Culinary Calendar

Girl Scouts Cookie Sale – Continues through April 16. Varieties include: All Abouts, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Cafe Cookie, Do-Si-Dos, Lemon Coolers and Samoas. $4. 747-8091.

Carl’s Picks o’ the Month - Taste Carl’s favorite new wines. Reservations and prepayment requested. Friday. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20. 343-2253.

Reigning Cats and Dogs Chocolate Festival - A dessert and silent auction event to benefit the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services animal shelter. Friday. 6:30-9:30 p.m., CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point, 2426 N. Discovery Place. $15. 477-2752.

Fort Colville Grange Hall Jamboree - Family-style music every second Saturday. Bluegrass, gospel, old-timey and country. Doors open at 3 p.m., potluck is at 5 and the floor show begins at 6. Saturday. Fort Colville Grange Hall, 157 Highway 20 East, across from Colville High School. (509) 690-0920.

HPIC Annual Luau - The Hawaii Pacific Islanders Club of Gonzaga University is holding its annual luau. This year’s theme is “Kamehameha Nui: The Warrior, The King, The Powerful.” Enjoy entertainment and delicious Hawaiian food. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Crosby Student Center. Saturday-Saturday. 6 p.m., Martin Centre Kennel, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane. General: $16/adults, $13/students, $10/ages 6-10. Show only: $8, free/ages 5 and younger. 329-3124 or 324-5437.

Passover Dinner - Celebration to be held at Real Life Ministries; child care provided for ages 5 and under for $5/child (includes dinner and activities). Sunday. 5:30-9 p.m., 1866 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls. $10/person. (208) 964-5228, Dotty.

A tour of spain - Carl Carlosteen will present some fantastic white and red wines and provide a wine history lesson of Spain. Reservations and prepayment requested. April 14. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20. 343-2253.

Elks Spaghetti Dinner - Sponsored by Spokane Valley Elks Lodge. April 14. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $5. 926-2328.

Special Spring Beer Tasting - With Bill Hemmen of Trellis Marketing, featuring Mendocino and North Coast Brewing from California and Young’s (from England) and Belgian ales from Duvel and Maredsous. Reservations and prepayment requested. April 21. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $15. 343-2253.

An Evening of Wine and Flowers - Rare tasting of ultrapremium Washington wines benefiting St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Enjoy fabulous cuisine and desserts prepared by award-winning chef Ian Wingate of Moxie. Bid on live and silent auction, lots of allocated wines, unique experiences and more. April 22. 6-10 p.m., St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St. $100. 473-6006.

Box Lunch at Spokane Buddhist Temple (Japan Week) - Chicken teriyaki box lunch; take-out only. April 22. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 927 S. Perry St. $8.50. 570-6876.

Garden of Quilts and Tea - April 22-23. Quilt viewing and vendors at 9 a.m., with teatime at 1 p.m. Delicious sandwiches, scones and desserts available. Horizon Middle School, 3915 S. Pines Road. $30. 927-1153, ext. 18.

GU International Student Dinner (Japan Week) - Taste and see the colors of the world. Special dishes, entertainment and displays. Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7. April 22. Gonzaga University, Cataldo Globe Room. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 994-3330.

Yummi Yaki Soba and Sushi Roll Sale (Japan Week) - A variety of sushi rolls and yaki soba noodles for sale. April 25. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane Falls Community College, Student Union Building, Room 17, 3410 Fort George Wright Drive. 533-3367.

Introduction to Wine Tasting - Taste and learn about the seven basic wine styles, discussing what “professional tasters” are looking for and why they “swish and swirl.” April 27. 6:30 p.m., Vino!, 222 S. Washington St. $35. 838-1229.

Tampopo (Japan Week) - Classic comedic cinema and noodles. April 27. 7 p.m., CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. $5 (food will be available for purchase). 747-7078.

A Cabernet Cabaret - Blind - Blind tasting competition of cabernets from Bordeaux, Australia, South America, California and Washington. April 28. 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $25. 343-2253.

La Fiesta – Cinco de Mayo (Family Festival) - Daylong event with variety of Latin arts and crafts, music, dance, food and cultural presentations. Also fun family activities including piñatas, children’s games, raffles and soccer exhibition. Dance party with local bands from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. April 29. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Greyhound Park Event Center, 5100 W. Riverbend Road, Post Falls. $5/adults, $1/ages 4-12, free/younger than 4; dance admission is $5/women, $15/men; free parking. (800) 828-4880 or 483-2523.

Blossoms and Brunch - Elegant Sunday brunch to support St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Bid on floral displays, hunt for treasures in a spring-themed gift shop, sample fresh-brewed teas and explore gardening exhibits. Activities will include a children’s interactive corner with hands-on gardening projects. April 30. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, Spokane City Center, 332 N. Spokane Falls Blvd. $40/adults, $20/age 12 and under. 473-6006.

Bread Making from Scratch - Sponsored by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. Registration required. May. 2. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $32. 625-6200.

Art of Pairing Wine with Food - Food workshop. May. 6. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Latah Bistro, 4241 S. Cheney-Spokane Road, Suite C. $42. 625-6677.

Mother’s Day Tea - Includes luncheon and many fun and entertaining activities. Reservations required. May. 13. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Hillyard Senior Center, 4001 N. Cook St. $5. 482-0803.

Flavors of the Bayou – Learn to Cook Gumbo - Cooking class. May 21. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Latah Bistro, 4241 S. Cheney-Spokane Road. $36. 625-6677.

Fifth Annual Taste Washington Spokane - Premier food and wine festival, featuring fine wines from 100 Washington wineries and showcasing 30 of region’s restaurants. June 11. Davenport Hotel, 10 N. Post St. $75. (206) 667-9463, ext. 217.

Stem and Stein Benefit - Premier wine and beer tasting event to benefit Spokane AIDS Network. You will be sampling wines and beers from Spokane, the Inland Northwest, Washington, California, Oregon and imported selections from around the globe. Live entertainment, live and silent auctions, raffles and a wine store. June 16. 7-10 p.m., Northern Quest Casinos Pend Oreille Pavilion, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights. $35/advance, $40/door.