Inlander Health & Home 02/08/2021 by The Inlander

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

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Reality HEALTH

FAMILY

Puppies ’n Kittens • 8

Backyard Birds • 40

Home Improvement Resource Guide • Page 24 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

High-tech home design tools are opening a world of virtual possibilities • 16

Inside

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

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Health

PG. 6

DRESSING THE ABBEY • LIVE! IN YOUR LIVING ROOM • THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Home

PG. 16

A PAW-SITIVE APPROACH • UNDER A CABBAGE LEAF • GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE

Food

PG. 34

SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT • GATHER ROUND THE LANGUAGES OF ART

WELCOMING FLAVORS • RECIPES THE KNACK FOR SNACKS

Family

People

PG. 40

FOR THE BIRDS • IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU WIN VANQUISHING THE VIRUS

CONSIDER THE BEAVER

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FROM THE EDITOR SPOKANE • EASTERN WASHINGTON • NORTH IDAHO also at inlander.com/health&home

Boomer & Coco

Shih Tzu/Schnauzer mix 7 years old OWNERS: Anne and Ted McGregor CLAIM TO FAME: Boomer (right): Sworn enemy of backyard squirrels Coco: Descended from a long line of spoiled princesses

Animal Instincts

hen we asked Inlander staff to help us with some photos of their furry companions for our feature on pet health (page 8) the response was rapid and filled with pride: We love our pets. When we arrived to pick up Coco back in 2013, there was no way I could leave behind her fluffy little brother, Boomer — inexplicably the last choice of the litter! (Don’t tell him.) So we went home with two dogs. They peed everywhere, chewed inappropriately and generally turned the house upside down. But they were universally adored. Neighbor kids knocked on the door to hold them, and our own three kids fought over them. Two dogs started to seem like a pretty good idea after all. And so it’s continued. They make us smile, guilt us into a walk nearly every day, and they’re pretty good at warming up your lap on a cold evening. It’s just a bonus that research is showing pets help lower stress hormones and blood pressure and enhance our immune systems. So here’s to our four-legged companions, who have stayed by our sides all through this pandemic, making our lives so much richer, in so many ways. Cheers!

1227 W. Summit Parkway, Spokane, Wash. 99201 PHONE: 509-325-0634

EDITOR Anne McGregor

annem@inlander.com

MANAGING EDITOR Jacob H. Fries ART DIRECTOR Ali Blackwood EVENTS EDITOR Chey Scott COPY EDITOR Christopher Frisella CONTRIBUTORS Stacey Aggarwal, Christopher Frisella, Jonathan Hill, E.J. Iannelli, Young Kwak, Robert Maurer, Carrie Scozzaro, Matt Thompson, Daniel Walters, John R. White, Samantha Wohlfeil DESIGN & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Wayne Hunt ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kristi Gotzian MARKETING DIRECTOR Kristina Smith ADVERTISING SALES Autumn Adrian, Mary Bookey, Jeanne Inman, Rich McMahon, Claire Price, Carolyn Padgham, Wanda Tashoff SALES COORDINATION Jess Kennedy, Houston Tilley

CONTRIBUTORS

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Derrick King, Tom Stover DISTRIBUTION Frank DeCaro, Travis Beck BUSINESS MANAGER Dee Ann Cook CREDIT MANAGER Kristin Wagner PUBLISHER Ted S. McGregor Jr. GENERAL MANAGER Jeremy McGregor

CHEY SCOTT has been with the Inlander since 2012, and currently serves as its food and listings editor. She writes about lots else, including the arts, pop culture, local history, DIY home projects, pets, fashion, gaming, literature and much more. Born and raised in Spokane, Chey graduated from Washington State University in 2010. In this issue, she researched a subject near to her heart: how to keep your pets healthy. She has a digital album of her cat, Dellie, with over 5,000 photos and counting.

Health& Home

DANIEL WALTERS has been a reporter for the Inlander’s publications since 2008. He’s covered City Hall, council ordinances outlawing feeding wildlife, and fantastic marmots and where to find them. In this issue, he drove out to the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge to look for beavers with environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb, who harnessed his beaver expertise and wrote a book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, about why the giant rodents make things better for humans.

Health & Home is published every other month and is available free at more than 500 locations across the Inland Northwest. One copy free per reader. Subscriptions are available at $2.50 per issue: call x213. Reaching Us: Editorial: x261; Circulation: x226; Advertising: x215. COPYRIGHT All contents copyrighted © Inland Publications, Inc. 2021. Health & Home is locally owned and has been published since 2004.

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

EVENTS

Dressing the Abbey

ownton Abbey premiered in the U.S. a full decade ago, and today, more than five years after concluding its six-season run, the period drama remains one of the most acclaimed British costume dramas of all time. Several of those elegant costumes from the series about a family of British aristocrats and their domestic servants are coming to Spokane. This spring, the MAC hosts Dressing the Abbey, a traveling exhibit featuring more than three dozen original costumes from the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning show. The pieces span the series’ timeline from 1912 to the mid-1920s, and savvy fans may recognize exactly who and when each exquisite piece was worn among characters like the Lord and Lady Grantham, their three daughters and household employees. As of the exhibit’s opening in early February, the MAC can only offer private, small group tours by reservation, so make sure to snag tickets online. Feb. 9-May 2, open TueSun from 10 am-5 pm. $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum. org (456-3931)

She Traveled Solo: Strong Women in the Early 20th Century

Humanities Washington’s winter Speakers Bureau schedule is packed with enlightening, educational talks, including this upcoming presentation by writer, recreationist and artist Tessa Hulls. Like all pandemic-time events, these talks have moved online for safety, a move that also increases access to audiences across the state and beyond. (Visit humanities.org for the complete schedule of upcoming talks.) Hulls’ “She Traveled Solo” was inspired by her own solo journey, a 5,000-mile trek by bike from Southern California to Maine, during which she was constantly told “women can’t travel alone.” Undeterred and curious, she began researching women who bravely blazed their own trails a century before her. Hulls discovered fellow explorers, mountaineers and performers who defied expectations, too, and whose stories had largely been forgotten, until now. Tue, Feb. 16 at 2 pm. Free. Online; details at humanities.org

Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium

While last year’s annual spring gardening symposium became a last-minute cancellation due to the newly arrived threat of COVID-19, organizers with the Spokane County Master Gardener Foundation had more time to plan for a virtual format in 2021. Held online across three weeks, the 2021 Cabin Fever symposium begins in late February with professional horticulturist Karen Chapman’s keynote presentation titled “How to Create Captivating Gardens.” Then, throughout March, participants can attend any of the symposium’s 12 online classes, as well as log in to weekly Friday chats with each week’s speakers. Classes cover topics ranging from container gardening to getting rid of your lawn, and from pruning to deer-resistant garden design. Find the full class schedule online; registration is now open. Feb. 24-March 19. $50. mgfsc.org

March for Meals Mall Crawl

Lace up your walking shoes for a morning mall walk, all for a good cause. This year’s annual March for Meals, benefiting Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels, is set to take place simultaneously inside NorthTown Mall and Spokane Valley Mall. Registrants can participate virtually or in person by following social distancing protocol. The annual walk kicks off a monthlong celebration and fundraising campaign to help GSC Meals on Wheels carry out its mission of making sure local seniors are able to live healthy, happy, independent lives. All registrants have the chance to receive swag bags, trophies, door prizes and more. Fri, March 5 from 8-10 am. $20 (each participant ages 16+). Spokane Valley and NorthTown Malls. gscmealsonwheels.org/events (924-6976)

Health& Home

TURN IT UP

Live! in your Living Room

L INLAND NORTHWEST TRADING COMPANY PHOTOS

Thinking Outside the Box

ive music performances are still on hold but that doesn’t mean you can’t see local artists perform. INLAND SESSIONS, airing Monday evenings on Spokane’s KSPS, features recordings of live in-studio performances and interjections from the performers, talking about their backgrounds and telling stories in between songs. “This is an opportunity for us to support and encourage local artistic talent at a time when they are not able to perform in public,” says executive producer Jim Zimmer. “There’s so much talent in this community, and unless you’re going out to events, you really don’t get a chance to be exposed to it.”

