Holiday Pulse Shopping BELLA COVA (905 N. Washington • bellacova.com) takes its name from the Italian for “beautiful nest,” and that embodies the store’s overarching philosophy. “Our whole focus is nurturing mamas and nesting babies,” says owner Heather Villa. “Covare is actually a verb that means to brood or nurture one’s young. Our number-one goal is to rebuild the village mentality among women, to create a community hub for pregnant and new mothers.” There are tons of retail items that would suit new or soon-to-be parents, such as cloth diapers or teething
Events
KIDS CHOICES
necklaces made of analgesic Baltic amber. But there’s also an outreach component with more than 40 workshops and support groups — many of them free — that are just as practical. “We have a yoga studio, massage as well as breastfeeding and preemie support groups,” Villa says. “Some of these things you can’t find anywhere else in town.” Fun and education are often seen as mutually exclusive. Not so at WHIZ KIDS (River Park Square, second floor • whizkidstoy.com), where you can find thousands of items that combine learning and entertainment. Sci-
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, DOWNTOWN SPOKANE IS THE PLACE TO BE. COME VISIT THE INLAND NORTHWEST’S MOST EXCITING DESTINATION.
ence kits, puzzles and construction sets are just a few of the IQ-boosting toys here. Thanks to excellent customer service and the care taken in sourcing its inventory, Whiz Kids consistently ranks as the top local shopping destination of its kind. The mom-and-daughter team behind FRENCH TOAST (159 S. Lincoln • frenchtoastonline. com) introduces a bit of flair into modern parenting, ensuring that your child’s nursery, playroom or first birthday party becomes the hottest thing on Pinterest.
ICE SKATING
Now Open - Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace is now open through March 2, Tue-Sun from 11 am-5 pm, and also Tue-Thu from 7-8:30 pm and Fri-Sat from 7-10 pm. Extended holiday hours TBA. Adults $4.50; kids age 3-12, military and seniors (62+) $3.50. Skate rental $3.50. (To find free admission coupons available from participating downtown retailers, good through Dec. 19, excluding skate rental, go to downtownspokane.net.) spokaneriverfrontpark.com (625-6601)
OUR TOWN
Runs through Dec. 14 - See this classic story of small-town America at the turn of the 20th century. Performances held Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm; select Sat and Sun matinées at 2 pm. $12-$28. Interplayers, 174 S. Howard St. interplayerstheatre.org (455-7529)
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER
Runs through Dec. 22 - A holiday musical telling the true story of the ships that transported Christmas trees across the Great Lakes. Performances held weekly Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2 pm. $22-$30. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com (325-2507)
SANTA EXPRESS
Through Dec. 23 - Youth (ages 4-12) can shop for affordable Christmas gifts ranging from 50 cents to $8. Proceeds benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Open Mon-Sat from 10 am-8 pm and Sun from 11 am-6 pm. Crescent Court skywalk level, 707 W. Main Ave. vanessabehan.org (220-5907)
CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE
Through Dec. 15 - Eighteen elaborately decorated holiday trees are displayed and available to win as part of a fundraiser raffle benefiting the Spokane Symphony. Trees are located on the mezzanine of the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St., Dec. 3-14 from 10 am-9 pm, and at River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., on the second floor, Dec. 3-15, from 10 am-mall closing each day. Cost: Free to view, raffle tickets $1 each. spokanesymphonyassoc.org
POPOVICH COMEDY PET THEATER
Dec. 5-6 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 7 at 11 am - The world-famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater returns to Spokane, with all its four-legged principals in tow. See 15 cats and 10 dogs — all rescued from shelters — perform cute tricks. $9-$22. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com (227-4704)
THE NUTCRACKER
Dec. 5-8 - Santa Barbara, Calif.’s State Street Ballet dances to the music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm and Sat-Sun at 2 pm. $25-$75. Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. spokanesymphony.org (624-1200)
SPOKANE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Dec. 7 at 8 pm - The orchestra performs its annual holiday concert “A Glenn Miller Christmas.” $20-$26. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com (227-4704)
PAWS AND CLAUS
Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 - Bring your pet to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him he or she hasn’t been too naughty this year. Dec. 8 and 15 from 6-7 pm. River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. (363-0304)
FRENCH TOAST
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OAK RIDGE BOYS
Dec. 9 at 7:30 pm - The country/gospel group celebrates 40 years with a holiday-themed concert on a festively decorated stage. $42$52. INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. inbpac. com (325-7328)