Calendar

Today

Eighth Annual Dancefest - Celebrating National Dance Week. Sponsored by the Inland Northwest Dance Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting dance in the Inland Northwest, this free festival showcases all forms of dance, performed by people of all ages and abilities. Jazz, Highland, ballet, hip-hop, modern, cultural, tap, ballroom – enjoy them on stage and learn the basics in workshops. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. West Valley High School auditorium, 8301 E. Buckeye Ave. Free. (509) 927-0972.

Be Smart with Money - For ages 8-12. Learn how to make and give change and also make spending and saving decisions. Parents are encouraged to participate; 2 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Cheese-making class - Presented by Trisha Vieira of Spokane’s Family Farm. Learn how to make Irish cream, cottage cheese and ricotta. Class includes recipes, a half-gallon of milk, samples, a beverage and a bagel. Registration is required; 10 a.m.-noon. On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, Valleyford. $35. (509) 747-6294.

Drug take-back and shred event - Bring old prescription drugs and documents for shredding. All drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, inhalers, ointments and liquid medicines will be accepted. Items that will not be accepted include needles, syringes, thermometers or medical waste. Up to three boxes or 150 pounds of documents will be accepted for shredding; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Spokane Valley Police Precinct, 12710 E. Sprague Ave.

El Katif Shriners 58th annual Shrine Circus - Today at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. For tickets, call (509) 747-0132 or visit www.spokaneshrinecircus.com. Spokane Valley Mall, Interstate 90 at Evergreen exit. $10-$25.

Family Tree Planting - Join Spark NW, a new nonprofit focused on inspiring young kids to volunteer, as they partner with the Lands Council for a kickoff service project. Bring shovels and gloves to the tree planting site between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. To sign up and get more details, go to www.sparknw.com or contact info@sparknw.com or (509) 599-3503. Refreshments and prizes will be provided. Directions from I-90: Take the Barker Road exit, turn south onto Barker Road, turn left onto Sprague Avenue, turn right onto South Henry Road, drive 0.9 miles. Parking will be on your left; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saltese Uplands Conservation Futures Area Free. (509) 599-3503.

Hand-rolled truffle classes - Taught by Chocolate Myracles’ master chocolatier Julia Balassa-Myracle. Today, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Dark Chocolate Ganache and Hand Rolled Truffles, $45. Each participant will take home truffles made in the class and one pound of ganache. Registration is required; 11616 E. Montgomery Drive Suite 23. (509) 922-6353.

Home energy savings - Learn low-cost and no-cost ways to manage your energy use with these easy energy efficiency tips. Plus, learn about the “Kill-A-Watt,” a small meter you can check out from the library. Plug this device into your appliances to see how much energy you’re using and what it costs; 10 a.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8350.

Master Gardener plant sale and open house - Featuring annuals, perennials, veggie, herbs and fruit starts at a discount. All plants are appropriate for our growing climate and come from the gardens of WSU Master Gardeners. Also get answers to your gardening questions from experienced Master Gardeners, stop by the Home and Garden Sale for gently used home and garden goods, and there will be activities for children; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. WSU, Spokane County Extension, 222 N. Havana St. (509) 477-2181.

Simon Sez - (Classic rock) 8:45 p.m. Bolo’s Bar and Grill, 116 S. Best Road.

Spokane Novelists Group - Strong critiquing of fiction only, novels and short stories. Bring five to 10 pages to read to the group and six to eight copies. Group meets second and fourth Saturdays of the month; noon. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 891-1695.

Comedy at Goodtymes - Featuring local and touring comedians; 9 p.m. Goodtymes Bar and Grill, 9214 E. Mission Ave. No cover. (509) 928-1070.

El Katif Shriners 58th Annual Shrine Circus - 1 and 5 p.m. For tickets, call (509) 747-0132 or visit www.spokaneshrinecircus.com. Spokane Valley Mall, I-90 at Evergreen exit. $10-$25.

Monday

“Long Bridge at Sandpoint” - Engineers Forum of Spokane with Wes Westermann presenting the story of the 1980 project which used pre-stressed concrete. Beverage or lunch purchase required; noon. Timber Creek Grill Buffet, 9211 E. Montgomery Ave. $10/senior lunch and beverage, $2/beverage only. (509) 244-3467.