Local couple pivots to provide gift boxes featuring Northwest artisans

f giving is better than receiving, then INLAND NORTHWEST TRADING COMPANY’s gift boxes are a win-win for all involved. As employment casualties of COVID this past year, Mariah Bailey and her husband, Gary, created the company in May 2020, playing to their strengths in marketing and design, as well as supporting Northwest artisans. “It’s really amazing to see some of the stuff that’s being made in our region,” says Mariah Bailey, who notes their growing number of subscriptions got a boost by their appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America. Since May, they’ve offered seven monthly boxes, each featuring carefully sourced, handcrafted items from Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. They’ve also done custom gift boxes for individuals, as well as organizations, like Fulcrum Financial Group. Three sizes and price points are available ($29.99$49.99), which includes local delivery. Items range from personal care to household goods to interactive kits to specialty foods. Their holiday gift box included a grow-your-own pine tree from a southern Idaho maker and sweets from Spokandy. The New Year’s box brought good tidings in local glassware, a place to jot your thoughts from Spokane’s Grove Journal, and the Dishman Hills Conservancy’s 2021 calendar, among other things. Valentine’s Day boxes were in the works but hadn’t been unveiled at press time. “It’s a little bit of a surprise every month,” Bailey says. Visit INWTradingCo.com. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

Nicolas Vigil performs for Inland Sessions. Zimmer says the Feb. 1 show features the Tonedevil Brothers, David and Anthony Powell, performing acoustic folk, bluegrass and western swing on harp guitar and mandolin that they have crafted in their Sandpoint shop. For the Feb. 8, Spokane Symphony violinist Amanda Howard Phillips stops by. Feb. 15 brings The Doghouse Boyz, with Neil Elwell and Ramiro Vijarro playing blues, folk rock, and jazz. And come Feb. 22, singer-songwriter Carmen Jane performs her “dark pop” compositions. The show will be on hiatus for March, with plans to return in April. Luckily, you can catch up on all the previous shows at video.ksps.org/show/ inland-sessions. — ANNE McGREGOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Inl an Meet the

er Pets! taff S r de

Dellie

Domestic Longhair 9 years old OWNER: Chey Scott CLAIM TO FAME: Snuggly and talkative! Adopted from the Spokane Humane Society

CHEY SCOTT PHOTO

A Paw-sitive Approach Many families have adopted new pets during the pandemic; here’s how to prepare for your cat or dog’s best, healthy life

f all the things to result from the past year of pandemic-pressured living, perhaps the best has been more time spent with our four-legged companions. Another bright outcome of that extra homebound time has been more households opting to introduce new furry friends into their homes, either for the first time or as siblings to existing pets. In the face of many challenges presented throughout 2020, the Spokane Humane Society only saw a 3 percent decrease in adoption numbers for the year, says Executive Director Ed Boks. “Despite the government shutdown and social distancing and having adoptions by appointment only, we still had a phenomenal year, and the public has been wonderful despite all the hardships,” Boks says. “People are willing to wait in line to come to the shelter, and we’re adopting a lot of animals. I think it has to do with people having more time at home to work with the pet they adopt.” Part of the Spokane Humane Society’s success can also be attributed to its new partnership with Bark, a Rescue Pub, where guests of the restaurant can schedule time to meet dogs and cats housed there in a connected, on-site area. The 302 pets that met their new owners at Bark account for 13.7 percent of 2020’s adoption total, Boks adds. While bringing home a new puppy, kitten, or adult dog or cat has certainly been a positive distraction for many households this past year, there’s also much to consider before, during and after welcoming a new

By Chey Scott furry family member. Even those who haven’t recently increased the size of their pet posse should also take note that animals may struggle to readjust to being left alone for long periods once a return to work outside the home comes.

eterinarian Megan Bauer, owner and sole practitioner of Latah Creek Animal Hospital in south Spokane, says the practice has definitely noticed 2020’s adoption trend. “We have seen a lot of both new clients and new pets,” Bauer says. “I think that is one of the only good things to come out of the pandemic: A lot of dogs and cats have been adopted.” A myriad of questions on how to best care for a new animal companion may loom for these new pet parents, including how to find a veterinarian, picking the right food and much more. When choosing a veterinarian for a new pet, Bauer says top factors to consider include proximity to your home, as well as a clinic’s hours and how that fits with your schedule. Many clinics in the area also partner with Spokane Humane Society and other nonprofit rescues to offer free wellness checkups for new clients within two weeks of adopting their pet, says Boks. While most vet clinics currently only offer drop-off appointments due to the pandemic, this is also an option that may otherwise be available, along with Saturday morning appointments, at many clinics. Another detail pet owners may want to

consider is whether a clinic has been certified as a “Fear Free” practice, she says. Fear Free is an educational course and application of care founded by Marty Becker, a nationally recognized veterinary expert, bestselling author and Washington State University alumnus who practices in Sandpoint. Pet owners can search for certified doctors and clinics, as well as other animal professionals like groomers and trainers, on the program’s website, fearfreepets.com. “It’s additional training and certification that we get, considering not just the pet’s physical well-being but emotional well-being,” Bauer explains. “It’s very anxiety inducing to come to the doctor, so it’s using pheromones and keeping a calm environment, gentle handling, anti-anxiety meds, and really working with the owner and pet to make sure they have a really calm experience at the vet and it’s not scary.” Budgeting for veterinary care and other regular expenses, like food, grooming and other supplies or services, is also something to consider even before meeting your new dog or cat. Some pet owners may want to look into pet insurance, which can help when an unexpected illness or injury arises. Bauer says a number of her practice’s clients use pet insurance from Trupanion. Monthly rates, she says, are typically based on an animal’s age, breed, location and what’s covered, and can range anywhere from $40 to more than $100 a month. “I think pet insurance is a great thing for people to have,” Bauer says. “It’s really helpful for those sudden injuries or illnesses ...continued on next page FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Buddy

Border Collie 10 years old OWNERS: Jer & Tamara McGregor CLAIM TO FAME: Exceptional vocabulary! Knows exactly who has dog treats in their desk at Inlander headquarters.

MYK CRAWFORD PHOTO

“A PAW-SITIVE APPROACH,” CONTINUED...

Tony

Tabby • 10+ years old OWNER: Kristina Smith CLAIM TO FAME: Can open the slider door himself... but can’t be bothered to close it.

that are hard to plan for.” Like human health insurance, she says most plans have a deductible that first needs to be met. Depending on their plan or plan provider, clients also may pay up front for care, and then submit documentation for reimbursement. If pet insurance doesn’t sound like the right option for you, Bauer suggests setting aside a “nest egg” or budgeting monthly for regular expenses. A few major health-related services she advises people anticipate throughout the life of a pet (beyond spay/neuter sur-

Yearly blood panels for pets of any age, Bauer says, can also provide a benchmark for identifying metabolic diseases — diabetes, diseases of the liver, kidney or thyroid, and other infections — as well as other underlying conditions that may be asymptomatic. “Dogs and cats tend to hide illnesses and that is a great way to make sure nothing is going on, and if you do find something you can treat it before it’s life threatening,” she says. Blood panels can range from $150 to $300 depending on what’s included.

Talk to your vet before doing internet research Jem

Bernese Mountain Dog • 3 years old OWNER: Carolyn Padgham CLAIM TO FAME: Sleeps upside down. Huge Lenny Kravitz fan.

Health& Home

gery when they’re young) include routine vaccinations and annual wellness exams, along with periodic dental cleanings (a procedure that requires anesthetization and can cost upward of $400 to $600) and blood screenings to look for underlying conditions. “Something that people don’t always think about but is super important is dental cleaning,” Bauer says. “That can really improve quality of life and longevity, to make sure they don’t have any dental pathology.”

Finally, while there are seemingly endless choices for pet food, Bauer’s best advice on how to choose the most nutritious food — and an appropriate amount to feed each day — for your pet at any stage of life is to consult with your veterinarian. “Talk to your vet before doing internet research,” she says.

ust as important as making sure your canine and feline friends are healthy from nose to tail is training them to reinforce positive behaviors.

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Sid & Chief

German Shepherd • 5 years old Shepherd Australian Kelpie • 4 years old OWNER: Travis Beck CLAIM TO FAME: Sid is very musical, he loves to sing along with a harmonica. Chief has a nose like a bloodhound and loves to dig.

