Culinary calendar

Wed., Sept. 29, 2010

Apple Festival - Every weekend through Oct. 31. Visit www.greenbluffgrowers.com for map of growers. Green Bluff.

Green Smoothies - For ages 10 and older. Learn how to make smoothies using fruits and vegetables. Preregistration is required. Sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Today. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Fresh Abundance, 2510 N. Division St. $14. (509) 625-6200.

Oktoberfest - Festivities include 12 tasting stations with more than 20 different beers, traditional German-style food, live music and variety of contests. Friday, 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, 1-10 p.m., Downtown Coeur d’Alene. $15, includes four sampling tokens and an Oktoberfest Stein. (208) 415-0116.

Elder Help All-You-Can-Eat Chicken Fry Fundraiser - WMBA event, proceeds benefit Elder Help of North Idaho Inc. Includes a business fair and silent auction. 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets available at the door, at Big Mountain Accounting and Taxes, 601 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, or Elder Help, (208) 929-9292. Friday. Post Falls Senior Center, 1215 E. Third Ave., Post Falls. $5. (208) 660-9956.

Mixing for Mobius - Martinis, dinner and auction with master of ceremonies Mark Peterson from KXLY. Experience interactive and amazing entertainment of Chris Linn, America’s Magical Funnyman. Age 21 and older. Friday. 5:30-9:30 p.m., Northern Quest Casino and Resort, Airway Heights. $60/person, $500/table. (509) 624-KIDS.

Slavic Fest and Fundraiser - Enjoy Slavic food prepared by Chef Tatyana Bistrevsky, live music and artwork by Russian artist, Natalya. Friday. 5:30-8 p.m., One World Cafe, 1804 E. Sprague Ave. $15. (509) 270-1608.

Dirty Martinis for Clean Water - Annual event by the Center for Justice will raise funds to continue the vital work to protect the Spokane River. Martinis provided by Dry Fly Distilling, live music by Mon Cheri, live and silent auctions sponsored by Mosaic SalonSpa, wine, beer, nonalcoholic beverages and appetizers. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or by calling ticket hot line: (800) 838-3006. Friday. 6-11 p.m., the Spokane Masonic Center, the Falls Room, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. $50-$80. (509) 835-5211.

“Shakin’ But Not Stirred” Martini Night - Fundraiser for the Parkinson’s Resource Center of Spokane, nonprofit organization. Live music and silent auction. Friday. 6-9 p.m., Chaps Restaurant, 4237 S. Cheney-Spokane Road. $50/person, includes dinner and two martinis. (509) 473-2490.

Taste of Northern Quest - Indulge in selections from Northern Quest eateries for just $1 each. Includes Masselow’s Restaurant, Woodlands, Fai’s Noodle House, Rivers Edge Buffet, the Q, Turf Club, Fatburger, Villa and Cravings. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights. $1 each. (800) 325-SEAT.

Cowboy Breakfast - All-you-can-eat biscuits, sausage gravy and eggs. Proceeds help support restoration of the old Pleasantview School into a community center. Saturday. 8-11 a.m., Old Pleasantview School, 18724 W. Riverview Drive, Post Falls. $6/each, free/children age 7 and younger. (208) 755-9802.

Harrison Third Annual Oktoberfest - Event includes microbrews, homebrew competition, souvenir glass, food, vendors, adult and kid activities, live music and live radio on K102. Saturday. 1-7 p.m., Harrison City Park, Harrison, Idaho. Free.

Italian Cooking: Fusilli - Learn how to make this vegetable dish using eggplants and zucchini. Preregistration is required. Saturday. 6-8 p.m., Tullia’s Sauce House, 1407 W. Mansfield Ave. $23. (509) 625-6200.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction - Annual Signature Chefs Auction featuring Spokane chefs sampling their best dishes along with silent and live auctions. The event raises funds to support the March of Dimes efforts to reduce birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality. Dress is cocktail casual. Saturday. 6 p.m., the Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $100/person. (509) 328-1920.

Back to the 50’s Dinner, Dance and Contest - Dress the part; participate in jitterbug, hula hoop and limbo contests; enjoy dinner, drinks and live music by Diane Copeland. Reservations recommended. Saturday. 8 p.m.-midnight, Spokane House Restaurant and Lounge, 4301 W. Sunset Blvd. (509) 838-1471.

Eighth Annual Breakfast with Champions - Keynote speaker is Mark Rypien, Superbowl XXVI MVP. Largest annual fundraising event for Special Olympics Washington. Doors open at 6:45 a.m. and guests enjoy a hot breakfast prior to the program. The program features inspiring videos and speakers, including Special Olympics athletes who share how the program has impacted their lives. Guests are asked to make a donation during the event. Tuesday. 7:15-8:45 a.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (509) 460-2087.

Compass Club October Luncheon - A women’s club for introducing newcomers to the area. Program presented by Deputy Craig Chamberlain of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, speaking on women’s safety issues. Reservations by Thursday to compassres@gmail.com or by calling. Tuesday. 11:30 a.m., High Country Orchard, 8518 Green Bluff Road, Colbert. $15. (509) 868-0895.

Happy Wife, Happy Life Cooking and Mixology Class - Hosted by Two Cooks with Love Catering. Learn how to make German cuisine and beverages. For ages 21 and older. RSVP required by Sunday. Tuesday. 6-8:30 p.m., 11712 E. Boone Ave., Spokane Valley. $25 per person; $40 per couple. (509) 891-5980.

North Spokane Young Life Fall Fundraising Dessert - Annual fundraiser to benefit North Spokane Young Life’s work with North Spokane middle and high school students. Reservations are required. Tuesday. 7 p.m., Service Station Coffee House, 9315 N. Nevada St. Donation. (509) 484-6915.

Microbrew at Home - For ages 21 and older. Create your own brew by learning how to use malt extracts, grains and hops. Two-day class held Oct. 6-7 from 7-9 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Jim’s Home Brew, 2619 N. Division St. $33. (509) 625-6200.

Washington Policy Center Annual Dinner - General reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Keynote speaker via broadcast is Charles Krauthammer, FOX News and Washington Post. Oct. 6. The Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $49. (509) 570-2384.

Brightest Stars Fundraising Breakfast and Starlight Citizen of the Year Reception - Presented by the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Trish McFarland, executive director of YWCA of Spokane, will be recognized as the Starlight Citizen of the Year. Event will also feature Grammy Award-winning pianist/vocalist/composer John Fluker. Oct. 6. 7:30-9 a.m., Red Lion Hotel at the Park, Skyline Ballroom, 303 W. North River Drive. Free admission, but reservations are required. (509) 474-2820.

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