Culinary calendar

Free Community Dinners – In celebration of Thanksgiving, Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels will be serving meals today at 11:30 a.m. at several locations. In Spokane Valley: Appleway Court, 221. S. Farr Road; Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road; and Spokane Valley Senior Center, 2426 N. Discovery Road. In Spokane: American Indian Center, 905 E. Third Ave.; Clareview South, 4827 S. Palouse Highway; Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave.; Delaney Apartments, 242 W. Riverside Ave.; East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St.; Northeast (Hillyard) Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St.; and Sinto Senior Center, 1124 W. Sinto Ave. In Deer Park at the Deer Park Senior Center, 316 E. Crawford. (509) 924-6976.

Thanksgiving Eve Dinner - Everyone is welcome. Today, 12:30-2:30 p.m., City Gate, 170 S. Madison St. Free. (509) 455-9670.

City-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner – Union Gospel Mission hosts a Thanksgiving meal at the Spokane Convention Center for all who might otherwise be alone or go without. Today, 4 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Free. (509) 535-8510.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner - A community dinner will be served at 11:30 a.m. for seniors; and at 12:30 p.m. for the general public. Everyone is welcome. Thursday, Mid City Concerns Meals on Wheels, 1222 W. Second Ave. Free. (509) 456-6597.

Thanksgiving Community Dinner - Third annual event with turkey and all the fixings. Everyone is welcome. Thursday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Fedora, 1726 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 765-8888.

Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans - Dinner will be served for veterans and their families. Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., VFW Post 51, 300 W. Mission Ave. Free. (509) 327-9847.

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner - Annual event presented by Gonzaga University, Sodexo Food Services and St. Aloysius Parish. Thursday, noon-2 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, 330 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 313-7001.

Lake City Center Community Dinner – Thursday, noon-2 p.m., Lake City Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 667-4628.

30th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner - Free community meal with traditional turkey dinner and all the trimmings. Wheelchair accessible. Thursday, 1-3 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, 518 W. Third Ave. Free. (509) 838-1431.

Free Community Holiday Meal - Thursday, 2-4 p.m., St. George’s Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls. (208) 773-4715.

Wine and Cheese at the Market - Black Friday Wine Specials. Friday, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20. (509) 343-2253.

Red Saturday Wine Tasting - Saturday, 2-4 p.m., Huckleberry’s Natural Market, 926 S. Monroe St. $5 for a flight of five. (509) 624-1349.

Scotch Social - Sample up to 18 varieties of Scotch or enjoy a fine cigar available for purchase. You’ll enjoy some rare, hard-to-find selections otherwise not available in stores. The evening includes an array of heavy appetizers and pistachio fudge. Saturday, 6-10 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $70/per person. (509) 327-8000.

Cooking Classes at the Cooking Engine - Sunday, 2 p.m., Pasta Making, $45; Monday, 5:30 p.m., Croissants, $45; Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Soups From Around The World, $39; Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m., Authentic Mexican Cooking, $45; Dec. 8, 2 p.m., Prime Rib, $50; Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m., Puff Pastry, $45; Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m., Be Your Own Barista, $15; Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m., Fish Tacos and Mexican Grilled Corn, $39. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 328-3335.

Christmas Tree Elegance 2013 - The 31st annual fundraiser to benefit Spokane Symphony. View and purchase raffle tickets for 12 trees at The Davenport Hotel on the Mezzanine from Tuesday-Dec. 15 and another six trees at River Park Square (808 W. Main Ave.) on the second floor corridor. Tickets sales are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both locations. Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., opening ceremony in the Davenport Hotel lobby. Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m., Christmas Tree Elegance Fashion Show and Luncheon in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, emceed by KHQ’s Kjerstin Ramsing, $50/person. Dec. 5, 3:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea/Fashion Show in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, $35/person. Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Luncheon in the Grand Pennington Ballroom sponsored by the Davenport Hotel, $25/person. Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” one-hour concert with Spokane Symphony Orchestra music director and Symphony conductor Eckart Preu and a quartet of SSO musicians in the Isabella Ballroom, $15. Dec. 14, 9:30 p.m., ticket drawings for hotel trees in lobby; winners notified that evening. Dec. 15, 4 p.m., ticket drawings for mall trees at River Park Square, winners notified that afternoon. Reservations are required. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Raffle tickets are $1 each. (509) 458-8733.

JACC Autumn Cooking Classes – Let’s Get Zesty with chef Adam Hegsted. Tuesday, 5:30-8 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St., Post Falls. For more information or to make reservations, please call (208) 457-8950 or email art@thejacklincenter.org. $50/per class, includes beer and wine.