While many adult animals, like those adopted from shelters, and especially senior aged animals, says Boks of the Spokane Humane Society, are often well-mannered and calm, puppies and kittens always require more time invested to instill good behaviors. Lifelong dog trainer Carol Byrnes, whose family has operated Diamonds in the Ruff training school in Spokane since ...continued on next page

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Harley & Liesel

Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix 5 years old Dachshund • 14 years old OWNER: Houston Tilley CLAIM TO FAME: Harley is super fast! ready for any adventure. Liesel is stubborn as heck! Can still do an 8 mile walk at her age.

Daisy

Lab Mutt • 9 Mos. old OWNER: Dan Nailen CLAIM TO FAME: Part beaver. Steals wood and sticks to pile up in a special spot in the yard.

MERLE CREED PHOTO

“A PAW-SITIVE APPROACH,” CONTINUED... 1996, has seen an influx of clients with new puppies since the pandemic’s onset last spring. One challenge she and her team have faced in meeting that increased demand, however, is working around bans on in-person group classes, especially this winter while outdoor puppy school sessions have been paused. As a workaround, Diamonds in the Ruff has been hosting Zoom-based classes and one-on-one outdoor sessions with its trainers. While owners wait for in-person classes to resume, however, she says it’s important not to let at-home training completely drop off, especially for puppies in the impressionable “teenage” stage. It’s crucial for these young or newly adopted dogs to be regularly socialized. Socialization, she says, doesn’t necessarily mean what most people think. “With socialization, the biggest problem I see is most people think that socialization is about playing with other dogs, and that is the tiniest percentage of what it is,” Byrnes says. “Dogs who don’t get out of the house and don’t see new things and smell new things and sit in the park and watch people walk by and all of that don’t have a view of the world, they only have a view of

Health& Home

the living room.” In that regard, socialization is about exposure for dogs to all kinds of new environments and stimuli, from walking on grass or concrete, sniffing the breeze, seeing and hearing other people and animals, and much more. Two other keys to instilling desired behaviors in dogs are starting early and being consistent, Byrnes says. “Thinking about raising a dog is a lot like raising a child,” she says. “You really need to pay attention to what their good habits are going to be. If you don’t want them on the couch later, don’t let them on the couch now. Changing rules makes things more difficult.” Diamonds in the Ruff’s website offers an impressive catalog of links (look for the “Behavior FAQs” page) to free, online resources personally vetted by Byrnes on everything from crate and house training to solutions for common, unwanted behaviors like jumping, begging and licking.

hile the past year’s shift to work-from-home has been a win-win for most pets and their owners, Byrnes says it’s also essential

for dogs to gradually transition back to being left alone at home for long periods so they’re ready when you do return to the office (and so your home isn’t destroyed the first day back in an act of canine rebellion). “Crate training is a good idea now, and making it a positive place where they only get a special chew or Kong toy inside the crate for a half-hour daily when you’re home,” she suggests. “That causes positive experiences with the crate so it’s a place they want to hang out, and it’s not scary to have the door closed and be left in there. The dog becomes used to being left there while you’re doing something else.” Crate training is also highly recommended by the Spokane Humane Society’s adoption counselors to all dog adopters. “We really encourage that and provide a video with tutorials on crate training a dog,” Boks says. “Dogs by nature are den animals and if they have a den, if you will,

Samwise & Kuzco

Ragdolls • 12 years old | 2 years old OWNER: Ali Blackwood CLAIM TO FAME: Samwise is friendly and loves anyone with a lap to sit in. Kuzco is a foster kitten success story and loves blanket forts.

Frank

Dachshund • 14 years old OWNER: Claire Price CLAIM TO FAME: Long career in home security and carefully curated toy collection.

or a crate, when they come into a new environment that is their safe place. We find that with dogs, when they have that safe place, they adjust to a new home much more quickly.” He says the same “safe space” concept is also true for cats, who often need time

Mandu

Tabby • 10+ years old OWNER: Jeanne Inman CLAIM TO FAME: Steals tomatoes off the counter. Makes up for it by being friends with everyone.

alone to adjust to the sights, smells and sounds of new surroundings. “Part of our adoption counseling is the three-three-three rule; three days, three weeks, three months,” he says. “The first three days, their mind is blown, it’s a whole new environment. Then in three weeks,

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they start to learn the routine and feel more comfortable and sure of themselves. Sometimes it can take up to three months to feel ‘Hey, I’m home now, this is where I belong.’ We try to prepare people for that, and say that it may be three months before you see who this animal really is.”

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Weaknesses

Like many veggies rich in vitamin C, it’s worth noting that cooking cabbage actually breaks down this antioxidant, as well as some other nutrients. Some of this nutrient loss can be avoided by steaming instead of boiling or high-heat sautéing. To avoid all nutrient loss, you can eat cabbage raw or fermented. However, know that cooking your cabbage isn’t all bad news — the process of cooking also helps to make veggies easier to digest and actually improves the absorption of some other nutrients. Overall, it’s likely best to balance your consumption of raw and cooked cabbage (as well as other veggies) to get the maximum benefits.

How to Use It SUPERFOOD

Under a Cabbage Leaf

abbage is a staple veggie in cuisines all around the world. From sauerkraut to stir-fries, this unique leaf not only packs in the flavor, but also the nutrients. Cabbage is a member of the Brassica genus, which makes it a relative of kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. This versatile veggie can be found in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colors.

Attributes

Cabbage can be consumed in a variety of forms all year-round. It is also commonly fermented to make sauerkraut and kimchi, adding the benefits of a rich supply of probiotics to this already nutrient-dense leafy veggie. Just one cup of cabbage provides nearly a full day’s worth of vitamin K, as well as lots of vitamin C, folate and fiber. Cabbage is also naturally high in water content and low in calories and sodium. Red varieties of cabbage also pack in additional flavonoids called anthocyanins that have been attributed to reduced risk of heart disease.

Super Powers

Vitamin K is crucial for the body’s blood clotting mechanism to work properly, and is also important for the binding of calcium in your bones. Cabbage is also rich in insoluble fiber, the fiber that feeds your gut microbiota to improve digestion and the overall health of your gut. Additionally, if you choose to regularly eat cabbage in its fermented forms, you’ll be adding beneficial probiotics to your intestinal flora. Cabbage is also rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that also helps your body bind iron, make collagen and maintain immune function. Additionally, red cabbage has been found to contain up to 30 percent more vitamin C than its green-leafed relatives.

Whatever the weather outside your window looks like, there’s likely a comforting cabbage dish to accompany it. In cold winter months, cabbage stews and stir-fries are a hearty, healthy go-to that will warm your soul. On the other hand, some shredded cabbage with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt makes a simple slaw to accompany summertime barbeques. Fermented cabbage like sauerkraut is a great staple to have year-round — try it as a burger or sandwich topping or as a creative ingredient in your favorite dish. There are likely a few different varieties of cabbage at your grocery store. The typical tight, round heads of cabbage are a great go-to for almost any cabbage dish and are usually available in red or green varieties. Try using Napa cabbage next time you want to make an Asian-inspired stirfry, fried rice or noodle dish. Since they’re larger and flexible, you can even use the leaves of Napa or Savoy cabbage as a nutrient-packed, carb-free bread substitute for burgers, sandwiches or rolls. — STACEY AGGARWAL Stacey Aggarwal received a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Washington. Now she writes about biology, health and nutrition while running a lavender farm in North Idaho.

