Home calendar

Arts/crafts

56th Annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show - The show will feature dozens of dealers and displays of precious and semi-precious stones, fossils, specimens, beautiful jewelry and more. It will also include demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Presented by Rock Rollers of Spokane. Today, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $6/adults; $5/seniors and military; free/age 12 and younger and Scouts in uniform; free parking and admission is good all weekend. (509) 891-6533.

Junk Drunk - April 11-12. Vintage, antique, retro, salvaged goods and craft market. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Northeast Washington Fairgrounds, Ag Trade Center, 317 W. Astor Ave., Colville. $5/general; children admitted free. Admission good for both days. (800) 833-6388.

Craft classes/workshops

Intro to Soap Making Class - Learn how to make soap and other herbal items. Registration required; ages 16 and older. Tuesday and Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., Greencastle Soap Co., 203 N. Stone St. $55/class. (509) 466-7223.

Sew Uniquely You Events – Tuesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Pincushion Class, $25; Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Creative Expressions, $10; April 15-June 17, Wednesdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m., Lady Bug Quilting Academy, $250; April 24, 10 a.m., Freezer Paper-Pieced Table Runner, $35. Sew Uniquely You, 11402 N. Newport Highway, Suite C. (509) 467-8210.

Top Stitch Events – Adult Beginning Sewing Level I, 3-5 p.m. Thursdays through April 23, $70; Adult Beginning Sewing Level II & III, 4-6 p.m. Fridays through April 24, $70; Learn to Use A Sewing Machine, April 8, 4-6 p.m., $30; Machine Embroidery Workshop, April 15, 10 a.m.-noon, $40; Fit for Real People, April 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $95; Learn to Use a Serger, April 29, 4-6 p.m., $30. Top Stitch, 3808 N. Monroe St. (509) 328-7397.

Home/garden

Spokane Orchid Society Show and Sale - Orchids on display and for sale. Today, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Vicki’s Garden Center, 2100 S. Inland Empire Way. $2 admission. (509) 953-5356.

Soils 101 – Presented as part of the 2015 University of Idaho and Idaho Master Gardener’s annual Horticulture Workshops. Registration requested. Monday, 6-8 p.m., University of Idaho Kootenai County Extension Office, 1808 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene. $10. (208) 446-1680.

Beginning Bird Watching Classes - The Friends of Turnbull and Spokane Audubon Society are offering Beginning Bird Watching Classes for ages 8-80. To register, send email to activities@fotnwr.org or call (509) 448-2291. Classes held Saturday and May 9 and June 6, 9-11 a.m., Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, 26010 S. Smith Road, Cheney. $3/family entrance fee.

Plant Farm Events –Easter Herb Planter, Saturday, 1 p.m., $15; Shade Planter, April 18, 11 a.m., 12-inch for $25, or 16-inch for $40; Proven Winners Hanging Basket/Planter, April 25, 11 a.m., $25; Proven Winners Dramatic Flowerbeds, April 25, 2 p.m., free. Plant Farm, 14208 E. Fourth Ave. (509) 926-9397.

Organic Vegetable Gardening - From zones to starts, to soil prep and composting, learn all you need to create a sustainable, organic garden today. Presented by Master Gardener Marilyn Lloyd. April 7, 6:30 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards, (509) 893-8390; April 16, 1 p.m., Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St., (509) 893-8340; May 19, 6:30 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., Medical Lake, (509) 893-8330. Free.

Spokane Valley Quilters Guild - The featured speaker will be Terry Engleman. She will share her quilts and talk about her journey with applique. Potluck at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. April 7, Valley Assembly of God, 15618 E. Broadway Ave. (509) 924-6320.

Calypso Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society - The program is “Get Ready for Spring: Wildflowers of the Lily and Saxifrage Families.” April 8, 7-9 p.m., Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 762-2575.

Petunias Marketplace Gardening Events -Transplanting Your Starts, April 11, 9-11 a.m.; Vegetables 101 with Master Gardener Steve Nokes, April 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Opening Day of Greenhouse Chocolate and Flower Festival, May 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call to make reservations. Petunia’s Marketplace, 2010 N. Madison St. (509) 328-4257.

