you get to hear all of the best Christmas stories. Come in, warm up, and listen to some great stories. All ages. 11 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Family Movie: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” - Starring Jim Carrey. Rated PG. 2 p.m. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5386.

Family Teddy Bear Tea (Shadle) - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. 4 p.m. Shadle Library, 2111 E. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 444-5331.

Sunday

“Babes in Toyland” - Spokane Children’s Theatre will present this musical holiday classic. 1 p.m. Spokane Community College, Lair-Student Center auditorium, Bldg. 6, 1810 N. Greene St. $10/adults; $8/children. (509) 325-SEAT.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - House build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel in the Hall of Doges; children’s event making minigingerbread houses for $7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom to support Christ Kitchen, a job training program for Spokane women living in poverty. Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. (509) 954-0554.

Ongoing

Santa Express - Open through Dec. 23. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for kids who are at risk of neglect or abuse. With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers ages 4-12 choose gifts for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. All gifts are priced from 50 cents to $7.50. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., through Dec. 23. Skywalk level of Crescent building on the corner of Main and Wall streets, downtown Spokane. (509) 220-5907.

Horse and Carriage Rides - Through Dec. 24. Travels through downtown Spokane. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Christmas Eve, noon-3 p.m. corner of Wall Street at Main Avenue. Free. (509) 456-0580, ext. 102.

Riverfront Park Pavilion Attractions - Spokane Falls Skyride operate Fridays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m. The Looff Carrousel is open Tuesdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Riverfront Park. Carrousel: $2/adults and teens, $1.25/seniors, military and ages 12 and younger. Skyride: $7.25/adults, $6.25/ages 13-17, seniors and military, $4/ages 3-12, free/ages 2 and younger. Tour Train, $4.50. (509) 625-6600.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Open through Feb. 28. Mondays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays and nights before a holiday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. (No evening public skating on Sundays-Mondays). Riverfront Park Pavillion. $4.25/adults and teens, $3.25/children, seniors and military w/ID; $3/skate rental (not included with admission). (509) 456-4386.

Before and After School Camps - For ages 5-12. Children will be provided with games, snacks and transportation to and from school. Schools serviced: Sheridan, Stevens, Lincoln Heights, Franklin, Grant, Adams Elementary Schools and St. Aloysius School. Held Monday-Friday, 6:30-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Registration is required. East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St. $53 per week; state pay accepted. (509) 482-0708.

Kinder Camp - Hosted by the Northeast Youth Center. For ages 5-6. Children will receive transportation to and from school. Immunization records required. Schools serviced: Sheridan, Stevens, Lincoln Heights, Franklin, Grant, Adams Elementary Schools and St. Aloysius School. Held Monday-Friday, noon12-6 p.m. Registration is required. East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone. $76 per week; $50 registration fee with scholarships available. (509) 482-0708.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” - Play about children who learn the true meaning of Christmas. Presented by Spokane Civic Theatre. Shows Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 1 and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Runs through Dec. 20. Spokane Civic Theatre, Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. $16/adults; $14/seniors; $10/students; $5/student rush (available 20 minutes before a performance; not available for shows near to selling out). (509) 325-2507 or (800) 446-9576.

A Christmas Carol - John R. Rogers High Schools Encore Drama group will present this adaptation of Charles Dickens classic tale. Shows today and Saturday at 7 p.m. John R. Rogers High School, 1622 E. Wellesley Ave. $6 at the door; canned food donated is good for a complimentary concession. (509) 354-6551.

Campbell House - Visitors can tour the historic house on their own, listen to student pianists, watch historic cooking demonstrations in the kitchen, and check out the special display of historic artifacts including period dresses, World War I mementos and antique calling card cases. Several guided tours will be available daily 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. Included in the regular museum admission, including guided tours. (509) 456-3931.