Living Well in the Health

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SHOT TALK

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine I may have the opportunity to receive a COVID vaccine in a couple of weeks. Should I take it now or wait and see what happens?

n almost all cases, adults who become eligible to start the COVID vaccine series of two doses should begin as soon as they are eligible. Those 16 years and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine while those over 18 may receive the Moderna vaccine. In the cases of age-appropriate individuals, there are a few situations that would necessitate waiting or doing more investigation with a specialist prior to receiving the vaccine. And, in most cases if you have received another type of vaccine recently you should wait for 14 days after that vaccine before you start the COVID vaccine. There are some exceptions to this, so if you have questions talk to the provider administering the COVID vaccine first. Also, if you have any of the following you should not receive a COVID vaccine until you have been evaluated by an allergist-immunologist: • Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components; • Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components (including polyethylene glycol [PEG]); • Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate (due to potential cross-reactive hypersensitivity with the vaccine ingredient PEG). The vaccine can cause side effects, many of which are seen with other vaccines, such as fever, chills, body aches, tiredness and others. Generally speaking however, these vaccines have been well tolerated and the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. If you are concerned about the new coronavirus variants, preliminary data suggests that at least one of the brands of vaccine has activity against the newer strains. Chances are that the other brand will as well. For now, the best approach would be to get vaccinated as soon as you are able. — JOHN R. WHITE John R. White is the chair of the Department of Pharmacology at WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences based in Spokane.

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toBelieve It Health& Home

I This project, titled Mountain Prairie home, was designed for a Colville client by HDG Architecture. HDG ARCHITECTURE RENDERING

New technologies are so good, you may not be able to tell that this image and the one on the cover are both computer renderings BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

nside, the fireplace flickers as light streams in through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating plush carpeting, glistening countertops on the kitchen island, and a cheery modern interior with warm wood and industrial metal. There is art on the walls, plants thoughtfully situated and seating grouped around a low table in the living room. Could you picture yourself here? Yes, more easily, in fact, through increasingly sophisticated virtual technology employed throughout the industry. The benefits of virtual design tools are far-reaching, says HDG Architecture’s Josh Hissong, who created the Spokane-based firm with principal partner Armando Hurtado in 2011. “It’s allowed interior designers and architects to think about how things go together,” Hissong says. Rendering software helps clients better understand the design process, which in turn makes for happier clients and fewer delays due to design ...continued on next page FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Clients at HDG Architecture can “walk through” designs using virtual reality goggles. Software can also simulate lighting at any time of the day or season of the year. HDG ARCHITECTURE PHOTO AND RENDERINGS

“SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT,” CONTINUED... changes, including ones the client initiates. When a client pushed for extraordinarily tall ceilings in their home, for example, the HDG team helped the client visualize the impact on home design using virtual goggles. The rendering capability is so realistic, Hissong says, that they’ve cut way back on the time-consuming process of photographing completed projects, something that could only be done during a few photogenic months of the year. Instead, the computer can simulate a nearly limitless array of surfaces — metal, rough stone, plush carpet — and especially lighting conditions at any point in the design/build process. As a way of demonstrating, he scrolls through the folders on the computer in the conference room of HDG’s design-forward office. They have roughly 30 projects overall at any given time, says Hissong, who figures that residential architecture comprises 30 to 40 percent of their project load — and is growing. Dragging the mouse, he shows what the Mountain Prairie Home for a Colville, Washington, client would look like at night. Even projected on the larger monitor, the detail is extraordinary; it looks absolutely real. It isn’t just new construction that benefits from ...continued on page 20

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Architecture at its root is an accumulation of decisions.

“SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT,” CONTINUED... virtual tools, says HDG’s Steven Hewett, partner and director of design. Remodeling is very well-suited to use of virtual tools. Hewett explains how after measuring the existing layout, they upload the information, and use the computer to run through potential modifications — removing a wall, adding a window, combining two rooms — that would otherwise be hard to picture and, again, time-consuming. “[Virtual tools are] beneficial to workflow and process,” says Hewett. “Architecture at its root is an accumulation of decisions.” And time is always a concern, he adds.

U At Uptic Studios, computer renderings help free up creative thinking, enabling architects and their clients “to be able to fly around and through the 3D model of the site and proposed design options, “ says Matthew Collins. These images, and the cover image, are for a cabin set in the Methow Valley. UPTIC STUDIOS RENDERINGS

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ptic Studios’ Matthew Collins uses a range of virtual tools at the Spokane-based firm he founded in 2010 with wife and interior designer Julie Collins. They utilize a variety of programs, including AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup and Rhino, as virtual tools, says Collins, noting that these tools save money and time and allow them to elevate the design. “This starts at the beginning of the design process to be able to fly around and through the 3D model of the site and proposed design options with our clients to make informed decisions,” he says. ...continued on page 22

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Envision a Fresh Look What if your goals are more modest than building a new house or tearing down a wall in your bungalow — maybe you’re just looking to reset with new furnishings or a flooring upgrade? Turns out, virtual technology is available to help with the process. Sure, you can buy a can of paint and test it on the wall, but Sherwin Williams and PPG both allow you to test colors virtually. Upload a photo of the room you’d like to transform and click on a color to test it out. The color is approximate, of course, and rooms with a lot of furnishings might be a little more challenging to visualize. Features such as curated palettes, however, can help plan not just a single room but a whole space makeover. Testing flooring has also gotten easier at places like Lumber Liquidators and Spokane Carpet One, whose design tools also allow you to upload a photo and test colors, patterns and directional design of flooring. Many furniture and home goods providers also use virtual technology to assist customers in visualizing the best fit. Walker’s Furniture makes layout a snap with their online tool, as does Tin Roof Furniture. With these slick systems, you can select and customize your room shape, choose from up to 1,800 virtual products — lighting, bookcases, tables — and move them around to your heart’s content. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

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Images like these of a Methow Valley cabin by Uptic Studios help clients take a virtual walk around a proposed design. UPTIC STUDIOS RENDERINGS

Scrolling Through New Homes The real estate industry has taken full advantage of virtual technology to streamline the homebuying process — tools that proved especially relevant this past year. “We have sellers who are apprehensive about many people coming through their homes, as you can understand,” says Mike Bass, managing broker at Century 21 Beutler & Associates. In addition to videos and Facetime, they’re offering virtual reality tours for higher-end properties. Buyers can get an assist from Matterport 3D still photography that enables viewers to experience a space — inside and out — from a variety of perspectives. It even provides measurements. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

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“SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT,” CONTINUED... Once the design is finalized, everyone works from the same information, says Collins — from the general contractor to the people who work with the budget to the municipalities and other entities where the project is going to be built. Then the project moves on to permitting and creating construction documents, he says. “Rather than the old-school way of drafting design detail, with the model we are able to ‘virtually’ build the detail and use [it] as a tool to collaborate with the design team,” says Collins. “It allows us to have a much more interactive/integrated design process.”

Even though they use numerous virtual tools, says Collins, they still incorporate “old school” skills among the staff. “Sometimes it’s easier to think with a pencil than a mouse,” says Collins. “We try to encourage hand rendering because it is a good mental exercise,” he says. Like HDG, they’ve invested considerable time in learning and mastering various programs, says Collins, who doesn’t see much of a downside to current technology. “The only problem,” he quips, “is that you can still make a nice model rendering of terrible architecture.”

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Few things alter your interior environment the way light does. Lighting can vary in temperature, from warm to cool, with qualities that can affect how you perceive other colors in the room, and even the mood in a given space. “For homes, I typically recommend LEDs with a warm white color temperature,” says Spokane’s Pacific Design Company founder and designer Shaleesa Mize. They offer “a more relaxed and comfortable feel, similar to what we are used to with incandescent bulbs.” Mize likes to layer the lighting using her rule of thumb: “Each room should include three layers of lighting: ambient, task and accent.”

Pattern

Recognition

“No matter what people think they can do with paint, with wallpaper you can do so much more. It can transform a room like nothing else can, offering dimension and a personal touch,” says Traci Magers, interior designer at Spokane’s Wallflowers. Whether your style is retro, modern, rustic or traditional, there’s a wallpaper pattern or texture to complement your home. Choose from classic 100-year-old French patterns, big bold florals, whimsical 1960s patterns or geometric shapes. Wallpaper can also be used on a ceiling to add color, or even to liven up a staircase when used on stair risers. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

The Languages of Art Larry Ellingson’s sculptures forge unexpected connections STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

hen it comes to the arts, Larry Ellingson is multilingual, moving as fluidly through the elements of visual art — shapes, colors and textures — as he does performance art — notes, sounds and volume. “I do like working on more than one thing at a time,” says Ellingson, who participated in last year’s Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour as well as the MAC’s Studio Artist Tour in 2019. Exploring different mediums helps him unleash his creativity and move forward. “When I get stuck or blocked on a sculpture, I’ll go fiddle with electronics and make some music or sound sculpture for a while, then go back to sculpture.” A new piece he’s been working on, for example, involves composing a graphic “score” from found objects, then realizing that visual score in sound. “The finished construction will contain an audio playback system for the viewer to be able to see and hear the final creation,” says Ellingson. At the home he shares with his wife, Jan Wigen, works by local artists the couple has collected over several decades

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are abundantly displayed. Upstairs, Ellingson works out of not one but two studios. A roughly 15-by-19-foot space contains his audio equipment. Synthesizers, a drum machine, several iPads, and a keyboard stand ready, while low shelves corral his artwork. Nearby, with views of the backyard, is his visual art studio where floor-to-ceiling shelves overflow with bins containing items he’s collected for use in his mixed media sculptures.

