Spokane CDA Living September 2015

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rt a l c e l ne

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SEPTEMBER 2015 #118 • $3.95

(Display Until OCT 15, 2015)

w w w.spok anecda.com

09/15 FEATURES se p t e mbe r 2 0 1 5 | V1 7 : I SSUE 0 8 (1 1 8 )

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photo by Brandon Vasquez

Fall Arts Scene Bands, music venues and playwrights!

The arts are more than just what you can hang on your wall; they are the fiber of our city’s culture. We take a look at some of Spokane’s greatest gems in the arts scene and the impact they are making.

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The Reality of KSPS In a world filled with reality television, many are left hungry for quality programming. A look at local public television and its rise to the top of the charts in a reality-saturated culture.

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A Home with History How many homes can boast the influence of the Olmstead Brothers as a contributing factor to its design? This one can, and you’ve probably driven by it more times than you can count. Come learn about the history within the walls.

On the

cover:

On the cover: Todd Mires’ artwork with a typographic overlay created the look for this photo by Richard Termine

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month’s cover design by art director Kristi Somday.

CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE 16

70

Editor’s Letter

A Day in the Life

Nerds and Cool Kids

The MH Motorsports 56 racing team

18

Readers Respond What you had to say about recent issues of the magazine

21

First Look and Buzz Chinese Lantern Festival Lilacs & Lemons; Retail Therapy

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100

Real Estate Preparing your credit

104

Homestyles Kitchen and bath trends

109

Health Beat My Healthy Move; Back to School Fitness; Arthritis

109

People Pages

Metro Talk

People of Spokane, out and about

Farm Tough

52

Artist Profile Todd Mires’ abstract significance

54

Book Reviews Must reads with local connections

56

Datebook What to put on your calendar

66

Trip on a Tankful Visitng Walla Walla

68

What I Know Spokane Civic Theatre Artistic Director Keith Dixon tells us what he knows

125

Automotive How to buy a car; 2016 car model season is here

137

Local Cuisine OPA! Celebrating the 80th Annual Greek Dinner

140

Restaurant Review Mediterrano; Embers by the Lake

148

Dining Guide Where to chow down in town

157

Signature Dish The Ivory Table’s Smoked Salmon Buckwheat Crepe

159

Liquid Libations Green Bluff’s libation loop

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Editorial

Editor in Chief Blythe Thimsen blythe@spokanecda.com

Marketing Editor

Robin Bishop

robin@spokanecda.com

Copy Editor Rachel Sandall Datebook Editor Ann Foreyt ann@spokanecda.com

Food Editor

Katie Collings Nichol

katie@spokanecda.com

Editorial Intern

Hanna Martin

Art Creative Director/Lead Graphics Kristi Somday kristi@spokanecda.com

Graphic Designer/Traffic Manager Camille Martin camille@spokanecda.com

Photographers James & Kathy Mangis Rick Singer Photography

Contributors Robin Bishop

Kevin Carr Gary Craig, M.D. Kate Derrick Hanna Martin

Keith Dixon Paul Haeder

Justin Rundle Chris Street David Vahala

Chris Lozier

Cara Strickland

Julia Zurcher

Business Development Emily Guevarra Bozzi

emily@spokanecda.com

Sales | Marketing Vice President - Sales Cindy Guthrie

cindy@bozzimedia.com

Senior Account Manager Jeff Richardson jrichardson@bozzimedia.com

Account Managers Erin Meenach erin@bozzimedia.com Julie Lilienkamp julie@bozzimedia.com

Operations Director of Operations

Kim Morin

kim@spokanecda.com

Accounts Receivable & Distribution Theresa Berglund theresa@spokanecda.com

Publisher & CEO Vincent Bozzi vince@bozzimedia.com

C0-Publisher/Co-Founder

Emily Guevarra Bozzi

emily@bozzimedia.com

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best of the Inland NW Since 1999

Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living is published ten times per year by Northwest Best Direct, Inc., dba Bozzi Media, 104 S. Freya St. Ste. 209, Spokane, WA 99202-4866, (509) 533-5350, fax (509) 535-3542. Contents Copyrighted© 2012-2015 Northwest Best Direct, Inc., all rights reserved. Subscription $20 for one year. For article reprints of 50 or more, call ahead to order. See our “Contact Us!” page for more details.

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Contact us

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Spokane Coeur d’ Alene Living is published twelve times a year. If you have any questions or comments regarding the magazine, please call us at (509) 533-5350; we want to hear from you. Visit our Web site for an expanded listing of services: www.spokanecda.com.

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Your opinions and ideas are important to us; however, we reserve the right to edit your comments for style and grammar. Please send your letters to the editor to the address at the bottom of the page or to blythe@spokanecda. com.

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Datebook: Please submit information to ann@ spokanecda.com at least three months prior to the event. Fundraisers, gallery shows, plays, concerts, where to go and what to do and see are welcome.

Dining Guide: This guide is an overview of fine and casual restaurants for residents and visitors to the region. For more information about the Dining Guide, email blythe@ spokanecda.com.

BUZZ: If you have tips on what’s abuzz in the region, contact the editor at blythe@ spokanecda.com.

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Editor’s Letter

Nerds and Cool Kids

I

t’s the classic case of the nerd who grew up to be cool. We all know one of them. They were the shy, quiet kid in your class, who always had their nose in a book, was socially awkward and could only talk about schoolwork.

They faded into the background of the oftentimes cruel world of adolescence, overshadowed by the “cool” kids; the ones who were shiny and pretty and basked in the limelight of popularity.

Fast forward ten or twenty years, when a school reunion rolls around, and something amazing happens. Those popular kids who basked in the limelight have lost their luster and are suddenly less appealing than before, and that nerd, the one who seemed so boring, is suddenly interesting, kind, confident and …cool?!

The nerd who grew up to be cool is how I affectionately describe PBS. A memory that is seared into my mind – well, actually, my ears – is how much I disliked the music for The McNeil/Leher NewsHour on PBS, when I was in elementary school. It would come onto the TV a half-hour before dinner most nights. Like Pavlov’s dog, at the sound of the bell, I would grow impatient, hungry and irritable at the sound of the intro music. My hunger seemed to intensify when I heard the notes of the theme drift from the television, as I knew it would still be another half an hour until dinner, with everyone watching the The NewsHour first.

The irritation grew from the fact that The NewsHour seemed so boring to me - more so than any regular newscasts on network television. This show talked about international stuff and financial stuff and, at that age, I couldn’t imagine wanting to watch a show that was so dull.

The other memory that I associate with PBS was hearing the words, “Mystery is made possible by a grant from Mobil Corporation” every week, during the opening credits of Mystery, one of my parent’s favorite shows. The intro’s sketched scenes included a cartoon of a body slipping down into and under the water of a murky pond. I didn’t mind this one so much because I actually

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found it amusing to watch the little pointy cartoon feet submerge each week. It struck me as funny, and I was all about being amused.

Mystery was right up there with The McNeil/Leher NewsHour; dry and boring shows for adults. Yawn….

Unfairly, I attached that dry and boring stigma not just to those two shows, but to every show that was on PBS. To me, the term “public television” translated to “boring television.” Surfing the channels always included a speedy trip past channel 7, the PBS station, but never a stop. PBS was too boring for me. It was the nerd of the television world.

For years, it went on that way until it gradually dawned on me: I had been watching PBS on a fairly regular basis. It started when I discovered they televise concerts - good concerts. I like to turn them on while working in the house, I justified to myself. The Roosevelts, the historic documentary, was on and I caught one night of it and wanted to see more. I’d seen the book the series was based on, at Costco, I reminded myself, and simply wanted to see if the series stuck to the flow of the book.

This past spring, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, a Ken Burns special, aired over three nights. I watched two of the three. In fact, I scheduled my availability in the evenings that week around the special.

Folding laundry one evening this past May, I turned on the television and somehow settled into watching Frontline: The Trouble with Chicken. It was a documentary about the chicken industry, and it was fascinating!

Having never been a fan of The Food Channel, with shows focusing more on the antics of the hosts than on cooking, I did become hooked on PBS’s America’s Test Kitchen after catching an episode where they braised pork chops and brined lentils for a salad. Within an hour, I was at the store, buying French green lentils from the bulk aisle. “What has happened to me?” I thought as I knelt by the bulk bins, filling the bag with the small legumes.

“I’m watching PBS, the ‘boring television’ station.”

Taking a mental inventory, I realized that PBS was no longer the boring nerd I had long made it out to be. It was cool. Maybe I had been the real nerd in the situation, never willing to stretch my mind or challenge myself. It’s often easier to take the empty calorie choice over the nutrient dense item, whether it is food, television programs or people. It is easier to go with what doesn’t challenge us to think, to imagine, to stretch or to get out of our comfort zones.

The routines and the easy options we take in life might appear cool at first – the popular choice – but often come up empty in the long run. Stretching ourselves to try, see, view or experience something new takes a little more effort, but effort is where interesting is born.

In this and every issue, we hope to introduce you to new, unknown stories about local people, places and events you might not immediately be drawn to or know about, but which make your life richer. From the local art scene, to restaurants, people and yes, even a story on PBS, join us on this adventure, one page at a time.

We’ll all set out together, in a nerd herd. By the time you reach the last page, we hope you realize that our region and the people in it are pretty cool.

Happy reading!

readers respond what you had to say MADE YOU CRY Your editor’s letter (Bring Your Own Weather) in the August issue brought tears to my eyes. It was beautifully written. Nice reminder of what we have to be thankful for – even in the “bad” times.

Truth is, most of us don’t really know “bad” times.

Kim Mason Spokane, WA

SIZE MATTERS Why does the size of the magazine vary so much? Last month’s was a lot smaller. I’m complaining only because I like it. I need to get a subscription and stop swiping it from lobbies and doctor’s offices.

Name withheld (so I can snag magazines) Editor’s response: Confession is good for the soul, isn’t it?! I’m pleased to hear you enjoy the magazine so much. Last month’s issue was smaller than our regular issue (compare it to this issue, after you find a copy to swipe). We recently moved to printing monthly – 12 times a year – and this was our first stand-alone August issue, so we went with the slow-and-steady approach to that issue as we added it into our mix. Watch for next year’s August issue to be the same size as the others.

A TRAVELER’S THOUGHTS Thank you for putting out such an outstanding city magazine. While traveling I often find the appropriate city magazine in various hotel rooms. I can’t help but compare and I must say we fare well even with much larger cities in both size and quality. Good job keeping us informed and intrigued about where we live. I hope that our city magazine is in our area hotel rooms. It a great way to show off to visitors.

CM Spokane, WA.

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DOWN ON DOWNTOWN The downtown Spokane article in your last issue was a nice showcase of all that is happening – and has happened – in downtown Spokane. It is much more vibrant now than when I moved here almost 40 years ago. I love to see all of the improvements. At the same time, I am disheartened to see some of the neglect in older buildings in the downtown area. Why do we need to continually build new, glimmering office buildings all over town when there is plenty of unoccupied space downtown, in unique historic buildings? They are sitting empty and falling into disrepair, while builders are taking out more money to build bland modern buildings. I can think of two brand new buildings that are sitting empty on the South Hill, which were built at a pretty penny I am sure. Why not take that same money and refurbish an older, existing downtown building?

With increased businesses downtown, it adds vibrancy and life to the area. I love a bustling downtown. My two cents are given.

Pat Sutton Spokane, WA

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FIRST LOOK

2 1 b uz z 2 2 Li lacs & Lemons 28 ci ty Trek 30 Retai l Therapy

photos by Sichuan Tianyu

S

ometimes the arts scene is all about paintings, sculptures and beautiful works of art, and sometimes it is about culture and beautiful experiences. Perhaps the most beautiful version of the arts though, is when the two combine – physical art and cultural art – for an enlightening experience. That is exactly what will happen in downtown Spokane, at Riverfront Park, where the Chinese Lantern Festival is coming to light September 26, 2015.

A team of engineers, electricians and designers from Sichuan, China is hard at work transforming Riverfront Park into a hub of Chinese lights, food and culture.

Their effort will result in more than 30 gigantic displays which will come to life with light, color and movement, chronicling five millennia of Chinese history. While each lantern is comprised of dozens of separate pieces and figurines, they have also each been refreshed with newly designed fabric, replacing materials from the Lantern Festival’s previous display in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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First Look Buzz

d]

[not so goo

s n o m e l d n a s lilac [good]

n t B oz z i

by Vince

d]

f ba [good out o

LILACS to Sherriff Knezovich for standing up to a segment of his supporters by speaking out against the dangers of the extreme right wing militia movements. The far reaches of both sides can pose threats and need to be watched. Allowed to speak, of course, but not allowed to incite violence.

Double performances every night in front of the clock tower will showcase acrobatics, Chinese dance, Tai Chi and more. Young and old alike will be amused by paper-cutting and calligraphy workshops.

After all this activity, satisfy your appetite with signature dishes representing five different regions of China.

The event runs for five weeks, from September 26-November 1, 2015, and is a beautiful way to celebrate the arts and culture of friends on the other side of the world. A season pass costs $57, with day/night and youth/adult one-time tickets ranging from $7-17.

Tickets are available through TicketsWest.

For more information, visit www.visitspokane.com - Blythe Thimsen

LEMONADE to the mayor of Airway Heights, Patrick Rushing, who resigned after creating a firestorm of controversy after comparing the Obamas to monkeys.

Politicians, beware, some of us have seen some pretty wild statements from other politicians here, and while Facebook can be a great tool for promotion, when it crosses over from rallying to pandering, it can hit lows in decency that can - and will - be noticed.

LILACS to NFL player James Harrison who returned two “participation” awards to the school his two sons attend, saying that the school should hold off until they’ve earned a real trophy. The self-esteem movement has reached epic proportions and has made a lot of our kids soft. In the real world we have to do a lot more than merely show up to exceed.

LEMONS to drivers in the left lane at a traffic stop who suddenly decide after being there for a minute to hit their turn signal. The car directly behind might have decided to go around and becomes trapped. Drivers, make up your minds!

LILACS to our firefighters and volunteers who are braving some of the worst fires ever in some of the driest brush on the hottest days of the year to keep fires from destroying our homes and forests. Without them, this annoying smoky haze would be a whole lot worse. Let’s add firefighters to the list of those we thank for their service to our country.

LEMONS to stores that don’t put prices on their merchandise.

It’s annoying to have to ask, and often the UPC codes with prices are missing from the shelves. I was in a store the other day and there was a nice set of owls I wanted to buy as a gift, and no one to ask, so I passed. I think some items stay in stores for years because no one ever knows what the thing costs.

LEMONS to Spokane City Administrator Theresa Sanders for moving police department spokeswoman Monique Cotton to a similar position at Spokane Parks and Recreation, and sticking the police department with

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paying the salary, which includes a $16,000 raise, to $96,000 per year. We are fans of both Sanders and Cotton, but even with all the pending changes to Riverfront Park, we think the police department needs the best communicator and spokesman they can find.

Instead, we have someone who is going to “tell the story” of the park. The onslaught of controversy that surrounds the police departments in all major cities these days demands the best communicators available.

LILACS to the local news anchors in Spokane who emcee events all over town, mostly for charity galas, and also for us.

We’ve been lucky to have Stephanie Vigil, Dan Kleckner, Mark Peterson, Dave Sposito, Kjerstin Bell, Dave Cotton, Susanna Baylon and many others host some of our own events, and we see others hosting all over town, usually for no pay other than a heartfelt thank you. What we often notice is that their significant others come along for the ride, way out of the limelight, and don’t get nearly enough attention. Salute to them, too!

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First Look Buzz

not

Veraci Pizza and Nectar Tasting Room’s sweet partnership: Don’t see an appetizer (or dessert) you like on the menu at Veraci? Pass through the hallway that connects the two restaurants, order yourself some candied bacon at Nectar and return to your table and friends with a mason jar of sweet goodness!

Support within our community: Spokane has come together in support of the firefighters working relentlessly all across the state. Food donations, prayers and fundraising have all reached sky-high levels in the last few months.

H T spokan

s r e b m ebythenu

3,087

Farms participating in the Green Bluff Apple Festival

$

167

1902

6 weeks 20 plus

Apple varieties at Green Bluff

10,200

Statewide education budget per child Full class days per school year

Year Green Bluff was founded Duration of Festival

22

Average number of students per classroom teacher

47

Schools in District 81

28,000-plus

Students in District 81

$

550

Average amount of money spent on back to school shopping per family

24,126

4-yr college students in Spokane/Cheney

Apples and Back to School Edition 24

Dear Spoko-Gnome, I have heard that even though we separate out all of our recyclables into the blue bins, when it gets to the Waste-to-Energy plant, they simply burn everything, because it is too expensive to separate it and recycle it. Is this true? ~ Gary

Gary,

Employees in Districti 81

36

Endless summer construction. How the heck are we supposed to get around town?

The chemical leak at Pacific Steel last month that took one life, and the loss of three firefighters battling the wildfires. These tragic events remind us that each day is precious.

Not responding to emails in a timely matter: A quick response is better than none at all – and, it’s common decency!

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

According to my contact at Spokane’s WasteTo-Energy Plant, there is an on-site recycling center at the plant – citizens can drop off their recyclables in person, or use curbside removal.

My contact swears that every single thing at the recycle center is indeed recycled! Your fears can be put to rest.

It’s up to you to sort your own trash. It’s not due to cost that garbage and recyclables can’t be separated at the plant – it’s due to health. You probably don’t like sorting your own garbage, let alone someone else’s! Plant workers can’t risk it either.

Nearly 800 tons of garbage are burned there every day – the burning of trash creates electricity that is sold for profit, and reduces the amount of garbage put in landfills.

Spokane has recently seen a great improvement in our recycling numbers. In 2013, we recycled 51% of our garbage. I’d say things are looking pretty green in the garbage arena, thanks to the efforts of citizens and plant workers alike. Keep it up! ~ Spoko-Gnome Have a question for Spoko-Gnome? Send it to blythe@spokanecda.com, and she will get it to him.

Spoko-Gnome

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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First Look Buzz

Bremen, Germ any

Dawn Wade recen tly We are honored to visited Bremen, Germany for neck surgery. kn her travelling comp ow that Spokane Coeur d’Alene Liv ing was anion, and an esse Hope you are on nti al pa rt of her recovery. the mend, Dawn!

any er,m G , a i d n r a a end, Oregon anheis, visited BainrMv k oore, of B any, re, of Spo

erm Coll Moo arvaria, G ther, Joy grandmo nstein Castle, in B ildren each ch a d w ’s gran Neusch to pick er. Moore , and get this summ hen they turn 10 destination, one w e get a trip go. No matter th Spokane Coeur f ey where th certain, a copy o go along for the r thing is fo ing always gets to iv d’Alene L ! adventure

San Diego, Ca lifornia

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Kelli Demarest wr ote San Diego visiting , “In July we were down in ou one of 90 WSU stu r oldest daughter who was de down there for the nts doing mission work summer. We were spend a day with able to her at Coronado Isl and, home of the famous Ho tel del Coronado!

Of course, we brought along ou r Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine to read while relaxing on the beach!

retail therapy Buzz

by Julia Zurcher

Monroe Street Neighborhood

M

onroe Street has been the backbone of Spokane since 1911, when the now-iconic deck arch bridge was completed. After visiting the newly renovated Spokane Falls viewing area (and maybe taking a trip on the Spokane Falls SkyRide gondolas), spend a day exploring the unique stores and eateries that make Monroe Street a bridge between old Spokane and new.

Listen.

The Hop is a Spokane institution of the underground music scene.

Family-owned and committed to making good music accessible to everyone, it is an allages venue. Come for a show and expect to see a diverse lineup of up-and-coming talent and established performers. With food available at “The Grille” and an open-air courtyard where you can cool off, when you begin your night with a show at The Hop, you’ll never want to leave.

in common with a milkshake than a shot of espresso, Coeur Coffeehouse is your cure. The first thing you should know is that there are only four flavors: chocolate, vanilla, caramel and honey. Why so few? Because each flavor is handmade instore from the finest ingredients available. The baristas here are second-to-none, so come in, put yourself in their capable hands and enjoy coffee the way it was intended.

that will elevate your home décor. Visit their showroom, or browse at your leisure on their website, either way, you’re sure to find a vintage piece that will bring stylish flair to your home.

take on a traditional Irish favorite with delicious sausages and calcannon mashed potatoes finished with candied carrots, cabbage and a whiskey demiglace. Come to the Knock and enjoy a meal or brew, but remember a toast to the Irish, “Slainte!”

Eat. Knockaderry Irish Pub &

Shop.

Savor.

If you’re burnt out on coffee shops that offer 101 flavors of sugary syrup and coffee drinks that have more

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Pay homage to the aesthetic of Mad Men and classic design with a trip to Metro Furniture. Metro Furniture offers vintage midcentury and Danish furniture

Eatin’ House, known as “The Knock” to regulars, brings classic Irish atmosphere to the Inland Northwest. The Knock offers pub-style comfort food favorites like their Reuben sandwich and Irish tacos (which come smothered in a house-made Guinness cheese sauce), but also serves current takes on Irish classics. The Bangers & Mash is an elevated

Discover.

Giant Nerd Books is the bibliophile’s promised land. This is where the obscure and eccentric, the pulpy and the fantastic call home. The name alone should be enough of a reason for you to visit. Let us encourage you to be a huge geek and spend an afternoon exploring this one-of-a-kind bookstore.

retail therapy

Buzz

Spirit Gear

Back to School:

Gonzaga Bulldogs Navy Blue Aztec Sweeper Long Sleeve Oversize Top $39.95

A College Student’s Wish List

Get excited for fall sports and school spirit with this oversized long sleeve tee. Made of 100% cotton, this shirt is cool and comfortable as the summer heat turns to fall chill. Thumbholes make this shirt even cuter and cozier for football games!

Available at www.shop.gozags.com

For some, going back to school is a season of fun, friendships and excitement! For others, it’s a dreaded event that means expensive books and tons of hard work. Whatever you’re thinking about school, here are some great ideas to help you ease back into college life!

Technology Kindle Paperwhite $119.00

The all-new Kindle is the perfect alternative to hauling heavy books all over campus. With a 6-inch lighted display, you can read at any time of day or night on a screen with twice as many pixels as the old Kindle model. The battery charge lasts weeks, and Kindle has come up with a unique easy-to-read font that causes less eyestrain than typical book fonts. Plus, now you can take notes in the margins of the pages, making the Kindle a vital classroom accessory!

Available at www.amazon.com

Caffeine Fix

Capresso On-The-Go Personal Coffee Maker $49.99

All college students drink obscene amounts of coffee, and if you don’t – you’re doing it wrong.

Capresso’s ultra sleek and modern individual coffee maker is small enough to sit on the edge of your desk for easy access, and strong enough to brew quality 16 oz. cups of coffee. It comes with a stainless steel vacuum-insulated mug so you can bring your coffee to those rough 8 a.m. classes. This is not just a coffee maker; it’s a survival item.

Available at www.bedbathandbeyond.com

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509.624.7263

Apartments include:

Large 1 & 2 Bed/2Bath, Full Kitchen w/Appliances, Washer and Dryer in each unit.

(509) 921-0249 www.BroadwayCourtEstates.com 13505 E Broadway, Spokane Valley

• Gourmet Dinner Menu • Continental Breakfast • 24 Hr Emergency Call System • All Utilities

Included in Rent: • Indoor Pool • Transportation Service • Free Wi-Fi Internet • Housekeeping

• DIRECTV Included • Onsite Exercise Facilities • Life Enrichment Programs • Greenhouse/Raised Bed Gardens spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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Brain Freeze Creamery

509.321.7569 | brainfreeze.biz

Mom’s Tattoo

509.426.4465 | momstattoo.ink

Spa Paradiso

509.747.3529 | spaparadiso.com

SOUTH HILL LOCATION NOW OPEN!!!

3103 S. Grand Ave.

KENDALL

Hours: SUN-THURS: 7am-9pm FRI-SAT: 7am-10pm

Serving up some tasty flavors like: Anvil espresso, Lemonder, Salted Caramel, Cakey Dough and Vegan Coconut (just to name a few). Come see us!

509.321.7569 1238 W. Summit Parkway (IN KENDALL YARDS)

brainfreeze.bz

A great urban community needs modern homes close to downtown and access to services, parks, and places for people to gather. At Kendall Yards, we offer all of that and more. With access to the Centennial Trail and the wild beauty of the Spokane River Gorge, Kendall Yards is truly

Urban by Nature.

Artwork by Tim Lord

Whether you seek a precision cut, captivating color, or a

special-occasion

style, our designers will help you achieve a look you will

love!

Free Bumble and bumble product for all new clients.

Now accepting medical insurance for massage.

1237 West Summit Parkway | Suite A | Spokane, WA

(509) 747-3529 | www.spaparadiso.com 32

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

Veraci Pizza

509.389.0029 | veracipizza.com

The wandering table

509.443.4410 | thewanderingtable.com

The yards Bruncheon

509.290.5952 | theyardsbruncheon.com

Come visit the shopping district on West Summit Parkway, just south of the river, off Monroe.

yards

Wood-Fired Authentic Neapolitan 509.389.0029 | 1333 W. Summit Pkwy now open 11am-9pm seven days a week

www.veracipizza.com/spokane

509.290.5952 1248 W. Summit Parkway Spokane, WA 99201

Wandered Yet?

In KendalL Yards

Modern American Diner Serving Brunch All Day!

509 443 4410 1242 W. Summit Parkway thewanderingtable.com

Open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.

FOLLOW US on: spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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photos by J a m e s & K at h y M a n g i s | M i k e L av e r d u r e J i m S o m e r v i l l e | M aya K e l ly

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Hot Summer Nights - The Last Speakeasy J u ly 2 4 th 2 0 1 5 , at A r b o r c r e s t W i n e r y

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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Venue: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Premier Sponsor: California Closets VIP Lounge: Mercedes-Benz of Spokane, Le Catering Casino: Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel PHOTO BOOTH: AMP’D Entertainment | Star Financial Entertainment: Atomic Jive, The Camaros, Spokane Voice - DJ, Puttin’ on the Ritz Flash Mob car display: Airstream, Classic Garage, Jaguar Land Rover Spokane, MercedesBenz of Spokane, Rohrer’s Select Cars, Daryl and Tina Skomer Golf Display: Mercedes, Ronald McDonald House Charities Model team: Amanda Sue Ewan, Desirae Start, Cheryl Smith - Positive Presentations Food Vendors: 3 Ninjas, Beautiful Grounds, Fannies Ice Pops, Ivory Table, Shameless Sausages,

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

Taste of India, Veraci Pizza, Victor’s Hummus Vendors: Beyond Pink, Bozzi Gallery, Clarity Center, Decorum, Finders Keepers II, FunFlicks, Isagenix, Poseidon’s Consort, Puttin’ on the Ritz, Raising the Bar, Style Dots by Sher Beznaiguia, h20: Clearwater Springs Lighting: Star Pruners Event Photographers: James & Kathy Mangis, Diane Maehl Photograhy Emcee: Dave Cotton | C2 Connections Digital Marketing & Former KHQ Morning News Anchor

Event Produced by: Encore Events Event brought to you by: Bozzi Media | Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Graphics: Kristi Somday and Camille Martin | Bozzi Media Printing: Plese Printing

brought to you by

Thank you to the businesses, individuals and countless volunteers who gave their time and talent to make this year’s event a success!

10 Annual 20 Under 40 Awards Event th

Join us for the premier networking opportunity honoring Inland Northwest’s top young fast-tracking professionals.

Event will be held September 17, 2015 at Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill from 5:00 to 8:00pm

TICKETS: eventbrite.com | events@bozzimedia.com | 509-533-5350

S p o k a n e CDA L i v i ng - A ug ust Relea se Par t y A u g u s t 1 3 th 2 0 1 5 , at E m v y C e l l a r s

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER p h o t• o2015 s by

M a n g i s P h o t o g r a p h y - J a m e s & K at h y M a n g i s

license to thrill

R U O Y R FO

FIND Tickets at www.ticketswest.com.

General Admission is $25 in advance.

VIP Admission is limited. $50 includes two complimentary drinks, a complimentary martini glass, and exclusive VIP perks.

Questions? Please call 509-533-5350

Y L N O S E Y E C

alling all secret agents, mysterious women, international spies and the 2015 winners of our Best of the City Awards.

This year’s winners are still Top Secret, but the gala celebration plans are well underway.

Join us for a James Bond themed, red carpet event including food sampling from the best of the best in local food, a Casino Royale, an appropriately themed martini bar, a dance floor where you can break out your For Your Eyes Only moves and more.

tickets on sale now!

October 16th, 2015 at The Lincoln Center.

1316 N Lincoln St, Spokane, WA 99201

OCT 16th

y t i C e h t f o 0011

It’s Prime Time for Real Estate Results.

Own a piece of Spokane's legacy. The Historic Crommelin House.

Melissa Murphy, Stuart Prey and Prime Real Estate Group are proud to present the historic Crommelin House.

Deemed by the Department of the Interior to be of significant historical design value, the home and grounds at 603 W. Sumner Avenue have long established the Sumner neighborhood as the height of luxury living for South Spokane.

Commissioned by Dutch banker Henri Crommelin in 1908, this home epitomizes the Tudor Revival style that many of Spokane’s wealthy elite would soon replicate. The home remained in the Crommelin family’s possession for several decades prior to the first public sale in 1963.

With its steeply pitched roof and gables and distinctive stucco wall cladding, the home has been awarded both local and national recognition for its architectural significance.

m e l i s s a m u rp h y, M B A (509) 220-0128 melissa@propertybyprime.com

The home has been painstakingly updated by its current curators to exacting historical standards and is now available for purchase to the public. This unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of Spokane’s history is brokered

by Prime Real Estate’s Melissa Murphy and Stuart Prey.

Cheney Cowles Museum. Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane Washington.

L87-354.1; Henri Crommlein home.

St ua rt P re y, M B A (509) 679-9208 stuart@propertybyprime.com

4 1 7 W 1 s t | Sp o k a n e , WA | 9 9 2 0 1

T h e Cr o m m e l i n H o u s e offered for public sale

Living room

Front

kitchen

Back Porch

Master Suite

Bedroom

Guest House

Garden

P r o pert y B y P ri m e . c o m

Back patio

fall art h c t a W o ands t

S 4B

Ryan Larsen Band

by Kevin Carr

pokane is brimming with local music of all flavors.

Fans of rock, country, indie and swing, especially, have plenty to look for this fall. Comprehensively, there is too much to cover in just one article, so instead we chose four bands that we think you should keep an eye (or ear) on.

The Backups Good news: Rock n’ roll is allowed to be happy again! Almost as if it never happened, The Backups shrug off an era of depressing indie-emo, and the results are feel-good, refreshing pop-rock. Songs like Lovely and Spaceman (check YouTube) are upbeat and

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The Backups

photo by Lauren Erickson

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

lighthearted, giving way to wide smiles and uncontrollable bobbing heads.

