Fresh & amp;amp; Tasty

BENEFIT Seeing Pink & r & & r & October means brilliantly colored leaves and fabulous brisk fall days. It also means Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a program of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. At GREAT HARVEST, 50 percent of sales from their trademark pink cookies during October goes to the Spokane Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, says manager Marsha Loiacono. The foundation approached Great Harvest last October, asking them to donate proceeds from a particular day or from one product.





"It was a no-brainer for us," she says. "We do pink cookies -- pink cookies are an institution here."





But the shop had a personal and emotional connection as well: Pastry Chef Audrey Hansen was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2006 and was receiving chemotherapy treatments during October last year.





"Here she was, in the midst of full chemo, and she was baking dozens and dozens of pink cookies and pink cupcakes every day," Loiacono recalls. "We joked about it -- making the sick girl work extra hard."





Everyone pitched in, she adds. "Everybody just juggled what they had to do during that time. It was our way to do something and to have something to hold on to."





This year, it was an obvious choice to run the promotion again. "After last year, this year will be a breeze," Loiacono deadpans.





Joining in the promotion, HUCKLEBERRY'S on Monroe is featuring products -- including Great Harvest's pink cookies -- from companies who work with breast cancer charities. Among other pink products are Luna Bars, Riedel Pink "O" Champagne Tumblers and Two Brothers Big Tattoo Red Wine. And speaking of wine, the store will host a tasting on Oct. 19, with wines from Luna di Luna, Chateau St. Michelle and Terra D'Oro and a sampler of cheese, crackers and breads. A portion of the $25 ticket price will benefit the local Komen Foundation.





In Coeur d'Alene, AMERICA'S CHEESECAKE CAF & Eacute; is donating $1 for every slice of Cherry Champagne cheesecake sold in October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).





-- ANN M. COLFORD





Great Harvest Bread Co., 2530 E. 29th Ave., is open Mon-Fri 6:30 am-6 pm; Sat 6:30 am-5 pm; and Sun 6:30 am-3 pm. Call 535-1146.





Huckleberry's Natural Market, 926 S. Monroe St., is open daily 7 am-10 pm. The Wine Pouring fundraiser is Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 pm; tickets are $25 in advance. Call 624-1349.





America's Cheesecake Caf & eacute;, 405 W. Canfield Ave. (at Highway 95), Coeur d'Alene, is open Sun-Thu 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat 10 am-midnight. Call 208-772-9615.





BENEFIT Helping Friends





The sixth annual DINNER AMONG FRIENDS, a benefit for Cancer Patient Care, is a time to eat a good meal, visit with friends, bid on fun auction items, enjoy fine entertainment -- and know that you're helping your neighbors at the same time. CPC is in its 50th year of assisting low-income cancer patients across the local area.





"All of the money stays right here in Spokane," says development director Rebecca Bishop.





Cancer Patient Care helps local cancer patients with both emotional and financial support, including emergency funds, transportation to chemo treatments and help with prescriptions. Referrals come from local cancer treatment centers. All funds raised from the event will directly benefit local cancer patients and their families.


This year's dinner features a Broadway musical review directed by Spokane theater veteran Troy Nickerson. Last year's event sold out, so CPC recommends purchasing tickets in advance.





-- ALLISON MADDOX





Dinner Among Friends, a benefit for Cancer Patient Care, is Saturday, Oct. 20, at 6 pm at Northern Quest Casino. Tickets are $35 each, or $60 for two. Visit www.cancerpatientcare.org or call 456-0446.