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

Things to do

Festival of Fair Trade - Handcrafts, clothing, jewelry and pottery from countries such as Nepal, Mexico, Chile, Guatemala and Vietnam. Today-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main St. Free. (509) 448-6561.

“Journey to the North Pole” Cruises - The 40-minute cruise departs nightly beginning today and running through Jan. 1 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. from the Boardwalk Marina. Includes a visit to the North Pole, greetings from Santa and Mrs. Claus and lighting of the “world’s tallest living Christmas tree.” Reservations required. .75/adults, $17.75/seniors age 55 and older, free/kids age 12 and younger. Dinner cruise Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28-Dec. 26, $49.75/general, $45.75/seniors 55 and up. Boardwalk Marina on Lake Coeur d’Alene, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene. (208) 765-4000, ext. 21.

8th Annual Handmade Ornament Show – Today-Sunday. Features handmade Christmas ornaments from a variety of popular local artists. Materials include paper, beads, wire, glass, feathers and found objects. Proceeds benefit the Spokane Art School. Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. (509) 325-1500.

Traditions of Christmas at the Kroc Center – Dec. 14-29. Presentation of various Christmas traditions. $32 adults, $26 seniors, $15 12/younger. Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1756 Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene. (208) 661-6010.

“Slightly West of Spokane” Artist Studios Tour - Third annual event features more than 16 artists in eight different studios/locations on a self-guided tour around the Medical Lake/Cheney area. Media include: pottery, jewelry, polymer clay, water color, acrylic, oil, charcoal portraits, mixed media, photography, and wood arts and craft accessories. A map is available at www.cityofcheney.org (click “City Calendar”). Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. (509) 235-2537.

Christmas Tree Elegance 2012 - 30th annual fundraiser to benefit the Spokane Symphony. View and purchase raffle tickets for 12 trees at The Davenport Hotel on the mezzanine Wednesday through Dec. 8 and another six trees at River Park Square (808 W. Main Ave.) on the second floor corridor. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., opening ceremony in the hotel lobby. Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m., 30th anniversary celebration luncheon, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 458-TREE; $50/person. Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m., Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 624-KIDS. Dec. 2, 7 p.m., “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” Isabella Ballroom, $20/general admission at the door. Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Hat Luncheon, sponsored by the Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 789-6808; $25/person. Featuring music on Dec. 4 by Whitman Elementary Zingmarimba Band and Chorus. Dec. 6, Christmas Tree Elegance Strolling Fashion Show and Lunch, with fashions from Apricot Lane, Chico’s, Fring, Old Navy, Swank, Berg’s Shoes, in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required at (509) 458-TREE, $50/person. Dec. 8, 9:30 p.m., drawings for hotel trees in hotel lobby; winners notified that evening. Dec. 9, 4 p.m., drawings for mall trees at River Park Square, winners notified that afternoon. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Raffle tickets are $1 each. (509) 458-TREE (8733).

“Night on the Nile” - Shawn McWashington, a four-year letter winner at wide receiver for the Cougars 1994-97 and a member of WSU’s “Fab Five” who earned a trip to the 1998 Rose Bowl, will be the guest speaker. The event will help Washington State University students raise money to buy a school bus for Egyptian orphans. Music and hors d’oeuvres will be featured. Tickets available at CougarCard Center in the CUB or online at http://www.brownpaper tickets.com/event/288463. Thursday, 6 p.m., Washington State University, Ensminger Pavilion, Pullman. $12/general, $20/includes T-shirt. (360) 601-1027.