Also surprising? Group members Josiah Collins (bass/lead vocals), Patrick Herbert (guitar/vocals) and Connor Buckingham (guitar/vocals) are all 20 years old. Allen James (drums) is only 19. “All members contribute to songwriting,” says Herbert. The young quartet has been busy winning various battle-of-the bands and recording multiple albums. Songs from their debut EP, Wasting Time, were featured on ESPN SportsCenter, according to Herbert.

The Backups have an even busier fall season ahead of them. They’ll be releasing their second EP, Spaceman, in November, while playing more gigs throughout the area. Learn more at www.thebackupsmusic.bandcamp.com.

Ryan Larsen Band Country fans unite! For almost eight years, Ryan Larsen Band has brought the energy of downtown Nashville to Spokane. Their original tunes are modern — mixing in blues and rock and roll with contemporary country. Ryan Larsen (vocals) leads a group of five musicians: Chris Blair (guitar), Bryan Hodges (bass and vocals), Steve Lime (piano and keys), and Rennie Espinoza (drums). “I started this band by posting an ad on Craigslist,” says Larsen. “I am happy to say that we have been original members for seven of those eight years. We are a cohesive group. Friends first and band mates second.”

Ryan Larsen Band has opened for Josh Gracin, Phil Vassar, Lee Brice, Bombshell, Brady Seals and Chuck Mead. Chances are, if you ever head out for country music in Spokane, you probably have run into Ryan Larsen Band. “We play somewhere between two to four shows a weekend,” says Larsen. “We have a love for music and how it impacts our audience.”

For a full list of concerts, check out their Facebook page or visit www.ryanlarsenband.com.

Be on the lookout for a full-length album of original material, coming out in “the near future.”

fallart

scene photo by Bryan Wood

Johnny J & The Flat Foot Floogies

twentyfifteen

Johnny J & The Flat Foot Floogies For many, “vintage” can be a turnoff word associated with Millennials who pillage history for new trends. But for Johnny J & The Flat Foot Floogies, vintage is more than a passing fad; it’s a sincere lifestyle. Band founder Erik Johnson lives vintage day in and day out. His business, 59 Cafe, restores and sells classic motorcycles. And his band? “We drive vintage cars to every gig. We play vintage instruments. We wear vintage clothes. We wear those clothes everyday,” he laughs. “It’s just who we are.”

Johnny J & The Flat Foot Floogies is a five-piece swing band comprising Erik “Johnny” Johnson (vocals/guitar), Jojo Johnson (piano/vocals), Ryan “The White Rhino” White (upright bass), Clayton “Bigfoot” Lee (drums), and Tyler “Bleeding Gums” Renninger (saxophone). They write and perform original tunes, occasionally throwing in covers from the “jump blues” era. “It’s the most understudied era in American music history,” Johnson claims.

“Post big-band but pre rock n’ roll.”

The Floogies are clearing their fall schedule to record an album, but you can catch them at SWINGtober Fest in Spokane (October 9 - 11). Find out more at www.johnnyjswing.com or www.vintageswingspokane.com.

The Smokes Like the name suggests, there’s almost nothing tangible about local indie-band The Smokes.

Not exactly a rock band, not purely experimental either — even the word “indie” doesn’t do them justice. To make matters more intriguing, they have no website, and tracking the duo down takes the complete leveraging of a journalist’s contacts.

But Himes Alexander (guitar/vocals) and Matt Slater (drums) are creating something special in Spokane that deserves attention, even if hard fought. Their first EP, Black, features a

The Smokes small batch of unique songs that stretch the borders of contemporary indie rock. Crown, a slow moving tune with a chomping, thick guitar, sounds like a B-side from The Black Keys (much underappreciated) Magic Potion album. No End is an upbeat, two-and-a-half minute gem with hints of pop that could be heard on an Apple iPhone ad. Officially, The Smokes’ inspiration comes from Olympia, Washington-based experimental rock group Old Time Relijun, as well as The Sonics and Queens of the Stone Age, according to Alexander.

What’s next for The Smokes? “Nothing is clear,” admits Alexander of their uncertain long-term future. In the short-term, be on the lookout for a 13-song album they hope to release soon. For live shows, catch The Smokes around town in September and October (though details, of course, remain few). Catch The Smokes while you can. You never know when they’ll dissipate.

tscene

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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by Kevin Carr photos by Brandon Vasquez

e v i s s e r g o r p a g Curatinommunity arts c

Depending on whom

The pair behind The Bartlett talk Spokane music, local business and relaunching Bartfest

you ask, the state of Spokane’s indie-music scene is either bleak or budding. That, of course, is the spirit of indie music: insatiable creation from artistic volatility. So Spokane, then, with its temperamental arts and music scene, may just be poised to become the next breakout area for progressive music. Caleb and Karli Ingersoll double downed on this theory in 2013 when they opened The Bartlett, an all-ages indie-music venue in downtown Spokane.

Karli and Caleb, both 29, have a few gigs going. In addition to owning and operating The Bartlett, the Ingersolls perform in their own local rock band, Cathedral Pearls. Singularly, Caleb professionally records music and Karli works within the design industry; together, they exude the confidence of a bourgeoning, young power couple, operating smoothly in the chaos of their ambitious careers.

Karli is a nine-year veteran of the Spokane music scene. When referring to the last seven years, she says it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. “When [coffee shop and music venues] The Empyrean, Rock Coffee and Caterina Winery all closed, we had singers and songwriters with no place to play. A lot of them disappeared or they formed rock bands and played dive bars or big clubs.”

The Ingersolls saw opportunity to open a music venue that would cater to indie and progressive artists, not just as a venue to perform, but as a space for new and experimental artists to feel welcomed and encouraged, and a place for fans to learn about new music. Caleb and Karli

weren’t alone in their vision. They raised $22,000 from the local community via the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.

“It was important to us to have the community’s support before we ever booked a show,” says Caleb.

The venue flirted with a few locations before finally settling on Sprague in downtown Spokane. After nearly eight months of construction, doors opened in December of 2013. “It’s funny,” Karli says, “but now it feels like The Bartlett has always been around. To me, it shows just how badly Spokane needed a place that was dedicated only to indie-music.”

Since then, The Bartlett has become the epicenter for Spokane’s progressive arts movement. Need proof? Take a look at their event calendar. It’s busy and packed with poetry slams, comedy nights and open mics.

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

This fall, Caleb, who is in charge of booking the artists, has lined up a slew of local, regional and national performers. The Melvins, Polyphonic Spree, Noah Gundersen, William Fitzsimmons, Delta Rae and many more talented and trendy names will all be stopping in while passing through Spokane.

Chalk it up to a mix of timing, atmosphere and intentionality, and the execution of The Bartlett feels just right. It’s a hipster hangout, certainly, but without the erudite elitism that scares away big crowds. Regional beer and inventive snacks — organic herb popcorn, made fresh, anyone? — make The Bartlett an inviting and fun spot to grab a drink. And since their bar is separated from their performance room, the venue’s priority remains “music-first and drinking-second,” without compromising either social space.

For local indie-artists, having this small platform is huge. Caleb and Karli have both noticed a resurgence from performers and audiences who are interested in seeing and hearing local music. “It’s a consistent venue that has created a space for Spokane musicians,” says Karli.

At about 1,200 square feet, the main music area offers standing room for only about 150. Its smaller size, (for reference, the Knitting Factory fits about 1,500 people) makes for a more intimate atmosphere. And artists love it. “Thirty people can come out and for local bands and it feels packed,” says Caleb.

Patrons coming for popular performers enjoy the small room as well. When Jim Adkins — front man from the platinum-selling rock-group Jimmy Eat World — recently performed an acoustic set, the audience was privy to an intimacy usually unattainable at larger venues. Caleb shares, however, that their size can also be a bit of a struggle: “A lot of big shows have the potential to sell a lot more tickets than we can offer. Finding the right artists and setting the right price is always a tricky negotiation.”

“Sometimes we bring progressive acts into the area and it doesn’t go great,” admits Karli, referring to local turnout. “One of our favorite shows this year had 12 people. We probably lost money on it, but we wouldn’t take it back.”

For both local and larger artists, Caleb admits that he’s picky about who he lets perform. It’s a fine balance for the Ingersolls

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Intimate performances at The Bartlett are enhanced by the proximity of the musician to the audience.

who, as business owners, are also musicians and music lovers. Ultimately, they rest on the understanding of their target market. “Some people don’t like [our heavy emphasis on indie music],” says Caleb. “but for us it was important to maintain a culture that we could nurture.”

And their culture is growing. It’s a community of patrons who are actively engaged in supporting indie and underground music. They trust The Bartlett’s booking choices and actively research new artists who may be coming to town. “We are hearing from people who visit our website and check the calendar and listen through all the bands,” says Karli. “The Spokane concert culture isn’t as huge as major markets, but the audiences here, we think, are incredibly sincere.”

This fall, the event that Caleb and Karli are both most excited for is Bartfest — a two-day music festival October 9 and 10 (www.Bartfest.com). Bartfest’s two stages are split between The Bartlett and its next-door neighbor, Nyne Bar (after 8:00 p.m., Nyne Bar is 21+). For a $30 wristband, attendees get a weekend’s worth of innovative and underground music from 18 different artists, including a “pre-party” the night before, featuring two headliners.

It is the second year of the annual event, though, after Bartfest’s lackluster sales, the Ingersolls debated whether or not to bring it back. “Originally, we wanted to launch an annual progressive music event that would put Spokane on the national festival map,” Caleb explains. The event didn’t quite sync with Spokane residents, though. “It was a kind of a train wreck,” he laughs. “It was too expensive, too progressive, too much all at once. We’re proud of it, but there was plenty of room to improve.” This year, a reinvigorated Caleb and Karli are better focused and better

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

fallarts

E.L.Stewart prepared. Caleb booked performers with a heavier slant towards the Pacific Northwest region; in fact, 13 of the 18 performers come from the area. Artist’s genres, too, are a bit more palpable for a wider audience, featuring a better mix of emerging tastes and current trends.

One top-billed band, which is sure to bring in a big crowd, is the feel-good, indie-darling group, Horse Feathers (Portland, OR).

They’re stopping in Spokane in the middle of their national tour. With over four albums of material, Horse Feathers have been featured on NPR’s First Listen and World Cafe, with an easy-folk and Americana sound that borrows from Iron & Wine and Ray LaMontagne.

Other headliners include Angel Olsen (Chicago, IL), Vacationer (Philadelphia, PA) and Great Good Fine Ok (Brooklyn, NY).

Ultimately, Caleb and Karli are dedicated to building a progressive music and arts community. As business owners, they’re also proud to be operating in downtown Spokane. “We’re excited about what’s happening here. New developments and housing projects in the core of the city are huge for Spokane,” Caleb says. “It’s cool to see more people getting involved and starting nonprofits too.”

Art movements like Terrain, a local nonprofit dedicated to “creating a stronger and more vibrant emerging arts community in the Inland Northwest,” invigorate the Ingersolls. Karli is on the steering committee for Window Dressing, a project, born out of Terrain, that places local artist’s work in vacant and unused public spaces.“ We’re trying to get more creative people operating downtown,” she says.

Concerning music, Caleb and Karli see good things ahead for downtown Spokane.

The local community is growing and the platform is theirs for the taking. “There hasn’t been a Fleet Foxes here,” says Karli, referring to the mega-popular indie-rock band from Seattle. “After [Fleet Foxes], every band in Seattle sounded the same. Spokane doesn’t have one trailblazer, and that’s why it’s exciting here. No two bands sound the same.”

Karli is thankful for the opportunities in Spokane. “It’s an incredible place to be a creative person, especially right now,” she says.

“We have work to do, but it’s a great place.”

scene

Versatile Contemporary

www.elstewart.com painter@elstewart.com (509) 327-2456 spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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would perform them. I thought it was so cool seeing my work performed so I kept going. I’ve been writing plays ever since.

with

You’ve had so much work produced. Does it still feel as special as it first did?

I think it’s special every time because it’s very, very hard to get produced.

For each “yes” you receive you get a 100 rejections. I’m thankful for every one, whether it’s a full production or just a staged reading.

What does your writing routine look like? Is it daily, or do you wait for inspiration to hit?

I’m the kind of writer who has to have the inspiration. I work full time at a corporation, so there are very few hours in the day that I can actually dedicate to writing. When I get an idea that hits really hard I have to go with it right away. I try to complete one full-length per year, and a handful of smaller plays.

When an idea does hit, do you let the writing take you where it does? Or do you go in with specific goals?

Most of the time, I start with characters speaking, and I see where they lead me. I usually know the ending ahead of time, and I write towards that ending, but I’m not an “outliner,” by any means.

t h g i r w y a l p l a loc a Hosking Sandr There are few local

playwrights more productive than Sandra Hosking. The University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University MFA graduate has written somewhere close to 40 plays (a mix of fulllengths and one-acts). Prolific by any standard, Hosking has become an icon of Spokane community theater. Her dynamic and heartfelt comedies are female-centric, often borrowing elements of surrealism and absurdism.

Now, as the Playwright in Residence for Stage Left Theater, she uses her powers for good, helping produce the work of new and young playwrights. Every season Hosking curates three events for Stage Left Theater, receiving anywhere from 400-500 submissions: Hit & Run, a staged reading of 10-minute comedic plays; Fast & Furious, a staged reading of one-minute plays; and Left Overs, a 24-hour play festival.

Was theater something you were always interested in? When did you write your first play?

I had always gone to plays, ever since I was a little girl.

My grandparents would take me to summer theater and I really enjoyed that. I’m very grateful for my family. I wrote my first play when I was in 7th grade, but I didn’t get serious until after college when I took an acting class.

In the class we had to write scenes and our classmates

Writing, they say, takes a community. Does Spokane give you that community?

Yes. Playwriting is very collaborative — especially when compared to fiction or poetry. You need people to act out your material and help it develop. It’s why I have always been involved in local theater as much possible, acting, producing and volunteering. Through that, I was able to know actors. So now, I have a trusted group that I call on whenever I finish a script. Both Spokane Civic Theater and Stage Left have a great group of actors and directors as well.

Do you identify yourself in any one genre? Who inspires you?

My fiction always has an element of surrealism in there, especially magical realism, but I’m hesitant to call myself a surrealist. I’ve always looked at everything a little differently. It’s just how I’ve been since I’ve been born. Caryl Churchill, however, is one of my biggest playwriting influences. Her stuff is so thoughtful yet strange, you really have to think about it.

What are you looking forward to this fall?

Stage Left’s big event is Hit & Run, a festival of 10-minute comedies (November 6 -7, $10). We’re expanding it from two to three days this year because the audience keeps growing. Its whole purpose is comedy, so if you come you will definitely laugh. We also have a new event called New November (November 14 - 15, $TBA), which is a collaboration with Empire Theater Company. We’ll be presenting staged readings of one-acts from local playwrights.

What advice do you give to young playwrights looking to get produced?

Keep writing all the time — finish your ideas and get it done. Get involved in your local theatre scene as much as you can. Volunteer backstage and see how theater works. Learn what can be done on stage and what cannot. When you do get involved, use your connections wisely. And please, be open to feedback.

Any last thoughts about the Spokane arts community?

There is a lot of exciting stuff happening. Theater companies big and small are putting out new and established works with great energy. There is a lot of opportunity to help, too; it’s a great time to be part of the arts community in Spokane.

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

The Huckleberry Thicket

Gourmet Chocolates & Gift Baskets New Location Inside the Flour Mill

at Chocolate Apothecary

(208) 762-1150

www.larchwoodfarms.com We make Huckleberry Specialty Products

3430 E. Seltice Way | Post Falls, ID

Open Mon-sat: 10am-5pm

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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t scene

in the local ar

Pottery People

Chris Kelsey Chris Kelsey has lived in Spokane since 2001. In 2008, Kelsey opened Trackside Studio with a fellow clay artist as their studio and gallery space.

His pottery, done in rich browns and greys, features interesting and decorative patterns on smooth pots, vases and mugs.

The patterns give texture and vivacity to the pieces. Kelsey’s sculptures are reminiscent of ancient marine fossils. The circular nature of large ovals with holes is contrasted sharply with harsh, straight lines and scooped recesses. Other pieces combine curved and straight lines for an abstract, more modern feel.

Gina Freuen Gina Freuen has been a professional working artist and educator with a full time ceramics and mixed media studio in Spokane, Washington for over 40 years. She began her career in Spokane with one of the early Artist in Residence positions at the Spokane Art School. In 2005, Freuen was awarded the City of Spokane’s “Arts Award for Individual Artist.” Since 1996, Freuen has been on the teaching faculty of the art department at Gonzaga University and in the fall of 2013 joined the Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery as an exhibiting partner in its monthly exhibits.

Her pottery is decorated with a mash-up of plant life,

anthropomorphic detail and human body parts. The unusual, creative shapes of Freuen’s cups, mugs and teapots adds another artistic aspect to her pottery. A mixed media presentation with hands as a prominent theme is a recent addition to her repertoire.

Mark Moore An early introduction to the landscapes of eastern Oregon nurtured a strong connection to the natural world for Mark Moore. After college, Moore worked in the social sciences field yet felt drawn to ceramic arts and eventually transitioned to making pots full time. In 2007, Moore and ceramic artist Chris Kelsey formed Trackside Studio and Gallery in Spokane.

The pottery of Moore looks as though it were recently discovered at an archaeological dig. Weather-beaten, worn and pocked, some of Moore’s pieces attest to the longevity of pottery as an art form. Other pieces blend oranges and yellows to create vibrant pieces perfect for display.

—Hanna Martin All three artists’ work is currently on display in the gallery at Trackside Studio. www.tracksidestudio. net. The gallery is located at 115 South Adams Street, Spokane, WA, 99201. Hours: Wed-Fri, 11 a.m -.3 p.m.; First Fri 5-8 p.m.; First Sat 12-4 p.m.

irie

Art on the Pra

Art on the Prairie was created in 2014, by artists Amy Mickelson, Erin Campbell and Fielding Chelf in an effort to create a small, intimate art and fine-craft show, that presented customers with an opportunity to interact with the artists during the show. Art on the Prairie is very proud to bring together a diverse group of artists, who are pleased to share their art experiences, including their process and inspiration, with the public. Customers will find original artworks, ranging from a few dollars to several hundreds. There is something for everyone, whether just beginning an art collection, or adding to an extensive one. The local talent from our area provides much to choose from and be inspired by.

Art on the Prairie showcases high quality, local art and fine-craft, ranging from contemporary to classic, in handmade jewelry, pottery, glass, original painting, photography, block-printing, hand-crafted woodwork, hand-poured artisan candles, textiles and more. A partial list of local talent includes: Dianna Chelf, Linnea Tobias, Sharon Ronning, Milton Chelf, Tori Bailey, Linda Lowry, Willow Rosales, Kathleen Gale and others.

Fine, locally made wine from Whitestone Winery, will be available to purchase by the glass during the event on Friday evening. Proceeds from wine sales will benefit the Moran Prairie Grange Restoration Project. Delicious food, and beverages will be available both days on the lower level. Live music by Spokane harpist Kathlyn Kinney will be played Friday, 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and Saturday, noon until 3 p.m.

Art on the Prairie will take place at the historic Moran Prairie Grange at 6106 S. Palouse Highway, on Friday, October 23, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4.00 for both days, 12 and under free.

nity Chorus

Crescendo Commu

When retired college administrator Bernie Loposer dreamed of making his church, St. Stephen’s, a hub of activity for children and youth in the community, one of the ways in which he envisioned that happening was through a children’s choir program. His goal was for a choir that allowed singers to have a quality artistic experience, but that the tuition should be within reach for most families. Thus began The South Hill Children’s Chorus (SHCC), in 2002.

Thirteen years later, the name has changed, but the mission, and the artistic contribution to the community have not. Now named Crescendo Community Chorus, in recent years, Crescendo has sung with the Spokane Youth Symphony (Mass of the Children by John Rutter), the Spokane Symphony (Opening Gala for the Trophee Mondial, the international accordion organization), the Moscow Ballet (the snow scene in the Nutcracker), in a fundraiser for the Spokane Aids Network as sponsored by the touring cast of Wicked, for many programs of organizations in Spokane. They have performed the Star Spangled Banner for the Spokane Chiefs and the Spokane Indians, and offered a pre-concert performance at the Spokane Public Schools All-City Instrumental Music Concert at the Arena. The organization recently added a group for young men with changing voices as of 2015.

Membership has always been fairly small. The total number of singers has never been more than 50. The singers are always accepted without hesitation when they come to audition, and there are participants with a variety of abilities as well as disabilities. The Chorus has had students who were in special education classes as well as students in gifted programs; winners at Musicfest Northwest and elite performing groups in their respective high schools. Crescendo Community Chorus lives out the beauty of the arts, and makes Spokane better, one note at a time.

For more information, visit http:// crescendocommunitychorus.org/ - Blythe Thimsen

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C h atea u R ive

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artist profile todd mires

Abstract Significance of Painter and Artist

Todd Mires

by Robin Bishop

I’m sure you’ve seen those gorgeous enhanced images

of deep space black holes and galaxies beyond the visible eye; the colors, contrast and texture creating shapes that intrigue and mystify. I recently met a talented young artist that uses these influences along with other forms of nature to create enticing abstracts that invite you to visually explore other realms.

Todd Mires is a Spokane native who enjoys rock climbing and nature, allowing him to truly enjoy his “day job” as a manager at Wild Walls downtown Spokane. While Mires studied fashion design in Seattle for a couple of years and completed a Masters in Social Work at Eastern Washington University, he is self-taught in his unexpected use of acrylics and spray paint on large format canvas. He openly admits that he doesn’t feel he is a “good” painter, but he has an eye for composition and it is the instinctive awareness of a piece’s significance that signals its completion.

When discussing his process it almost sounds like he takes a step

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from one side of his brain to the other when approaching a new piece. Mires refuses to preconceive or contrive any of his work. He approaches the canvas with an influence not an idea. He is drawn to certain moods of music or the contrast between earth and sky in a landscape. These are the emotions or abstracts he emulates in his work. This keeps him fresh and allows him a release from the more orderly routines of his daily life. Mires willingness to experiment and be spontaneous in his approach to painting, are deeply rooted in his belief that true beauty and significant form occur in the absence of thought or effort. Allowing himself to get lost in the moment, leaving behind his more intentional and methodical nature, he is capable of capturing a more significant final result.

Mires doesn’t worry about growing stagnant or bored. You can’t get bored when you philosophically embrace constant evolution.

Adapting and growing with a piece to achieve the most relevant result is how he stays rooted in the moment.

While he dabbled with art a bit in high school, his practice didn’t really manifest until he began taking yoga about four years ago. It seems yoga is his conduit to inspiration. He quickly found his creative roots were tapped through his participation in this ancient mindfulness practice. Once the feel of a piece hits him, he drops the slow, intentional methods that are natural to him and embraces the more fast paced exploration of a color or contrast that piqued his inspiration.

Observers of his work describe it as having an “Asian feel.” This is probably due to Mire’s regular use of contrasting darks with reds, blues, yellows and whites.

His attraction to these colors may have something to do with his tendency to paint a mood or feeling instead of a scene. Mires focuses only on what the piece is feeling.

Conceptual art is not in his vocabulary.

In fact, it’s a bit forbidden. It is never his intention to recreate a landscape or galactic sky scene. He just wants a viewer to be moved, to feel something when seeing his work. When asked if his outdoor lifestyle has influenced his art practice, Mires reticently admits it must have some impact.

His love of climbing and yoga may be found in the subtle tension (yin/yang) he is able to accomplish in his work. There is a passion and visual mystery in Mires’ use of texture, color and form that is undeniably attractive. Abstracts are subjective. The viewer’s experience and current state will have direct influence on their interaction with an abstract piece. While Mire’s desires everyone to walk away from his work feeling lifted and inspired, his greatest desire is that you just walk away feeling something.

Mires is the featured artist at Bozzi Gallery for the month of September.

His work has been shown in Spokane at Nectar Tasting Room, The Satellite Diner, Chocolate Apothecary and the Downtown Spokane Mercedes dealership.

Learn more about Todd Mire’s work and keep tabs on upcoming exhibitions on his Facebook page Todd Mires Art, website toddmiresart.com, or instagram.

Robin Bishop is a marketing professional in the Spokane area and a free-lance writer. She can be contacted at dragonflywriter2014@ gmail.com or via Facebook at Dragonfly Writer/Robin Bishop.

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book reviews local Authors

by Katherine Derrick

The Sliding Glass Door

by Scott Poole

Washington author Scott Poole is a software developer who has a variety of impressive literary achievements under his belt.

Spokane residents may even recognize him as the founding director of Spokane’s Get Lit! book festival. In his most recent book, The Sliding Glass Door, Poole presents a unique collection of his poetry, some previously published and some that has never been seen before.

At first glance, The Sliding Glass Door may look small, finishing at less than 100 pages, but don’t let the length of Poole’s book deter you. What The Sliding Glass Door lacks in volume, it makes up for with its lively contents.

Often, his work is humorous, though careful inspection can reveal tones of sadness that take the reader by surprise.

Poole’s poems often reflect on family and nostalgic memories of his past, as well as fictional scenarios that offer the reader a twist ending. In one of the most chilling poems in The Sliding Glass Door, titled “How Good It Feels to Die,” Poole tells a story of life, death and love. He states: “I was taking a stroll through the graveyard And this coffin was just nestled there in the ground” “Just a nap before dinner time.”

Often, Poole’s work ends with somewhat of a surprise, so to reveal the last lines feels kind of like giving away the ending of a story.

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To get the full effect of Poole’s poetry, check out The Sliding Glass Door and dive in to Poole’s beautiful and witty writings.

Published by Colonus, paperback, $17.95 Scott Poole is the house poet for Live Wire!, a weekly radio variety show on Oregon Public Broadcasting that airs throughout the Pacific Northwest and is currently expanding to Public Broadcasting radio stations across the U.S. in cities such as Boston and Cleveland. He was also the founding director of Get Lit!, the Spokane, Washington book festival, and Wordstock, the Portland, Oregon, book festival. Currently he is a software developer and lives in Vancouver, Washington.

You and Me and Him

by Kris Dinnison

Spokane residents may be familiar with Kris Dinnison as the local who helps run her family’s business, Atticus Coffee & Gifts. But for those who are not aware, Dinnison is also a talented author. Her first novel, titled You and Me and Him, is a young adult novel full of humor and heart.

You and Me and Him follows Maggie, a teenage girl struggling with her weight and her self-confidence, and her best friend Nash, a gay teenager who comes from a broken home. The two have a strong bond, and the story tests their friendship as they navigate the difficulties of romantic relationships

throughout their teenage years.

When a new and mysterious student named Tom comes to their school at the beginning of their junior year, Nash immediately calls “dibs” on dating him.

Though neither Maggie nor Nash anticipates it, things take a turn as Tom begins to express interest in spending time with Maggie instead. What began as a joke quickly becomes a much bigger deal as Tom becomes a major wedge in their friendship.

You and Me and Him is a story that celebrates those who don’t feel like they fit in, especially as a young adult. Maggie is a unique hero as she learns to take on the adolescent world of self-confidence, young love and the importance of a bond between best friends. Dinnison’s novel is a page turner and a great book for young adults or those who are young at heart.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, hardcover, $17.99 Kris Dinnison spent nearly two decades as a teacher and librarian working with students from kindergarten to graduate school. The bulk of that time she spent teaching High School English while dreaming of becoming a writer. Nowadays, when she’s not writing, she helps run her family’s retail and café businesses. She lives in Spokane, Washington with one husband, one daughter, two cats, and a labradoodle named Charlie.

The Good Rain: Across Time & Terrain in the Pacific Northwest

by Timothy Egan

Seattle author Timothy Egan is somewhat of a prominent figure in the Pacific Northwest. As a graduate of the University of Washington, Egan has also received honorary doctorates from institutions such as Whitman College, Western Washington University and Lewis and Clark College. He has even been awarded the Keys to the City of Seattle.

His novel, The Good Rain: Across Time & Terrain in the Pacific Northwest, is stated to be one of the 10 most essential books about the Pacific Northwest. Though it was published in 1991, this story continues to accurately represent the beauty and history of our region.

Starting with a map of each region of focus and organized into chapters that outline different regions of the Northwest, Egan writes about history, nature and politics, as well as his own reflections on his family and life.

It should also be noted that Egan is a fierce advocate for environmentalism, and this reflects in his story telling as he outlines areas all across our region including the Olympic National Forest, the Puget Sound and The Cascade Mountains.

According to the author, there are“12 million people in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, a bit more than the population of Sweden, and most of them live within one hour of the mountains. In the last light of day we can look up, from the low point of urban stress, and see the high point of outdoor relief- the natural neon of alpenglow.” Clearly Egan understands much of what makes the Northwest so beautiful.

509.838.3333

Published by Random House, paperback, $15.95 Timothy Egan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and the author of seven books, most recently Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher, named Best of the Month by Amazon.com. His book on the Dust Bowl, The Worst Hard Time, won a National Book Award for nonfiction and was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a New York Times Notable Book, a Washington State Book Award winner, and a Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book. He writes a weekly column, “Opinionator,” for the New York Times.

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date book september

Saturday September 12: Cancer Can’t Featured speaker Sean Swarner will impart his inspiring story on all attendees at the Cancer Can’t fundraiser. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 13, and Askin’s sarcoma at 16, today, Swarner is the only cancer survivor in the world to summit Mount Everest. He has gone on to climb the Seven Summits, and he recently completed the Iron Man World Championship in Hawaii. He is the co-founder of The CancerClimber Association, and works to better the condition of children with cancer.

Cancer Can’t Golf Tournament, Indian Canyon Golf Course, 12 p.m.; Cancer Can’t Dinner, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center. For information, visit www.cancercant.info

september

Date Book

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September 5, September 21, October 4, October 19: Spokane Poetry Slam and BootSlam Spokane Poetry Slam is competitive performance poetry at its Northwest finest! Every first and third Sunday, spoken word warriors battle for Inland Empire supremacy, and a $50 Grand Prize. Each poem is judged by five members of the audience and, after two rounds of poetry, whichever poet has the highest cumulative score is declared the winner! Bootslam, at Boots Bakery, is held on the first Sunday of each month, while Spokane Poetry Slam, held at the Bartlett, is held on the third Monday of each month.

Boots Bakery and Lounge, 24 W Main Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201. The Bartlett, 228 W Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201. For more information, please log on to: http://spokanepoetryslam.org/ Spokane Art School Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. Spokane, WA 99205. For more information, please log on to: http://spokaneartschool.net/

Thursdays through September 24: Performers on the Patio What better way to relax and “wine down” your work week than by savoring a delightful summer evening along with music, art and wine at the Cliff House? Every Thursday through September you can immerse your senses in the sounds of local musicians, the visuals of regional artists and the award-winning flavors of Arbor Crest wines. Presented on our Tasting Room patio, the music plays from 5:30 to 7:30 (4 to 6 in September) and the Estate grounds are open until sunset.

