Events

Today

“Wings of Beauty”- Presented by the Washington State University Extension in cooperation with the Washington Butterfly Association. Learn about the natural history of butterflies, butterfly gardening and identification of butterflies in the Spokane area. Speaker will be Idie Ulsh, founding president of the Washington Butterfly Association. All ages welcome. Preregistration required by today. Event will be held on Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m., WSU Spokane County Extension, 222 N. Havana St. Free. (509) 477-2048.

Tuesday

Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry’s - Event will benefit Safety Net of Spokane. Sample some of Ben and Jerry’s latest flavors. Noon-8 p.m., Ben and Jerry’s, Third Floor, River Park Square. (509) 455-8500.

Wednesday

Barnes & Noble Storytime - Listen to a story about gardens, make a craft and enjoy a treat. 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble Cafe, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 922-4104.

Meteorite Presentation - For all ages. Sponsored by NASA. Bring a suspected meteorite for identification and enjoy a presentation by scientist Dick Pugh. 7 p.m., Tekoa Library, 139 S. Crosby, Tekoa, Wash. (509) 284-3121.

Thursday

After-School Specials - “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Create things out of recycled materials. A different project will be offered every month. For children in grades K-5. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. (509) 893-8280; Otis Orchards, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. (509) 893-8390. 4 p.m. Free.

Friday

Discovering Spring - An environmental awareness celebration with a tree planting ceremony and other activities. The day also marks the season opening of the playground. 3-5 p.m., Discovery Playground, 2426 N. Discovery Place. (509) 720-5411.

Spring of PROMiSE Fundraising Event - Hosted by Valley Christian School. Enjoy dessert and coffee while learning more about Valley Christian School. Proceeds will support the operations of the school. RSVP by March 24. 7-8 p.m., Valley Christian School, 10212 E. Ninth Ave., Spokane Valley. Free, but donations accepted. (509) 924-9131.

Saturday

5K Heart Run - Hosted by Central Valley PTA Council’s Heart in Hand Outreach, which supports the CV school district’s students and families in need. Park in east parking lot, check in and packet pick up begins at 8 a.m. at concessions next to track; enjoy a fairly flat course around the U-Hi neighborhood, race starts at 9 a.m. University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave., Spokane Valley. $15 by April 14; $20/late registration. (509) 701-1912.

Kiwanis Paint-a-Helmet Give Away - Children will be fitted with a helmet and provided with nontoxic markers to decorate it with. Children attending must be accompanied by an adult. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Spokane County Fairgrounds, Building C, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 924-4033.

Doll Show and Sale - Hosted by the Lilac City Doll Club. Antique, collectible and modern dolls, bears, clothes and accessories. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Washington Army National Guard Readiness Center, 1626 N. Rebecca St. $5/general admission; free/ages 11 and younger. (509) 327-5294.

Japanese Stories and Origami (Japan Week) - Celebration of Japan Week with some traditional stories and origami. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore /Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Japan Week Opening Procession (Japan Week) - Noon-1 p.m., River Park Square main level and Kress Gallery on third level, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 363-0304.

Earth Day Storytime - Listen to some stories celebrating Earth Day. Noon, Auntie’s Bookstore in River Park Square on skywalk level, 808 W. Main Ave. (509) 456-4775.

Aikido Demonstration (Japan Week) - by Aikido Bushin. Noon-1 p.m., River Park Square, Kress Gallery, third floor, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 768-8534.

Japan Dolls (Japan Week) - With Patti Reiko Osebold. Noon-1 p.m., River Park Square, Kress Gallery, Third Floor, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 467-0135.

Free Carnival - Wishing Star is hosting the event featuring baby goats as well as a bounce castle, cotton candy, balloons and more. 1-3 p.m., 10903 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 744-3411.

Rockford Frog Regatta Festival - The annual event includes free hot dogs and free games for children of all ages, plus a frog regatta in the creek. Frogs are $5 at the event or in advance. Benefits the Rockford Lions Club in support of youth and community activities. 1 p.m., Rockford City Park, Rockford. Free admission, $5/frog.

Author Michael Harmon - Hear about Harmon’s method and inspiration for his young adult novels. 2-2:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore auditorium, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Family Movie: “Bolt” - Watch this PG-rated animated film about a dog that plays a superhero on TV. 2 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5386.

Sunday

Royal Tea Party - Hosted by the Spokane Lilac Festival Association. Choose to attend at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit www.spokane

lilacfestival.org or call (509) 535-4554 to purchase tickets. Raffle tickets to become a Junior Princess will be sold at each tea party, girls ages 4-9 eligible. Must be present to win. The Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $20, purchase by April 8. (509) 444-2350.

Spokane River Run - 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K Trail Run with all four distances primarily run on single-track trail. 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. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverside State Park. Cost varies by race length. (509) 710-7760.

Canoe Trip Bonnie Lake - For ages 15 and older. Paddle in between 600 foot cliffs with red-tail hawks and turkey vultures soaring above. No previous experience required. Preregistration required. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Meet at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division St. $43, includes transportation. (509) 625-6200.

Spring Food Bazaar (Japan Week) - Annual event featuring Teriyaki chicken dinner with Tsukemono and rice, $10; Senbei (Japanese Crackers), $4; sushi, starting at $5; and other baked goods. Take out only. Preorders recommended and were due by April 10. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. (509) 534-7954.

Ongoing

Easter Bunny at NorthTown Mall - The Easter Bunny will be available for visits and spring photos 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays. Runs Tuesday through April 23. Each child who visits will receive a special gift. NorthTown Mall. Photo packages start at $20. (509) 482-0209.

Junior Golf Lessons - Presented by the city of Spokane municipal golf courses. For ages 6-7 and 8-17. Learn the basics through four, one-hour lessons. Preregistration is required. For more information, visit www.spokaneparks.org. Area golf courses. $80. (509) 625-6200.

“Kids Got Talent” Competition - Hosted by Downtown Kiwanis Club. Youth in grades 1-12 are invited to enter this area-wide talent competition. Talent can include music, dance or athletics. Submit a DVD or video tape by Friday to Kids Got Talent c/o Tim Vorpahl, Vorpahl Wing Securities, 505 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 205, Spokane, WA 99201. Judges will select individuals to try out live on May 2 at the Lincoln Center. Finalists will compete on May 14 at the Lincoln Center. $5 per video entry. (509) 747-1749.

Send information about events at least two weeks in advance by email to features@

spokesman.com; by fax to (509) 459-5098; by mail to Our Kids Calendar, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or submit online at www.spokane7.com

/events/submit.