The labels tell a story of his process, interests and extensive worldwide travel. “I have a box marked ‘bones and teeth,’” says Ellingson. “There’s some fish leather from Iceland, a 3-foot-by-4-foot ‘splash’ of molten aluminum, six escalator kickplates, a 42-inch concert bass drumhead, a triple-necked chemist’s flask, and several scraps of working neon tubing from my friend [Spokane area artist] Ken Yuhasz.”

Ellingson is also fond of working with copper, brass, aluminum and other metals he finds at places like Earthworks Recycling and Pacific Metals, often creating distressed finishes. Sometimes, however, things just show up on the front porch. “Friends know I like interesting looking, non-precious junk, so they keep an eye out,” says Ellingson, whose initial foray into visual art was in the 1970s designing and producing silk-screened products. For much of his working life he ran Inland Audio Visual, a Spokane company founded in 1946 that offers high-tech rentals as well as audiovisual production. Ellingson spent nearly three decades there immersed in writing scripts, composing music, and producing dynamic multi-projector shows and presentations. He started making sculptural art again in 2003, and when he retired from Inland Audio Visual in 2011, he became a full-time artist. Since then, Ellingson has built an impressive portfolio of innovative work featuring finely crafted assemblies of found objects, often combined with naturally or artfully distressed metals and sometimes with elements of light from incandescent, neon or LED sources. His work has been featured at exhibits at Inland Craft Warnings, Saranac Art Projects, Chase Gallery and Barrister Winery. “I’ve learned a lot about craft and the engineering of three-dimensional construction,” says Ellingson. “I start with the objects and try to find ways they could go together,” he says of works that often feel like a narrative of unknown origin, a puzzle to be unraveled. “I’m looking for contrast and surprise.”

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Gather Round A favorite space that’s all about the people in it BY CARRIE SCOZZARO Jeff Fountain’s expansive dining room in his house on Spokane’s South Hill is designed to be, “a place to discuss current events, politics, food, art or whatever else is on our minds.” JEFF FOUNTAIN PHOTOS

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t isn’t just the enormous size or central location of the dining room table in Jeff Fountain’s home that makes it the focal point; it’s the intention behind it. “We designed our house with the intention of building community around the table,” says Fountain, partner at Copeland Architecture & Construction who designed and built the South Hill home with wife Kristi six years ago. Their (pre-pandemic) get-togethers involved food and fellowship for up to 24 people. “We have created a space in which we hope to slow down, engage in face-to-face conversation and exchange ideas over a simple meal,” Fountain says. “Something

like a modern-day salon — a place to discuss current events, politics, food, art or whatever else is on our minds.” The table itself is a work of art. The planks were cut from centuries-old fir salvaged from a Spokane warehouse, while the floor-to-ceiling metal column involved work by local artisans at Lincoln Build Works and Dare Designs. Perpendicular to the table is a handsome kitchen island, an extension of the shared dining area, which Fountain describes as a reflection of the evolution from a separate kitchen, dining and living room to a more holistic and multi-functional space within the home. Opposite the dining table, a 14-foot

tall bookcase contains several hundred well-used cookbooks — Kristi teaches cooking classes at Spokane’s Kitchen Engine — some of them from Kristi’s grandmother or the couple’s travels. Interspersed are plants, framed photos and artwork reflecting their experiences and interests, says Fountain. “We have made a few trips to Europe and always fall in love with old buildings and how they tell century-old stories through their materials, like how stone steps are worn down over time,” says Fountain. Those experiences also informed mate-

rial choices in their home, from the wonderfully worn dining table to soapstone countertops, says Fountain, who points out circle marks from where he opened the first bottle of wine in their home. “We chose not to buff the marks out, and now they are blending in with newer memories,” he says. In addition to an aesthetic that embraces patina, as he calls it, Fountain incorporated many of the qualities he’s been bringing to clients during more than 35 years in architectural design since graduating from Kansas State University. “At Copeland, we design our projects around unique aspects of the occupant — specifically how they want to live, work, play and experience their space,” says Fountain. “On one hand this sounds too simple, but it also takes a fair amount of effort to listen to and understand each client and then design accordingly.” And because they’re a design-build firm, they are rewarded with both the creative input and ultimate satisfaction of seeing their designs manifest into finished products. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

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Welcoming Flavors Chef Maisa Abudayha offers tastes of the Levant to diners and professional kitchen training to new immigrants BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

he motto at Feast World Kitchen is “Less fear, more falafel,” yet Jordanian-born chef and Chef Program Director Maisa Abudayha wants people to know there’s more than just falafel to the cuisine of the eastern Mediterranean (more accurately the Levant, which includes Jordan and neighboring regions). Shushbarak, for example, is lamb dumplings in Greek yogurt. She makes sajieh with spicy strips of beef and peppers. And fattet dajej is a rich layering of crispy pita bread, rice, chicken, and creamy sesame tahini. Abudayha has made all these entrees and more for Feast World, a Spokane-based nonprofit started by Ross Carper and former Inland Curry owner Daniel Todd, who had dual interests in food and fellowship. Abudayha met Carper when he was running Compass Breakfast Wagon, and she shared her story with him. He opened his kitchen to her, and in June 2019, Abudayha served her first meal from the wagon parked at what would be the future home of Feast World Kitchen. Her grandmother taught her to cook, says Abudayha, who arrived in Spokane in 2013 as an asylum-seeker with her husband and young children.

Although she worked as a computer programmer in Jordan, she ended up at Spokane Public Schools’ English Language Development department, which provides support for 15 language groups including Marshallese, Nepali, Russian, French, Spanish, Swahili and Arabic. Contemplating investing in catering or a food truck, she also cooked traditional Jordanian and Palestinian food for friends and neighbors. Determined to pave her own way, Abudayha sought out others in the industry and found a willing ally in Carper. Their conversations, as well as the support of neighboring First Presbyterian Church, which owns the building at West Third and Cedar Streets, helped launch Feast World Kitchen. “They give us a good deal on rent and believe in our mission because of the calling to love our neighbors and welcome the ‘stranger’ or ‘alien’ in our midst,” says Carper, who also works part time as the church’s director of missional engagement and notes that Feast World is its own entity, with no faith affiliation. Abudayha was one of scores of volunteers helping launch Feast World, which provides both wages and an opportunity to learn valuable on-the...continued on next page

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

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“WELCOMING FLAVORS,” CONTINUED... job food industry skills to displaced persons who have been resettled in Spokane. She also helped other chefs, eventually hiring on as chef program director, and helping grow the roster of cooks from around six to 30. She also kept cooking, expanding her menu and ability to fill more orders (Feast World advertises its rotating takeout-only menu in advance, closing orders once they sell out or in time to allow the chefs to shop and prepare the food). In March 2020, for example, she teamed up with celebrated restaurateur Adam Hegsted for the fundraiser Local Meets Global, which also featured Selam Tadesse from Eritrea and chef Tony Brown, and Abou Kourouma from Senegal with chef Chad White. “Food is really a good thing to communicate with other cultures,” says Abudayah, who has taken the high road against the occasional pushback, like social media posts that tried to devolve the conversation away from food and into politics. Feast World, she says, is focused on people. “It’s humans and nothing more,” she says. “The mission is not easy, but it’s enjoyable.”

