Social calendar

Winemaker Evening - An elegant benefit for the Washington Idaho Symphony featuring hearty hors d’oeuvres, gelato, award-winning wines, and music by the Quartetto Gelato. Friday, 6-9 p.m., Merry Cellars, 1300 NE Henley Court, Pullman. $75. (509) 338-4699.

Cobra Polo Classic - Polo players from around the world. Events include live music, Champagne Divot Stomp, Hat Competition, silent auction, gourmet food and wine and the Whiskey Cigar Tent. Benefits the Ronald McDonald House. Reservations requested. Sept. 8, noon-4 p.m., Spokane Polo Club, 7500 W. State Route 2. $225/person. (509) 624-0500.

Dirty Martinis for Clean Water - Fundraiser for Spokane Riverkeeper. A lively cocktail party and silent auction featuring live music, a limited and exclusive art gallery, the world famous Dry Fly Distilling martini concoctions, and more. Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Chateau Rive, Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. (509) 464-7602.

Partners in Hope Fundraiser - Evening of food, entertainment, sharing, silent auction and refreshments to support vital counseling services and allow for our clients to receive fee assistance. Sept. 19, 4:30-7:30 p.m., St. Joseph Family Center, The Franciscan Place gardens, 1016 N. Superior St. $60/person. (509) 483-6495.

Bedtime Stories Spokane 2013 - The annual literary gala offers an evening of food, wine and words. Several celebrated authors will unveil original short works inspired by the event theme, Pillow Talk. Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken (“Plume”), Sharma Shields (“Favorite Monster”), Shawn Vestal (“Godforsaken Idaho”) and Jess Walter (“Beautiful Ruins”). Individual tickets available online at www.btsspokane.eventbrite.com. Sept. 20, 6 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $75. (206) 682-1770.

“Viva Italia” - 11th annual Munch & Mingle Auction. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and wine during the silent auction, a sit-down dinner at 4:30 p.m. and a live auction. Emcee is George Maupin, formerly of KHQ.Doors open at 3 p.m. Sept. 21, Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. $30/advance, $35/door. (509) 327-1584.

Caring for Kids Luncheon - Featured speaker Kelly Graves, head coach of the Gonzaga Women’s basketball team. Social at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., program at 12:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Anne’s Children & Family Center and Morning Star Boys’ Ranch. Complimentary babysitting available, call to reserve space. Visit www.CatholicCharities Spokane.org. Sept. 27, Doubletree Hotel, 322 N. Spokane Falls Blvd. $100/general, $50/age 30 and younger. (509) 358-4254.

Local Wounded Warrior Fundraiser - “Guns and Grub” to benefit Daniel Guerrero and his family. Dan was wounded in Afghanistan in May. He has had several surgeries. He is currently recovering in Texas. Raising money to help the family offset costs while his wife is with Dan and their kids remain with family in the Coeur d’Alene area. Register by Sept. 14 for the shoot. Must provide own gun and ammo (minimum 100 shells). Check-in is 9:15 a.m. Sept. 28, 10 a.m., Landt Farms Sportling Clays, 11829 N. Landt Farms Lane, Nine Mile Falls. $65/person, includes 100 clays and lunch catered by Longhorn Barbecue. (509) 279-8125.

SCRAPS Walk in the Park - Walk in the Park is a pledge walk to support the SCRAPS Hope Foundation’s Animal Medical Fund, which provides life-saving medical treatment, enrichment and care to homeless animals. The day also includes a silent auction, raffle and animal related booths. Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Prairie View Park, 3724 E. 61st Ave. (509) 477-2760.

Laugh for the Cure - Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington Affiliate event featuring comedian Shaun Jones and joined by Drew Barth. Register online at: www.komeneastern washingtn.org Oct. 3, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $75, includes dinner and show. (509) 927-1344.

“Into Africa” Partnering for Progress Fundraising Gala - Enjoy an African-themed evening that includes fine cuisine, wines and a silent and live auction hosted by auctioneer Jeff Owens. Guest speaker will be P4P’s Kenya Project Administrator Seth Okuma. Funds raised at this event will enable P4P to implement water projects, provide educational scholarships for high school students in southwestern Kenya and continue nutritional programs and medical care. Oct. 4, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $65; $400/table of 8. (509) 720-8408.

Third annual Spokane Renaissance Faire 2013 - Oct. 5-6. Welcome lords and ladies to England. The year is 1545. Partake of the fine wares of the local craftsfolk, introduce yourselves to the villagers and visit the petting zoo. Discover fairy magic in the Enchanted Forest. Hours are daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cowgirl Co-op, 20424 N. Dunn Road, Greenbluff. $10/adults, $8/students and seniors, $5/youth, free/age 5 and younger, all military (active and retired) and Scouts in uniform; $25/family of two adults, two children or $40/weekend family pass, $15/adult weekend pass. (509) 998-3943.

Hoedown for HOPE - Grab your partners and come on out to Spokane HOPE School’s annual fundraiser HOPE School (Hearing-Oral Program of Excellence). The goal of is to prepare deaf and hard of hearing children for mainstream success. The evening will include live music by Ryan Larsen Band, dinner and dessert, items offered through raffles and prize packages. Oct. 5, 5 p.m., Rockin’ B Ranch, 3912 Spokane Bridge Road, Liberty Lake. $55/person, $550/table of 10. (509) 863-7097.

March of Dimes 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 attire. 6 p.m., food and wine tastings; 8 p.m., live auction; and 9:30 p.m. to midnight, live music and dancing. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com/ washington. Oct. 12, Red Lion Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. $150/person. (509) 328-1920.

Great Futures Dinner and Auction - Presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County. Silent auction, followed by dinner, a short, fast-paced live auction. Dancing to a mix of classic rock and your favorite top 40s. . Proceeds from this event support the after school and summer programs for more than 200 local kids each weekday, ages 6-18, at the two club sites in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, offering a safe and positive place for kids to play and learn. Purchase tickets online www.northidahobgc.org or by phone. Oct. 19, 6 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene. $75/person or $500/table of eight. (208) 457-9089.

“Take Action Against Hate” Awards Dinner - The Gonzaga Institute’s event will honor Linda Pall, Inland Northwest civil and human rights champion, and World Outside My Shoes, the nonprofit founded by Carl and Teresa Wilkens. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the formal program at 7 p.m. Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall Globe Room, 502 E. Boone Ave. $50/person, $400/table of eight. (509) 313-3665.