family calendar

Today

American Christian Writers Conference - Fourth annual event. Faculty includes agent Steve Laube, children’s author Christine Tangvald, James Scott Bell, screenwriting and fiction writer and Reg and Eleonore Forder. Twenty workshops and sessions, free consultations with instructors and fiction and non fiction classes are offered. Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road. (800) 21-WRITE.

Lavender Annual Plant Sale - Today-Sunday. Several sizes to choose from and the retail shop is open; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Leisure Lavender Farm, 3529 N. Lynden Road, Otis Orchards. 226-3071 or 993-5036.

Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market - 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Oct. 11. music by the Occasional String Band at 9 a.m. Liberty Square Building parking lot, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. 879-4965.

Spokane County Interstate Fair - Today: Compact Car Demolition Derby, 7 p.m.; Sunday: Full-sized Car Demolition Derby, 4 p.m. Fair hours: today, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $8/adults, $5/seniors and ages 7-13, free/ages six and younger. 477-1766 or 325-SEAT.

Titan Baseball Alumni Game - The annual event includes a home run derby at 9:30 a.m. and a game at 11 a.m. E-mail towey@cet.com in advance to get a T-shirt. University High School baseball field, 12420 E. 32nd.

Walk to D’Feet ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease. Registration at 9 a.m., 3-mile walk starts at 10 a.m. Master of ceremony will be Leslie Lowe, KXLY weekend weather anchor. Mirabeau Meadows Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway. Free. 1-866-STOP-ALS (786-7257).

Sunday

Group Health Kids Bike Race Series - Free community outreach event for children up to age 13. Booths will be set up in the parks at each event so kids can test their strength with Group Health physical therapists “Stretch It Here” program, visit the foundation’s Blood and Guts exhibits and receive a bike safety check. Family games provided by the YMCA of the Inland Northwest and safe cycling tips will be offered by the Safe Kids Coalition. Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake. Race Times are noon for age 5 and younger; 12:30 p.m. for 6-year-olds; 12:45 p.m. for 7-year-olds; 1 p.m. for 8-year-olds; 1:15 p.m. for 9-year-olds; 1:30 p.m. 10-year-olds; 1:45 p.m. for 11-year-olds; and 2 p.m. for ages 12-13. Free. 328-9900.

Lavender Annual Plant Sale - Several sizes to choose from and the retail shop is open; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Leisure Lavender Farm, 3529 N. Lynden Road, Otis Orchards. 226-3071 or 993-5036.

Spokane County Interstate Fair - Entertainment, exhibits, carnival rides and food. Today: Full-sized Car Demolition Derby, 4 p.m. Fair hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. $8/adults, $5/seniors and ages 7-13, free/ages six and younger. 477-1766 or 325-SEAT.

Summer Concerts at Arbor Crest - Free Whiskey, instrumental and vocal Celtic-folk rock band; Sept. 21, Singlewide, roots rock; Sept. 28, Columbia, bluegrass. No one under 21 allowed and no outside alcohol; 5 p.m., Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruithill Road. $5. 927-9463.

Monday

Take Off Pounds Sensibly - TOPS members meet every Monday; 9-11 a.m., Broadway Court Estates, 13505 E. Broadway. 922-3874.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly - Valley Point - The group meets every Monday; 6-8 p.m., Valley Point Learning Center, 714 S. Pines. 216-3752.

Tuesday

“Painting in the Details” - Dr. Nona Hengen will speak at Southeast Spokane County Historical Society meeting on Steptoe-Wright campaigns of Eastern Washington Territory, 1858, through the eyes of an artist. She will speak on how she created 11 mini mural paintings recording the cultural conflicts that took place in our region; 1:30 p.m., Fairfield Museum, Main St., Fairfield. Free. 443-9767.

Greenacres Elementary Community Meeting - Meet new superintendent Ben Small and new principal Sue Rasmussen; 6-8 p.m., Greenacres Elementary, 17915 E. Fourth. 228-4200.

Parliamentary Law Study - The group meets the third Tuesday of each month; 7 p.m., Central Valley SCOPE, 115 N. Evergreen. 924-2476.

Pickleball - Play Pickleball every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 1-3 p.m., Valley HUB, 19619 E. Cataldo. $1 per day. 928-2157.

Spokane Valley City Council study session - Tentative agenda items include a street master plan update, Argonne/Indiana traffic issues and the budget; 6 p.m., Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague. 921-1000.

Wednesday

Millwood Farmers’ Market - Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., through Oct. 1. Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, one block south behind the Rocket Market. 924-2350.

Pickleball - Play Pickleball every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 1-3 p.m., Valley HUB, 19619 E. Cataldo. $1 per day. 928-2157.

Thursday

Ness Elementary Open House - Parents are invited to attend; 6 p.m., 9612 E. Cataldo. 922-5470.

Pasadena Park Elementary Open House - Parents are invited to attend; 6 p.m., Pasadena Park Elementary, 8508 E. Upriver Drive. 922-5480.

Pickleball - Play Pickleball every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 1-3 p.m., Valley HUB, 19619 E. Cataldo. $1 per day. 928-2157.

Seth Woodard Elementary Open House - Parents are invited to attend; 6:30 p.m., Seth Woodard Elementary, 7401 E. Mission. 921-2160.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly - The group meets every Thursday; 6-8 p.m., Orchards Crest Retirement, fourth floor theater room, 222 S. Evergreen. 922-8820.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly - Eagles - The group meets every Thursday; 9:30 a.m., Eagles, 16801 E. Sprague. 928-5460.