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TRY IT YOURSELF

Maklouba Maklouba is a hearty and versatile dish from

the Levant (an area that includes Jordan, Palestine, Syria and several eastern Mediterranean regions). Its name comes from the way it is served: upside down. Although Maklouba can be prepared meatless, its traditional animal protein is lamb, while long grain basmati rice stands up well to the longer cooking time. Vegetables are typically cauliflower, eggplant and potatoes, but can also include tomatoes, peppers and onions. A variety of spices are essential to the dish; most important is baharat, which can be purchased in specialty stores or you can blend your own using chef Maisa Abudayha’s recipe. INGREDIENTS • Around 4 pounds boneless lamb, cut into 6-8 pieces • 2½ cups basmati or long grain rice, soaked up to 10 minutes, rinsed and drained • 1 large cauliflower head, broken into florets • 2 long eggplants, cut into 1/4” slices,

salted lightly and left on a rack to weep excess water • 2 large size Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into thick slices or cubes (Tip: keep in bowl of cold water until ready to use so they don’t turn brown) • 5 cups water • 1 teaspoon allspice • 1½ teaspoons baharat (garam masala is a close substitute); see recipe below • ½ teaspoon turmeric • 4 bay leaves • 1 tablespoon salt • ½ tablespoon black pepper • Vegetable oil for frying DIRECTIONS 1. Prep the rice, eggplant and cauliflower and chop the potatoes. 2. Put the lamb and 5 cups of water into a stock pot, cover and bring to boil on high heat, then reduce to medium. 3. As it boils, excess fat will rise to the surface. Skim as needed and add the spices, salt and pepper. Stir gently and let the lamb cook, covered, for 30 to 45 minutes until tender.

4. Add vegetable oil in a separate high-sided skillet or cast iron pan. When it is hot and shimmering, add the potatoes and fry them until light golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. 5. Repeat with cauliflower. 6. Wipe excess moisture off eggplant and fry, adding oil to the pan as needed. 7. When the lamb is cooked, remove it from the stockpot. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid. 8. Pat each piece of lamb gently with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Fry it briefly in the same pan as you fried the vegetables to create a sear on the exterior of the meat. 9. In your high-sided skillet or cast iron pan, begin layering: 10. For the first layer, spread roughly 15 percent of the rice (3/8 cup or around 6 tablespoons) along the bottom of the pan, followed by half of the fried vegetables and half of the lamb. 11. For the second layer, repeat the same amount of rice, the remaining vegetables and lamb. 12. The top layer is all of the remaining rice, which should be about 1 ¾ cup. 13. Pour the lamb broth over the layered rice mixture. 14. Bring heat to high and let the mixture boil, watching to see that the water is being ab-

sorbed, no more than 45 minutes. 15. When the water is fully absorbed, reduce to low heat and cook for an additional 10 minutes. 16. To serve, remove from heat and cover with a large round plate at least as large as the skillet. Carefully flip the maklouba onto the plate (like a cake). The underside of the dish should be golden brown and a little crunchy — for some, this is the best part of the dish! 17. Garnish with sliced almond and/or pine nuts, a side of tzatziki (recipe follows) and salad.

Baharat INGREDIENTS • 1 teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon black pepper • ½ teaspoon paprika • ½ teaspoon ground coriander • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom DIRECTIONS Blend in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to a fine powder. Store in an airtight container away from direct sun or extreme temperatures.

Tzatziki Sauce

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup plain regular or fat free Greek yogurt (do not substitute other types as they are not rich or thick enough for this sauce) • ½ cup sour cream • ½ teaspoon minced garlic • 1 English cucumber, seeded and finely shredded (or standard cucumbers, peeled) • Juice of 1 lemon (3-4 tablespoons juice) • 1 tablespoon olive oil • ½ teaspoon sea salt • 1 tablespoon minced mint fresh (or less, if using dried) DIRECTIONS Mix all the ingredients together and chill for one hour before serving. — Recipes courtesy of Maisa Abudayha at Feast World Kitchen. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

The Knack for Snacks Fun to put together, even better to eat: The rise of the snack board BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

A charcuterie board from Wanderlust Delicato (above and facing page) YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

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t’s hard to overstate the absolutely meteoric rise in popularity of charcuterie and snack boards. Google trends show that searches for “charcuterie” have spiked. And Millennials joke that growing up eating Lunchables led to a love of what my family referred to as a “snack out” meal. Or maybe it’s just that during this weird year when many people are moving from their bedroom to the makeshift living room office, then to the couch at the end of their work-from-home routine, it’s convenient to snack away. Who needs regular meals anymore? There’s no denying that when it comes to sharing food with loved ones, this is the way. Here’s how to get started.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

First thing’s first: Foodies and shop owners will point out that “charcuterie” really only refers to cured and salted meats and the stores that sell them. But we’ll allow that term to represent the overall rising popularity of boards or tables filled with all kinds of meats, cheeses, fruits, jams, crackers, olives, pickles and more. A more accurate name for your platter might be a snack or “graze” board for polite company, or a pig-out platter, snack station or smorgasbord if you wanna get funky with it.

CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER: CHEESE

The best platters feature a variety of cheeses based on milk source — sheep, goat, cow — and type: soft, semisoft, semihard and hard, says Amber Park, owner of Wanderlust Delicato. At her shop in downtown Spokane, Park often makes snack plates to order but she’s also happy to help customers create their own, with a selection of jams, mustards, chocolates, olives, decorative boards and more, on top of the large selection of meat and cheese. Don’t know how a certain cheese tastes? Sample it. “Everything in the case is available to sample, so you can come in and see what flavors you like,” Park says. “It’s all cut to order, so if you’re trying to make a board for two people, I can guide you on how much you’d need, or if you’re making for up to 100 people — not during COVID — we can do that, too.”

THE VEHICLE

While cheese and meat are the stars of the event, offering crackers and/or bread to go with your spread offers a polite way to deliver the tasty cheese, meat and extras to your mouth hole. Experiment with whole grain or buttery crackers, or opt for thinly sliced artisan bread.

THE SETUP

Park says that while bread and crackers are great to complement the platter, she’ll often leave them off to the side because there’s no room on the board itself. If your family is large, consider laying out the spread on a butcher paper topped table, writing the names of the cheese right on the paper. Or, she says, customers have taken the labels she puts on their order and turned them into toothpick flags to help identify different cheeses.

Wanderlust Delacato owner Amber Park.

WHERE TO GET CREATIVE

In addition to Wanderlust Delicato and Rind and Wheat, here are other places to fill up your snack board Egger’s Meats North 902 W. Rosewood Ave., 328-7701 The Culinary Stone 2129 N. Main St., Coeur d’Alene, 208-4469330

PROTEIN POWER

Of course, if snack boards get their name from cured meats, you probably want to have a good variety on there. Park recommends using something made from a whole muscle like prosciutto, alongside options like a salami or soppressata, and for the adventurous, maybe even a pâté. Ricky Webster, owner of Rind and Wheat on downtown Spokane’s west end, says his shop even offers something called nduja, which he describes as kind of a spreadable meat butter. “They take the scraps of the prosciutto leg and fortify it with a ton of spices and really finely mince it, and we sell it in a little log,” Webster says. “You can spread it on bread or crackers.”

Gander and Ryegrass 404 W. Main Ave., 315-4613 My Fresh Basket 1030 W. Summit Pkwy, 558-2100

THE EXTRAS

While rosemary, eucalyptus leaves, and even lots of vegetables and fruit may make a platter more photogenic, Park says she actually hates it when there are inedible decorations or other things that won’t be eaten cluttering up the display. But jam, olives, pickled vegetables, dried fruits, or even a condiment, like a new gourmet mustard, are all interesting elements to add, creating fascinating new pairings that people may never have tried before.