Arbor Crest Cliff House. 4705 N. Fruit Hill Road. Spokane, WA 99217.

These magical evenings are offered at no cover charge. Want to have guaranteed table seats waiting for you? Please call us at (509) 927-9894 at least 24 hours in advance to make your reservations. Reservation fees apply.

through September 12: Close-in: Marilyn Lysohir and Shani Marchant The Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University continues its summer “Close In” series featuring the work of regional artists Marilyn Lysohir, from Moscow, Idaho, and Shani Marchant, Spokane. The exhibition is organized

by Curator of Education Karen Kaiser.

Jundt Art Museum. 200 E Desmet Ave. Spokane, WA 99258. For more information, log on to: http://www.gonzaga.edu/ through September 29: All Media Juried Exhibition Spokane Arts announces an open call to all visual artists in our region for a juried group exhibition at the Chase Gallery in Spokane, Washington.

Eligibility is regional including Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington and Western Montana. Submissions will be juried by Ryan Hardesty, Curator of Art and Exhibitions at Washington State University Museum of Art. Entries of artwork in all media will be considered within the specified guidelines.

It will be held in the Chase Gallery from July 1st - September 29th, 2015.

An artist reception will be held on Friday, August 7th, 2015, 5 p.m-9 p.m in conjunction with First Friday.

Chase Gallery at City Hall. 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201.

For more information, log on to http://www.visitspokane.com/art/chasegallery/ September 4, October 2: First Friday Enjoy visual arts, musical presentations, sample local foods, get acquainted with local performing artists and more at this monthly event sponsored by the Downtown Spokane Partnership. On the first Friday of each month, participating galleries, museums, boutiques and more host a city-wide open house with refreshments and entertainment. Join us! First Friday is free and open to the public!

Downtown Spokane. For more information or a complete map of participating venues, please log on to http://www.downtownspokane.org/first-friday. php.

Sundays through September 27: Concerts on the Cliff All summer long, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars offers the perfect way to wrap up your weekends:fun-filled Sunday evening concerts, from 5:30 p.m. to sunset (4:00 to sunset in September), for just $8! Come up to the Cliff House Estate, hear some of our region’s most exciting performers, and dance the light away to live music, from country and rock to swing, jazz and blues. All tickets are general admission.

Arbor Crest Cliff House. 4705 N. Fruit Hill Road. Spokane, WA 99217.

Prefer guaranteed table seats? Please call us at (509) 927-9463 at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations. Reservation fees apply.

September 3: Tim McGraw Tim McGraw will bring his Shotgun Rider Tour to the Spokane Arena on Thursday, September 3 with special guests Billy Currington and Chase Bryan! Tim McGraw has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 36 #1 singles. He’s won three Grammy Awards, 16 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, 10 American Music Awards, three People’s Choice Awards and numerous other honors.

Spokane Arena. 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

September 10: An Evening With Bryan White Bryan White is a Grammy award winning multi-platinum and gold artist with 6 #1 singles and an armful of major awards. His hits include ‘Someone Else’s Star’, ‘Rebecca Lynn’, ‘I’m Not Supposed To Love You Anymore’, and spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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the iconic ‘From This Moment On’ with Shania Twain. He has recently co-starred with his wife Erika Page White on TNT’s ‘Private Lives Of Nashville Wives.’ Unauthorized music videos of Bryan’s song ‘God Gave Me You’ have over 16 million views. After a lengthy hiatus to raise his children, Bryan is back in full swing, touring and recording.

Chateau Rive at The Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 day of show. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com September 11: Yes and Toto Known as the consummate progressive rock band of the 70s and 80s, Yes has taken their unique sound featuring sophisticated songwriting and thoughtful lyrics to musical prominence with hits “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and the Grammy Award-winning “Cinema.”

Made up of some of the most prolific musicians in the industry, Toto, holds the distinction of being one of the bestselling music groups of the late 70s and early 80s.

Collectively the members of Toto can be heard on more than 5,000 albums and have been nominated for 225 Grammy Awards. Toto itself has released 17 albums and sold 35 million albums worldwide. Their chart topping hits include, “Africa,” “Rosanna,” “99,” “Make Believe” and “I’ll Be Over You.” Northern Quest Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001. For tickets, please log on to http://northernquest.com/.

Everyone has an artist hidden inside. Our goal is to design the perfect party for you!

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September 12: Shania Twain One of the world’s best-selling female artists, Shania Twain already announced that she’s going to rock this country on her first North American tour in over 11 years, and now she’s going to rock the Spokane Arena’s 20th Anniversary Season! Gavin DeGraw will open.

Spokane Arena. 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

September 13: Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach have joined forces for a co-headline tour this fall, and will be stopping at the Spokane Arena on Sunday, September 13! The tour is fueled by Monster Energy and will include special guests In This Moment and From Ashes to New. With 10 #1 singles and over 25 Top 10 singles

Olympic Game Farm On the Olympic Peninsula

Home of the Waving Bears!

Olympic Game Farm is excellent for birthday parties, churches, schools, day care centers, scouts, senior citizens, and picnics.

1423 Ward Rd. Sequim, WA 98382

1-800-778-4295 • 360-683-4295 www.OlyGameFarm.com

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date book september between them, millions of video streams and fans all over the globe Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach have been dominating the airwaves throughout their careers. In an innovative move, the bands actively involved fans by giving them the opportunity to request the tour come to their city via a “demand campaign.” An overwhelming 1.5 million people responded to the call to action and made their voices heard.

Spokane Arena. 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

September 13: “Weird Al” Yankovic “Weird Al” Yankovic took both the music and comedy scenes by storm with his inventive mix of popular hit songs with hilarious topic changes and parody. He is now the biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history with more than 12 million in album sales and his most recent album, “Mandatory Fun,” became the first comedy album ever to debut at Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. “Mandatory Fun” also received the award for Best Comedy Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2015, Weird Al’s fourth career Grammy. His instantly recognizable hits include, “Eat It,” “Like a Surgeon,” “Fat,” “Amish Paradise” and “Word Crimes.”

Northern Quest Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001. For tickets, please log on to http://northernquest.com/.

September 19-20: Spokane Symphony Classics: Russian Adventures The Spokane Symphony launches its season with a rich musical journey of Eastern Europe.

Modest Mussorgsky’s dramatic tone poem Night on Bald Mountain captures the legendary tale of a witches’ sabbath. The whirlwind pace continues with Béla Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a showpiece for the composer’s formidable talent as a pianist. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s sparkling symphony transforms a quartet of Ukrainian folk tunes into a tapestry of wonder and delight.

Fox Theatre. 1001 W Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com. Tickets may also be purchased with personalized service at the Box Office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, or by calling 509-624-1200.

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September 23: An Evening With Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones The Alvin brothers founded seminal early LA punk roots band The Blasters in 1979, and after Dave left the group in 1986, they did not record an album together again until ‘Common Ground.’ In addition to its Grammy nomination, that record earned wide critical acclaim, and features with NPR’s Fresh Air, The LA Times, Wall Street Journal and more.

“Lost time is not found again.” This ancient idiom is at the heart of brothers Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin’s long, tumultuous relationship.

However, in Dave’s own words, “Sometimes Fate, or God or the Universe, gives you a rare chance to prove an old saying is wrong.” The brothers’ new album, appropriately titled ‘Lost Time’ ( Due September 18/Yep Roc Records), does just that.

Chateau Rive at The Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. Tickets $25

in advance/$30 day of show. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com

Firetruck Ride Home From School

Santa Visit Christmas Morning

Hot Air Balloon 3 Nights Napa Valley

7 Nights Pend Oreille Shores Resort

5 Nights Cancun

Extravaganza Saturday, 24th October, 2015 Silent & Live Auction

September 30: Def Leppard with Styx and Tesla Hailed as one of the greatest arena rock bands, Def Leppard’s spectacular live shows are filled with hit after hit from their groundbreaking discography that set the sound for generations of music fans and artists. Def Leppard’s powerful rock anthems have become synonymous with their name and it’s easy to see why rock fans keep gravitating toward their electrifying live performances. Don’t miss it when Def Leppard performs live at the Spokane Arena with Styx and Tesla!

Spokane Arena. 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

September 30: The Beach Boys The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s musical history. The Beach Boys have become synonymous with the California lifestyle and have become an American icon to fans around the world. The Beach Boys will pull into town to perform at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox in Spokane.

Fox Theatre. 1001 W Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com. Tickets may also be purchased with personalized service at the Box Office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, or by calling 509-624-1200.

Costume Party

• Dance the night away to Kelly Hughes • Dinner and Cash Bar

Help us FIGHT children’s cancer $35 per person $250 per table of 8 5:30 pm to 11 pm

Greyhound Park & Event Center 5100 W. Riverbend Ave. Post Falls, ID Presented by Lion’s Club of Post Falls & Coeur d’Alene For more information call 208-262-6836 or visit: www.HalloweenExtravaganza.org Event Sponsors: Edward Jones • Kiwi Creations • Pend Oreille Shores Resort Body By Scotty • UPS Store

American Girl 3 Nights L.A. Shopping Spree

3 Nights Pend Oreille Shores Resort

5 Nights Panama

Nascar Drive 3 Nights Las Vegas

Atlantis Casino 2 Nights Reno

October 1: Death Cab for Cutie Described as one of the most beloved live acts of the modern era, Death Cab for Cutie kicked off their North American headline tour this April and will be visiting Spokane on October 1 at the INB Performing Arts Center. These performances will see the core membership of singer/guitarist Ben Gibbard, bassist Nick Harmer, and drummer Jason McGerr augmented by new touring members Dave Depper and Zac Rae, both of whom will contribute additional guitars and keyboards.

INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com. spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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date book september October 3: Spokane Symphony SuperPops: The Spy Who Loved Me with Sheena Easton Bond. James Bond. Evoking international intrigue, glamour and suspense, the 007 films are as famed for their great music as for the thrilling screen action. Two-time Grammy Award-winning Sheena Easton, the featured singer on the soundtrack For Your Eyes Only, will enchant and seduce you into the world of Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, Diamonds are Forever, You Only Live Twice and The World Is Not Enough. Prepare to be shaken and stirred.

Fox Theatre. 1001 W Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com. Tickets may also be purchased with personalized service at the Box Office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, or by calling 509-624-1200.

October 4: An Acoustic Evening With Tyrone Wells (solo) “It’s always interesting to go back to where you came from,” says Tyrone Wells. “The nostalgia.

The comforting familiarity. The way you know for certain that the floor will creak when you step in that one spot. This tour is going to be a bit like that for me. I’m doing a national solo tour, and I’m excited about it. Before touring the nation, I cut my teeth for years at a weekly residency in a little coffee shop in Southern California. Solo. All by myself. With my voice, my guitar, my stories and my heart on the line. For the upcoming solo tour, I’m excited to return to my roots.”

Chateau Rive at The Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 day of show. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com October 8: Dale Watson & The Lone Stars Dale Watson is a honky-tonk hero and country music maverick, a true outlaw carrying on where Waylon Jennings left off. A member of the Austin Music Hall of Fame, he stands alongside Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and George Strait as one of the finest country singers and songwriters from the Lone Star State.

Although Dale has made his name as a Texas artist, he actually was born in Alabama. Moving to Houston as a teenager, his musical journey began right out of high school as he started playing clubs and local honky-tonks. In 1988, it led him to move to Los Angeles on the advice

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of rockabilly singer-guitarist Rosie Flores. He played in the house band at the legendary Palomino Club in Hollywood for a couple years and recorded a few singles before moving to Nashville to write songs for a publishing company run

by Gary Morris (writer of such country/pop hits as “The Wind Beneath My Wings”).

Chateau Rive at The Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 day of show. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com October 10-11: Spokane Symphony Classics: American Wonders Explore the exuberance of American classical music, from William Schuman’s spirited American Festival Overture, to Ferde Grofé’s tone poem inspired by the soaring grandeur of one of America’s natural wonders, to George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue.

Grofé orchestrated Gershwin’s jazz-infused masterpiece that has become one of the most popular of American concert pieces. Igor Stravinsky’s concerto, written the same year, combines the percussiveness of the piano with the sonority of a wind orchestra with electrifying effect. It is the perfect vehicle to showcase the artistry of pianist Andreas Boyde.

Fox Theatre. 1001 W Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com. Tickets may also be purchased with personalized service at the Box Office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, or by calling 509-624-1200.

Bing Crosby Theatre. 901 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

For more information log on to http://www. bingcrosbytheater.com/.

E V E N T S

September 2-7: Pig Out In the Park This annual food and music festival will host over 45 food booths providing over 200 menu items, along with 3 adult beverage gardens.

As well, over 100 local, regional and national entertainment acts perform on 3 stages. Arts, crafts and commercial booths are located in a “Vendors Village” and add to the festive atmosphere.

Riverfront Park. Downtown Spokane, WA 99201.

For further information, please log on to: www. spokanepigout.com

Penthouse suite www.PaulsenCenter.com

Visit our website to see a video tour

The penthouse was once the home of the Paulsen family for many years. In 2009, the top floor received a major facelift and changed to commercial office space but retained the original fixtures and floor plan.

September 11: Little Smoke Cigar Festival The 6th annual Little Smoke Cigar Festival, winner of the 2014 Inland Northwest Tourism Award for Exceptional Festival of The Year, returns to Northern Quest Resort & Casino on Saturday, September 12. Featuring the best in cigars and fine spirits, Little Smoke delivers an experience you won’t soon forget. Rub shoulders with the who’s who of the cigar world, learn the detailed art of cigar rolling from an authentic cigar roller herself, sample the finest spirits, wine and brews and indulge yourself to your heart’s content.

Northern Quest Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001. For tickets, please log on to http://northernquest.com/.

September 12: Cancer Can’t Golf Tournament A golf tournament, dinner and auction is being held by Cancer Can’t (a local non-profit organization, whose mission is to do everything it can to make the cancer fighting experience easier on patients), which partners with hospitals in our region to make improvements that will help patients. There will be a golf tournament at 12:30 p.m. at Indian Canyon golf course and cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Center. Dinner: $80/person, with discounts given for groups of 4 and 8. Golf: $300 for a foursome.

Register on at www.cancercant.info. For more information, contact cancercant@yahoo.com or (509) 230-352.

October 8: Kathy Griffin Two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin has been entertaining crowds for more than 20 years with her legendary live standup performances and appearances on television and Broadway. Last year, Griffin made history with her sixth consecutive Grammy nomination and first win for Best Comedy Album, “Kathy Griffin: Calm Down Gurrl”. With that esteemed honor, she became only the third female comedian to ever win a Grammy for Best Comedy Album.

Northern Quest Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001. For tickets, please log on to http://northernquest.com/.

October 8-11: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Presents: Built to Amaze Experience all the things you know and love and be amazed by things you’ve never seen before! Witness superhuman stunts so close, you can FEEL it! Astonishing performers, aweinspiring athletes and amazing animals from around the globe have been assembled in one place providing a riveting display of unimaginable proportions that are engineered for excitement and custom built for family fun! Show dates October 8 through October 11. Spokane Arena. 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA

Paulsen Center invites YOU to experience their exclusive downtown Penthouse Suite with great company, drinks and appetizers!

Penthouse Party

Sept. 30th | 4:30-7:30pm

Details & RSVP

PaulsenCenter.eventbrite.com

the most exclusive address in

downtown spokane 421 W Riverside Ave | Spokane, WA 99201

The Penthouse at the Paulsen Center is available for commercial use. 2,300 sf

including a sun room, private elevator entrance and unique office layout including a 500 sf terrace patio that overlooks the city. As you might expect, the 360 degree views are unmatched by any other suite in town.

• Exclusive entrance • Historic Building • 360 Degree Views of Spokane • Prestigious office opportunity

Suite 1700 – 2,320 sf

$4,500.00 per month - full service (based on a full service lease)

Lisa Dowers, Lisa.dowers@paulsencenter.com, (509) 590-0685 Scarlett Stalter, Scarlett.stalter@paulsencenter.com, (509) 321-3991

partner with bozzi media events

y t i C e h of t 0011 For more info call 509-533-5350 or email sales@bozzimedia.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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date book september 99201. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

THEATRE September 13: All Hands on Deck!

Based on Bob Hope’s 1942 USO tour to the troops, All Hands on Deck! features four sparkling Hollywood stars, accompanied by the rich sounds of the Hollywood Victory Caravan orchestra, who deliver an electrifying evening of classic songs, dances, and laughs Americans of all ages love.

From Roadshow to Radio Broadcast, our tight harmonies, on air antics, classic commercials, and rousing comedy gracefully climax to a finish of a lifetime; a full-circle, patriotic salute to our active duty and veteran members of the Armed Services!

INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201. For tickets, call 1-800325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest.com.

September 11-October 10: Rock of Ages Back to big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and big hair! The shredding score features the hits of bands including Journey, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and others. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace, and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality.

The Modern Theatre - CdA. 1320 E Garden Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. For more information and tickets, please log on to: http://www.themoderntheater.org/ September 18-October 18: Catch Me If You Can: The Musical Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager Frank Abagnale, Jr. runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl pursues him across the country to make him pay for his crimes. Based on the hit film and incredible true story.

Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201. For showtimes and more information, call (509) 325-2507. For tickets, call 1-800-325-SEAT or visit http://www.ticketswest. com.

Simply Unforgettable!

1216 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane 509.624.1301 • beaukflorist.net 64

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September 25-October 11: Other Desert Cities A multiple Tony nominee and Pulitzer finalist, this play is hailed as one of the most enjoyable plays for grown-ups. The Palm Springs dwelling of the Wyeth family is filled with clever exchanges meant to push buttons. In a series of confrontations, they sift through conflicting memories of the past and face serious choices about how to go forward. This superbly crafted script exploits what happens when family wounds are exposed and lines are crossed.

The Modern Theatre - Spokane. 174 S Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201. For more information and tickets, please log on to: http://www.themoderntheater.org/

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Trip on a Tankful: Walla Walla, WA

performs a diverse and entertaining schedule that includes a mix of classical concerts, special concerts. www. wwsymphony.com.

Shakespeare Walla Walla Shakespeare Walla Walla performs professional Shakespearian theatre and youth theatre education to Walla Walla Valley residents and visitors. In partnership with Seattle Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Walla Walla brings year-round, approachable and entertaining productions to the Power House Theatre: www.shakespeareuncorked.com.

by Blythe Thimsen

Walla Walla’s

history spans a variety of agricultural, economical and cultural growth, culminating with today’s Walla Walla – an economic driver for southeast Washington, a home to more than 30,000 residents, and a popular wine region and tourist destination.

Wineries in Walla Walla account for more than $100 million in revenue to the region each year.

When it comes to culture and sophistication, there’s much more to Walla Walla than meets the eye. While the wine industry might carry an air of sophistication, the region’s other cultural assets cannot be overlooked.

Power House Theatre The Power House Theatre is a 342-seat performing arts theatre located in a historic, 120 year-old building once housed the Walla Walla Gas Plant, originally built to produce coal gas and pipe it underground to light the streets, businesses and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011, the building was transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts theater inspired by the intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England, which William Shakespeare and his acting company began using in 1608.

In January 2012 the theatre was officially accepted to the National Register of Historic Places. www.phtww.com.

Walla Walla Symphony Founded in 1907, the Walla Walla Symphony is the oldest continuously operating symphony west of the Mississippi River. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Yaacov Bergmann, the orchestra is recognized for its adventurous programming, school programs and tradition of performing original compositions. From October through June, the Walla Walla Symphony 66

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The Marcus Whitman Hotel Having a great place to visit is one thing, but having a great hotel at which to stay is another. The Marcus Whitman Hotel is the gem of Walla Walla. This historic hotel offers not just an elegant place to rest your head, but a history to go along with it. According to the hotel’s history, the idea for the hotel first came about in 1927, through the efforts of local businessmen, proud citizens and a community that raised more than $150,000 in 90 days, toward the building of the hotel.

As with many hotels, it went through a period of decline in the 1970s. In 1999, the hotel was purchased, and a restoration began, which culminated in a reopening in the spring of 2001. Since then, The Marcus Whitman has a beacon of luxury, drawing people from all over the state, the country and the world, for a chance to enjoy the luxury and elegance of a hotel with history.

While the historic aspect shines brightly, don’t think that The Marcus Whitman is lost in the past; it is moving forward with enthusiasm and vigor. Named by the Washington State Wine Commission as “2015 Hotel of the Year,” the hotel is also home to The Marc Restaurant, which was named the “2014 Restaurant of the Year” also by the Washington State Wine Commission.

With 133 beautiful guest rooms, and six on-site wine tasting rooms located off the hotel’s grand lobby, the list of reasons to stay is ever-growing. www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com

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what i know

photo by James & Kathy Mangis

Keith Dixon

by

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spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

Artistic Director, Spokane Civic Theatre

what i know

Amazing Women. Vicky, Betty, Deborah, Kelly P., Jennifer and Kelly R. No, this is not a list from some little black book. These are some of the women who’ve influenced my life over the years. While the complete list is much longer, these six represent the strong presence that has supported and guided me at one time or another. I know my life would be very different if it weren’t for them. They are family, friends, colleagues, mentors. All of them amazing in their own ways. To them, I am grateful.

Life-Changing Advice. One of these women gave me perhaps the most profound professional advice I’ve ever received. Deborah Anderson was my directing professor and mentor. When we first met, I had just returned to school after a long hiatus to pursue a degree in theatre and was struggling with the balance of work and school. I had to drop out of a production because I had to pay the rent, meaning I needed to work. When I told her, she said she understood. What she said next changed everything: “You need to decide if you just want to study theatre or you want to actually do it.” I figured it out. I shifted my priorities, and between living like a pauper and the blessing/curse of student loans, turned the next two and a half years into an immersive theatrical experience. Education is what you make of it, and I can say without a doubt I made the very best of mine.

September 11th: From Having a Need....In late August of 2001, I moved to Princeton, New Jersey, for an internship at McCarter Theatre. As I’m sure many of us do, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. It was a beautifully sunny day, betraying the chaos and tragedy playing out just 65 miles to the northeast. We were scheduled to open a show that week, Romeo and Juliet. In fact, we were to have our first audience that very night. Emily Mann’s production was a political piece, and it couldn’t have been timelier. But that didn’t matter to me. I didn’t lose people and was not directly impacted, but I was in an unfamiliar place, far from home, far from family, and I was afraid. By the following weekend, my fear had given way to a feeling of isolation. I was drawn to the city. It wasn’t morbid curiosity that drew me; rather, the need for community. So Sunday, September 16, 2001, I took the train into Penn Station, hopped the #1 train uptown to 116th Street and went to the morning service at Riverside Church. It had always been one of my favorite places in the city, and it just felt right being there. I have to credit the senior pastor as this was his first Sunday back in the pulpit after a summer sabbatical. What an enormous task, and he delivered a deeply moving sermon. As I left the church, I stopped to talk to him, telling him I was a long way from home and thanking him for his words. I spent that afternoon in and round Union Square with thousands of others, many of whom were looking for the same sense of community, the same sense of peace. I think each in our own way we found some of it by just being together. ...to Hurricane Katrina: Filling a Need. In 2005, I was in New Orleans at a state conference two days before Katrina made landfall. The weather was beautiful – not too humid (for there), plenty of sunshine, but you could feel it. You could sense the tension.

This was a big storm, a major storm headed straight for the city.

No one could predict that even without a direct hit the aftermath

keith dixon

would be the worst part; all you knew was the city was in for one heck of a ride. In Baton Rouge we rode out the storm with mostly wind damage (nearly 600 felled trees around town). Power was out in some neighborhoods for over a week, but we made it through the night and that was all that mattered. Then the reports started coming in: levee breach, Ninth Ward, New Orleans East, Lakeview, catastrophic failure. Literally overnight, Baton Rouge was home to tens of thousands of refugees. Every major hotel, conference center, arena and public gathering place had become a shelter. As the devastation continued, it became clear this wasn’t a temporary reality.

Many of the displaced were here to stay. In a matter of days, the city’s 15-year master traffic plan was blown, and stores were running low on everything from food to camping gear.

We were not only relevant, we were needed. Everyone was living in emergency mode, but you can only do that for so long. Eventually a normalcy, whether new or otherwise, had to set in, and it did. As the head of a community theatre, I had no idea what to expect. How were we going to survive? Would people find us relevant in this time of crisis? I doubted our necessity and wondered what the future would hold. After all, the arts were, I thought, considered by many to be a luxury. That could not have been further from the truth.

From almost the beginning, we became in our own way a refuge – a safe harbor from the stormy seas. At the time we were in production for A Chorus Line. I cancelled the first two rehearsals after the storm, but I got calls from my actors wanting to know when we could start again. For some of them it was about electricity; the theatre had it and they didn’t, so we became a place for them to cool off. But for all of them, it was about normalcy – getting back to some sort of life that made sense, that made them happy, and we were a part of that.

I had actors whose family homes were destroyed, and they came to rehearsals to not only get away from it all, but to heal, to work with people who cared about them and create something greater than themselves. It wasn’t just about our faithful volunteers; it was about the larger community as well. People came to the theatre.

They came to escape, they came to commune, they came to share stories – stories of the human experience. That fall, A Chorus Line had a good run despite a delayed opening, and It’s a Wonderful Life became the most successful play in Baton Rouge Little Theater’s 60 year history, with an extended sold out run. I discovered we were not only relevant, we were needed.

(Oh… and to this day it can still take 45 minutes to get from downtown BR to Essen Lane on I-10, the equivalent of going from downtown to the Y on Division.)

What I’ve Learned. Enjoy what you do. Laugh – a lot! Say what you mean, and mean what you say. You can never know someone else’s story, so don’t take things personally because it’s not always about you. Did I mention laugh? A lot!

Up, Up And Away! Since my job is a basically a 24/7 kind of gig, my downtime often comes in stolen moments. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved flying and always wanted to be an airline pilot. At least once a week you can find me pulled off the side of the road that runs behind the control tower at the airport. I’ll be leaning on the hood of my car watching the planes. If you see me, stop and say hi! spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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a day in the life mh motorsports 56

The MH

Motorsports

Mathew Harper

has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative muscle disease. He always wanted to race a car, but was never able to do so. Five years ago, he asked his brother, Michael, if he wanted to race in his stead. He agreed, and a racecar and team were built. MH Motorsports 56 is not just one racer and a racecar. They are a family and a team, and here is a day in their life....

Photos courtesy of SMB. Artistry (niece and cousin to MH Motorsports 56.)

Michael (Racecar Driver): 5 a.m. - I turn off my alarm and proceed to get ready for the day (shower, eating, etc.), prepare my lunch, sneak in to kiss my beautiful wife and sleeping daughter goodbye. I then head to work at Loomis as an armored truck driver, but am fueled by excitement for the races all day.

7 a.m. - Before I enter my workplace I post on the MH Motorsports 56 Facebook page about the races. I like to pump up the fans and get everyone excited about race day.

12 p.m. - My brother, Mathew, goes to pick up new race tires and

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Gatorade to be sure I stay hydrated.

12:30 p.m. - Mary, my mom, calls Mathew to find out what’s happening with the racecar and to see if he has heard from me about what time I will be at the track.

1 p.m. - I call Mathew to confirm what time I will be off work and at the track. Since I am now working on Wednesdays this has become a routine for me.

3:30 p.m. - I call Mathew again, regarding how I would like the racecar to be set up, and I feel very excited for tonight’s races.

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4:30 p.m. - I grab my race gear from my truck, which includes my helmet, racing gloves, race shoes, a Hans device and my fire suit, and get changed and ready to race. Mary, my mom, takes Mathew and the racecar to Stateline Speedway; along the way they stop to fill the car up with fuel.

4:40 p.m. - They arrive at the track and pay for their pit passes for the night, then head over to their pit stall and unhook the racecar. They check tire pressures, lug nuts and oil and water levels.

4:45 p.m. - I call Mom to tell her I am on my way

to the track so they are ready for me to strap in and practice. During my commute, she starts the car to warm it up.

17.12 seconds; I qualified fifth.

5:45 p.m. - After practice, the team and I, along with all the other teams, attend the driver’s meeting to go over the safety rules.

6:15 p.m. - My wife, Julianna, and daughter, Rozalee, arrive at the track, so I meet them at the pit gate to spend a few minutes with them before the races start.

I kiss them goodbye as they head over to the grandstands to meet up with Janet, my stepmom, and my sister Lorrinda.

My stepdad, Dave, arrives about the same time to help in the pits.

6 p.m. - I’m in line with my fellow competitors waiting for my turn to qualify. I have two laps to get the fastest lap times I can. My fastest time is

6:45 p.m. - Everyone has finished qualifying and I am able to see where I am going to start in the trophy dash and heat race. This week I am

5:15 p.m. - I arrive at the track and say my quick hellos before jumping in the car and taking a few practice laps.

56 racing team

starting fourth out of four in the trophy dash; I am also starting fourth in the heat race.

7 p.m. - We have a racer’s prayer followed by the Star Spangled Banner; we begin the driver introductions, which talk about drivers and their sponsors.

When I am introduced the announcers say, “Michael Harper, the 2014 champion, racing in memory of his Uncle Tim, sponsored by Prairie Automotive, Loomis, Janie Early Bookkeeping, and Broadway Eyecare Center, with special thanks to friends and family… MICHAEL

HARPER!” In the trophy dash tonight I finish second.

7:10 p.m. - I tell Wayne, my dad, and Mathew, my brother, how the car feels and they decide what adjustments are needed for the heat race.

7:30 p.m. - The heat race is about to begin.

I’m in fourth position anticipating the green flag to fly. I finish in first place.

8 p.m. - Intermission starts so my mom and I bring a box of giant Pixy Stix out onto the track to hand out to kids.

8:25 p.m. - I am lined up

for the main event when my dad tells me, “Good luck and have fun.”

Mathew wheels by me and says, “Bring back the steering wheel.” My mom, says, “Go fast, turn left, and be safe.”

8:30 p.m. - I am ready for the main event to start, sitting in the fifth position; after a couple of pace laps, the green flag flies and at that point nothing matters but showing what the car and I can do. After 25 laps, a yellow flag and a hard fought race, I finish second. A tradition of mine is to do a parade lap and wave to all the fans for coming to the races. It is always fun to

put on a show for the audience.

9:30 p.m. - My dad and stepdad link the racecar to the tow vehicle and I put away some of my safety equipment so I am prepared to meet fans.

They come to the car to get autographs, pictures and to sit in the racecar.

10:20 p.m. - The pits start to clear out along with many of the fans.

Track officials come around to the remaining drivers and tell us that we need to wrap it up for the night. With that, the fans go home until next Wednesday for Hump day Havoc.

Photos courtesy of SMB. Artistry (niece and cousin to MH Motorsports 56.)

10:30 p.m. - I head to my mom’s house along with Mathew to go over the race footage that was captured on my GoPro camera and to have a team discussion about the night’s events.

11 p.m. - After our Wednesday night routine is finished, I help my mom get Mathew into bed and then I go home to Julianna and Rozalee.