Friday

“A Little Night Music” - Night of hors d’oeuvres, fine wine, auction and live music by Sammy Eubanks. Benefits the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant; 6-10 p.m., CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Park. $50. 324-1995.

Seventh Annual Lilac City Badminton Tournament - Participate or watch regional badminton play in Spokane. Divisions: are Open, Singles, Doubles, Mixed, 35+, 50+ for men or women. Best 2 of 3 games to 21-point rally scoring. Web site has more info: http://www.northwestbadminton.org. Runs through Sept. 21; 6-3 p.m., Spokane Valley Hub, 19619 E. Cataldo. $20 for first event; Free for spectators. 768-5715.

Chef’s Choice - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Reservations required; 5:30-7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 2605 N. Robie Road. $7. 926-2328.

Southeast Spokane County Fair - Music, animals, carnival, food and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Saturday’s events include a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station, a fun run at 7:45 a.m. at Dave’s Auto Body, a parade at 10:30 a.m. and a Harvest Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tournament from noon-6 p.m. Sunday’s events include Harvest Hoops from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., worship at 10 a.m. and bingo. Rockford Fairgrounds (head south on Highway 27 to Rockford and follow the signs). Free.

Valleyfest - Kicks off Friday evening at 7 p.m. with the “Hearts of Gold” Parade along Sprague Avenue, between Pines and University avenues; followed at 8:30 p.m. with a showing of “Talladega’s Nights” at Mirabeau Park. Saturday: pancake breakfast at CenterPlace from 8-11 a.m.; classic car show, entertainment and activities at Spokane Valley Senior Center at CenterPlace from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; 5K and 10K Run for Hunger at 9 a.m. along the Centennial Trail beginning at CenterPlace; a Silly Valley 3-Mile Fun Run at 10 along the Centennial Trail beginning at Mirabeau Park; entertainment and vendors in Mirabeau Park from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Loggingfest at 11 a.m. in the park; Valley YMCA open house from 2-6 p.m.; QuickDraw Art Auction at 5 p.m. at CenterPlace, $75 tickets include wine, music and hors d’oeuvres; free outdoor showing of the animated movie “Happy Feet” at 7:30 p.m. at Mirabeau Park. Sunday: 10:30 a.m., nondenominational worship service in Mirabeau Park; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., entertainment and vendors in the park; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Dog training classes, demonstrations and adoptions; 11:30 a.m., Loggingfest in the park. Mirabeau Point Park. Free. 922-3299.

Next Saturday

Seventh Annual Lilac City Badminton Tournament - Participate or watch regional badminton play in Spokane. Divisions: are Open, Singles, Doubles, Mixed, 35+, 50+ for men or women. Best 2 of 3 games to 21-point rally scoring. Web site has more info: http://www.northwestbadminton.org. Runs through Sept. 21; 6-3 p.m., Spokane Valley Hub, 19619 E. Cataldo. $20 for first event; Free for spectators. 768-5715.

Big Band Concert - The Swing Street Trio will perform for an evening of dancing. Donations will be accepted to benefit future events for residents; 6:30-10 p.m., Good Samaritan Community Center, 17028 E. Eighth. 924-6161.

Elks Lodge Luau - Enjoy food, entertainment, and dancing. Reservations required; 6-7:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 2605 N. Robie Road. $15. 926-2328.

Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market - Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Oct. 11. Liberty Square Building parking lot, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. 475-4574.

Southeast Spokane County Fair - Music, animals, carnival, food and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. next Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Saturday’s events include a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station, a fun run at 7:45 a.m. at Dave’s Auto Body, a parade at 10:30 a.m. and a Harvest Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tournament from noon-6 p.m. Sunday’s events include Harvest Hoops from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., worship at 10 a.m. and bingo. Rockford Fairgrounds (head south on Highway 27 to Rockford and follow the signs). Free.

Spokane Valley Arts Council Artist Showcase Auction - Food, wine, entertainment and demonstrations by artists from the area from 5-7 p.m., live auction and raffle from 7-9 p.m. CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $75. 924-6560.

Valleyfest - Saturday: pancake breakfast at CenterPlace from 8-11 a.m.; classic car show, entertainment and activities at Spokane Valley Senior Center at CenterPlace from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; at 5K and 10K Run for Hunger at 9 a.m. along the Centennial Trail beginning at CenterPlace; a Silly Valley 3-Mile Fun Run at 10 a.m. along the Centennial Trail beginning at Mirabeau Park; entertainment and vendors in Mirabeau Park from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Loggingfest at 11 a.m. in the park; Valley YMCA open house from 2-6 p.m.; QuickDraw Art Auction at 5 p.m. at Centerplace, $75 tickets include wine, music and hors d’oeuvres; free outdoor showing of the animated movie “Happy Feet” at 7:30 p.m. at Mirabeau Park. Sunday: 10:30 a.m., nondenominational worship service in Mirabeau Park; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., entertainment and vendors in the park; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Dog training clsases, demonstrations and adoptions; 11:30 a.m., Loggingfest in the park. Mirabeau Point Park. Free. 922-3299.

Water Wise Landscapes - Series of four classes presented by WSU Spokane Master Gardeners. “Seven Steps to Water Wise Landscaping,” Sept. 27: “Xeriscaping,” Oct. 4: “Landscaping with Native Plants,” Oct. 11: “Rain Gardens.” Pre-registration recommended as class sizes are limited; 10 a.m.-noon., Spokane County Extension Education Center, 222 N. Havana St. $10/class or $35/series. 477-2048.