Sonnenberg’s Market and Deli 1528 E. Sprague Ave., 535-4932 Alpine Deli 417 E. Third Ave., 455-5148 The Grain Shed 1026 E. Newark Ave., 241-3853 Huckleberry’s Natural Market 926 S. Monroe St., 624-1349 LINC Foods (buy from local farms via their online market) Lincfoods.com, 505-0446

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

JONATHAN HILL ILLUSTRATION

For the Birds Bring dozens of Inland Northwest bird species right to your backyard with just a little planning BY E.J. IANNELLI

very year in late December or early January, bird enthusiasts around the world participate in the Christmas Bird Count, or CBC, as it’s known in birdwatching circles. The event is an attempt to create an up-to-the-minute snapshot of avian populations by logging actual sightings within a short window of time. In the early days of 2021, the annual Spokane CBC recorded at least 72 species — not counting a peregrine falcon that was spotted just before the official start of the count. That number might seem high, especially at the height of winter, but it’s more or less on a par with years past. And it speaks to the variety of birds that can be found throughout the Inland Northwest at any time of year. The good news is that you don’t have to travel very far to find them. Over the years, Alan McCoy, the current president of the Spokane Audubon Society, has logged

more than 100 species just in his backyard. He attracts them through simple methods that novice bird enthusiasts can use too. “If you put out nothing else, put out black oil sunflower seed. You can find it in any store. There are lots of different feeders, but some of the best are the cylinder feeders that are clear plastic. You can hang them somewhere that’s readily available. Not only finches but chickadees and nuthatches will come to those and grab a seat.” McCoy also suggests suet cakes, which can be purchased almost anywhere that sells birdseed. In addition to the familiar nuthatches and chickadees, suet cakes will also attract woodpeckers. Thistle seed, also called Nyjer seed, will attract different varieties of finches as well as California quail and pine siskins. For a cross-species treat, you can drill large holes in a log and fill them with peanut butter. Planting seedor fruit-bearing native trees and shrubs like

serviceberries is yet another way to attract and feed birds. “Birds can usually find food, but water can sometimes be scarce. So the most critical thing is to put out water, especially in the summer and fall,” he says. That can take the form of a traditional pedestal birdbath, a hanging shallow bowl or even a small pond with circulating water. “But, importantly, you want to put that water in a place that doesn’t also have hiding places for predators like cats.”

hat last point is one that McCoy emphasizes repeatedly as key to responsible birdwatching. Since 1970, the total North American bird population has fallen by around 3 billion. Although habitat loss from deforestation and other human activity is a major factor in avian decline, predation from outdoor cats also ...continued on next page FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

“You need to make sure that the opening meets their requirements,” says Lindell Hagplays a significant role. In the United States, gin, a Spokane Audubon Society chapter leadthe National Audubon Society has estimated er of 50 years. “If it’s too big, you’re going to that domestic and feral cats kill anywhere have some larger species going in there. And between 1.3 and 4 billion birds annually — so if you do want to protect the native birds, rates that are too great for bird populations to you want to make sure the holes are of the fully recover. proper size for, say, a chickadee, a nuthatch or Another threat to guard a bluebird.” against is other birds. Here, just a quarter of Handy Websites an inch can make all the Non-native species like house sparrows and Eudifference between an openfor Birders ropean starlings are “very ing that keeps a maraudaggressive birds” that will ing house sparrow safely • www.birds.cornell.edu force more docile species out outside and one that leaves • www.spokaneaudubon.org of an area or even kill them, occupants vulnerable. For • www.birdwatchingdaily.com McCoy says. Allowing these guidance on proper bird• ebird.org species to overrun a feeder house dimensions, Haggin or a birdhouse actually does recommends consulting the more harm than good. Spokane Audubon Society’s “If somebody’s going to put up a birdwebsite or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology house, they must be willing to monitor the for patterns and plans. As for that iconic peg house and clean them out when the birds are that often features just below the birdhouse done nesting,” he says. Along with preventing entrance? It’s not necessary and may even be invasive species from muscling in, the routine a liability, as it gives invading birds a perch monitoring and cleaning help to curb the for attack. spread of disease among birds. These small acts of mindfulness on the One way to exert tighter control over part of the aspiring birdwatcher can have which birds are inhabiting your birdhouses is big rewards. Haggin has welcomed over 110 to build them to suit particular species. different bird species to her backyard near the

“FOR THE BIRDS,” CONTINUED...

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PILLOW TALK

If You Snooze, You Win W hat is the most important action we can take to have a healthy and long life? Exercise? Nutrition? While both are important, they take second place to another behavior: good sleep. We are the only animal on the planet that voluntarily deprives itself of sleep, and Mother Nature does not approve. Poor sleep makes it very hard to find the motivation to exercise. Poor sleep increases a hormone called ghrelin that leads to a craving for carbohydrates in large quantities. Poor sleep is hard on our hearts. A dramatic example of this is daylight saving time. The day after we “spring ahead,” resulting in the loss of an hour of sleep, fatal heart attacks increase by 27 percent. The day after we switch back, fatal heart attacks are reduced by 22 percent. Poor sleep also increases the risk of diabetes, infertility and depression. It’s clear that our bodies react poorly to a lack of sleep. We know what to do: engage in quiet, non-electronic activities for an hour or more before bed, wake up at the same time each day, avoid caffeine after noon, get sunlight exposure in the morning, if only through a window, and eliminate

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KEEPING IT CLEAN The Washington Department of FIsh and Wildlife cautions bird lovers that feeders can spread salmonella, which is usually fatal for birds. During an outbreak, which was reported in several counties as this issue of H&H went to press, you should either temporarily discontinue using feeders or clean them daily. To clean,

Little Spokane River. Beyond developing a better appreciation of their sometimes subtle differences in appearance, she says that birds bring a practical benefit. Bluebirds, for instance, eat plenty of nuisance insects. She’s also come to see unique personalities and displays of cleverness in some of her regular visitors. “The other day I heard this clanging. A chickadee had figured out that if you tap on a seemingly empty feeder, maybe you’ll dislodge something. And then if you go to the bottom, you’ll find a seed,” she says. “You notice these behaviors, and it’s just fascinating to see those behaviors and how birds relate to one another. This is a wonderful way of getting to know birds in another way.”

alcohol. Eating the biggest meal at night is a frequent cause of insomnia. The body is turning food into fuel at the exact wrong time of day, making falling and staying asleep difficult. If insomnia has Robert Maurer been a problem for many years, a free app called CBT-I Coach, which was developed by the VA and Stanford, is very helpful. The plea: Make sleep a priority. The extraordinary businessman Warren Buffet said it clearly, “When forced to choose, I will not trade even a night’s sleep for a chance of extra profits.” — ROBERT MAURER Robert Maurer is a Spokane psychologist and the author of several books including Mastering Fear and One Small Step Can Change Your Life.

first rinse the feeder with warm soapy water, then dunk it in a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach. Rinse again, dry and refill. Also, keep the area below the feeder clean. Wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after working with bird feeders and baths as there is a possibility that the disease

can spread to humans. At your feeder, birds with salmonella may appear unusually tame or lethargic, and present with their feathers fluffed out. They should be left alone. If you find a dead bird, try to avoid handling it and report the event to the WDFW at wdfw.wa.gov. — ANNE McGREGOR

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Vanquishing the Virus The new coronavirus vaccines actually build on a long history BY MATT THOMPSON

hinking about getting a vaccine? printer, adds its own genetic code and proFor a better understanding of how ceeds to print exponential replicas of itself. COVID-19 vaccines work, I think All of those replicas trash the house it is helpful to understand how the virus then start pouring out the windows and causing COVID-19 operates. doors, creeping down the streets to find I like to think of SARS COV-2 as a more houses. The owners of the house sneaky, larcenous, scary jester type of may manage to capture a couple of jesters clown with a crazy and display the intruders spiked hat that preys in a call for help from first upon the delicate, responders. But each town RECOMMENDED peace-loving cells that has a different fire and line our mucous mempolice program. In some VIEWING branes throughout the towns a firetruck shows I highly recommend the awesome lungs, mouth, nose up for a small kitchen fire Netflix mini series Coronavirus, and gut. I imagine started by a jester and in Explained, for more information those cells to be like response they flood the on dealing with the stress of Covid-19 a row of houses that house with water, destroyand the outlook for vaccines to stop it. serve as a border and ing the house complete — MATT THOMPSON barrier for the town ly. In some towns the that is our bodies. The police may show up with jester uses its spiky hat armored vehicles sporting like a key to a lock — in this case the lock is cannons, which also does not turn out called an Angiotensin Converting Enwell for the house. In some towns the first zyme-2 receptor — to gain entry to human responders don’t show up at all. cells. Once in the house, the COVID jester Similarly for some people, the immune takes out a 3D printer, scrounges around system’s first responders may flood cells in the house for raw materials to use in the with inflammatory chemicals and immune