11:30 p.m. - I take off my fire suit and get ready for bed. As soon my head hits the pillow I’m out for the night. I’m already anxious for next Wednesday’s races.

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The Reality of

Spokane’s public television station’s role in educating and enlightening us

by Blythe Thimsen

A

nyone who has spent a day surfing the channels knows how quickly the mindless content of reality television, which seems to permeate the airwaves nowadays, can leave you feeling empty and hungry for more. More what? More quality, depth, substance and thought provoking content, all of which record numbers of viewers are finding on PBS. PBS is the independently operated non-profit organization and the most prominent provider of television programs to public television stations in the United States, and it is well known for its educational programming, including Sesame Street, Frontline, NOVA and American Experience.

At first glance, the term “educational programming,” which is the backbone of public television, has a less glamorous ring to it than the splash and awe of mainstream television, but viewers seem to be growing weary of splash and awe, and are shifting their viewing habits. In the 2013-14 TV season, PBS, ranked fifth among all broadcast and cable networks in household ratings. Citing Nielsen stats, PBS finished behind only CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox. The success of PBS is established not just at a national level, but in the trenches of the 161 licensees under which are 351 member stations, peppered across the country. (These were PBS’s official numbers as of July 2015). Spokane’s station, KSPS, has been broadcasting since 1967, and for over 45 years KSPS has contributed to the education, entertainment and enlightenment of viewers, bringing arts to televisions, and quality programming to screens, one quality show at a time.

Reality Television “Reality television? What is reality television?” asks Lynn Veltrie, operations manager at KSPS, with a chuckle, referring to the majority of shows on commercial and cable stations. “We’re running a series called The Civil War. That was real! History is real.

That to me is reality television. ‘Reality television’ is not reality. If you think that is reality, your concept of reality is skewed.”

Nowadays, anything that is weird or odd gets a reality show, because they are incredibly cheap to produce. Need proof? Look no further than the listings of cable television stations. The Department of Health, Education and Wellness, in partnership with NASA, originally founded the Learning Channel, now known as TLC, in 1972. Look at the titles of current and recent TLC

shows – Hoarding: Buried Alive, Long Island Medium and Jon & Kate Plus 8 – and it seems the “learning” got lost somewhere along the way. The same goes for The Discovery Channel, and The History Channel, both of whose original purpose was to showcase informational and documentary programs. Nowadays, shows like Naked & Afraid, Airplane Repo, Amish Mafia, Swamp People, Ice Road Truckers and American Pickers are dominating their airwaves.

In the 1980s there was movement to get rid of PBS, believing it had outlived its purpose. “The whole idea was that commercial guys would do what public television does,” says Veltrie. “Well, we’re 30 years past the 1980s and they’re still not doing it. I don’t believe anybody does a documentary as thoughtful as what public television does. When you see a Ken Burns piece, whether it is on the Roosevelts, the Civil War, WWII, Prohibition or baseball, he proves the fact you don’t have to have all these bells and whistles, but if you have people you can put on camera who can tell a story, that is what makes those shows so fascinating to watch and what makes people appreciate history and our culture.”

Local Television A 36 year-employee of KSPS, Veltrie is convinced of both the need and appetite for quality programming. “As people get older, and they have families, they are looking for something that is of substance, and I think public television still provides that,” he says.

KSPS has always offered a different type of programming than commercial or cable stations; they seek to show something that will supplement people’s viewing and provide alternative viewing options. When it comes to history, the arts and politics, KSPS can spend more time on those topics than other stations. While news stations are limited to telling a story in a one and a half minute segment, KSPS’s team is able to go in-depth, researching, writing and producing local programing, hosting political debates and forums, and offering call-in health shows.

“There is this idea that, with people’s short attention spans, you have to keep it short, whereas, we have the luxury to take a little more time, and be more complete about it,” says Executive Producer Jim Zimmer, who works on many of KSPS’s documentaries. “When you work on a documentary you get to start over on a new subject and learn a lot about something. It is a wide-open blank canvas. The job is fresh again.”

Zimmer, who has been with the organization for 35 years, was

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one of the talents behind Born to Learn, the documentary that was created in association with a KSPS campaign called Kids Forward.

“The goal was to look at early learning, not only in what it means for parents and caregivers and children, but we produced a story on the brain science of early learning, and about just what a child is learning and when,” says Zimmer. “We made the commitment to that campaign. We were able to get some small grants, we put our resources into it, and we worked on a documentary on the topic, and presented it at the end of July. This was an effort to reach out further to the folks who need this information and to bring these topics forward and have a discussion about them. Public polices and politics are involved in it, so we chose this as a public service that we can perform.”

KSPS kicked off the campaign with a national documentary on the economics of early learning and supplemented that with local follow up program, talking with leaders from Olympia and other experts in the field of early childhood development. The goal was to take the information and talk about it on a regional level and learn how it impacts our city and citizens.

“It was our effort to bring something to the community and the audience that wasn’t there, and to do it in a meaningful and well informed way,” says Zimmer. “We strive to produce things that are local in interest and regional in interest, but also live up to the expectation of our viewers, in the quality.”

With political season in full swing, Zimmer also is heavily involved in the station’s election coverage. KSPS will air two evenings of debates in mid-October. They’ve carved out those two hours to cover the local city races covering the bigger ballot issues. “We’re the only ones, really, doing political debates,” says Zimmer. “We don’t have the obligation for local evening news—which is a tremendous undertaking—by the other stations, so we try to carve out time to give people something that they won’t find elsewhere.” Other than these forums, the only chance voters have to see a candidate on television is in an ad, but ads are carefully crafted messages the candidates want to deliver. “There aren’t too many opportunities for these people to debate on television – we usually are the only one – and in one hour they [voters] will get the information they need to make an informed decision, and not have to wait to read the election brochure, which again, are statements the candidates create themselves. So at least here there are Q&As and cross examinations.”

While viewers can cast informed votes this election, thanks to

the program, one area where they have already let their voice be heard is in their demand for access to programming outside of the traditional viewing format.

“The big issue right now is that television is changing rapidly,” says Veltrie. “We are all seeing it, those of us who are broadcasters; we are becoming the dinosaurs of the industry.” Over the-topcontent (OTT) delivery vehicles, like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu, are the viewing formats to which Millennials are heading, which is very different from scheduled programming. “Right now when you think about television, you have to schedule your time to watch Downton Abbey, but young kids, they don’t want to be tied down to a schedule. They want to be able to watch content when they want – content on demand. That is what we are seeing. Fifty percent of the audience now is watching content on OTT services, like Netflix. So there is a real conscious effort on the part of broadcasters to provide this, because we can see the writing on the wall: How long will broadcast television remain? There are those who are saying it is not going to go away anytime soon, but you can see the erosion happening. The hope is that as these young kids get into their 30s and 40s, they won’t forget that the broadcasters are still out there.”

There are plenty of young viewers, whose attention they want to capture, within the KSPS service area, which covers some 10,000 miles.

According to KSPS, the station is seen “in about two million households in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and beyond. Viewers in Spokane, Calgary, Edmonton, Coeur d’Alene, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Red Deer, the Kootenay Rockies of BC, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Kalispell, Missoula and dozens of other communities support KSPS with their memberships.”

Those annual memberships to KSPS are the lifeblood which helps keep KSPS on the air. Memberships are $48 per year, and provide supporters with Prevue, a bi-monthly program guide with behind the scenes information, and a complete program guide. “People give less than that, people give more than that, but that is really what keeps us going from year to year; that is our bread and butter,” says Director of Development Dawn Bayman, of memberships. “If everyone who watched public television, supported us at the basic membership level, we would never have to do another pledge drive. It is only about one in ten people who watch the station actually support it though.”

According to KSPS’s 2014 Annual Report, expenses for

“Only about one in ten people who watch the station actually support it though.”

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Raise Your

Barber programming and production were $2,941,460, which took a large chunk of the $3,420,874 raised though memberships and contributions. The burden of additional expenses is the reason for the well-known pledge drive broadcasts, during which appeals for funds are issued.

“There are four major drives a year, sanctioned by PBS, as well as occasional additional pledge days or weekends, determined by the station,” says Bayman. KSPS recently wrapped up a nine-day drive with a goal $143,000.

Thankfully, KSPS has strong viewer support, which does more than just keep the lights on and shows on the screen; the local support also plays a role in the national opinion of KSPS and is noted by those outside the community. Since 2013, KSPS has been under the leadership of General Manager Gary Stokes, who joined KSPS in 2011 as Executive Director of the Friends of KSPS. Stokes just watched his station land its second go around as a host city for Antiques Roadshow, the most watched regularly scheduled program on PBS, and a huge fan-favorite. The show taped three episodes in Spokane in early June, all of which will air during the 2016 season. According to Stokes, the commitment of the station is one of the reasons Antiques Roadshow came back to Spokane so soon. “To come back within eight years says a lot,” he says of Roadshow’s return to Spokane. “When we get so many volunteers and people who come out for the show, it reflects well on Antique Roadshow, but it also reflects well on KSPS.”

KSPS viewers wait in line at the taping of Antiques Roadshow, in Spokane in June of 2015.

Just as antique-bearing hopefuls travelled from all over the region for the chance to be on the popular show, so too do the viewers of KSPS come from all over the region. With viewers in four states in the U.S. and two provinces in Canada, there is not just a wide geographical area that is covered, but also a wide variety of interests to cover with the programming.

The responsibility of creating a diverse, interesting and well-viewed schedule falls on the shoulders of Programming Manager Cary Balzer. “There are a certain amount of hours that I need to fill with acquisitions,” he says. These hours are gaps in the national PBS schedule, where he is able to custom build content that will appeal to local viewers. “Content for that usually comes from the UK,” he says. “The vast majority of it comes from the BBC.” “The trick is, how do you bring in a younger audience?” asks Veltrie, referring to a key ingredient in building an appealing schedule. “Downton Abbey has done great wonders

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for that because it has created a more diverse audience and has not have the community support enjoyed by KSPS, are facing a brought people back to public television. We saw erosion of dire situation as they struggle to stay afloat. In March of 2016 the our audience, but thanks to programs like Downton Abbey and FCC will offer broadcasters the opportunity to auction off their Poldark—which has been fantastic; the numbers for Poldark were frequencies. The goal is to try to clear bandwidth for interested very good—the audience is returning. The fact of the matter is companies, which want more bandwidth to supply all of the that the BBC has been huge for PBS, and that relationship is strong wireless devices that feast upon the bandwidths, so that customers once again. PBS and the BBC have a firm commitment to work can, among other things, watch Hulu, Netflix and other OTT together going forward.” services. “These are public airwaves and it is disgusting to me that Balzer selects the shows that fill out the schedule, and also deals they are being purchased by corporate entities,” says Veltrie. “It’s with feedback from the viewers, both positive and negative “What going to interesting to see what public television stations decide.”

I look at is our members, because they really do have a say in what Selling their frequency is not something KSPS is considering, we do on a daily basis,” he says of what influences his programming but some stations are left little choice. Depending on the market decisions for KSPS. “If there are programming suggestions or size and how much bandwidth is needed in that particular concerns, I will make every effort to try to resolve it.” market, it could be more lucrative to sell and close up shop. “In It can be a delicate balance at times, appealing to both the U.S. LA, those frequencies are worth a lot of money,” says Veltrie, of and the Canadian viewers, with relevant stories. “Because half of a city that already lost its public television station, KCET, due our donor base is Canadian, we’ve gone to station overlap with several smaller out of our way to find programs that will “These are public airwaves and public television stations. “We’re not cater to our Canadian audience,” says even remotely considering it because we it is disgusting to me that they Veltrie. “We’ve been in a good position are still vital,” says Veltrie of KSPS, “but to buy British comedies that they enjoy, are being purchased by corporate still, that carrot is being dangled out there but we’ve found viewers in the States for stations. It is not just PBS stations entities,” says Veltrie. enjoy them just as well.” that are facing this, but commercial, all The station even tailors their broadcasters.” schedule for the Canadian audience. There are various schedules Even though KSPS is not at risk of having to sell their frequency, from PBS: an East Coast, Mountain Time zone and West Coast and is not even considering it, the impact of other public television schedule. “You’d think we’d be running the West Coast schedule, stations selling their frequencies could have ripple effects that will but we do the Mountain Time,” says Veltrie. “We air our prime be felt locally. time an hour earlier here in the States (7 p.m.); there it is an hour Every public television station pays dues to PBS, and the dues later, because they are Mountain Time (8 p.m.), which has worked continue to go up every year because of costs. “This is where we out really well for us.” are concerned about the whole auction coming up,” says Veltrie.

The only downfall to having such a strong Canadian viewer Right now, there are 351 active public television stations that are base is the Canadian dollar. Fifty percent of KSPS viewers are paying dues to pay for program content with the help of viewers in Canadians, and when those viewers support the station – which each one of those communities. “If that pocket is diluted because they do – their money is accepted at par. With one Canadian a station decides to sell their frequency that is a big concern. If we dollar currently worth about 75 cents in U.S. currency, there is went from 351 stations to, say, 300, now you are having to spread a substantial loss on the exchange. While the station may raise out the cost of that program content amongst 300 stations, making $500,000 of support out of Canada, roughly 20 percent is lost in the PBS dues higher for every station that is left.” the currency exchange.

The hope is that it doesn’t get to a point where public television Despite that, KSPS remains a strong presence in Canada. stations are at risk for shuttering, whether through an auction or “Nobody covers Canada like we do,” says Veltrie. “Idaho Public just calling it quits; rather, the hope is that communities all across Television doesn’t go up into Canada like we do, and Montana the country have access to quality public television like there Public Television doesn’t go into Canada like we do.” is Spokane, through KSPS. For that to happen though, viewers have to ask themselves how much value public television, and the The High Price of Free Public Television quality, enlightening, educational programming it offers, brings to Some public television stations across the country, which do their lives. That is the reality we are facing.

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The beautiful neighborhood, with lush greenery and open park spaces, in which this house is located, was designed by the Olmstead Brothers, whose father famously designed Central Park in New York City.

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History

A Home with

by Hanna Martin photos courtesy of Nancy Wynia, Windermere Real Estate

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Windows in the stairway overlook the elegant grounds on which the house sits.

W

hether it is a tale rich in history, a detailed architectural account or memories centered on family, every house holds a story. This 1913 Tudor-style mansion on Rockwood Boulevard is 7,924 square feet of stories.

Located in the Rockwood Historic District and recognized by the National Historic Register, this home represents the birth of Spokane’s historical and architectural prominence. The Olmstead Brothers designed the layout of the neighborhood, aided by Jay P. Graves and Aubrey White, who contributed to the project by investing in real estate and championing parks in the area. The Olmstead Brothers worked to continue the legacy of their father, who designed Central Park in New York City. They valued the work of God over the work of man, and aimed to include more of nature than of structure in their projects. That is why Rockwood Boulevard is a windy, shady street, lined by grassy areas and leafy trees.

This specific house was designed and built by Hyslop Architecture, which had an outside vision for the structure. The interior design came after the exterior was perfected, which is why there are several interesting, seemingly random nooks inside.

As the current homeowners say, “function followed form.”

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The ceiling is painted to resemble a sky, and the color was custom designed by one of Lisa’s friends.

The first owner of the house was the McGoldrick family, of McGoldrick Lumber, one of the major employers of Spokane back in 1905. It is estimated that they paid less than $20,000 for the unfurnished house, and used their own lumber to build cabinetry and furniture.

Over the ensuing century, the house passed from hand to hand. It aged and desperately needed a loving hand willing to put in the work to restore the historical value to the house.

Nowadays, the home of Corey and Elisabeth Colvin emerges from the plant life in a burst of brick and stucco. A low rock wall encircles the property, and a topiary hedge lines the pathway to the front door. I hear soft music playing inside the house as I walk along the shady path. Upon entering the house, I am overwhelmed by its grandeur. Corey and Lisa Colvin have spent the last six years actively refurbishing the antiquated home. “It’s a new house in an old body,” they say.

The Colvins did extensive work on every room in the house. Though they bought the property with the intention of a renovation, they did not realize how much work was in store for them. Lisa explains that problems arose at every turn. Opening up the walls of the home showed that extreme measures needed to be taken to ensure the security and functionality of the home. Though costly and time-consuming, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. Air conditioning, entirely new high-pressure plumbing and a house-wide sound system were embedded into the bones of the house. Instead of using drywall, the Colvins honored the age of the house by plastering the walls. It took three years to finish the walls, but the result is one of smooth, sturdy perfection.

The Colvin’s commitment to doing things the right way and to honoring

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The kitchen’s wood-paneled cabinetry, keeps the house looking antique while retaining modern convention.

the history of the home is evident as I walk through their house, followed by their rescued dog, Daisy.

We begin the tour in the kitchen, which opens into an eating area and casual living room. Stainless steel appliances are hidden behind dark, wood-paneled cabinetry, which keeps the house looking antique while retaining modern convention. Rainforest marble makes up the counter space, gleaming in the sunlight that shines through the windows. A fireplace outlined with a custom wood

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mantle warms the room in the winter months. The Colvins planned the open room as a central space for entertaining guests and family alike. It’s the place were family memories are made. In the past year, the room has seen birthday parties, holiday celebrations, baby showers and two weddings.

Just off the kitchen are a separate breakfast nook, a water closet, and a full bathroom. When the Colvins purchased the house, it only had two and a half bathrooms, but now there are a total of six. One

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reminiscent of mastheads. A blue marble fireplace echoes the colors of one of the most stunning features of the room – the hand-painted ceiling. One of Elisabeth’s friends worked to swirl together blues and whites to create a realistic sky. Stained glass covers the built-in shelves, depicting scenes of ships on tossing waves. Though the historic theme of the home is prominent within the room, modern technology is present as well. Wired for surround sound, the room acts as a home theatre and video game space.

We head to the other side of the house, passing through a wainscoted formal dining room, where a little library and study boast yet another fireplace – this one completely original. Green marble surrounds the fireplace, and original tile work on one side depicts a knight on horseback battling with a dragon, and on the other, a ship at sea. Glasswork in the shape of shields was added to the cabinets, continuing the medieval theme within the room. The owl motif, found in the bathroom near the kitchen, is continued here as well; figurines are perched above the desk and on the windowsill.

The formal living room follows, containing blue velvet couches and a large piano. Wrought iron chandeliers hang from the ceiling, which are crossed with exposed wooden beams. The Colvins have collected light fixtures and large floor rugs for years, with which they have furnished every room in the house. Most of the light fixtures are

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original pieces, if not original to their home specifically. The chandelier in the formal dining room came from an old hotel, and large letter ‘C’s make the piece perfect for the Colvin family.

There is a little square room off the living area, which Lisa says used to be the reception room. A staircase with trefoil decoration leads us to the second story of the house, where all five bedrooms are located. There is another staircase on the other side of the house, with a globular orange chandelier descending from the same hand-painted sky as in the media room.

Before reaching the master bedroom, two rooms specifically designated as closet space await. Large, seemingly stand-alone wardrobes line the walls of these rooms, each door dotted with an orange glass knob.

A pristine laundry room filled with light granite and basket weave marble is easily accessible across the hall from the closet rooms. Another petite breakfast nook, located just off the closets, provides earlymorning risers with a spot for coffee.

The spacious master suite is decorated with green accents, which compliment the gold-tiled fireplace. The master bathroom was especially tricky to plan, according to Lisa. She explains that the old piping was raised from the floor, so that steps were required to access the bathroom. The Colvins sunk the piping, while still allowing room for a multi-headed shower and fancy

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tub. Their next issue was with the double sinks; they could not spare any of the windows to compensate for the space required by a dual vanity. Eventually the Colvins established two separate sinks on either side of the windows, and are happy with their decision. Fluted tile acts as wainscoting. The master suite exemplifies the Colvin’s attempt to combine century-old

View from master suite.

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history and modern convenience.

On the other side of the house, a long hallway gives entry to the other four bedrooms. Lisa notes that the walls of the hall make excellent gallery space.

The first bedroom we come to is a splash of Disney and pink; Lisa tells me that their granddaughter often stays over.

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Bedrooms in the home all have ample windows and offer beautiful views onto the lawns.

Another bedroom, painted cool blue, has a window seat with the best view of the front yard. A third bedroom is light green, and features an antique desk and dresser.

The final room in the row is another master suite. A functional cream bathroom was added in what used to be a walk-in closet. A wooden expanse behind the bed acts as bedframe, display area and double closet. This area of the house was whipped out of thin air by previous owners, and updated by the Colvins.

Finally, Lisa shows me the partially finished basement. A sparkling white bathroom, multiple storage closets and an exquisite red-painted wine cellar make up the finished basement. The thick wooden door to the wine cellar was the original door to the ice room. The Colvins have plans for a Chinese game room, another kitchen, a wet bar and a German-style seating area, but have not yet realized them.

During the preparations for these plans, the Colvins unearthed a historical treasure. A Delft tile mosaic scene, from the Netherlands, is inlaid above the basement’s stone fireplace. These scenes are known for being 100 percent one-of-a-kind, as the manufacturers made each piece specifically for each house. The Colvins are looking into having it restored.

Though I was initially impressed by the Olmstead Brother’s original landscaping of the property, exploration of the grounds provides even more to admire. Lisa shows

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me the pool with a diving board, the accompanying pool house and the tennis court. She spends the majority of her time outside during the summer months, and who wouldn’t? A putting green with sand trap and a waterfall flowing into a miniature pond also make up the grounds. Hidden from view are two more garages that give the house eleven total parking spaces. Lisa points out a small garden plot, a little piece of land where she keeps her honeybees.

Though located on an active city street, Lisa explains that her bees are not the only wildlife around. In the past week alone, a large moose wandered through the yard, and an owl perched on the fence. She added that there are wild turkeys that frequent the lawn, and a fawn, doe and a colony of bats have been spotted as well.

Aside from the animal life, there are around 15 different species of trees on the property. An enormous, leafy chestnut tree shades the attached garage, which used to be a carriage house. Pear and cherry trees dot the lawn with their bounty. The Colvins can boast that they have the largest, oldest gingko tree in all of Spokane. I counted eight exit points from the house to the outdoors – all the better to enjoy God’s work as intended.

Four of these exits lead directly onto small patio spaces, where both the exterior diamond brick pattern and the crenellations of the balcony walls can be admired. The Colvins have left no detail undone – the

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roof is dotted with decorative snow breaks, and the gutters are lined with curved iron protection.

Though Hyslop’s original “function follows form” motto left the exterior and interior spaces a bit disjointed, the Colvins have succeeded at creating a uniquely harmonious home. Attention to detail, the preservation of history, decoration with time-appropriate pieces and a general commitment to loveliness make this Rockwood home a classic.

After pouring their heart and soul into their Rockwood home, the Colvins have decided to downsize, and have listed their house. Having traveled all over the world, Lisa still feels that Spokane is the best place to raise a family. The Colvin’s three children and granddaughter live in Spokane, and they wish to remain close to them. Of her granddaughter, Lisa says, “She’s pretty much my world!” The Rockwood mansion will remain, after they have left, exuding history from its very walls, and the Colvins will undoubtedly make new memories in a new home.

For more information on this home, contact Nancy Wynia of Windermere Real Estate at (509) 990-2742, nwynia@windermere.com

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Homeownership is a dream for many Americans, and maybe it’s one of yours as well. Making this dream a reality requires hard work, dedication and the proper preparation. You must figure out where you want to live, what type of home you desire, what you can afford and also how your credit rating may impact your home-purchasing goals.

Your credit rating can play an important role in the home buying process, and your creditworthiness could also affect the amount that you can borrow, the interest rates you will qualify for and your ability to obtain a mortgage loan in the first place.

“A consumer’s credit is one of the biggest factors that goes into the mortgageapplication process,” says Eric Hamilton, President of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. “Before applying for a loan, it is crucial to get your credit in the best shape you possibly can.”

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Late or missed payments on any of your credit accounts, such as credit cards, mortgages and other loans, could cause a drop in your credit score. To prevent this, make your payments on time. Making additional payments whenever possible and paying extra toward the principal balance will also help to keep a good payment history and decrease the payoff timeline. Using an Extra Principal Payment Calculator tool can also help you calculate the savings that come with paying extra - generating additional motivation to do so.

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OLD WORLD CHARM

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Magnificent 1913 2-story Tudor Rockwood Mansion. New custom cabinetry complements the original woodwork. Grand formal library boasts Englenook FP. Epicurean island kitchen features rainforest slab marble. Luxurious master suite retreat with private deck and a stunning 2nd master suite both on upper level. Olmsted Bros. inspired gardens w/in-ground pool & tennis court.

5 Bedrooms, 6 Baths $1,429,000

Custom retreat on 5 private acres with territorial views. Grand entry leads to formal LR & DR with wall of windows. Cook's island kitchen opens to great room. Gorgeous master suite w/FP adjoins lux bath & walk-in closet. Daylight lower level features full kitchen. Amazing pool, hot tub & cabana ready for entertaining. Superb 60x30 heated shop w/bath.

Separate office adjoins 3-car garage.

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $839,000

Completely remodeled Woodloch pond home in Spokane's most desirable neighborhood. Large open floor plan includes high end finishes throughout.

Custom epicurean kitchen features hickory cabinetry, slab granite & stainless steel appliances. New master bath boasts premium fixtures, onyx, granite, marble, tile and glass surfaces. Two Brazilian tigerwood decks.

Five car garage and abundant storage.

5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths $649,000

Gorgeous Rockwood Mid-Century

SUNSETS & STARGAZING

CLIFF PARK TUDOR

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807 E. Rockwood Blvd.

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9423 S. Labrador Lane

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523 W. SUmner Ave.

Beautifully detailed & pristine throughout. Grand, entertaining sized LR includes elegant marble fireplace and picture window. Formal DR opens to covered patio. Nostalgic kitchen with eating nook.

Cherry paneled library/den features black marble FP. Main floor utilities. Lower level boasts oversized family room & hobby/dark room. Spacious corner lot with circular driveway & park like landscaping.

3 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $525,000

Over 10 panoramic view acres. Elegant formal living room with library alcove. Formal dining room with built-in cherry buffet. European kitchen features gas range, hardwood plank floors, adjoining sun room & family room with gas fireplace. Walkout lower level boasts family room w/gas fireplace, kitchenette with gas range, theater room. Outdoor shop with indoor & RV parking. Special solar panel with grid feedback.

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $499,900

Magnificent estate sited on enchanting garden filled double lot in historic Cliff Park. Stunning old world charm features beamed ceilings & gleaming hardwoods. Renovations include kitchen island w/ cherry cabinets & granite counters. Elegant living & formal dining room perfect for entertaining. Master bedroom boasts imported chandelier. Carson not included.

3 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $499,000

ARROWHEAD TRADITIONAL

CLIFF PARK CRAFTSMAN

BROWNE'S MOUNTAIN RANCHER

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340 W. WILSON Avenue

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605 W. Cotta Avenue

5002 E. Glennaire Dr.

Exceptional Two-Story features custom detailing & upgrades throughout. Open floor plan. Spacious formal living room with wall of windows. Cook's island kitchen with eating area adjoins family room.

Luxurious master suite includes garden tub & private deck. Upper level boasts 4 total bedrooms. Finished walkout lower level. Oversized 3 car garage. Friendly deer neighbors & river views!

6 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $469,000

Beautiful Two-story sited on enchanting wooded lot.

Living room with fireplace flanked by bookshelves, formal dining room with original built-in buffet.

Updated island kitchen opens to entertaining deck with hot tub. Stunning main floor master suite boasts exquisite tiled bath, walk-in closet & adjoining sitting room/study. Lower level family room, workshop/ studio, br & ba. 2+ car garage. Fenced back yard.

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths $359,000

Spectacular Views from this gorgeous one-story home. Formal living and dining rooms. Cook's kitchen boasts gas range, eating bar, walk-in pantry & skylight. Family room with gas fireplace opens to covered deck. Master suite with double sink vanity, jetted tub and double closets. Parklike yard. Newer roof. New exterior paint.

4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths $325,000

BETTER THAN NEW

DOWNRIVER RANCHER

GREAT LOCATION

902 W. WESTERA CT.

Gorgeous George Paras Craftsman! Elegant Shabby Chic interior with designer tones throughout. Open floor plan features great room w/soaring ceilings & gas FP. Cook's kitchen boasts granite countertops & upgraded stainless steel appliances. Lux master suite with double sinks & walk-in closet. Laundry room & extra storage. Fabulous patio & landscaping. Fenced backyard.

3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths $319,500

3106 N. Sheridan Ct.

Charming one story on garden filled lot. Spacious LR boasts stunning original fireplace, hardwood floors and coved ceilings. Formal DR. Nostalgic country kitchen. Two comfortably sized BRs and updated tiled bath. Lower level features large knotty pine family/rec room and laundry room. Garage that could be used for 1 1/2 car parking, art studio or shop. Newer furnace & AC. Updated electrical 2 Bedrooms, 1 Baths $169,900

406 E. 7th AVE.

Mint Condition Duplex close to hospitals & downtown. Each updated unit features 2 bedrooms, full bath, nostalgic kitchen, living room, dining area and stacking washer & dryer. Recent updating includes new vinyl siding, new windows, new carpeting, updated bathrooms and new side fence. 4 parking spaces. Fenced backyard. Great tenants.

4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths $159,000

real estate Minimize any outstanding debt and keep existing debt manageable Paying your statement balances in full instead of letting debt accumulate can improve your credit scores, which may result in better terms being offered from lenders. Lenders often check your credit report when you apply for a loan and measure the amount of debt you’re carrying against the loan amount they’ve requested. Excessive debt is one of the factors that could cause a lender to decline your application.

Avoid applying for unnecessary credit Credit applications can appear as inquiries on credit reports, which may suggest to lenders that an applicant is taking on additional debt. Be aware of advertising or sales promotions that offer purchase discounts if you apply for a credit card. Even these cards could show up as inquiries on your credit report.

These inquiries remain on credit reports for two years. Instead of applying for additional credit, use your existing lines of credit to showcase your responsible credit management by paying bills on time and paying off the debt quickly.

“There are a lot of steps you can take to improve your credit, but it’s important to remember that credit scores don’t change overnight,” says Hamilton. “It takes time to increase your credit rating, and while it may feel like a slow-moving effort, it is well worth the wait when you get to open the door to a home of your own for you and your family.”

For more credit tips, you can check out the full Guide to Credit, and find other useful guides for homebuyers on vmfhomeloan.com.

– BPT

NMLS Disclosure Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail, Maryville, TN 37804, 865380-3000, NMLS #1561, ( http://www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK0902616, Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic. #6911), Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, KS Licensed Mortgage Co. (SL.0000720), Licensed by the NH Banking Department, Mississippi Licensed Mortgage Company, MT Lic. #1561, Licensed

by PA Dept. of Banking.