Heritage Roses for Your Garden - Carol Newcomb, of Northland Rosarium, will tell you about her tricks and show you pruning techniques to get your roses out of dormancy and on the way to becoming a summer spectacle. This event will benefit Friends of the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens. You can also have your Northwest Gardeners Handbook signed by authors Pat Munts and Susan Mulvhill at the event April 11, noon, Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $5 minimum donation at the door. (509) 998-9869.

Associated Garden Club - The meetings for the members of the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane are: April 24, Vegetable Suggestions for the Area; April 25-26, Plant Sale; May 22, Raised Beds. All at noon, Manito Park, 1702 S. Grand Blvd. For more information, call (509) 260-5503.

Garden Fair and Plant Sale - This garden event has something for everyone: flowering annuals and perennials plus berry plants, herbs and veggies. Hundreds of sale plants are grown by Master Gardeners and are available at a fraction of normal cost. There is a yard sale featuring garden art and tools plus plant specialists available to help with garden questions. The event is sponsored by Master Gardeners of Spokane County. April 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., WSU Spokane County Extension, 222 N. Havana St. Free admission. (509) 477-2195.

Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society - “The Idaho National Laboratory and its Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystem” presentation. April 25, 9:45-11:30 a.m., Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint. Free. (208) 627-3292.

Arbor Day and Tree City U.S.A. Celebration - Bring your cameras and children to walk and learn in the warm spring air. Arboretum hosts will tell you about the history of the arboretum and tree stories. Master composters will share information about bringing life to soil. There will be a Tree City U.S.A. planting ceremony. Kids activities include making Arbor Day flags and bird seed ornaments. City arborists will have their big rigs, including the big bucket truck, out. April 25, 11 a.m., Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Free. (509) 624-4832.

Practical Beekeeping - Michael Bush will give presentations on: Four Simple Steps to Healthier Bees and Lazy Beekeeping. Guest speakers will give presentations on Queen Breeding in the Inland Northwest and Cryopreservation of Honeybee Germplasm and overview of Apis Molecular Systematics Laboratory. Seating is limited; register at www.spokanehoneycompany.com. April 25, 6:30 p.m., Bluwood’s Branches Auditorium, 14617 N. Newport Highway, Mead. Free. (509) 808-4004.

Garden Party - The Sister Cities Association of Spokane invites you to have some fun and get a head start on the gardening season while helping to create an interactive Connections sculpture garden in Riverfront Park. April 26, 2-4:30 p.m., South Side Senior Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $25. (509) 270-2603.

Therapeutic Horticulture - Learn about the therapeutic benefits of a peaceful garden setting, and how you can use plants in your garden to promote wellness of your mind and body. Presented by Master Gardener Cathi Lamoreux. April 30, 6:30 p.m., Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St., Airway Heights, (509) 893-8250; May 20, 6:30 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, (509) 893-8350. Free.

Animals

Dog First Aid - Join Greg Benoit, of SouthCare Animal Medical Center, for this informative instruction on how to care for your best friend in the outdoors. Please leave your pets at home for this presentation. This class is free to attend and space is limited. Registration required. April 22, 7-8:30 p.m., REI, 1125 N. Monroe St. Free. (509) 328-9900.

Reigning Cats and Dogs Auction - The event will include a pet pageant, silent and live auction, treasure hunt, raffle, appetizers and desserts. Proceeds from the event go to the SCRAPS Hope Foundation’s Animal Medical Fund which provides medical assistance to animals injured or suffering from abuse. April 24, 5:30 p.m., Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $30/advance; $35/door. (509) 477-2984.

Garden of Remembrance: Memorial Garden Dedication - Come celebrate as River’s Wish consecrates the grounds of a Garden of Remembrance for All Animals. Feel free to bring photos and potted flowers. Please bring a camp or lawn chair if you would like to sit. Visit www.riverswishanimalsanctuary.org or email Nancy@riverswishanimalsanctuary.org for more information. Please leave your pets at home. April 26, 3 p.m., River’s Wish, 11511 W. Garfield Road. Free. (509) 951-3650.