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cells, or there may be little to no immune response at all in response to the jester’s violation. This is why there is such variability in severity of illness in humans. Incidentally, older people have a higher proportion of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 receptors in their lungs compared to younger people. This may be one factor leading to worse outcomes for older people.

here are dozens of vaccines in the works, some that present recipients’ immune systems with neutered, weakened jesters. Some vaccines introduce our immune systems to just the spiky jester hat, while others put the spiky jester hat on a common, weak virus that enters our cells and permits a protective immune response to the spiky hat without much other illness. While COVID-19 is new, many of these vaccine platforms have been used to develop vaccines for other diseases. Some never made it through clinical trials because often when an infectious crisis ceases, funding for vaccine development and clinical trials also ceases. This was the

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case for vaccines developed for MERS, SARS COV-1 and the Ebola virus. Everything was ready to go for all of those vaccines to move to clinical trials, but when the crisis was over, funding dried up. Of all the vaccine platforms to prevent COVID-19, the messenger RNA vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna represent a brilliant advancement in vaccine technology. The elegance of the mRNA platform is that they are like a message in a bottle with the message being the genetic code used by our cells to produce just the jester’s spiky hat, prodding us to develop protective antibodies and educating our immune system about the invader. The mRNA vaccines deliver these little strands of genetic information within a dissolvable coating of lipid nanoparticles, technology that has been successfully used for immunotherapies and cancer treatments for over a decade. Once delivered by injection, these nanoparticle bottles are absorbed by cells that reside in our skin and initiate the immune response that carries on throughout our bodies. MRNA messages are only translated outside of the cell’s nucleus control center, so the cell’s DNA is not altered in any way and the messages rapidly dissolve. Let’s be clear: The foundational work for mRNA-based vaccines has been ongoing for decades. These new vaccines were not rushed. The preparatory work had already been done, and technology allowed them to be developed and produced efficiently. Clinical trials were conducted in parallel, rather than serially, which allowed more efficient delivery of data to the FDA, which has dedicated unprecedented resources to the evaluation of a vaccine. I received the Pfizer mRNA vaccine on Dec. 23 and got my booster on Jan 14. I feel great and very fortunate. I hope the difficulties with distribution get worked out so my loved ones and everybody else have a chance to get protected. I know I won’t be doffing the mask and licking doorknobs anytime soon, but it will be nice to know it will be a lot less likely for me to give SARS COV-2 to anybody else. Matt Thompson is a pediatrician at Spokane’s Kids Clinic.

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

On a January outing to Turnbull Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge, Ben Goldfarb scouts for signs of beaver activity. (inset) Beavers near Riverfront Park. DANIEL WALTERS PHOTOS

Consider the Beaver How local environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb turned his love of beavers into a surprisingly successful book BY DANIEL WALTERS

ildlife signs can be subtle, even to an expert tracker. A few errant droppings of dried scat, a hint of a hoof-print, or the trampled brush. But beavers? Beavers, oversized buck-toothed rodents that they are, are not known as subtle animals. Beavers don’t just leave poop or prints. Beavers redraw maps. Beavers topple trees. Beavers raise rivers. Beavers build walls. Beavers change topography. Still, as we walk through the trails of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge on a crisp January morning, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb knows that beaver signs go beyond gnawed tree stumps. “That big hump of mud?” Goldfarb says. He points at a big hump of mud near the side of the trail that looks, to non-beaver-expert eyes, like, well, a big hump of mud. “That’s a scent mound,” Goldfarb explains. “They wad it up with mud and leaves and sticks and whatnot. And they mark with

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scent secretions to claim their territory.” He is, after all, the talent behind the 2018 book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, all about how beneficial beavers are to both nature and humans. Even before Goldfarb moved to Spokane, accompanying his wife when she took a nurse-midwife job shortly before his book was released, he was a fan of the bucktoothed creature. “I was fishing in upstate New York,” he recalls, “and had one swim between my legs.” At first, it was startling. But then the sense of wonder hit. “It was spectacular,” he says, “watching this animal glide past you in this beautiful, translucent water.” Still, Spokane, he says, is a near-perfect location for a journalist on the nature beat. “You’re central between the Rockies and the coast. I can go

write a story about salmon in the morning and grizzly bears in the afternoon,” Goldfarb says. “How many large cities have active wolf packs within driving distance?” And there are, of course, plenty of beavers. They chomp at trees at the city’s central Riverfront Park, diving into the Spokane River into the lodge next to the DoubleTree Hotel. One waddles up to the Auntie’s Bookstore downtown, practically serving as a living advertisement for the Goldfarb books inside. Goldfarb recalls watching a couple lounging on the beach at Bowl and Pitcher campground of Riverside State Park when a beaver suddenly hauled itself out of the water and plopped itself down about 15 feet away from them. “It was so funny to me. They were like what the f--- is that thing?” Goldfarb says. “They had no idea what it was. It was a really shocking moment.” Washington is a great state to be a beaver advocate, he says. Credit Republican state Rep. Joel Kretz. Yes, on wolves, Kretz is considered an enemy of environmental activists, once telling the Seattle Times that a pro-wolf Washington State University researcher “ought to be drawn and quartered and a chunk of him left everywhere in the district.” But when it came to beavers, Kertz partnered with environmental groups like the Lands Council to develop a bill that encouraged trapping and relocating problematic beavers in Washington state instead of killing them. “As a result, we have probably eight or 10 different nonprofits and tribes that are engaged in beaver restoration — probably more than any other state,” Goldfarb says. Writing for High Country News in Seattle in 2015, Goldfarb found himself at a beaver restoration workshop, full of biologists, activists and tribal members who thought the animal was just as incredible as he did. His articles showcasing his “proud love of the beaver” caught the eye of some folks at Chelsea Green Publishing, who pitched him on the idea of writing a book about beavers. “They basically said ‘Beavers: Go,’” Goldfarb says. “‘Whatever you want to write about beavers, knock yourself out.’”

e don’t find any beavers at Turnbull. The signs — including a few beaver-felled trees — are all at least a few months old. But that gives me time to pepper Goldfarb with a bunch of animal-fact questions, like I’m a 7-year-old

visiting the zoo. Do beavers gnaw on telephone poles? (Not generally — without the nutrient-rich bark, they lack much allure.) Wasn’t there a giant prehistoric beaver? (Yep. It was the size of a black bear — basically like the beaver version of a hippo — but it didn’t build dams.) Why do beavers have orange teeth? (Their teeth are fortified with iron to make chomping through trees easier.) Has a beaver ever killed a man? (Just once — a fisherman in Belarus took a selfie with a European beaver; the creature bit him in his femoral artery, and he bled out and died.) “Just don’t take selfies with beavers, and you’ll be fine,” he assures me. Much of my knowledge of beavers, I admit, comes from the C.S. Lewis story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which portrays the beavers in the magical land of Narnia as capable of speaking British-accented English, a trait that seemed to diverge from the published science. “They also ‘eat fish,’” Goldfarb says, as if he’s Neal DeGrasse Tyson debunking the physics of a Star Wars movie. “Highly inaccurate.”

n fact, Goldfarb says, he’d raised the exact same objection while on his book tour in Britain. And, in a quintessentially British development, that comment got transformed into a culture-war story in the Daily Mail, the right-wing British tabloid. Their lengthy and sensationalized headline proclaimed: “Environmentalist blasts Chronicles of Narnia author C.S. Lewis for ‘mis-educating’ the public with Mr and Mrs Beaver’s fish suppers because the animals actually only eat plants.” And yet, that trip also gave him one of his favorite experiences, when he gathered with a bunch of beaver fans in the Cornwall region of England to witness a sighting of the once nearly extinct European beaver. “It was twilight. And we’re all sitting around being silent … And then the beavers emerged and were gliding across this pond,” Goldfarb says. “It was incredible. People had tears in their eyes. Here was this part of their biological heritage that had been absent for so long and is now finally back.” You can get so familiar with an animal, that, at times you lose sight of their majesty. But a moment like that brings it all back. “They’re these enormous rodents with these bizarre paddle tails that, you know, cut down trees and build walls out of them,” Goldfarb says. “For them, it was like seeing the Loch Ness Monster.”

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