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One of a Kind Estate 9226 S. Hangman Valley Rd. See the Virtual Tour at Tourfactory.com/1303821

Breathtaking Rancher on 16 acres with creek frontage. Just minutes from downtown Spokane, this property features over 5500 sq ft in the main house & 1800 sq ft in a 2nd residential building that’s zoned and currently used for home business. The spacious open floor plan, large formal dining area & oversized wrap around deck are great for entertaining. The fenced lush pasture land & adjoining barn offer a wide range of opportunities for farming, livestock or horses.

Chris Olney - Broker SFR • Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South • 509-981-6388

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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homestyles kitchen & baths

Get Ahead of the CurveTrending Kitchen and Bath Design

by Robin Bishop

Most of us know by now, some of the best renovation money invested in a home is on the kitchen and bath. What we may not know, is just what style or features to utilize to get the best rate of return on our investment. Currently trending kitchen and bath remodel ideas put a timeless spin on our most popular rooms. The gist of it is minimal, but not without style and focal points.

Kitchens Our kitchens have become the living room, office, family room and dining room. It is hands down the hub of the home. When this trend started several years back, there was an interest to bring family room design to the kitchen. Warm wood colors and comfortable textures with more ambient lighting options helped set the mood. We saw upscale finishes in the way of granite countertops with occasional butcher block island accents.

The wall colors gravitated to darker warmer tones or, dependent on the cabinet colors, bright and cheerful hues. Stone and ceramic tile or engineered wood became the go-to flooring choice and oil-rubbed bronze and stainless steel sinks and appliances seemed to rule the finishes. If you see a new kitchen in your future, studying the trends proving themselves in 2015 and into the foreseeable future would be invaluable to your bottom line.

Kitchens appear to be moving away from warm, cozy family-centric design to a cleaner, smoother, zen space. The trending aesthetic seems to be a more urban or minimalistic approach in cabinetry, counter surfaces and flooring, including uninterrupted sight lines, smooth cabinet faces, and even losing upper cabinetry, opting for open shelving instead. Countertops another big statement to be made in the kitchen. While cabinetry and overall kitchen design is embracing minimalism, countertop trends are more abundant than ever. While granite remains a solid staple, there are many alternative substances that are surging to popularity. We have seen concrete, stainless steel, solid surface, soapstone, etc. in the past, but new items like ceramic countertops, salvaged wood, bamboo, bio-glass, zinc, paper-based products blended with resins, are making a splash. Cindy Wiedmer, Interior Designer for Great Floors, confirmed that quartz counters seemed to be a preferred product in our region. “We are seeing mixed mediums together,” she says. “For example, stainless steel counters with quartz surfacing on the island, or butcher block counters to warm up the space and quartz for the heavy use areas.” There is enough new product in what’s trending to allow you the freedom to choose which best fist 104

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your budget and design aesthetic.

Maybe the kitchen of the future is more about getting your individual “chef ” on.

None of the trends say the family is being kicked out of the kitchen; however, the cook in the family seems to be winning over in the aesthetic and design features.

Dave Covillo of Renovations

by Dave states, “Local clients are looking for more custom sizing and versatility to fit their individual needs. Things like more drawers to store glassware and pans, custom baking centers that can be pulled out or rolled out into their own task island, expanding the kitchen space when desired and being able to tuck the clutter away when not.” It appears the kitchen has embraced the family but is refusing to let the family and clutter camp out. No visual chaos, cooler tones, smooth surfaces, aesthetically pleasing design and custom design features are offering the hub of the home a calm, soothing makeover moving forward.

Sophistication.

Shaw® flooring combines elegance, versatility, form and function to any room in your home. The classic style provides a timeless look that is sure to impress.

28 W. Boone, Spokane 99201 | 509.413.1397 | spokane.floorcoveringsinternational.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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Creating Your Lifestyle

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The Craftsman at Meadow Ridge, Post Falls Large lots w/room for a shop, custom built homes starting at $275K

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Baths So many of us lead busy and stressful lives. Bathroom design in recent years saw us leaning toward creating our own oasis to de-stress in the form of large Jacuzzi tubs, ambient lighting, some more indulgent shower features. New trends continue along that vein by taking the “spa” approach to the next level. Master baths are being highlighted as design elements by moving them out of the corner and centering them on a focal wall, which then begs that the shower and bath be separated. People also seem to be moving away from the jetted tub, opting for the more silent soaking tub experience, as well. Bill Pulliam with United Plumbing Corporation is noticing a trend to larger master bath showers boasting multiple shower heads and body sprays. As in the kitchen, people are moving toward lighter and calmer color combinations and less fussy cabinetry. Matt Berry with Berry Built confirmed that grays and whites are hot right now with splashes of accent colors that can be easily change with the whims of the occupant.

As far as substances for the bath, one new trend is extra large format porcelain tile. Nicole Johnson, showroom manager at United Tile says this product is finding real traction in our area. The 1 x 3 meter, 3mm slabs are utilized in shower enclosures as an alternative to tile.

While this product allows for minimal grout lines and joints and is priced much less per square foot than stone slabs, it is a bit more expensive than typical tile and professional installation is strongly recommended. Large format tile, glass tile, unique shaped tile (octagonal, hexagonal) and more dramatic color options are all seeing a surge in the bathroom. Anything that can make a beautiful statement with the cool wall colors and white or lighter cabinetry seems to be the trend.

For help with your kitchen or bath project feel free to reach out to professionals in your area. www. renovationsbydave.com, www.berrybuilt.com, www.greatfloors.com, www.unitedtile.com, www. unitedplumbingcorp.com.

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Quality, Compassionate Healthcare Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing quality personalized health care to Spokane's adult population. We offer adult primary care with special interest in chronic disease management and prevention.

Ingrid Lintmaer, M.D. Andrew Chester, M.D. Robert Hustrulid, M.D. Lynn R. Naumowicz, A.R.N.P. Lori Feagan, A.R.N.P.

Gregory Doering, M.D. Michael C. Kerkering, M.D. Kristina K. Swiggum, M.D. Marianne Kartchner, A.R.N.P. Teresa Colley, A.R.N.P

John Sestero, M.D. Brian T. Yates, M.D. David Fischer, M.D. Vicki Stevens, A.R.N.P. Dana L. Jacobson, A.R.N.P.

Lynn A. Kohlmeier, M.D. - Specializing in Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease

Committed to delivering the highest level of care since 1975.

Call or visit online for more details and a complete list of services.

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509.924.1950 • www.SpokaneInternalMedicine.com 1215 N McDonald Rd Spokane Valley WA 99216 spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

HEALTH BEAT

1 0 9 M y He althy Move

1 1 4 Back to Scho ol Fi tness 116 Arthri t i s

Mt. Hood viewed from the Lunch Counter.

My Healthy Move How a non-sweater became a mountain climber

story and photos by Hanna Martin

T

hroughout the majority of my college career, I exercised once a month, on average. I hated exercise, every bit of it.

Between school, work, studying, church, community group and piano lessons, I didn’t have time to work out. Sweating was disgusting to me, I was not interested in soreness and pain and I was in such bad shape that every increased intake of breath burned my lungs badly enough to make me quit. But, when I received an email about an opportunity to climb Mt. Baker with other students from Whitworth, I registered for the class and hit the gym within the hour.

Thus began my three months of training. Ever the organizer and scheduler, I talked with my mountain-biking father and marathonrunning mother to devise a strict training program. I started riding the stationary bike at the gym Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and enlisted two friends to go with me and keep me accountable.

On Wednesdays, I went rock-climbing, which familiarized me with harnesses and with trusting the rope that held me. I progressed from the easiest route at the climbing wall to one three levels up. On Saturdays, I tried to go on two-or three-mile hikes. For several weeks, this was all I could manage. Having increased my exercise from once per month to three times per week, I would fall into bed each night, exhausted.

Knowing this pitiful increase would not be enough to get up the side of a mountain, I started running, which I am convinced is the most God-awful activity on earth.

One brisk morning in March I set out with my pepper spray, and made it exactly 500 yards from my front door before nearly throwing up and collapsing in my neighbor’s front yard. I walked the rest of the one-mile loop, gasping for air and clutching my left side, where an invisible knife was stuck between my top two ribs. It took me almost 30 minutes to get home. Still breathless and still in pain, I looked in the mirror of my bathroom. Sweaty and with bright red cheeks, the flyaway hairs around my face stuck up at every angle in a chaotic disarray that matched my panicked thoughts. I can’t even run a quarter of a mile; how am I supposed to climb a mountain?

Being able to run a full mile without stopping became the bane of my existence. I needed more endurance than strength at this point in my training. I bought ultra-light running shoes, believing like the boys in The Sandlot that cool shoes could make me run as fast as a jet. I even bought lighter socks, trying desperately to make running as easy as possible. I created a running playlist that consisted of songs with titles like Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, for motivation. Perhaps most important, I slowed my pace way down, having started too aggressively on my first spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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disastrous run. After a week of trying every day, I made it exactly one mile without stopping, even sprinting the last eighth of a mile in my excitement.

Having led climbs on Mt. Adams in past years, my dad had devised a fourmile loop that he used as the ultimate training for his expeditions. It went through our neighborhood, up Browns Mountain, past my elementary school and back to our house. He called it the Mt. Adams Loop. Strapping on a pack, he would simply walk the loop in preparation.

I asked him to map it out for me. I filled a backpack with a several gallons of water and a four-person tent for weight, grabbed my iPod and started walking. To my surprise and immense pleasure, I was home again in 47 minutes, able to catch my breath and with minimal pain in my legs and back.

The following day, I ditched the pack and ran the loop, almost quadrupling my original mileage. It seemed as if I had broken through both a physical and mental barrier that had previously obstructed my progress.

Running came easier, and lunges no longer left me sore. I finally felt strong enough and physically capable to climb a mountain.

Never mind the fact that I still knew nothing about mountaineering.

When class began, it was evident that we were all beginners in this field. On our first day we met Brad, our guide, at the gym and attempted to climb the wall.

We sized harnesses, learned how to tie figure-eight 110

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Mt. Adams in its entirety, from just below our campsite.

knots on a bight, and belayed each other as we climbed. The following days included lessons on prusiks, burying crevasse-rescue anchors, self-arrest, walking on a rope team, and avalanche rescue.

We learned how to wind and store rope, use avi-transceivers and probes, load locking-carabiners, and pack our backpacks with weight nearer our hips than shoulders. We sized crampons, tied clove hitches, and glissaded. We read a staggering number of pages from Freedom of the Hills, chock-full of diagrams and gear lists. My entire life revolved around class; I exercised in the mornings, had lectures and technical training in the afternoon, and read all evening. I even dreamt about the various knots and terms we had learned during the day.

Finally, this past June, the date of the climb arrived – and I was ready. The hike to basecamp on Mt. Baker was brutally muggy and long. Despite my 40-pound pack and five-pound mountaineering boots, my legs did not complain during the three-and-a-half hour hike. I felt confident that I would be strong enough to summit the next day; however, as night fell on our circle of tents, a wave of nausea overcame me. I became ill, unable to keep down anything but water for almost two days. Too sick to hike any farther, my dream of summiting Mt. Baker was dead.

(509) 455-5050 | www.nw-woman.com 105 W. Eighth Ave, Ste. 6020 & 6025 Spokane WA 99204

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Youth & Rescue Horses

Health Beat I logged our climb in the geocache notebook located on the summit.

The old sulfur mine entrance stands out against the snow.

Making the Impossible... Possible!

My dad, Scott, and I stand on the summit of Mt. Adams with Mt. Rainier in the background.

First we rehabilitate the horse...

Then we teach children to ride.

Rescued Horse

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Three days after our return from the mountain, I started a new training program. I lunged across my front yard, my legs burning but manageable – 300 lunges followed by 50 squats, a new personal record. The following day I went on a quick run in an attempt to decrease my mile time. I continued to train every day to prepare for my next climb, and I placed more emphasis on endurance this time around. I hiked 10 miles to the top of San Jacinto Peak in California.

I did another 10-mile hike out on the Palouse. I hoped by being in better overall shape, and by having longer endurance and greater mental fortitude, I would be better able to combat altitude sickness or whatever it was that had ruined my chances of summiting the previous month.

In late July, my dad and I drove to Coldsprings Campground in central

Washington. We pitched our tent, ate a high-carb meal, and settled into our sleeping bags at 9 p.m. An alarm set for 2:30 a.m. signaled the beginning of our climb. We rose, donned headlamps and packs, and started walking up the side of the 12,280-foot-tall Mt. Adams.

The sun rose at 5:30 a.m., three hours into our hike. We’d already walked through forest, up a ridge and over a river, but we were barely above tree line. We were sweaty and covered in ashes from the fire that had burned up the side of the peak several years before. We dutifully stopped to apply sunscreen, drink water and eat a granola bar before strapping on crampons and beginning our snow ascent.

We trudged along for six more hours. In some places the angle of the slope on which we walked was 45 degrees. It was like walking up an endless staircase. We gained 6,700 feet of elevation. I did not get sick; I was tired, but I felt great!

From the summit, we could see eight other Cascade peaks. It was gloriously sunny and warm. We ate pastrami and cheese on Ritz crackers, and chatted with the other climbers who sat perched on the roof of an old sulfur mine. We took photos and stretched luxuriously before starting our descent.

Through a combination of glissading, plunge stepping and heavy trudging, we arrived back at our campsite in a mere three and a half hours. I grabbed a Coke for me and a beer for my dad from the cooler, and we collapsed into camp chairs. We gazed silently at the monstrous snowcapped peak that rose before us. We really did it!

What followed was a week of Ibuprofen and eating anything in sight. I had six cheeseburgers in the three days immediately following the climb – my body craved salt and fat after expending 10,000 calories during the hike. Every single part of me was in pain – my legs were sore, my joints creaked, my back hurt from the pack, my arms quivered after braking with an ice ax, my tongue was sunburned from breathing with my mouth open. Yet every step was worth the pain it caused. I learned there is joy and triumph in suffering.

Here is what I learned from this experience: 1. Training feels good; there is no better sense of accomplishment.

2. God’s grandeur is best seen from elevation.

3. Mountaineering is contagious: I have plans to climb both Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier next summer.

4. Hard work and motivation will always get you somewhere, and will always be rewarded.

New Patients Welcome | No Referrals Needed

Creating Beautiful Smiles Braces for Children and Adults

Dr. Aaron Williams DDS, MS

South Hill Location 418 East 30th Ave. • Spokane, WA 99203

509.624.1139 North Spokane 605 E. Holland Ave. • Spokane, WA 99218

509.998.1745

www.combsortho.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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Health Beat Getting Fit

Easy Tips for

Getting Fit as the Kids Go Back to School

by Justin Rundle As much fun as summer is for families, sometimes it’s nice to have the kids back in school. As parents of a new baby, Jessica and I cannot personally relate, yet, to this joy of the nest emptying each day, but we overhear the ongoing joke from our Workout Anywhere members with whom we work, about needing their kids to go back to school.

To make the most of the fall and school schedule, Coach Jessica and I have come up with the top three ways for busy parents to squeeze in fitness with even the craziest of schedules.

1) Simply get moving!

Getting up and out the door for an early run, or tracking steps with a fitness wearable like FitBit is an incredible way to burn more calories, improve cardiovascular health and relieve stress.

Start by making a game plan. If you’re a selfstarter, go ahead and plan the best time for an uninterrupted 20-30 minute walk or run. If this is too much time out of your day, add the scenic route into your routine. Find a good step count goal and park at the far end of a parking lot. Take the stairs and just make extra steps a priority.

If you need help, search on Meetup, Google Plus or Facebook for local walking and running groups. You may already have a friend or group in mind, but these other resources are the perfect way to develop group accountability.

2) Try a local class There are plenty of local fitness classes near you. Since Google tracks literally everything and knows where you are at all times (can you say creepy?), they’ve also provided a list of classes just for you.

Just search fitness classes with your location services on, and you’ll find everything fitness nearby.

There may even be a neighborhood or park boot camp nearby, which is the ultimate total body workout and is an efficient and effective method for burning up calories.

3) There’s probably an app for that There are plenty of amazing tracking and fitness apps on the market; the key is finding one that works for you. Our Workout Anywhere app is finally here. It combines boot camp-style streaming workout videos, nutrition planning, coaching, community and challenges into one app.

In addition, our exclusive all-level, minimalto-zero-equipment-needed fat burning workout videos can be accessed through the app at home or on the go. Even better, all workouts are quick and effective and perfectly designed for busy lifestyles.

In honor of this article and Spokane and Coeur d’Alene’s busy parents, we are offering our readers a free version of the app and a bonus 30 Day Back to School Fitness Challenge (details are below). This is the perfect way to 114

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join a group of like-minded people, who are committed to better health fitness and nutrition.

How do I get started?

First, simply follow the link below to download your free 30-day calendar and training guide.

From there, follow the daily instructions.

Each day is an activity one can do at home, in a park (if in Spokane, Manito, Riverfront Park, Centennial Trail and Franklin Park are some good options), or even during a lunch break. This is all thanks to the quick and effective training methods that use primarily bodyweight exercises.

And by all means, have fun working out. That trains the mind to want to return again and again for the healthy high.

In addition, using a challenge format creates excitement and accountability that extends past the traditional “training program” or “fitness routine” phrases. Embracing a positive and motivated mindset upfront will allow one to earn positive results, create a new habit (remember, good and bad habits are formed in 21 days, so decide which you will form) and progress to the next chapter by October.

Where can I find the FREE workout program and guides?

Head to the exclusive and free Back to School Fitness Challenge sign up page to receive the fitness challenge guide, workout program calendar and on-the-go recipe graphic. http:// workoutanywhere.net/back-to-school-fitnesschallenge/ For additional challenge guidance and accountability beyond the official Workout Anywhere website, check into the Workout Anywhere Facebook Page and Twitter Page to have all your fitness and nutrition questions answered. Having a coach is always a game changer and these pages are the perfect hubs for expert guidance.

Justin Rundle is a Certified Personal Trainer with eight years of training experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University, and is the Mt. Spokane High School Strength and Conditioning Coach, the Mt. Spokane Varsity Defensive Line Coach and the owner of www. workoutanywhere.net (online personal training and dieting assistance), along with his wife, Jessica Rundle.

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University Chiropractic Serving Spokane Valley Since 1977

Our Services:

Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nutritional Guidance

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Good Joint Health

by Gary Craig, MD

R

heumatoid arthritis is a debilitating, lifelong disease that can lead to severe joint deformity and disability that can interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily living activities, and can ultimately lead to the permanent loss of gainful employment and social functioning.

There are two classes of joint disease that can dramatically impact one’s daily living activities: degenerative and inflammatory joint disease. You are born with only one set of joints, and you cannot regenerate them (though a few can be replaced—knees, hips, shoulders, etc.). All joint damage is permanent. Often, damaging a joint leads to subsequent premature wear and tear, just as driving on a damaged car tire would decrease the lifespan of that tire.

The most easily and frequently damaged joints are the knees. The best way to protect them is to keep your weight down and keep your leg muscles in good shape through weight-bearing or strengthening exercises.

Some types of sports such as jumping sports, contact team sports and skiing are more likely to lead to knee injuries, so special care should be taken if you’re involved in these types of activities.

Shoulder rotator cuff tendons are easily damaged in throwing sports and activities

involving a lot of lifting or reaching. High-grade tears typically lead to tremendous range of motion loss and very premature degenerative arthritis in the shoulder.

Again, common sense and regular strengthening exercises are the best preventive measures. Some types of degenerative arthritis—such as hip osteoarthritis—are somewhat more difficult as there is little you can actually do to prevent them, outside of avoiding very major injuries.

The most common, damaging inflammatory joint diseases are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with these diseases should be followed by an arthritis specialist (a rheumatologist).

Joint inflammation from these diseases can cause permanent and progressive joint damage in as little as a year. The only way to prevent this from happening is to use potent medications and careful follow-up by a physician who knows how to track the number of actively inflamed joints and determine if changes in therapy are necessary.

Arthritis affects each patient differently. The key to successful management is to work closely in collaboration with your physician, and follow prescribed treatment plans with diligence. Through close monitoring of patient outcomes, we’re making progress in how we diagnose, treat and manage a disease that affects millions of Americans each year.

This article by Gary Craig, MD, a Rheumatologist at Arthritis Northwest, PLLC, appeared in an earlier issue.

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Forget aging gracefully. For today’s baby boomers, it’s more important than ever to stay healthy and active as they age. While growing older causes some unavoidable body changes, more boomers are focusing on healthy lifestyles that can help them prevent problems associated with aging - like mobility issues related to the feet and legs.

Fortunately, boomers can maintain and even improve their foot health. APMA offers this advice to keep your feet pain free: Keep walking Walking offers many benefits for both physical and mental health. If your feet hurt, however, you may find yourself less willing to get in the daily walking that’s good for your overall well-being. To keep your walking regimen comfortable be sure to: * Choose a good quality, lightweight walking shoe with breathable upper materials like leather or nylon mesh. The heel counter should be firm, and the shoe heel should have less cushioning in order to position the foot’s heel closer to

the ground for stability. The front of the shoe should offer adequate support but also be flexible. For a list of footwear that have been awarded APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, visit www.apma.org/seal. * Shoe shop in the late afternoon, since feet swell throughout the day, and have both feet professionally fitted. Wear the type of socks you intend to wear while walking and be sure the shoe fits snugly, but not tightly, over the sock. Your toes should have plenty of room to move around.

Manage arthritis Arthritis can affect the structure and function of your feet. Common symptoms in the feet include joint swelling, joint pain or tenderness, redness or heat in joints, limited movement, early morning stiffness, and skin changes, including rashes and growths.

Podiatrists are often the first to diagnose a patient’s arthritis. Treatment can take many forms, including physical therapy, exercise, and medication. Receiving regular check-ups are vital to successfully managing the condition.

-BPT

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metro talk Farm Tough

Battlefield Wounds

to Farm Tough

Spokane County Conservation District works to fill the void of aging farmers with soldiers “He will judge between the nations, and will render verdicts for the benefit of many. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations will not raise swords against nations, and they will not learn warfare anymore.” ~ Isaiah 2:4

S

by Paul K. Haeder | photos by Richard Slover

pokane, like big dog Seattle, or funky Portland – similar to almost any mid-sized city in the U.S. – has a thing with food “culture” and the foodie movement. It’s a battlefield out there with armies of fast food and comfort food chains pushing up against the trendy, hip and expensive bistros and restaurants.

Ironically, outside some of those food establishments we encounter those ubiquitous signs held by sallow-looking and sad individuals: “Military Veteran . . . Anything Helps . . . Need Work . . . Need Food . . . Spare a Dollar?”

This juxtaposition of food supplied by our nation’s farms at these restaurants and the nearby written cries of needy veterans of combat is both startling and important.

The national security implications of veterans in need of food are daunting. Veterans have upwards of a 20 percent unemployment rate, and face a nine-month waiting period to apply for disability claims. Veterans are also 50 percent more likely to become homeless, and a veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes.

Now, add to this the fact we face historic droughts and food insecurity. This country has twice as many farmers over the age of 65 as under the age of 35, causing the USDA to call for one million new farmers and ranchers in the next 10 years

to fill the coming gap. In 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 33.3 million adults and 15.8 million children. In 2013, 62 percent of food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major federal food assistance programs – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamp Program), The National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Two distinct problems: veterans in need and a nation facing food insecurities.

How can the two concerns be met?

Interestingly, it may be through bringing the two issues together that there is a solution.

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Cultivating the Long Walk Home Spokane’s Vicki Carter is working hard to cultivate the relationship between local farmers and veterans who are seeking a “back to the land” sort of healing after experiencing in some cases up to six or seven tours in the battle zones of the Middle East.

Carter is the director of the Spokane County Conservation District, having started her tenure there in 1991. She is adamant about transition scenarios and outside the box angles, “turning a destroyer mentality back to a creator attitude.”

There are 3,000 similar conservation districts nationwide, yet Spokane is somewhat of a leader in this new way of dealing with the triple-headed monster of food insecurity, wounded veterans and aging agriculturalists.

“It boils down to looking at what we’ve asked of our military post-9/11,” says Carter. Her inspiration for this soldier to farmer program was a documentary she brought to town almost two years ago called Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields.

She was tagged for months after inviting Dulanie Ellis to speak about her film after two screenings at the Magic Lantern Theater. The film is part of Ellis’ production company’s (Walk Your Talk Productions) exploration of getting the farmland in her Ojai, California

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area protected from development. She is also the leader of her area’s food council.

Both Carter and Ellis have the same goals of sustaining and promoting local agriculture. Call it agricultural activism, environmental stewardship of farming, or a new movement to grow the number of farmers while healing our military.

From Tanks and Rockets to Tractors and Manure “The goal of Ground Operations is to strengthen the growing network of combat veterans who are transitioning into organic agriculture and to build their resources so that they can create healthy, new lives for themselves and food security for our nation,” writes Ellis.

The nuts and bolts, according to Pat Munts, small farms coordinator for Washington State University (WSU), is to cultivate success, through a 12-week program that recently incorporated eight veterans, two nights a week at Spokane Community College. “Throwing stuff into a box and seeing what shakes out . . . no risk or huge investment” is the analogy Carter makes.

Carter and her team are hitting all the area events to publicize the county’s Vets to Farms program. A farmer and his wife, Randy and Lisa Emtman, of Valleyford, pitched in and donated a 1954 tractor, two acres for a learning farm and 25 horses for equine therapy. Carter was quick to point out that others in the area are helping make the program stand out. That tractor is the emblem of farms and veterans trying to initiate this new agricultural relationship.

St. John Hardware, in Fairfield, fixed up the tractor and painted it red, white and blue so it stands out at fairs and parades.

It is a nationwide movement. I spoke with a veteran who lives and works in Florida and has run a non-profit since 2010 to help guide veterans into growing various agricultural products.

Adam Burke, a purple heart recipient and founder of Veterans Farm, is 38 years old and sees farming as a new beginning for people recovering from injuries, both physical and spiritual.

“What is it about those ex-military veterans that makes them perfect candidates for farming?” I asked.

“Overall discipline and hard work, and the ability to be challenged with unexpected things,” says Burke. “You have to be a jack of all trades. In the military we were given a mission by higher command. It was up to the lower enlisted to decide how best to tackle this mission. There was never one solution for every scenario. The wrong choice would cost us our lives. But we’ve always believed a wrong decision was better than no decision at all. Most veterans have the ability to overcome paralysis analysis and make a decision. On the farm you usually have to make them in a hurry with no guidance or training. You are on your own to figure things out.”

Veterans Farm has a 13-acre educational farm, where Burke and others train soldiers to be farmers and to think and plan for their sustainability. Additionally, part of the program includes training mentors on farms that will host veterans for a three-to-six month training regimen.

urgency. “For every five or six farmers retiring, there is only one young farmer taking his or her place. The average age of a farmer is approximately 60-65 years of age. What happens when they go?”

Again, the challenge of large, looming issues around shortages of fresh foods strikes both Carter and Burke as vital to the health of communities, large and small.

“The question Americans should be asking is, ‘do I want to live in a world where I have to buy all of my food from other countries or from the government, or would I rather have the freedom of choice of who and where and how I buy my foods?’

As a soldier who served in Iraq in the 11B Army Infantry for 16 months, I can tell you that we have a much larger crisis here at home. It’s one you cannot see and most are not prepared for and one that is not covered by mainstream media.”

At the first veteran-focused Cultivating Success course, Carter said one particular individual kept showing up. He’s now the first veteran intern and a farmer, who was once a homeless student vet, to boot. At the Carter house, last Thanksgiving, this veteran spoke of a cousin who served in the Marines and was deployed five times and is now on 42 medications to “treat” PTSD and depression.

Veterans are also 50 percent more likely to become homeless, and a

veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes.

Value Added and Grown in the USA We’re not talking about Sicilian heirloom beta vulgaris (beets) here. A lot of farmers have deep and traditional training at hand – former high school agriculture teachers, professors from college, people with permaculture backgrounds, hydroponic and aquaponic backgrounds, grass fed cattle operators, honey makers, you name it.

This is real soldier-to-soldier mentoring through Burke’s efforts, and he sees sustainable living and giving back to the community as common themes in his Veterans Farm ethos.

“While people are focused on war, cultural inflation and terrorist issues, they are not aware of one of the biggest issues today, which is America’s food crisis,” says Burke with a note of

One Million Farmers v. Another Million Apps?

There are better, more holistic and community-driven ways to heal the wounded soldier, and Carter and her team have taken to pushing hard to get farmers linked to soldiers for a win-win interrelationship.

I asked Carter some of the more out-of-the-box but valid questions around why we can’t begin envisioning and realizing collective farms like they have in Cuba, and why we can’t envision and realize taxpayer financed “farms of healing.”

“These are great options and not in any way to be excluded from Vets on the Farm,” says Carter. “If we were to find folks interested on both sides (farmer and vet), we would most certainly pursue that partnership. I love the story about care farming where doctors are now writing prescriptions for our vets (and others) to literally

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get out on the land. It’s truly healing and it makes sense – it’s our roots – no pun intended.”

For Adam Burke, the roles between veteran/learner and farmer/teacher have to be big and far-reaching: case management, research, field (agronomy) training, physical fitness and on-line work. There is a mission of understanding set forth, as well as the number of hours agreed upon and a housing stipend provided.

After on-the-farm training, the veteran starts a business and marketing plan, works with lenders and creditors, maybe securing a lease or even acquiring land outright.

Forty Acres and a Mule, err, John Deere This country has had programs set around wars and returning veterans. After World Wars I and II, our country’s labor shortage in the agrarian arena was serious.

After World War II, most of the hired hands didn’t return to the farm. There were few farmers willing to go back to their old labor-intensive methods, with opportunities like the GI Bill and a new post-industrial society (and office jobs) burgeoning. So, the U.S. government built in price supports in order to prevent post-WWII farm recession like the one that happened after World War I. This allowed farmers to take their increased incomes to purchase machinery so they didn’t have to rely on hired hands as much. Total net farm income – after production expenses were taken out – rose from $3.5 billion in 1940 to $15.4 billion in 1947.

Farmer Tom Bailey, from Pasco, Washington has had more than 49 years growing crops and husbanding livestock. He remembers the post-World War incentive in the Tri-Cities to get returning WWII vets to work the land.

It was fraught with failure and lack of support, but Bailey sees these new programs Carter, Burke and O’Gorman of Farmer-Veteran Coalition as sustainable, hopeful.

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Land given out in this hard-scrabble area, with little training, and with tough dry-land farming conditions, adds to the struggle of re-entering civilian life in a pretty sparsely populated (back then) location.

Burke’s vision is simple. “We put them to work in the field, and then we say ‘Go work in the market, sell the produce and go get out in the community, meet your neighbors while you’re providing them with this great service.’”

Bailey is working hard to make sure veterans have a chance to recover, and working the land and ranching are viable forms of healing, which he himself utilizes. “Too many returning veterans from this area [Tri-Cities] come back with very few opportunities to apply whatever it is they learned in the military. What better way than getting a young man’s or woman’s head cleared with hard work that at the end of the day provides tangible and observable results, almost immediately.”