The Bible and Pop Culture - Dr. Linda Schearing will give a lecture about the impact of the Bible on popular culture, including literature, advertising and humor. She is a professor of Hebrew Scriptures at Gonzaga University, where she has taught since 1993; 7 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Tuesday

Hand-Rolled Truffle Classes - Taught by Chocolate Myracles’ master chocolatier Julia Balassa-Myracle. Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Chocolate and Mexican Beer Tamales, $45. Each participant will take home truffles made in the class and one pound of ganache. Registration is required; 11616 E. Montgomery Drive, Suite 23. (509) 922-6353.

Spokane Valley City Council study session - Tentative agenda items include discussions on the draft six-year Transportation Improvement Plan, revisions to the building code, and a storm drain cleaning bid; 6 p.m. Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave. (509) 921-1000.

Wednesday

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous - No fees or weigh-ins; 7 p.m. 12606 E. Mission Ave. Free. (951) 850-7764.

Two Cooks and Friends Cooking and Mixology - Hosted by Two Cooks with Love Catering. For ages 21 and older. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo while cooking, sampling food and drinks. Please bring an apron. Choose to attend May 2 or 3. RSVP required; 6-8:30 p.m. Two Cooks with Love Catering, 11712 E. Boone Ave. $35 per person; $60 per couple. (509) 891-5980.

Thursday

T.W.I.N.E. - Teen Writers of the Inland Empire is a writing club for Spokane County teenagers in grades 6-12. No registration required. We write fiction and poetry, and share our work in an encouraging and positive environment. Sponsored by the Spokane County Library District, pen and paper and inspiration provided by SCLD; 4 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Friday

53rd Annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show - The show will feature displays of fossils, minerals, gemstones, handcrafted jewelry, and supplies. It will also include demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Presented by Rock Rollers of Spokane. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $6/adults, $5/seniors, free/age 12 and younger and Scouts in uniform. (509) 244-8442.

Millwood Gallery - Works by Sandra Hilson; demonstrations by Polly from Rings and Things. Refreshments and live music; 5:30 p.m. 9009 E. Euclid Ave., Millwood (509) 927-2222.

Mommy and Me Club - Social group open to all new mothers, babies (up to 2 years old), and moms-to-be. Support, encouragement, teaching, learning, sharing, playtime and fun. Also features free weight checks, breastfeeding support by certified lactation consultants, activities and guest speakers. There is no need to RSVP or attend regularly. Call (509) 473-5706 or email johnsond@empirehealth.org or lloydcl1@empirehealth.org for more information; 10 a.m.-noon. Valley Hospital Health and Education Center, Davis Room, 12606 E. Mission Ave. Free.

Special Olympics Washington Spring Games - Spectators welcome to support more than 650 athletes, 90 coaches and 200 volunteers. Gold medal winners will advance to Summer Games at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma in June. On Friday evening, Special Olympics athletes will have an opportunity to participate in a Healthy Athletes venue, which will start at 3:15 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Opening ceremonies will start at 7:00 p.m. at CenterPlace, and will include guest speakers, an introduction of the Special Olympics teams from Eastern Washington, lighting of the Olympic caldron, and entertainment. (509) 460-1371.

Saturday

53rd Annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show - May 4-6. The show will feature displays of fossils, minerals, gemstones, handcrafted jewelry, and supplies. It will also include demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Presented by Rock Rollers of Spokane. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $6/adults, $5/seniors, free/age 12 and younger and Scouts in uniform. (509) 244-8442.

Burn Dry Firewood Community Event - Learn how to build and maintain an efficient, hot fire with little to no visible smoke. There will be firewood splitting demonstrations, firewood moisture testing, a woodshed building demonstration, information about the wood stove replacement program, and a presentation on recreational fires. Free hotdogs and kids’ activities; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Spokane Valley Fire Station 1, 10319 E. Sprague Ave. Free.

Hand Rolled-Truffle Classes - Taught by Chocolate Myracles’ master chocolatier Julia Balassa-Myracle. May 5, 10:30-12:30 p.m., Chocolate de Mayo Hand Rolled Truffles, $55. Each participant will take home truffles made in the class and one pound of ganache. Registration is required. 11616 E. Montgomery Drive, Suite 23. (509) 922-6353.

Spokane Novelists Group - Strong critiquing of fiction only, novels and short stories. No poetry, nonfiction, memoirs, etc., please. Bring 5-10 pages to read to the group and 6-8 copies. Group meets second and fourth Saturdays of the month; noon. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 891-1695.

Spokane Valley Friends of the Library Book Sale - Buy used books and other items while supporting the Friends of the Spokane Valley Library; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400.