Compass Club Christmas Luncheon - Entertainment will be provided by pianist Diane Copeland. Reservations must be made by emailing compassres@gmail.com or by phone at (509) 455-7789. Tuesday, 11 a.m., Manito Country Club, 5303 S. Hatch Road. $20.

Blind Baseball Holiday Fundraiser - Benefits the Spokane Lion Pride Blind Baseball Team. Festivities include open mic, caroling, holiday trivia and a silent auction. Shakey’s will donate 25 percent of the menu price of any food purchase when mentioning the group. Dec. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, 9602 N. Newport Highway. (509) 263-3281.

Tasteful Thursdays - Enjoy live music, seasonal offerings, and sample a variety of wine, cider, beer and cheese. Dec. 5, Sticky Fingers Farm and Harvester Brewing; Dec. 12, Ninkasi Brewing Company and Whiskey Barrel Cider Company; Dec. 19, Sticky Fingers Farm and Clearwater Canyon Cellars. All tastings 5-7 p.m. Moscow Food Co-Op, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow. Free. (208) 882-8537.

Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting - Dec. 6-8. Winemakers and cellar staff provide samples of future releases straight from the barrel. Visit www.wallawallawine.com or call (509) 526-3117 for more information.

Peace on Earth: A Christmas Luncheon - Menu items include a mixed salad, glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, and organic green beans accompanied by bread and butter. For dessert, Royal Plaza will provide their famous Christmas cupcakes, served by employees of the Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Entertainment includes the Bell Choir from Palisades Christian Academy and pianist Kirk Smich, from Gonzaga University. Santa will also make an appearance and you may get your picture taken with him. Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. $15/advance; $18/door. (509) 327-1584.

Dickens of a Dinner - Dec. 6-14. An elegant four-course dinner accompanied by a performance of the Charles Dickens classic tale “A Christmas Carol.” Don’t miss the new, expanded, dramatization of this beloved story. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. Lion’s Share, 1627 N. Atlantic St. $45. (509) 327-1113.

Flapjack Fundraiser - Homemade gifts for sale, Ugliest Holiday Sweater contest and get your Awkward Family Photo taken. Benefits ICARE Partners with Parents to Build Stronger Families, a program of St. Vincent de Paul of North Idaho. Dec. 7, 8 a.m., Applebee’s, 280 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $10/adults; $7/kids. (208) 676-1515.

Breakfast with Santa - Enjoy pancakes, games, crafts and activities for the entire family. Have your picture taken with Santa. Hosted by Spokane Valley Rotary Club. Proceeds benefit Rotary College Scholarships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and other Rotary service projects. Registration is encouraged. Dec. 7, 8:30-11 a.m., CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $5/person. (509) 688-0300.

Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast Fundraiser - The 10th annual event featuring breakfast, festive activities and a visit with Santa. Purchase tickets at Mobius Kids Children’s Museum or by calling (509) 321-7121. Dec. 7, 8:30-10:30 a.m., The Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $25/per person; free/age 12 months and younger.

Winter Market - Indoor market featuring local foods, crafts and music. Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Jacklin Building, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission. (208) 765-4969.

47th Annual Crab Feed and Auction - Benefiting local children’s organizations including Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Support Care and Networking and the Children’s Home Society of Washington. Purchase tickets online at www.dsxc.org. Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $65. (509) 340-0477.

Liberty Lake Holiday Ball - An elegant evening with a champagne reception, three-course dinner, auctions and live music with dancing. The event is the sole fundraiser for Friends of Pavillion Park. Dec. 7, 5 p.m., The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $75/person. (509) 475-5674.

JACC Soiree: The Sky’s the Limit - Annual event of food, wine and entertainment. Dec. 7, 7-9 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St., Post Falls. $125. (208) 457-8950.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - Ninth annual gingerbread house build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hall of Doges. Culinary teams decorate enormous gingerbread structures in three hours as the public watches. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, children can make their own mini-gingerbread house for $7, with proceeds benefiting Christ Kitchen. No reservations required. Dec. 15, Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Viewing is free. (509) 325-4343.

Christmas Treats - Master Chef Steve Geving presents “Around the World Christmas Treats.” Reservations required at (208) 437-0426. Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Road, Blanchard, Idaho. $25.

Winter Solstice - A tasting of winter ales to celebrate Winter Solstice. Dec. 21, Huckleberry’s Natural Market, 926 S. Monroe St. $5 for a flight of five. (509) 624-1349.

Do Italian! With Chef Angelo - The chef of the renowned Angelo’s Ristorante of Coeur d’Alene presents “The Ultimate and Fast Appetizer: Bruschetta la Prima Donna.” Includes meal, instruction plus wine and beer. Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St., Post Falls. $50. (208) 457-8950.