According to Michael O’Gorman, founder of nonprofit Farmer-Veteran Coalition, based in Davis, California, “There are definitely some exciting studies that [show] horticulture, getting outside, working with plants definitely has some healing effects on the cognitive and all the areas of brain function [and] recovering from brain damage.”

One of the foundations to these programs is working on sustainable agriculture, and working to provide each community with safety nets both as food consumers and neighbors of returning veterans.

“As far as national policies go, I don’t think we can do enough for our

returning vets,” says Carter. “We simply have to address two very important issues as a nation, one being food security and the other being the effects of over 10 years of war. PTSD is so real and so damaging. We have all seen the news…22 veterans per day are committing suicide. There is no other group of people with numbers like that. Our post 9/11 veterans are also experiencing a 7.2 percent unemployment rate compared to the national average of 5.4 percent.”

Eating has always been an agricultural act, but now we can say a plate of locally grown food is one step to healing someone who sacrificed body, soul and spirit the defense of this country.

“The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.” – Wendell Berry, from The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture.

Paul K. Haeder is a freelance writer who worked in Spokane as a community college instructor and journalist for over 11 years.

The positions taken in Metro Talk columns do not necessarily reflect the views of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine’s publisher or staff.

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New Cars

Great Gets Even Better!

20 I 16

for

by David Vahala

’m sure you’ve seen the ads on television, the Internet, newspapers and perhaps noticed even more balloons than usual tied to new cars at dealerships. What’s going on? It’s September! This month, more than any other, is the month for new car sales. Promoting new model arrivals, moving last year’s inventory with “special” deals, returning leased cars and writing new lease contracts; the end of summer is traditionally the time when many people think seriously about upgrading their vehicle. This may be especially true in the northern half of the U.S., where it’s never too early to think about finding a car that will help you safely conquer winter driving!

When I was a young boy in the 1960s, my dad would take me to the local Chevrolet or Chrysler dealership showrooms to see the new models. Manufacturers used to make a big deal about their model changes every year, and it all culminated in September. Visiting what I called “glass palaces” with shiny new cars, I would climb into the cars and sit behind the wheel.

We would make bets on what was going to be different for the new model year – tail lights or grills, changes to chrome trim, new hubcap designs, bucket seats and bigger engines, etc. My dad would always tell the car salesmen, “No, we’re not here to buy; just looking. Thanks!” We did this every year, and it became a father-son tradition, creating fond memories that remain with me today. One year he finally said yes to a salesman, and we drove off in an aqua blue Chevrolet Impala SS.

All new Ford GT

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automotive 2016 cars

Jaguar XE

Much has changed since that era, but one thing remains: September is still an important month for automobile manufacturers and new car dealers.

We are in a renaissance of new cars, where style is more essential than ever. Along with style is some very impressive technology and ever-improving quality. Even baseline models now come equipped with features that used to only be available on high-end German, Japanese and British cars.

Here is a glimpse of exciting 2016 models.

Improvements and changes include expanded ergonomics and cabin technology, high tech power trains that offer greater horsepower and fuel mileage, modern styling and, always, always, sportiness. Even affordability is finding its way into new cars as buyers get more for their investments now than ever before. More and more, technology is finding its way into lower cost base models.

Four of my favorite new automobiles for 2016 are: Jaguar XE – racing inspired aluminum monocoque, front control-arm suspension, brake-based torque vectoring and a supercharged V-6 in all-wheel drive makes this Jag

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a state-of-the-art entry-level compact sport sedan.

Cadillac CTS-V – a four-door racecar? Cadillac is chasing Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche’ four door sedans with 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph sporting a supercharged and intercooled V-8 borrowed from the Corvette Z06 with 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. This package allows the driver and three companions to cruise around the track – I mean interstate – quickly and comfortably. Getting from point A to B just got a whole lot more fun.

Lincoln Continental – a grand American luxury tradition returns with a stunning design and a 3.0 liter twin-turbo V-6 making over 350 hp and all-wheel drive; this Lincoln conjures the roots of its ancestors as a four-seasons touring car.

Ford GT – this all-American-made car may have one of the most storied histories of any considering what it accomplished versus Ferrari at Le Mans in the 1960s. The new Ford GT is a street-legal racecar with carbon fiber, air channeling body structures formed from composites and aluminum, a mid-mounted V-6 engine and seven-speed dual clutch transaxle. This car represents the best of what a new car manufacturer can accomplish when funds for development take a back seat to racing tradition.

There is no better way to sample what’s new than a cruise on the Internet. Visit manufacturers websites as well as car magazine sites, such as Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, Auto Week and Kelly Blue Book (KBB).

If you check out KBB’s Class of 2016 – New Cars Ready to Roll article, you’ll surely notice the ever-evolving features, such as angled headlights built into fenders and grills and aerodynamic molded bumpers. One challenge that comes with these style and functional improvements is the increasing expertise needed by auto body repair shops to repairing them. One auto body shop that has earned an enviable reputation for quality in handling the latest automotive designs as well as any car repairs is DAA Northwest,. “Our staff ’s commitment to excellence goes beyond repairing vehicles – we are dedicated to providing a safe workplace for our employees while utilizing eco-friendly products to minimalize our impact on the environ-

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ment,” says Len Roll, who manages DAA’s auto body, paint and mechanical shops on the West Plains.

DAA’s ICAR-trained team works with all insurance companies, taking the stress out of each customer’s collision repair experience.

Ryan Borth, a certified BMW Service Technician and co-owner with Flash’s Auto Body says, “It’s your car, your choice.” Some insurance companies may tell clients they need three estimates or must use a “certified” body shop selected by the insurance company.

With so much attention paid to getting the lowest insurance rates, many insurers form alliances with some body shops to negotiate lower shop rates and required use of body parts from insurance company-negotiated suppliers. Quality can be an issue. “An inherent conflict is developing in the industry where use of aftermarket parts and repair versus replace, to reduce expenses to insurance companies has become a concern,” says Borth. Add to this the level of quality and expense required to handle new vehicle technology and the pressure to cut corners increases. Bottom line - insurance laws allow a consumer to choose any shop they want.

New vehicles using materials such as aluminum and composite materials require auto body shops to invest in repair equipment that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars along with the expertise to make the repairs. The industry is changing quickly.

Flash’s Borth is adamant, “We prefer independence from insurance companies and

Lincoln Continental

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Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

maintain a circle of trust with our clients. We do what’s right for our customers and their cars.”

As your new car ages and the manufacturer’s warranty ends, you have choices for which shops to take your car to. It doesn’t always have to be a new car dealer that services your vehicle – in fact, many people choose an independent shop they can develop a long-term relationship with to help with all their vehicles.

EuroPro Automotive’s Sven Osusky says, “We 100 percent of the time back our work, and because we have the experience and use quality parts, it is quite infrequent that we have to warranty a repair. Many of our customers find us because of a bad experience elsewhere where quite commonly the former shop would not stand behind their work or parts installed.” Working with an independent repair shop provides a level of confidence that may be challenging to find with a new car dealer. “What truly makes us different: experience, honesty, and a true warranty that we stand behind.”

Sven obtained a degree in Electronic Engineering. “Today’s cars increasingly rely on electronics, so it’s a good background to have if you want to work on them, says EuroPro’s owner. While he worked for a large Spokane Valley dealership as shop foreman for 11 years, he earned a reputation for fixing cars others couldn’t fix, helping other mechanics and dealing with unhappy customers – kind of anything and everything, every day.

“The biggest change in the industry started in the early 1990s with the introduction of computers and being able to scan cars instead of just replacing points, distributor caps and spark plugs. Systems are a lot more complex today, and “backyard” mechanics are slowly disappearing.”

Osusky confirms cars are getting better, “especially of in terms of emissions, fuel mileage and safety.”

I agree. Great style, incredible technology, improved fuel economy and safer vehicles mean consumers buying a new car today are getting the best of all worlds.

Happy Motoring!

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automotive Buying a car

Buying a Car? Be Prepared!

by David Vahala

B

uying a car can be stressful…for many people, the process is right up there with fear of public speaking and going to the dentist. Have you heard the comment “I’d rather have a root canal than buy a car?” How about this quote from Edmunds.com, “Car shopping is stressful.

While that’s likely no surprise, this may be: Americans think the process of shopping for and purchasing a vehicle is more stressful than getting married?” TrueCar, a newer car buying resource website states, “Buying a car can be stressful. That’s why we believe car buying should be transparent and anxiety free. So we partnered with like-minded dealers to address the primary stress point – the negotiation and haggling of price.” The key phrase here is, “Like minded car dealers.”

Think about all the things you buy today – home appliances, mobile phones or electronics, clothing, groceries, vacations, tires, homes. Do any of these elicit stress when you prepare to buy them? Purchasing a home is the most expensive decision people will make in their lifetimes and it most certainly can bring stress; however, isn’t it generally exciting and fun to purchase nearly all these items? Why is buying a car stressful?

It doesn’t have to be.

TrueCar.com Formed in 2005 as a business providing an auto buying program for affinity groups such as USAA, American Express, Consumer Reports, GEICO and many more, TrueCar has teamed up with carmakers to deliver exclusive savings only 130

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

available through TrueCar and affiliated dealers.

The concept involved gathering data from a number of different sources to compile current vehicle prices for consumers. In 2010, CNNMoney.com named TrueCar.com one of the “20 best web sites” to help people make financial decisions. Inc. Magazine ranked TrueCar on its 2010 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America.

The company went public in 2014 and Time Magazine named TrueCar.com one of the 50 best websites that year. TrueCar Certified Dealers agree to eliminate hidden surprises and fees to offer truly competitive pricing and no games. Not all dealers are TrueCar dealers – call and ask.

Accept the history – customer service does matter. The car buying process can still turn even the most composed individual sideways. I can verify that, because I recently accompanied my daughter and son-in-law to negotiate for a car. Even though I’m the auto writer for this magazine, and I have years of experience in the auto industry, I found myself caught up in the “games” that still go on today.

Before going to the dealer, I did research on the specific vehicle they wanted, and I envisioned a pretty seamless process. My number one pet peeve with car dealers is lack of integrity, and that is what we ran into. The sales manager with whom we worked– let’s call him “Duane” – asked, “If I can get the car for $22,000, will you buy it today?” to which my daughter responded, “Yes, I will.” Then, “Duane” came back from the finance manager’s office and said, “Can’t do it – we’re losing money. I can sell it for $22,248.”

I would have walked, but my daughter bought the car. My way

might have gotten the car purchased for $22,000 the next day (and with another sales manager), but it was still a good deal verified through my research. I don’t play games, and when dealers do, I will never be their customer.

Good customer service, honesty and integrity, and lack of pressure, while foreign to some car dealers, can be found at most dealerships. Always remember, if you are uncomfortable, walk away.

Awhile back, Forbes Magazine featured an article titled, “11 Common Car Buying Mistakes.” Among them were “skimping on the test drive, buying new when used would do, failure to pre-shop for financing and trading in your old car.” The number one mistake? Not doing your homework. So what homework should you do?

Narrow your search. Car buyers can complete about 90 percent of the work associated with car shopping using the Internet. Not everything can be accomplished with technology – you do need to test drive the car – it’s just too important of an investment not to test drive a vehicle. If you have narrowed your research down to one model though, look into renting the vehicle to really do a thorough test drive.

Then, you could confidently purchase the car through a dealer’s Internet sales office or show up at the dealer, forego the salesman’s “test drive” tactics and get right to it. Most people still want to buy a car in person – so come prepared and enjoy the experience. If you did your homework, you have the upper hand. My favorite websites on which to do research, besides TrueCar are:

Nadaguides.com NADA is the National Automobile Dealers Association and is generally the most accurate in comparable vehicle pricing because nearly 100 percent of auto dealers are members and provide weekly sales data.

Consumerreports.com My dad used to use CR (book form – before the Internet) to research important information like frequency of repair records, manufacturer recalls, projected annual cost of ownership and dealer incentives. This still holds true today – plus much more. CR offers comparable pricing tools and explains dealer/manufacturer rebates and which vehicles maintain their value longer.

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Brad Enders (208) 755-3334 Jason Mortenson “Cartist” (509) 220-3830 1710 N. 4th St #110, Cd’A ID 83814 (next to Bistro on Spruce & Slate Creek Brewery)

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Edmunds offers TMV – True Market Value. They compile actual sales data from dealers, private parties and DMV records by region to provide comparable sales data for your area.

Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Car. Everyone wants a new car, even though most of us are aware of instant depreciation – the concept that new car loses thousands in value as you drive it off the lot. A great option is a certified pre-owned vehicle – a used car that is guaranteed or certified by the manufacturer. “Certified Used” or CPO vehicles are backed by the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty and are eligible for benefits such as roadside assistance and several years of routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotation. These cars are thousands less than new cars.

Review specific CPO incentives, warranty coverage, deductibles and study actual detailed certified pre-owned inspection point checklists used for all CPO used car programs. Inspection point checklists typically include original manuals and documentation, VIN inspection, body inspection, mechanical inspection, appearance, fit and finish, tires and wheels and a complete road test.

Financing. If you can obtain your own financing (credit unions are especially competitive), do that. Credit unions typically charge a 0.5% to 1% lower interest rate than bank car loans. Or, ask your own bank. It makes negotiating so much easier and takes away a key sales tactic. Dealers will always ask what you can afford or what your ideal monthly car payment is.

Everything is tied to monthly payments.

Beware! If there’s a low-rate financing plan for your car, ask about a rebate instead.

If you are trading in your old car, don’t mention that until you have negotiated your price. Mention the trade-in after and use the same resources to determine the value of your used car. If your car is a popular model in good condition, under 75K miles and you are upgrading with the same manufacturer, you might match or slightly beat that price with your newcar dealer who sees potential profit in selling your used car. If the trade-in offer is a good one, say yes. If not, plan to sell

it yourself or take it to the used-car lot of independent dealers for a price quote.

Negotiate a price. Again, do your homework. Using the aforementioned websites and others like Kelley Blue Book, research manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or MSRP, the dealer’s cost for any vehicle, customer or dealer rebates and other special breaks that can cut your cost. Assemble a folder showing your data and sources.

Focus any negotiation on the dealer cost. For an average car, 2% above the dealer’s invoice price is a reasonably good deal. A hot-selling car may have little room for negotiation, while you may be able to go even lower with a slow-selling model. Supply and demand drives price!

Try to focus the discussion away from the list price to how much you intend to bid over the dealer’s invoice cost. Bring out your research. The salesperson may know less than you do since traditional dealer training focuses on the list price.

Close the deal. The salesman may call it “doing the paperwork” or some similarly innocuous description. But the sales or finance manager you are about to meet hopes to boost dealer profits at your expense with attractive-sounding offers of mechanical and financial addons. In most cases, just say, “no.” But there are always exceptions. Even if you already have financing approved, go ahead and let them give you their best offer. It may still be better than what you have in hand. The next pitch you are likely to hear is for an extended warranty.

In most cases, you’ll want to pass on this. Unless you’re buying a car that has known dependability issues, extended warranties don’t usually pay off.

I still enjoy buying cars - just not from “Duane”!

Happy Motoring!

David Vahala is a Certified Car Guy, having owned 28 vehicles so far (but who’s counting!) He works part time as an auctioneer assistant at Dealers Auto Auction Northwest and enjoys driving his two Porsches, a 1988 944 and 2000 Boxster.

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Customers served: Commercial, Professional, Medical, Insurance, Real Estate, Publishing, etc.

A perfect setting for all your business meetings.

Centralized office space in a beautiful setting.

One of the most important assets offered by the Tapio Office Center is its close proximity to the Spokane business pulse. Located just off the Freya exit on interstate 90, the facility is positioned between bustling downtown Spokane and the busy Spokane Valley. Easy access to South Hill, Valley, and Downtown. Free Parking. Free Conference Room Facility. Tenant Improvement Packages Available. On-site Building Engineer. Beautiful Landscaped Office Park.

Brown Flag Bldg. | 104 S Freya | Ste. 209D | Spokane, WA (509) 535-3619 | www.cloningerandassoc.com

O f f i c e Center

Great Floors

Great Floors. www.greatfloors.com, 231 E. Francis, Spokane, WA, (509) 482-0839 | 13708 E. Indiana, Spokane Valley, WA, (509) 535-4603 3293 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, (208) 262-7140 | 3800 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID, (208) 765-6014

M

ost everyone has heard of Great Floors by now. From its humble beginnings as a road show through Idaho and Montana in the early 1970s, it has grown to one of the nation’s top floor-covering retailers, installers and servicers. What you might not know is that Great Floors does way more than, well, floors. Their large format retail store — 40,000 square feet — allows Great Floors to offer a wide variety of flooring products including popular environmentally friendly solutions like bamboo, cork and natural linoleum.

With increasing locations, four in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area and many others throughout Idaho and Washington, Great Floors has responded to public demand for additional services in the way of kitchen and bath design. This means not only can you find innovative and timeless flooring solutions, you are now able to work with professional designers on your project. All your needs, from cabinet selection, layout, lighting and overall room design, can be sourced and installed through Great Floors. The Kitchen and Bath Center in Post Falls is devoted wholly to supplying cabinetry and hardware, plumbing fixtures and accessories, and boasts a state-of-the-art fabrication plant for granite countertops.

Design services are offered through all four of the Great Floors locations in the Inland Pacific Northwest region. The Design Group at Great Floors can assist both residential and commercial customers in fulfillment of their design or renovation projects. Two members of the group, Melissa Helvey and Cindy Wiedmer, are both executive board members for the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and Helvey is a certified Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer.

There’s a reason Great Floors has continued to serve Northwest businesses and homeowners for the past 40 years. They are responsive to market demand while continuing to provide exceptional service and products. Reach out to the Great Floors nearest you for your home renovation and project needs.

Divine kitchen & Bath Remodeling Berry Built and Design, Inc. www.berrybd.com, 204 S. Koren Road #800, Spokane, WA 99212, (509) 534-5410

B

erry Built and Design, Inc. is a Spokane based professional design-build remodeling company specializing in custom kitchens and baths. Owners Matt and Sara Berry have put together a comprehensive in-house team of experienced professionals that walk their clients through the process from drawings to personal design elements and installation.

Berry Built is unique in that they also have a retail showroom offering materials relative to home renovation. A recent addition to their retail offering is exclusive dealership of Adorne lighting solutions by LeGrande. This innovative and ingenious lighting and electrical system removes the traditional backsplash outlets from your kitchen or walls and places them under the upper cabinets. It also offers innovative and unique switches and switch plates that come in a wide array of colors and finishes. The system is installed in conjunction with under-cabinet lighting for optimum function. The Adorne system is designed for interchangeable functionality allowing you to customize your combinations of switches, dimmers, outlets, wall plates, lighting, intercoms, connectivity and accessories. It also allows you to interchange one feature with another, creating highly flexible solutions that are aesthetically pleasing. Berry Built is one of only two dealers of the Adorne by LeGrande solutions in the Spokane region.

The Berrys are fully aware of how overwhelming the remodel process can be and how intimidating the quality, timelines and budget can be.

Their complex design-build format allows you the opportunity to work with select professionals throughout each phases of your project. They provide the design, the materials and the craftsmen to put it all together. You can take advantage of their full slate of services or just select the areas you might need the most help with.

Berry Built and Design’s team listens carefully to their clients, works hard to exceed expectations and builds trusting relationships. It is their goal to provide an enjoyable renovation experience while delivering top quality craftsmanship and professional customer service. spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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LOCAL CUISINE

1 40 R estau rant Review 148 Di n i n g G ui d e 1 5 7 S ig n at ur e d is h 1 5 9 Liqui d l i b at i o n s

The Greek Dinner Festival Celebrates

80 Years

by Katie Collings Nichol photos courtesy of Greek Dinner Festival

T

here’s a scene in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Toula Portokalos’s white-bread fiancé, Ian, is asked by her mother, Maria Portokalos, if he is hungry. “No, I already ate,” he replies, waving his hand in front of his face. In heavily accented English, Toula’s mother brushes his physiological state aside with a resolute, “Okay, I make you something.”

It is this stereotype (albeit Greek ideal) of inducing uncomfortable fullness that characterizes the Annual Greek Dinner Festival in Spokane. Held annually at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church since 1935, the dinner festival is an annual celebration of Greek culture and faith through the sharing of authentic food.

Welcoming xeni (pronounced kuh-senee), or “strangers” is an important aspect of Greek culture and orthodox Christianity in general. “It’s a ministry, in a way,” says Eleni Schumacher, festival chair and mastermind behind the event for the past five years. “People come to the festival for the food and the fun and end up staying as parishioners — and friends!”

Eleni’s great uncle founded the dinner, which was originally a more formal affair held in the basement of what is now the church hall. It has since expanded to include a host of offerings outside: beer, wine and socializing in the taverna, Greek shish-kebabs aka souvlakia from the grill, take-away dinners, cabbage rolls and lasagna, a coffee bar serving an authentic kafeneon brew, pastry and dessert stations, “Yia Yia’s Attic” featuring gifts and collectibles and, of course, some fabulous opa dancing.

Most of the action takes place under canopies outside where the à la Carte meals have become more popular. Guests are free to sit and relax, talk with their neighbors and enjoy the food while listening to music and watching the dancers. The more traditional dinner is served downstairs where seating is first-come, first-serve.

“Greek festivals are known for their food all over the world,” says Eleni, “but the festival in Spokane is unique.” She goes on to explain, “Everything we put on the table is made from spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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local cuisine Greek Dinner Festival

The Difference

180 S. Howard

509.468.2929 138

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scratch, handmade and cooked by a group of dedicated church members.”

Eleni and her team at Holy Trinity take great pride in their recipes, many of them passed down from their great grandmothers. A good example is the dinner’s main dish, a stew called kapama, which consists of beef simmered for hours in a savory cinnamon tomato sauce. “The recipes are written in stone,” says Nick Velis, a parishioner of Holy Trinity since birth, upon whose grandmother’s recipe the kapama is based. “There are some modifications, but the festival committee strives to maintain the integrity of the old-world dishes.”

As of late, non-church members, or xeni, have expressed interest in learning how to make these recipes. “So, we invite them to spend a week or two with us in the months leading up to the festival,” says Eleni. “Next week we are prepping the breads, which is a great time to learn some of the basics.”

Food planning for the following year begins as soon as the current festival has wrapped. “We receive lots of feedback, so it’s important to continually improve our processes and the selection of food,” says Eleni. “One thing that never changes — everything is as fresh as possible.”

New to the festival this year are Greek fries topped with feta cheese, oregano and a squeeze of lemon that will be available outside as an à la Carte item. Vegetarians and those with food allergies will be pleased with a multitude of soups and salads, as well as “Arger Beans,” which are green beans topped with lemon and a garlic sauce, a festival favorite named after the Arger family.

With such passion for their food and culture, it’s not surprising that suggested changes are slow to be adopted. “Take the hubbub surrounding one of our traditional powdered cookies,” says

Eleni. “The dough is either ‘S’ or ‘C’-shaped, depending on which region of Greece you are referring to,” she explains. “Of course, we proposed that we make them round or straight for the sake of efficiency — but a few people weren’t having any of that!” laughs Eleni.

The intense preparation for the festival is almost as important as the event itself. “Working day and night on a shared goal fosters camaraderie and brings us together as parishioners,” says Eleni. “Many of the women who work in the kitchen are in their 80s and 90s,” she continues. “It’s a special gift for them to share their stories as WWII survivors or their experiences in concentration camps, for example, while they knead dough and mince walnuts alongside younger volunteers.”

“Ultimately, it’s about relationshipbuilding and sharing our values with the greater community,” says Nick, whose grandfather was the head priest when he was young. “What better way than through food, music and dancing?”

And, like the Portokalos family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the Annual Greek Dinner Festival will be loud and lively…with lots and lots of food to go around. And “if you don’t eat NO MEAT?!” then, well, you can try the lamb *wink.* The 80th Annual Greek Dinner Festival will be held September 24-26, 2015 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available at the following locations: Santorini Restaurant (4055 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, 208-676-0401), City Ramp Parking Garage (430 W. 1st Ave., Spokane, 509-624-1313), Arger Real Estate (300 N. Mullen Rd., Suite 204, Spokane, 509-926-5311), Olympia Restaurant (301 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, 208-666-9495), and Barlows Restaurant (1428 N. Liberty Lake Dr., Liberty Lake, 509-924-1446).

80th Annual Greek Dinner Festival Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church September 24-26, 2015

Thursday, Friday & Saturday

1703 N Washington St (509) 328-9310 Pastry available daily from 11 a.m.

Lunch available daily 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Souvlaki available daily from 4:30 p.m.

Dinner served 4:30-8 p.m. *Dine in or carry out* Tickets in advance (at select locations): $12- adults, $6- under age 12 Tickets at the door: $15 adults Fun fact: It takes 25 gallons of honey and 500 pounds of walnuts to make enough baklava for the festival… that’s 7,500 pieces of baklava!

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restaurant review Mediterrano

Downtown Mediterranean Delight

at Saranac Commons 140

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by Chris Street photos by Rick Singer Photography

S

tylish, exciting and new is Saranac Commons— the home of Mediterrano— the city’s latest haute spot for healthy dining. Opened just five short months ago, business has taken off and the newly renovated Saranac Commons in which the restaurant is located, is one reason why.

Location. Location. Location. It’s a very cool spot and if you haven’t yet made the trip to the corner of Brown and Main you’re missing something fun. The Commons is a concept of shared public space that also houses Affogoto (the only authentic Italian coffee shop in Spokane), Common Crumb Bakery and the Black Label Brewing Company (craft beer).

These eateries and the brewing company share open air seating that makes for exceptionally good people watching and there’s plenty of space for a gathering of friends. If you’re taking your laptop for a working lunch and need to spread out, there’s room for that as well.

The first thing to notice when waiting to order is Mediterrano’s open kitchen. The day I visited, the staff was busy cutting some of the biggest, most plump juicy red tomatoes I’ve seen since I’ve been in Spokane (I’m a Texas ex-pat); with the exposed kitchen you’re able to see every step in the food making process. The second thing

to take note of is the clean, simple, sleek design of natural wood and glass created by local artist, Robert Sevilla.

As far as the food, Greek and Turkish influences abound on a small but tasty menu that has seven of what I’d call main entrée items (four of those are pita-type sandwiches). Seven entrées may be a small menu, but, better a tight menu than trying too much too soon— the mistake of many new restaurants. This food, in many cities along the Mediterranean Sea, would be the American equivalent of fast casual dining. It’s in beautiful cities like Crete and Izmir where one finds food similar to Mediterrano’s.

I ordered a gyro pita ($7.99) made with lamb and beef cut hot off of the rotisserie. The gyro comes with tahini (a smooth paste made from sesame seeds), tzatziki (a yogurt-based sauce with cucumber fresh garlic, olive oil and mint), and a house made hummus. The house also makes fresh dolmas ($1.00 each). Dolmas are grape leaves stuffed with ground lamb, rice, onion, currants, pine nuts and seasoned with mint, cumin, allspice and a touch of dill. Served cold, they’re perfect fare for a hot summer day and could be an appetizer or, served with a side salad ($2.99), a few dolmas could easily be a low carb lunch or a light dinner. The marinated portobello mushroom burger ($8.99) is delicious for vegetarians and meat eaters alike

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restaurant review Mediterrano

and should be ordered with Mediterrano’s fried potatoes ($4.00). They’re seasoned with lots of garlic, flakes of red pepper and parmesan cheese, and come with your choice of either a house made lemon aioli sauce or cumin ketchup (note: skip the garlic fries if you’re dieting— they’re not low cal).

In addition to the four pitas and two burgers available, Mediterrano has a vegan Basmati rice bowl with fresh herbs and 142

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vegetables ($9.99) and a tasting dish called hummus mezze ($5.99). Mezze dishes are traditionally served at the beginning of a meal. A sampling of pita bread slices, local organic hummus, three-olive tapenade, and babaganoosh (roasted eggplant)— this dish is made to share. People of the Mediterranean come together for meals to talk, drink red wine and to enjoy each other’s company, and the mezze-style of eating is the appetizer of choice in

countries where food is to be savored with family and the closest of friends.

Some believe a Mediterranean diet paired with their relaxed, people-centered way of life, is one of the healthiest ways to eat and live, aside from maybe a pure vegetarian, communally based existence. Generous in the use of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, lemons, yogurt, walnuts, figs, cucumbers, pomegranates, fish, lamb, olive oil and leafy greens, this cooking style lends itself to

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optimal health, and may explain why Mediterranean nations have some of the lowest incidence of cardio vascular disease in the world. Mediterranean chefs combine what are basic core ingredients: a protein source, veggies and an unprocessed grain product, like groats, to end up with incredibly unique flavors by using marinades and aromatic spices like mint, oregano, garlic and parsley. They create culinary pyrotechnics for the palate from what are exquisitely simple ingredients, and now Spokane has a little bit of this magic for our very own.

p or Pick Uery, Deliv e We’v u o got y ed. r e v o c i) rya (I n te

| 509.413.2029 Mediterrano is located at 19 W. Main Avenue, Spokane, and is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner, 4 to 9 p.m., www.medi-terrano.com, (509) 309-3116.

1220 W. Francis | Open 7am-9pm daily

k

Now Serving Breakfast!

| 509.327.4270 1724 N. Monroe | Open 10am-9pm daily

Visit us online at EatAloha.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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restaurant review embers by the lake

There’s a New place in the Forest

Embers by the Lake

by Cara Strickland photos by James & Kathy Mangis

I

had to look up Hauser Lake, Idaho, before driving there to experience dinner at Embers By the Lake. It’s just outside Post Falls as it turns out, and Embers has taken over the location that once belonged to Chef in the Forest.

My guest and I were delighted right away with the twinkling lights that beckoned to us from the patio. The full mid-week parking lot told us that we weren’t the only ones being beckoned.

It was the perfect night to enjoy the view of the lake, peeking through the trees. The outside seating also offered a front and center view of the live music, which was starting at 7 p.m.

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Inside, we were treated to brightly colored paintings and more twinkle lights, giving the room a celebratory feel. On each table, a colorful fish gurgle pot stood ready to refill water glasses (or to head home with you for $39.95). The place was buzzing with conversation and activity, including at least one birthday party, and many families with children. Clearly, this is the place to be in Hauser.

We started with a dish of hot corn and cheese dip ($6), served with multi-colored tortilla chips. The dip had a distinctly retro feel with a cream cheese base mixed with roasted corn, green chilies, red peppers and jalapeños and topped with shredded cheese. The Mexican flair of the dip kept up the fiesta atmosphere as we waited for our pizza,

nursing glasses of Sangiovese from the food-friendly, reasonably priced wine list. Embers also serves beer, and though their selection isn’t huge, my guest pointed out that all their choices were good ones.

Embers keeps it simple with appetizers like garlic knots ($6 for a basket), veggies and dip ($6.50), and tricolor fish crackers ($3) for the young, or young at heart.

Speaking of little ones, there are a few small plates that seem designed with them in mind. Choose between a PB&J ($3.50), a bowl of apples with peanut butter ($4) or a small, one-topping pizza (veggie $6.75/ meat $7.75).

If you’re looking for a lighter option, or a fresh start to your meal, you’ll want to check out the selection of salads.

The embers in the name refer to the wood fire method of cooking the pizza, at temperatures of about 800 degrees Fahrenheit. This method, which requires a special pizza oven, has become popular lately, but it’s nothing new. The technique originated in Italy, where it’s called Neapolitan pizza and has been cooked and enjoyed for centuries. At Embers, they brush every crust with garlic butter for an extra something.

restaurant review Embers

We tried the Carmelita ($14) topped with sweet Walla Walla onions, mushroom and mozzarella and provolone cheeses over a Gorgonzola sauce. This is a simple pizza, but packed with flavor, leaving you with that blue cheese bite and just a hint of garlic butter. It was also one of a few non-marinara based pizzas on the menu.

We also sampled the Sweet & Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken pizza ($16). It’s topped with chicken in a flavorful barbecue sauce (which owes something to chipotle chilies), hickory smoked bacon, red onions, mozzarella, provolone, cheddar and pepper jack cheese. The whole pizza is garnished with a generous helping of fresh cilantro.

Gluten-free crust and vegan cheese are available (for $1.25 and $1 respectively) for those with dietary concerns. We also noticed that both pizzas were good reheated the next day.

For dessert, we settled on cinnamon knots ($6) made of baked pizza dough rolled into knots and topped with a gooey cinnamon sugar mixture that tastes like the inside of a cinnamon roll, especially if you add the vanilla icing for an extra fifty cents. There was

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enough to split between four people after an evening of hearty pizza, but since there were only two of us, we had to make do.

Also on the dessert menu, we found house made gelato with various fresh toppings ($4/$5), Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream ($3), a root beer float ($4), and perhaps most intriguing: DIY S’mores at the fire pit outside in traditional style ($1.50 each, or $8 for six) or the Embers specialty with a peanut butter cup ($2.50 each or $14 for six).

When we left to head home, we realized that two hours had transpired since we first walked in the doors. At the top of the menu the diner is encouraged to embrace a slower pace: “Please sit back, exhale, and enjoy the beautiful view and your company.

Allow your time here to be an experience, not just a meal!”

There is no rush at Embers, and while you won’t be served in a hot minute, you won’t be expected to leave in one either.

Embers By the Lake is located at 12008 N. Woodland Beach Dr., Hauser, Idaho, and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 4-9 p.m. (208) 262-8219 www. facebook.com/embersbythelake

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dining Guide September

Embers by the Lake featured on page 144 photo by James & Kathy Mangis

September

Dining Guide

The Dining Guide includes summaries of local restaurants that are featured on a rotating basis each month and/or issue.

Suggestions for additions or corrections can be sent to katie@spokanecda.com

ASIAN AND INDIAN Aloha Island Grill. Hawaiian. Operating out of two former Taco John shacks on Monroe and West Francis, Patrick and Lori Keegan serve up fresh, tender Teriyaki Chicken “plates” that will keep you coming back. Based on family recipes from the islands and plenty more than just teriyaki, both spots offer a student discount; the Francis location serves a creative breakfast concoction called the “Loco Moco.”

Order it the way “Huff” (Patrick’s nickname) gets his. Open daily. 1724 N Monroe (509-443-1632) and 1220 W Francis (509) 413-2029. www.eataloha.com. $-$$ Bangkok Thai. Thai. Bangkok Thai took over the former Linnie’s Thai location on Grand Avenue and the former Riverview Thai near Gonzaga. The South Hill restaurant offers combination lunch plates that allow smaller portions of several popular Thai dishes for one price and the Gonzaga location has the best Thai lunch buffet in town for $12/person. Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 129pm. 1325 S Grand Blvd. (509-838-8424) and 1003 E Trent Avenue (509-325-8370). www.spokanebangkokthai.com. $$ Nudo. Asian-fusion. This new-age “ramen house” speaks urban cool in the heart of downtown Spokane.

Try the Grilled Miso Chilean Sea Bass, Edamame, or Crisp Salt and Pepper Basil Chicken for appetizers, followed by a Tonkotsu Bowl featuring fresh ra-

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men, barbecue pork, hard-boiled egg, corn, braised bamboo shoots and seaweed in a slow-boiled pork bone broth. Their signature Ramen Burger— a freshground beef patty topped with arugula and tonkatsu sauce between two homemade rounds of “ramen bun” is a fun entrée. A well-selected drink menu, late hours, and modern lounge-feel makes it well set for lingering dates and après-event noshing. Vegetarian options also offered. Mon-Sat 11am-close. 818 West Sprague. (509) 290-5763. www.nudoramen.com. $$ QQ Sushi. High-quality sushi, a curated atmosphere, speedy service and an attentive wait staff, this cozy North side restaurant might become your new favorite sushi spot. Their rolls include both classic and innovative combinations (give the Gonzaga Roll or Avocado Boat a try), no frills sushi (the Pearl and Fresh are winning combos) and plenty of cooked options to satisfy a diverse crowd. Mon-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Closed Sun. 1902 W Francis Ave. (509) 279-2721. www.qqsushikitchen.com. $$ Shogun. Japanese. Shogun is really two restaurants. First are the familiar hibachi tables. Each table seats about eight and comes with a personal chef who prepares a selection of beef, chicken, and seafood in front of delighted guests. Trained in the art of hibachi cooking, chefs serve as impromptu performance artists, amazing diners with kitchen acrobatics, sleight-of-hand and grill-assisted pyrotechnics.

The other is the sushi bar, perhaps one of the larg-

est and best equipped east of Seattle. Across the bamboo bridge, over a tranquil koi pond and past the waterfall and lounge, this is a quiet refuge and counterpoint to the frenetic atmosphere of the main dining room. Shogun is a perfect spot for either a special celebration or a quiet night out. Open seven days 5-10pm. 821 E 3rd. (509) 534-7777. $$-$$$ Sushi.com. Japanese. We still think the name is about as cheesy as you can get for a sushi bar and Japanese restaurant, but the food transcends the curious dot.com label over the door. Sit at the sushi bar and enjoy what’s fresh or take a table and explore the menu that also includes plenty of excellent hot options if raw fish still makes you nervous. Some of our favorites are the super white tuna and the house tempura. Mon-Fri 11am-9:30pm, Sat 12 noon-9pm, Sun 12 noon-8pm. 430 West Main, Spokane. (509) 838-0630. $-$$$ Thai Bamboo. Thai. Each of the four regional Thai Bamboo locations offers a massive Southeast Asian menu in settings designed to transport you across the Pacific. Inside each restaurant you’ll find Thai stone and wood carvings, water fountains, Thai music and the namesake bamboo décor. Thai Bamboo continues to be #1 Best Thai in readers’ polls and both the newest location on North Division and the CdA restaurant feature a Tiki-Beach styled lounge and a striking sky ceilings in the main dining rooms.

Think Vegas with pad thai. All locations Mon-Thu 11:30-9pm, Fri 11:30pm-9:30pm, Sat 12-9:30pm,

Sun 12-9pm. Delivery available. info@thaibamboorestaurant.com, www.thaibamboorestaurant. com. $-$$

BARBECUE Longhorn BBQ. The Longhorn has defined BBQ in Spokane for decades. Their sauce straight from Texas is now a staple in every area supermarket condiment or butcher’s aisle. And what self-respecting native Spokanite’s mouth doesn’t water at the thought of Longhorn ribs, German sausage, or beef sandwiches? 7611 W US Highway 2, (509) 838-8372; 2315 N Argonne Rd, (509) 924-9600. Call for hours. www.thelonghornbbq.com. $-$$ Red Lion BBQ & Pub. For about 20 years, whether it was in the old rhythm and blues, peanut-shells-on-the-floor days, or more recently as a sports bar, there’s always been butt-kickin’ BBQ at this downtown corner spot. The undisputed star here is wine broiled chicken, spicy and robust, yet falling-off-the-bones moist and tender. Together with their signature fried bread and honey, and you have a BBQ experience that can’t help but please. 126 N Division. Sun-Thu 11am10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. (Sunday breakfast buffet 9am-noon during football season.) (509) 835LION (5466). www.redlionbarbeque.com. $-$$

BISTROS The Bistro at William’s Lake (located at Klink’s Resort). From the comfortable restaurant to the secluded patio overlooking the lake, The Bistro has a lot to offer it’s dining guests.

The menu hosts a variety of dishes including Pork Tenderloin Medallions with bacon onion jam and cranberry dressing and the Crab and Shrimp Topped Wild Alaskan Salmon. But don’t miss out on their steaks, primarily the coveted Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon or char grilled Rib Eye topped with Dungeness crab and browned butter. Follow it up with some of their famous Marion Berry Cobbler or crumbly Mud Pie and you’ve created an evening to remember. Summer Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am9pm. Closed October-March. (509)235-2391. www.klinksresort.com. $$-$$$

Now Open

Downriver Grill. Innovative, local and seasonal cuisine in a sleek, modern space with dishes at various price-points to suit every diner.

Try the Chipotle BBQ burger for a flavor-packed lunch or the Lemon Thyme Grilled Salmon for a leisurely dinner. Either way, you’ll want to sample the Chocolate Pot de Creme for dessert. Open Tues-Sun 11am-9pm. 3315 W Northwest Blvd in Spokane. www.downrivergrillspokane.com $$-$$$ Herbal Essence Café. Northwest cuisine.

This relaxed downtown restaurant tucked into the middle of a block on Washington serves Northwest bistro food and works hard to offer great service. The menu offers up baseball-cut sirloins, a whole stuffed Dungeness crab and a swordfish steak stuffed with pesto and baked off with a parmesan crust. Try the award-winning house salad, brilliant with sliced pears, crumbled Gorgonzola and a white truffle vinaigrette. 115 N Washington. Lunch Mon-Fri 11-2, Dinner MonSat 5-close. (509) 838-4600. www.herbalessencecafe.com. Lunch $-$$, dinner $$-$$$ Madeleine’s Café and Patisserie. Madeleine’s Café and Patisserie specializes in traditional French and bistro-style fare. Now in a new location just down the street from its original lo-

51 TAPs • 50 BOTTLes • One LOCATION Located at The Onion- 7522 North Division - Spokane, WA spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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cal on Main, Madeleine’s continues to offer a cozy spot for morning coffee and a hand crafted croissant, cinnamon swirl French toast made with their housemade bread, or one of the many lunch salads, quiches and casseroles. Madeleine’s is a popular spot for weekend brunch, with made-to-order whole wheat pancakes, Croque Monsieur sandwiches and beautiful French pastries. Dinner (Thur-Sat) features rustic French dishes such as cassoulets and crepes, as well as seafood and salads. Mon-Thurs 7:45am-5pm, Fri 7:45am-10pm, Sat 8:30am-10pm, and Sun 8:30am2pm. 415 W Main Ave. (509) 624-2253. www.madeleines-spokane.com. $-$$$ Ruins. An intimate, vintage-bar with a menu that changes weekly (often according to the chef’s whims), Ruins offers progressive, yet comforting dishes suitable for lunch, a full dinner, or late night snacking. Spokane’s leading bartenders craft impeccably balanced cocktails to be enjoyed on their own, or to be sipped with dinner. A far cry from traditional tapas, Chef Brown whips up hearty portions of Heirloom Pumpkin Mac & Cheese and Idaho Trout with miso and Beluga lentils, as well as Spicy Pickles and European-inspired desserts such as the Plum Gateau.

Open Tues 11am - 2:30pm; Wed through Fri 11am 2:30pm, and 4pm - 12am; and Sat 4pm - 12am. 825 North Monroe Street in West Central Spokane. ruins.spokane@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ruins. spokane. $$ The Wandering Table. A much-anticipated American tapas-style restaurant located in Kendall Yards. Chef Adam Hegsted delights with a variety of small plates (try the Garden for a creative salad take, the Deviled Eggs, or the Popcorn), craft cocktails, a whiskey bar, and other substantial dishes, such as the Bacon-Wrapped Bacon Sliders or the Braised Shortribs. The chef is known for his previous culinary venture of the same name consisting of a twelve-course dinner party. Take his advice and go with the “You Choose the Price!” meal option for the table offered at $15-$65 per head for a surprising culinary journey.

Hopefully it will include the Olive Oil Gelato for dessert. Open Tues-Thurs, 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., Fri & Sat 11:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. Sun & Mon, 4 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. 1242 W Summit Pkwy in Kendall Yards. (509) 443-4410. www.thewanderingtable.com. $$ Wild Sage. Tucked into a classic 1911 brick building on 2nd and Lincoln, Wild Sage offers an intimate dining setting and memorable food with real flair.

The atmosphere combines class and warmth. Executive Chef Charlie Connor presents regionally influenced Northwest cuisine using only the finest locally sourced products. Try the Yukon Taquitos, the Crisp Bacon & Blue salad or the Cioppino. Be sure to finish with a slice of the “Soon-to-be-Famous” Coconut Cream Layer Cake with lilikoi sauce. This award-winning bistro is known for its in-house bakery and an amazing array of gluten free options. Also make it a point to order something from their “scratch bar,” with or without alcohol. They use only fresh juices and house-infused flavored liquors. Dinner seven nights a week, opening at 4 p.m. 916 W Second Ave in Spokane. (509) 456-7575. www.wildsagebistro. com. $$-$$$ The Cellar. The door to this intimate basement grotto is easy to miss on Coeur d’Alene’s main street Sherman Avenue. This bistro, wine bar, and live music venue embodies generosity with hearty Italian and Mediterranean fare at incredibly reasonable prices, warm and welcoming staff, and a killer space that feels like a retreat from the pressures of life outside. Don’t miss the amazing Mac and Cheese on the appetizer menu and take note that each entrée is accompanies by a salad and bread. 313 E Sherman Ave in Coeur d’ Alene. Mon to Thur 4:30 – 10 p.m., Fri and Sat 4:30 p.m. to midnight. Closed Sun. (208) 664-9463. www.coeurdalenewinecellar.com. $-$$.

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BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SPECIALTIES

Cottage Café. If you’re a fan of classic breakfast and lunch diner fare, great service and the feel of a genuinely popular neighborhood joint, then this bright spot of charm and deliciousness amidst the car dealerships of East Sprague is for you. The menu offers the usual diner fare of pancakes/eggs/lunchytype items, with a nice mix of traditional standards, including the Belgium Waffle Special, Eggs Benedict, the famous Cottage Cinnamon Roll Special (served with bacon and eggs), London Style Fish and Chips and the Spicy Jalapeno Burger. As a dining space, the Cottage Cafe is as homey as its entrees— there’s also a patio for sunny brunching. Open daily 7am2pm. 6902 E Appleway Blvd, (509) 928-8888. www. cottagecafespokane.com. $-$$.

Frank’s Diner. Frank’s has become a Spokane landmark in just over a decade. Both early 1900’svintage rail cars were originally obtained by the Knight brothers Frank and Jack during the depression, and each converted them to diners in Seattle and Spokane, respectively. Larry Brown, of Onion Bar and Grill fame, acquired the Seattle diner in 1991 and moved it to its present location, meticulously restored by well-know local restaurant restoration artisan, Pat Jeppeson. Frank’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, available all day, has all the classics. Among our favorites are the open-face turkey, roast beef and mushroom sandwiches, chicken pot pie, Joe’s Special (the venerable scramble of eggs, ground beef, spinach, onions and parmesan), and, of course, the don’t-miss-at-breakfast hash browns and silver pancakes. 1516 W. 2nd. Seven days 6-8p.m..

(509) 747-8798. 10929 N. Newport Highway, SunThurs 6am-8p.m., Fri-Sat 6am-9p.m. (509) 465-2464. www.franksdiners.com. $

11 am – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 2 am. Closed Sun. 117 N Howard in Spokane. (509) 459-1190. www. soulfulsoupsspokane.com. $ Old European. Many of the recipes behind the amazing breakfast creations at the Old European arrived with Marie Mekkelsen when she emigrated from Denmark to America in 1906 at age 18, and this restaurant has remained a family affair with everything made from scratch, including Marie’s amazing Danish Aebelskievers (ball pancakes cooked in a cast iron skillet over an open flame).

In addition to the original aebelskievers, Old European offers them stuffed with blueberries, sausage and havarti, or huckleberries (in season) as well. Topped with whipped cream they are a true delight. Also worthy of note is the true, freshly squeezed orange juice and the massive Hungarian Goulash with shredded potatoes, peppers, onions, ham, sausage, bacon and four eggs topped with cheddar cheese and fresh tomatoes. North: 7640 N. Division, (509) 467-5987. Mon-Sat 6am2p.m., Sun 7am-3p.m.. 1710 E Schneidmiller Ave, Post Falls. (208)777-2017. Mon-Sat 6:30-2, Sun 7-2:30p.m. www.oldeuropean-restaurant.com. $

CASUAL DINING 315 Martinis and Tapas. Located within the historic Greenbriar Inn in Coeur d’Alene, this restaurant specializes in small plates with a global focus and well-crafted cocktails. Come sit in the intimate martini bar for happy hour beginning at 3:15 and enjoy drink and tapas specials, or share small plates or entrees along with live music on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights in the main dining room beginning at 6:00 p.m. Expect good service, great atmosphere and an experience you won’t soon forget. Tues - Sun from 3:15 to close.

315 Wallace Ave in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 667-9660. www.315martinisandtapas.com. $$-$$$.

Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery. Casual and classy dining, specializing in craft cocktails.

Holds the distinction of first distillery in the nation with a restaurant onsite. Perfect place for happy hour, or lunch on the patio. Try the Grilled Yellowfin Tuna Salad for well-blended, refreshing tastes in a generous portion. Pair with a house-created cocktail and some small-batch alcoholic ice cream.

Open Monday-Sunday 11am-close. 1710 W. Riverstone Drive in Coeur D’Alene. www.bardenay.com $-$$.

Little Euro. Valley fans of the Old European can rejoice. One look at the menu and you’ll see that Little Euro offers many of the same breakfast delights as it’s North Division sibling: Danish Aebelskivers, Swedish Crepes, and that mountain of breakfast on a plate they call Hungarian Goulash. Lunch also served. Open daily 6 am – 2 p.m.. 517 N Pines Rd in the Spokane Valley. (509) 891-7662. www.littleeurorestaurant.com. $-$$

Hill’s Restaurant. Hill’s restaurant is back and rejuvenated. Hill’s offers an extensive menu with nine appetizers including the unique Scotch Egg, soups, vegetable dishes, ten salads including the Smoked Salmon Salad and the Seared Steak Salad, sandwiches, steaks, chicken, pork, and seafood entrees. Hill’s also makes their own pasta. Hill’s has always been a local favorite and they’re back with the same great food and a newly renovated location. The restaurant also features daily lunch and dinner specials worthy of a picky pallet. 401 W Main, Mon-Sat 11-10, Lounge until midnight Mon-Thurs and 2am Fri-Sat. (509) 747-3946. www. hillsrestaurantandlounge.com. $$-$$$

Soulful Soups and Spirits. Show up a lunch for love in a bowl or in the evening for a beer, a glass of wine, or something stiffer. Five to seven different soups are offered daily with a fine Tomato Basil offered anytime the doors are open. Daily offerings are cooked from scratch and could include cream of spinach and mushroom, chicken artichoke, Spanish chili (vegan), or cheddar chicken. Don’t miss the hearty and wonderful beer bread, and if it is your birthday, ask about the infamous Fireball Spoon Shot. Open Mon 11am – midnight, TuesFri, 11 am – 2 am, Sat,

Palm Court Grill The Palm Court Grill offers upscale casual dining fare that highlight favorites discovered all around the world by Walt and Karen Worthy, the owners of the Davenport.

Home to the original Crab Louis, named for original hotel owner Louis Davenport, the grill also serves USDA Prime beef and a fine wild salmon filet with a huckleberry champagne sauce. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily from 6 am to 9 p.m.. Reservations recommended. Private Dining room available, seating up

to 30 people. 10 S Post. (509) 455-8888. $$-$$$ Safari Room Fresh Grill and Bar. The Davenport Hotel Tower’s Safari Room Fresh Grill and Bar will add a spice of adventure to your dining experience featuring a full menu with a variety of tasty flatbreads, small plates, salads and gourmet sandwiches. Private Dining room available seating up to 30 people. (Flatbread is oven roasted thin bread that is topped with a variety of vegetables, fresh herbs, highly flavorful cheeses and meats) 111 S Post St. (Davenport Hotel Tower lobby). Serving breakfast 6-11, Lunch 11-4, Dinner 4-10, and Late Night 10-close. 509-455-8888 $$-$$$

Best Vegetarian

Best Salad

Best Chef

FINE DINING Beverly’s. This flagship restaurant of the Coeur d’Alene Resort has recently remodeled its menu as well as its surroundings with great success. Among our favorite discoveries on the new menu is Beverly’s Wine Spectator Magazine Grand Award winningwine list. As one of the top restaurants in America, Beverly’s features fresh Northwest ingredients including morel mushrooms, Idaho potatoes, and wild huckleberries. On the Lake in Coeur d’Alene. Visit www.cdaresort.com for the full menu. Lunch MonSat 11-2:30, dinner seven days, 5-10. (Lounge open 10-Close.) (208) 765-2300 ext. 23 or (800) 688-4142. $$$ Clinkerdagger. English pub décor overlooking the Spokane River. Known for their fresh seafood, steaks, and rock salt-roasted prime rib, Clinkerdagger is a favorite eating place among locals. Their salmon filet is one of the best in the area. The Broadway Pea Salad and Blums Coffee Toffee Pie are two classics since 1974. Two cozy fireplaces make for a warm, friendly atmosphere; 621 W Mallon (in the Flour Mill). Lunch Mon-Fri 11:15-2:30, Sat 11:30-2:30, Dinner Mon-Thurs 4:30-9, Fri 4:30-9:30, Sat 4-9:30, Sun lounge 2-9 and dinner 3-8. (509) 328-5965. www. clinkerdagger.com. Lunch $$, Dinner $$$

Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Mon-Sat 5pm-Close Twilight Menu Mon-Wed 5pm-6pm 3 Courses for $20

509.838.4600 • 115 N Washington St. Spokane, WA 99201

Stacks at Steam Plant. Named for the twin smokestacks that have been a part of the downtown Spokane skyline for nearly a century, Stacks offers a full-service dining experience in a one-of-a-kind space. Unique private dining spaces include boiler rooms where the original pipes still line the walls and ceiling. Signature dishes are created from scratch and

Seafood Baked Salmon Buffalo Top Sirloin Prawns & Linguine Spinach Artichoke Halibut Huckleberry Top Sirloin Oven Roasted Lamb

1 Block South of Auntie's Bookstore

www.HerbalEssenceCafe.com On and Offsite Catering Available

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Masselow’s Steakhouse. Named after a strong chief that was instrumental in the survival of the Kalispels, Masselow’s combines the culinary heritage of the tribe with Northwest fine dining. The restaurant features an intimate and lavishly appointed dining room just off the hotel lobby in the new wing of the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights and serves up an Elk Sirloin and Seared Scallops worth the drive. Their chocolate mousse on the dessert menu is also a show stopper. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 100 North Hayford Road in Airway Heights. (509) 242-7000. www. northernquest.com/dining/masselows. $$-$$$ Max at Mirabeau. More than the typical hotel restaurant, Max opened in 2005 as a valley destination for fine dining with an infamous menu offering 100 options. Chances are you can find something you are craving on the huge menu, but if an abundance of possibilities scares you, ask your server. We scored at dinner with the gluten-free Cashew Lime Sea Bass and the White Chocolate Mousse with Cherries Jubliee. Casual diners are welcome too breakfast, lunch or dinner. ½ priced bottles of wine on Wednesday nights. Open Mon – Thur, 6 am – 1 am, 6 am to 2 am on Fri – Sat, and Sun, 6 am – midnight. 1100 N Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley. (509) 924-9000. www.maxatmirabeau.com. $-$$$

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Local deals, from our planet to yours. spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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incorporate ingredients produced only at the Steam Plant – including smoked meats, fish and vegetables, and many of the ales brewed on-site. 3p.m. – 10p.m.

Sun-Thurs, 3p.m. – 11p.m. Fri-Sat. 159 S. Lincoln, under the smokestacks downtown. (509) 777-3900. www.steamplantspokane.com $$-$$$

ITALIAN Europa Restaurant and Bakery. Europa offers much more than pizza (Marsala Steak Penne and Sweet Pepper Tortellini, for example), but if pizza is what you want, then Europa’s are among the best.

Among their more notable choices are the “Our Favorite” (chicken, spinach, Feta, mozzarella, provolone, mushrooms, and onions) and the European (five cheeses, roasted garlic, white sauce, basil pesto, chicken, and shrimp). Shrimp, mushrooms, and fresh tomatoes add a twist to their version of the Hawaiian. All desserts are prepared entirely on-premise by pastry chef Christie Sutton, which include Christie’s Triple Layer Chocolate Mousse, as is the little shiny dome of chocolate cake and rum genache known as the “Chocolate Birthday Bomb,” Europa’s traditional compliment for patrons celebrating their birthday.

Stop into the cozy pub for daily happy hour specials and live music every Sunday night. Open Mon – Thurs 11am - 10pm, Fri – Sat 11am - 11pm, Sun 11am - 10pm. 125 S Wall. (509) 455-4051. www.europapizzaria@comcast.net. $$ Ferrante’s Marketplace Café. This South Hill restaurant combines two great pastimes: gourmet Italian food and shopping. Ferrante’s offers a wide variety of gourmet pastas, pizzas, and paninis along with a kid’s menu and delicious gelato. Stop in for a full dinner or order it to go and shop in the marketplace while you wait. The marketplace offers unique gifts, such as jewelry, wines, cookies and candies, many from local vendors. Enjoy the neighborhood feel of this Italian café. 4516 S Regal. Tues-Sat 11-8p.m. (509) 443-6304. www.doitalian.com. $-$$ Italian Kitchen. Owners Bryce and Lyndsay Kerr have created a beautiful and charming décor along with exquisite cuisine, not to mention the remarkable hospitality. Known for its Calamari, Tiramisu, and Lasagna from scratch, the Italian Kitchen is as authentic as you’ll find. They were recently placed on the “Best of the Best” list, which honors the top 17 Italian restaurants in the nation. 113 N Bernard.

Lunch Mon-Fri 11-3:30, Dinner Mon-Thur 3:30-9, Fri 3:30-10, Sat 4:30-10, Sun 4:30-9. (509) 363-1210. www.italiankitchenspokane.com. $$ Luigi’s. Traditional Italian menu specializing in pastas, seafood, steaks and salads served in amazingly large portions. The smoked salmon lasagna has been featured in national magazines. Martinis are a must. Located close to the opera house and downtown shopping. Express service for theatergoers. 245 W Main. Sun & Mon 4-9, Tues-Thurs 11-10, Fri 11-11, Sat 4-11. (509) 624-5226. www.luigis-spokane.com.

Lunch $, dinner $$ Tony’s On The Lake. Originally built in the 1940s long the shore of the lake five miles east of Coeur d’Alene, Tony’s is a great destination Italian spot for years but the current incarnation under the D’Alessandro family just might be the best. Drive or boat. Chef Cheyenne D’Alessandro offers wonderful from-scratch sauces and Italian classics executed perfectly. Try the hand-pulled mozzarella if it is on the special sheet and don’t miss the Spaghetti Pescatore if you love a good tomato vodka sauce. Equally excellent are the Sirloin Filetto served with house-made gnocchi and the Saltimbocca alla Romana. All the desserts are made in house. Tony’s has a fun and informative wine list, and you need to hold up their

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house wine Y NOT to the mirror that stretches along the back of the dining room for a surprise. Open daily from 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to the end of September. Five days a week in the fall and spring.

Closed January – March. 6823 East Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive outside of Coeur d’Alene. (208) 667-9885. www.tonysonthelake.com. $$-$$$

and over 50 more in bottles). The Goat has a “Mug Club” for regulars; all dishes are named after neighborhood quirks – see if you can decipher their menucryptography. Open daily at 11 am. Closes at 10 p.m. (11 on Fri and Sat). 3318 West Northwest Boulevard in Spokane. (509) 327-8277. www.theflyinggoat.com. $-$$

Uva Trattoria. Brother and sister chefs Lisa and Steve Vanzeveren opened Uva with a vision of creating a Napa Valley bistro for the Coeur d’Alene community. They’ve done just that with a simple menu of hearty Italian classics, an extensive wine list, generous portions and a light, friendly atmosphere. The neighborhood restaurant offers calamari (dredged in rice flour instead of wheat), lasagna, chicken piccata and house-made tiramisu, as well as fresh salads made with organic and locally-sourced ingredients.

They also offer gluten-free pizza and pasta. Rustic and authentic, Uva is fairly priced and suitable for families or couples looking for a clean and modern lunch or dining spot. Open Sun-Thurs 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10. 2605 N 4th St, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. (208) 818-9257, www.uvacda.com. $$

Mackenzie River Pizza. When they first opened over 22 years ago in Bozeman, Montana, it was quality and uniqueness that most attracted their loyal customers. The original menu included a nice variety of delicious pizzas, salads and sandwiches. With now over 23 locations including four in the Pacific Northwest, the menu encompass everything they’ve crafted and improved upon since their modest beginning but also aim to take menu creativity, freshness and selection to a whole new level. ½ lb all-beef burgers, fish tacos, and meatloaf to name a few. All Spokane and CDA locations boast a full bar. Open daily for lunch, dinner and in-between. Northside; 9225 N Nevada, (509) 413-1043. South Hill: 2910 E 57th Ave, (509) 315-9466.

Downtown: 818 W Riverside Ave, (509) 315-4447.

Coeur d’Alene: 405 W Canfield Ave, (208) 772-5111. $-$$$

MEXICAN Azteca. Azteca’s recipes are those of the owners’ mother from the village of Cuautla in the state of Jalisco in central Mexico. Now a chain with over 35 locations, Azteca started as a small 24-seat restaurant in Burien in 1974. On the menu you can find classics such as Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) and Pollo “Fundido” (a distinctly non-authentic combination of chicken, jalapeno cream cheese, and—steady on—American cheese in a flour tortilla). Sun-Thurs 11-10, Fri & Sat 11-11. 200 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, (509) 456-0350. 9738 N Newport Highway, (509) 465-9101. Spokane Valley Mall, (509) 228-9661. $$ Rancho Viejo. Jose Rodriguez and his staff offer up traditional and familiar Mexican fare with some of the amplest portions and most caring family-friendly service in Spokane. 14201 E Sprague. Sun-Thurs 1110, Fri & Sat 11-11. (509) 927-8428. www.ranchoviejo.net. $$

PIZZA Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria and Café. Unpretentious and welcoming with earth-toned walls, hardwood floors and local art on display, Allie’s is one of the only entirely vegan establishments in Spokane.

A chalkboard menu lists such pizza delicacies as the Buffalo Chicken, Wild Mushroom and the Italian Sausage (all made with their homemade vegan cheese and plant-based meat substitutes by Gardein) and a separate drinks board lists espresso (available with almond, soy, hemp, coconut or rice milk), lemonade, iced tea, hard cider, local craft beer on tap and made-to-order fresh organic juices. You can also order a variety of salads, sides and desserts from the refrigerated display case. With everything fresh and house made, it’s hard to order just one item— to make it worth your while, make sure you at least try a few of Allie’s successful vegan feats: the Mac ‘n Cheese pizza, Caesar salad and a slice of the green tea, mango or blueberry cheesecake. 4803 N Nevada. Mon-Thur 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, and Sun 11am-7pm. (509) 321-7090. alliespizza.com. $$ The Flying Goat. Careful thought went into the design of this pub and pizza sibling of the Downriver Grill— and it’s paying off. The Goat offers both classic and artisan toppings on Neapolitan-style pies, the “char” on the crust imparting a distinctive, crunchy flavor. Try the surprising Kiernan and wash it down with a craft beer (14 taps, 1 gravity-fed cask beer,

South Perry Pizza. Fresh, innovative pies (minus the gourmet pretension) in the heart of the Perry district on Spokane’s South Hill. Located in a former auto body shop, the restaurant has an open kitchen centered around an open-flame pizza oven that turns out brilliant pizzas with a yeasty bready crust that has good chew and the right amount of char. Try the popular Margherita, Veggie, Prosciutto, or one of their creative daily specials. 6 microbrews on tap and several fresh salads start things off right. The garage doors roll up in good weather for patio seating. 11 am – 9 p.m., Tues - Sun. 1011 South Perry Street in Spokane. (509) 290-6047. www.southperrypizzaspokane.com. $-$$

PUB AND LOUNGE FARE Crafted. A gastropub located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, Crafted is serious about their brews and burgers. A casual and hip atmosphere with a generous patio for a post-lake rendezvous, Crafted offers solid burgers, like the B-I- Double G-I-E, a hamburger with bacon, avocado and sharp cheddar, and other creative dishes like the Spunky Crawfish Chowder, a variety of salads, and the Rockafella Ya’ll, layers of fried chicken, waffles and bacon topped with an egg and serrano-huckleberry syrup. Don’t forget to share the deep-fried Oreos— a nice treat to round out a day at the lake. Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, FriSat 11am-2am, Sun 11am-10pm. 523 Sherman Ave in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 292-4813 www.facebook.com/ CraftedTaphouse $-$$ Dave’s Bar and Grill. A neighborhood tavern with free popcorn all day long, a surprising family feel inside, and specials at breakfast, lunch, and dinner that have created passionate patrons. Try the monthly special at breakfast or split the massive Killer omelet. The bacon cheeseburger headlines the lunch favorites and steaks, ribs, and chicken (all under $15) keep the tiny galley kitchen hopping all night. Lines out the back door for breakfast on the weekends. 6 am – 10 p.m. daily. 12124 East Sprague in the Spokane Valley. (509) 926-9640. www.davesbarandgrill. com. $-$$ Manito Tap House. Manito is living into its name as a gastropub that offers high-quality dining fare to go with their 50 beers on tap. A fun pub atmosphere and friendly service make this a great hangout. Try the yam chips, the Carne Adovada, the Murphy’s Beef Boxty, or the inventive veggie burger that comes inside out,. 11 am – 11 p.m. Sun – Thu.

A Spokane favorite for 25 years!

Open until 2 am Fri – Sat. 3011 South Grand Blvd in Spokane. (509) 279-2671. www.manitotaphouse. com. $-$$

Serving traditional Irish & American pub fare

O’Doherty’s Irish Grille. Traditional Irish pub fare. Reuben sandwiches, fish and chips, burgers and salads are the specialties. An outdoor eating area in this downtown restaurant overlooks Spokane Falls Boulevard and Riverfront Park; perfect for early evening dining and people watching. Live folk music most Tuesday evenings. 525 W Spokane Falls Blvd. Sun-Mon 11:30-9, Tues-Thurs 11:30-11, Fri-Sat 11:30-1am. (509) 747-0322 $-$$ O’Doherty’s Irish Pub and BBQ Catering Company. The valley pub with a family-friendly dining room, a traditional Irish menu, and Southernstyle barbeque done on the premises thanks of massive smoker installed by the former tenant, Smoky’s BBQ. Try the Guinness beer-battered fish and chips, the slow cooked corned beef, and the smoky pulled pork. In addition to the beers on tap, the bar includes a line-up of high-quality Scotch. Opens at 11:30 am during the week and 9 am for breakfast on the weekend. 11723 E Sprague Ave in the Valley.

(509) 924-2578. www.odohertysirishpub.com. $-$$ The Onion. Established in 1978, the Onion is the grand dean of gourmet burgers and casual family dining in Spokane. From the Hula burger with ham and grilled pineapple, the “Big O” with bacon and avocado, to their namesake beer-battered onion rings, The Onion pays attention to details and does more from scratch than many other restaurants aspiring to loftier appellations. 302 W. Riverside, SunThurs 11-11, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. (509) 747-3852; 7522 N Division, Mon-Sun 11-11. (509) 482-6100 (Bar until midnight Sun-Thurs, Fri-Sat until 1). $-$$

Want to visit a historic Spokane pub full of fun, libations & local flavor?

• Spokane’s Best Reuben Sandwich • 16 Beers on tap • Patio overlooking Riverfront Park • Locally owned • Family's welcome Open 7 Days a week @ 11:30 AM

525 W. Spokane Falls Blvd (across from the carousel) 509.747.0322 | Odohertyspub.com

Peacock Room. It is all about martinis, cold beer and great music. Known as the place to see and be seen, the Peacock Room contributes to Spokane’s vibrant downtown nightlife. Showcasing a giant stained-glass peacock ceiling, the menu features such items as giant prawntinis, open-faced crab sandwiches and gourmet onion rings. Casual attire. Private Dining room available seating up to 25 people. Mon-Thurs 11-midnight, Fri-Sat 11-1am, Sun 2-midnight. 10 S Post. (509) 455-8888. $$-$$$ Post Street Ale House. This floor to rafter renovation of the former Fugazzi space in the Hotel Lusso

by Walt and Karen Worthy of the Davenport gives downtown Spokane a great English-style pub with a striking bar, twenty beers on tap, and a reasonably priced menu built around comfort food. We feel they do some of their fried food particularly well: the Halibut and Chips, the Fried Mozzarella “cubes,” and the Ale House Fried Pickles. If you are hungry, try the Guinness Braised Short Ribs served over mashed potatoes and topped with a pan gravy chunky with vegetables. 11 am – 2 am daily. N 1 Post Street.

(509) 789-6900. $-$$ Saranac Public House. The Saranac Public House is part of the downtown revival on the block of Main just west of Division. It has a 12 rotating taps (though one is always Guinness) and well-executed comfort food that features a number of organic and local ingredients. Our favorites on the menu include a luscious Macaroni and Cheese (exactly how you wish you could make it at home), the Kalua Pork Sandwich and the Chinese Barbecued Spareribs. The pretzel and the polenta are standouts for appetizers.

Open daily at 11 am. Closes 11 p.m. (midnight on Fri – Sat). 21 West Main Avenue in Spokane. (509) 473-9455. www.saranacpub.com. $-$$ Steam Plant Brewing Co. & Pub. An amazing location for a brewery – under layers of catwalks and

309 E. Lakeside, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Classic Italian food made from scratch!

Call for delivery or take-out.

Open Mon. - Sat.: 11am - 9pm | Sun: 4pm - 9pm Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm, every day!

208.930.0573 | www.uvacda.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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dining Guide September

1238 W. Summit Parkway (IN KENDALL YARDS)

SOUTH HILL LOCATION NOW OPEN!!

3103 S. Grand Ave.

an 80’ ceiling inside the renovated steam plant.

The brewery produces eleven handcrafted microbrews on-site, from their famous Double Stack Stout to several seasonal varieties. Its microbrews are also available to go in kegs and growlers.

The Pub features multiple flat-screen TVs and a game room to make a night of it. The brews are complemented by signature menu items like the Coal Bunker cheese bread, smoked steelhead and beer cheese soup. 3p.m. – 10p.m. Sun-Thurs, 3p.m. – 11p.m. Fri-Sat. 159 S. Lincoln, under the smokestacks downtown. (509) 777-3900. www.steamplantspokane.com $$ The Swinging Doors. Opened in May of 1981, the tavern turned restaurant has been in the same family for its whole life. With 27 beers on tap and 60 television screens, The Swinging Doors is a sports fan’s paradise. On the food front, the restaurant is famous for its large portions (which can be split). Breakfast is served all day and the huge pieces of Broasted Chicken remain the most popular item on the golf-themed menu. Show up for on your birthday for a free steak dinner. Open seven days a week from 6:45 am to 2 am. 1018 West Francis in Spokane. (509) 326-6794. www. theswingingdoors.com. $-$$

SEAFOOD AND FISH Anthony’s at the Falls. A welcome addition to the local seafood scene, Anthony’s combines a spectacular view of the Spokane Falls with an unwavering commitment to fresh seafood. So much so that they operate their own fishing company for the sole purpose of supplying their restaurants.

The success of this shows up in the always available, rich and flavorful seafood fettuccine and clam chowder, as well as on the fresh sheet. The four course “Sunset Dinners” served Mon-Fri from 4-6 for only $18.95 are particularly good values.

510 N Lincoln. Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30-3, Bar Menu in Lounge Mon-Sat 3-4, Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-9:30, Fri-Sat 4-10:30, Sun 3-9:30, Sunday Brunch (breakfast/lunch menu) 11-2p.m., Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 with half-price appetizers and drink specials.

(509) 328-9009. $$-$$$

Serving up some tasty flavors like: Anvil espresso, Lemonder, Salted Caramel, Cakey Dough and Vegan Coconut (just to name a few).

Come see us!

509.321.7569 Hours: SUN-THURS: 7am-9pm FRI-SAT: 7am-10pm

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Cedars Floating Restaurant. This is Idaho’s premier floating restaurant, featuring the freshest fish available daily and Midwest Stockyards HighChoice Beef. The Cedars, founded in 1965, floats at the confluence of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. The Cedars is the perfect setting to enjoy breathtaking views and Northwest delicacies such as Cedar Plank Salmon and a Biergarten Filet.

Drive in or boat up to this one-of-a-kind Northwest restaurant. Open seven days for cocktails and appetizers at 4p.m. and dinner beginning at 5p.m..

1514 S Marina Drive, Coeur d’Alene. 208-6642922. www.cedarsfloatingrestaurant.com $$$ Fisherman’s Market Grill & Sushi. An eclectic combination of Pacific Northwest, Asian, New England, Italian and Baja flavors are all offered on the menu in a casual setting. Classic Fish & Chips to Sushi can be found at this Coeur d’Alene fish market, which yes, also sells excellent fresh seafood too! You’ll want to try the Baja style fish tacos. 215 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Mon to Sat 11am - 8pm (Closed Sun). (208) 6644800. www.fishermansmarketcda.com. $-$$$ Milford’s Fish House. Milford’s has been doing seafood since before seafood was cool, specializing in the importation and preparation of a wide variety of fresh fish. It is where many of us

ever first encountered things like ahi, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, escolar, or swordfish. Although there are now more choices in the area for fresh and intriguing seafood, Milford’s remains one of the best. A great meal can also be had from the bar menu in their comfortable, inviting and wellstocked bar. The dark, rich ambience of the beautiful old building around the corner from the courthouse in which Milford’s is situated can’t be beat, either. Sun-Mon 4-9, Tues-Sat 5-10. 719 N Monroe.

(509) 326-7251. $$-$$$ Regal Street Seafood. Heather and Phil Lazone from Northstar Seafoods opened Regal Street as a retail fish market, but the staff includes a trained chef who can give you cooking guidance and prepares several ready-to-eat options like Cioppino – an Italian fish stew – and fish tacos. You can also pick up some harder-to-find bottles of wine in the store. Open Tue – Sat, 10 am – 6 p.m..

2812 E 30th in Spokane. (509) 535-1966. www. regalstreetseafood.com. $-$$

STEAK HOUSES Churchill’s Steakhouse. Carved into the first floor and basement of the Joel Building is this temple dedicated to dry-aged USDA Prime steaks and possibly the only ground Prime burger in the region (it is brilliant and shows up weekly in the basement bar as a $7 special). The dining room has all the pomp and circumstance for a great celebration meal (and prices to match) while the bar below has the intimate feel of a high class club and a separate menu with a few lighter items not offered upstairs. Open daily: 4 – 9 p.m. on Sun, 4 – 10 p.m. Mon to Thur, and 4 – 11 p.m. Fri and Sat. 165 South Post in Spokane. (509) 474-9888. www. churchillssteakhouse.com $$-$$$$ The Grille from Ipanema. Brazilian BBQ. If you are hungry, this Brazilian barbecue restaurant in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene offers an all-you-can-eat buffet along with the unique experience of Brazilian barbecue. Roving meat waiters (passadores) shave slices of beef, pork, and chicken off massive skewers right onto your plate tableside. The prices for a meal at this meat Nirvana are surprisingly reasonable and the festive colorful space turns any visit into a party. Open 11 am – 10 p.m. daily. 601 Front Avenue, Suite 101 in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 676-1122. www.thegrillefromipanema.com $$-$$$ Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops. Greeted with dark mahogany paneling and crisp linens, Spencer’s has been a destination for USDA Prime beef for almost 15 years. Try the signature bone-in Spencer Ribeye or pull out all the stops and order the dry-aged New York Strip. Beautiful fish and seafood are also featured and the kitchen offers a number of classic side dishes also – including a memorable au gratin hash browns laced with smoked bacon, sweet onions, and cheddar cheese. Open Mon-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri-Sat 11:3011, Sun 11:30 - 9. 322 North Spokane Falls Court inside the Doubletree. (509) 744-2372. www.spencersforsteaksandchops.com/spokane. $$-$$$$ Wolf Creek Lodge. The Wolf Creek Lodge is the younger city sibling of the original Wolf Lodge Inn located ten miles east of Coeur d’Alene. While the menu is far from identical, you can’t miss the similar steakhouse theme with plenty of beef options as well as the likes of as Bourbon Chicken and King Salmon. Don’t forget to order the birthday “potato” for that special occasion: Oreo ice cream

rolled in cocoa powder, topped with whipped cream, and set on a plate of hot fudge. 104 S Freya, Spokane. Mon-Fri 11:30-close, Sat-Sun 4-Close. www.wolflodgespokane.com.

(509) 535-8972. $$-$$$ Wolf Lodge Inn. It is worth the drive to experience the original Wolf Lodge just off Interstate 90 east of Coeur d’Alene. From the simply massive 24 ounce Porterhouse on down, this wonderfully ramshackle red ‘barn’ serves up classic western roadhouse food off their famous open pit grill. For the adventurous there are Rocky Mountain Oysters on the appetizer menu. Beef aside, the Idaho Rainbow trout on the menu is delicious, and don’t miss the sweet white Krebal fry bread with honey. Reservations requested. 11741 E Frontage Rd ten miles east of Coeur d’Alene. Tues-Fri 5-Close, Sat - Sun 4-Close. (208) 664-6665. www.wolflodgecda. com. $$-$$$

OTHER Brain Freeze Creamery. Ice cream, espresso drinks and sandwiches are offered all day at this welcoming, family-friendly spot in Kendall Yards. The small-batch creamery opened their own storefront in Kendall Yards, in 2014, and on South Grand Blvd., in 2015. They offer 24 different flavors with at least a few vegan and dairyfree options each day. Try a scoop of their famed Palouse Crunch, a blend of cinnamon ice cream, red lentils and candied almonds, or Muddy CupsDirty Dishes, a brownie batter ice cream studded with mini peanut butter cups. Another favorite is Cakey Doe, vanilla cake batter ice cream with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough. Anvil coffee and espresso and a small selection of hearty sandwiches broaden the menu just enough to suit everyone’s tastes. 1238 W Summit Parkway, Spokane. Sun – Thurs 7am-9pm, Fri & Sat 7am10pm, www.brainfreeze.bz (509) 321-7569. $-$$.

A Hibachi Steak and Seafood House

509.534.7777 | 821 E. 3rd Ave. Spokane, WA

Loco Dogz. Each hot dog and sausages is designed to transport to a different spot on the globe. Two locations currently – First Street in Cheney and Hamilton near Gonzaga – but don’t be surprised to see more soon. Great prices and great design along with house made caramel corn gives you something sweet to close out the meal. Try the authentic Chicago Dog in a freshbaked poppy seed bun with chopped onions, Rolf’s sweet pickle relish, mustard, fresh tomato wedges, sport peppers, and celery salt. Become a fan on Facebook. www.loco-dogz.com. (509) 321-7069. $ Queen of Sheba. Ethiopian. Dishes are served with injera, a sour Ethiopian bread used to pick up the meat and vegetable stews – no utensils required. Portions are generous, so bring your friends and order family style. Spicier dishes on the menu are cooked with berberé, a spice blend with ground red chili peppers. Try the Yebeg Kay We’t, a lamb stew cooked in a thick berberé sauce which is spicy enough to leave your lips zinging. Milder dishes include the Doro Alich’a, (chicken) and several vegetarian specialties. Gluten free injera is also available, as well as a special Coffee Ceremony to leisurely end the meal. Make sure to alert your server at the beginning of the meal! Tues-Sat 11:30am – 8pm, Sun 1-4pm, closed Mon. 621 W Mallon (Suite 426 of the Flour Mill Mall). (509) 328-3958. www.queenofshebaspokane.net. $-$$

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Two time Epicurean Delight Award winner 156

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Best of spokane award 2008 through 2014

signature dish smoked salmon buckwheat crepe

T h e

I v o r y

Ta b l e ’ s

S m o k e d S a l m o n B u c k w h e a t C r e p e

by Hanna Martin

When mother, musician and culinary school graduate

Kristen Ward moved back to Spokane – something she thought she’d never do – she spontaneously bought restaurant space and began a grand renovation. Now, The Ivory Table is cute and quaint on Sprague Avenue, offering a delicious lunch to all who pass through its doors.

Bright, clean and airy, The Ivory Table is inviting and friendly.

The restaurant contains chalkboard painted walls, exposed brick, a black and white color scheme and two little old ladies discussing the attractiveness of Westley in The Princess Bride. Simple yet informative menus boast a variety of options of both food and drink – sweet and savory crepes, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, wine, beer, coffee and hand-squeezed lemonade. All of the crepes are, of course, made in-house, and the artisan sandwich bread comes from local Spokane bakeries.

While traditional white crepes can border on rubbery and tough if made incorrectly, buckwheat crepes are rich and flavorful, and provide a hearty and

tender house for savory goodies. Ward learned many of her crepe-making skills while traveling in Northern France, which is why she uses the buckwheat crepe of the Brittany region in her dishes. On Ward’s recommendation, I ordered a Smoked Salmon crepe ($11) with tomato, Neufchatel, fresh dill, red onion, chives, capers and Parmesan folded triangularly inside. Served warm, the salmon was moist, the cheese nicely melted and the vegetables fresh and lovely. The crepe was large and amply filled, which left me thoroughly satisfied. The Smoked Salmon crepe is a perfect blend of Pacific Northwest and French flavors, and I recommend it to everyone looking for a healthy, tasty lunch.

Ward also suggested her hand-squeezed lemonade ($3.25), as she appreciates simple yet bold tastes. It was the best, most flavorful lemonade I have ever had, and it complimented the salmon surprisingly well, the lemony tang contrasting with the smokiness of the meat. The lemonade demonstrates Ward’s commitment to wholeness and simplicity.

The Ivory Table is currently the only restaurant in Spokane to serve buckwheat crepes. With a vegetarian sandwich and gluten-free crepes available, the restaurant caters to all eaters. Speaking of catering, The Ivory Table provides box lunches for business events and crepe-making stations for weddings.

Though located in a less than savory part of town, Ward dreams of revitalization.

Her goal in opening such a restaurant is to change the public perception of the East Sprague neighborhood.

Ward works toward that goal one customer at a time: after graciously explaining her future hopes for her restaurant, she rose from my table and began chatting with the man on the barstool. Ward encourages one and all to step out of their comfort zones and try something new – starting with her delectable crepes.

The Ivory Table is located at 1822 E. Sprague Avenue, in Spokane, and is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., www. ivorytable.com, (509) 474-1300

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Passionately serving Spokane's Best Italian

Best Dessert

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Best Fine Dining

Most Best Outdoor Romantic Dining

liquid libations Green Bluff

photo by Sam McGhee

The Green Bluff

Libation

by Chris Lozier

Need a new excuse to visit Green Bluff? Then check out the area’s craft beverage scene and libation loop. Four local farms are working together to bring you great beer, mead, kombucha and hard cider. You can visit them separately or grab a designated driver and make an afternoon of it with a convenient Saturday loop trip. Here’s how: Start with Hierophant Meadery where you will be welcomed by ducks, chickens, goats and more, enjoying the fresh air at Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary, a project of Hierophant’s founders, Jeremy and Michelle Kyncl.

Jeremy and Michelle are both herbalists, and mead, a honeybased wine, is great for blending herbs and other plants. Their meads are off-dry, with six intriguing offerings including RoseCardamom-Vanilla and a hopped mead they developed with help

from their neighbors at 238 and Big Barn breweries.

In addition to their off-dry meads, they make kombucha, a fermented tea drink touted for its health benefits, and session meads, which are beerstrength honey brews.

“We make those seasonally with what is fruiting on the bluff,” says Michelle. “We just made a raspberry session and we’re going to make peach pretty soon. We’d like to make a pumpkin one this fall.”

Another unique flavor to try is their Fir Retsina Mead, infused with local, aromatic Douglas Fir tree needles Jeremy and Michelle harvested themselves.

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liquid libations Green Bluff

photo by Kelly Tareski Photography

Just up the road at Twilight Cider Works, the first cidery in the Spokane area, Will and Jackie Jordan transform Green Bluff apples into delicious, crisp hard ciders. Using traditional methods, Twilight’s artisan ciders are made the old fashioned way: naturally and seasonally.

“We collect most of our apples in the fall and I take about two weeks off of work to press them,” says Will.

Following the weather patterns, Will starts the fermentation in October when the days are 50-60 degrees, and when it cools in November he opens the doors to stop the fermentation and ages the cider until spring bottling.

Twilight offers six different ciders, as well as several seasonals.

Two of their most popular are the huckleberry-apple cider and one Will calls First Harvest, which incorporates cherries grown on their family’s farm across the road.

Unlike run-of-the-mill, sugary ciders, Twilight’s ciders are complex, refreshing and delicious, like their Inland Empire Cider, which Will describes as “crisp and kind of sharp like a Granny Smith apple.”

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Next up is 238 Brewing Company. Here, owners Mike and Lisa Beckman share their fantastic beer and passion for making it at their family and pet-friendly tasting room.

“Green Bluff is a perfect fit for breweries and hard cider and mead,” says Lisa, who explains that their name, 2-3-8, comes from the phone prefix for the area.

“We have some really unique beers to offer to folks,” she adds, “like our Partyline Porter, which is a peanut butter, chocolate, coffee porter.

Our Station 47 is a red ale named after our volunteer fire department up here, and we also have the 5K IPA, named after the Cherry Pickers Trot 5K that is held up here every year.”

Lisa says the 5K is a must-try for IPA fans, a recipe that Mike has been developing for over six years with six kinds of hops and 80 IBUs. 238 also offers seasonals featuring Green Bluff fruits like their Peach Hefeweizen, and Lisa says the brewery is centered around the growers association and the great produce they have to offer.

Finally, Big Barn Brewing Company offers a friendly taproom and spacious green to complete your libation loop. Big Barn shares the grounds with Bodacious Berries, Craig and Jane Deitz’s fruit farm that supplies fruit for several of their beers like their Blackberry Porter and Strawberry Blonde.

Beyond fruit, Big Barn also grows 10 acres of their own barley and nine varieties of hops. Last year they harvested over 200 pounds of dried hops, moving closer to their goal of becoming self-contained.

“We do an Apple Amber with our own apple juice and I want to do a peach beer this year,” says Craig. “Our Golden Pumpkin Ale is made with our sweet pumpkins and we do a Lavender IPA with lavender from a neighboring friend’s farm.”

They also use honey sourced from the property, and soon to come is a potatobased beer Craig’s business partner Brad Paulson calls Spud Light, made with Bodacious potatoes. The pair has over 50 years of brewing experience between them, and the quality of their beer has landed them over 60 keg accounts in the area.

On Sunday afternoons Big Barn hosts concerts featuring local musicians, so whether you visit all these artisan beverage makers in an afternoon, or come back to see them often, you can always find good drinks and good times on the Bluff.

www.emvycellars.com

Photos by CToreson Photography

Devotion...

Share a few bottles with friends.

Un the fcuork Cheersn, !

• Wine Tastings • Rotating Craft Beers • Seasonal Menu • Event Facility

HAPPY HOUR - WEDNEsday-Saturday: 4PM-6PM Open Wed. & Thurs. 3pm-7pm | Friday 12pm-9pm | Saturday 12pm-6pm Located in Marketplace Winery | 39 W. Pacific Ave. Spokane, WA 99201 | 509.838.7815

Hierophant Meadery, 16602 N. Day Mt. Spokane Rd, Mead, WA 99021, (509) 294-0134, Tues., Thurs., Fri. 3-7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 1-6 p.m.

Twilight Cider Works, 18102 N. Day Mt. Spokane Rd, Mead, WA 99021, (509) 570-8748, Sat. noon6 p.m. or by appointment 238 Brewing Company, 10321 E. Day Mt. Spokane Rd, Green Bluff, WA 99021, (509) 238-BREW, Fri. 5-8 p.m.; Sat. 12-8 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Big Barn Brewing Company, 16004 N. Applewood Lane, Mead, WA 99021, (509) 710-2961, WedSat. noon-8 p.m.; Sun. 2-8 p.m.

Chill, Baby!

We recommend Ride the Edge blend for your cold brew. Stop by our tasting room to try it. Don’t see it at your store?

Please complain to managment.

Open M-F 8am-4pm Saturdays 10am-2pm

509-995-6500 423 E. Cleveland Ave. www.roasthousecoffee.com spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

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Ad Index 14th and grand 20 Under 40 Action Recycling Aloha Island Grill American Cancer Society Arthritis Northwest Autumn’s Loft Baldwin Signs Beau K Florist Berry Built Design Inc. Best of the City Beyond Pink BMW of Spokane Bobs Service Center Brain Freeze Creamery Broadway court estates Cafe Mac California Closets Cancer Can’t Carlson Sheet Metal Chateau Rive Chateau Rive Events CinderFella's Cleaning Company Classic Garage Clinkerdagger Coldwell Banker - Chris Olney Coldwell Banker - Jim Luster Coldwell Banker - Teresa Jaynes Combs Orthodontics Country Financial Crescendo Community Chorus Cues DAA Northwest Auto Body Center Dania Davenport Hotel Downtown Spokane Partnership E.L.Stewart Ellingsen, Paxton Emvy Cellars Epicurian Delight EuroPro Automotive Flash's Auto Body Floor Coverings International Fruci & Associates Garden Landscapes Gold Seal

31 37 88 143 29 117 96 133 64 97,135 39 62 124 131 32,154 31 61 27 59 105 115 51 96 132 158 103 102 98 113 116 45 60 133 25 9 56 47 114 161 65 131 132 105 67 90 107

Gold’s Gym Good Samaritan Great floors Hallet’s Chocolates Halloween Extravaganza Hanson Carlen Construction HDG HEART Herbal Essence Hospice of Spokane Huckleberry Thicket Inland Imaging Inland Northwest Blood Center Italian kitchen Jacobs Upholstery Jewelry Design Center La-Z-Boy Land Expressions Larry H. Miller HONDA Larry H. Miller Toyota Lyle Pearson / Land Rover Mackenzie River Pizza Magnuson Orthodontics Mangis Photography Manito Tap House Marcus Whitman Hotel Mechanics pride and automotive Medical Oncology MEtabolic Institute Mom’s Tattoo Monarch Custom builders Montego Bay Tanning Next Day Dry Cleaning Northern Quest Resort & Casino Northwest Granite & More Northwest OBGYN Northwest Trends NYNE Bar O'dohertys Olympic Game Farm Pacific Flyway Gallery Paulsen Center Plese Printing Propaganda Creative Prime Real Estate R. Alan Brown, Inc

118 113 99,135 86 61 86 15 112 151 103 49 111 149 158 95 2 13 91 11 129 23 155 55 53 14 67 129 BC 123 32 106 102 64 3 94 117 85 143 153 59 46 63 18,19 136 40,41 91

Renovations by Dave Rick singer photography Roast House rockwood retirement community Royal Upholstery Sam Rodell Architect Shogun Simply Northwest Spa Paradiso spokane Civic Theater Spokane Furniture Spokane Internal Medicine Spokane Symphony SRM Steamplant Swinging Doors Tapio Center Taste Cafe The Clay Connection The Glover Mansion The Makeup Studio The Onion Thomas W. Angell, Architect Tillamook County Creamery Tin Roof Tire Rama Trackside Studio Two Women Vintage Goods United Plumbing United Tile University Chiropractic UVA Trattoria Valley Hospital Veraci Pizza VPI Home Solutions Wallflowers Wandering Table Washington Stone & Tresko Monument WEldon Barber Wendle Ford White Block Company Whiteman Lumber wild sage Windermere - Nancy Wynia Wittkopf Landscaping Yards Bruncheon

87 55 161 20 93 4,5 155 123 32 49 89 108 58 115 147 139 134 138 58 156 53 149 90 17 81,83 127 46 45 87 95 116 153 77 33 12 107 33 94 75 6,7 98 97 139 101,163 88 33

Coming in the october 2015 Issue: best of the city awards

RELEASE PARTY! y: Hosted b

At the new Showroom 16413 E Sprague Ave Spokane Valley

Join us in celebrating the September issue of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine

September 10th, 2015 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm ENJOY

Food, Beer, Wine and Music!

RSVP at: bozzimediaevents.eventbrite.com | Questions? Call 509-533-5350 162

spokanecda.com • SEPTEMBER • 2015

Va ll

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Lo c

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Nancy Wynia Associate Broker ABR, CNE, CRS, GRI 800-403-1970 509-990-2742 nwynia@windermere.com

View complete virtual tours at www.NancyWynia.com

Welcome Home

NORTHWOOD RETREAT

8025 E. Gunning Drive | Spokane, WA 99212 Wonderfully Updated 2-Story on corner lot with views from almost every room. Formal living room & dining area. Cook's kitchen with new slab granite countertops & subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and eating area opens to covered deck. Great room with floor to ceiling fireplace.

Master suite features walk-in closet, double sinks, jetted tub & large deck with hot tub. Walkout lower level with recreation room & in-law setup. Oversized 3 car garage. 40 year roof.

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

$375,000

104 S. Freya, Suite 209 Spokane, WA 99202-4866

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